Interesting observation.

[ElCuchillo]

Isn't it interesting how a particular knife pattern will dominate posts and threads at times? Lately it's been Peanuts. Used to be the Sodbuster and Soddie Jr. Other times it's been Barlows. Almost like some knives become trendy for a time.

 

[Rupestris]

Might not be trendy as much as it is one person waxing nostalgic about a certain patern. Of course that post stirs up all the memories of the others that have owned one.

Never owned a peanut myself, but a post about stockman's, trappers, or other patterns might get my post count to go up. Just don't mention Barlow's again. First knife that ever bit me to where I needed stitches. I couldn't have been but 8-years-old and remember that stiff springed SOB like it was yesterday. I never did like that patern after that.

 

[338375]

It goes in cycles. After a while people start running out of things to say, or don't have any more pictures to post. Then its time to move on and start all over. I for one have to have a little variety in everything. Keeps me from gettin bored I guess

 

[kidwholaughs]

This happens in the general forum. I have seen it go plain vs serrated. tanto blades, framelock, titianium handles ,wave and whole bunches. But definitley a trend. However, there are some topics that never gets old.

 

[Will Power]

Never hear much about Muskrats or Doctor's much though. But, I suspect they are collector patterns and not users. It's the users that seem to get the most attention not surprisingly.Interesting that thing about you getting bitten by a Barlow, Rupestris , getting cut at an early age didn't put you off other knives good job! My SAK Pioneer had a go at me yesterday, god can they SNAP!

 

[jackknife]

Never hear much about Muskrats or Doctor's much though. But, I suspect they are collector patterns and not users. It's the users that seem to get the most attention not surprisingly.Interesting that thing about you getting bitten by a Barlow, Rupestris , getting cut at an early age didn't put you off other knives good job! My SAK Pioneer had a go at me yesterday, god can they SNAP!

Interesting observation in itself. I wonder if the more popular models like peanuts, stockman, 2 blade jacks, soddies and barlows are what some people saw really used by a favorite uncle or grandfather when they were kids, where personally I never saw a doctors or muskrat in anyones hands but a collector. And they did some muskrat skinning down on the eastern shore.

It's only natural that the most popular models will get most of the talk.

 

[camo kid]

I think price and availability may have a factor also. Peanuts, 2 bladed jacks, sod busters, stockmen and trappers are all pretty available locally in most places and can be had for under 30$ to what ever price some one is willing to pay. Plus they are very utilitarian, and easy to pocket pluss you can still find all of them in synthetic, bone, or stag, and in carbon or stainless. so the materials and price have something to offer to every one. Muskrats, toothpicks, doctor knives, newer scout knives, folding hunters, fishing knives and others, are harder to find locally at least around my area, and seem to be more expensive with less materials available. combine that with the nostalgic stories we read and recommendations from here and I think that what gives them the hype. Joe

 

[jackknife]

I think price and availability may have a factor also. Peanuts, 2 bladed jacks, sod busters, stockmen and trappers are all pretty available locally in most places and can be had for under 30$ to what ever price some one is willing to pay. Plus they are very utilitarian, and easy to pocket pluss you can still find all of them in synthetic, bone, or stag, and in carbon or stainless. so the materials and price have something to offer to every one. Muskrats, toothpicks, doctor knives, newer scout knives, folding hunters, fishing knives and others, are harder to find locally at least around my area, and seem to be more expensive with less materials available. combine that with the nostalgic stories we read and recommendations from here and I think that what gives them the hype. Joe

Joe makes a very good point on the prices of the knives. Working class carbon steel pocket knives like simple two blade jacks and barlows from Schrade, Camillus, Imperial, Robeson, and others used to go for about 3 to five dollars back when I was a kid. A stockman would be a dollar or two more. In the hardware store displays there was mostly just jacks, barlows and daddy barlows, stockmen both large and medium, and small pen knives. Some trappers here and there. Pretty conventional stuff. And all were priced to be atractive to the working man of the day, who just wanted a cutting tool because he needed one.

The first time I saw other patterns was at a high end "gentlemans" sporting goods store in Washington. It was the kind of place where they sold English tweed shooting jackets and Dunhill pipe smoking accsesories, but they had the bigest Case display board I'd seen. I think they had just about every model Case made. I saw models I had never seen before or since. But the prices were way more than the working carpenter, plumber, or welder could pay.

I think the popularity of certain models is from both price and availability in the past. Of course after 1963 and the Buck folding hunter it all changed totally.

 

[Rupestris]

Interesting that thing about you getting bitten by a Barlow, Rupestris , getting cut at an early age didn't put you off other knives good job! My SAK Pioneer had a go at me yesterday, god can they SNAP!

Naah, It was a leson learned about taking stuff that didn't belong to me. Dad was none to happy about having to take me to the doc because I snuck his barlow out of the house.

