Choosing a good new knife

S

scda

Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2
I am asking a difficult and controversial question, I know, but here goes. I would like to buy a barlow, a congress, and a utility or boy scout knife for use. I would prefer these qualities:

made in usa if there arent huge quality problems

Carbon steel, unless there is finally a good sharpening stainless

not picky about handle material, could even be synthetic

built like the old knives ... no peculiar modern designs

brass liners on both sides of blades, unless anyone can explain that it is unnecessary.

sources Please and thanks - Scott
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! I'll move this thread to Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades for you.
 
Off the top of my head:

Congress pattern - Boker, Eye brand, Bulldog, Buckcreek(all German), Queen(D2 steel), and Mooremaker all make congress's that meet your criteria. All are quality brands, but it always helps to be able to handpick your knife if you are able to.

Barlow - tough to find a good barlow these days. Boker and Russell still make a nice barlow at a reasonable price in carbon steel. Queen makes one in D2. If you want a bigger selection, head to ebay, lots of vintage stuff there, but you have to sort through alot of lesser stuff. If you are patient, some gems do show up.

Scout knife - not aware of a maker still using carbon steel in this pattern. The good news is that there is the A.G. Russell premium scout knife in 154cm stainless. All I've ever heard about this knife is good, its the scout knife that everyone wishes that they when they were young. It ain't cheap, but I've heard guys say its worth every penny.

Good luck, I'm sure others will have more suggestions for you.
 
Thanks for the info. I will have to start looking at them. I don't know d2 tho. It is a big world here in pocket knives.
 
Definately check out Moore Maker, www.mooremaker.com, their knives are actually made by Camillus and Queen here in the U.S. and use 1095 high carbon steel.

The more expensive bone and stag ones are done by Queen, their Buffalo Horn and Yellow Delrin ones are Camillus.
 
scda said:
Thanks for the info. I will have to start looking at them. I don't know d2 tho. It is a big world here in pocket knives.
Click to expand...

Sorry about being not being more specific about steel types. D2 is a tool steel, thats a type of steel used in the manufacture of other steel parts. Its very tough and abrasion resistant and also happens to make a good knife steel. It has a high chromium content for a non-stainless steel which gives it more corrosion resistance than your average carbon steel, 1095 for example.
D2 is also a bit harder to sharpen than most carbon steels, due to its abrasion resistance. This toughness also translates into excellent edge retention. Most folks recommend diamond hones for sharpening D2. If you check the steel FAQ here on BF there is a ton of more detailed info about steel types that will help you decide what might be best for you, plus the info there will probably be alot clearer than my lame description.
 
I collect barlows and you probably have the best shot finding a USA made, carbon steel type on eBay. You'll have to learn a bit, but that'll be fun. Queen is a USA company, but you'll have to look for carbon steel.

If you drop the USA requirement go to

http://worldwideknives.com/Russell/Russell1.html

and check out the Russells. They've got the steel you want and all the ones I've got are well made. I've heard that Boker, a Germany based manufacturer, makes the Russells. They also make their own barlows with carbon steel blades.

As for the Scout knives just 'Google' "Scout knife" and you should have lots of choices. Camillus makes a bunch and AG Russell offers a high end beauty, but w/o your carbon steel.

Good luck!

LANNY 'Barlow = Beauty' :cool:
 
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