Here we go again

N

Newblood

Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
28
Hello all, I wanted to stop by and say that I have been admiring knives of all sorts on these pages for quite a while now. Then it happened, I looked at a wharncliff traditional from GEC and it has been down hill since then. I have fallen in love with the traditional style pocket knife and it seems I cannot stop. I have purchased 4 in the last 3 days off the knife exchange. All of what I have purchased has been in the GEC/Northwood line of knives. I want to broaden my scope and need some advice. Do I save up for a custom? are the differences that signifigant for a newbee?

This is going to sound stupid but here we go. I dont know if my situation is common or not. I have carried a Kershaw Blur for the past 8 yrs and use it for pretty much everything recently added a Leatherman Charge tti as well. In your own situation how do traditionals fit into your daily life? Do you carry it along with a main user knife or do you use your traditional as your main user? I plan to continue with my Leatherman and try to use it for heavy use and the traditional for light use. whats your story??
 
i carry an Opinel #10 as my main blade when i need a super sharp knife for those bigger jobs or for food. I also carry an old Kabar 1152 scout knife and use it when i need a smaller more "utility" blade or when im around a customer and dont wanna flash a 4" highly polished razor blade. Its safe to say i use my Kabar more often but i consider it my back up for EDC
 
I just carry traditionals in my pockets. I usually have two on me for no other reason than I like them. I don't need more than one. Traditionals do everything I need them to do. I do keep a Leatherman Wave in my pack, but I don't often pull it out. I generally prefer just getting the right tool for the job. I should note, I often carry a Alox SAK, but that fits as traditional. I gave up my moderns a while ago and never miss them.
 
I've only ever carried a traditional. I use it for all uses, and I have never really considered needing anything else. I will say that I only carried a lockback for 7 years and I was a bit hesitant to switch over to a slipjoint. Now that I have I see that my hesitation was all for naught. The slipjoints handle all of the tasks that the lockback ever did with no problems at all.

As for production vs. custom, I'd suggest putting your money into production knives for now. You can try out many different patterns for the price of a single custom knife. Figure out what you really like, and if you feel the need for a custom at that point you'll already know that it'll be a pattern that you will use. In other words, don't buy a Lamborghini until you've ridden in a sports car. I was all set to buy a stockman as my first traditional until somebody recommended that I pick up a bunch of Rough Riders and see what I like. After doing so I found out that while the stockman looked better in pictures online, I actually liked the trapper a lot better. Now I carry a Tidioute 23 Pioneer trapper every day and couldn't be happier with it.
 
I'm just one of those guys who can carry what he likes at work and I just happen to like all kinds. I pretty much load my pockets from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM and usually have 3 or 4 on me. Always have my Sebenza, Locksa or PM2 clipped to my RF pocket and have at least a couple of these on me as well as they get the most use.

imagejpg4_zps08011b12.jpg
 
I started with traditionals, had a brief regretful fling with modern knives which lasted about eighteen months, then returned to traditionals. I tend to carry just one knife at a time. I like all sorts of patterns but have a special fondness for the congress. I have no safe queens, and whatever is in my pocket will be used.

Here is my favourite, in case you're interested :)



In my opinion, if you're going to carry it; there's no point in being precious with it, but it's not a pry-bar.

Paul
 
Hi, and welcome!
As for what you carry, do whatever makes you feel better. On this subforum, you will find people who only carry traditionals (one or more :rolleyes:), others who pair traditionals and modern folders and/or multitools...my advice is: give it a try and let time decide what you like best.
Oh, and obviously....come back with pictures next time :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
I have had several moderns including a small Sebenza (AWESOME), a Delica, a Dragonfly, a Centofante 3, and a couple of small Kershaws. I do keep the Dragonfly, Centofante, and Delica, but only carry traditionals daily. Bought a bunch..... sold a bunch off until I refined what I was after. Have really settled on the #85 and #66 pattern. Will be selling a bunch, giving away a few... as I have whittled it down to 5 primaries, 1 peanut (of course), and 2 "utilities" a #71 Bull Nose and an Alox Pioneer. Here are the two I carry 90% of the time (separately).

