I'm on a roll! Traditional quality streak.

[Bob W]

In a fit of sleep deprived online browsing, I ordered four traditional knives that arrived this week. Four different brands, three different companies, three different dealers, and a range of prices. And each one is excellent!

First one is a Boker Whittler in carbon steel and "washboard bone." What an excellent knife - no build or finish issues, beautiful and interesting handles, and a bargain price.

Next one is a Queen City English Jack. I'm appreciating larger folding patterns now that I need reading glasses. I have several Queen knives, including Schatt and Morgan File & Wire. My first impression of this knife, Wow! The build quality is on par with the File & Wire series, and the jigged bone is stunning. The shield is a bit odd though, like a lopsided bowtie.

Having experienced a mixed history with Canal Street Cutlery but reading many recent raving reviews of their products, I had to see for myself. So I ordered a Pinch Lockback in smooth sunset bone. First off, the bone is stunning; I can't take my eyes off of it. Second, the action is so smooth and gentle. Third, there's not an obvious flaw or finishing oversight anywhere.

Last knife is a GEC Northfield #65 in "Autumn Gold Jigged Bone" and spear point. I was initially disappointed that I couldn't find a locking 65 with a spear point (all of the locking models seem to have clip points), but this knife snaps open with such confidence that a lock really isn't necessary. And once again there isn't a visible flaw or mis-fit anywhere. As an offside comment, I have no idea who Ben Hogan is (the golfer?) so I appreciate his name not being plastered all over my knife. :thumbup:

Did I get unusually lucky? Has the quality of traditional pocketknives been on a recent up-swing?

 

[TLARbb]

I'm glad that everything came out to the good. I'd say that you are not unusually lucky, but lucky enough. I really have had good luck with the knives I've bought over the internet. About 3 of the ones I've got will probably not see daylight in my lifetime, but the rest are fine or at least good enough. I've been eying that English jack myself.

Ed J

 

[midnight flyer]

Nice! It is always a fun thing and very satisfying to get exactly what you want. Personally, I have been looking at that Boker whittler, and now might be the time to jump on it!

Great to see such a positive report back from 4 different makers.

Robert

 

[Bob W]

Personally, I have been looking at that Boker whittler, and now might be the time to jump on it!

I've always had consistently excellent quality from Boker, their German-made traditionals at least. My niece wanted a pocketknife for wood carving, so I bought her the Boker whittler in carbon steel and appaloosa bone. It was excellent as well.

 

[jwren]

I've always had consistently excellent quality from Boker, their German-made traditionals at least. My niece wanted a pocketknife for wood carving, so I bought her the Boker whittler in carbon steel and appaloosa bone. It was excellent as well.

I have the whittler in Appaloosa as well - great knife and the fit and finish was excellent on mine as well. I only have two Bokers so far, but both have been solid, and great prices! :thumbup:

 

[jwren]

This thread needs some pics! (hope you don't mind - they're not the best )

 

[meako]

yay for washboard bone-absolutely gorgeous.
Bob I'm envious.

 

[jwren]

Wow - that washboard is gorgeous!
Nice knife meako!
(and thanks for adding a QUALITY photo - that's really what the thread needed )

 

[Will Power]

Meako, I've the same Böker lockback as you show. Mate, it's a fine knife and the Washboard bone is something of excellence, sharpens up very keen too. also got a Whittler in Appoloosa and Green Washboard bone plus Copperhead, Stockmans and Pens. Not a dud in any of them and at a price that puts CASE in the shade.

Bob, I'm very glad to hear you struck a rich seam with those knives. The Queen QCCC is a really big knife, too big for me but a fine pattern, what bone did yours come in? I agree the shield is a bit odd (people might have said queer formerly.....) but the 2 Teardrops I own in that series are some of my favourites, I wouldn't part with them and always on the lookout for another example but, they're hard to come by. Yes it's good to hear of a good haul, we need to discuss these things as well as the negatives we've all endured in our hobby/condition....

thanks, Will

 

[jwren]

As an offside comment, I have no idea who Ben Hogan is (the golfer?) so I appreciate his name not being plastered all over my knife. :thumbup:

IIRC he was a boxer and ne'er-do-well from the 1800s who associated with French Kate, a brothel worker (?) hence the two knife names...
Now how do you feel about his name not being on your knife, even better?

 

[Doug Add]

Take a look here to read about Ben Hogan.

 

[puukkoman]

Lemme see that Schatt you mentioned!
I'm also a fan of larger patterns, usually, and Schatt & Morgan is one of my favorite brands.

 

[Hammer67]

I've always had consistently excellent quality from Boker, their German-made traditionals at least. My niece wanted a pocketknife for wood carving, so I bought her the Boker whittler in carbon steel and appaloosa bone. It was excellent as well.

Likewise. I know it may be heresy, but when I look at what $50 gets one these days with Boker Tree vs. Case, it's a no-brainer. Quality and attention to detail are consistently far higher on the former, imo.

And nice lockback, Meako! Here's mine:

 

[jwren]

Smithhammer - I love that pic, it mesmerizes me every time! :thumbup:
And thanks for the link, Doug Add - some interesting reading there!

 

[Bob W]

Sorry, no pics yet.

Beautiful lockback in that washboard bone. I already have the trapper too.

IIRC he was a boxer and ne'er-do-well from the 1800s who associated with French Kate, a brothel worker (?) hence the two knife names... Now how do you feel about his name not being on your knife, even better?

Take a look here to read about Ben Hogan.

Well, that makes sense. More sense than Ben Hogan the golfer at least. First listing on a Google search is this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hogan

And I'm still glad his name isn't written on my knife.

The Queen QCCC is a really big knife, too big for me but a fine pattern, what bone did yours come in?

The handles are brown bone with a fine jigging. I'd link the photo at the dealer's website, but it seems they took the picture down after I bought the knife. Perhaps they only had one to sell?

also got a Whittler in Appoloosa and Green Washboard bone plus Copperhead, Stockmans and Pens. Not a dud in any of them and at a price that puts CASE in the shade.

I have a similar conglomeration of Boker knives, and with the same result. Trapper, pen, stockman, swing guards... Not a stinker in the bunch. Doesn't stop me from buying a Case from time-to-time though.