Carrying the European Traditionals?

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spydutch

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Jul 4, 2005
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Greetings you all:)

The majority of the European Traditionals are rather thick handled and heavy, with the exception of the Opinel.
I know that my Dad and Gramps carried their medium Herder Sodbusters just in their front pockets.
However I find them a bit uncomfortable carrying this way, advertising: "Look, I have a big pocket knife" :eek:
Despite the fact that my Opinel 7 weighs next to nothing, the thick round handle makes you "feel" the knife all day long.:(

Fausto posted some pictures of some great Italian traditionals, but they look like they will feel like a brick in the pocket.
I wondered how they will be carried or have been carried in the past.

I REALLY like my Opinel, but the pocket carry is what's making me swap it for my Peanut or Mini Trapper instead after a while of pocket time.

I wondered what your thoughts are about this.

Thanks very much for reading.:thumbup:
 
Glad you liked my pics :)
I think I get your point.
I have to say that the concept of "European traditionals" includes a huge variety of patterns and styles, so I'll just speak for what I know, since I only carry two kinds of Euro knives (excluding SAK).

First is an Opinel. Now that I got down to a #6, I find it incredibly light and it passes pretty unnoticed in my front pocket. As for thickness, I don't think there is that much difference between an Opinel and an American traditional. Bear in mind that you are used to the peanut, which is the smallest American pattern, so your habit is a bit 'spoiled' by it. If you compare my Opinel #6 to, let's say, a Trapper, a Stockman or a Canoe, you would probably think different. Of course, most American knives offer multiple blades, but that's another matter.

Second, a Sardinian traditional. Here I admit that you have a point. As for Opinel's, these knives can actually be found in many sizes, but the truth is that almost all people here carry a relatively big (for me) resolza. The 'standard' size is 4" or even a bit more, and even if the handle is quite thin, still I find it uncomfy to carry one in my front pockets. That's why there is only one knife, among my Sardinian traditionals, that I carry, cause it's smaller than the 'regular'; the others (all in the 'standard' size range) stay home and are used for food in the kitchen or table (till today, I haven't found a better alternative to serve and cut sausage and cheese on the table: they're nice, classic, good slicers).

But, I've seen many people here (beginning with my uncles who come from a small village) carrying their 4" knife in their front pocket with no issue. I know for sure that they couldn't care less about the fact that the knife made an evident bulk in their pocket...and probably, they were just used to feeling it there. Only a few times I've seen shepherds carrying their knife in their back pocket. But again, I don't know how Americans carry their knife in the fields, since a regular Trapper, for example, is 4" too.
After all, I guess it's just a matter of habit. I never owned a peanut myself, but I agree with those who say that the 91mm SAK is the upper size limit that I'm willing to carry, and probably I can go with way less.

Fausto
:cool:
 
I tried to carry a Fontenille Pataud. I did carry it for a year, but that exposed tang ate my pocket up! I didn't mind the weight so much, but that tang was too much. Other than that I love the knife!
 
The smaller Opinel's are easy to carry. I have a oak number 6 that is insanely light weight to carry. I use it as my dirty deeds knife for things I don't want to use my damascus peanut on. It carries well in the side pocket of my jeans or khaki dockers. The larger Opinel's carry very light in jacket pockets.

The Douk-Douk from France is a very flat knife, cuts very well, and carries well. The same can be said for the German Mercator K55 lock blade. The Mercator is still coming with a carbon blade I think, and is a very utilitarian knife. Maybe 1/8th in thinkness? The only problem is many European countries have gone to a non locking knife by law for edc. So that in itself rules out the smaller Opinel's and Mercator.

In Scandinavia, you don't see many pocket knives of any sort. Being the practical people they are, they just carry a small sheath knife everywhere they go. The puuko is the traditional knife of the northern relms, and I openly envy them. What a wonderful idea. No folding blades, no inner areas to gather crud, no danger of a blade closing on you if something slips, no having to remove a glove in winter to open a knife. Use it and drop back in the sheath. The best of all solutions. Here I'd be stopped and questioned by every cop who sees me. Makes me wonder if Bosse wants a new neighbor, if it wasn't for all that white stuff they get on the ground.

It's a funny twist of fate that all the new modern tactical knives are largish single blade folders that rival the European traditionals in size. Maybe a bit flatter in cross section, but much larger than what men carried back when I was growing up.

Carl.
 
For a long time an 11cm French Laguiole was the only slipjoint I owned. I carried it during my school years with no problem. Next to my wallet I hardly noticed it was there.

- Christian
 
I was having the same thought about modern folders. A 4" Pattada knife, or Opinel, or Trapper, is uncomfy for me, and I'm not carrying one in my pocket. As far as I see it, it's just unnecessary extra length, weight and bulk, so I choose to carry smaller traditionals.
But, just a quick glance in the general section of BF, and it's easy to realize how many people that carry modern folders are used to carrying even more than one knife in that size range. Obviously, if it's fine for them, they should carry what they want, but I understand them even less than I understand my older uncles carrying a 4" traditional, also because my ancestors might not have had the opportunity to choose, since they only had one knife available..