#1 in my hit parade, the #85 Teardrop Jack (cocobolo)

IMG_1445_zpsef4bb61e.jpg
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#2 the three #66's I have.....the Purple Sage on the right is the edc..... the Texas Yellow Rose and the ebony stockmen are essentially in reserve

IMG_1423_zps18520a5a.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

Let us know where you land.

Peter
 
Hey Newblood.

Welcome to the traditional side.

I only carry/use/own traditional.

Here is my edc.



I may add to it since it rides in my back pocket. I'll throw one of these other ones in my front pocket.



Then I have a few for dressier occasions.

I started in the modern mentality. I studied steel characteristics and sought the latest cpm or fastest smoothest action modern. However, I realized that type of knife was not me. I felt no warmth in the fast action, materials, or in the futuristic dynamic of them. I wanted to carry a bit of history. I suppose that is why I will throw a 60-70 yr old traditional knife in my pocket faster than I could look at a modern.

I sold all my moderns to grab a few more traditional knives. I really do believe there is a mentality of traditional knives that remind and hold true to times of character, honor, loyalty, generosity, charity, and when a "man" could be trusted. Of course, this just may be my romanticism coming out, but I also hold a deep appreciation for the agrarian era.

As for modern knives the only way I would carry one now is if I needed a self defense carry. But, my 45 does a good job of filling that role.

As for getting a custom traditional; there are some real beauties out there, but I would advise slowing down before grabbing one. Learn a little more about traditionals and allow them to sink deeper into who you are. Just to make sure that you will still enjoy them after the honeymoon stage. Plus, there are a lot of traditional produce that many believe are of custom quality.

Of course all of this is just my opinion and I have been long winded. Here's another pic to make up for it. Again, welcome.

 
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I carry a modern when I want a clip attached to my front pocket with an easy one-hand-open.

I carry a traditional the rest of the time.

I could easily do without moderns (down to three) but I still like them.

Will todays modern be the traditional of the future?
 
mrjefe2u said:
Will todays modern be the traditional of the future?
Click to expand...

Well, as long as our champion mods are still gaurding over us here on the traditional side, no. They have done a great job at defining a "traditional" knife and holding true to it. (That definition is found in yellow I believe for future new to traditional posters)

I believe the modern knives will be considered "collectable," but never traditional. For example, the 2014 Mustang GT may one day be a collectable, but will it ever be a classic 67? Time can define age, but the age of times past define termonolgy of the future in my opinion. I could be wrong though.
 
Newblood said:
In your own situation how do traditionals fit into your daily life? Do you carry it along with a main user knife or do you use your traditional as your main user? I plan to continue with my Leatherman and try to use it for heavy use and the traditional for light use. whats your story??
Click to expand...

I grew up using traditional patterns, because modern one-handers did not yet exist.
But when they became widely available, I had a go at them. I finally figured out that traditional pocket knives had more useful blade shapes and made better tools for daily chores.

I still have a couple of dozen one-handers from Spyderco, Benchmade, and the like. Sometimes I carry one along with a traditional pocket knife. But, it's the traditional pocket knife that is my go-to first pick for work. I can't remember the last time I found a cutting job my traditional knife could not handle.
 
Newblood said:
This is going to sound stupid but here we go. I dont know if my situation is common or not. I have carried a Kershaw Blur for the past 8 yrs and use it for pretty much everything recently added a Leatherman Charge tti as well. In your own situation how do traditionals fit into your daily life? Do you carry it along with a main user knife or do you use your traditional as your main user? I plan to continue with my Leatherman and try to use it for heavy use and the traditional for light use. whats your story??
Click to expand...

While I grew up with normal, smallish pocket knives (primarily Ulster BSA knives), as an adult, I have XL glove sized hands and no matter how hard I try, I just can't click with normal traditional pocket knives. They disappear into my hand (in a bad way) and frustrate me constantly.

