All hail old knives...

LKJW

LKJW

Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
1,832
I hate reading about people getting spendy knives they are disappointed in. I hate when it happens to me. I have a mini copperlock beside me which is, aside from my SBJs, the best Case I have. The grind is terrible and goes nowhere close to the "tip". I also have a 40 year old 194OT. The thing is flawless. No blade play. Great blade profile - sharpened to a razor in five minutes. I've been thinking about this and the knives that make their way into my pocket/collection. I'm pretty stoked on the PAL EO Jack that easily opened my toe (like a scalpel). Gonna be carrying that one a lot. And my 120T. Bought a US 180T (mint) today for $10. That's less than a rough rider.

I love the forum knife. Quality wise, it is my nicest non-custom. I own two customs because I was lucky enough to win them. But the thrill of knife collecting for me is getting old american knives with carbon blades, cheap, that I know will be around long after me. I guess that's traditional. The fact that I own so many, that's ridiculous. But when my wife asks me why I have a box full of Sharpfingers, I can't explain it. I always come back to, well, I could sell them for more than I paid. Cause I was lucky, and I picked them up cheap. Saw one on the Bay for over $100 today. That's not why though. I want my great, great grandkids to have one each.

Ah, I don't know, it's late and I can't sleep. Ignore me.
 
Good post. I agree that the old ones are a special sort. Hard to get them where I live so I stick with the new. Maybe I'll make a good couple oldies for the future :)
 
The best values are definitely in the oldies. The ones in this photo were all purchased for a total of $5 at an antique store. There were actually about six more that I have since tossed due to condition. I look at it as buying the 33OT for $5 and getting the rest free. I asked the clerk if they had any pocket knives and he said "no". I said "not one?" He said "just this old plastic bucket full of junk". They were covered in rust and many were in pieces. He agreed to take $5 for the lot but the plastic bucket was extra! I said forget the bucket and just give me the knives.

I had so much fun soaking these in oil and cleaning them up and trying to determine if I could use them in some way. Turns out the Old Timer was the only real user but the little yellow kutmaster is a viable option if needed. The others are nice to have on hand to inspect and hold as examples of patterns.

These knives are past their prime but it's fun to see whats out there. Sometimes you can get some great finds! I'm not an expert on collecting old knives. I have bought a few and paid what I would consider large amount ($100) but wasn't really sure of the value. Since then, I try to spend no more than $20. That way, if nothing else, I have a good usable knife for half the price as a new one.

If I'm at a yard sale, I will ask if they have any pocket knives they want to sell, maybe in the house, junk drawer or wherever. I say "anything that is not a Case knife". Most people only know Case knives and think that they are worth a lot or at least more than they are really worth. They don't even think about the other brands as being collectible. But to a knife nut they are all interesting!

All hail old Knives!

2012-03-27_18-08-55_580.jpg
 
Yeah, I was just looking through my collection. Pretty much all of the old knives (that are in decent shape) have good F&F, no blade play. Solid. I don't get it. I mean, you can buy a US Old Timer still in the clamshell for $30. Why pay more for a Case. The only new, reasonably priced knife I have (and I mean equivalent to the price of that OT) is my Buck 55. Got a good deal, and that is a NICE knife. SBJ's are great, but for the same price you can get a mint vintage knife. There is a place for both, I'm not saying there isn't, but...actually, never mind...keep buying new knives. :cool: :)
 
I prefer old knives ...why? Because I usually get some awesome deals on them, and they make great users
 
LKJW said:
[...]I'm pretty stoked on the PAL EO Jack that easily opened my toe[...]
Click to expand...

This made me laugh out loud (though I really do sympathize). A signature-worthy line if ever there was one.
 
Agree with ya to a certain extent: I just can't stand old celluloid-scaled knives. So hail old knives (except those).

I for one would like to get my first brand new traditional so I can carry it and "make it my own." I can't get that feeling with a knife that's already been made someone else's. I would definitely buy new US OTs over Case knives any day of the week! I love the couple that I have, but I can't find them brand new anywhere for cheap like you are talking about. So I'm considering a Case SBJ instead.

Also, I feel like handle material has a LOT to do with traditional slipjoint knives. Old Timers were made only with delrin (I assume USA Uncle Henrys brand new are even more expensive than new OTs and Case knives??). I have a couple old delrin slipjoints from my g-pa, but they haven't "worn" NEARLY as well as his bone-handled Case stockman did.

Basically, I care less about how wonderful the knife is straight from the factory and more about how wonderful the knife will be from 30 years of daily use.
 
I feel a bit of both on this one. I love my old knives, but these were my grandfathers knives and my dad's. I have bought some online that were old and used and had limited success. I have also picked the new ones I wanted to be mine. I am conflicted in that the ones I picked and use don't have the same emotional value as the knives of my family, but are exactly what I want to carry and use. It is a confusing business being a traditional knife enthusiast. In the end I remind myself that I must enjoy it and not worry over it. Life is far too short...
 
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