Getting into traditionals. Help me avoid being an idiot about it.

M

Mud Shrimp Moe

Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Messages
644
Background: I'm 45. I've toted a knife around since I was a Cub Scout. However, I've never been much of a knife nut until 2011. For most of my life, I've owned a few Victorinox folders, a Buck 301, a Buck fixed blade, a couple filet knives, and a couple other USA Schrades that got lost over the years. In 2011 for reasons I can't even fathom, knife obsession hit me like a ton of bricks. I bought 20 Spydercos in less than three months. Then I went on a Victorinox kick. Thankfully, the Vic obsession was cheaper than Spyderco. Now I am obsessed with traditionals. This seems to be a common enough path. But my pace alarms me somewhat.


The Question: I'd like to buy a few "essential" traditionals. I'm not kidding myself that I'll buy ... say ... five and then never again. But I don't want to go on a random see-it-buy-it spree like I did with Spydercos. I find myself drawn to a couple specific Case models, but am also really curious about GECs, as well as vintage knives. I don't want to buy, say, a bunch of Case models, only to find that deep down I would have preferred buying GECs from the start. Or vintage knives.

Here's my current wish list:

Case Swayback Jack in Chestnut and CV
Case Peanut in yellow and CV
GEC #56 Dogleg - probably a Northfield in stag
GEC #85 Bullet End Jack - probably a Northfield ... something other than stag, just for variety



Here's my current "maybe" list

Case Mini Trapper or Texas Jack, probably in blue with stainless


As you can see, I prefer jack knives with one pivot. I'm less interested in toothpicks and stockmans (I love my Buck 301 though) and sodbusters. I can appreciate those platforms, but they aren't my current desires.

What's your advice on buying the right knives in the right order? I considered buying a few Rough Riders just to scratch the itch. But past experience has taught me that paying for quality up front is better than buying something cheaper, and still wanting the quality alternative. IOW, I'm probably going to buy quality sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner. This is one reason I'll probably only buy GEC Northfields to start with. I'm sure the Tidioutes are great, but I don't want to have some deep-down wish I paid just a bit more for the Northfield. As for finances, I have a bit of money, but not enough free case to be stupid. Last year I got a little stupid.
 
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Hi Moe!

I think it´s personal preference. But going into jackknives is a good way to go.

In case of jackknives, I would get a Peanut in Yellow and CV. I own two GEC, both #66 Serpentine Jacks which became my favorite EDC, almost for some weeks. So I think with thoose both cuterly companies you can´t go wrong. Buying an RR is no bad, the quality for that prize is great. I you would like an american made knife, you should get a Case or a GEC.
I think your wish-list" is a good beginning.

I hope it could help.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Don't feel bad about being stupid. I think I'm President of the stupid club sometimes.

All those that you mentioned are worth having and a good place to start. I'm real fond of the Case Swayback and you'll find there is a rabid peanut gang here ... :D

The offerings from Great Eastern have really met with a lot of enthusiasm. If you poke around and hang around this forum you'll find out enough to really get stupid about traditional knives!
 
Case. And from a brick and mortar store where you can inspect in person. I would never buy another Great Eastern Cutlery knife sight unseen. I bought two, both around $100 which is no small investment for me. I sent one back for excessive blade play and poor fit of the scales. Kept the second because I really liked the ergonomics. But. Sharp corners on all four bolsters. Main blade was high enough above the frame to cut me when I reached for it. Backs of the secondary blades, opposite the kick, were also sharp enough to cut with the blades closed. Took most of an evening to set things right. I've bought several Rough Riders in the $10-12 range that had better fit and finish. RRs are not a bad way to scratch the "traditional" itch because you can play with several patterns for cheap.
 
Trouble with collecting traditionals is that there is so much ground to cover that you cannot even scratch the surface of it. Can't speak to what your collection should contain but I think it makes sense to pick a target, something that appeals to you, and fill in the blanks slowly.

