Hello, new to traditional

T

taeku4

Joined
Jan 20, 2011
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Hello, I have been using and collecting knives for about a year now, and just recently got into traditional pattern knives.

I was wondering, what are some of the companies that you guys would recommend for a beginner? I've been looking around noticed that there are a few more traditional companies than just Case :D.

Do you guys know if GEC and Queen are good bang for buck compared to Case? I do know that most traditionals are put together very well, but I am trying to get the nicest knife for my money. It would be cool to look at customs too, but I cannot afford the prices yet.

Also, at this time the patterns that appeal the most are the Barlow, Trapper, and the Stockman patterns, if that helps narrow down the search. My budget extends up to around 100 dollars, possibly more if a knife really fits me :D.

Thanks a lot for the help.
 
taeku4 said:
I was wondering, what are some of the companies that you guys would recommend for a beginner? I've been looking around noticed that there are a few more traditional companies than just Case :D.

Do you guys know if GEC and Queen are good bang for buck compared to Case? I do know that most traditionals are put together very well, but I am trying to get the nicest knife for my money.
Click to expand...

First of all, welcome to the coolest knife (sub)forum on the internet, taeku4! Grab an RC from the ice box and pull up an orange crate to sit on. If you haven't done so already, check out jackknife's stories.

As to knives to look out for, first, I'm not sure I agree with your blanket statement that most traditionals are put together very well. There are some clunker slippies just like with any type of knife. Beyond Case, I would definitely suggest checking out the many fine offerings from Great Eastern. They make a bunch in the $70-$100 range. Also, Buck makes some great slipjoints in America (check out the 301, 303 and 309 in black, wood, or yellow), and some lower priced models in China that also have a great rep. I've found that the carbon steel Bokers made in Germany are quite good and worth checking out. Queen's line of slipjoints with D2 steel are quite popular around these parts. Also, Moore Maker has some nice stockman and trapper models in your price range, but I wouldn't go much under $60 with them because when you do, you'll likely end up with a knife that was manufactured (poorly) for them by Bear. The more expensive, bone handled Moore Makers were manufactured by Queen and have a great rep. Also, if you're not averse to purchasing on that giant e-auction site, look around for classic, U.S.-made Schrade or Camillus knives. Great stuff.

-- Mark
 
taeku4: I whole heartly recomend you to check GEC #66 calf roper stockman. Now that is amazing knife, just below $100. GEC quality is very good and consistant unlike Queen. When Queen gets it right, Queen gets it right. Queen Dan Burke small Barlow and GUnstock in D2 are amazing knives and currently in my top 7 knives.
 
Hi guys!
Hi taeku4!

You´re right, there are many other that make very nice slippies. I can tell you something about the german´s, which are mostly made in Germany. Have you already searched for Carl Schlieper knives? Böker has also some slippies offered (unfortunatelly not here in Germany, only in the US).

Carl Schlieper can be bought here in Germany for about 55 € (Stockman with jigged bone scales, carbon steel blades - clip, spey and sheepfoot) - very traditional.

Just look around a little bit, I´m sure you´ll find your first and get infected by that harmless disease :D

Kind regards
Andi
 
Hey guys, thanks for all the help. Turns out, I ended up ordering a Queen large stockman right after you guys answered my post :D.

mnblade: thanks for the real in depth advice, turns out GEC has some really awesome stuff, but most of it is honestly a bit too much for me right now as a noob. I will have to take a better look at them later though because the quality looks amazing. BTW, I also love jackknife's stories, they are amazing.

thejamppa: I was actually really tempted to go with a Queen gunstock, but ended up with a stockman. The gunstock is still on my list though, and it looks great, thanks for the help.

Humppa: Hey, I was actually looking at the German Eye Brand, do you know if they are any good? Also, thanks for the advice, and there seem to be many awesome German knives around too.
 
Hello!

Well, I own two Carl Schlieper Eye Brands. One is a Canoe with staghandles and the otherone is a Barlow with jigged bone handles in red. Both knives have Carbonsteel blade.

