Advice for a novice. "dog" knives and gec schrade.

[minimize]

Hi everyone. I've just recently found a love for traditionals. So much so that I've sold off most of my collection of "tactical" folders. I am looking for just a few pieces now. Pieces I can edc and age with. Strangely, that is suddenly really appealing to me. I was hoping to get tips on two traditionals as I know very little about them.

I was seeking a traditional with a single blade. I prefer a locking blade, but slips are ok too. Not too huge of a fan of all the bowie style blades. I love a nice natural handle, like wood instead of a g10 or something of that nature. And the nickel bolstering, only on the top half would be great. Anything with a "dog" logo, as specific as that seems, would be an added bonus. I checked out the KABAR Dog's Head series, but most of them have that stiletto look with the swing guards, that I am trying to avoid. Oh, size of about 4.5" closed would be great. 5" seems a bit big.

I am also hoping to see if anyone has any tips on where to find one of those GEC made Schrade autos. I have seen a few pictures but never one listed for sale. I so badly want to get one of these!

I just ordered a Case Russlock. Looks different from anything I've seen prior. Had to check it out.

Thanks again! Looking forward to this transition.

 

[afishhunter]

The KaBar Dogs Bead Barlow is a nice knife if you can find one, but has two blades and is around 3.5 inch closed if memory serves.
The only lockback I can think of off hand in the 4.5 inch closed area is the Buck 112. Most will have a clip point bade, however, C&C has some with a drop point (not sure if they have a drop point in 5160 carbon steel or just the standard 420HC. The Buck custom shop has the 112, with a S30V clip point or drop point option, and choice of brass or nickel silver bolsters and several cover materials, with or with-out pins.

If you can find a pre-2004 Schrade US made Old Timer 5OT or 3OT lock back, they will be in your length requirements.
The current made Schrade are made offshore for BTI who owns the names and intellectual property rights now.
I don't know how you feel about offshore production. BTI is an American company.

I have a USA made Old Timer 7OT and 6OT (barehead version of the 7OT) and a couple of the offshore made 7OT's.
There are some who don't want to hear the offshore made knives are the same quality as, or that they hold an edge just as well, or maybe a little better than the old Made in USA knives.

Welcome to the world of Traditionals.
You might want to consider the multi-blades. They are not any thicker across the covers in many cases than a single blade, and the weight difference is irrelevant/not noticeable.

My EDC includes a recent manufacture Old Timer 858OT, a 4.5 inch closed 3 blade two backspring stockman.
I also have an new manufacture Old Timer 858OTB. Same size but has 9CR18MoV "equivalent to 440C" (note quotes) blades and real bone covers.
The 858OT has 7CR14MoV "440A Equivalent" (again note quotes) blades and Delrin covers. BTI gets the heat treat done right.

 

[Norcaldude]

I am also hoping to see if anyone has any tips on where to find one of those GEC made Schrade autos. I have seen a few pictures but never one listed for sale. I so badly want to get one of these!

Be a member of as many knife communities as you can and hope you get lucky. Those are all secondary market and they don't come up for sale often. Also, save up some money because if you do get lucky and find one for sale, it won't be cheap.

 

[kamagong]

What's a bowie style blade?

 

[redsparrow]

Your in luck! GEC is just about ready to produce a single blade, 4.5", drop point, liner lock in natural material handles. Lots of good info in a thread titled, "2020 GEC #23 Trapper Thread". Check it out.

 

[Will Power]

redsparrow offers an excellent solution. I think when the OP refers to Bowie type blades, he probably means Clip blades with a lot of swoop.

Take a look at the now sadly defunct Queen Cutlery's pattern No.6 Teardrop liner lock in D2 with wood scales, Bird's Eye Maple, Walnut or striped Zebrawood. These have a Spear blade and can be found with a bit of patience.

 

[JohnDF]

Seems most of the Modern Knife Guys transferring to Traditional Knives want a big knife with a locking blade. I get it, it's most like the knives you're used to carrying. Give it time though, once you see the benefits of traditional knives you will be wanting a whole bunch of non-locking smaller knives. Welcome aboard.

