Help me get into traditionals!

Bladenoobie1

Bladenoobie1

Joined
Jul 20, 2012
Messages
1,261
Hi,

I've been really liking different slipjoint and patterns I've seen on this forum. Practically all of my folding knives can be put into the "tactical/utility" category, but I want to start expanding my collection into traditionals. I'm a sucker for clean lines and bolsters. I am only familiar with a few patterns, but I really like barlows and swaybacks. I'll be hanging around this subforum more and in the next several months, maybe grab one or two slipjoints!

- BN
 
Buy a Case Swayback Jack, you won't be sorry, it's a case interpretation of a Tony Bose knife, they are the perfect pocket companion to any tactical knife.
 
I have to agree with Ted.
Alternatively, you could hunt for a GEC TC Barlow.
Welcome to the amazing world of traditional pocket knives. If one day you will realize that your slipjoint does 99% of your cutting tasks, don't say we didn't warn you :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
Im a big fan of stockman patterns, great blade variations. Sodbusters are great workin' knives and as already mentioned the swayback jack is a great knife. Good luck with your search.
 
Welcome to the Traditional side. I've sure enjoyed the dozen or so that I now have and this is a great bunch of folks here too. Watch the Exchange and you'll find something easily.
 
Go and read all of Jackknife's tales that are on this forum. Then take a look at GEC knives. You can also view the many posts on daily use/carry by others who post on here. Maybe reading some Robert Ruark would help set the mood. Then dive in with both feet and don't look back. Have fun!
 
I don't know if this counts as a traditional or not, but here is a 1950s SAK officer along with similar aged stuff. The silver coin is a 1900 Morgan dollar, so quite a bit older actually. One of the huge reasons why I'm getting more into traditionals is for the simplicity and performance. While my sak officer cannot hold a edge nearly as long as my s110v manix 2, its much thinner and my best cardboard cutter by far. Sorry for the washed out phone pics.

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T. Erdelyi said:
Buy a Case Swayback Jack, you won't be sorry, it's a case interpretation of a Tony Bose knife, they are the perfect pocket companion to any tactical knife.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you. One of my first traditional purchases and still one of my fav knives!

 
SAK is definitely traditional.

Something that might be of use if you're just getting into traditional knives is an illustration of knife patterns on the Shepherd Hills Cutlery website. I think SHC is a supporting advertiser here...I hope I'm right and it's okay to mention them.

The variety of traditional knife patterns and variations thereof is nearly endless. Something of interest for everyone. Enjoy.
 
The Case SBJ, in Chesnut/CV is certainly, as others have stated a very good place to start, also don't overlook the Buck 300 series, the 309, 303, and 301, are certainly on the utilitarian side of things, but fine knives, even the current production (although the older flat ground ones suit me better), are probably not going to disappoint.
 
Bladenoobie1 said:
Hi,

I've been really liking different slipjoint and patterns I've seen on this forum. Practically all of my folding knives can be put into the "tactical/utility" category, but I want to start expanding my collection into traditionals. I'm a sucker for clean lines and bolsters. I am only familiar with a few patterns, but I really like barlows and. I'll be hanging around this sub forum more and in the next several months, maybe grab one or two slipjoints! swaybacks
- BN
Click to expand...
]]


First welcome to one of the friendliest spots on the internet, but be careful very very careful. This sub-forum is crammed full of enablers and knife pushers who are here just to push you deeper into the slip joint habit. The real "problem" with slip joints is they are so addictive in and of themselves then these "Ladies and Gentlemen" take these beautiful pictures and write glowing reviews and next thing you know you have picked up another job just to afford one more knife a month and then you have rented a PO box to have the knives delivered to so your significant other doesn't catch on.

All joking aside you can't go wrong with the Case Sway Back Jack that has been already suggested. My pick would be the Stockman's that has also been suggested, mainly because it has a major advantage over your tactical/utility blades that I don't think can be beat, 3 blades that will allow you to sharpen 3 diffrent types of edges for different tasks in a much smaller better slicing package
 
Case Swayback Jack & Peanut
GEC #15 Boys Knife - especially the special runs with a secondary caplifter or awl.


