Good starting traditional knife. Pictures appreciated!

[jimwalter]

I'm new to traditional knives. At this point I'm thinking a simple case stockman. What are my other options ?

 

[orca8589]

What kind of uses do you have? The serpentine Stockman pattern is a great start.

You can get some pretty big ones:

Down to itty-bitty ones:

There are other patterns that have the serpentine handle shape (my favorite):

Other options? Well, Whittler patterns are kinda neat:

And regular 'straight' handle shapes (Sorry, not the best pic.):

Canoe patterns have a big following here in Traditional:

For a 'starter' knife for a kid, Victorinox is popular around here with young Scouts:

And you can't beat a good Sodbuster for a lifetime of hard work:

~Chris

 

[chevy_racin]

Hi Jim
Welcome to traditionals. I'm new to these too.
Just with a stockman pattern there are so many options / makers. IMO it is a great pattern.
Check out the traditionals area, there are some great knives displayed and information. And a lot of good people.

 

[mqqn]

Oh Jim Jim Jim my friend. You have so many choices.

You really need to determine what it is that makes you happy about bladed objects and then zero in on those.

For instance, I initially only collected Trapper pattern knives, and only in natural handle materials.

Doing so will put a limit to your collection - you'll thank us later for that!

best regards -

mqqn

 

[jimwalter]

Ok, I'll narrow it down a bit
I love the serpentine handles, so definitely that. I'm also not into big knives so something medium sized.
I'm not looking to collect. Just a nice less expensive traditional that will last me a long time. From my limited knowledge I'm looking at case stockmans, but I do do a lot of skinning and filleting so perhaps a trapper would be ideal - is there a hybrid of those two?
Natural handle materials attracts me, but I'm guessing that increases the price dramatically?
Jimping on the nail-nicks are also very sexy.
I have owned a few SAKs so I'm looking for more of the case/old timer look.

Does that help at all?

 

[fluKeKe]

Welcome I'm new to. I picked up 2 to 3 knives all less the 25 bucks. Going to rotate them through EDC for a week or two and decide if traditional is where I want to be.

 

[Railsplitter]

I will take this opportunity to recommend the GEC (Northfield or Tidioute) #66 Calf Roper.

The Case Stockman is a good choice too. Queen and Buck have some nice knives in their lineup as well.

 

[Gevonovich]

My choice would be the GEC - Furtaker Trapper ...or any #53 Cigar

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/patterns/53-equal-end-cigar-cuban/

 

[REAPER4206969]

but I do do a lot of skinning and filleting so perhaps a trapper would be ideal - is there a hybrid of those two?

Consider a Mini-Trapper.

 

[yablanowitz]

Ok, I'll narrow it down a bit
I love the serpentine handles, so definitely that. I'm also not into big knives so something medium sized.
I'm not looking to collect. Just a nice less expensive traditional that will last me a long time. From my limited knowledge I'm looking at case stockmans, but I do do a lot of skinning and filleting so perhaps a trapper would be ideal - is there a hybrid of those two?
Natural handle materials attracts me, but I'm guessing that increases the price dramatically?
Jimping on the nail-nicks are also very sexy.
I have owned a few SAKs so I'm looking for more of the case/old timer look.

Does that help at all?

Serpentine handle and a lot of skinning sounds like a description of a muskrat pattern to me. Check out the Muskrat Manor thread.

 

[FLymon]

I would suggest a 3.5", or "mini" Trapper. My Queen with the D2 steel is my favorite, but the Case is pretty spiffy as well.

Queen #51T in Amber Bone and D2 steel (top knife)

Case Mini Trapper in Chestnut Bone and CV steel

Not sure what you are skinning, but for an extra 1/4" in closed length (3 3/4") you can get a substantially stouter Trapper in the GEC #73 series


#73 Scout by Northfield in Stag and 1095 steel

 

[Will Power]

Böker Germany do a very nice Serp Whittler, carbon, lot of handle choices, inexpensive but decent. 3 blades, Clip, Pen, Cope, and compact for the pocket.

GEC offer very satisfying and reliably made knives, Courthouse Whittler might appeal to you.

Consider too, CASE's Humpback Stockman, a good change from the usual and sleek in the pocket.

 

[Peter Parker]

I can't think of a better pattern to get started with then a Case Stockman....

 

[jimwalter]

Thank you all for such great replies! So many great knives to choose from!

I will take this opportunity to recommend the GEC (Northfield or Tidioute) #66 Calf Roper.

The Case Stockman is a good choice too. Queen and Buck have some nice knives in their lineup as well.

I really have fallen in love with the Calf Roper. But it is worth much more than I was wanting to spend. I'm not a huge fan of those etches though. Is there any way to get those off?
What would the the approximate best price I could get on one of these?

I still might just have to go with the case stockman.

Thanks again for all this feedback!

 

[Humppa]

Well, here is a Case trapper (the big one) and a Barlow (made by Carl Schlieper, Solingen)

A Case Stockman and a Case Peanut

Just a little selection. But imo with your Stockman you can´t go wrong. The Peanut is a knife which you carry and don´t feel, until you need it. The Trapper is a big, great knife that will surely fix all your needs and the Barlow is a great working knife.

Kind regards
Andi

 

[Will Power]

Jim, check the GEC website for dealer links, some variations in price. Keep a Hawkeye out on the Trads for sale section, you might get in there first!

As for the etches, they will fade with patina or you can polish them off no worries.

 

[markpmc]

I've carried a medium (3.5") case stockman for the last 10 years in my rotation. So I must love the knife right?
Well I love the options I get w/ 3 blades, but I'm in the process of replacing it w/ a GEC #48 stockman that's a tad over 4". I've decided that I want a main clip blade that's beefier than the turkish clips generally found on the mediums.

So give a large 4" stockman (Case has one) a solid look also.

BTW - The GEC etches will buff right off.

Mark

 

[richstag]

Thank you all for such great replies! So many great knives to choose from!



I really have fallen in love with the Calf Roper. But it is worth much more than I was wanting to spend. I'm not a huge fan of those etches though. Is there any way to get those off?
What would the the approximate best price I could get on one of these?

I still might just have to go with the case stockman.

Thanks again for all this feedback!

The etches come off with use. Some of mine have rubbed off with my thumb. Not good if you want them to stay on, great if you don't like them.

Flitz will take them RIGHT off

When I first got into GEC the writing all over the blades turned me off until I figured this out.

The 66 is an awesome pattern.

 

[chevy_racin]

I really like my Case stockmans. The Case stockman gives a few options.
The top one is a 6318 with a spey blade, and the bottom one is a 63032 with a pen blade.

 

[2Dead]

I love my GECs but a Case Mini Trapper CV was my first and still not a bad choice imo. Check out Queen too. I really like my small stockman in curly zebra (3 3/8" closed). You could get a Queen stockman for the price of entry level GECs.