A traditional folder for big hands (and small budget).

[jblyttle]

Living in the middle of nowhere in Canada means I won't be able to get any of the knives mentioned in-hand before purchase, with the exception of the 110. I really like the suggestions I've seen so far, and invite more as well. Thanks for your help fellows.

I'm 7ft tall. I can palm a basketball with ease. Hopefully that'll give you all an idea of the scale I'm working with. I don't want a massive beast of a knife, but I also don't want it to appear microscopic while I'm holding it.

Lot's of good choices here, you may be able to try a few cheaply by going used on eBay before settling or visiting a local Walmart or outfitter if you are not too remote just to see them. You will end up with a quality knife with most of these choices anyway. I am only a small collector but buy alot. I enjoy getting new things all the time, touching and playing and then reselling to buy more, and every so often one will float in that I keep if I really love it. If you are remote and are looking for an heirloom, just make sure to get one known for being a bit durable. Good luck!

Off-topic- I have a friend that is 7'1", we are in our mid 40's and to this day we can't go anywhere without him having everyone come up to him and talk to him about it. He is a very gentle, patient and easy going guy but very tired of it. We live in a pretty population dense area, hopefully you live where everyone knows you and it isn't an issue. People mean well, as it's their first time seeing him but for him it's every day. On the plus side, in most cases I'm the tallest guy in the room at 6'3". When I'm with him I just fade into the crowd.

 

[jc57]

You might want to consider the Case Panama Trapper. It is the two-blade version of the Tony Bose designed Back Pocket knife. For your hand size that might work out to being on the same scale as a Mini Trapper for us smaller guys (I am 6'2" with proportional hands) but that is a fine size for me.

They run about $70 to $75 shipped in the US so a little above your budget, though.

 

[WA Martin]

You may find a Buck 371 to your liking. It's currently featured in a thread (Need some help!) on the JK Knives sub forum here. They run just a little over $20.

 

[Modoc ED]

You might consider a Case #65 pattern knife. Here is a 6265 Folding Hunter - 5 1/2" closed.

If that doesn't work for you a Buck 112 Ranger or Buck 500 Duke might do it for you.

 

[el gigantor]

Really great suggestions guys. I'm leaning towards Case at the moment, but there's just something about how burly the 110 is. I need more money!

 

[jmarston]

If someone hasn't mentioned a Case Sodbuster yet, that may be your ticket! Also the Opinel #9 would perform admirably at about a third of your price.

Neither have bone or horn handles but the beech of the Opinel and the delrin of the Sodbuster are very warm in hand.

I am also in the middle of nowhere in Canada. The Yukon Territory. I often end up buying online or a few at once when I make it to the city. Where are you from?

 

[el gigantor]

Off-topic- I have a friend that is 7'1", we are in our mid 40's and to this day we can't go anywhere without him having everyone come up to him and talk to him about it. He is a very gentle, patient and easy going guy but very tired of it. We live in a pretty population dense area, hopefully you live where everyone knows you and it isn't an issue. People mean well, as it's their first time seeing him but for him it's every day. On the plus side, in most cases I'm the tallest guy in the room at 6'3". When I'm with him I just fade into the crowd.

I get asked constantly if people can get their photo taken with me. I experience the entire spectrum of awe and wonderment in regards to my stature. Everything from "Wow man, that's so cool that you're so tall" to outright pointing and laughing. I often say I bring out the worst in people.

I am also in the middle of nowhere in Canada. The Yukon Territory. I often end up buying online or a few at once when I make it to the city. Where are you from?

I'm in Saskatchewan. I've been buying my gear online (Warriors and Wonders) mostly, except my Vic Farmer which I found at a local shop. Where do you shop online? Also, I've wanted to go up to the Yukon and NWT since I was a little kid. I just read a book about The Mad Trapper of Rat River which totally reaffirmed this too.

I now have my eye on the Opinel 12. Classy, inexpensive, decent quality, and giant-sized which is ideal!

 

[jmarston]

I usually find my traditional knives on the cheap at the pawn shop. The local outdoor equipment store has Victorinox and Opinel so I check those out there.

I buy from there as well but not very much online anymore. When I hit the city, I will buy a few project knives that need some TLC. Usually all they need is a scrub and a sharpening. Most of them I get under 20 dollars aND are perfectly serviceable. My buying has really slowed down the past year or two and almost exclusively buy these project knives now.

You should. The Yukon is a pretty amazing place.

 

[WuGod]

Not a heritage knife, and not great handle materials but cheap and great for big hands (I stretch lots of xxl gloves) is the Cold Steel Eland for about $15. Its a ratchet knife, a version of the traditional Okapi knives (Spanish call them Caracas knives). But a good tough user, with a lot of blade and a lot of handle.

 

[timberweasel]

Howdy El G!

Just so happens I have a couple o' knives that are in desperate need of a good home. One is a Case Large Stockman CV in Amber Jigged Bone (4.25" closed), the other is far less 'Traditional' but could be considered a modern interpretation of a Buck 110. Breaks my heart that they sit unused, not loved as they deserve, and they're occupying real estate that I sure could use for other pieces in my collection. I'm not selling. I'd only ask that you use and enjoy 'em or pass 'em along to someone who will.

