Benefits of "old timey" why do so many still carry and EDC?

I used to love one-hand opening and unlocking mechanisms (I still do).
But peripheral neuropathy weakened my hands and prevents me from using them since last year.
I cannot use even the spydie-hole and back lock safely.

So I started to carry slip joint knives.
They work great with my weakened hands.
They also cut great because of thin blade stock and thinness behind the edge.
I also like that the blade is kept closed securely in pocket by the spring, as I had a frame lock knife open in pocket in the past.

Today's carry.

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Tyson A Wright said:
That's interesting - I would have guessed a large stockman knife. Is there any particular reason for favoring the trapper?

By the way, I always enjoy when you post a bunch of pictures - your knives are beautiful, and it's fun to see them in action.

-Tyson
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Might be regional, I don't know, but I do know trappers that carry stockmen patterns, quien sabe? Thanks for the kind words.

Hal said:
I believe you're correct.
That's a load off my mind.
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My favorite knife in the teeth pic. Young Miss Emma hadn't grown up doing this cowboy stuff like so many in this lifestyle. However she was into horses and she started hanging with us a little. At a branding last year she said she'd like to learn how to castrate a calf, (we just use the term cut a calf).

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After the first cut, (opening up the sack) she asked what do I do with the knife? The two guys coaching her (between them have probably cut a couple gazillion calves) both said put it in your teeth. This young 17 year old girl didn't say ouuuh or ugg or no way, she without heistation did so:

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Got er done.
 
That young Emma sure is a shining gal but Jeez, did I feel a tickling in my balls. Because of the cutting stuff...
 
I'm fairly new to the site, but have been a knife nut for a long time.
For me, it started in the Boy Scouts. I remember coveting my "Whittlin Chit" and immediately becoming enamored with the purpose, the look, the history, the responsibility, and the simple cool factor of knives. SAK's and little no-name blades were where it was at, then.

As I grew older, I began trying nicer stuff - Got my first "real" EDC knife in college (Benchmade VEX). I got lost in the hype of premium steels and interesting lock mechanisms, blade and handle shapes, etc for years. Didn't really give traditionals much thought in that time, but my desire was always practicality and usability.

But I've (very) recently rediscovered my appreciation of traditional folders.
I suppose I can't speak on differences and perks of traditional folders over more modern options since I haven't owned a traditional in so long, but the concept resonates with me. It makes sense. Compact, safe in the right hands, and plenty useful.
Plus, I love the idea of having it deep in my pocket as opposed to clipped on it. I've used clips basically since I began, so it'll be cool to return to this mode of carry. In these times, especially living in a large city, that also just makes a lot of sense.

I ordered my first non-SAK traditional this past week - Case Sowbelly Stockman in Olive Green jigged bone. Pretty excited for it to show up.
Maybe, after a little time carrying and using it, I'll update my answer here. I'm already scouting out the next traditional I want lol.
 
Horsewright said:
Might be regional, I don't know, but I do know trappers that carry stockmen patterns, quien sabe? Thanks for the kind words.
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On the discussion of the cowboy knife, my FIL was a Montana ranch hand earlier in life and based on my discussion with him I don't think they give it that much thought. He said everyone just carried a two or three bladed knife that had whatever blades seemed most useful, some people carried Bucks or other lockbacks. I do think you are right about the region influencing preference.

I personally prefer the trapper over the stockman.
 
For me, I carry traditional knives because I just like them better mostly.
They tend to cut well, unlike some moderns. Theyre unobtrusive. They are comfy to use, no crazy jimping and rough grip that hurts your hands. They are safe, since you learn not to be an idiot with your knife, instead of relying on a lock which can and do fail. They look nicer than moderns (Spyderco hurts my eyes). They work in any pocket, unlike moderns where youre kind of stuck if you want to clip it so it cant open. Moderns scrape your hand when you reach into a pocket, and since theyre covered in sharp jimping and boring G10 it kind of hurts (looking at Spydercos (palm) "leaf shaped" blades here lol). Moderns tend to be bulkier. Pocket clips can make you lose a knife when they snag, and they can scrape against walls, tables, cars etc. Plus, I like having multiple blades/tools for different jobs instead of just one blade that kind of sucks at everything.
When I want a "tougher" knife, I just carry a fixed blade normally. I have a few moderns, I like them. They just dont interest me much. The worst thing is that theyre just so...boring.
 
