Considering Toothpicks

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PunchesInBunches

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Mar 18, 2016
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I have been interested in this pattern for a while, mainly the tiny 3", but after finally handling a Case, I was not satisfied being that the blade is too thin for my taste. I can put my peanut and baby Butterbean through more rigorous use than the Case toothpick. I love the ergonomics and I'm on a tiny knife binge. Lol! So, the question is are there any brands that make this pattern, but with a thicker blade? I'd be willing to consider overseas brands with good quality control as well.

I've already ordered the Buck 385 based on a substantial review. But, of coarse, let's be real, I want more to add to my rotation. If anyone knows anything about the Robert Klaas or Colts blade thickness? Thank you for the help.
 
I have several full sized toothpicks-mainly GEC -the powderhorn is one of their beefiest blades.
I also have a ramshorn Robert Klaas made in China small toothpick. For the shipped price I paid- it is without peer.
 
Rough Rider makes one in the same size as the Case. I don't have one myself. I do have a couple of other small RR knives and the blades do tend to run thicker than similar sized Case knives.

I do have one Case Tiny Toothpick and I share your opinion about their delicate blade. It seems like it would be fine for many light cutting tasks and might excel at things that need that long slim blade shape, but my needs in a small knife are covered by a Peanut.

I really like the GEC interpretation of the toothpick style in their #12 pattern, but that's a fairly substantial 4" closed knife. I have two of the toothpick style and one of the powderhorn jacks.
 
PunchesInBunches said:
... So, the question is are there any brands that make this pattern, but with a thicker blade?
...If anyone knows anything about the Robert Klaas or Colts blade thickness? Thank you for the help.
Click to expand...

The peanut I have has a blade thickness of .012" at the tip to .050" in front of tang.
The Colt toothpick I have has a blade thickness of .031" at the tip to .070" in front of tang.
In usage they seem nearly identical, possible due to the taller blade (edge to spine) on the Case.
Even though they cut alike I prefer the Case Peanut over the Colt Toothpick but that's due to ergonomics. The width of the 2 blade Case is somewhat more grip-able than the thinner single blade Colt.
Still, the Colt is a fine knife (I have Blk. Stag) and it is so inexpensive it makes a great addition to ones small knife EDC rotation.
Hope this helps. -James
 
Here's a quick line up to compare .
20160530_085653_zpsjzwzspov.jpg
 
I have a two blade Case Tiny Toothpick. A neat little knife. Size and width is similar to my Peanut. But, I don't know. I just can't get into it. Too fancy for this swamp trekker, perhaps? I also don't like the way the handle curves downward at the end. On the bigger models it might not really matter, but on the smaller one, it kind of digs into my hand.
 
While I prefer the Case Peanut, one of my fellow Scout leaders carries a Case Tiny Toothpick as his only knife. I've watched him accomplish quite a bit with that slim little knife.
 
I agree that the Case (and others) tiny toothpick is going to be best-suited for light duty. I've got a number of them in both one- and two-blade configurations and that slim, slicy clip is a great blade... as long as you don't plan on going out and sawing through rope or hardwood with it. It's really meant to be more of a dress knife, IMO, and I often find it to be a good "fill in" clip blade when pairing it with other dressy knives of the spear/pen or even sheep/Wharnie variety.



This is not just a Case thing, BTW. Most of the 3" toothpicks I've handled are the same exact way. I haven't held any GEC toothpicks but I can tell the medium one is a significantly sturdier knife than any of the 3" toothpicks, so it's kind of apples/oranges.

The medium and large toothpicks are better for everyday use and hard(er) duty, though I still wouldn't use one to replace a Buck 110 or Schrade 25OT. Queen makes a good one in the #20. Case's offerings are a little more slender but still more rugged than the tiny. All have blades thicker than the old Imperial fish knives that are built on a similar pattern and, for their length, they still do a good job of disappearing in a hip pocket.





While the tiny doesn't seem to have ergonomics in mind (though it does work as a good 'fingertip' knife), the medium and large toothpicks feel pretty great in hand for such a slim knife. Especially in the case of the Queens, Ka-bars, and other similarly-shaped toothpicks, the "tail" of the knife comes in very handy for precise control over cuts, and a shaving-sharp California clip of this length often comes in exceedingly handy. For a one-blade EDC it might not be the everyman blade but I think there's an argument to be made.
 
If you look at my pic back there you wil see yhere is a big difference between the GEC 'toothpick' blades and the rest. I've got pretty big teeth but they never need pickin with anything that big. Its more the shape of the handle that allows them into the toothpick association.Note that the#12GEC is called a 'powderhorn' but I dont think they mention toothpick.let me check.
Yes they do know them as Toothpick.
Perhaps I was 'blocking' so that I dont buy anymore.
Like thats gunna work:)
 
Im confused
Texas toothpick
California clip blade
Turkish clip blade...
 
I don't know the exact differences between the California clip and a Turkish clip. To me, they appear very similar. It's a blade shape that doesn't really do much for me in the way of functionality or aesthetics. I do like the GEC Powderhorn line of toothpicks though. They have a more stout conventional clip blade. One day, I'd like to try one out.
 
I can't tell the difference between Turkish/yataghan and California. I suspect there isn't one. (On the flipside, there's a ridiculous number of profiles called "drop-point" by manufacturers and sellers, including what I would call clips and spears.)
 
I find the tiny 3" toothpicks to be too small for my hands. I have a GEC 57 Templar and a Queen 112 1/2. These two seem ideal for EDC as they big enough to hold and work, but small enough to melt into your front pocket.
 
scrteened porch said:
I can't tell the difference between Turkish/yataghan and California. I suspect there isn't one. (On the flipside, there's a ridiculous number of profiles called "drop-point" by manufacturers and sellers, including what I would call clips and spears.)
Click to expand...

This a million times. Drop-point to me is almost like a reverse-Zulu, where the "drop" doesn't make it to the midpoint of the blade. Think the Kershaw and Hinderer designs for what I consider a real "drop-point blade". Clip is clip and doesn't need to go by another name, and spear-point to me conveys a symmetry to the profile (and implies a bit of broadness as well). There is wiggle room, sure, but the fundamentals should be fairly clear for everyone to understand.

This is why nobody buys knives sight-unseen, regardless of description. :D

bozack said:
I find the tiny 3" toothpicks to be too small for my hands. I have a GEC 57 Templar and a Queen 112 1/2. These two seem ideal for EDC as they big enough to hold and work, but small enough to melt into your front pocket.
Click to expand...

I will cosign on the 112 1/2. It does fit that same bill as the Case 'medium' toothpick but it has a little more substance to the handle yet you do not feel the extra bulk in the pocket.
 
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