Canoe knife

S

SaltyKoala

Joined
Dec 1, 2022
Messages
7
Really wanted to get my son a Canoe knife for his 1st knife this Christmas but I want a locking blade and it seems like nobody makes one except Rough Rider and I was hoping to go a bit higher on thevquality scale. Is there a reason for that? Am I overlooking a manufacturer that does make one?
 
I did some quick googlefu, and you're right. I don't see much in terms of a locking canoe besides the RR brand.

A couple of questions:

What about the canoe pattern do you like best?
What level of quality/price are you looking for?

Maybe we can help you find something thats close enough?

My thoughts on the matter as a guy that appreciates traditional folders but refuses to play the "game" to get a GEC, RR isn't bad at all. They only come in stainless and you MAY need to order a couple to pick through and send the rest back. However, IMHO, a $25 RR blows a $60 Case out of the water. Case has been coasting on their brand recognition for their basic line for years. I have have had mis-ground blades, slop in the walk, edges hitting back springs, etc. My RR knives have all seemed to have had a better fit and finish overall.

I've said it before, but I really dig the Brother brand found on the big river site. Their Cowfish is sub 40 bucks, VG10 steel, decent walk, decent talk, pinned shield, nicely stepped swedge. One of my best purchases of 2022, to be honest.
 
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Here’s my GEC #16. Love the wide main blade.

I love the canoe pattern! To be honest, I would go for a version without a lock, the Case version with the etch is great! They are usually a round tang pattern so no half stop but teaching knife safety is important no matter what with a first knife.


My kids each got a slip joint when they were 4. I polished the edge so it was about twice as sharp as a butter knife. I blunted the tip a bit too. They are able to cut apples with them and learn safety with the edge.

If you’re looking for other suggestions, the kids Opinels are great first knives with a lock!

Mon_premier_Opinel45_1200x.jpg
 
This is a hard one. I'm sure there are some out there but I can't think of any. The first knife I got my son was a Buck Pursuit. Great little knife and decent quality. I personally have a locking SAK which is great option too.
 
While I will not dispute Steely_Gunz Steely_Gunz remarks above, I’m a guy who loves the quality of GEC’s (but absolutely despises and refuses to take part in the game of new releases. I usually only scavenge the used market and get lucky occasionally), and a Case fan. I can’t bring myself to go with Rough Ryder. I won’t say it’s entirely rational, I just can’t get past “traditional” American and European patterns being made in China, especially if part of the allure of traditional patterns is, well, tradition.

He’s right in that Case did suffer a lot of quality issues for some years, but in my more recent experience, they are improving. Fit and finish has been very, very good with my last few purchases of new production models, especially at their generally reasonable price point. And, yes, as someone who gets to be picky-choosy I do like that they are US made.

That said, many of the most memorable knives my parents ever gave to me, or allowed me to buy as a kid, were cheap foreign knives that helped develop my ongoing passion for knives in general. So, I’m not gonna beat my chest about heirloom quality and so on… but I do think that can be a bonus, too.

I love the Canoe, too. I think it’s a great all-around, easy to pocket pattern, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen a locking model. If you intend to go American and want a small, locking blade that will last forever, perhaps take a look at a Buck 55 or 503. Granted, they are single blades and not canoe patterns, but they are great knives nonetheless. The 503 is sorta kinda canoe-ish, in that it has a curved, rounded form.

As a kid, I was fond of SAK’s (thanks, MacGyver) and still carry one to work everyday. Inexpensive, versatile, and super handy. A great learning tool.
 
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Thanks so much for the great responses! I will look back into Rough Ryder, my ideal knife would be a meaty main blade and a smaller sturdy finer blade for detail work and the like and a marlin spike .. only one I found was A.G Russel and it was over 300.00. I was also hoping to stay away from "made in china" as a personal preference. He is starting with the Troops of St. George and they require a locking blade. I looked at trappers but the 2nd ( spay) is always large and my preference is for a smaller blade as a 2nd ( main being no bigger than 3.5" ) I like the idea of having seperation between the two blades for a more organized feel ( personal preference) My 1st knife was not till I joined the Navy and that was a Buck 110 lockblade .. still carry it today.. been 31 years. I think I covered everything lol.
 
