First traditional UPDATE!

blades&wrenches

blades&wrenches

Joined
Jan 11, 2014
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Hello all,
This is my first post (I think) in the traditional forum and I'm looking for a little advice on my first traditional purchase. I've narrowed it down to either the GEC #42 Missouri Trader or the #83.
I'd like to hear your opinions on both, pros & cons, favorite handle material, etc. Side by side comparison photos are encouraged, especially next to a modern like a Delica or Manix 2.
If there are any others you recommend I would love to hear them as well. I'm really looking for a single blade lock back.
Thanks in advance!
 
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I have neither pattern.

I own 23's, 73's, 36, 15, 25.



Pretty tough to go wrong with GEC (Northfield, GEC, Tideoute).

Good luck in your quest!
 
My Tuscosa 83 in stag is a great lockback with all the attributes GEC knives are known for:






BUT ... I like my Moki Sm Kronos even better. Put next to my 83 it just has more appeal to me. Have you considered these?

 
Hi, and welcome :)
The first thing you need to know, is that you're choosing between two knives that differ quite alon in size (more than an inch)....which should make you stop for a second and think about what you're after.
Then...
There aren't many small (3") lockback traditional knives out there, while in the >4" range you might find more options (GEC, Queen, CSC, Buck and so on).
Good luck with your first traditional choice ;)

Fausto
:cool:
 
I have both, a 42 in 440c and micarta as well as an 83 in jigged bone and 1095. I love my 42 and beaten the snot outta it. It is a fantastic pattern and just the right size. However, the difference in the locking is very noticeable. GEC has had trouble in the past producing a tight lockback. This evident in my 42, it wiggled up and down to begin with and now has some side play. It's not a functional problem but it's there. By the time the 83 came around GEC had dialed it in and by gum that thing is just a hair shy of too tight of a lockup. Darn near perfect. The 83 is nice knife. Very light for the blade size, very good handle to blade ratio. If it was stainless it'd be the perfect backpacking folder. For my medium to small hands it's just big enough for doing real work. Also, that thing is think, you barely notice it in the pocket. So they are both great knives, good luck deciding. I'll post pics later. Oh boy I'm doing this on a phone so I apologise for all the messed up words but I ain't gonna fix it here's pics. http://imgur.com/DswEKxp http://i.imgur.com/acLC7E3
 
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HWS said:
BUT ... I like my Moki Sm Kronos even better. Put next to my 83 it just has more appeal to me. Have you considered these?

Click to expand...
I was unaware of them until now. Great looking knife. Definitely one I will consider.

quattromori said:
Hi, and welcome :)
The first thing you need to know, is that you're choosing between two knives that differ quite alon in size (more than an inch)....which should make you stop for a second and think about what you're after.
Then...
There aren't many small (3") lockback traditional knives out there, while in the >4" range you might find more options (GEC, Queen, CSC, Buck and so on).
Good luck with your first traditional choice ;)

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm aware of the size difference, and the #42 is definitely more my size preference. Just thinking a smaller traditional would be nice to have as a secondary blade. Plus, it seems the 83s are easier to find in more variety.
 
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Are you going with a lock back because that's what you know in modern knives ? The reason I'm asking is because the best part for me and it will differ for everyone is breaking free of everything that I thought a knife should be in the modern world. Both those knives are great knives. The only help I can give you other then the above is I own a 83 and it's a great knife but my almost edc is one of my 25s you should check them out .either way you go you'll get a good knife and welcome to the porch.
 
gonebad395 said:
Are you going with a lock back because that's what you know in modern knives ? The reason I'm asking is because the best part for me and it will differ for everyone is breaking free of everything that I thought a knife should be in the modern world. Both those knives are great knives. The only help I can give you other then the above is I own a 83 and it's a great knife but my almost edc is one of my 25s you should check them out .either way you go you'll get a good knife and welcome to the porch.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily BC it's what I know, I just really like the pattern and like the security of a lock just in case my wife or family member needed to borrow it.

BTW, I just pulled the trigger on a #42 in Indian Paint Brush Jigged Bone! Will ppost pics when I get it. I'm excited! Thanks for all the input! I'm sure this won't be the last or only one.
 
