As a modern knife guy what traditional folder as my first

[rschuch]

I'd say a trapperlock, Case or Boker. BokerTree switched from using steel thumbstuds to plastic, so I'd stick with Case unless you can find an older Boker. Rough Rider makes them to so you can dive in cheap and try it out. For me, it's a one hand open/close knife with a decent size blade, so it FEELS like a modern knife, but you get the interesting bone, wood, stag, MOP, etc. handles that make traditionals so much fun to collect. Only downside is no pocket clip, though for a long time avoided pocketclips like the plague, until I finally got one and discovered how useful they are (and wore a hole in my pocket so my loose knives kept falling out!).

 

[JustinR]

They are difficult to find but Canal St made several style knives (single blade trapper, lockback, and a barlow) with modern materials such as kirinite, carbon fiber/g10, and micarta.

 

[ArchVV]

There is a reason that GEC started off with the 73 pattern and it is my firm recommendation for a first traditional. It is super functional, tough, perfectly sized and most importantly, it is readily available at most GEC dealers, with some having a number in stock. The 72 pattern is probably an even better transition pattern as it is a lock back and many will be made in the next few months.

A GEC 73 in cocobolo was my first foray into modern traditionals and I couldn't agree more.

 

[afishhunter]

I'll second the Rough Rider suggestion. A "ton" of different patterns and handle materials, single blade to 6 blade, all at a price that will not bankrupt the bank.
Check out the Rough Rider and related thread. They may be inexpensive, but they are far from being cheap junk.

 

[gonebad395]

Case sod buster Jr. can't go wrong

 

[eisman]

GEC Viper and Case Backpocket are the closest I come to "modern" traditional patterns any more. My usual is a Congress of some sort, mainly because I find I use small blades a lot more often.

 

[abcdef]

Boker Howser Might be tough to find.

Any Schrade USA OT (Old Timer) from the bay. Schrade stamp indicates carbon, Schrade+ stainless. Great classic knives, reasonable prices.

 

[mjpgolf1]

Lots of great info and suggestions here so thanks guys. I'm going to keep all this in mind but for now the traditional has been put on hold because I've lost a knife that I will have to save a while to replace. But thanks for all the great suggestions and I'm going to continue to do some research to figure out what I do and don't like so when the time comes I will be a more informed buyer. Which is actually a good thing so I really know what I want when it's time. Happy 4th to you all.

 

[mjpgolf1]

So I'm sitting here doing a bit of research just to kill time and I think I'm liking the styling of the Case Trapper knives and the Barlow designs. I have quite a bit of time before I buy anything so I'm really trying to make an educated decision when I'm ready. I like the look of the swollen bottom of the handle that slims out towards the top. I think that is a design that would be appealing to my eye, and it looks like it would be a comfortable design as well. I'm looking at pricing and it seems like these knives are much more affordable than the higher quality modern folders. Is that an accurate statement or am I just not seeing any of the higher quality stuff? I mean a high quality modern production folder is anywhere from $80-$300 and on up from there, whereas the traditionals I see look to be in the $30-$100 range for a Case brand, which I've always heard was a decent knife. So my question here would be how is the quality on the Case branded knives? i don't need to have the best of the best custom traditional, but I prefer to buy right the first time and get something that will last a lifetime, if cared for. Even with my modern folders I don't own any super expensive examples. No customs or anything even close, but I figured out pretty quickly when getting into this hobby what the better "mid range production" knives are and I tried to put together a few nice pieces that will last instead of buying a bunch of cheaper examples just to say that I have a bunch of knives. I'm just wondering where Case falls in the traditional world. Are they the Benchmade, Spyderco, or similar of that type of knife? Thanks for all the help here guys. I wish I would've joined this forum back when I first started getting into knives as it would've saved me money and made things easier.

 

[knarfeng]

I'm just wondering where Case falls in the traditional world. Are they the Benchmade, Spyderco, or similar of that type of knife?

Case is a good solid middle of the road company, who have been in the knife business for over a century. There are many knife knuts whose collections are devoted to Case knives.

Their knives are very polished, and I mean that literally. Their production process includes a polishing step. They make thousands of knives per year, so fit and finish can occasionally vary. But, I would not hesitate to recommend one as a step into the traditional world.

 

[r redden]

Case is a good solid middle of the road company, who have been in the knife business for over a century. There are many knife knuts whose collections are devoted to Case knives.

Their knives are very polished, and I mean that literally. Their production process includes a polishing step. They make thousands of knives per year, so fit and finish can occasionally vary. But, I would not hesitate to recommend one as a step into the traditional world.

Well said Frank. :thumbup:

 

[mjpgolf1]

Case is a good solid middle of the road company, who have been in the knife business for over a century. There are many knife knuts whose collections are devoted to Case knives.

Their knives are very polished, and I mean that literally. Their production process includes a polishing step. They make thousands of knives per year, so fit and finish can occasionally vary. But, I would not hesitate to recommend one as a step into the traditional world.

That is pretty much a good summary of what I have read and heard about Case. It appears that they have knives in a wide variety of prices, so I would assume that the more expensive ones are finished a but nicer with better blade steels. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Isaacherring]

Also if you want a modern steel, northwoods has a model, the everyday barlow I believe, in cpm 154, there are three different blade variations (clip, spear, sheepsfoot) all in sawcut bone available on knives ship free right now

 

[GasMan1]

I like the way the G10 looks on that canoe. :thumbup:

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I didn't know if I would like this #8 Opinel but after a little break in I like it alot. And as you already know it very inexpensive too.

 

[mjpgolf1]

I like the way the G10 looks on that canoe. :thumbup:

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I didn't know if I would like this #8 Opinel but after a little break in I like it alot. And as you already know it very inexpensive too.

I am completely lost on what the fuss is about the Opinels. I guess I'm in the minority but I just can't get excited about those knives. I see so many folks on here that absolutely swear by them so obviously I must be missing something.

 

[knarfeng]

If everybody liked exactly the same things where would be the fun in that?

 

[flatblackcapo]

Try a GEC 71 Bull Nose.

 

[GasMan1]

If everybody liked exactly the same things where would be the fun in that?

I have never heard of the Opinel until I read some of the post here on BF. You can get one with carbon steel it's light weight and I can afford it. What's not to like? I put a forced patina on it, thinned the handle out and tied a strap of leather on it. Sweet huh?

 

[Pomsbz]

Opinel. It's very cheap. Has great stainless steel (the INOX, I don't have experience with the carbon) which stays sharp forever and cuts like a light saber. As a budget option it's a great knife.

 

[Sandmage]

For me it was a Northwoods Fremont Jack. I know I'm not the only one who started with that one. I still have it too! Good luck with whatever knife you decide on. It's a deep dark rabbit hole lol