Good first traditional pocket knife?

Z

Ztmma

Joined
Oct 9, 2012
Messages
187
Hello everyone, I have never had a "traditional" folder before. Im looking for something entry level to carry around to give it a try. I find myself really enjoying the looks. Im thinking I would prefer one blade...Something good at slicing. I run through alot of cardboard/some rope. I appreciate your help.
 
Case is a great knife to start with. You lots of choices in handels and can get cv carbin steel.. If you do not want to spend that much money, get a Rough Rider. They are cheap and good quality.
 
Have you considered an Opinel? It might not be what you had in mind but they are inexpensive, comfortable (you can buy one to fit your hand size), simple, easy to maintain and take an excellent edge.
 
I second Case Knives. Own more than a few.

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In the $50 range it's hard to beat the carbon steel Boker pocketknives. Higher level of fit and finish than the average Case knife, and much less expensive than Great Eastern or other 'nicer' knives.

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Case Sodbuster, Slimeline Trapper, Backpocket, and Opinel.

All great knives to start off with, you can find all of those knives in both stainless and carbon, i prefer carbon. But the most expensive there is the backpocket which is in your budget to a little higher than your budget range.
 
Gec sodbuster. Heck of a deal for the money. Was my first traditional buy and my second traditional blade. By far my favorite.
 
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Being that it is your first Traditional knife, I would get a Case Sodbuster. They are very inexpensive, and if you decide you don't care for it, you aren't out much or you can always sell it.
They offer Carbon Steel (CV) or Stainless Steel. There are a few different colors, and for 2014 they have come out with a Sodbuster in Chestnut bone. Very nice looking..

Or as already mentioned, you can spend a little more and get a GEC Sodbuster or Farmers knife. The workmanship on GEC knives is outstanding, and worth a little more $$$ imho... Not saying there is anything wrong with Case knives. I have owned probably close to 100 of them, and most that I have owned were very nicely made, but the F&F on the GEC's really is at a different level...
 
I know you said you wanted a single-blade knife, but the Case Small Texas Jack is a very good first traditional knife. Full size clip blade main, and a smaller pen blade secondary. Usually under $40 shipped.
 
Welcome to traditionals, this is a great forum and you'll learn a lot here. In the price range you mention in a single blade I'd say look at the Case #06982 Slimline Trapper. Hard to be Case in this price range, though most of them have two blades. If you can go with a 2-blade the MiniTrapper is a great start.

Let us know what you end up with :)
 
All already said. Case sodbuster jr, Opinel, Case Texas Jack, you can not go wrong with any GEC. Good luck :)
 
Welcome to the addiction. A Case sod Buster Jr. is a tough entry level knife to beat. I can't tell where you live but if you live in the states, shoot me an email with your address and I'll send you the one that rides around in my toolbox. If you love it keep it, if not, give it away here on the forum. Bensnure3 at gmail dot com

I like to call this dude "The Rotten Banana". All this can be yours.
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For the tasks he describes, I'd say a Queen Country Cousin Sodbuster in D2 steel, that will retain better. These come in black, yellow, or burgundy for around 33USD a version in Green linen micarta costs a bit more.

RR Sodbusters are very cheap, some are liner lock and they have very acceptable stainless.

If he likes the Trad style knife, he should then save up a bit for a GEC 73 single blade in dozens of handle choices. This is a beautiful but tough work-knife and one of the best in my experience.
 
I know you said a single blade, but one of the real benefits of a traditional knife is the multi-blade aspect. I recommend getting a stockman with clip, sheepfoot and pen blades, like the Case 63032 pattern, model #71024. 3⅝" closed, it will really let you see what traditional knives are all about, and how useful those second and third blades are.
 
Jeff might have a point about multibladed slipjoints, especially if you use your knife often. In that case, old US made Schrade knives might be a great option, if you're able to find one somewhere (for instance, another member posted a thread with a Schrade Walden stockman found online for 15usd).
If you want to stick with the single blade option, I agree that probably a Sodbuster is what you're after, so your choice is between Queen, Case CV and GEC. Another nice option would be a single blade Boker copperhead (the carbon steel version, made in Germany). Or, you could just accept Ben's generosity and give his knife a try.
Either way, it's impossible for me not to vote for an Opinel. :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
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