Me I grew up where there was Case and then there was everything else. So after a fairly hardscrabble upbringing in the mountains followed by years and years of college this is where I started. I picked up a handful of wonderful mint Case redboned knives like I remembered from my youth. Just a taste, just a handful to show where my idea of knife making excellence was in my younger days. After that I decided to pick up some knives that showed where traditional knives stood when I graduated. At that time I felt that Queen was making the best stuff. Picked up some SFOs in a couple lines that really appealed to me. One was a genuine red stag line with D-2 and the other was their 1095 bone handled line. After Queen had their shakeup and GEC was spawned I decided to pick up a few of theirs over time. I've got a handful of my favorite knives in the handle material that most appealed to me.

And that's it. I have a few hunting knives and a few gifts from others but this is the core of my collection.

Some people like patterns and will pick up all the different iterations of that knife. Some are fans of one brand or the other and collect different knives from Buck or Case or whoever. Me? Didn't want a big collection just a few groups to show different time periods when I was taken by different makers and styles. No matter what you choose it is no big deal but I think figuring out ahead of time what you want the collection to look like will save a lot of missteps and wasted money. Because in the end traditionals cover literally thousands and thousands of different differnet types and styles. A man would go crazy as a parrot eating sticky candy trying to collect them all. :p

Will
 
2Dead said:
Hi Moe, I think a Case Peanut is a must. The Swayback Jack is probably my nicest production Case knife.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the rest, but agree with Trand-- you can't go wrong with these two. Even if you find you prefer others more in the long run, I think you'll remain glad that you have them.

~ P.
 
DrPenguin said:
Trouble with collecting traditionals is that there is so much ground to cover that you cannot even scratch the surface of it. Can't speak to what your collection should contain but I think it makes sense to pick a target, something that appeals to you, and fill in the blanks slowly.
Click to expand...


That's where I'm headed now. I don't want to have some massive "collection" at this time. I'm OCD enough that if I start thinking of it as a "collection" then I'll start justifying that I need <name of platform/brand> because I don't have one of those yet. And there's no end to it, as is evident enough from reading around here. Nothing WRONG with it, mind you. I just don't have the cash for it and don't want to invest the mental energy in gross buying of knives anymore.

I like the jacks that I named in the original post. Nothing wrong with sodbusters, toothpicks, stockmans, etc. But I want about four jacks. Then I hope I have the self-restraint to enjoy them a good long while without searching the retailer websites day after day.
 
2Dead said:
Hi Moe, I think a Case Peanut is a must. The Swayback Jack is probably my nicest production Case knife. The #56 is a good pattern from GEC if you like Dogleg Jacks. I don't believe GEC makes a #88 as of yet.
You should check out this thread if you like jacks... www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/762822-All-in-on-jacks
Click to expand...


Sorry, I meant the GEC #56 (Dogleg) and #85 (Bullet End Jack). GEC makes several other models that are attractive to me. Yet those two models speak to me the loudest.
 
I would encourage you to seek out a vintage Old Timer of a pattern that appeals and a TL-29.
 
My only reccomebdation is to take your time. Do your research and pick one that floats your boat. Carry it for a few months and maybe pick another after that if you like. Traditional collectin is more than just the knives it's a bit of a lifestyle thing :)
 
Hey Moe, there's no such thing as being an idiot, except of course buying way more knives than we need, but that's all part of the knife obsession.:D

As for traditionals, buy whatever pushes your button. Some like big knives, some like small knives. Some like a single blade, some like three blades like a stockman, or even four blades like on a congress. There's sway back jacks, Texas jacks, tear drop jacks, Harness jacks, serpentine jacks, and equal end jacks. And thats not even scratching the surface.

Try to find a knife club near you, and go to some meetings. Try to handle as many different patterns as you can, they will all have their own feel and charm. Oh, that last part, charm, is what they have going of them, and it's going to be different for every pattern and person. That's why there's 31 flavors.:D

Hope to see you around here some.

Carl.
 
Consider Queen Cutlery QCCC Teardrop in carbon if you like the GEC Bullet End. Also their Serp Jack No.2 in jigged bone and D2, very nice compact Jack that betters a Peanut in my view.

