Help me find the right traditional folder

gdpolk

gdpolk

Joined
Sep 19, 2011
Messages
461
I am looking for a new knife for every day carry. Please help me narrow my search with the following in mind:
  • 1 blade or possibly two blade design (if two, probably a peanut design)
  • Lockblade preferred but not necessary, type of lock unimportant - it won't be abused but I prefer locking blades to slip joints
  • traditional styling/look required
  • main blade 2.5-3.25" long
  • stag/ivory/bone/burned bone/etc handle or something very similar in look
  • Damascus or high performing modern steel
  • under $150
For the right knife I may go higher in price, but it would have to offer a lot in terms of build quality and materials to persuade me into a knife that cost more than that. There are just too many fairly affordable options that are plenty good enough.
 
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It is the Damascus or "high performing" steel that is throwing me at that price range and in the peanut style pattern.
Northoods Presidential has 154cm, but it is not checking off the other boxes. And, it may be a little larger than you are looking for.

The Case small toothpick, sawyback, tiny trapper, and others are available in Damascus but are slippies.

Then Tuna Valley in the peanut and tadpole patterns w/ 154cm come to mind as well.
 
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Yes I know the damascus and/or high performance steel will likely push it out of the sub $150 range, which is why I said I can go higher for a knife that truly deserves it. I'm primarily a fixed blade user but I always have a folder on me. I'd like to pick up a quality small folder to fill that role. I'm very familiar with the Case offerings and have thought about picking up a damascus (just for something unique) Case but compared to the custom 01 and 3V fixed blades I have Case steels have been very underwhelming. I've considered going with a small modern folder like a higher end Spyderco up to possibly a small Sebenza but to be honest I just really would prefer something more traditional in look and design.
 
There is a Jim Dunlap in the exchange right now but it is double your starting price.
 
D2 steel good enough? If so, the Queen Cutlery Copperhead Linerlock might fit your needs. It's single-bladed and the blade is about 2 3/4" long. Price is right too, under $60.
 
Good suggestion John, and you could add the Queen #06L teardrop linerlock, which has a spear blade instead of the copperhead's clip blade.
 
Another option would be a Canal Street Pinch lockback in D2. They also make the newer Ka-Bar Dog's Head series.

If you are willing to go the non locking route, AG Russell has a Pinched Peanut in VG10. It's a little above your price point though.
 
gdpolk said:
I am looking for a new knife for every day carry. Please help me narrow my search with the following in mind:
  • 1 blade or possibly two blade design (if two, probably a peanut design)
  • Lockblade preferred but not necessary, type of lock unimportant - it won't be abused but I prefer locking blades to slip joints
  • traditional styling/look required
  • main blade 2.5-3.25" long
  • stag/ivory/bone/burned bone/etc handle or something very similar in look
  • Damascus or high performing modern steel
  • under $150

For the right knife I may go higher in price, but it would have to offer a lot in terms of build quality and materials to persuade me into a knife that cost more than that. There are just too many fairly affordable options that are plenty good enough.
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A Buck 501 from the Buck Custom shop would fill all of those requirements.
S30V
Lockback
elk covers
Should come in just shy of $150 + shipping.

I have one with birch handles. The fit and finish is top notch. And the Paul Bos heat treat Buck uses on S30V really gets the most out of that alloy.

Here's mine:
b5b20c86-dfd5-4006-a93c-7c0e0d49e367_zpsed9824b1.jpg
 
jc57 said:
D2 steel good enough? If so, the Queen Cutlery Copperhead Linerlock might fit your needs. It's single-bladed and the blade is about 2 3/4" long. Price is right too, under $60.
Click to expand...

As well as another vote for the Buck 501 from the Buck Custom shop. S30V, Lock back and handle of your choice.

Either will fill your needs..
 
If you are flexible about the lock: Northwoods Indian River Jack
If you are flexible on steel: GEC #72 lockback
if you are flexible on budget: Case/Bose collaborations (Lanny's clip/ Coffin Jack)
 
Lots of good suggestions right now. Please keep them coming. I'm fairly flexible on this blade as long as it meets the size requirement and is a quality piece in terms of construction/materials/fit/finish. It's just going to be a general purpose, edc, pocket knife so it's not like there is only one option that will fit the bill well. I'm just looking through all the folder suggestions and shopping around till one speaks to me.

Likewise if you think there is truly a special blade that might fit my bill outside of the stated price, let me know. I'm open to spending more for a really special piece. I tend to be the type to buy once, buy quality, use what I buy, and take care of what I buy. Sometimes the extra coin is worth it for something that is just right; sometimes you can find things that work just as well for a more reasonable price that your equally as happy with.
 
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knarfeng said:
A Buck 501 from the Buck Custom shop would fill all of those requirements.
Click to expand...

I didn't know Buck even had a custom shop. I got my grandfathers 110 which was his hunting blade when he went into the skilled nursing facility for progressing Alzheimer's Disease. It's just too big and too sentimental for me to use as an every day carry blade.
 
jc57 said:
D2 steel good enough? If so, the Queen Cutlery Copperhead Linerlock might fit your needs. It's single-bladed and the blade is about 2 3/4" long. Price is right too, under $60.
Click to expand...

Pretty knife; good suggestion. I'll go swing by AG Russel tomorrow to see what they have in stock. I'm just down the road from them and planned on seeing what they had in stock anyway. I'm fairly knowledgeable on fixed blades, but haven't ever really spent the time/money to learn the folder market well.
 
I have always been a fan of the Case Copperlock. Sunk bolsters and the "Surgical Stainless" is pretty good. The mini which I currently own is nice and slim for the pocket and the full size hits your blade requirement. I had one in stag and it has a nice feel.



 
dannyp said:
Another option would be a Canal Street Pinch lockback in D2. They also make the newer Ka-Bar Dog's Head series.

If you are willing to go the non locking route, AG Russell has a Pinched Peanut in VG10. It's a little above your price point though.
Click to expand...

I second the Canal Street
 
gdpolk said:
I didn't know Buck even had a custom shop. I got my grandfathers 110 which was his hunting blade when he went into the skilled nursing facility for progressing Alzheimer's Disease. It's just too big and too sentimental for me to use as an every day carry blade.
Click to expand...

Frank beat me to the recommendation of the custom 501.

Of the Buck lockbacks, the larger 500 is probably my favorite. I love knives just one step up in size from the 501 - but that is as personal as shoes.

I wish (or my bank account is glad) that the 500 isn't in the custom shop. The 112 is though. It's a mighty handsome knife and more pocketable than the 110. Not as pocket friendly as the 500 though.
 
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