Jack Daniels is about the only product that has put me off after a bad experience. Otherwise, its just a matter of getting back on the horse.

I guess a small part of me wishes he still had that barlow when he passed. I'd be the most memorable knife in the collection.

I think the popularity of certain models is from both price and availability in the past. Of course after 1963 and the Buck folding hunter it all changed totally.

And later the SAK. It seems every post asking for a "first knife" "gift knife" or "kids knife" are full of recommendations of SAK's. That one never seems to drop off the radar.

 

[Will Power]

SAK stays up there because of being well-made,workmanlike and versatile,not expensive either yet robust.

Back to the Muskrat. I don't own one (yet...) but I wonder when they first appeared as a pattern? Were they used for skinning muskrats/muskquash? Surely a Trapper or better, Mini Trapper would do the job as well? I've heard they are not a very strong pattern and having 2 identical blades is puzzling. As for the Doctor, it must be a very old pattern and was probably meant for Apothecaries to split pills or weigh out chemicals. Kind of funny modern Coke-Heads haven't bought them as a designer accesory.....

 

[mnblade]

It goes in cycles. After a while people start running out of things to say, or don't have any more pictures to post. Then its time to move on and start all over. I for one have to have a little variety in everything. Keeps me from gettin bored I guess

Same thing with the buddies I gather with in a pub from time to time. First we talk about chicks, then politics, then music, then beer, then chicks, then politics, then music, then beer ... 10+ years and it's never changed. Our hair is grayer and our belts are a little smaller than they used to be (seems like that, anyway), but the conversation is just as stimulating and deep as it's every been. GREAT guys.

 

[db]

It sure does go in cycles. In fact when this sub forum first started we did have alot of talk about the Doctor patern. I also happen to know that there is a pretty big bastid that is a fan of the D patern.

 

[Mark G]

Isn't it interesting how a particular knife pattern will dominate posts and threads at times? Lately it's been Peanuts. Used to be the Sodbuster and Soddie Jr. Other times it's been Barlows. Almost like some knives become trendy for a time.

Never went for trendy!!! I carry what I like and have had the same peanut (which I carry five days/week) for over 30 years. Rotate that with a stockman for around the house and recently a spiffy new slippie (Northwoods Slim Jack) I recently won here from Vince. Throw in an occasional liner lock or my Buck 501 (another old timer). Carry the Buck 110 when hunting. Does that make me trendy????

 

[mp510]

I've found that when a popular forumite gets into something, a lot of folks tend to follow. It's not necesarily bad- this forum has shaped a lot of my beliefs for the better- my wallet may not agree however.

 

[sm2]

Sad to say, still the truth is we have folks not being raised as many of us older folks were.

New folks cycle in, and either know nothing at all about guns and knives, or what little they do know comes from Internet, Magazines , TV and Movies.

They were not "parented" or "mentored" as some of us were. These folks (a) so desperately want we have , (b) school of hard knocks with some "popular myths" about knives and now receptive to what "we" can pass forward.

Thirsting for knowledge so one Week a Stockman, next a Peanut, the following a Slimline Trapper - etc.

Which is great! This perpetuates How raised -what you do.

Maturity is not a age thing.
Trust me, I did not grow up, just got bigger is all . *grin*

Still instead of a "goopy" knife for too much money, these new folks for less monies can get better quality for monies spent.

Like under $50 for a Case with CV blades and then read all sorts of posts how that knife (or similar) is one used for a lifetime by someone.

Lessons besides knives are passed on, which is important, such as values, honesty, respect and morals.
It ain't the knife (material thing) instead the memories and peoples that knife is about.

Tuxedo.

Now some may laugh, (especially those that know me) still I have been piddling with a Tuxedo pattern some folks I know have.

One is a lady, and this MOP Tux works great when she is in a little black dress and ....

Where was I?

Oh yeah, the knife fits that little clutch purse. Sharp as can be, we actually happened upon a situation and used it to cut a seat belt to assist someone.

Another gentleman, wanted a new knife, for dress as his daughter is dragging him all over and "don't embarrass me daddy" [these two are a pair indeed!]

So she got the "old fart" a dress knife. Really neat knife and it fits his pockets well.
Funny thing is, he is getting a kick out of having to cut limes and lemons for all the "good looking ladies" and "oh yeah my wife and daughter too".

Some setting are more PC and this Tuxedo knife has "Class" written all over it.
Wife /Mom had to have one...seems the ladies really like these knives and how they carry so well.

Funny is the ladies and gents outside, with Tux knives, whittling on sticks and all...

Some non knife folks are paying attention to how handy a knife is, and these folks are seeing the "tool use" perspective.

Even if it means cutting a Bon-Bon,or that lemon dealie with powered sugar on top...*snicker*

Life is like a human zoo to me, so reading about different patterns is fun and educational.

It also introduces new folks to knives , and we get to pass forward to them.
I get to learn from everyone.