First (real) Trad-folder

D

Dnullify

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
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268
Hey all! i've been thinking about picking up a SAK as a deep pocket knife when i don't want to carry my sebenza, or as a backup to a modern folder.

But then i got into this subforum, and well now i'm looking at getting a traditional slipjoint.

So yeah, i'm looking for something fairly cheap, with decent build quality and steel. It'll be mainly for EDC, but also for mild woodcarving. I wanted something on the larger side (blade-wise), but still slim with smooth scales.

I was looking at a rough-rider trapper, but honestly i don't know anything about patterns or brand reputation!

thanks!
 
The Rough Riders I have handled were early ones and they were quite rough.

Quite a few folks here have picked up later models and the consensus has been good if not great considering the cost. If you are looking for something along the lines of D2, Queen would be my choice. I would just find a pattern that I liked. It will run in the 30 to 40 range while the Rough Rider patterns will be in the 8 to 20 dollar range (you might be challenged to find one at 20). Otherwise I would consider a Case yellar trapper or stockman in CV rather than stainless. (the CV is just a personal preference of mine and others).
 
Greetings and welcome to the nicest forum on BF:o

Well you really cannot go wrong with anything from Case, Queen or Great Eastern(GEC)
I don't own any Rough Riders but I have heard mixed reports.

Perhaps you could tell us what pattern takes your fancy?
Are you interested in a multiblade and what size knife you have in mind?

If you are used to carrying a Sebbie I would suggest one of the excellent knives from GEC. Their quality is excellent and they can be had for an excellent price.

Be warned that once you start with traditional's you will be hooked:)

Best of luck with your search.....

Steven
 
Have a look at manufacturers' websites for patterns. GEC, CASE, Queen Cutlery, Böker are all reasonable starting points. Rough Rider can be alright and they are a useful way to experiment with patterns.

You say you want a larger blade and smooth scales? I could suggest CASE Slimline Trapper in G-10, looks really nice in this modern material with brass pins. It's a long slim knife about 4.25" closed, might not be so good for whittling...but it's light and slim in the pocket.
 
Alfaholic said:
Greetings and welcome to the nicest forum on BF:o

Well you really cannot go wrong with anything from Case, Queen or Great Eastern(GEC)
I don't own any Rough Riders but I have heard mixed reports.

Perhaps you could tell us what pattern takes your fancy?
Are you interested in a multiblade and what size knife you have in mind?

If you are used to carrying a Sebbie I would suggest one of the excellent knives from GEC. Their quality is excellent and they can be had for an excellent price.

Be warned that once you start with traditional's you will be hooked:)

Best of luck with your search.....

Steven
Click to expand...

that's what i'm afraid of.

I'm trying to stay low, price wise. (for now)

I'm not too fussy on steel as long as it takes a wicked edge. I'm not too bad at sharpening, so it's not a problem.

I'm used to 3-4" blades so something in that range.
Multi-blade suites me, so long that the overall knife isn't too wide. I'd be going as slim as possible. perhaps one larger blade for general use/ whittling, and a smaller for finer work? I just don't want to get anything too flimsy is all.

i also don't really like the textured bone scales, and i much prefer smooth scales.
Other than rough rider, what're some other brands that are easy to get at an affordable price that i can use for a while - just to see if i like carrying/using traditional folders?
 
So, going through the patterns on the case site, i like: trapper, sodbuster, stockman.

Stockman: the main blade looks a tad bit narrow. And having 3 blades, it would be slightly thicker than the rest right?

Sodbuster: has that large blade and it appears to be relatively low-profile. just- is the blade shape appropriate for my uses?

trapper: cool... but what's the spay blade meant for?

Still, case is a bit much if i'm just dabbling with these knives.
 
This is a Queen 1/2 Congress and is 4" long and very thin as it has a single back spring
The blades are D2 which hold an edge well
I find it a very good size and I use it for whittling

It is availiable in Maple

(the picture in cocobolo)
picture.php
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. Slim and smooth, not expensive: Case slimline trapper in CV yellow synthetic handles. Beautiful single blade knife. I need to get myself one... sometimes. Slimline trappers can be obtained less than $30
 
I think you will probably be better served in the short run with a stockman pattern. The reason being is that you do have the two smaller blades which will make it a better whittler than a trapper pattern. And it is still big enough for everyday work.

The spey blade pattern has been traditionally used as the method of making a steer out of a bull calf. The spey blade on the trapper pattern is very useful for separating the pelts from the animal they belonged to and is less likely to poke holes in the pelt during the skin-out process. On the stockman pattern the small spey is pretty useful for whittling. I've done my share of whittling, but not much that would be called "wood carving" by anyone that knows what that is.

