If money wasn't an issue...what Traditional knife would you want to get?

If money wasn't an issue, then we're thinking quite hypothetically, so technology probably wouldn't be an issue either. I'd get one of those time machines (like Primble is rumored to possess) and go back to see if I could get some knives from my dad and grandpas. Then I'd probably go back in time even farther and pick up some nice examples of classic production slipjoints that sold for $2.12 per dozen.

- GT
 
For a fixed blade, I would go with this frame handled Bowie from Kyle Royer, MS. BTW, I like BLING!

Royer_shellSguardmammoth_zps276f811e.jpg~original


For a folder, I'd never come to a decision as there are just too many good smiths out there that I like!
 
For a fixed blade, I would go with this frame handled Bowie from Kyle Royer, MS. BTW, I like BLING!

Royer_shellSguardmammoth_zps276f811e.jpg~original


For a folder, I'd never come to a decision as there are just too many good smiths out there that I like!

Holy cow that damascus is stunning.
 
You guys are making my Halfrich looking like a long lost red headed step child...well maybe not that far ;) but I'll stick to that one right now, gotta purpose myself to start saving!

Maybe this thread will make some of you to get off your duff and try to realize a wonderful knife, that'd be something right?

And yes, there are better things to spend money on, but if I'm going to have a vice, this isn't so bad, it certainly could be worse and my wife knows that :) also she knows that I only use funds that are made outside of my day job, either leather work or selling other knives that I bought with leather work, so there isn't an impact on our house income, that's always been key with our family, my hobby doesn't interfere with that, it may make a big mess in our kitchen! but not in our house/family stuff...

G2
 
If money wasn't an issue, then we're thinking quite hypothetically, so technology probably wouldn't be an issue either. I'd get one of those time machines (like Primble is rumored to possess) and go back to see if I could get some knives from my dad and grandpas. Then I'd probably go back in time even farther and pick up some nice examples of classic production slipjoints that sold for $2.12 per dozen.

- GT
Yes! I'm liking this idea. I've never been one to guild the lily. I like things plain and simple. Even if money were no object I'd wouldn't spend much more money on a knife than I do now.
 
I guess I would have Todd Davison make me a Saddlehorn shape with one Long Bolster that is one third the length of the 4 inch over-all length with Stag that has deep valleys on one side and popcorn on the other.

Harry
 
Lot a special stuff showin up here. :thumbup::thumbup:
I like 5K Qs idea (going back in time) because I'd love to have one of my Grandfather's knives, that would be the best.
If time travel proves to be too impractical, I'd really treasure something from the master, Tony Bose. Anything from him would be fantastic.
But to be specific this one;


(not my photo) -RS-

P.S. I have a Birthday coming up. :rolleyes:
 
Some beautiful stuff here everyone :thumbup: I'd be happy with any one of these-

GEC 55 Hound Tooth in bocote
GEC 61 Congress in bocote
Buck 112 with nickel silver bolsters

None are limited editions or customs, but all have proven very difficult to find
 
You guys are making my Halfrich looking like a long lost red headed step child...well maybe not that far ;) but I'll stick to that one right now, gotta purpose myself to start saving!

Maybe this thread will make some of you to get off your duff and try to realize a wonderful knife, that'd be something right?

And yes, there are better things to spend money on, but if I'm going to have a vice, this isn't so bad, it certainly could be worse and my wife knows that :) also she knows that I only use funds that are made outside of my day job, either leather work or selling other knives that I bought with leather work, so there isn't an impact on our house income, that's always been key with our family, my hobby doesn't interfere with that, it may make a big mess in our kitchen! but not in our house/family stuff...

G2

Jerry's knives aren't out of reach for a determined saver. They don't command huge aftermarket pricing and are great users.
 
I've moved away from Traditional's over the last year , I still own quite a few , and do carry a SAK daily teamed with a Modern folder .
Even thought I'm not as Traditional as I used to be I still check in here regularly .
For me the question Gary has posed brings up a few dilemmas .
I have a self imposed rule that all my knives must be used , so even if the budget was unlimited I don't think I'd purchase anything to fancy . I think I would hesitant to use many of the beautiful knives I've seen posted here .
So my choice would be something like one of J. Oeser's beauties that I would still feel happy about actually carrying and using while still cherishing the fantastic craftsmanship

Ken
 
This is partly an echo of another recent thread, about the best-looking fixed blade you've seen. So again I'm going to choose a traditional Finnish puukko, but with money no object, I'll ask for one with a hand-forged blade of rhomboidal cross-section and a birch-bark handle. (The blade is thickest where the Scandi grind starts coming down to the edge, and the blade also thins somewhat upward to the spine, producing a rhomboid or semi-diamond shape in cross-section.)

