Ever get an itch to buy a traditional knife that isn't 'You'?

Rick

Rick

Joined
Nov 27, 1998
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I'm boringly predictable in my traditional knife purchases: Wharncliffes; whittlers; two-blade patterns that share a single spring; all generally gent-sized knives that seldom exceed 3-3/4".

So why did I find myself returning again and again to dealer photos of this big ol' GEC #65? And why did it absolutely have to be scaled in Black Gold Perylic? A 4-1/2" single-blade, dressed in a handle material that, judging from the large on-line dealer inventories, isn't exactly flying off the shelves. It just ain't 'me' but I had to have it.

One attribute that really sealed the deal for me on this pattern was the loooong straight line formed by the handle and the blade spine (it piques my ire when open blades don't line up reasonably well with their backsprings). There's also something, I dunno...mysterious looking about this dark, understated Perylic that complements the pattern beautifully, IMO, yet I don't think I've seen a single owner photo of this combo anywhere. Maybe it's a sleeper. (BTW - thanks, Greg.)

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(Sorry about the shadows, but I needed to resort to some direct sunlight to bring out the subtle glittery color in that otherwise black Perylic.)


So, how about you? What have you purchased of late that sticks out like a sore thumb in your collection, but that managed to scratch that odd itch juuuuust right? :)

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Haha! Actually, a green 57 whittler. I usually don't prefer a Wharncliffe main blade, or green died bone, or the general shape of the handle... basically everything about it is not me... but it was calling me. Turns out I really like it and its one of the classier GEC's I own.

Congrats on the new knife, I like it. Though its not really me ;) :)
 
Rick, thats a great lookin knife.

I get the itch all the time, and sometimes act on it. Its fun to walk on the wild side.

...Every now and then, I find a new pattern "works" for me all of a sudden by just giving it a go.

I don't get too crazy with handle material though, that Perylic is racy:thumbup:
 
Fun post, Rick. I get that itch to buy something like that all the time.

I don't collect German knives and usually only buy knives with natural handle materials but I was hooked by this French ivory Wadsworth sleeveboard recently.

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I've also nearly gotten hooked on a couple of candy stripe knives though I have no idea why I find them interesting. They definitely don't fit me. :confused:
 
This Italian made Viper Bergamasco is not the type of knife I would normally buy. It really isn't "me" either because it's a larger knife than I usually carry. Based on my limited knowledge, it has a rich traditional heritage in Italy.

I saw a pic that Fausto posted and I just had to have one even though I knew it didn't really fit me. Couldn't live without it if you know what I mean. I'm very happy to own it but those who know me would gasp if they saw me whip it out of my pocket.:D

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I like that knife Rick. Very attractive handle and sleek. The long spear with that long pull, fits the profile. I think the cloud shield really sets it off.
 
Rick, that knife is not me. Too big. But I see why you are attracted to it; it seems to be pulling me in as well. I don't have any GEC acrylic, but that is the classiest they make IMO. I have to look it up and see how bad it will damage my finances.

I did succumb to the urge to buy a Spyderco Dragonfly, but I never carried it and gave it away in the General forum earlier this month. Just to say, that yes, that situation has happened to me before. Another situation that comes to mind is the peanut. I was lucky enough to win one here from Vince in 2010 and not have to buy one. But, wow, I like them and have now bought 3 more myself. You never know how it will play out.


Ed J
 
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It happens to me. Sometimes I succumb. Lets put it this way. I own four Daddy Barlows I would NEVER carry.
 
All the time, I'm for some odd reason attracted to whittler style knives like GEC's #89 executive whittler and any make of Congress the thing is I can't whittle worth a darn:(.
 
I pretty much only carry and purchase traditional knives but the other week I purchased a strider pt, ended up selling it a day or so after purchasing it...I don't know what the hell I was thinking.
 
Not really. But then again, my tastes run the gamut when it comes to traditional knives. Cattlemen, sodbusters, stockmen, swaybacks, toothpicks, whittlers; they're all good. Then there are bowies and the more exotic knives like balisongs, bolos, khukuris, laguioles, navajas, and puukkos. I like them all and there really is no rhyme or reason when it comes to what I like. My only criteria is that I like my traditional knives to have natural handle materials. I only have one synthetic, a delrin handled stockman from Cold Steel. It's the last one I'll ever buy. Only bone, ivory, stag, or wood for me from now on.

- Christian
 
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Nothing wrong with that one at all! What is not to like? Spear with a long swedge. Long pull.......and the handles remind me a bit of Tortoise shell. (much better looking than the fools gold to me.......Not that I would even kick one of the fools gold handled one out of bed).

I don't have any rhyme or reason with my traditionals so far. I just buy what ever catches my fancy. I don't think I will ever really have a "theme"

I like brown bone, and stag. Orange or "harvest" bone, Worm grooved or jigged bone........

I only have about 11 or 13 traditionals.
 
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I LOVE the Ben Hogan, especially the ones with the long pull!

For this thread? I bought a single blade barlow, standard knife co. white bone. I have no idea why I bought that knife!
 
Along the same topic, I was really eying those "Ben Hogan" pattern knives. But why I haven't picked one up yet, the hump on the main bolster just "isn't me". Perhaps that doesn't matter...
 
Hmmmm... I have bought knives that I THOUGHT were 'me' only to discover otherwise. Does that count?
 
Sodbuster and 110, just to name a couple. And I'm considering the Canal Street folding hunter, which means I'm going to buy it.
 
GEC Conductor (stag) with bail... I just had to have that bail.
I do like the GEC acrylic...dead skunk is different.
 
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