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it's alright, this is a safe place, we are all friends here!
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Chasing Grails
- Thread starter glennbad
- Start date
it's alright, this is a safe place, we are all friends here!
black mamba
Gold Member
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The best grails IMO are the ones you didn't know were grails until they fall into your lap.
Like this Shapleigh
Phill, that is a Wow of WOWS! Terrific pattern in over the top stag . . . huge congrats.
Thanks to two of our stand-up members here on BFC, I was able to obtain another of my Cubans, this one in river valley green bone, only 10 made. Thank you, Bill and Matt!
Hail to the Commissioner. The #14 TC in smooth white bone is my most carried knife!
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- Apr 23, 2000
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- 5,501
Great thread, Glenn! Your Kershaw and 2OT stories and examples are what a grail is all about.
The first one I identified as a grail knife was one of Phil's TC Barlows. It was about a year and half ago and I did not even have a TC on my radar - much less one that I'd call a grail. Phil's photo started my quest for TCs in general but the one below was the one I considered my grail. Someone on the porch was going to sell theirs and offered it to me first. I couldn't reply fast enough. To me, this is the essence, the first, and most beautiful of the TCs - grail.
And it is also my avatar.
The first one I identified as a grail knife was one of Phil's TC Barlows. It was about a year and half ago and I did not even have a TC on my radar - much less one that I'd call a grail. Phil's photo started my quest for TCs in general but the one below was the one I considered my grail. Someone on the porch was going to sell theirs and offered it to me first. I couldn't reply fast enough. To me, this is the essence, the first, and most beautiful of the TCs - grail.
And it is also my avatar.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2015
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- 350
I'm not sure quite why this is my current "grail" knife. Maybe it's because I've never seen one other than this image on GECs website. I can't even seem to nail down how many were made or if it was available in other handle materials. There have been so many variants of the 15. This one just seems to have slipped through the cracks.
Its a grail for sure, i promise you it does exist! Here's mine with its brother
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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- Apr 27, 2014
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...Thanks to two of our stand-up members here on BFC, I was able to obtain another of my Cubans, this one in river valley green bone, only 10 made. Thank you, Bill and Matt!
Congrats Jeff! :thumbup: I know it has been a long time hunting for another. How many left to go?
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The Kershaw 1050 has been a longtime favorite of mine and I used it hard in the 1980'ies.
The blade has lost a lot of metal due to sharpening, but it still cuts.
The AUS 8 steel takes a keen edge, but has less resistance to wear than more modern steels.
When I got the chance I replaced it with the Hattori version of the same knife, but upgraded with laminated VG-10 steel, nickelsilver bolsters and Ebony scales.
This my grail folder!
It's heavy in the pocket and is best carried in the accompanying beltpouch.
If You find a 1050, treat Yourself, You will not regret it!
Regards
Mikael
The blade has lost a lot of metal due to sharpening, but it still cuts.
The AUS 8 steel takes a keen edge, but has less resistance to wear than more modern steels.
When I got the chance I replaced it with the Hattori version of the same knife, but upgraded with laminated VG-10 steel, nickelsilver bolsters and Ebony scales.
This my grail folder!
It's heavy in the pocket and is best carried in the accompanying beltpouch.
If You find a 1050, treat Yourself, You will not regret it!
Regards
Mikael
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2003
- Messages
- 6,543
The Kershaw 1050 has been a longtime favorite of mine and I used it hard in the 1980'ies.
The blade has lost a lot of metal due to sharpening, but it still cuts.
The AUS 8 steel takes a keen edge, but has less resistance to wear than more modern steels.
When I got the chance I replaced it with the Hattori version of the same knife, but upgraded with laminated VG-10 steel, nickelsilver bolsters and Ebony scales.
This my grail folder!
It's heavy in the pocket and is best carried in the accompanying beltpouch.
If You find a 1050, treat Yourself, You will not regret it!
Regards
Mikael
Amazing! Thanks for sharing that!
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2014
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- 3,646
I used to think only exotic moderns would be on my grail wish list. But while I enjoy many of them, I find myself more often drooling over traditionals. On my list some day when funds allow would be....
Any TC Barlow but more specifically clip or spear main, and sheep secondary. Stag or smooth bone. But I also find myself loving the pics of traditionals with smooth Micarta. Kind of defies logic, maybe it's just the great photography. [emoji3]
Not sure it's necessarily second to the Barlow, but I absolutely love the looks of the Washington Jack with any smooth cover. I stop and covet every picture I run across. This forum is really a bad influence.
Also love some of the new Northwoods. I managed to pick up a Michigan in Bloodwood, but would have preferred Stag. Or for some reason, their red Micarta.
I didn't really think last years CSC Forum Knife would become a favorite in my small handful of non-Rough Rider traditionals, but I really treasure it.
And that brings me to the Stag Jack Forum Knife of 2014. I was just late to the party on that one. This was actually the blade that brought me to this forum from another (gun forum). I just haven't been able to bring myself to pay the prices asked on the exchange (although I totally understand). Someday I will.