I dig me my big traditional lockbacks but a) I can't stand belt carry, b) I find they scare people and c) they're too heavy for pocket carry. I guess you can add d) I got frustrated with how the lock back design doesn't seem to hold up for me when cutting brush.

This is what I've ended up on...

EDC Pair by Pinnah, on Flickr

This is an Opinel #9 with the butt end rounded off a bit and the tip filed down to a drop point. It's super light, carries well in jeans, doesn't scare people, has a great blade for food prep (it's the shape) and the joint/lock is tougher and more durable than any knife I've ever owned and tougher by a wide margin.

While the Opinel rides in my RHP, the Micra rides in the LFP and it handles the majority of the tool needs that encounter most days.

I keep a full sized multi-tool handy but not carried. Usually it's in my day pack (aka man purse). I keep another in the car and another in my key bowl. Two comments on how I integrate that with my traditional Opinel....

First, I keep my multi-tools in a clip on holster; usually a re-purposed cheap cell phone holster from the hardware store. I find that when I'm doing a project that would require the multitool, I need the tool a lot and if I'm not doing the project, I don't need it. Sort of obvious I guess. Anyway, the clip on holster allows me to put the tool on when I need it and then put it away without relacing my belt. If I was doing a job where the multitool is needed all day every day (trades and such), then I would just carry it on my belt with a regular holster while keeping the Opinel in the RFP. Again, I emphasize that for 90% of what I encounter each day, the Micra does just fine, so I don't feel the need to wear the heavy MT as an EDC. Having it nearby in my pack is enough.

Second, I treat my Opinel as a "clean blade" and my MT blades as "dirty blades". Well, sort of. Most people would barf at what I consider to be "clean". I use the Opinel for everything with the exception of chemicals like pesticides. I cut down boxes, deal with wood and dirt and garden stuff all the time. When it's time to eat, I wipe or rinse off the blade and make my food, just like I do when I'm camping.
 
First, I carry more knives then a sane person needs to. It's a knife nut thing I'm sure. That said, I always have one or two slip joints in my pocket. The slip joints can handle most anything I'll run across in my normal day. Like Frank, they are also what I grew up with.

Along with the slip joints I usually have a small fixed blade knife in a belt sheath or sometimes a one-hander with a clip. Occasionally they are a better choice for my task.

A lot of good advise has been offered about whether to buy a custom knife. I'd say, unless you have money to burn, spend some time figuring out what you like. You know you like a Wharncliffe blade, put that on your list of characteristics you'd like in a custom knife. Add to the list as you see and use more knives. Go through the EDC thread here and also look at the threads dedicated to the many fine knife makers that post here. It'll make you dizzy and give you ideas galore. Personally I get a lot of pleasure out of using a fine hand made knife, particularly if it was made with some input from me.

Happy Trails!
 
Great thread.
I was all over the place with folders until I finally realized that a Bucklite, with a pocket clip, was the only folder I really needed.
I will always do the rotation-thing, tho. It's a lot of fun.
rolf
 
I started carrying a pocketknife when I was five years old (country boy) and the only time I remember being without one during the past 65 years was when I went through boot camp.

Keep it sharp and they all do what they were designed to do, CUT. Anything else is personal preference and choice.

Up until the past 15 years or so, I considered them nothing more than a tool and constant companion. I've carried a lot of different knives over the years. These are a few of them. The only one that on occasion, left me wishing for something different is the little three inch utility knife.

Schrade 108OT
Schrade_108_OTs.JPG


Small_Utility_S.JPG


Marbles Doctor Knife
Marbles_China.jpg


Kershaw Scallion
Kershaw_Scallion.JPG


Buck 055
Buck_055.JPG


This is my current carry. Very handy and for me, just the right size. (Thanks for the mod. Rob)

Modified Camillus 72
C-72_cap_lifter.JPG
 
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