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Help me pick my first.

Eternalgameplayer

Eternalgameplayer

Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
160
I've never owned a traditional folder before and I'm interested in them. I have no clue were to start though. Is there some kinda of reference that explains the different types and what the names mean?

Also if you had to buy a traditional folder right now and you didin't all ready have one what would you get? Thanks in advance guys !
 
A good jack or slimline trapper would be an excellentstart. Some companies I would tell you to look into are Case, Queen, and Great Eastern Cutlery.
 
Well, I can't answer all questions for you but I thought I would reply because I too have gotten the bug for some traditional folders. I have a bunch of Victorinox SAK's which are considered traditional I think since they are slip-joints. As far as patterns go...I like the trapper (especially the Case Mini Trapper) and swayback jack as well. I've noticed that there seems to be some variation in patterns/names between the manufacturers. I've mainly been eyeing Case and GEC's brands. I've been reading some of the threads quality/fit/finish and that makes me very cautious which dealer I would purchase from if I weren't able to buy it in person. You can find Case just about anywhere but I haven't found any GEC dealers local to me. I believe there are dealers here at BFC who sell GEC so that would be the route I would want to go so I could support a member/dealer. I'll sit back and see what kind of feedback you get and it will help me out too.

John
 
Caress of Steel said:
Well, I can't answer all questions for you but I thought I would reply because I too have gotten the bug for some traditional folders. I have a bunch of Victorinox SAK's which are considered traditional I think since they are slip-joints. As far as patterns go...I like the trapper (especially the Case Mini Trapper) and swayback jack as well. I've noticed that there seems to be some variation in patterns/names between the manufacturers. I've mainly been eyeing Case and GEC's brands. I've been reading some of the threads quality/fit/finish and that makes me very cautious which dealer I would purchase from if I weren't able to buy it in person. You can find Case just about anywhere but I haven't found any GEC dealers local to me. I believe there are dealers here at BFC who sell GEC so that would be the route I would want to go so I could support a member/dealer. I'll sit back and see what kind of feedback you get and it will help me out too.

John
Click to expand...
The only place that sells cases and traditionals knives in my city looks like they closed shop =\ so I can't handle anything in person. All I really have left is a few shooting stores, a Gander Mnt. and a Walmart not much to go on when looking for traditionals.
 
Go to the Case and Great Eastern Cutlery web sites...I believe they both have dealer locator page...you might get lucky and find something closer than you think.

John
 
Eternalgameplayer said:
The only place that sells cases and traditionals knives in my city looks like they closed shop =\ so I can't handle anything in person. All I really have left is a few shooting stores, a Gander Mnt. and a Walmart not much to go on when looking for traditionals.
Click to expand...

I know Cabelas' will have Case, Buck, and Swiss army on display. It would be your best bet, honestly.
 
Just remember that you WILL buy more than one so there is no need to worry about it too much. LOL


jwh
 
Without a price range and intended use, I'm not sure what might interest you but here are a few suggestions...

(1) Inexepensive. These are discontinued but readily available...
older USA Made Schrade 8OT stockman (the newer ones are made overseas by Taylor Brands)
img342.jpg

older Buck 301 stockman
buck-schrade-301.jpg


(2) somewhat more expensive

A black box Winchester like this Bull-head... see the link for more examples from this series of Winchester knives made by Queen.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/562111-quot-Black-Box-quot-Winchesters
IMG_7432.jpg

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/951631-Help-me-pick-my-first

