First Post and a little help

lutejones

lutejones

Joined
Mar 15, 2007
Messages
737
Hello everyone, I've been reading bladeforums for a while and really like it.
I'm from Spain and I have a little collection of traditional friction and locking folders from my country and other european countries, besides some spydercdos and SAK. untill this year I wasn't aware of the existance of american traditional and now I love them ;).
I've just received my first one, a case 6375 cv large stockman. It's really really nice, but because of my lack of knowledge I find it too big to EDC.
So here comes the question:
Which knife would fit my needs? at least 2 blades (different size), not more than 3.5" closed, carbon steel, natural handle materials (bone, stag or wood), 100$ max. I've been researching the net and saw GEC 56 and 66 and 25. case sway back jack, medium stockman, small texas jack, and a lot more.
What do you people think about it?
thank you very much and I apologize if there is some faults in my english
 
I do not think you would go wrong with a 66 GEC. Boker barlows with carbon blades are pretty good knives for the money also.
 
Welcome! Your English is just fine.:thumbup:

I don't think I can add much. You already have some great choices in mind. I'm sure you would like any of those. Personally, if I lived in Spain and was ordering from the United States, I would go with one of the GEC's you mentioned. Less chance of having to send it back for repair or replacement. Just my opinion.

Good luck!
 
Yeah, I have had a some hit and miss quality come from Case as of late.
GEC puts out consistent product that seams to please most, they have really stepped the quality of American pocket knives back up.

The #56 is an awesome choice, I have enjoyed the company of a couple of them. The #25 is a tiny tank, they are small in the pocket but big in the cutting dept.
I had a #66, but I never really cared for the knife, it was a Mink Skinner and it just didn't do it for me.

Good luck in deciding. :thumbup:
 
Hola, y bienvenido!
I own one GEC #25 (pictured on another thread here). And I do like it very much. Don't think you could go wrong with a GEC #66, or with a Case CV swayback jack. They all got great reviews and feedbacks here, you just have to see what you like (in terms of pattern design, and size of course).

Fausto
:cool:
 
lutejones said:
Hello everyone, I've been reading bladeforums for a while and really like it.
I'm from Spain and I have a little collection of traditional friction and locking folders from my country and other european countries, besides some spydercdos and SAK. untill this year I wasn't aware of the existance of american traditional and now I love them ;).
I've just received my first one, a case 6375 cv large stockman. It's really really nice, but because of my lack of knowledge I find it too big to EDC.
So here comes the question:
Which knife would fit my needs? at least 2 blades (different size), not more than 3.5" closed, carbon steel, natural handle materials (bone, stag or wood), 100$ max. I've been researching the net and saw GEC 56 and 66 and 25. case sway back jack, medium stockman, small texas jack, and a lot more.
What do you people think about it?
thank you very much and I apologize if there is some faults in my english
Click to expand...

Welcome to the coolest knife (sub)forum on the web, lutejones. When you get a chance be sure to check out "Carl's Lounge" for off-topic chat, as well as jackknife's great stories.

As far as a two-blader, all the ones you mentioned would be good choices. In your price range, I'd probably go with a GEC just based on the near unanimous favor they have amongst guys here on the forum (never owned one myself, though I have been eyeballing a single-blade 72 or 73).

-- Mark
 
Thank you to all. for the help and the welcome,
I've been looking the Boker barlow and I like it a lot, maybe it will come home.
But of course, I think it won't be my last traditional, not for a moment.
best regards
 
Well you've received some great advice. I have very little to add expect that I carried medium stockman's for 10+ years. The 3.5" size is very pocketable. I just picked up a GEC Dogleg Jack and a GEC congress, both fit my requirements (3.5" or so) as an easy to carry pocket knife.

Welcome to the addiction.

Mark
 
Sounds like a 62032 Texas jack is just the ticket for you.

TexasjackOG001.jpg


Or a 63032 stockman:

Sparxxstockman001.jpg


Or a canoe pattern, or a mini trapper.

Ed J
 
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Two blades?

There's a lot of decent stuff to choose from: You mention the GEC 56, that's excellent, the 85 might be a bit too big. Consider the GEC 33 Conductor, slim elegant with a lot of blade, it might appeal as it has a certain similarity to spanish Traditionals but smaller. Also their 68 white Owl is a nice knife indeed. The GEC 66 in Moose pattern, Clip&Spear blades is very good too-about to be re-issued I hear.