Forgot to mention my price point is between 50 and 100.00 ( at least thats what I told myself.. rarely holds true)
 
A marlin spike? That’s pretty specific, unless you mean a punch or awl, which are more common on camp/rancher style patterns.
 
I did look at the SAK Ranger but I believe the main blade was longer than the troops allowed at his age.
 
Centermass said:
A marlin spike? That’s pretty specific, unless you mean a punch or awl, which are more common on camp/rancher style patterns.
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Yes, I used one for awhile to get knots out etc and found them to be quite handy for many situations. In the navy we carried them seperate then awhile back I saw camillus having smaller 3 to 4 " versions on ther knives.
 
SaltyKoala said:
Yes, I used one for awhile to get knots out etc and found them to be quite handy for many situations. In the navy we carried them seperate then awhile back I saw camillus having smaller 3 to 4 " versions on ther knives.
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Understand, but we’ve gotten far away from canoe patterns if we’re talking marlin spikes.
 
Centermass said:
Understand, but we’ve gotten far away from canoe patterns if we’re talking marlin spikes.
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Your absolutely right, I guess I was explaining the path towards settling on the canoe and became sidetracked. Its cold ( for Tx) the brain is easily distracted by squirrels lol.
 
Didn’t realize a canoe knife with locking blades was a thing. Either way, the route I’d go would be to get a customized Buck 503 in the the Buck custom shop. Somewhat similar handle profile to a canoe, locking blade, better quality than practically any other similar option at that price, and unique to your specifications. You could even have it engraved and still fall within budget.
 
Unfortunately you're probably not going to find exactly what you're looking for at that price point. With enough lead time and money you could get a custom knife built to suit.

When I had to figure out what my sons first knife was going to be, I couldn't resist a Victorinox Tinker. Lots of tools to keep the temptation down from using the blade in... improper... ways. It's really inexpensive, high quality, easy to sharpen, has a way to tether the knife and Red is a hard color to lose. If he does lose it, it's cheap to replace, and they're ubiquitous. The only thing it doesn't have is a lock, but I feel like if a lock is preventing accidents, something else is going on that shouldn't be.

I wouldn't discourage you from pursuing the dream of finding a more "traditional" canoe- Case canoes have been popular for decades. It's just not going to come with a lock.
 
SaltyKoala said:
I did look at the SAK Ranger but I believe the main blade was longer than the troops allowed at his age.
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This is mine. It's in the medium size category. Not sure the size restriction for your boys age but here it is next to my Para 3 for comparison. Now it definitely is not traditional but could be an option.
 
Well to put tjis too rest I think I agree with EngrSorenson EngrSorenson , the kiddo will indeed still get a canoe knife in the near future for personal use I decided to simplify things and compromise. My 1st was a Buck so his will be too. The Buck 112 Ranger is where I settled. Quality knife and suitable for his Troop needs. I really appreciate everyones responses I was close to going with a SAK but in the end everyone was sold out of the one I wanted so I took that as a sign lol.
 
SaltyKoala said:
Well to put tjis too rest I think I agree with EngrSorenson EngrSorenson , the kiddo will indeed still get a canoe knife in the near future for personal use I decided to simplify things and compromise. My 1st was a Buck so his will be too. The Buck 112 Ranger is where I settled. Quality knife and suitable for his Troop needs. I really appreciate everyones responses I was close to going with a SAK but in the end everyone was sold out of the one I wanted so I took that as a sign lol.
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May it give him years of joy and faithful service.
 
SaltyKoala said:
Well to put tjis too rest I think I agree with EngrSorenson EngrSorenson , the kiddo will indeed still get a canoe knife in the near future for personal use I decided to simplify things and compromise. My 1st was a Buck so his will be too. The Buck 112 Ranger is where I settled. Quality knife and suitable for his Troop needs. I really appreciate everyones responses I was close to going with a SAK but in the end everyone was sold out of the one I wanted so I took that as a sign lol.
Click to expand...

112 are a great choice, and the lighter newer ones with g10 instead of brass & wood are quite a bit easier in the pocket
 
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