Fausto
:cool:
 
I have a fairly huge laguiole with a thick bone stag handle but my little one from Forge de Laguiole in blonde horn is as small as my little finger and slim. Drop that in a front pocket and it gets lost there. :)

Many of the Italian traditionals in horn are quite light in weight for all their size. I'm looking at a Pattada for my next Italian.

Mercator now has a stainless K55 in addition to the perfectly acceptable carbon steel. But I prefer my Douk Douks in that pattern, including my small L'ecureuil (Squirrel) spearpoint.
 
I think perhaps you have a too specific picture of what a traditional European knife is. There's loads of smaller knives on Couteaux Courty, for instance. Same even for individual manufacturers: Fontenille Pataud or Chambriard for example

there is also the vexed problem - Boker, Bulldog, Eye, etc, etc. all European manufacturers
 
Just to add to the discussion, the British pocket knives like the Sheffield Barlow's are also not that heavy in my opinion.
 
sgbeskin said:
I tried to carry a Fontenille Pataud. I did carry it for a year, but that exposed tang ate my pocket up! I didn't mind the weight so much, but that tang was too much. Other than that I love the knife!
Click to expand...

I find these to be superb knives and they come with a very good leather pouch that is close fitting and high quality thin leather. If you carry it in these snug pouches there are no problems from that tang ripping out your pockets.

Yes, I know some people are against pouches,purses,sheathes for pocket-knives, I was, but the quality of the F-P pouch changed my mind.

One point to consider, I carry my knives in my coat or jacket pocket mainly and only in trouser pockets in warm weather. You'll never notice an Opinel of Laguoile in a coat pocket, until needed.
 
I'm a hemiplegic with a paralyzed left side and in a wheelchair. I wear a vest so all knives have to clip onto my pocket. I also love traditional knives.

There are a host of pouches with pocket clips so you can carry a slipjoint. Take a look at the lovely William Henry pouches as well.

You can also take a pouch without clip, add an eCLIPse, and go from there.

One of my favorite knives is a modified Mercator. I got one from Europe, carbon steel, all black, without the numbers and animal figure. Added a black eCLIPse and a one armed bandit. Very, very sleek. And very, very handy.
 
Thanks a lot so far you guys:thumbup:
The Opinel 6 I like for pocket carry, but feels kinda awkward in my hand. Even after smoothing out the butt of the handle:(
Number 8 fits my big meaty paw the best, but is way to thick for the pocket for me.
The number 7 is a good compromise for me in terms of handling and carry, but still quite noticable in my pocket.
But maybe it's just a matter of getting used after all. Let's face it: after carrying my Peanut for the past few weeks every other knife besides a Vic Classic feels big:D
I might just give my Opi no.7 a good honest try;)
 
I guess that being used to a peanut will make most knives uncomfy (no matter if they're European or American) in your pocket.
Too bad that you find the Opinel #6 awkward in your hands, cause it seemed to be one of the best options on this side of the Ocean.
Actually, most Italian traditionals can be found in a smaller size (around 6/6,5 cm of blade length), so maybe it can be worth the search if you're in for a change.

Fausto
:cool:
 
I usually cary my slipjoints in the change pocket. Works great, also for my very nice 4" Italian Caccia Mugelano folder.

JD
 
Hi guys!

I like and liked to carry European Traditionals (like the SAKs). But then I found the US-Traditionals. Mostly the European knives are not really pocketfriendly. The US-Patterns, which, are also built here in Europe are really great knifes. Like the Stockmans, Barlows and so on by Carl Schlieper. ( http://www.pocketknives.de/shop/ ) Great knives for a good price.
I own two Opinels. One is in my livingroom and the other one on y desk near the computer at work. I don´t like to carry them.

I prefer a smaller SAK or original slipjoints.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Hi,

Is there any tradition of carrying these European traditional folders in pouches? To me, many of them would seem to lend themselves to easy carry in a pouch.

Dale
 
I have an Opinel #7 and 8. With the #7 I have flattened the sides with a wood file and sandpaper making it a nicer pocket carry and (for me anyway!) a more comfortable user. A word of caution, keep an eye on the locking ring when removing material to ensure you don't file below the circumference of the ring as this will render the knife uncomfortable:)
 
Dale,
from what I've seen so far, people here don't use a pouch when carrying their traditional knife. I agree with you that, for certain knives and with a certain kind of trousers, it might be a bit more comfy (even though I've never used one myself).
I have seen a flattened Opinel too (I guess it's one of the most mod-friendly knife available), and it can make it somehow thinner and more comfy, especially in larger (#7+) sizes.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Check out an Alpin pattern :) Prices range from about 30 Euros to about 90
 
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