If you're interested, please drop me a visitor message with your shipping info and I'll send along a pair of orphans excited for a new home!

Take care, my friend!

-Brett

 

[TsarBomba]

Case large Stockman #6375. It's a big sturdy knife at 4.25" closed. I wear a size XXL glove and I like the #6375.

I'll second the Case 6375, or even a 3375 in yellow delrin if you can find one. Large, lots of utility with 3 blades, and good quality for the $$.

I too would recommend the CASE Large Stockman. It is a very nice large all purpose pocket knife.

Case 6375 Large Stockman would fit the bill.

I'll throw in my vote for the 6375. It's a big, sturdy, elegant knife, ticks all the boxes you specified (I've bought two now, both in amber bone, one near-mint that is an EDC and one dead mint as a "keeper", for under $40 each on the secondary market), and performs like a dream -- even if you're not too keen on taking it to a whetstone right away.

Other suggestions are very good, such as the big Opis, the Buck 110 (they do make bone handles but I think that drives the retail price up over $50?), the Case or Schrade large folding hunters (also potentially >$50 but big, strapping, functional knives), or large trappers (some of the jumbo trappers are around 4 1/2" and have plenty of girth -- as a 6'4" man with meathooks, I like a standard 4 1/8" trapper just fine, but you might be in a different category ).

Here's my EDC 6375 with CV blades, though sadly I haven't taken a photo with a size reference yet.

Just so happens I have a couple o' knives that are in desperate need of a good home. One is a Case Large Stockman CV in Amber Jigged Bone (4.25" closed), the other is far less 'Traditional' but could be considered a modern interpretation of a Buck 110. Breaks my heart that they sit unused, not loved as they deserve, and they're occupying real estate that I sure could use for other pieces in my collection. I'm not selling. I'd only ask that you use and enjoy 'em or pass 'em along to someone who will.
If you're interested, please drop me a visitor message with your shipping info and I'll send along a pair of orphans excited for a new home!

That is a super awesome offer, Brett. :thumbup: :thumbup: I'd probably take him up on that offer, El G., between the two of them you have a lot of cutting versatility and some good looking knives to boot! I left my 6375 at home for Wooden Wednesday but my 110 in "dymondwood" (what? nobody said it had to be REAL wood ) is on my belt right now.

 

[Jack Black]

You might consider a Case #65 pattern knife. Here is a 6265 Folding Hunter - 5 1/2" closed.

Good suggestion Ed. Marbles do a near identical pattern, with stag bone covers and stainless blade, if the Case is over budget. I take the largest regular glove size, and find it a BIG knife :thumbup:

I get asked constantly if people can get their photo taken with me. I experience the entire spectrum of awe and wonderment in regards to my stature. Everything from "Wow man, that's so cool that you're so tall" to outright pointing and laughing.

You must have a lot of patience! ;rolleyes: Or at least broad shoulders I know a guy who is 6ft 11", and he has the same thing ALL DAY He's also a punk, and so heavily tattooed, he looks a bit like 'Dr Manhattan' (if you know who I mean)!

Just so happens I have a couple o' knives that are in desperate need of a good home.

What a fantastic offer Brett :thumbup:

 

[el gigantor]

Just so happens I have a couple o' knives that are in desperate need of a good home.

If you're interested, please drop me a visitor message with your shipping info and I'll send along a pair of orphans excited for a new home!

Take care, my friend!

-Brett

Holy crap! I take a few days off the forums and I miss this offer entirely. Thank you for your generosity!

 

[pinnah]

I now have my eye on the Opinel 12. Classy, inexpensive, decent quality, and giant-sized which is ideal!

I would think that a Opinel 12 won't fit in the pocket well.

Here is an Opinel 10 next to a couple of 110s of various vintages and a large Case Sodbuster.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

I flatten the sides of my Opinels with a sanding block. It gives me a bit more torsional control. And I round off the butt end just a bit. Sand with 80 grit, stain with Minwax and put on top coat of Tung Oil/Poly.

Done this way, I think the Opinel 10 is a better hold (and better blade) than the 110 and much easier to pocket carry due to the light weight. The 10 is a lot of knife. I'm 6'2" and have XL glove sized hands and prefer the 10 for in the woods and the #9 for around town (less scary).

The large Case Sodbuster is OK. Easy to carry and nice enough for light tasks but the handle is too small around for comfortable hard cutting. I have the same problem with large stockman patterns too. Just not enough handle.

If you can cope with the weight, the 110 may be ideal.

Here's my suggestion.... Carry the knive *you* love and then love your kids. Then, they'll treasure the knife carried by the man who loved them, regardless what it is.

 

[4thpoint]

I have large hands. The Case Copperlock is 4.25", slim, has a good lock up and disappears in the pocket. But you got to watch it. Case also has the Mini Copperlock. At 3 5/8", it's on the small side.

 

[jimmyd1982]

Case copperlock comes in right around $50. It gives you about 4 inches of handle to hold on to, but it is so thin that you hardly notice it in your pocket.