introduction and help with strait, single blade folder

Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
71
This is my first post, so I probably should introduce myself. My name is Curtis and probably like many of you I tend to lean heavily traditional in a lot of things. I'm 33, collect vintage watches, prefer antique furniture, and keep an original 1947 Dodge on the road. I've got two boys, 4 and 7, who love camping, fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors. We just built a treehouse!

I recently bought an NOS vintage Weidmannsheil springer to carry, but find it a little large for my taste, along with being concerned about ability to replace/fix it down the road.

So, I've been doing some research and have figured out some parameters for what I want in an edc knife. Here goes:

OAL: under 7"
Blade: strait (warncliff, sheepsfoot, etc)
Handle: slimmer better, preferably stag
Weight: preferably under 3 Oz
Cost: around $200
Markings: In general, aesthetically, I much prefer a knife with only a tang stamp and shield. For some reason the etched blades and lettering on bolsters/scales normally takes away from a knife for me.

Some of my options I think include: Northwoods Fremont, A. Wright and sons, some German jagdmessers....

I've seen many I like on the 'strait blade' thread, but don't know how hard, or expensive some of those customs are. ( I expect MANY to be outside my price range)

I want a user, not going to be using it for a screwdriver, but anything from opening mail, to cutting zip ties and fishing line.

That's probably a lot to take in, but any help is greatly appreciated. You all have some fantastic knives and knowledge! Thanks!

*Edited to add markings*
 
Last edited:
Lately, GEC has been throwing straight edge single blades in just about every pattern even if they weren't traditionally single blades or straight edge. So I'd recommend going to one of the Bladeforums dealer member websites and looking them over. Stock will be low for popular patterns (some may be sold out) and stag will be picked over already but there should be lots of knives that fit those criteria.
 
Welcome Guy. What do you think of the Northfield Viper? Not sure on the weight but there still is a few in stag to be found. Good luck with the hunt.
 
Based on only giving upper bounds it seems like you aren't too concerned with size. I'd suggest either a #47 or a #25 from GEC, both of which are currently available pretty easily with wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blades. The #47 might be under 3oz and the #25 definitely should be.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I have looked at some GEC knives, particularly the Viper, and #25. However, I tend to veer away from etched blades. Seems most GEC'S are etched, but I'll check them out a little more in depth.

I'm open to any and all suggestions, if you have one you think fits put up a pic for me!
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I have looked at some GEC knives, particularly the Viper, and #25. However, I tend to veer away from etched blades. Seems most GEC'S are etched, but I'll check them out a little more in depth.

I'm open to any and all suggestions, if you have one you think fits put up a pic for me!

It's not a deep etch. If you wipe the blades with Flitz polish, only a faint shadow will remain. It will also disappear if patina is allowed to form.
 
Perhaps a Case Swayback Gent? I'm not sure if any were offered in Stag or not but they were definitely offered in some other very nice handle materials.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I have looked at some GEC knives, particularly the Viper, and #25. However, I tend to veer away from etched blades. Seems most GEC'S are etched, but I'll check them out a little more in depth.

I'm open to any and all suggestions, if you have one you think fits put up a pic for me!

I wouldn't worry about the etch because after a few weeks of use it's faded significantly. I can hardly see it on my user GEC. Like someone already mentioned, a couple minutes of wiping the blade with flitz the etch is gone.
 
Check out the Trestle Pines Superior. It only comes in wood, but other than that it should tick all your boxes.
 
It is not a single blade but I think a 2013 forum congress jack would look pretty awesome alongside your pocket watch. A nice long sheepsfoot main and a pen secondary would fit the bill. No markings but the tang stamp and it is very slim with ivory micarta handles.

If you were so inclined to make it your own I am sure one of our members would be willing to remove the secondary and cover it in stag for you. You would probably still be under 200.

It was not the most popular pattern and on the used marked still have reasonable prices.
 
GEC recently introduced their Navy Knife - there are several variations out there - it is a smaller knife, light to carry. Case has had several with big Sheepfoot blades in the past; however 1970's and 1980's Case Knives are readily available for well under your $200.00 maximum on auction websites. The old Case knives are stoutly built; shown here are a substantial but thin Case Whaler (1199SHR) and a substantial but thicker (two blade) Case Loom Fixer (6217) which is 4" OAL (closed) and 7" open. OH
Ps Case also made the popular 11031SH, a 3-3/4" OAL (closed) single blade Sheepfoot - a little smaller than the 4-3/16" OAL Case Whaler, which is 7-1/4" open. I don't have a picture of the 11031SH.

IMG_78941.JPG


Case_1199SHR_Walnut_Whaler_-_1971.JPG


Case_6217_Loom_Fixer_-_1974.JPG
 
Last edited:
I'd look into a Northfields 77 Barlow single blade Sheepfoot, that ought to satisfy you and there are decent handle options.

A Cotton Sampler might also be of interest.
 
More suggestions of GEC here than I expected. That shouldn't be surprising because the worst I've heard about them is that they don't come super sharp. Everyone seems to hold them in high regard.

Great information about the etch not necessarily being a permanent thing.

I like the Case suggestions too, but I think I want something a little more off the beaten path of that makes sense. The Bose sway back is probably closest to what I'm looking for.

I checked out the Trestle Pines Superior and it appears to be a fine knife at a very reasonable price, I haven't convinced myself I like the handle.

Right now, the leaders in the club house are the GEC Viper (just barely fits size) Northwoods Freemont, and A. Wright and sons

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'm taking them seriously. Are there any custom sway backs in my price range, even on the used market?
 
I like that 99 too. Does anyone have any experience with the 'want to buy' forum? From what I can tell it's never been used?
 
Ok, so I found the thread 'Northwoods vs GEC' and I think it has cemented the Freemont in front of the Viper for me. It just appears that it would be much more comfortable in the pocket.



I have also checked out various 'jack' knives from Northwoods i.e. Michigan Jack. None of the patterns I'm interested in are available commercially it seems. Is the best thing to do just wait until one shows up here or on other sites used and hope I'm lucky enough to grab it?
 
I like that 99 too. Does anyone have any experience with the 'want to buy' forum? From what I can tell it's never been used?

Registered Users can only see their own threads in the Wanted section. There are thousands of posts there. You just can't see them because you are not authorized to sell on the forum.

I suggest posting what you're looking for in the Wanted section. Plenty of members that are authorized to sell on the forum will see it.
 
It may not be in your price range ( might be too low cost for your taste ) but the victorinox Gardner ,day packer,and twine knife are an excellent option for around 15$ give or take. You can also get them with rosewood for a little more. They're an excellent lightweight knife that you won't be afraid to use.
 
look at some schatt and morgan knives as well. their file and wire brands comes in ats-34 almost across the board and is a superior stainless steel; additionally they have some interesting models, imho. gunstock jack's and collector knives are two great places to check out, carry great product, and give you some knowledge in the bargain. prices are right in there as well, from looking around. which i hope saying isn't an infraction.
Neal
 
Welcome! I'll second the Case 11031SH if you can find one on the used market. (mine is a bit "not as pretty" as the one Old Hunter posted a picture of, above.)
The CV blade gets silly sharp and holds an edge quite well.
 
Back
Top