First Traditional Folder

yatsunil

yatsunil

Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Messages
680
Hi guys. Been viewing this traditonal forum and I like what I see. I'm interested in getting my first traditional folder and I hope you can make some recommendations.
I prefer a single blade, max 3 inches long.
I don't like the look of slim blades like toothpicks.
I'm not keen on Opinels.
Based on pictures, I like something similar to a canoe handle.
Since this is my first traditional, I don't want to spend too much.
I don't mind Chinese made if it's of a decent quality and value for money.

Cheers and thanks!
 
Take a look at Kissing Crane/Robert Klaas lock backs, Boker Magnum Padre. Some of the Case XX knives are not very expensive and can be had with single blades. Rough Rider is a good place to look if you want try a particular traditional pattern and don't want to shell out the cash for a major brand like Great Eastern. There are a lot of companies and styles of knives to choose from.
Also, don't knock an Opinel, fantastic knives for the money, not the prettiest, but work horses.
Good Luck
 
You can get some nice Rough Rider knives around $10 to $15. They are made overseas but according to many reports are decent knives for the money.
 
I second the Rough Riders for a budget traditional folder. I am really pleased with my RR canoe lockback knife. Use it for whittling as an everyday carry knife.
 
Case Trapper, Sodbuster or Stockman in CV OR SS. The CV is a high maintenance steel (it'll rust easily) so keep it clean and lightly oiled. The SS is more stain resistant.

I like the CV cause it takes a wicked edge and forms a nice patina with use. CV knives have the yellow scales & really contrast with the dark patina of the blade(s).

DOM C
 
I bought six RR's for gifts. Sent three of them back because the blades rubbed against each other.
Case knives are the best knives for the money IMO. A knife you can pull out of you pocket and not be ashamed of. Not bashing just my experience. Have been carrying a three blade medium stockman style knife for over 50 years. Past 25 or so years a Craftsman 95235 stockman. The stockmans come in real handy all the time. I use the spey blade for reaming out pipes or scraping metal, The sheep foot blade for skinning insulation of wire or opening boxes. The clip I keep razor sharp for detailed work or spreading peanut butter. :)
Single blade knives are nice but not as versatile.

Here is a link to photo
http://i29.tinypic.com/s28ydw.jpg
 
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USACelt said:
Also, don't knock an Opinel, fantastic knives for the money, not the prettiest, but work horses.
Good Luck
Click to expand...
Nothing against Opinels. They just don't give me goosebumps. I might try one sometime down the road but my first traditional will be a regular "vanilla flavoured" traditional folder :)
 
Case sodbuster Jr. would be my recommendation, great intro knife for slip joints. Great feel in the hand, durable, and less parts mean less breakage.
 
That's kind of a tough one as there are so many choices. If possible, try to handle as many as you can get a chance. What feels good to one guy, won't to another.

Read the thread on the Queen #41. Good blade steel, well made. Single blade, but there are more in that series. And they are very well priced. I think if you go too low cost, you may run into poor fit and finish and not as good blade steel.

Not to say all low cost knives are bad. That's just been my experience.

Could also check the large auction site for a Vic Solo. Heckuva knife, decent steel, and dang near bullet proof. And it's in alox!

Evans suggestion on the Sodbuster is also a good one.

I have a Robert Klaas small coal miner still nib that I'd be willing to gift to you to help jump start you into the slippies. Send me a pm with your address and I'll send it out to you. I think it's their version of a Sodbuster. Least it looks like one to me.

Joe
 
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I own 2 Rough Riders. They are good knives for the price. They have a ton of sizes and styles to choose from. Some of they are quite nice looking. The quality imo isn't close to Case or my GECs. My SAKs are better quality as well.

Rough Riders are good for trying out different patterns and styles of knives.

I personally would get a Case Sod Buster Jr. You can find them online for less than $25 shipped. Lowes I believe carries black Sodbusters with stainless steel blades.
Also Case Peanuts go for about $28-40 online. They are small but are surprisingly useful.
 
