Gunshow Haul and a Dilemma!

[Justin T.]

Hi, everyone!

I’m away from my home state today, and went to a gun show here to get out of my room and stretch my legs. On my mental shopping list list was a reasonably nice pocket knife that I could give as a gift to a young man as a first traditional folder.

Keep in mind I love traditional folders, and think everyone should have at least one. My collection runs the gamut, but I love stockmans almost indiscriminantly.

Anyway, I found a really nice Schrade Walden 8OT that I purchased. I dickered a little for it, and it was at the upper end of my price range, but it is a really nice example that checked off all the boxes-fyi, the young man I have in mind is a teenager, 6’0” 180#, and this knife will definitely not be too big for him. He has the hands for it.

Here is the 8OT:

Here’s the dilemma. I now think this variation was stopped in 1972 or 1973 per other posts I’ve seen in this forum, and now it seems like it might be a bit too much. He’s a good kid, generally takes care of his stuff, but he is not well-acquainted with slipjoints.

I did also find a couple of new older Boker Solingen 280’s that would allow me to gift to him and his brother both:

These were a bit less expensive, and I would not feel as bad if something happened to them-they arent making that 8OT like that anymore.

Gah! What do I do?!

Oh, and also found a neat Boker Barlow that will find its way into my stocking this year:

 

[danno50]

Great haul. The Bokers are very nice knives. I would give them to the brothers and keep the 8OT in storage. You can give it to him later once you see how he does with the Boker. The start of his collection in reserve.

 

[Justin T.]

Great haul. The Bokers are very nice knives. I would give them to the brothers and keep the 8OT in storage. You can give it to him later once you see how he does with the Boker. The start of his collection in reserve.

Thank you, Danno. I have several Bokers, some old and some not, and they’ve always been great users.

That Barlow was a steal. It had some surface rust on one of the bolsters from sitting in the box. I gave $20 for it and took it over to the knife sharpener guy. For $4, it was a stunning transformation.

 

[black mamba]

The 8OT was made 1962-'72 with the Walden tang stamp. I does have a longer swedge which puts in more toward the middle of that range.

 

[Justin T.]

The 8OT was made 1962-'72 with the Walden tang stamp. I does have a longer swedge which puts in more toward the middle of that range.

Thank you!

 

[sf fanatic]

Keep them all and purchase two R&R large stockman knives for them. Less than $30 bucks for two and imho a good choice for young men who are new to traditional knives.

 

[Thefrenchmen24]

As much as I love my USA knives, I’m a sucker for Bokers the history is incredible. I say you give the Bokers keep the OT for a gift for a later date.

 

[mnblade]

All nice knives! Life is short ...... if you think the kid will use and appreciate the 8OT, I vote to give it to him. School him on the magical properties of good carbon steel, and the care and feeding required. Those knives are too good not to be used!

Now, with that said, nothing at all wrong with gifting him one of the Bokers.

Another option, find him a newer, carbon-steel U.S.-made Old Timer on that big auction site.

Kudos for spreading the traditional pocketknife gospel!

-- Mark

 

[Will Power]

I'll take 'em (posing as a teenager)

I think sf fanatic Dan has the right idea, a starter knife and RR is not some low caste knife either but would help to see if these boys actually LIKE Traditionals or not.

Those Bökers are a very tidy carry and look well cared for.

 

[Hengelo_77]

I like the top knife.
A bellied and a low point working blade and a third to keep clean for food prep. The perfect edc combo

 

[meako]

Hey Justin
Good question...just to muddy the water a little more have a look at RoseCraftBlades...

 

[Jack Black]

Nice haul I'm sure the lads would be thrilled with the Boker Whittlers

 

[JM2]

Not knowing the folks involved, I'd rather have the Schrade than the Bokers. I guess in my mind... the Schrade would be a valuable knife, whereas a rough rider... not much more than a butterknife, with the bokers somewhere in between. In other words, I'd take care of the Schrade without "practice", but I'd likely just throw the RR in the car console or a drawer somewhere.

 

[.577NE]

Life is short ...... if you think the kid will use and appreciate the 8OT, I vote to give it to him.

This says it all.

 

[ea42]

I like the idea of giving them each a Boker. Nice natural handle material on a quality knife makes a fantastic gift, and this way one of them doesn't feel left out. No point going out and buying yet more knives when you have three to choose from right there LOL. The 8OT is nice with great steel but with the numbers that were made and plastic handles I don't really think it trumps the Bokers as far as value. I think any of them are great intros to traditionals.

Eric