First Case/Traditional folder.

V

VolundoftheForge

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Jan 3, 2012
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Hey guys, I've been into the more "tactical" blades since starting my hobby, and want to try something out that's a little classier and takes me back to the good ol' days. I was looking at the Case Cheetah and Queen Cutlery Swing-guard. I also liked the look of the Sway Back Jack.

So guys, which do you recommend? :)
 
While I'm not much on the swing guard models, they are neat looking. I have a SBJ with chestnut bone scales and CV blades, and have been carrying that lately. May be heresy here, but I've been carrying smaller slipjoints and larger one hand openers (Manix 2XL and my SBJ lately).

By itself, the SBJ is a great knife. Not too small and not too big. A word of caution however, Case Bose designs are addicting!
 
I have been picking up a few Case/Bose Sway Back Jacks, 5 to date; I love the look and feel. The Tony Bose touches are evident in the build quality right down to the half stop.
 
I was thinking, but they seem to be a MUCH cheaper hobby than the knives I usually go for. ;) Also, I'm not sure the quality of the plain surgical stainless they label with the "SS", so I'd prefer something on the more quality end.
 
The CV is a fine steel, the SS isn't bad if you keep up with sharpening. What kind of use will you be putting them through? By your comment, I don't know if you're accustomed to Sebenzas and Striders, or customs, or just Benchmades and Spydercos, but the Case Bose annuals have ATS34 or 154CM blades. For that price, there are a lot of good custom slipjoint makers out there starting out for those prices. ATS34 seems prevalent among custom slipjoints.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
The CV is a fine steel, the SS isn't bad if you keep up with sharpening. What kind of use will you be putting them through? By your comment, I don't know if you're accustomed to Sebenzas and Striders, or customs, or just Benchmades and Spydercos, but the Case Bose annuals have ATS34 or 154CM blades. For that price, there are a lot of good custom slipjoint makers out there starting out for those prices. ATS34 seems prevalent among custom slipjoints.
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ATS34, 154CM, etc. are all good enough for me. I've recently been able to try out an Umnum and a few Striders(Got rid of them but am working on acquiring a Strider again), but mainly it'd be for EDC and general chores, as well as something nice to look at. I just tend to feel better with something a step or two over 440c/Aus8 when I can get it, though both are fine steels.

I'm honestly brand-new when it comes to Slipjoints, so I have no clue what good ones go for. I saw some coffin-handled Cases a minute ago, and loved the look 'til I saw the price-tag. Yikes!
 
A SBJ or a SBG is hard to beat for the money. An inexpensive way to ease into the traditional field. I typically carry a traditional, a one hand wonder knife and a neck knife. Often times I will trade off the neck and one hander for a nice fixed blade. Just like with one handers you will wind up with many so don't sweat the decision. LOL

jwh
 
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I have one of the coffin jack Case Bose annuals, and it is a great knife, edge was not up to par with my Tribal Spear though. No need to rush, pull up a chair and a glass of your favorite beverage.

A traditional pattern is a lot different than a Strider or even a CRK. I have owned both, and have come to find over the years that good steel is of course a priority, but good steel doesn't always mean super steel. Makers from the 1800's and through the 20th century got along fine with carbon steels. Depending on what you will use your knife for, you don't need a robust Strider SMF or SNG to do daily chores (at least I didn't, I just liked carrying mine).

If you are used to upper echelon knives like CRK's and Striders, I would suggest going for the Case Bose annual line, models from Great Eastern Cutlery and looking at some custom makers. Queen has some good models out there with D2, ATS34 and 1095, but some edges and grinds are hit or miss. Case still offers a good product in their SS/CV models.

I may be a little jaded, because I traded an Umnumzaan for a Case Bose traditional and a Northfield model in the past few months. Traded off my Striders a while ago, and will not move my micarta Sebenzas.

As far as good prices go, you can pay anywhere from 40 to 140 bucks for a good, name brand slipjoint.
 
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jwh said:
A SBJ or a SWG is hard to beat for the money. An inexpensive way to ease into the traditional field. I typically carry a traditional, a one hand wonder knife and a neck knife. Often times I will trade off the neck and one hander for a nice fixed blade. Just like with one handers you will wind up with many so don't sweat the decision. LOL

jwh
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That outfit does not have a dealer membership on BF.
 
VolundoftheForge said:
I was thinking, but they seem to be a MUCH cheaper hobby than the knives I usually go for. ;) Also, I'm not sure the quality of the plain surgical stainless they label with the "SS", so I'd prefer something on the more quality end.
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You punched one of my buttons.

"Quality" and "Performance" are not equivalent words.

"Quality" means "Does this steel meet the specification set for it."
"Performance" means how well does this steel perform as regards a certain parameter.

I assume you mean you are looking for blades made from alloys with greater edge retention. That is a "performance" issue. It is not a "Quality" issue.

You might look at the Queen File and Wire series. Those blades are ATS-34,
 
knarfeng said:
You punched one of my buttons.

"Quality" and "Performance" are not equivalent words.

"Quality" means "Does this steel meet the specification set for it."
"Performance" means how well does this steel perform as regards a certain parameter.

I assume you mean you are looking for blades made from alloys with greater edge retention. That is a "performance" issue. It is not a "Quality" issue.

You might look at the Queen File and Wire series. Those blades are ATS-34,
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Sorry, you're right. Honestly, I'd be fine with their stainless if I knew more about it.
 
I have a Swayback Jack SS and plan to raise a give away of it . Nothing wrong with it but just not my cup of tea .

But for 60$ I suggest you buy a GEC Bullnose or check the Yellow Derlin line of Case. A mid stockman cv of that line just arrived and I enjoy it much . Maybe you can start from a peanut.

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I'd go with the nifty SBJ. It's a really pocketable pattern that should prove to be a more than practical EDC knife. It also comes in CV which is a nice touch on a traditional knife.
 
Thanks guys, I think I'm going to try an SBJ with sea green handles. Are their any SBJs that come in one of the upgraded steels? If not it's all good. ;)
 
VolundoftheForge said:
Thanks guys, I think I'm going to try an SBJ with sea green handles. Are their any SBJs that come in one of the upgraded steels? If not it's all good. ;)
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There is the Raindrop Damascus SBJ.

Another company to look at would be Canal Street. They have some offerings in D2 and 14-4 CrMo.
 
dannyp said:
There is the Raindrop Damascus SBJ.

Another company to look at would be Canal Street. They have some offerings in D2 and 14-4 CrMo.
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Thanks. Seeing as I'm new to the more traditional knives, what would be the brands to look at mainly? Is Queen Cutlery a good company?
 
I've been into traditionals for a few years now. I also carry, and use, Chris Reeve knives (6 in total), and I always seem to come back to my chestnut bone Case SBJ in CV. Crazy sharp and so easy to touch up. Zero blade play, half stops, this is the perfect knife for what I need. Of course I have a bunch of others that spend time in my pocket but the SBJ is the one that would stay if I had to give them all up.

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