As far as blade material goes, for the uses you mentioned, I would definitely try to stick with Case's CV over their Tru-Sharp. In Queen you will get D2 and it is a very good steel that will hold and edge well. You will probably have to put that edge on it to begin with though.

Welcome to the forum! I see you are a newbie to Bladeforums. I am running a "newbie give away" this week. Be sure to sign up. You can't beat "free" for price.

Ed
 
Welcome to the forum! (And the addiction ;) ) All the folks here have recommended some very nice choices that I'm sure will serve you quite well.

Another one that has not been mentioned is Kissing Crane. For about 25 dollars, you can have a very nice traditional stag or ram's horn scaled folder in a variety of patterns including the stockman and trapper. Or can can get a couple yellow delrin scaled knives for 15 dollars each.

I started on the traditional kick with Kissing Crane and in my humble opinion and experience, they are the best traditionals to be had at that price point. There is a very well respected merchant who is active on these forums who sells a wide variety of them for a very fair price. Feel free to PM or email me if you'd care to know more. Best of luck with whatever you choose!
 
Cheap and good? I would suggest a rough rider or some of the chinese Bucks are nice knives. As far as pattern I would suggest you start out with a stockman. Welcome to the forums and good luck in your search!
 
One question is what is inexpensive? You can pick up a nice Canal Street Half Moon Pie Trapper (i.e., a single clip-point trapper in Latrobe's version of 154CM) in smooth bone for about $57 shipped if you know where to look. If that is too high, I would second looking into a Case Yellow Delrin Trapper in CV. You should be able to find one for around $35. A Queen single blade trapper in D2 in Zebra wood can be had for about $52 (though you may have to sharpen it).

Again, price point is a fair question. To some, $50 for a knife is nothing.
 
If you want a good slipjoint at a good price and well made, just go up to your local Lowes, and grab yourself a CASE SODBUSTER JR. It's a great knife, well made, nice blade,and it's $20 or less!! I promise You'll like that knife!! And if you like Carbon Blades, get a Yellow w/ CV blades, They're real close in price!! Welcome to the best forum around!!

Jason
 
Don't buy a cheap knife.

Spend just a little more money and get one you will be proud to own. Even if you decide it's not what you want to carry now, later on in life you might change your tastes and you will be glad you bought quality. Perhaps you might even give it to your child some day.

Queen is my first choice (D2 clinches that hands down for me), but there have been a few other first-rate brands mentioned that really are not that expensive when you consider the quality you are getting. Sure Rough Riders are OK for the price, but that's the catch, for the price. Compared to Queen and Case, which can both be had for under $50 from businesses which also support this forum, Rough Riders are junk.


I'm just sayin'...

Welcome to Bladeforums and welcome to the Traditional Forum!


:D
 
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TLARbb said:
I think you will probably be better served in the short run with a stockman pattern. The reason being is that you do have the two smaller blades which will make it a better whittler than a trapper pattern. And it is still big enough for everyday work.

The spey blade pattern has been traditionally used as the method of making a steer out of a bull calf. The spey blade on the trapper pattern is very useful for separating the pelts from the animal they belonged to and is less likely to poke holes in the pelt during the skin-out process. On the stockman pattern the small spey is pretty useful for whittling. I've done my share of whittling, but not much that would be called "wood carving" by anyone that knows what that is.

As far as blade material goes, for the uses you mentioned, I would definitely try to stick with Case's CV over their Tru-Sharp. In Queen you will get D2 and it is a very good steel that will hold and edge well. You will probably have to put that edge on it to begin with though.

Welcome to the forum! I see you are a newbie to Bladeforums. I am running a "newbie give away" this week. Be sure to sign up. You can't beat "free" for price.

Ed
Click to expand...

after watching some videos on the medium stockman, it just seems a little small, and the main blade a tad bit narrow. but, eh...

i like the size and width of the trapper's clip blade, but the smaller blade of the stockman.

Why isn't there any large stockman patterns?
 
A Queen canoe is slim and very stout.

P1010024-2.jpg


P1010025.jpg


or a nice Canal st half moon,

P1010011-3.jpg


or something older,

P1010020-3.jpg
 
i discovered the rough rider whittler pattern, though it has 440 steel.
but larger, 4".

is the whittler made by anyone else? perhaps in a slightly better steel?
 
Dnullify said:
after watching some videos on the medium stockman, it just seems a little small, and the main blade a tad bit narrow. but, eh...

i like the size and width of the trapper's clip blade, but the smaller blade of the stockman.

Why isn't there any large stockman patterns?
Click to expand...

There are large stockman patterns available. I'll post up a large stockman and a standard trapper next to each other so you can see the comparison.

Lots of different companies offer whittlers as well. Case, Queen, Boker, to name a few.

Ed
 
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