1970s Case 6347 or 6332 stockman
case-6332.jpg


(3) More expensive

A vintage knife
Maher-Grosh-3.jpg


GEC 66 Calf Roper
IMG_5377_2.jpg


2011 Bladeforums knife or harness jack from GEC
IMG_6332.jpg


(4) Expensive

Case/Bose Dogleg
stag-dogleg-1.jpg


Case/Bose Norfolk
ebony-norfolk.jpg


Case/Bose Muskrat
casetbmuskrat.jpg
 
This is a tough question that brings up more questions. What kind of uses are you wanting it for? Do you have a size on mind? How much are you wanting to spend? If you are wanting a knife to use occasionally to open mail and maybe pick at your fingernails, a single blade would be great for that. If you want to do some whittling, tearing down boxes, slicing food, opening mail and maybe pick at your fingernails, I would think a multiblade would be more ideal. That way you can keep a blade razor sharp and one or more for more utilitarian tasks. The size is something that's tough to suggest to some one else. There is a large group of people here that pack around a tiny 3 1/4" knife everyday and that knife does everything they want and more. While others opt for larger knives with bigger handles. It's a give and take. Larger knifes take up more room in the pocket but can handle larger jobs. Smaller knives ride more comfortably in the pocket but might not be able to handle some of the larger jobs. Although, they might surprise you woth what they can do. It comes back to what you want to use your new knife for. The price is almost a moot point as there are great knives to be had at almost any price. A Rough Rider knife is an excellent starting knife at a minimum of cost. If you don't know what you want, it's a great place to start with to try out a pattern and size. If you hate it, your not put much money. They price goes up from there, but there's no shame is buying a less expensive knife to try it out or if that's what your budget allows.

All that being said, I think a standard 4 1/8" trapper is tough to beat.

Ben
 
I can agree 100% with Ben and Jake.

But imo a Jackknife with two blades would be good for beginning. Or if you want to have more options in choosing the right blade, a Stockman would be ok. For the beginning I would say, a mid-sized pattern or modell would be alright. 3,5" is a good place to start.
But be sure, they will be more and more you want try and let them ride in your pocket.

You should be clear, what you wanna do with that knife. Just for having one, when it´s needed or should be for specific tasks?

Kind regards
Andi
 
Eternalgameplayer,

Do you have a vendor referral removed close to you? They typically carry a variety of Case knives.
 
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Considering it's your first traditional, and we don't know much about your tastes in knives, it's almost impossible to give a "good" answer. My advice is always the same. Spend some time browsing this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-Traditional-Knife-quot-are-ya-totin-today

Start from the last page, and get back page by page until you've seen enough and made your choice. And meanwhile you will learn more on traditional knives than you would think. Oh, and welcome to the club :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
Considering it's your first traditional, and we don't know much about your tastes in knives, it's almost impossible to give a "good" answer. My advice is always the same. Spend some time browsing this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-Traditional-Knife-quot-are-ya-totin-today

Start from the last page, and get back page by page until you've seen enough and made your choice. And meanwhile you will learn more on traditional knives than you would think. Oh, and welcome to the club :)

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...

I've been stalking that thread quite a bit! I have to say I use and currently carry a wharncliffe style blade as an edc. I cut cardboard every day, it's basically all I ask my knife to do. I'm eyeballing the Swayback Jack and or gents. Unfortunately They dont make the SBJ/G with some type of black wood handle anymore =(
 
I'm glad that the thread has helped you somehow, and I do hear you on the dark wood :rolleyes:
Case never produced an ebony SBJ actually. There has been one SBG in ebony (some kind of SFO) and you might be lucky to find one somewhere. Meanwhile, if you like knives on the medium to small range with wooden handles and a main wharncliffe blade, GEC might have something for you:

image-6B6B_4FA64A56.gif


image-AD9B_4FA64A56.jpg


Fausto
:cool:
 
I carried a Case Blue Stockman as my sole pocket knife for 10 years before becoming interested in the other styles/patterns. So I'd start with a medium (3.5") stockman.
I'd have no reservation about buying either a #53/#66 GEC stockman. But I'd still start with either a USA made case, buck or schrade.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

Mark
 
markpmc said:
I carried a Case Blue Stockman as my sole pocket knife for 10 years before becoming interested in the other styles/patterns. So I'd start with a medium (3.5") stockman.
Click to expand...

I didn't understand the appeal of stockmen knives until I received the one I won here through a giveaway (thanks again, sitflyer!). I've gone from wondering what the deal was to thinking, "You can't go wrong with a stockman." A medium stockman would indeed be an excellent choice.

~ P.
 
Is this going to replace the knife you're currently using or will it be a companion? I can't fault getting a Case, Buck, or USA Schrade to see if you like a pattern. If you're looking for a GEC and expect it to replace your current knife, I suggest either the #53 Cuban Stockman in Ebony or #53 Furtaker Trapper with Antique Amber jigged bone (440c). Both will give you a very usable wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade, a comfortable handle to grip, and additional blades that stay out of the way when not in use. Here's another Furtaker with Wenge wood and a Cuban Castro with 2 wharncliffe and 2 sheepsfoot blades if you really like that style :)

IMG_2330.jpg

IMG_1182.jpg

538210-furtaker-wenge3.gif

530411-cuban-castro-ebony-wood1.png
 
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