Learning the different styles of traditional folders.

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recon0317

recon0317

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So I started becoming interested in slip joints a few months back. I've found that there is a good diversity out there of different sizes, shapes, materials and quality. GEC and it's cousins seem to be kinda "par for the course" so to speak, and having owned a few, I can see why.
Now I am looking to delve a little deeper. I've found a style that I love, and a size that I love, I just haven't found both in the same knife. So I come to the members of the forum seeking wisdom. Is there a knife styled like the GEC #25, but the size of a GEC #42, or a Northwoods Madison Barlow? I want a wharncliff blade, with a half stop, and the easy open cutout. I would prefer a nice wood handle, such as Che Chen Rosewood or Cocobolo. Any input or advice would be welcomed. Thanks!

Pic of my awesome (but tiny) Northfield #25.
 
I like the beer scout and the navy. The Bloodwood is my favorite handle material at the moment.
6ad7f30e42346abeb4e0879ca7e63060.jpg
 
The beer scout is only a 3.5" frame.



This guy is probably the closest thing you will find to what you want in production and easy to find. Go custom if you really know what you want :thumbup:

 
I was just advised to check out a Northwoods Forest Jack. They look amazing, just need to do some go ogling and see if it's the size I'm after
 
I just traded mine away. Look to pay from over 140 to ??? It's not what you are willing tonpay, it's finding one. But the hunt can be a lot of the fun ;)
 
I was figuring on having to trade something halfway decent to get one. I'd like one in Mammoth Ivory if I can find one. Are there any other larger single blade wharncliff knives of good quality, other than the Forest Jack?
 
The GEC Viper has your Wharncliffe blade and half stops, but only 3 3/4" long. May be worth a look. I know different folks have different preferences as to the ideal length of knife. My "happy spot" tends to be from about 3 5/8" to 4" or so but I've recently become pretty fond of my Tascosa 83 patterns which are around 3 3/8". They have a lot of blade for the frame size.
Good Luck in your search,
Rick
 
So you want a big ol' single blade jack, straight edge. The 73 has been made with wharncliffe (but that's probably not big enough) and there's the 47 Viper, which is big, but not Missouri-pattern big. The 77 Barlows have been made with both sheepsfoot and with wharncliffe blades, but might not be as big as you want, though they're a lot bigger in the hand than a 25. The various Northwoods knives are probably your best bet, as many of them are made with that big single wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blade. Alternatively, there's the old Case 11031SH, which is a traditional wooden sheepsfoot jackknife, but does lack the easy open notch and isn't quite the size you're looking for.

If you find a knife with the right blade and size, bear in mind that easy open notches are a relatively simple and straightforward mod.
 
Scored myself a Broadway Jack. Might be a tad smaller than I was shooting for, but it sure is beautiful. I love the blade shape, and the finish on the flats just looks amazing. Can't wait to get her in hand.
 
Recon glad you found the Broadway Jack but sounds like still have a little bit different knife in mind we have several great slipjoint makers here on the forum and I would recommend you have one made. You may have a bit of a wait but I don't believe you will ever regret it.
 
The Broadway Jack is built on the #15 GEC frame (3 1/2"). This is considered by many to be the perfect size for a pocket knife. I personally like the (same size) #68 (equal end) and #66 (serpentine) frames a bit better but love a 3 1/2" frame. I have many that are bigger but just don't carry them.

Many people who move from modern folders to traditional folders take a knife or two to realize the blade lengths just don't translate between the two styles. I used to carry 4" blade modern folders... That's a folding sword in traditional knives!
 
Also many Traditional knife models do not list blade lengths, only handle (closed) length. This makes it difficult for me at times to gauge whether or not I will like a pattern. Eventually I will get a feel for what size blade each pattern has, but for now I have to narrow down what size handles have enough blade for me.

For example the GEC #54 I just received has smaller blades than the GEC #73 but with a larger handle. Not a deal breaker with this pattern (I hope), but it will affect how much it gets carried when I can get more blade length with a smaller pocket footprint in another pattern.
 
Here's the Viper in Osage Orange. With a true Wharncliffe blade, I wonder if you actually need an EZ-Open feature? I mean, there's plenty to grip anyway on the blade and the Wharncliffe slopes away strongly into the handle offering little to grip in the notch, unlike Sheepfoot or Clip and Spear blades.

IMG_2259.jpg


Another Wharncliffe that might interest you is Trestle Pine's 'Superior' using reclaimed woods, this has a huge amount of blade to grip onto in the closed position. Well made and moderate cost.

IMG_3644.jpg
 
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