Best traditional for a beginner?

Workingsloth777

Workingsloth777

Joined
Mar 10, 2019
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306
So I've been collecting folders for about two years now and I'm just now starting to get into traditionals. What's a good knife or brand to start with?

Thx,
Workingsloth777
 
Try one of the new Case Barlows, I love mine.

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Yes, it's very traditional to buy a Case for your first knife. I recommend the 3½" closed Texas Jack in amber bone, pattern 62032CV. Nice clip and almost a Zulu pen secondary, it provides the utility and slicing ability that traditionals are all about, and under $50.

0QSuoYa.jpg
 
I don’t know where to start other than find a good Brick and Mortor store with a large selection and handle as many styles as you can and choose the one that sparks your interest, Case is a great brand to start with. For me I usually have two on me at all times, I always have a Peanut on me along with a mini copper lock, slimline Trapper, or a Barlow, I have many other styles that are brought in to the fold from time to time but it is usually 1 of those 3, Barlow’s are really peaking my interest lately like the ones pictured so I’m focusing on them for now. The Case yellow Barlow looks like that will be next.
upload_2019-3-23_13-39-28.jpeg
 
Doesn't really matter much where you start, just pick something from a quality maker such as Case or GEC. Look at what style appeals to you right now, something that looks attractive. Don't think to hard about what will be the most useful, because that road never ends. Well, none of them do really so strap in and enjoy the ride (and a thinner wallet :D)
 
Workingsloth777 said:
Thx for the feedback everyone, it's very helpful. So where would you go once you get out of that beginner stage?
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Also, I wouldn't think to much about being a beginner. If you start to enjoy them you'll learn along the way all the various terms and the lingo that goes with it, and after getting a few you'll start to feel out what appeals to you most.
 
Workingsloth777 said:
Thx for the feedback everyone, it's very helpful. So where would you go once you get out of that beginner stage?
Click to expand...

Once you figure out what you like the direction will choose itself. Some folks like a specific brand, some like a specific pattern or style, some like vintage, some like new, etc. I, for example, love Victorinox SAKs and small, single bladed slipjoints. You can be as specialized or as egalitarian as you like.

The beautiful thing about the traditional world (other than the generally high caliber of the people in the community) is that there is no “conventional wisdom” to deal with. For the most part we don’t care about the latest/greatest “supersteel,” stylish new designs, or fancy opening/locking doodads. We do like “pretty,” but we are fully aware that aesthetics lie in eye of the beholder. There is as much beauty in an ancient, well-used knife that has been sharpened within an inch of its life as there is in a brand-spanking new knife made of the finest materials and shaped by the hands of a master.

As such we believe that whatever floats your boat is just fine. I get just as much pleasure out of looking at someone’s collection of beat-up knives that somebody’s grandpa could have picked up at a hardware store for a couple of bucks as I do another’s collection of multi-thousand dollar customs.

You get to do you.
 
You might start with a Swiss Army knife, because they don't cost much and they are very uniform in quality. The bonus is that they are so handy that, even if you find you don't like slip joint knives, you will like SAKs.

Depending on your pocket book, I would also suggest either Rough Rider or Case.
Case makes knives in the quintessential traditional patterns.
Rough Rider is an inexpensive way to test out traditional knives.
 
With Traditionals, it grows on you so you don't need to fret and worry about where to go next. You see, there are multiple paths to choose that's the beauty, none of them are better than another it's just what's right for you.

Before buying anything though, I'd spend time reading in this Forum for a few days, it will help you to see what a wealth of different knives are on offer and quell any angst you may have about the 'right' choices etc. It will take you some time to decide what size knife you like carrying & using, I say this because with Traditional knives, a few millimetres/tenth of inches can make very big difference indeed. Surprising but true, then there's weight, scales type numbers of blades, patterns ;)

CASE, SAK, Rough Rider are good places to investigate and don't forget to find out about recently defunct makers like Queen/Schatt, Winchester, Canal Street, Schrade USA, Camillus etc Moreover, there are plenty of very decent knives from France, Germany, Italy, England and Japan amongst others.

I don't quite agree that GEC is a step up from CASE, by no means, the two companies are thankfully different in approach and type of knife made-I like both of them.

Thanks, Will
 
Frailer said:
Once you figure out what you like the direction will choose itself. Some folks like a specific brand, some like a specific pattern or style, some like vintage, some like new, etc. I, for example, love Victorinox SAKs and small, single bladed slipjoints. You can be as specialized or as egalitarian as you like.

The beautiful thing about the traditional world (other than the generally high caliber of the people in the community) is that there is no “conventional wisdom” to deal with. For the most part we don’t care about the latest/greatest “supersteel,” stylish new designs, or fancy opening/locking doodads. We do like “pretty,” but we are fully aware that aesthetics lie in eye of the beholder. There is as much beauty in an ancient, well-used knife that has been sharpened within an inch of its life as there is in a brand-spanking new knife made of the finest materials and shaped by the hands of a master.

As such we believe that whatever floats your boat is just fine. I get just as much pleasure out of looking at someone’s collection of beat-up knives that somebody’s grandpa could have picked up at a hardware store for a couple of bucks as I do another’s collection of multi-thousand dollar customs.

You get to do you.
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Very well said... Spot on.
 
Victorinox Pioneer or Cadet variant, because nobody does a good solid camper knife today like they do. I don't care what else you own, you need one of those.

Rough Rider for getting your feet wet with different patterns inexpensively - but the knives (or at least the ones I have) are good solid values.

Buck 30x family (301, 303) for a sturdy working knife that is made in USA from a good heat-treated 420 HC.

For me, Case is the sweet spot. Affordable, great selection of patterns, readily available, and I love their hollow ground blades.

When you are ready to move up the quality a notch, Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) is the only game left in town. Most of their blades are carbon steel, though, and because of demand you have to find a dealer that offers early reserve or pre-order and be ready to scramble.
 
black mamba said:
Yes, it's very traditional to buy a Case for your first knife. I recommend the 3½" closed Texas Jack in amber bone, pattern 62032CV. Nice clip and almost a Zulu pen secondary, it provides the utility and slicing ability that traditionals are all about, and under $50.

0QSuoYa.jpg
Click to expand...
Absolutely love my 62032.
Now if I was going to recommend a starter traditional slipjoint it would have to be a Victorinox recruit.

There are so many good choices for beginner slipjoints, but I think the vic recruit is a great first.
 
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