- Joined
- May 14, 2018
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- 28,969
They're my babies.Unicorns!

The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
They're my babies.Unicorns!
I've had some that were close. Visibly , I'd say they're flush but if I run my finger nail across I can feel some slight unevenness. I have a few customs and they're absolutely flush .
It really makes no difference to me either.Since the topic has come up I can finally ask the question I’ve wondered about for quite some time.
Those of you who want a knife’s backspring to be flush when the blade is in the half stop position: why?
I want the spring to be flush when the knife is open or closed, but where the spring is in-between is completely irrelevant to me.
I *assume* people prefer it because it is indicative of extra care taken in the build process, and I can appreciate that. But is there something else I’m missing?
No judgment here; just curiosity.
Just that. Extra care in the fit and finish process. The details so to speak. Personally I prefer GEC's with out half stops. The #66 and #35 are my favorites.Since the topic has come up I can finally ask the question I’ve wondered about for quite some time.
Those of you who want a knife’s backspring to be flush when the blade is in the half stop position: why?
I want the spring to be flush when the knife is open or closed, but where the spring is in-between is completely irrelevant to me.
I *assume* people prefer it because it is indicative of extra care taken in the build process, and I can appreciate that. But is there something else I’m missing?
No judgment here; just curiosity.
Ron Sabbagh You've stated the makers you have but not the patterns you favour, it might help to know what sort/size pattern you prefer to use.
Thanks, Will
I've been reading this thread daily since it started, like I do all the threads in this sub-forum. A good thread. Thank God I'm a speed reader....
Anyway, if I knew then what I know now, I would have known exactly what kind of knives I really like, and like to carry. That would be single blade for the most part, various blade shapes but mostly clip, wharncliffe and modified wharncliffe. Size wise 3.25" minimum to 4" maximum (with a few exceptions, like Peanuts). I've almost always bought knives based on 3 things, I like the looks, I like the size, I like the blade or blades. Almost every decision was made with the thought that I would carry and use the knife. I don't purchase to collect, with the exception of the Trad forum knives.
That being said, I don't have many regrets, knifewise anyways. If I enjoyed selling them as much as I do buying them I'd probably sell a bunch and buy a few more really nice customs and call it quits.
Thanks to all who have responded. It's very helpful. So far, I've put my name on a list for the upcoming 2 blade lionsteel Barlow. Might get a single blade as well. Still exploring GEC and a Laguiole knife. GEC just has so many options.
My fav patterns for EDC are sowbelly trappers (I like curves), 2 blade Congress and 3 blade whittlers/stockman. Although I have a few knives with 4+ blades I don't usually carry them as much and enjoy them on special occasions. But I greatly admire the work required to make those 4+ blade beauties.
Here is one of my daily carries. A Gary Crowder with some great old jigged bone.
View attachment 1142234
Here is my 2 blade Congress from Gene Shadley. I prefer the subtle curve of a Congress over the straighter Senator or "pen knife"
View attachment 1142235
There's a lot of custom knives that aren't really up to production level quality. All of my Case Bose knives and my one GEC 25 in stag are head and shoulders better than my Crowder, my first custom folder. I've never seen a production knife equal to a Eugene Shadley though. I have a Hanson that has fit "issues" but it was made in the early 1990s when he was just a pup. Knifemakers get better, peak and then they get older (hint: age brings arthritis and the eyesight goes.)
As far as my simple mind, anything screwed together by Lionsteel is not traditional...pins GD-it!
The Case/Bose and Moki knives are excellent w/o fail from what I've seen. Be careful with AGRussell knives, the ones made by Moki are great, others not so much. Go to AK and cherry pick them in their storefront.
Surprised to hear that about your Crowder....
100% agree with your comment regarding Gene Shadley. His knives are built like Swiss watches. And he makes everything himself ...including the screws..and heat treats them himself as well.
Ok I'm close to getting my first GEC.
Gene is a very nice guy. At the ICCE, he spent a lot of time with me even though his work is out of my wallet range. I was going to save up, but the ICCE moved too far away. When I hit the lottery, he's making me a leverlock auto, Sheffield style
With GEC I disliked their designs and 1095. Their knives are too thick and derivative. Plus I've seen some with issues, the only one I've bought has perfect stag and fit/finish, but I bought it in person. Didn't like the blade shape, but it's grown on me![]()