First traditional knife, not sure these are for me...

Erphern

Erphern

Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Messages
55
I really like the idea of traditional knives, but I'm just not feeling sure now I have one in my hand. The fit and finish is pretty nice, although the centering could be a bit better - nothing's near rubbing at all, but it's not dead center for sure. Actually, that's my biggest doubt. ;) CRK stuff has my level of OCD rather finely tuned!

I'm also slightly concerned that, with the spring rather than the comparatively loose action of a Sebenza, I'm going to chop my freakin' fingers off. :D

Oh well, here are some pictures. Because pictures are fun. :)

IMG_0481_zps27fcbace.jpg


IMG_0484_zps7e9a87ae.jpg


IMG_0483_zps3b0e89f1.jpg
 
Beautiful knives!

Good luck with your fingers. Might make it tough to play that keyboard!!:D
 
You selected a fine knife for your first slipjoint.

I began by accumulating moderns, have a Mini Grip in my pocket now, but I have gravitated to traditionals for a number of reasons. You may find that you don't like slipjoints, and it will be easy to trade your GEC.

As for the tolerances of a CRK - I don't know that anything can compare. But, for the same price as your Sebenza you can purchase a very high quality traditional knife that may meet your exacting expectations.
 
I just might upgrade my membership and do so. Really, the GEC is obviously a very nice knife, really rather attractive too, and I went through the same process of discovery before I settled with CRK for a modern "user", so I know I'm being a little ridiculous. ;) That said, is there a maker in the $300-$500 range (hopefully toward the lower end) that you think might be more my thing? Thanks!
 
Good of you to post your honest reactions. But keep an open mind:thumbup:

However, it's rather like comparing like to totally unlike...Tulip with a Rhino:D

Modern knives may be more precise or exact, they are made on highly sophisticated machinery and have more homogenous parts/materials. Traditionals are made up of a lot of different materials many of which are natural (bone,horn,stag,wood etc) and will have individual flaws. They may be made on less than modern machinery too....

With patience, you will discover that your Traditional will repay you with individual character and an ability to age wonderfully that unfortunately Modern styles cannot replicate. Carry both and enjoy their virtues it's not an either or thing, many of us here also use Moderns and have no problem with that. Diference is strength actually.

As for your request, yes there are many impressive custom makers, I'd recommend Ohta from Japan and Fontenille-Pataud from France as particularly excellent makers of non US knives, but many American makers abound too.

Thanks, Will
 
Erphern said:
I just might upgrade my membership and do so. Really, the GEC is obviously a very nice knife, really rather attractive too, and I went through the same process of discovery before I settled with CRK for a modern "user", so I know I'm being a little ridiculous. ;) That said, is there a maker in the $300-$500 range (hopefully toward the lower end) that you think might be more my thing? Thanks!
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Both great looking knives! For the $300-$500 range you could order a custom slipjoint. There's lots of great makers on here, Brent Cramer is the only one I have experience with and I highly recommend him.

What part of KS are you in?
 
willgoy said:
Good of you to post your honest reactions. But keep an open mind:thumbup:

However, it's rather like comparing like to totally unlike...Tulip with a Rhino:D

Modern knives may be more precise or exact, they are made on highly sophisticated machinery and have more homogenous parts/materials. Traditionals are made up of a lot of different materials many of which are natural (bone,horn,stag,wood etc) and will have individual flaws. They may be made on less than modern machinery too....

With patience, you will discover that your Traditional will repay you with individual character and an ability to age wonderfully that unfortunately Modern styles cannot replicate. Carry both and enjoy their virtues it's not an either or thing, many of us here also use Moderns and have no problem with that. Diference is strength actually.

As for your request, yes there are many impressive custom makers, I'd recommend Ohta from Japan and Fontenille-Pataud from France as particularly excellent makers of non US knives, but many American makers abound too.

Thanks, Will
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That makes a lot of sense - I'll just have to see if I can get my head around the concept of beauty in imperfections! It can be true of women, so I'm sure it's possible with cutlery. :D

Thanks for the recommendations!

Flint Hills said:
Both great looking knives! For the $300-$500 range you could order a custom slipjoint. There's lots of great makers on here, Brent Cramer is the only one I have experience with and I highly recommend him.

What part of KS are you in?
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Lenexa. I've been in Kansas for about twenty years, moved here from London when I was twenty-two.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll do a little research. S'funny how one can react to knives differently, even within brands; I briefly owned a Sebenza 25 and it just didn't grab me. The small Insingo though - love it! I'm sure I'll feel similarly with traditionals.
 
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I can imagine it being hard to compare any traditional to a CRK for reasons already stated. If you want to see what some of the higher end traditionals without going with a custom maker are like the case bose colaborations are awesome. While I do not have one, the few I have handled have been phenomenal as far as fit and finish go. I still wouldn't try to compare a traditional to a modern just because there are so many inherent differences. I would however find a pattern with materials you like and enjoy it for what it is. I don't choose traditionals for their practicality alone but rather the feeling they give me.
 
As Sebbies go, your Insigo is the most tempting for me. IMHO, that's a really usefull blade profile and edge.
If you research these names, in THIS forum, you will find some mouth-watering threads, LOL

Pena, Oeser, Bose, LLoyd.... and others.
 
Different types of knives. Plenty of room for both in my pockets.

edcs.jpg


It's not an either/or proposition.

- Christian
 
Check out the knifemakers sale area here - Alan Davis, Ken Coats, J. D. Ware, Todd Davison.... Really, the list goes on and on, but these are some of my favorites. If you want to get CRK quality in a slipjoint, custom makers are the way to go.