At both knives, there´s no blade play. The edges are pretty easy to resharpen or honing. I think, they´re phantastic knives. A great piece of craftsmanship. Here are theese traditionals a little cheap to get. I don´t know the prize in the US. There´s no producing tolerance to see. Great work, at all.

You´re propably right, german knives stand for a high quality and cool looking. Like the knives made in the US. I´m a german and I don´t mind, where anything or anyone comes from. As long as he/she/it is alright. Take a look over the Atlantic Ocean, you can find a lot of great knives here in good old Europe ;)

Kind regards
Andi
 
taeKu4,Welcome aboard:)!You have made a sound choice on the Queen Large Stockman.Do you have good sharpening skills?Queens D2 is some tough stuff,and usually does'nt come very sharp(understatement).Once you put your own edge on the blades though,it'll hold an edge for a long time.
 
Hey, thanks again for the really helpful replies.

Humppa: I'm really looking at some of the European made stuff right now because it looks pretty awesome for the price, Boker seems like a good entryway, but I really want a nice laguiole. They are really expensive, but one by Laguiole en Aubrac with some nice burl wood looks like something I want to save for :D.

GRIM 62: hey, thanks for the reply man, I'm really hoping the Spyderco sharpmaker I have is enough to get my new knife sharp. I don't really have a problem with going slow and taking my time getting it sharp, but I'm more worried about screwing up the edge than anything else. If nothing else, I know someone who owns a knifeshop and an EdgePro, so hopefully that will do it.

Thanks to everyone helping me out, it's a great way to learn about these great classic knives :D.
 
mnblade said:
First of all, welcome to the coolest knife (sub)forum on the internet, taeku4! Grab an RC from the ice box and pull up an orange crate to sit on. If you haven't done so already, check out jackknife's stories.

As to knives to look out for, first, I'm not sure I agree with your blanket statement that most traditionals are put together very well. There are some clunker slippies just like with any type of knife. Beyond Case, I would definitely suggest checking out the many fine offerings from Great Eastern. They make a bunch in the $70-$100 range. Also, Buck makes some great slipjoints in America (check out the 301, 303 and 309 in black, wood, or yellow), and some lower priced models in China that also have a great rep. I've found that the carbon steel Bokers made in Germany are quite good and worth checking out. Queen's line of slipjoints with D2 steel are quite popular around these parts. Also, Moore Maker has some nice stockman and trapper models in your price range, but I wouldn't go much under $60 with them because when you do, you'll likely end up with a knife that was manufactured (poorly) for them by Bear. The more expensive, bone handled Moore Makers were manufactured by Queen and have a great rep. Also, if you're not averse to purchasing on that giant e-auction site, look around for classic, U.S.-made Schrade or Camillus knives. Great stuff.

-- Mark
Click to expand...

I agree. A yellow Buck is a tough knife to beat for the money. And I love the old knives I have. They are fun to collect and don't hurt the wallet too much. It's all about philosophy, I guess. The way I see it, you can get six nice US made knives for the price of a new GEC. Six different patterns. And your collection is off to a running start.
 
I've been looking at some of the Buck traditional knives, are they pretty decent quality? The one time I handled one it felt pretty nice, but since I don't have any hands on experience with them.

Also, my Queen large stockman is due to arrive to me this Friday, so I'm already going nuts with anticipation :D. BTW, I'm not sure if this site is okay to list, but I have to thank GP Knives for their excellent service and just overall friendliness. For a college student, I've never had to buy anything online until now, and they made the process extremely simple and were very nice in answering all the random questions that came up.
 
Buck makes great knives. Good solid working knives. I have a buck 303 cadet that I carry a lot. I ordered it online and the shield was glued wrong, they replaced the knife. Great company and great customer service. (Yellow of course) ;)
 
Hi!

Well, Buck makes really great knives. I own already two of them. One is the almighty, big-heavy-lady Buck 110 and a Buck 301. The 301 is large (?) stockman pattern with black synthetic handles. Really a very fine user and the 420HC keeps a fine and hairpopping sharp edge for a long time and gets very fast a sharp edge. Thumps up for Buck! I ordered it here in Germany for 46,85 €. No big prize for such a really quality knife.

Kind regards
Andi
 
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