I don't own any nice traditional slippies.

I

IMightBeWrong

Joined
Feb 17, 2011
Messages
516
I think it may be time to fix this. The problem is that I don't know where to start. I've always been a fan of super steels, thick blades, and fancy locks. In all honesty, I don't like the idea of a bone handle. If I could find a traditional in a nice micarta handle or a nice wood one that wouldn't wear too hard it would probably impress me a good bit. But I would still want the traditional slipjoint look and curves, and maybe the multiple blades as well.

Could anybody help point me in the right direction? I've seen the case peanut in G10 but I feel like looking at something a bit bigger.
 
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Case Sodbuster in CF

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A.G. Russel

and I know someone will say this, so I will be the first to throw it in..
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The peanut is a great place to start, a nice Chestnut bone in CV is a great way to start getting into traditionals.

Now I know you said you don't like bone handles and that's fine but I find a traditional knife to be more then just some tool in the pocket. it's my worry stone and a constant companion to all the trouble I may make or stumble into. It is my reminder to do a good turn daily, because one bad egg seems to spoil the lot these days. Now I may not be as eloquent as some *Cough Cough Jackknife* but I think if you're looking for a good friend, then a traditional knife is where you'll find it.
 
GEC.

Great Eastern Cuttlery.

1095 steel (or 440C? but those are harder to find), Excellent grinds, Real slicers. The fit is excellent!

They do stag scales great! I also like their bone.

I have my share of modern, wizzbang knives. But love my traditionals!



AG Russel sure has some great designs with micarta handles. They are inexpensive, built great, and can't be beat for the price!
 
Welcome to the Traditional forum. Ebony has stood the test of time as a handle material. GEC has made knives with a variety of woods and also some with micarta. They use 1095 and 440C. Queen makes knives in D2 and zebrawood. Canal Street offers some with chestnut in a variety of steels including 440C, D2, and 14-4 CrMo. It can be a bit overwhelming at first with all of the different patterns. If you give us a better idea of what you are looking for as far as size, number and type of blades, and price range, it will help as far as suggestions go.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the reason for your aversion to bone? I've found it to be a durable enough handle material for my uses.
 
Why not jump in head first and go for this years Case/Bose Lanny's Clip in Ebony?
 
dannyp said:
Welcome to the Traditional forum. Ebony has stood the test of time as a handle material. GEC has made knives with a variety of woods and also some with micarta. They use 1095 and 440C. Queen makes knives in D2 and zebrawood. Canal Street offers some with chestnut in a variety of steels including 440C, D2, and 14-4 CrMo. It can be a bit overwhelming at first with all of the different patterns. If you give us a better idea of what you are looking for as far as size, number and type of blades, and price range, it will help as far as suggestions go.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the reason for your aversion to bone? I've found it to be a durable enough handle material for my uses.
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Reminds me a lot of the kind of knife I'd see my grandfather using. Not that that's a bad thing, but like I said I'm used to more modern locking blades with G10 and such. It's just a mental thing, I guess. Don't really want to carry a knife that I can see my grandfather using in my mind.
 
Look at other models in the CASE G-10 series. I've got a Slimline Trapper in this material, it looks good and that handle is as tough as it comes yet feels great in the hand. A Stockman in that series could be a useful knife too. I realize you're a fan of super steels but you may find that Traditional pocket knives don't need such steel for everyday cutting tasks. Buck stainless, CASE ss or cv, GEC carbon or their 440c are all easy to sharpen and durable. You can get Traditionals in 154 D2 Sandvik (many French knives use this and it suits their tasks very well) or whatever you fancy from a bespoke/custom maker.

Check Chambriard's Le Compagnon knife in Ebony. All stainless no brass liners, brushed bolster,filework and excellent slicer. Big knife too, this might appeal:D

You may also be surprised that Traditional knife users come from all walks of life and ages/countries, it's not some museum thing. I like the conventional materials but I'm keen to see more micarta used as well, it offers the best of both worlds: looks and durability.