 

[eisman]

The GEC made Schrade autos were very small runs with a total of less than 1000 made in all covers. You will have to be very patient to find one for sale. The last one I was offered I wouldn't buy because it had been very poorly "sharpened" by someone using a grinder.

Two years ago Queen made a run of autos also. Again a very limited number of those exist, and it may be the last "traditional" auto offered by an American manufacturer for a few decades (if history is anything to go by). You can still find some of these if you look hard, but again, you'll pay a premium.

 

[Scott J.]

Check out the Case Tribal Lock. It comes in a variety of handle materials. Here's what my copy looks like.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Seems most of the Modern Knife Guys transferring to Traditional Knives want a big knife with a locking blade. I get it, it's most like the knives you're used to carrying. Give it time though, once you see the benefits of traditional knives you will be wanting a whole bunch of non-locking smaller knives. Welcome aboard.

Happened to me.
Started with my 110 being the only traditional I really took seriously , now I often carry something many people might even consider too small for any real work.

 

[dsutton24]

No dog shield, but the Buck 500 series lockbacks are really nice little knives. I carried one for years.

 

[Markeologist]

The Russlock is quirky but once you get the hang of how it works you will likely carry it alot (I do, paired w/ a smaller slippy as I like having a one-hand opening knife). If you can't find a Schrade auto...and you are happy with your Russlock, try one of Case's "kickstart" models, they make it in both a slim trapper and a hunter.

 

[minimize]

The KaBar Dogs Bead Barlow is a nice knife if you can find one, but has two blades and is around 3.5 inch closed if memory serves.
The only lockback I can think of off hand in the 4.5 inch closed area is the Buck 112. Most will have a clip point bade, however, C&C has some with a drop point (not sure if they have a drop point in 5160 carbon steel or just the standard 420HC. The Buck custom shop has the 112, with a S30V clip point or drop point option, and choice of brass or nickel silver bolsters and several cover materials, with or with-out pins.

If you can find a pre-2004 Schrade US made Old Timer 5OT or 3OT lock back, they will be in your length requirements.
The current made Schrade are made offshore for BTI who owns the names and intellectual property rights now.
I don't know how you feel about offshore production. BTI is an American company.

I have a USA made Old Timer 7OT and 6OT (barehead version of the 7OT) and a couple of the offshore made 7OT's.
There are some who don't want to hear the offshore made knives are the same quality as, or that they hold an edge just as well, or maybe a little better than the old Made in USA knives.

Welcome to the world of Traditionals.
You might want to consider the multi-blades. They are not any thicker across the covers in many cases than a single blade, and the weight difference is irrelevant/not noticeable.

My EDC includes a recent manufacture Old Timer 858OT, a 4.5 inch closed 3 blade two backspring stockman.
I also have an new manufacture Old Timer 858OTB. Same size but has 9CR18MoV "equivalent to 440C" (note quotes) blades and real bone covers.
The 858OT has 7CR14MoV "440A Equivalent" (again note quotes) blades and Delrin covers. BTI gets the heat treat done right.

Hi! Awesome information. Thank you! I like how that Dogs Head Barlow looks! I am trying to get used to the idea of a multi bladed version. Those Schrades look awesome too! So many good options. I had no idea they were made elsewhere now. I appreciate the heads up. Hearing that they are just as good, makes me ok with it. I will check those out too.

I appreciate the welcome. The thickness is what made me not want them. They seemed two layers, like a SAK would be. I will pay more attention to thicknesses. Thank you.

 

[minimize]

Be a member of as many knife communities as you can and hope you get lucky. Those are all secondary market and they don't come up for sale often. Also, save up some money because if you do get lucky and find one for sale, it won't be cheap.

Gotcha. Thank you. I am not very active on the forums anymore, so I guess I am doomed haha! Yeah, I figured the price would be a bit more. I am ok with that.

What's a bowie style blade?

Sorry if you don't get the terminology or if it doesn't fit your pedantic word choice when it comes to traditional folders. Bowie is used as a term for a certain blade shape. Hinderer also uses this term. Good luck figuring out things.

Your in luck! GEC is just about ready to produce a single blade, 4.5", drop point, liner lock in natural material handles. Lots of good info in a thread titled, "2020 GEC #23 Trapper Thread". Check it out.