Good pick on the 42, B&W. Once you get your hands on a slipjoint I think you'll understand a little better why the lock isn't included on most traditionals. Where a lock is a necessity on modern folders, I find them completely unnecessary on many traditional knives. The amount of pressure it requires to close a blade on my 23 makes me really wonder what people are doing that they think this'll accidentally close, especially given the fact that it has a half-stop which means it'll have to overcome that pressure twice before it closes on your fingers. But, they have made them with locks, so somebody out there likes that added reassurance.

I only say all of this because I started out with a lockback that I carried for about 7 straight years before looking into other knives. I was very hesitant to buy a knife without a lock until I had a couple slipjoints. After that, all concerns melted away. I still cut myself now and again, but that's due to my shortcomings not those of the knives. Try picking up a Rough Rider or an old US made Schrade to get an inexpensive slipjoint experience. You may just find that you prefer them to knives with a lock. I know I do.
 
Cory Hess said:
Good pick on the 42, B&W. Once you get your hands on a slipjoint I think you'll understand a little better why the lock isn't included on most traditionals. Where a lock is a necessity on modern folders, I find them completely unnecessary on many traditional knives. The amount of pressure it requires to close a blade on my 23 makes me really wonder what people are doing that they think this'll accidentally close, especially given the fact that it has a half-stop which means it'll have to overcome that pressure twice before it closes on your fingers. But, they have made them with locks, so somebody out there likes that added reassurance.

I only say all of this because I started out with a lockback that I carried for about 7 straight years before looking into other knives. I was very hesitant to buy a knife without a lock until I had a couple slipjoints. After that, all concerns melted away. I still cut myself now and again, but that's due to my shortcomings not those of the knives. Try picking up a Rough Rider or an old US made Schrade to get an inexpensive slipjoint experience. You may just find that you prefer them to knives with a lock. I know I do.
Click to expand...

No doubt I will eventually get a slippie, but I've been eying the 42 for a while. I have an SAK so they're not totally foreign, I just like a good lock back.
 
If you're adding traditional lockbacks to your watch list and you're looking for pocket carry, you might add the Buck 500 Duke to the list. 3" blade. Thin frame.

Buck 500 Duke and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr

The Buck 500 series has several smaller ones too.

The Buck 112 Ranger is the same size as the 500, but a lot thicker and heavier. It's possible to pocket carry it but you'll know it's there. I think it's among the prettiest production knives made. The lines are just great.

Buck 112 by Pinnah, on Flickr

If you like traditional single blade knives, you owe it yourself to try the $15 experiment of an Opinel. I like to refinish them with some stain and some minor reshaping of the handle. The locking is more durable than any other joint I've used and the blade is just insane in terms of the geometry.

Opinel #9 Inox Drop Point and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr


If you move away from locks to slipjoints, the large Case Sodbuster (or any other full sized Sodbuster) is worth trying.
Case Large Sodbuster and Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr


Good hunting
 
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blades&wrenches said:
No doubt I will eventually get a slippie, but I've been eying the 42 for a while. I have an SAK so they're not totally foreign, I just like a good lock back.
Click to expand...

For sure. I probably should have emphasized the first sentence of my post a bit more. You're going to love the 42.

The rest of my post was really just an afterthought after reading the two posts previous to mine. That afterthought kind of ran away and took over my post. ;)
 
Well, it came today! Overall, I'm quite impressed.
Initial impressions:
F&F is great. No gaps, everything sits flush, blade is dead nut centered, action is smooth, and the Indian Paint Brush slabs are beautiful. Red happens to be my favorite color. Some vertical lock play, but I read many cases of this, So I'm not disappointed, and it's pretty minimal. No side to side play. Sharpness could be better out of box, but that's easily fixed, no problem there.
Very happy with my first traditional purchase and can definitely see more in the future. Now, pics or it didn't happen, right?
IMAG0248_zpsov0x0kmx.jpg


IMAG0247_zpsfafz5o6u.jpg


IMAG0249_zpszjcwbzrp.jpg


Edit: Sorry for the scrappy cell pics, but I'm at work and it's all I got. They don't do it justice.
 
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Beauty of a knife. Congratulations on that one. You'll have to update us with a review once you've had a couple weeks to use it. I'd be interested to hear how you like carrying a traditional vs. the moderns that you're used to. :thumbup:
 
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