Large locking traditional folder.

Will Power said:
I'm astonished that you find Opinel's carbon or Sandvik difficult and unsatisfying to sharpen. Very few knives will cut a large apple or a Cantaloupe melon as cleanly or decisively.:confused:
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Yeah, I do not want to blade this one on Opinel, it may be that I am simply used to sharpen very different knives and need to adjust on different steels (softer in general) and edge geometries. I know that these knives have solid reputations and so it was probably me who failed the knife and not the other way round.

About the size - I do realise that 5" knife is not exactly for back pocket and that is not my intent. This is a knife I plan to carry for hikes or bike trips when fixed blade (currently Mora 2000) is for one or another reason not the right choice (too much of a knife or too large). But I still want enough blade length if I need to slice bread, onion or such. That is also the reason I do not want a knife with too thick spine or too strong hollow grind.

Buck 110 is a classic, but its design (stronger built and thicker blade) strikes me more as a utility knife.
 
I recently purchased a 50th anniversary Buck 110. The cost was $49.95 and the fit and finish are excellent. I still have my Buck 110 that I purchased in 1964 when I was stationed in Alaska. I am impressed that such a high quality USA made product can be so reasonably priced. I agree that the 110 is heavy and not suitable for EDC in a pant pocket, but intended for pouch carry on a belt.
I'm carrying a Case Copperlock in a pocket sheath. Its thin and the blade is just over 3". Fit and finish again excellent, cost $52.
 
matus said:
I would expect a decently treated D2 steel to have better edge retention than 1095 which is a very simple carbon steel. I actually have kitchen knife in D2 (Hitachi calls it SLD or SKD11) and it is around HRC 62 - 64 (I do not recall exactly). At this hardness the edge holding is phenomenal, but the steel would chip on tougher task (not the case with kitchen knives).

I you want to try a really hard and sharp knife in D2 steel then check out Yoshikane SLD kitchen knives. But I would recommend the cheaper Yoshikane SKD knives (2 or 3 different lines - all clad with stainless steel) that are made out of SKD12 (A2) steel. I have their Santoku Hakata and it is absolutely incredible knife.

But back on topic. I am halfway sold on the Ka-Bar (it is even available in Germany AND for reasonable price), but are there other knives I should check out?

EDIT: the CSC Squeez looks interesting - the one with Micarta hanles has 440C blade, but one one with Chestnut D2 - I am going to have a closer look.
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Canal Street makes the Coppersmith line for Ka-Bar and the Squeeze is the same pattern as the large lockback. Interestingly CSC HT on their D2 is 59-60 where the Coppersmith D2 is 56-58, perhaps a Ka-Bar request. I am particularly fond of the copper bolsters and the rootbeer jigged bone on the Coppersmith line, but CSC own version is certainly not bad looking.
 
marsturm's suggestion of a CASE Copperlock is a good one for your needs. The inherent problem with any XL lockback is going to be that most of them do have thick blades, the CASE might well avoid this (will have to dig out my full size Copperlock from the mountain sometime...)

Maybe a Ben Hogan 65 from GEC in lockback form could be another to chew over? It's big but likely not too thick.

I regularly slice crusty loaves with my Chambriard le compagnon about 10.5cm shut. It has a thin distal taper blade and although not locking it has ideal action: quite easy to open, very hard to shut.

Thanks, Will
 
Queen Mountain Man-
D2
big and solid
locking and non locking versions
variety of very beautiful trad scales.
It ticks my boxes:thumbup:
In the pic Left to Right
GEC 83Tascosa Lock back
Schrade LB5
GEC 73
GEC 43
GEC 23
Queen Mountain Man
Buck 110
Schrade 6OT
Schrade 7OT
Schrade LB7
Hope that helps.
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Unfortunately, long & thin traditional lockbacks with better than average steel are far & few between. All of my suggestions have been given above, primarily GEC #42 & 23 and Smith & Son's Mudbug. If you're just planning on basic utility use though, do you really need a locking blade? All of the knives I reach for, for similar tasks, are all slipjoints.
 
Point taken. The lock is to be there for the 'what if' situations. But do the blades at this size get thinner if one goes over to slipjoints?
 
On the slipjoints, I like the GEC Farm & Field in 420HC and the AG Russell Cowboy. Both have decent (and thin) stainless blades, take a great edge and are inexpensive enough to not worry about using hard or loosing.
 
Smith and Son's Mudbug. Very thin, locks up tight, 1095, and the best thing is that you can pinch it open very easily. It's an all around winner! .........IMHO
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mudbugs look great ,don't know how readily available(they just sold out a run) they are. i'm curious what meako thinks about the f&f on the queen mountain man series. i've read various things in regards to them, a lot of it negative, but i think dozier was the designer which always snags my attention. plus the price points in various scale materials are nice.i wanna say queen might have recently released some in 1095 with pearl or stag covers? oh and ahem will power i think i mentioned the copperlock first but ,ahhh , oh well. suppose i shouldn't be a pit-nicker.;)
 
I have both the GEC 42 missouri and Smith and son's Mudbug, so I second what others have said above; Both great knives that I would not hesitate to use hard and dirty. I don't think either would let me down. The Mudbug is slim and light and carries really well. Good hunting.
 
My three favorite large locking traditionals.

Case Large Copperlock


GEC 42 Missouri Trader


GEC 23 Bull Lock
 
23's
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The above 23Liner Lock open (courtesy of Sitflyer). :thumbup:
23L%20blue%20tile2%20LA_zpsbtxk6ed1.jpg
 
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Whoa Robert! Don't think I've seen the red 23 slippie before! Very nice :thumbup:
 
You might also consider one of the Case lockbacks like the hammerhead or mako. The hammerhead has a thinner handle than the Buck 110, which makes for easier back-pocket carry.
 
Not to hijack the thread, but I'm in the same boat as the OP and was wondering if y'all that posted pictures would mind posting some that show the handle thickness.

Sorry and Thanks!
 
Rough Rider. Their Work Linerlock is a large sodbuster pattern with a liner locking blade about 3 5/8 long. Can be found in several different scales, natural or synthetic. It's a pretty solid performer.

Rough Rider also has a Amber Jigged Bone Lockback Folding Hunter, RR1370. It's a uncommon shaped hunter lockback with 3 7/8" clip point blade. I haven't handled one, but I really like the shape.
 
Guys, you are just awesome! Thanks a lot - that is a load of info and more options I could even wish.

- meako -
That size comparison is very helpful.

- osta.doc -
That Smith and Son's Mudbug does look really interesting - I have to check it out

- KrabbyKakes -
No hijack at all. I did not want to ask too many favors at once. But of course, should that no be too much of a hassle, than a few spine shots would be nice :)

- SAK guy -
I always get a nice warm feeling when I see such a nice patina on a knife :)
 
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