I know absolutely nothing about traditionals.

[Hickory n steel]

Do you want single or multiple blades ?
For a single blade the case sodbuster Jr is a good start , for multiple blades you could check out the case peanut or buck 303 stockman.
If you want to just straight in and go for a gec that's fine, but a pretty expensive way to try out patterns. The best way to try out a bunch of different patterns though would be rough rider knives.
I have found that I prefer to stick with 1-2 blades not counting other functions, and the secondary blade only gets used once in a while but still nice to have.
Something to note if you get a stockman is that one inexpensive examples the sheepsfoot blade is often crinked ( bent ) so the blades don't rub, not sure why though as Victorinox keeps prices down without doing it.

 

[onojoe]

I like the Stockman pattern. It is on the small side, but a very useful 3 blade knife. I just got a GEC 15 beerscout and love it. Those are my 2 suggestions.

My stockman

 

[Woodrow F Call]

If a highly restrictive metro is involved, I'd say the marvelous Peanut(the usually recamended brand is Case) is a good choice. Countless users here, myself included can attest that they cut and work like knives 3 times their size. Yet they are small(2-7/8" closed), non threatening, child and sheep friendly, and carry easy. Can even be had in stainless, or carbon as you prefer.

-G.

I used to think they were to small. Now, I just about don't go a day without a Peanut in my pocket.

 

[LastRodeo]

I assume you're talking about GEC's #15 pattern? It's a wonderful pattern, lots of great options (though not all are easy to get ahold of), but I'm pretty sure GEC has never done a #15 with a wharncliffe.

The closest to it would be the Northwoods Broadway Jack (made by GEC on the #15 frame).

 

[screened porch]

Do you think a 13 Opinel would be too large?

Perfect!

 

[blademan 13]

Choose carefully. Like they say, "you only have one chance to buy your first traditional". Naw, they don't really say that. I just made that sh*t up but you get my point

 

[22-rimfire]

If you think you want small, the #14 Boys Knife is still available at some GEC dealers. It comes in either a one or two blade configuration. I think it is an exceptional little knife. Tends to be a bit small for me historically, but I have been experimenting with smaller traditionals (around 3" closed length).

 

[Hickory n steel]

If a highly restrictive metro is involved, I'd say the marvelous Peanut(the usually recamended brand is Case) is a good choice. Countless users here, myself included can attest that they cut and work like knives 3 times their size. Yet they are small(2-7/8" closed), non threatening, child and sheep friendly, and carry easy. Can even be had in stainless, or carbon as you prefer.

-G.

I don't yet own a case peanut, but I do have an imperial with is even smaller in many ways and it definitely does cut like 3x it's size.

 

[K.O.D.]

Thanks y'all for learnin me good.

Let me ask this; what is the point (or lack thereof) of a spey blade? Spaying cats??? I'm now looking at the Case mini trapper.

Sent via carrier pigeon

 

[TedderX]

Buy Case. Don't waste your time with anything else.

 

[Will Power]

Buy Case. Don't waste your time with anything else.

Certainly don't agree. CASE makes a very good selection yes. But, Böker (Germany) GEC, Queen, Buck and RR, Opinel, SAK make decent Traditional knives that are often better than CASE and give you a different angle.

 

[cchu518]

The French in the house today too!

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Thanks y'all for learnin me good.

Let me ask this; what is the point (or lack thereof) of a spey blade? Spaying cats??? I'm now looking at the Case mini trapper.

Sent via carrier pigeon

It's meant to cut flesh, like a scalpel. Good for skinning, emergency tracheotomies, and spreading peanut butter or jam.

 

[screened porch]

The spay blade is originally for neutering livestock. It also makes a good skinner and a whittler of hollows. The mini-trapper is a great knife and is available with a wharnecliffe instead of the spay.

(Bucks are plain good, Bokers are good, Rough Riders are good and cheap. Queens and GECs are too rich for my blood.)

 

[22-rimfire]

Thanks y'all for learnin me good.

Let me ask this; what is the point (or lack thereof) of a spey blade? Spaying cats??? I'm now looking at the Case mini trapper.

Sent via carrier pigeon

I don't see much point in a spey blade these days. Some like them for cutting sandwiches and so forth and as a blade they might keep clean and not use as often. I love trappers. But I have moved to jack knives (two blade mostly) with two full sized blades. (Trappers are a type of jack knife.) I do like the clip and pen blade combination which goes against what I just said. What I don't care for are special use blades unless it's a SAK.

Added: I just noticed that the two blade #48 Weasels have hit. If you like or think you like Trappers, take a look at the this one. There is something about the tiger eye acrylic that just draws me to that knife. Ordered one from KSF a bit ago. This will be the first acrylic that I will own. It is 3 7/8" closed or just short of the typical full sized Trapper at 4 1/8" closed size.

 

[cchu518]

One of my favorite single bladed trappers of all time which I really regret selling... I think Grateful on the forum owns it now is the Canal Street Cutlery linen micarta pinched air trapper in 440c. I traded it bc I didn't like that it had a polished blade. I should have just scrubbed it up with some steel wool. It's held together y a rosette hinge vs a bolster. Really lovely knives. And now that they are out of business even harder to get... Note case mini trapper come single and double bladed!

 

[afishhunter]

When you find a pattern you think you like the looks of, buy the Rough Rider in that pattern to find out if you like how it feels in your hand, while using it.
Rough Rider allows you to try out lots of patterns, without bankrupting the bank. Rough Rider also has patterns the others don't. For instance: Rough Rider makes Barlows; Case does not. Rough Riders are darn good knives, to boot.
Check out the Rough Rider and Related thread. Well worth the time to read from page 1 to page last.

 

[jackknife]

I used to think they were to small. Now, I just about don't go a day without a Peanut in my pocket.

A day without a peanut, is like a day without sunshine!

 

[jackknife]

Buy Case. Don't waste your time with anything else.

The only problem with that outlook is, you'll waste a lot of money trying to find out what you really like. Somebody may be attracted to the history of the barlow, but when they gt it, they don't like the feel, or the way it lays in the pocket. Or they may want to try a peanut. Then they spend 30 something dollars to find out that it's too small for their hand.

Better to try a 10 dollar Rough Rider and end you don't like it, than a three or even four times as expensive a knife and be stuck for the full price. At the worst, with knives like Rough Rider and Steel Warrior, you'll have a very workable beater knife in the drawer for those jbs that you know absolutely, positively will mess up a "good" blade!

Most people will baby the Case. But they will feel free to use the 10 dollar knife to abuse.

 

[r redden]

I assume you're talking about GEC's #15 pattern? It's a wonderful pattern, lots of great options (though not all are easy to get ahold of), but I'm pretty sure GEC has never done a #15 with a wharncliffe.

This is my favorite GEC single-blade wharncliffe, the #47 Viper.

In addition to keeping an eye on the exchange, I'd watch the What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today thread. Plenty of knives posted there daily, and a good variety. Might help give you an idea of what's out there, what you like and don't like the look of, etc.

Man I like those Vipers Barrett. I've been watching the exchange for one but seems I keep missing them when they come up,. But my day is coming and I will get one.