First traditional folder for EDC under 3"-advice?

W

waterford

Joined
May 19, 2012
Messages
156
Hi,

I am fairly new to the folding knife community. I am a middle aged man and believe it or not, I just purchased my first high quality folder this past summer....the Benchmade Mini Griptialian. It had proven to the the perfect more modern
EDC folder my needs in an office setting. But now, I really want to get the more traditional looking EDC folder for my pocket, as I always have loved the more old fashion, old school look. I want a traditional SINGLE blade folder, with the
blade length no greater than 3 inches, and the closed length right around 3 7/8" - 4". I have a budget around $100.00.

Can you guys, or girls, kindly give my a handful of suggestions I can look at?

Thanks so much, and this "Traditional Folders" forum truely is the BEST on the web!

Michael
 
Take a look at any of the Case or GEC models that appeal to you, and don't look back :D
 
I would recommend either the GEC #12 Toothpick pattern (middle knife, 4" closed) or the GEC #48 Trapper (bottom knife, 3-7/8" closed).

elkflash.jpg


These are both in elk stag and would be a little more expensive than your $100 limit, but both are available in single blade models with
bone handles for well under $100.
 
GEC 73 slipjoint
GEC 72 linerlock
GEC 72 lockback

all have a cutting edge of 3" blade lengh is a tad longer but none would disapoint

if the >3" is a deal breaker you can mod them easy enough
 
Corso said:
GEC 73 slipjoint
GEC 72 linerlock
GEC 72 lockback

all have a cutting edge of 3" blade lengh is a tad longer but none would disapoint

if the >3" is a deal breaker you can mod them easy enough
Click to expand...

waterford said:
Who have the better build quality...Case or GEC?
Click to expand...

I would say GEC - they also have the 'feel' of a more solid working knife, stiffer back spring better steel (IMO)etc.



I would say
 
Case mini copperlock.

100_2170.jpg


GEC boy's knife.

DecPic_008_zpsa25d19e2.jpg


Case single blade sowbelly pattern.

2000postsowbelly001.jpg


Case sway back gent:

100_2019A.jpg


My favorite is the Case mini copperhead, but it has two blades like a pen knife.

MiniCopperhead-DeepCanyonBone.jpg


There's really lots to choose from.

GEC has some really nice single blade knives. Take a look at knifeswapper for a good selection. The model 85 easy open is a great option as is the #15 barlow if there are any left.

100_2317.jpg


Ed J
 
Thanks!
Do GEC's come razor sharp, out of box, like some Benchmades,Kershaws and Spydercos do?
 
waterford said:
Thanks!
Do GEC's come razor sharp, out of box, like some Benchmades,Kershaws and Spydercos do?
Click to expand...

This can sometimes be a problem with traditional knives. My suggestion is to invest some time and money to learn sharpening. Bottom line is a knife will need to be sharpened eventually anyways. All my GECs have come sharp so far, but I've read quite a few complaints of otherwise over my time here
 
The copperlocks are made in two sizes, the mini as I show and the large which may be a bit too large for office.

Here's a picture with both sizes. It's a poker hand from the poker thread a couple years ago.

knifepoker001.jpg


And here is a comparison of a mini copperlock along side a Case single blade wharncliffe trapper. This pair of knives could be my "the one".

knives110302-001.jpg


Regarding sharpness, GEC and Case can provide a sharp knife, but they don't always do it. Queen has some nice patterns, but they are prone to leave sharpening to the customer.

The Gerber Silver Knight series always had superb edges out of the box. No longer produced but can still be had in a variety of handle materials in 2-1/2" and 3" blade sizes.

pic024.jpg


(I am a SK fan.)

Ed J
 
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IMHO, no one does "traditional" better than Case. Russlock, Trapperlock, and Copperlock are all good knives that would fit your criteria and serve you for many years of use.
 
I just bought my first case knife two weeks ago ( yellow cv trapper) and yet while its not perfect i t is already my favorite knife even though niether of the blade are centered and one of them is rubbing.
 
TLARbb,

What is that handle pattern on the two Case knives in your picture above, the Copperlock and Wharncliffe trapper?
 
jc, that would be what Case called "second cut antique bone". It has the same kind of jigging as they use on "second cut stag". The stock photos of this material did not do it justice. They make a handsome and useful pair. I need to get a scabbard or pocket pouch made for the pair of them.

Ed J
 
Thanks! I was wondering, the second cut antique bone was the closest thing I could find but as you said, the official product photos all looked awful and nothing at all like yours. But those are gorgeous!

It appears to no longer be a production handle style, though. May be a few still out there if I look around.

[Edit: Found one, the mini-Copperlock. It's on it's way!]
 
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