Favorite slipjoint patterns......why?

At this point, they are the single Wharncliffe blade Pemberton, the 93 Ram Foot and the 66 Calf Roper.

Those are easy to carry and will do about anything I need.

 

This thread was from 17 years ago.

 

Lockback whittler because it's like a fine Swiss watch in the craftsman ship.
Barlows just love the shape and they fit in the watch pocket of my jeans

 

I like trappers and sodbusters. Theyre just basic knives that get the job done.

 

The question requires some thought before answering.

I favor canoes and sowbelly stockmans, I think primarily because of their smoooooth profile when closed.

- GT

 

And the OP hasn't been seen on BF for six years. Oh well, people are still sharing long debunked memes like the super Mars images as truth online.

Zieg

 

From the Guidelines:

Someone woke the dog and it's OK.

 

My thoughts exactimento.

 

Stockman and trappers. I consider these working men's knives, and that's exactly how Iv,e used them. I carried a stockman or trapper to work everyday for over forty years . I still carry a full size trapper today.

 

I remember many of my male relatives in Texas carrying stockman knives. After a long flirtation with many other patterns I finally found and ordered a Calf Roper Tidioute in ebony. Now I can relax.

 

Could be the longest coffee break in history.

 

The original poster asked "What is your favorite pattern, and what attracts you to it?" Although there are several patterns I love (stockman, lambsfoot, Barlow, navaja, laguiole, stiletto, Bowie, canoe, etc.), and I'm glad I don't have to be limited to one knife, I would choose the trapper today (my answer may differ in a year) as my favorite. It's the one I carry most, even if I carry other knives with it.

What attracts me to it:
(1) Size and shape of handle. Not too big, not too small. Fits my hand perfectly. And I like the width and heft. A slimline trapper would be too thin.
(2) Number of blades. Like a martini, one is not enough, and three are too many. Why settle for one or two small blades when you can have two large ones? I also love that they are on the same end, which seems to make holding the knife more comfortable.
(3) Size and shape of blades. The spey blade is great for cutting up and coring fruit, and the clip is great for cutting meat. The clip is my favorite blade shape. Great for piercing, and can cut anything you don't need an axe or saw for. I've seen so-called "improved trappers," but I think that's a misnomer. I would not want to replace a spey with a wharncliffe. Doesn't look right, and the clip can pierce just as well. And the spey can spread stuff a lot better than a wharncliffe can.
(4) Appearance. It just looks right to me. Especially with jigged bone handles. Stag and wood are great, too. Smooth Delrin is okay, but I would grab the bone-handled ones first any time.
(5) Carrying options. I can carry it loose in my left front pocket, or on a belt sheath, and there are many excellent sheaths made for the trapper. I am equally comfortable with either.

As Bubba Blue said in Forrest Gump: "That's about it."


[Edited to add photo.]

 

I"ve always liked a sheepsfoot on a knife, so I've gravitated towards stockmans. Then I disovered the wharncliffe (thanks to these forums) ... and I've become a fan of it - it does everything a sheepfoot does, but looks better. My all time fave is the Case muskrat now... size isn't too big (I carry it with dress pants for work), it's fairly thin, and every one I have snaps like a gator - considering late model Case production knives, highest percentage of getting one with good snap on ALL blades lies with the muskrat pattern)...

 

Well thought out and laid out John. I have to agree with you on 95% of what you said. I especially like your statement; "I've seen so-called "improved trappers," but I think that's a misnomer. I would not want to replace a spey with a wharncliffe. Doesn't look right, and the clip can pierce just as well. Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

Stockman and Trapper knives are definitely among the favorites. I'd even throw a Boys Knife in the mix for office duty.

But, my absolute favorite is the Sway Back Lamb Foot. The handle fills the hand and is still very slim in the pocket. The average model is fairly inexpensive and built as a pretty hard-use knife, suitable for ranch and farm chores. The straight edge blade is super easy to keep sharp and the taper gives excellent tip control. It can trim hooves, open feed bags, cut out replacement leather parts, and cut your steak at dinner time (I'd wash it first). Thanks to @Jack Black for introducing me to this versatile pattern.

 

I too think they make great all-around knives.

Did you get one of Charlie's SFO "Real Lambfoot Knife" John?

 

No, sadly I did not get one.
I had a couple of opportunities to purchase one, thanks to Porch Member generosity. But the knife budget during the Summer months is stretched pretty thin and priorities had to be made. I opted for the Hartshead Barlow instead. While it would have been nice to have the First American Lamb Foot, the Hartshead is just as precious I think., so I'm happy.

 

That's one of my favorites, too, for sure. The rosewood slabs are easy to grip, and I love the colour and grain.