First small pocket knife

K

Kvk09

Joined
Feb 23, 2023
Messages
255
Hello all. My grampa used to carry a frontier peanut which I have but seems beat up and have no clue about restoring. Wanted to get something to honor that and USA made. Is the case peanut the best option? Also is bone (chestnut) a material that will last? Hoping one day my grandkid will like it as much as I like gramps. Thanks in advance. I am new to this so easiest maintenance prob the beat.
 
First of all, Welcome to BladeForums!

the peanut is a nice folder but for me just a little too small so I would recommend this one as it is only slightly larger and very nice, see information here at one of the authorized online dealers, Knife Center

Case Swell center

good luck in your search!
G2
 
You’re most welcome and I would suggest that you venture into this section of the forum as it is all about Traditional type knives with tons of information about older knives

Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades

Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

Just be aware that any mention of or photos of modern knives is not tolerated 😇
But the folks there are super helpful!
G2
 
Kvk09 said:
Hello all. My grampa used to carry a frontier peanut which I have but seems beat up and have no clue about restoring. Wanted to get something to honor that and USA made. Is the case peanut the best option? Also is bone (chestnut) a material that will last? Hoping one day my grandkid will like it as much as I like gramps. Thanks in advance. I am new to this so easiest maintenance prob the beat.
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The Case peanut is the only true peanut nowadays. It is available in many handle materials, and with either carbon or stainless blades.

If you try one for a while, and give it a real chance, you may be very surprised at how well it does in real world every day use. You may even be inducted into the Cult Of The Peanut.
 
Peanut is a great knife to put in the fifth pocket. I like the Case Canoe pattern, which is just a bit larger. They come in all sorts of cover materials, and if you go to a certain well known auction site, there are some guys who customize and sell Case knives.
 
Depending on the age and remaining dexterity of your grandpa, a Case Peanut might not be the best choice. The springs are kinda stiff, and the pen blade especially loves to bite its owner. Something a bit larger might be better. Texas Jack, perhaps.

Edit: Misread the OP.

The point about the Case Peanut still stands though. Small, very thin blades, and very snappy. I'd suggest an 087 pattern jack (22087 synthetic, 62087 bone, etc) medium jack. Still pretty small and pocketable at 3 3/8" closed (and Old Timer 34 is the same length), but much more practical for use than the Peanut. It's also less likely to get lost, or accidentally take a trip through the washing machine/drier.

Bone is reasonably durable - the biggest issue is impact (drops) can chip or crack the bone. If you like bone, I'd suggest getting something with sharp jigging, because over the years it'll wear down and smooth out in a beautiful way that even Case's popular "pocket worn" jigging can't quite duplicate.

Case does stainless (Tru-sharp) and carbon (their CV). If you want it to last without maintenance, stainless is the obvious choice. Second option would be to get a CV bladed and force the patina.

Apart from Case, I'd suggest finding an old USA-made Camillus, Schrade Old Timer/Uncle Henry , or an older Buck that was made by Camillus. The advantage of these over a Case is better manufacturing and quality, plus you've already got at a least a decade or two added to your story of "this knife is XX years old" when it gets passed down.

3rd option is a Great Eastern Cutlery. More expensive, obviously, and harder to acquire because of the rabid frenzy every time a new one drops. But if you can get one you like for, say, under $150, that extra cost will be a long-term investment that'll hold up for a long time, many years after the initial "sting" of the extra cost.
 
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I
Planterz said:
Depending on the age and remaining dexterity of your grandpa, a Case Peanut might not be the best choice. The springs are kinda stiff, and the pen blade especially loves to bite its owner. Something a bit larger might be better. Texas Jack, perhaps.
Click to expand...
It would be for me. Guess that didn’t write well but thanks for the info
 
Welcome to the forum. I will recommend that you personally try several types of traditional knives before buying one. A trapper or stockman might fit your hand and needs better than a peanut. Let use know what you decide. I/we live vicariously through the different photos and threads.
 
Thabsk
Planterz said:
Depending on the age and remaining dexterity of your grandpa, a Case Peanut might not be the best choice. The springs are kinda stiff, and the pen blade especially loves to bite its owner. Something a bit larger might be better. Texas Jack, perhaps.

Edit: Misread the OP.

The point about the Case Peanut still stands though. Small, very thin blades, and very snappy. I'd suggest an 087 pattern jack (22087 synthetic, 62087 bone, etc) medium jack. Still pretty small and pocketable at 3 3/8" closed (and Old Timer 34 is the same length), but much more practical for use than the Peanut. It's also less likely to get lost, or accidentally take a trip through the washing machine/drier.

Bone is reasonably durable - the biggest issue is impact (drops) can chip or crack the bone. If you like bone, I'd suggest getting something with sharp jigging, because over the years it'll wear down and smooth out in a beautiful way that even Case's popular "pocket worn" jigging can't quite duplicate.

Case does stainless (Tru-sharp) and carbon (their CV). If you want it to last without maintenance, stainless is the obvious choice. Second option would be to get a CV bladed and force the patina.

Apart from Case, I'd suggest finding an old USA-made Camillus, Schrade Old Timer/Uncle Henry , or an older Buck that was made by Camillus. The advantage of these over a Case is better manufacturing and quality, plus you've already got at a least a decade or two added to your story of "this knife is XX years old" when it gets passed down.

3rd option is a Great Eastern Cutlery. More expensive, obviously, and harder to acquire because of the rabid frenzy every time a new one drops. But if you can get one you like for, say, under $150, that extra cost will be a long-term investment that'll hold up for a long time, many years after the initial "sting" of the extra cost.
Click to expand...
thank you very much
 
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