The GEC 33 and 61, 68 patterns are 2 blades on a single-spring which makes them very good in the pocket, similar knives would be CASE Pen-knife or Böker's Pen too. The CASE Texas Jack is a very good option too in my book. Fact is, there's a lot to choose from and more. Nice hearing from you.
 
I would advise you to look into used Case knives on ebay that were manufactured prior to 1980. I found a video on YouTube last night in which a fellow showed his collection of Case knives, varying from 1920s through current models, and he points out the points where Case has started to cut some corners on fit and finish in recent years. He seemed universally happy with the ones manufactured prior to 1980. More importantly, he points out the reasons WHY. Search for 'case peanut' and it will be one of the top hits on YouTube. If I think of it, I will find it and post a link here later tonight.

Also, don't turn your nose up at Delrin, as a handle material. Although it is a type of plastic, it can have a nice classical look and is loads more durable than the natural materials. I don't know if the Old Timer brand (by Schrade) is still in existence, but a lot of the Old Timers had 1095 carbon steel blades and saw-cut Delrin handles.

Another classical American knife design is the Boy Scout or camping knife. I think this was the inspiration for the modern Victorinox swiss army knife. These have been around for nearly 100 years now, and they have a distinctively different "flavor" from a Swiss Army Knife. (SAK) They have a little more old world charm, thanks to their jigged bone or delrin handles, bail ring, and heavier construction.

For an example of one, look at the recent thread I started on the Remington Boy Scout knife in this forum.

Lastly, why don't you post a photo of your collection for us to admire? I bet you have some classical European designs that would be very interesting to very many of us.

Welcome to BladeForums in general, and to this sub-forum in particular! Enjoy your stay.
 
lutejones said:
Thank you to all. for the help and the welcome,
I've been looking the Boker barlow and I like it a lot, maybe it will come home.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't get this. Boker is a German brand. What is the point of getting a German copy of an American design?

It would be like buying a Russian copy of a Swiss Army Soldier model. If you like the heavy Barlow design, get one from an American maker. Case, Schrade, Imperial, etc.
 
I honestly think the CV Sway Back Jack is the best you can get for the money.
 
Smaug said:
I wouldn't get this. Boker is a German brand. What is the point of getting a German copy of an American design?

It would be like buying a Russian copy of a Swiss Army Soldier model. If you like the heavy Barlow design, get one from an American maker. Case, Schrade, Imperial, etc.
Click to expand...

Sorry, can't agree with this analogy. Böker has been making slipjoints of all kinds since 1869. As for the Barlow being an American 'design' the origins of most patterns are obscure you can likely find English Barlow style knives from the 1700s.
 
My favorite EDC that fits your description is a vintage (pre 1980) Case 6332 or 6318HE medium stockman. Both have pen blades instead of a spey which I find way more useful.
 
Smaug said:
I wouldn't get this. Boker is a German brand. What is the point of getting a German copy of an American design?

It would be like buying a Russian copy of a Swiss Army Soldier model. If you like the heavy Barlow design, get one from an American maker. Case, Schrade, Imperial, etc.
Click to expand...
So does that mean I shouldn't buy a Case sodbuster because it isn't a genuine american pattern?
And I can't buy a German Eye stockman?
or a rough rider trapper?

Sorry to get off topic. I would get a Case texas jack or an old barlow.
 
Boker makes a lot of very nice knives. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, especially if I were in the EU. I would hazard a guess that since the Boker knives are made in the EU, you would get a lot more knife for the money.

In this forum, we talk about the knives, not where they are made.
 
Can't go wrong with GEC. I have not owned a Boker, but last time I was in a knife store, they were tempting me!

I have the #25 in burnt stag, steel bolsters (stamped with the Un-X-Ld logo on both sides) and steel liners, and long pull, and it is perfect in every way. If you are looking for a small, but useful pocket knife it fits the bill.

IMG_4319.jpg


IMG_4318.jpg


IMG_4320.jpg


IMG_4324.jpg


IMG_4328.jpg


It fits perfectly in the change/watch pocket on all my jeans.

Here are some comparisons (Bocote instead of burnt stag, with a spear instead of the clip point) with a small and large trapper (GEC made Scharade.......Probably one of the most knives for the money out there. The quality is Fantastic (GEC all the way), and just a smidge outside your length requirement at 3 3/4 inches (but still pocket friendly).

IMG_4111.jpg


IMG_4110.jpg


IMG_4106.jpg


This little GEC #25 would be impossible to beat, in my opinion. Better blade combo than even the clip/pen barlow!

This is a stock photo stolen from the dealer, who has this one for $83

gec25warncliff.jpg
 
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