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MarkN86 said:
On the discussion of the cowboy knife, my FIL was a Montana ranch hand earlier in life and based on my discussion with him I don't think they give it that much thought. He said everyone just carried a two or three bladed knife that had whatever blades seemed most useful, some people carried Bucks or other lockbacks. I do think you are right about the region influencing preference.

I personally prefer the trapper over the stockman.
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For what it worth, in the 5 years now that we've been in Texas, A noticeably large number of real working Texas ranch hands in the hill county around Llano and Burnett, seem to be carrying large Boker trappers in a high ride pancake sheath. Some Case, but a lot of Boker and occasional Moore Maker. I don't know wh Moore Maker has making their knives at this date.
 
The benefits of 'old timey' for me is because I'm a bit 'old timey' myself ...... now get off my lawn.

On a more serious note, sometimes I'm not going anywhere or doing anything that would require a one handed opening option. When I know I'll be in those situations I make the appropriate selection/selections of my cutting tools. Like many here, I generally carry more than one knife at a time anyway.
Mike
 
Hello everyone :) After discussion in this topic I am really wanted to try this new direction, and since it was are “assburning design” :) I just went to big local knife store to find something that I can try. As I said before this type of knives is not very common in my area, so this little beauty was the best what I find - a medium sized stockman from Katz
duxlOUN.jpg

After few weeks of carrying I can say that I really like this knife! The main blade have nice, alox SAK comparable length, but with beautiful clip point shape that I always missing in SAK knives. The sheep foot blade is so handy for package opening. About little third blade I’m still thinking Maybe you guys tell me for what purpose this shape is made?
 
Kabancheck said:
Hello everyone :) After discussion in this topic I am really wanted to try this new direction, and since it was are “assburning design” :) I just went to big local knife store to find something that I can try. As I said before this type of knives is not very common in my area, so this little beauty was the best what I find - a medium sized stockman from Katz
duxlOUN.jpg

After few weeks of carrying I can say that I really like this knife! The main blade have nice, alox SAK comparable length, but with beautiful clip point shape that I always missing in SAK knives. The sheep foot blade is so handy for package opening. About little third blade I’m still thinking Maybe you guys tell me for what purpose this shape is made?
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That's a nice looking Stockman.
That third blade is called a "spey blade" Traditionally used for speying (neutering) livestock.
 
r8shell said:
That's a nice looking Stockman.
That third blade is called a "spey blade" Traditionally used for speying (neutering) livestock.
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Thank you! Well, I hope in nearly future I will not need to spey anyone :D but it can be handy to scraping tasks I think.
 
Kabancheck said:
Thank you! Well, I hope in nearly future I will not need to spey anyone :D but it can be handy to scraping tasks I think.
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Ha! :D Yes, I think it's more commonly used for scraping these days.
If you like to whittle or carve wood, the curved edge can be helpful in making scooped cuts.
 
For me it’s about having a low threat option. Slip joints fill that bill perfectly.
For stealth, speed, and strength a fixed blade cannot be beat.

Modern folders are a compromise between the two. While they certainly have their place, I’m solidly in the fixed and slip-joint camp. If I have to pick one, it’s going to be the fixed blade.
 
I went all "lever friction folder" for almost all my everyday pocket knives because they combine brilliantly one hand opening / safe use / not a weapon...
Like this :
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This :
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Or this :
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Or sometimes this (for steak !) :
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Modern one-hand-knives in supersteels are the perfect utility knives, and a traditional is to eat with.
My latest purchase, a hungarian traditional slip-joint, is literally called "Baconator". :D

PS: image search for "szalonnázó bicska".
 
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