Best Traditional folder - with modern quality ?

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
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I love the looks of some styles of traditional non locking folders, the "Pocket Worn" is one for example.

But everytime I pick up a traditional pocket knife I'm put off by one or more of the following:

- Difficult to open, insufficient nail nick
- Cheap Steel or "Mystery Steel"
- Too Heavy or Too thick
- Fit and finish uneven or poor

Is there currently a traditionally styled folder, with great materials and execution?

(Oh, I don't like William Henry's)
 
Check out the Schatt & Morgan or Winchester products. I think you will find them a "cut above" many of the production multiblades out there.

The D2 Queens are great users, but the fit and finish is not quite on par with the above.

Another option is to keep your eyes open for Case knives from the 60's and "Case Classics" 1990 to 1996. (Most of those were made by Queen) and they have the same level of f&f as the Schatt & Morgans and Winchester. Some of the best made production multiblades I own are early Ulsters and I have picked some of them up for a few bucks (less than 10) at garage sales and from antique dealers who did not know what they had.)
 
Since I'm going back to a traditional motorcycle (a Dyna Glide) I thought I'd get a traditional bikers' knife. But, like you, I was spoiled by the modern improvements.

I sought out and bought a Buck 110 with the titanium coating. I have heard that the cutting edge (it is sharpened on one side like an Emerson CQC7) was Rc 80, and it sure cuts that way! The nice thing is that unlike a chisel grind, it cuts straight.

It was kind of nice to sit down with a can of Nevr-Dull and polish brass like in the old days. It was nice to have a heavy leather case rather than some ballistic nylon. It's the kind of knife that celebrates that it is heavier, not lighter, than a modern 'tactical' knife, whatever that means.

I followed up that purchase with a SOG Tomcat.
 
OH, right, I should also mention that Buck is out of the running. too heavy.
 
Oops..sorry, these are locking.

I don't know anything about these, but I've been eyeballing them. They look pretty traditional and heavy duty. But not as heavy as the Buck 110.

Boker Folding Lockback and the Bocker Folding Lockback Hunter.
Boker Folder

Then there is the A.G Russell StrikeForce.
A.G Russell Strike Force



The Bokers are only using 440C, but I don't think that's too bad. The A.G Russell StrileForce is using VG-10.

Mike
 
If not for your "non locking" requirement I would have said the Spyderco Kiwi. I purchased one of these as a gift for a loved one and ended up wanting one for myself. Probably the finest traditional gents knife on the market today. Stunning fit and finish.
 
Yeah, there definitely is a big void for old style knives made in modern ways. I think a maker could do REALLY well if they maded old style lockback and slip joints with materials like Ti and S30V.
 
DaveH,
I carry a case trapper, with the yellow plastic handles and chromiun-vanadium carbon steel (6150?) blades. The f&f is decent, the blades hold an edge reasonably well, certainly better than the mass produced slipjoints in 420or 440A, and it looks "traditional". It does take a little more maintenance to keep it rust free, though.

I agree with Bastid about the Queen Cutlery slipjoints in D2. The f&f isn't great, but they look "traditional", hold an edge really well, and are pretty stain resistant. That will be the next knife I buy for myself. I gave one to my oldest brother ( who uses and abuses a knife a lot) last year for Christmas, and he loves it.

Todd
 
Dave, I've most all of the readily available brands. Case, German bokers, Schrades, etc. the only new factory traditional folder I would consider is German eye Brand. In my experience, Well made and finished, and very good blades, way better than Case and Boker. Schrade is better than Case but not as good as German Eye brand. I am speaking of the "carbon steel" blades of course. SOME of the high end collector knives by Shatt & Morgan, etc actually have Cheap SS blades because of the polishability I suppose. You have to be careful and read the small print. :D
 
My picks for traditionals would be the various A.G. Russell offerings. I've tried two of his Cattaraugus folders, and they were far better fit and finish than any standard production brand slpjoint. No mystery steel either.

Current A.G. Russell traditional possibilities:

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A yellow handled Case chrome vanadium knife is always a good bargain. I got a copperlock warncliffe that was perfect and $35. But it does require more maintenance to look pretty, but even w/o work it'll get a nice patina and last for years. I like Case better than Schrade, more for the looks.
 
I have a Case Texas Toothpick with the bone inserts and I think it is a great slipjoint. Actually come to think of it, it's my only slipjoint:eek:
 
The Schatt & Morgan knives are smoe of the best fit and finished knives I've seen. A.G.'s stuff is mighty nice also.
 
As an aside, you don't need a modern knife to have good steel, good fit and function and a decent size nail knick in a traditional folder. I have an 80 year old pearl handled two blade knife that fits all those requirements. Good carbon steel that takes a razor edge. Still mirror shiny with just a few small rust spots. Opens like a dream, the main blade has a nail nick about 2/3 of the blade length. Got it for $10 at a yard sale. I've seen the Shatt and Morgans and they are nice, but at that price you can get yourself a fairly great older knife that's a classic.
 
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