Favorite slipjoint patterns......why?

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Well, the 17 year space gives us all time for measured and matured (in some cases over-ripe) consideration But, we all ask ourselves about favourites it's inevitable. The interesting thing is do they change, yeah, no, but...?

I dislike the concept of restricting to one pattern or blade of knife; or those types who want to carry just one knife for the next 8 decades just to show....why are they bothering with a knife forum then? Let's be honest, flirting and promiscuity can be fun even on the knife plane I admire the Stockman pattern but actually only really like one, the Black Box Winchester as it has a low riding Sheepfoot and is generally sleek and great to handle. I messed about with Whittlers for a long time but in the end put them aside..3 blades are not really for me, Congresses not at all-bulky,blade duplication, clumsy in the hand but a remarkable pattern with strong heritage.

Single-blades? Yes indeed! But which one you say? All except the Spey, it looks ugly and I don't geld animals But.....well size may be a factor for many, don't like heavy knives or too long as it starts that belt carry nonsense and a pocket knife is for the pocket, and mine are not cavernous.

It's still a Penknife type ultimately, you get the lack of bulk and a decent sized master blade plus an additional blade to pick about with- all one one spring. Unlike a Jack you CAN use it with both blades open at the same time which I did at the week-end whilst stripping bark off an apple branch to make a stick, the Pen blade to gouge at knotty bits.

Here's what I was using for the job thanks to Ron @Half/Stop who very kindly gave it to me as a present



Another single-spring Penknife type that was a present from a kind friend and Forumite, Žan @ISKRA really sparked my interest.



Present to myself, a constant companion and very much liked knife: Black Box Swell-Centre Pen



Using the ante a bit...CASE/Bose Norfolk. Noteworthy the blade assortment, instead of opting for the safe bet...a Pen blade as found on most 'original' Norfolks, TB opted for a small Clip minor with the Wharncliffe, more than clever. Plus sunk-joints all round! I'd love to see other pairings on a Penknife, say Drop-Point / small Sheepfoot, Spear/Sheepfoot or even Lambfoot/small Clip. Of course, certain mechanical constraints might limit making these knives, but something might be worked out

 

Jeff, I think we have a few things in common.

Thanks Gary. The heritage series schrades are very nice!

 

No doubt, Paul, and cattle knives, too!

 

Another vote for the Trapper here
You lay out a solid argument, Sir.
I love the full-sized Case Trapper. There's something about it. The size and feel in hand. The simplicity... And there's a history. I think one of my AG Russell catalogs said the Trapper was once the most carried knife in America.

The Buck 110 dethroned it.

Thanks for introducing me to this pattern

IMG_20190309_50488 by D P, on Flickr

 

You're quite welcome. Love those walnut scales.
The 110 is great too--gotta get me one.

 

I agree with all of the above. The full size trapper pattern in my opinion just gets so many things right. Makes a great edc from the kitchen to cleaning deer and fish. Has great blade geometry and can handle heavy duty cutting yet is a great slicer.

 

Cut right to the heart of the matter.

 

Nice pun!

I certainly don't want to be restricted. I love all kinds of knives, and plan to carry and acquire new and different knives myself. But I bet most people could pick a favourite, or at least a couple of favourites. These things are subjective, and opinions are subject to change, of course.

 

Thanks,
So far I've got two full-sized trapps and two minis (each with caplifters).
Another plus with the Case Trapper is the price point. I'll probably get some more should a handle jump out at me

 

Single blade sowbelly.

 

The first pocket knife to get my attention was a stockman, I have always appreciated the general utility and having three sharp blades. My dad was a rancher and farmer and had a Schrade Walden stockman dark bone handles and grandpa had a Case stockman with yeller handles. I was fascinated by the different blade shapes and how they tucked down into the handle well. At first I didn’t know why the different type blades but soon I had it figured out and was learning how to use and sharpen the blades. I don’t remember not having a stockman since age 9 with my first being a 34OT middleman and even carrying it to school and if I ever left it at home I always seemed to need it and sure did miss it in my pocket. I think my next favorite is the trapper and always thought of them as a hunting type knife more than general utility.

 

Don't know why but I have always drawn to large toothpicks, hunters, and some larger Jacks.

 

I like all patterns, but really only have one favorite. The scout is my pattern of choice. So darned handy, and offers so many possibly variations. I particularly enjoy scouts from the 1920's through the 1940's, before synthetic overs became the norm.

 

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Great pattern, Buzz. My first knife about 50 years ago. Of course, mine had synthetic covers. Good to see that Camillus again.