Help a noob build his traditional folder collection.

joepa 150,

You are getting some great advice and encouragement from many members that I consider far more knowledgeable and experienced than I am.

I would like to make a slight revision and correction to my earlier comment.

I defer to Bob W and others above, but I am a strong friend of anything Schrade USA, OTs, Uncle Henry's etc. They are surprisingly affordable and available.

Many of us have Wire Jacks, pressbutton autos, advertising knives of various kinds and other quite wonderful sharps, but you may want to concentrate on the more commonly thought of traditionals, while taking Dan's advice to more fully educate yourself before spending dollars on hardware.

I would suggest some BF threads as "Old Knives," "Elusive Schrades," "Sheffield," "Barlows," (I know I am missing many great BF threads) as some good places to see photos, and get a feel for trads, although it appears that you may have already been to these.

However you do it, your taste and enthusiasms will change and evolve over time.

Mike H.
 
reader1 said:
I am assuming that you will continue to explore.

I agree with Bigfattyt (as I often do) that the Charlow is a good start. I also agree with all of the suggestions above.

Opinel #10 and all Opinels are great value.

USA made Schrades are still excellent and great value.

I would definitely get at least one Vic Alox.

TB stamped Case are among my favorite Case knives: TB SBJ;TB Sowbelly; TB Back Pocket and any TB Stamped Case are great values with excellent F&F.

There is a minor preference above for Sheepsfoot, with which I agree (Wire Jack, other Schrades and the Case TB Sowbelly and TB SBJ and the "Ankermesser").

For me, the Charlows are among the better made and designed GECs. Nothing wrong with any GEC or any AG Russell.

Enjoy the journey,

Mike H.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. TB I assumes stands for Tony Bose. It appears that Tony Bose Case knives are higher quality than regular case knives.
Do case knives have just two quality levels regular and TB or are there several different levels? If so what are they?
 
If I were to look at a few Bokers, what bokers should I look at and which ones should I stay away from (in terms of product lines)?
Are they all German?
 
joepa150 said:
If I were to look at a few Bokers, what bokers should I look at and which ones should I stay away from (in terms of product lines)?
Are they all German?
Click to expand...

No, apparently they are not all made in Germany. But I think you're safe if you look for "Solingen" on the tang stamp, but I'm not sure.
All of the traditional Bokers I've purchased have been excellent. Appaloosa bone, beer barrel oak, washboard bone... And I tend to stick to their carbon steel choices.
 
IMHO Case Bose annuals are at the top of the heap, both for Case and in the general slipjoint market. Then you have the Case Bose CV and SS blades. Sow belly, back pocket, saddle trapper, sway back jack among others . Then you have the CV regular line. A few patterns, a few handle choices. Then you have the juggernaut that is the regular SS line. Sometimes you get a winner, but if you want more than a wall hanger. If you want a worker. You will more than likely be disappointed.
 
I am not a Case expert and I defer to those who are.

My hardware stores 60 years ago, sold Schrade, Buck and Craftsman knives.

I never owned a Case knife until I joined BF.

My personal limited experience with Case production knives with the TB stamp is that they are good users.

The annual Case Tony Bose Collabs are higher quality and more expensive, but they are more in the price range of a good custom knife by many makers on BF.

Beyond this, I defer to the many Case users and experts on BF.

Mike H.
 
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I'd also recommend the Buck 301 or 303 stockmans. Really anything in the 300 series.

Are you only looking for USA made? If not, the German made Bokers are nice. I'd go with the carbon steel.
 
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