On the cheap side - Opinel #8 or a Douk-Douk.
 
hunter s thompson said:
]]


First welcome to one of the friendliest spots on the internet, but be careful very very careful. This sub-forum is crammed full of enablers and knife pushers who are here just to push you deeper into the slip joint habit. The real "problem" with slip joints is they are so addictive in and of themselves then these "Ladies and Gentlemen" take these beautiful pictures and write glowing reviews and next thing you know you have picked up another job just to afford one more knife a month and then you have rented a PO box to have the knives delivered to so your significant other doesn't catch on.

All joking aside you can't go wrong with the Case Sway Back Jack that has been already suggested. My pick would be the Stockman's that has also been suggested, mainly because it has a major advantage over your tactical/utility blades that I don't think can be beat, 3 blades that will allow you to sharpen 3 diffrent types of edges for different tasks in a much smaller better slicing package
Click to expand...
It may be too late. I possibly may be jumping directly into customs with a knifemaker making me a custom barlow :rolleyes:
 
I know someone mentioned it but go to the GEC (Great Eastern Cutlery) website and browse around. Once you hit the pages that show the hundreds of knife patterns, you'll feel one grab you and that will tell you where to start.

And so it begins..............
 
I've been exploring GEC patterns a lot and I may pick up a sodbuster model in the future. I like the #15 barlows too, but I will likely be getting a custom barlow made so I'll hold off that for awhile. The case swayback is definately peaking my interest and I'm a fan of the swayback patterns with a wharncliff blade to begin with. My only gripe with a lot of these slipjoints is the steel selection. I have no issue with carbon steel as I live in southern california with minimal humidity, but I would love to see traditionals in a greater variety of stainless steels which often exhibit better qualities as well.
 
IIRC case makes the Swayback Jack in SS too but don't quote me on that, I'll have to check and edit if needed.

The Case Swayback is a great first traditional, f&f seen to be a lot better than usual, (I suppose that's because Tony Bose' name is attached) but regardless I've seen fewer really bad examples of this knife, the pattern is very pocket/user friendly and they look so darn good.

It's a refined knife, steeple/office friendly, you'll never go wrong buying a Swayback Jack. What ever you choose, to paraphrase one of the most quoted quotes in Sig lines, "...don't forget to keep the joints oiled".

Don't forget to share the pics of what you chose.
 
Love that photo Fes! OP, you can't go wrong with the Swayback Jack. Beautiful yet functional knife.
 
I can't deny anybody the chance to own a wharncliffe of any kind, so the Swayback Jack is a great first choice, especially as a watch pocket companion to a full sized clipped folder or fixed blade. Once you feel like moving into a bit if a bigger package, after your Barlow, I suggest getting a slipjoint with a punch, I prefer stockman/cattle patterns to harness jacks, but they are all good! The punch blade allows a lot of versatility as a tool blade, saving your blades for actual cutting tasks. You might not do much leather work but I find it surprising how often I'll pull out the punch as compared to the blade. This kind of knife makes it easier for me to only carry one knife (although it doesn't stop me from carrying more).

DCFD1405-2763-4404-BDD7-136DE32E9E8B-2843-000003DBA6A78480.jpg


I always suggest that people new to Slipjoints check out local pawn shops/antique or thrift malls and get hands on experience with different knives before shelling out big bucks on new knives you may not like. Of course I'm guilty if impulse online buys like most, but find that I gained a better appreciation of what works and doesn't by testing the waters with "experienced" knives. And if you buy one and don't like it- you are only out $5-10 not $50-$150+. Or start with budget brands just to try patterns out.
Nothing in this selection cost more than $5, a good selection to try out.
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Now what do you think about shields?
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Bolster treatments?
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Handle materials (wood, stag, synthetic, bone, ivory- pearl missing from this shot)?
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We enable, but we also warn that you are in trouble!!
Happy hunting!!
 
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