Outstanding! Thank you!

redsparrow offers an excellent solution. I think when the OP refers to Bowie type blades, he probably means Clip blades with a lot of swoop.

Take a look at the now sadly defunct Queen Cutlery's pattern No.6 Teardrop liner lock in D2 with wood scales, Bird's Eye Maple, Walnut or striped Zebrawood. These have a Spear blade and can be found with a bit of patience.

I do like his suggestion. Appreciate the understanding.

I like that Queen Cutlery #6, from an initial image search. I am going to look further into that one too! Very helpful! Thank you.

Seems most of the Modern Knife Guys transferring to Traditional Knives want a big knife with a locking blade. I get it, it's most like the knives you're used to carrying. Give it time though, once you see the benefits of traditional knives you will be wanting a whole bunch of non-locking smaller knives. Welcome aboard.

Haha thanks for the welcome. I have an old, small slipjoint my father gave me as a child. Love it. And like the charm of a slip joint. I think you may be right about the size reasons. I know I tried a 5" traditional and it seemed massive. So I compromised and went down to a 4" or so. haha

 

[minimize]

The GEC made Schrade autos were very small runs with a total of less than 1000 made in all covers. You will have to be very patient to find one for sale. The last one I was offered I wouldn't buy because it had been very poorly "sharpened" by someone using a grinder.

Two years ago Queen made a run of autos also. Again a very limited number of those exist, and it may be the last "traditional" auto offered by an American manufacturer for a few decades (if history is anything to go by). You can still find some of these if you look hard, but again, you'll pay a premium.

That limited? Wow. Thanks for the information, and great photos. That Schrade is beautiful. I'd EDC'ing the heck out of that one. I am going to check into the Queen made ones as well. Never heard of them, but looks beautiful.

 

[minimize]

The Russlock is quirky but once you get the hang of how it works you will likely carry it alot (I do, paired w/ a smaller slippy as I like having a one-hand opening knife). If you can't find a Schrade auto...and you are happy with your Russlock, try one of Case's "kickstart" models, they make it in both a slim trapper and a hunter.

Thanks for the help! And vote of confidence in the Russlock. It looks so different, that I instantly had to have one. Just googled the Kickstart, not a fan of the thumbstud. I am confused by what it is haha

Check out the Case Tribal Lock. It comes in a variety of handle materials. Here's what my copy looks like.

That is BEAUTIFUL. I will add it to my list. Thank you.

Happened to me.
Started with my 110 being the only traditional I really took seriously , now I often carry something many people might even consider too small for any real work.

The transition feels natural to me. haha I just want something to cut with that has some charm.

No dog shield, but the Buck 500 series lockbacks are really nice little knives. I carried one for years.

Thanks for the suggestion! I actually have a really old one that was my father's. I don't think its the same, but they look very very similar. Maybe one day I will carry it. Right now, still a bit too "special".

 

[minimize]

Thank you everyone. Beyond appreciative of this warm welcome and help for a novice. Looking forward to sharing in this hobby of ours. Thanks again.

 

[Hickory n steel]

The transition feels natural to me. haha I just want something to cut with that has some charm.

The two hand opening was no big deal to get used to, but for me the biggest issue was the clip free carry combined with the inadequate pockets most of my pants and shorts had.
I knew they sucked but it wasn't a huge deal with the particular modern folder I carried everyday for years.
Having a pocket organizer these days for my other stuff that's where my pocket knife ends up riding , but I am no longer a stranger to having a knife loose in my pocket.

If you do find yourself facing the same issue, theres always pocket slips and clip sheaths and such.

 

[eisman]

That limited?

Yes. Here's a copy of the literature that came with them and it shows the numbers for most (not all):

 

[kamagong]

Sorry if you don't get the terminology or if it doesn't fit your pedantic word choice when it comes to traditional folders. Bowie is used as a term for a certain blade shape. Hinderer also uses this term. Good luck figuring out things.

The term bowie is not one that is used to describe traditional folders. That is why I asked. Hard to give advice without understanding what is wanted.

In any case you shall never receive any help from me. Not after that snarky reception.