Thanks, Will
 
The Case Bose line can be had at good prices on used models. ATS34 on the first few years models, 154CM on the recent years models. Also, lots of custom models out there with super steels from great makers at good prices. Great Eastern has 1095 and 440C, Queen has D2 and 1095, Case has CV and SS isn't all that bad, althought I'd like to see Buck's level of quality 420HC, or even better, 440C.

I have two custom slipjoints, my only custom slipjoints. Both have micarta handles. Also, look at Scott Gossman's or Michael Morris' friction folders, the ones I've seen have mostly had micarta scales.
 
IMightBeWrong said:
Reminds me a lot of the kind of knife I'd see my grandfather using. Not that that's a bad thing, but like I said I'm used to more modern locking blades with G10 and such. It's just a mental thing, I guess. Don't really want to carry a knife that I can see my grandfather using in my mind.
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no offense but its gonna be tough finding a "traditional" pattern that doesnt look like somebody's grandpa carried it, as most patterns are old or inspired by old designs, like wise most of the materials will mimic the older style, a few manmade handle materials like micarta, delrin and the like are available but not as widely as wood and bone etc.
good luck to ya
gene
 
Hm... if you don´t like bone handles and prefer synthetic handles, try the Buck 300 series. In different colors and 420HC-steel.

GEC has some nice ones with wooden handles and even micarta.
Case has some with G10, Gum Fuddy, Delrin etc.

Just take a look around. There are many good cutleries out there.

Kind regards
Andi
 
You don't own any nice traditional knives? Someone get a rope. :p
 
IMightBeWrong said:
I think it may be time to fix this. The problem is that I don't know where to start. I've always been a fan of super steels, thick blades, and fancy locks. In all honesty, I don't like the idea of a bone handle. If I could find a traditional in a nice micarta handle or a nice wood one that wouldn't wear too hard it would probably impress me a good bit. But I would still want the traditional slipjoint look and curves, and maybe the multiple blades as well.

Could anybody help point me in the right direction? I've seen the case peanut in G10 but I feel like looking at something a bit bigger.
Click to expand...

PLease forgive me, and don't take this wrong, but why do you want to get a traditional knife?

You say you're a fan of thick blades and materials like G10, and you say you don't want a knife that looks like your grandfathers knife. I'm hearing very mixed messages in your post. You seem to rule out most of the reasons that most of here like traditionals. I know I love carrying a knife that my grandfather would recognize, or even a c cowboy in the middle of a trail drive. Most of us are into the old time stuff, and tales of the old days, so I'm a little confused on your quest.

I guess if you just want to try a traditional, then the Buck 301, 303, would be a good start. Modern materials and good steel, and a recognized name. Not to mention a level of performance that you can bank on.

Carl.
 
IVANKERLEY said:
no offense but its gonna be tough finding a "traditional" pattern that doesnt look like somebody's grandpa carried it, as most patterns are old or inspired by old designs, like wise most of the materials will mimic the older style
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Hit the nail right on the head.

- Christian
 
Sounds like you're stuck on the idea of carrying a knife as a weapon as opposed to a tool. The big, thick, tactical folders are great weapons. They make crappy tools. The utility usefulness of a small knife with multiple, thin blades, cannot be matched by a large tactical folder. Additionally, it's the beautiful bone and woods that turn it into a kind of pocket jewelry, like a fine watch. They are both aesthetically pleasing as well as functional.
 
I'm actually pretty much all about function. I don't care for "tactical" knifes much (except Emersons). I like the Para 2 a lot because of how versatile a tool it is, for example.

But I think I've done a bad job of getting my preferences across here. I like the looks of wood handles and I like the curves and shapes of a lot of traditional knives. It's just the bone that I don't care for. The jig patterns just look odd. It's just a mental thing. I never said my preferences made any sense! :P

So I guess what I'm saying is it can be super traditional in wood or it can be traditional in design but with newer materials.
 
I'd say get a couple of Rough Riders in patterns that catch your eye and use each one of them to get a taste of the pattern. After you get a good taste of the Peanut ahem excuse me patterns you can delve into higher quality, more expensive variants. Of course with the RRs if traditionals don't end up being your thing you're not out all that much.
 
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