Doh! One more that I drooled over and managed to acquire was the KaBar Coppersmith Barlow. I believe they were done in the CSC shop. If I had known the fate of CSC earlier, I would have picked up all of the Coppersmith line. I think they are unique and beautiful.
I'm pretty sure I'll be chasing some grail or another most of my life. [emoji41][emoji56]
Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
Any TC Barlow but more specifically clip or spear main, and sheep secondary. Stag or smooth bone. But I also find myself loving the pics of traditionals with smooth Micarta. Kind of defies logic, maybe it's just the great photography. [emoji3]
Not sure it's necessarily second to the Barlow, but I absolutely love the looks of the Washington Jack with any smooth cover. I stop and covet every picture I run across. This forum is really a bad influence.
Also love some of the new Northwoods. I managed to pick up a Michigan in Bloodwood, but would have preferred Stag. Or for some reason, their red Micarta.
I didn't really think last years CSC Forum Knife would become a favorite in my small handful of non-Rough Rider traditionals, but I really treasure it.
And that brings me to the Stag Jack Forum Knife of 2014. I was just late to the party on that one. This was actually the blade that brought me to this forum from another (gun forum). I just haven't been able to bring myself to pay the prices asked on the exchange (although I totally understand). Someday I will.
Doh! One more that I drooled over and managed to acquire was the KaBar Coppersmith Barlow. I believe they were done in the CSC shop. If I had known the fate of CSC earlier, I would have picked up all of the Coppersmith line. I think they are unique and beautiful.
I'm pretty sure I'll be chasing some grail or another most of my life. [emoji41][emoji56]
Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
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- May 23, 2015
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- 4,161
Not sure you could call it a grail but I always have my eye open for a Case 6 dot Barlow with a one arm razor main. I have the spear and clip but sure would like to add a razor main to the group. 1974 was the year I met my wife and she didn't care much for me. I had long hair and rode a 59 Panhead and played guitar in a rock band she was a studious church going good girl not a great match. I remember the first time I asked her out she laughed out loud at me. 
Here are the spear and clip I have.
Here are the spear and clip I have.
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- Jan 14, 2011
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So, my Grail knife...the one that started my odyssey into becoming an obsessive slip joint knife Enthusiast:
There I was...looking at knife reviews on You Tube, looking for knives for the boys that Christmas, when I happened upon Rob Bixby's (ApostleP) You Tube review of "da Pisano from Waynorth" Charlie Campagna's recent (2013/14) offering of the GEC 78 American Jack Knife, in Cranberry Jigged Bone. I was infected...right then and there...and let me tell you...ain't one to be found for sale...no where! Hey, I asked Charlie at the Rendevous (see what I mean!). Don't know what it is about it, but gonna eventually find one.
So, the wanting, the hunt, the chase, the great individuals I have had the distinct pleasure to meet and speak with, and who continue to fuel this obsession, have made my grail odyssey worth it. I truly continue to enjoy it...and yeah...I got two (2) Cranberry Charlie knives (Sailor's Rope and the Orchard Jem), missed out on his Texas Camp Knife though.
So, to all...continue to enjoy! Oh yeah, a pic...not mine:sorrow:
Happy hunting!
There I was...looking at knife reviews on You Tube, looking for knives for the boys that Christmas, when I happened upon Rob Bixby's (ApostleP) You Tube review of "da Pisano from Waynorth" Charlie Campagna's recent (2013/14) offering of the GEC 78 American Jack Knife, in Cranberry Jigged Bone. I was infected...right then and there...and let me tell you...ain't one to be found for sale...no where! Hey, I asked Charlie at the Rendevous (see what I mean!). Don't know what it is about it, but gonna eventually find one.
So, the wanting, the hunt, the chase, the great individuals I have had the distinct pleasure to meet and speak with, and who continue to fuel this obsession, have made my grail odyssey worth it. I truly continue to enjoy it...and yeah...I got two (2) Cranberry Charlie knives (Sailor's Rope and the Orchard Jem), missed out on his Texas Camp Knife though.
So, to all...continue to enjoy! Oh yeah, a pic...not mine:sorrow:
Happy hunting!
NJBillK
Custom Leather and Fixed Blade modifications.
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2014
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- 9,594
Wenger Professional 4 layer. It was made for about 4 years in late 70s iirc...
I don't know how many were made, or what market they were made for. All I do know is I have been looking for 3+ years, and it has the Exact tool set that I want and none of the tools that I don't want...
I don't know how many were made, or what market they were made for. All I do know is I have been looking for 3+ years, and it has the Exact tool set that I want and none of the tools that I don't want...
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2013
- Messages
- 4,897
My grail would be a northfield 81 stock in copperhead bone, I should have got one when they were new but at the time I was not into traditionals enough to spend that much for one, who would have thought it would come back to me now. Aside from that, I would consider another grail for me to be knives made between the later 1800's up to ww2 that are some of my favorite patterns in very nice shape, I particularly like large stockmans with long pulls and all the fancy fixin's, easy open jacks, coffin jacks and single blade ebony barehead jacks. So there's a lot of grails that have yet to surface!