Joe58 said:
That's kind of a tough one as there are so many choices. If possible, try to handle as many as you can get a chance. What feels good to one guy, won't to another.

Read the thread on the Queen #41. Good blade steel, well made. Single blade, but there are more in that series. And they are very well priced. I think if you go too low cost, you may run into poor fit and finish and not as good blade steel.

Not to say all low cost knives are bad. That's just been my experience.

Could also check the large auction site for a Vic Solo. Heckuva knife, decent steel, and dang near bullet proof. And it's in alox!

Evans suggestion on the Sodbuster is also a good one.

I have a Robert Klaas small coal miner still nib that I'd be willing to gift to you to help jump start you into the slippies. Send me a pm with your address and I'll send it out to you. I think it's their version of a Sodbuster. Least it looks like one to me.

Joe
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Thanks for all your suggestions. Will surely look into them. As for getting a feel of the knives before I buy, that's gonna be difficult as I'm in Singapore and there aren't any shops here that stock traditionals. And there are only 2-3 shops that carry modern folders too :(

Thanks also for your most generous offer of the Robert Klass coal miner. As I said, I'm in Singapore so the postage/shipping will be more than what I'm willing to impose on you. I really appreciate your kindness though.
 
yatsunil said:
Hi guys. Been viewing this traditonal forum and I like what I see. I'm interested in getting my first traditional folder and I hope you can make some recommendations.
I prefer a single blade, max 3 inches long.
I don't like the look of slim blades like toothpicks.
I'm not keen on Opinels.
Based on pictures, I like something similar to a canoe handle.
Since this is my first traditional, I don't want to spend too much.
I don't mind Chinese made if it's of a decent quality and value for money.

Cheers and thanks!
Click to expand...

IMO, a good way of getting your feet wet in Traditional knives is to buy a Case knife.
They aren't all that pricey.
They give good value for the money.
They have a wide variety of patterns.

When I give a knife as a gift to someone who is not "into" knives and is not a big "knife user", I buy him a Case knife.

If you like "canoe handles", why not buy a Case Canoe?
 
knarfeng said:
IMO, a good way of getting your feet wet in Traditional knives is to buy a Case knife.
They aren't all that pricey.
They give good value for the money.
They have a wide variety of patterns.

When I give a knife as a gift to someone who is not "into" knives and is not a big "knife user", I buy him a Case knife.

If you like "canoe handles", why not buy a Case Canoe?
Click to expand...

Yes! Been scouting them on the auction site. Might just go that way once I decide which model I like to be my first.
 
My rough rider canoe is one of my favorite knives. Though if you want a single blade knife that is under 3in I am thinking a sodbuster pattern.

I just made this decision a few weeks ago and it came down to the Queen Country Cousin, AG Rusell Rancher, and Gec Bullnose. I went with the Bullnose as I wanted a slimmer handle so that unfortunately knocked the Case Sodbuster Jr, Country Cousin out of the question and it came down to the Rancher and Bullnose and since I already had knives in 8cr13mov I went with the Bullnose with 01 steel. (Their nifebrite handles are thinner than their other materials.)

Case CV Sodbuster Jr is the easy recommendation, a good workhorse and standard by which the others are judged by. Country Cousin a great knife if your willing to reprofile it. Bullnose has great fit and finish and a step above the other 2 in this regard and is slightly larger than the Sodbuster Jr but not by much and the 01 steel will rust easy in comparison to some other steels. Rancher has great fit and finish and warranty to back it up, 8cr13mov blade, made in China if you care about that. This is pretty much me condensing up what I read up on these knives as I only own the bullnose.

Edited In:
As a side note I can't believe I forgot to mention the Queen Copperhead, the single blade knife Bonzodog posted. I think they have a linerlock version of it as well, I can't remember if it goes by the same name though so double check if you decide to get one.
 
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