Locking sodbuster

EastTXnative

EastTXnative

Joined
Sep 10, 2020
Messages
14
Hello everyone
New guy here that really likes traditional folders. I grew up with Case knives and then ventured into benchmade and Spyderco only to find out I just like old folders that feel like the have a soul.

Anyways on to the question. Are there any locking Sodbusters that aren't Mooremakers?
 
Case did make linerlock sodbusters but you have to search for them, long out of production. If you don't mind Rough Riders they are a bit easier to find.

Edit to add: Almost forgot about Boker, they made lockback sod busters.
 
Case actually made a liner-locking Sod Buster for a short while, back in the '70s at least (Edit: also from the 1965-69 era). Pattern was 2138 L SS (in stainless steel). Might be able to find one of those on the secondary market, though they're not so commonly seen.
 
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Rough Riders have a linerlock version, but its not a solid lockup like you'd find in a modern knife. Bear&Sons has a g10 lockback version, but I would want to handle one before I buy it. Of the ones I looked at when I bought this one 2 I had to push the lockbar onto the countertop to unlock it, extremely stiff! This one had no play when I bought it, and while stiff to unlock it was at least manageable. Although I stupidly loaned it to a non knife person who used a hammer to drive it into a thick plastic bin on a pontoon boat to drain water. While it did develop a bit of play from this the lock didn't fail.
 
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I would also give the GEC Linerlock 23 a serious look btw. Very solid lockup on both of mine and very similar to the large sodbuster types. This one has quickly become a favorite that knocked the Bullbuster off my belt as a edc, and I love the Bullbuster.
 
If 8m not mistaken I believe A.G. Russell did a lock back sodbuster. It might have had a different name, but I recall reading something along those lines in one of his catalogs.
 
Wild Willie said:
If 8m not mistaken I believe A.G. Russell did a lock back sodbuster. It might have had a different name, but I recall reading something along those lines in one of his catalogs.
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They have the Rancher, which is a small locking Sodbuster with a lockback and deep carry pocket clip. The knife is decent quality, locked up well, but the blade slapped back and forth in the blade well which I found annoying. Probably worth a look for the price.
 
JohnDF said:
They have the Rancher, which is a small locking Sodbuster with a lockback and deep carry pocket clip. The knife is decent quality, locked up well, but the blade slapped back and forth in the blade well which I found annoying. Probably worth a look for the price.
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That would be a good option for a boy to whittle with I reckon :thumbsup:
 
From what I've read here, if you get the Rough Rider/Rough Ryder "Sodbuster" with a locking blade, don't get the "Junior" size!
Get the regular/large/full sized one.

From what I've read on here, the "Junior" size has (or had) a tendency for the pivot rivet and lock to fail. The larger one didn't/doesn't have that tendency, according to what people said here at BF.

I haven't seen any new reports on the Rough Rider/Rough Ryder "Sodbuster" of either size, on BF for at least a year, now.
I don't know if that's because people stopped buying them, or if the defective pivot on the Junior was fixed by the manufacturer.

Another option might be a size 6 and larger Opinel (size 6 and above have the ring blade lock. Size 5 and under don't) or a locking blade MAM.

EDIT:
Baryonyxknife.com (a BF supporting dealer) carries the MAM knives. He has some Opinel, as well.
 
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EastTXnative said:
I may go in for a GEC #23LL and keep around for him to use and have a great first knife.... if he doesn't lose it.
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Just be aware that the #73's have a very strong pull and the Liner Lock can get a little 'fidgety'... might be a little much for a youngster.
Some of our full-grown members had troubles opening the knives and several cut themselves trying to close it.
 
JohnDF said:
They have the Rancher, which is a small locking Sodbuster with a lockback and deep carry pocket clip. The knife is decent quality, locked up well, but the blade slapped back and forth in the blade well which I found annoying. Probably worth a look for the price.
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Thank you... I didn't have a catalog right here to look it up.
 
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