Best traditional pocket-knives?

A

allenC

Joined
Jun 18, 2000
Messages
10,763
Okay, who makes the best traditional pocket-knives (not custom-made)?
I'm talking about stockmans, jack-knives, whittlers, trappers, ect.
 
Case, IMHO. I know that they have been known for some QC problems in recent years, but I think they've gotten it together now and have also come out with some very high quality(and price) collaborations with Tony Bose.

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Dick
 
I am a case fan. I love the collectors, the employees and especially the product. They are innovative without losing the target audience and they make a good quality knife. They have had problems in the past but they have gotten there QC problems under control. I also like the promotional ideas they have. The Case 111 bug even bit me and I don't usually buy that kind of knife.

I purchased a stag Russlock when they first came out and said "that will be the one traditional style pocket knife that I will own." Yeah right. When I heard about the Case 111 thing I immediately started looking.

My $.02


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Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
 
My vote is for Queen Cutlery company's high end products, i.e. Schatt & Morgan, Robeson, and Queen,s "Mini Pearls" and Winterbottom Bone lines. While, regretably, these knives are no longer made with ATS-34 blade steel, their materials, fit, finish, and over-all value are still second to none, IMHO.

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The German mfgs come up with consistant qualty for there traditional folders. Fighting Rooster,BullDog etc. Schrade makes an excellent lower priced traditional folder besides other US Co's like Case and Buck. If You want to see a gorgeous 5 blade sowbelly check out Dwayne Dushanes work on the custom forum.
Bob
 
OK, here I go, standing on my soap box again.
Case knives are nice to look at, but fit and finish are not up to the standards of the following brands:
Mooremaker, Schatt & Morgan, Queen, Kissing Crane, Henckel's, Hen & Rooster, and German Eye. Apparently, Queen makes both the Mooremakers and Schatt & Morgans.
Personally, I find the Mooremakers the most aesthetically pleasing. Their blade shapes, handle contours, and colors are very artfully done.
Lenny
 
A.G.Russell production (designed by A.G.Russell and made in Japan, Germany or USA).
Moore Maker.
Schatt & Morgan.
French or Canadian Laguiole production knives.
German companies:
- Hen & Rooster
- Bulldog
- Eye brand

 
Camillus and Buck are my favorites. Their customer service is great too.
 
This is Case Cutlery's 111 year anniversary so they decided to release 5 different knives with a 111 shield instead of the regular Case shield. They released limited quantities and then mixed the boxes up in the regular inventory. The box did not identify the knife as a 111 so you never knew if you were going to get one until you actually opened the box. (It was like Christmas in our showroom for all the Case Collectors out there). There is no telling how many we sent out of the warehouse without even knowing it.

I managed to get hold of the Hobo and the Canoe. You can see 111s going on eBay for a pretty penny all the time. Great marketing plan by case IMO.

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Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
 
I've been using Schrade, Buck, and Imperial pocketknives for years. I recently acquired a few Cases and Bokers. Boker's the best by far of the ones I've handled. The quality of the steel (one in 440C and one in tool-steel) is top notch, they're sharp right out of the box, and the fit and finish are excellent. Definitely worth the extra money!

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GronK
Just 'cause yer paranoid don't mean someone ain't out to get ya!
 
from my own experience, i'd have to say that Buck has made the nicest of the pocket-knives i've come across. solid, attractive, and well finished.
 
I'm a CaseXX fan so I'll throw a vote to what I know.

I also like the look of the Schatt & Morgan line. ATS-34.........
smile.gif
!!!!

--The Raptor--
 
Case knives are excellent and their customer service is top notch. I managed to stain the blades of my stockman (which was entire my fault) and they replaced the entire knife for free. Unbelievable!!
 
I don't own many, but what few I have boughten recently have been carbon steel Bulldog's. Stainless blades a traditional pocketknife do not make
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Never had a bad Buck. I also am fond of Boker's and Henckel's. The latter two are very similar and take/hold a great edge. Nothing feels quite like a Boker as far as the snap in the blade and the fit/finish.

If you want a Henckels you may have to find one used since the stopped making pocket knives a few years ago, that's a shame too.
 
Of the ones that I have my favorites for a combination of styling, fit & finish, materials, and good steel are Kissing Crane, Eye Brand, and Case (chrome-vanadium). Henckels have nice fit & finish and their redbone scales are very nice, but their carbon steel isn't in the same class as the above-mentioned three. Henckels hasn't made their own pocketknives for a number of years, they are contract-made by someone else.

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Die Entropie der Welt strebt einem Maximum zu - R.J.E. Clausius
 
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