EDC traditional for my dad

gmorel1916

gmorel1916

Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
646
Hey guys, I come to you completely green in the ways of traditional knives with a question haha. My dad just beat cancer for the second time and I'm looking to get him a good traditional to carry everyday when he goes back to work (as a MD) in the new year. He used to carry a cheap yellow handled buck traditional something when I was a kid. I started to browse myself and there's so many it was overwhelming haha. Wood or bone handles are a plus. I'm a college student so I can't afford a custom or anything uber pricey. So, suggestions? Thanks!
 
Can't go wrong looking at GEC knives or northward knives and of course case knives. You can check out GEC and Northwoods at knivesshipfree.com for the case i like a bunch but check out a sodbuster Jr or a swayback jack can't really go wrong. Hope that helps and I'm very happy your dad beat Cancer.

Best of luck hunting

Jorge
 
If he's a doctor, you might consider a smaller knife like a #33 conductor, or a #68 white owl, or a #66 slim. There is a Northwoods 31 that is a great little pocket knife also. Of course the #15 TC barlow and the #15 boys knife is a nice carrying knife. My favorite small knife is the #06 Pemberton, but they are few available, and of course the #25 barlow is very very hard to find.

Hope this helps you.
 
Get him a Doctor's knife made by Case or one of the other slip joint makers.
CaseXXWhiteDoctorsKnife.jpg
It's an old traditional pattern with a spear point blade and a spatula, used in the good old days to mix powders or count and separate pills. The non bladed end was used as a pill crusher.
 
Last edited:
Best wishes to your Dad for his continued recovery. If he liked a yellow handled traditional look around for a GEC in the Yellow Rose configuration; yellow bone handles. There were several patterns, all traditionals, all nice, most reasonable in price. OH
 
What happened to his old yellow Buck? A safe bet might be to get him the same pattern in a fancier handle, from Buck's custom shop or Case.
Not knowing what his old pattern was, and not knowing what he'll do with the knife, it's hard to make an inspired choice.
A doctors' knife for the large blade in a small handle, and because he's a doctor? A peanut because it's a popular, practical knife in a smaller package?
 
Since he's an MD, he might appreciate a Doctor's Knife pattern. Case made a nice one with damascus blades. The Doctor's Knife comes with a spatula secondary blade for scooping powders and such, and a flat pill crusher end cap.

5712BAbabydocdamascus.jpg
 
Great to hear that he beat that nasty stuff--GEC would be the way I'd go. My personal favorites are the #42 trappers, but they have some stout pulls. If that is not a issue, then consider them. Similarly, a #42 trader (lock back) is very easy to open. If you wish to go smaller, a #73 single or double blade is a very "pocketable" knife; they can be had as slip joints or single blade liner locks--I have both and they are excellent. The #76 outlaw jack is very nice as well. If you wish to go the stockman route, then I prefer the #81 over the #82 because of the style of clip point blade offered. Considering what I just wrote, your biggest problem will be choosing between all the wonderful patters... not a bad problem to have! ;) Let us know which way you go. And best wishes to your father!
 
It would be easier to answer if we knew what he likes.

►Does he like stainless steel knives? Bucks are only stainless steel. Would he be open to carbon steel? Some folks don't care for it.
►How big a knife does he like to carry?
►How much money were you wanting to spend?
 
knarfeng said:
It would be easier to answer if we knew what he likes.

►Does he like stainless steel knives? Bucks are only stainless steel. Would he be open to carbon steel? Some folks don't care for it.
►How big a knife does he like to carry?
►How much money were you wanting to spend?
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for all the replies!

Steel type isn't really a big deal. He doesn't carry large knives. The buck he had wasn't huge but it wasn't tiny. It had 3 blades. As far as what I want to spend, I'm not really sure, maybe up to $150 if its the right knife but ideally less than that.
 
gmorel1916,
Congratulations to Your Fathers Health.
I think that a pocket knife is a great thoughtful gift.
Take a look at Case or G.E.C., two well made knives. Happy Hunting.
Post some photos of the finial choice.
Good Luck with Your studies.
 
gmorel1916 said:
Wow, thanks for all the replies!

Steel type isn't really a big deal. He doesn't carry large knives. The buck he had wasn't huge but it wasn't tiny. It had 3 blades. As far as what I want to spend, I'm not really sure, maybe up to $150 if its the right knife but ideally less than that.
Click to expand...

You just answered your own question, I'll bet he used to carry a buck cadet. Just get him a black cadet. He'll like it and it won't break your bank.
 
Thanks guys! After looking around I think I want to get a carbon steel bladed model. I was looking at the Buck Cadet since that's what he used to have but as someone said before it has stainless blades and I think it may be a tad small now since he does some farm-ish stuff in the property he has. I keep seeing these really neat GEC knives with a cut out pop up in picture threads in this sub-forum. Would that kind be suitable? He's in his early 60's and that cutout seems like it'd help a lot.
 
Also what number is that model and is it hard to find? Sorry for all the green questions haha. You guys are a HUGE help
 
With a matching Case chestnut bone CV peanut.

All under your budget and you'd be hard pressed to find a pair that are any better.
 
If you are looking for a mid size knife that can do most how about a slimline trapper light weight one blade and can be had in stainless or carbon steel
 
gmorel1916 said:
Thanks guys! After looking around I think I want to get a carbon steel bladed model. I was looking at the Buck Cadet since that's what he used to have but as someone said before it has stainless blades and I think it may be a tad small now since he does some farm-ish stuff in the property he has. I keep seeing these really neat GEC knives with a cut out pop up in picture threads in this sub-forum. Would that kind be suitable? He's in his early 60's and that cutout seems like it'd help a lot.
Click to expand...

It's called an Easy Open or EO.

There's a few options out there, you might even find a knife that is pinchable. I know I don't use the nail nick on my Sodbuster Junior. It's a good size, has a fat handle (easier to hold on), inexpensive, thin slicing blade, not too big, and it's pinchable. A yeller CV Sodbuster Junior is a great little knife and fits the farm thing well.
 
Buck loyalty runs deep.

For the money you have to spend you could replace his cadet with a new one plus get a larger work knife like the (50th Anniversery) 110, the 112 or Buck 500.

Or if you want to get something nicer, look at Bucks custom offering.

Most older guys I know are often quite brand loyal.
 
Have a look at Buck's custom shop. Go to their website and click on "Build a Custom Knife." I reckon a 503 prince might do nicely. You'll have your choice of wood or antler scales, and engraving, too. Not too pricey, either, especially the wood handles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top