These things go for several hundred to more than a thousand dollars each. (You did say money's no object, right?) But they use only simple, non-exotic materials: layers of birchbark, a carbon steel blade, and brass bolsters at the pommel and blade ends of the handle. (One knife used a hard rubber handle carved from a well-used hockey puck; see below.) The upper part of a blade often has forge-marks left on it.

The fire, hammer, and anvil are all just tools — everything's in the smith's skill.

Sheaths are typically wet-formed leather over a wood liner (puukko blades are v. sharp); many have just a plain loop of braided leather at the top because in winter you wear these on the outside of your parka, tied to a button or a belt of rope.

These are from an excellent nordic knife site, https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com.

e22.jpg


pasi-4.jpg


And that puck-puukko:

latka_puukko_ja_tuppi.jpg

Story here: https://nordiskaknivar.wordpress.com/2012/05/26/two-unique-puukkos-13-2
 
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Fixed blade Pumas. Pre 1970, NOS, Bowie, Skinner and Hunters Pal.

Tom

EDIT: I'll have to add: a few Bob Loveless drop Point Hunter(s) would be very nice.
 
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If money were no object I could afford more then one I guess. I'd get me some Bob Loveless;

Yes Gary, absolutely some Bob Loveless. With my expendable money I would go on all those hunting and fishing trips I've planned in my head and a Loveless or 2 would be a perfect companion.

For a folder I think I would go with a Lanny's Clip with stag covers, love the look of those.
 
This is a tough question.

Not sure which maker I would pick.

Few things.

It might have Tortoise. It might have checkered Ivory, or Ebony, or gnarly amber stag, or checkered MOP if the MOP was special. Some of my favorites involve really nice MOP.


If some one was to make me a Platts pattern, or a big old steel toenail in the longer 51 pattern, I'd be pretty hard pressed to leave it on table. (and honestly, an excellent condition original would be spectacular!).

For fixed?

a nice large original Scagle, paired with a smaller might be nice.

Too may special fixed makers to list. (CAS might be at the top of my list for eye catching fixed blades right now).



I don't think I would go for the highest price knife, because then I would not use it.

I mean, if some one gave me a Warenski art piece, it would sit in a safe (not that I would not love to own any of his knives, I'd probably like an earlier practical piece)

My mother went on a vacation a while ago (few years). Upon return, she asked me if I had ever heard of a maker named Buster Warenski. I replied yes, and explained who he was. She said that one of the people she visited heard I had an interest in knives. They brought out some knives made by Buster Warenski (of course my mother had no idea who he was, or what she was being showed).

The best part? Later, I asked her to bother them for pictures, and she had no memory of that conversation, or anyone showing her knives. I still have no idea if it was a distant relative, or family friend. !!!! Absolutely maddening.
 
why not just have Ken do it?
I must explain. This is the pattern I collect and I have this knife. It is a pinnacle of my collection thus far,other than sentimental knives.But I must confess, it is comparable sentiment as to try saying you love one child more than your other children.

Seems I cannot have enough of these farmers jacks or rooster combs. I would actually want one from John Lloyd,Tony ,Menefee, etc. and all the old knife brands of this pattern out there I haven't found yet. Maybe I would hire detectives to find them,if money was always at hand.

Although,if money was no object, I would do a lot of things first,or simultaneously.:)

Sometimes getting there is better than arriving.
 
I must explain. This is the pattern I collect and I have this knife. It is a pinnacle of my collection thus far,other than sentimental knives.But I must confess, it is comparable sentiment as to try saying you love one child more than your other children.

Seems I cannot have enough of these farmers jacks or rooster combs. I would actually want one from John Lloyd,Tony ,Menefee, etc. and all the old knife brands of this pattern out there I haven't found yet. Maybe I would hire detectives to find them,if money was always at hand.

Although,if money was no object, I would do a lot of things first,or simultaneously.:)

Sometimes getting there is better than arriving.

Waynorth confronted a similar dilemma with a pattern :)
 
Some thing made by either Tony or Reese Bose.. Met Tony a few yrs ago and he handed me a Sway Back that he made.. WOW!! That knife just melted in my hand!! UNREAL!! John
 
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