I started to really enjoy the traditionals when I stumbled on a Great Eastern #73 a while back. It's a great pattern, a few different blade styles and a lanyard hole (on some). It's kind of blown up from there.

I carry a Sebenza almost every day; in fact, it's a large micarta 21 with raindrop damascus today. Usually, there's also a traditional of some sort in the pocket too (GEC 72 today). And, as much as I enjoy the GEC's, I look at them as more "expendable" then the $700 sebenza. I seem to get more enjoyment out of tinkering with, sharpening and just using the traditionals day to day. The sebenza, well, it's more pocket jewelry when it comes right down to it. Just do what makes you happy!
 
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You may want to try another pattern. Toothpicks are not for everyone. I've met people that have said they down right hate them. I feel the same towards the "lady leg", ugh! I went through quite a few patterns before finally finding what I like. And maybe you won't ever like traditionals. Good luck to ya.
 
I'm not sure I would compare a GEC to a Sebenza as far as centering and what not. You should probably compare a Loyd, Davidson, etc to a Sebenza.

That being said, Traditionals to me are more about old school cool. If I needed a knife to do nothing but cut, well there are way more options. Traditionals are like hot rods, rat rods, vintage firearms, cowboy action shooting.... people do it to kinda remind themselves of a different time that we have romantic thoughts about.
 
I appreciate all the suggestions and advice - especially in a forum for those who really dig the traditionals, I'm grateful for your patience!

Perhaps another pattern, and maybe something more in the direction of a custom might suit me better. The more I think about it, it's not just perfection vs. imperfection: I have some $600+ chef knives, about as close to "perfect" as can be, and yet my favorites are my ancient and fairly ugly Thiers-Issard Sabatier Nogents.

Sometimes, something just fits in my brain better than something else (metaphorically, not in a crime scene sense).
 
It's a big hobby, lots of room for different preferences, so don't feel bad if you don't like everything out there.

If someone were to offer to give me my choice of those two knives in your original picture, with the stipulation that I couldn't sell, trade, or otherwise try to convert them into their monetary value, I'd pick that GEC #12 every day.

Though to be honest, I'd prefer it in a jigged bone handle. I've never especially liked wood handles. Though that snakewood is very pretty.
 
Let's try to keep the discussion and images about traditional knives folks. If this gets to far offtrack it'll get moved to General discussion. Thanks
 
Erphern, that is a beautiful first traditional to be sure. I have two points for you to consider.

First, if the blade is to be off center (very slightly here), then it is off in the right direction, closer to the nail nick. This is actually a good thing, because as you put a little pressure on it to open the blade, you don't push it into the liner, causing a rub.

Second, you got yourself a single-bladed knife. Being a modern OHO user, this is normal, but one of the real benefits of a traditional knife is the usefulness of two or more blades. Your next one should definitely have a couple blades, and for the most utility they should be one large and one shorter, one straight-edged and one with a belly. With this pattern you nearly always have the right blade for the right job. Here are pics of a couple to consider, and happy hunting!

GEC Northfield #48 Wharncliffe Trapper
NatStagOpen_zps105889d3.jpg~original


Queen #9 Large Stockman
CZ9-2.jpg~original
 
Beautiful Northfield you have there. If you're not satisfied with the blade centering on this particular one then send that one back and let the seller know you'd like one with a centered blade. Nearly all of my Northfields are perfectly centered, so you just happened to get one that's not exactly right for your standards. Asked to have it exchanged. Not a big deal.

Give the traditional folders a chance and don't trip out over something easy to correct. :)
 
Another thought came to me. Lots of folks like the zip fast utility in a modern folder. They like to cut whatever it is and be done. Using a traditional, lots of folks here enjoy the task of using a traditional and that little extra time to use one. You see folks here making PB&Js or cutting up meat and vegtables for dinner with their traditionals. You don't usually do that with a modern knife. It's just a different mindset.

Also, if you need fast deployment...... a traditional fixed blade in a belt sheath is pretty hard to beat.
 
I think what you're going through is perfectly normal, you're used to a more modern design and are unsure if this "Traditional" thing is going to work for you perfectly natural, perfectly normal, perfectly understandable, I was there myself, admittedly I DID start in scouts with the classic cheapo Boy Scout knife, then graduated to a SAK, then fell out of knifed on until well after college....

Discovered Spydies and came down with a full fledged case of Spyderholism, which I still suffer from, but the Traditionals help curb the urges (well, to be honest, they *redirected* the urges towards Traditionals, but don't tell anyone else..... ;) )

What helped me ease into the "slower" world of the traditional fan was to take it slowly, start off carrying a trad. In ADDITION to my existing EDC blades, just having it be there, and occasionally cut something with it, find out it works just as well as the moderns for separating matter, and it's more pocket friendly....

Then comes the Big First Step, whenever you're ready, choose one day, and "replace" one of your moderns with a traditional, just for the day, don't worry, the modern will be safe and snuggly at home, if you make it throug the day, and most importantly, ENJOY the experience, then try the next day, and the next, and the next...... You may find you like this newfangled Traditional thing...

After all, nobody said you can ONLY carry Traditionals OR moderns, the two types actually work quite harmoniously together, and compliment each other well....

Worst case scenario? You find it's not for you, and sell or trade off your traditional, at least you learned from the experience....

I bet though, if you give it a try, you'll like this Traditional......Thing.....


Join Us........Join Us........Join Us...... ;)

After all, Resistance Is Futile.... ;)
 
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