Your CASE choices are good but you can't be without at least ONE of their Slimline Trappers, single-blade yes but really useful thin knife with plenty of handle (the GEC equivalent is their 48 which can come 2 bladed as well)

You mention Tidioute and Northfield, it's sometimes thought that Tidioute is the cheap and cheerful equivalent of Northfield. Not so. Yes Northfields cost a little bit more and they offer swedges,longpull,threaded bolsters etc but it's all very scales and pattern sensitive in my experience.Some Tidioutes look better for being less adorned or offering different scale options and vice-versa. Choose by what they look like, Tidioutes' finish is not inferior to Northfield. Hope this gives you food for future thought, and, sleepless nights waiting for the postal delivery!:D:thumbup:

Regards, Will
 
Mud Shrimp Moe said:
The Question: I'd like to buy a few "essential" traditionals. I'm not kidding myself that I'll buy ... say ... five and then never again. But I don't want to go on a random see-it-buy-it spree like I did with Spydercos. I find myself drawn to a couple specific Case models, but am also really curious about GECs, as well as vintage knives. I don't want to buy, say, a bunch of Case models, only to find that deep down I would have preferred buying GECs from the start. Or vintage knives.

Here's my current wish list:

Case Swayback Jack in Chestnut and CV
Case Peanut in yellow and CV
GEC #56 Dogleg - probably a Northfield in stag
GEC #85 Bullet End Jack - probably a Northfield ... something other than stag, just for variety
Click to expand...


It might help you to try to define what you mean by "essential" in more detail. I find the act of writing it out on the forum as a good way to think things through.

I find there are a few different dimensions to think about.

Brand loyalty and brand history are a dimension worth thinking about. Before you buy, you might spend time reading up on the history and vision of the various brands. Many have robust Wikipedia pages and active collector web sites with lots of reading material. I have a warm spot in my heart for the Schrade family of knives since I'm from the northeast and carried an Ulster as a kid.

Build quality is another dimension worth thinking about. As with any form of collecting (cars, bikes, guns), there is a spectrum between scratched up users and flawlessly executed pieces of art. I suspect that in other parts of your life (cars, bikes, guns) you may have a feeling where your personal sweet spot is in this dimension.

Usability is another thing to think about. Every pattern has their fans that will say their favorite (peanut, trapper, sod buster, Opinel, camper, what have you) can handle all cutting and carrying needs perfectly. None of this matters. Need to think through how you and you alone use a knife and carry it. For example, I've found that I want to have a widish 3" blade with me at all times for food prep, along with a smaller more people friendly knife. Most days, I carry an Opinel #9 modified to a drop point, along with a Schrade 5OT lockback (sort of like a Buck 501) which carries (for me) better than a peanut. So, suggest talking on the forum with folks who carry the patterns you're considering and digging through the self-justification stuff (we all do it, me especially) and try to figure out what would be the best fit in your hands and in your pocket.

Luckily, you have knives to start with. You know what you liked and didn't like with your Spydercos and SAKs. That should help. Hope something written here helps too.
 
Give me a Buck 301 (or 303) and a Case Peanut CV and I'm pretty much satisfied for life.

IMO, I don't think you will find anything that will top your old 301 but knives, like life, are a matter of perspective and preference.

I do suggest finding a pattern and sticking with it though and i can recommend nothing better than a stockman or jack.
 
I believe it has already been stated but take a look at Queen & the new Schatt & Morgan line of jacks. Take a look at Canal Street Cutlery too - just as options.
 
I can say that the GEC bullet end jack I bought is an amazing knife. The best slip joint I own. The Swayback Jack is pretty awesome too. You have some good choices there.
 
It sounds like you've already got it figured out pretty good, Moe - the four knives listed in your OP are a great start - go for it! :thumbup:
 
Could I suggest a springboard into the land of stupidity? Of which I am undoubtedly the King.
The 2012 Bladeforums Traditional Subforum Knife.
That will scratch your itch like a Sabre Toothed Tiger whos just been to manicurist to get his claws sharpened up.
 
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