Looking for a special classic/traditional folder for my son.

Pokerface

Pokerface

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Hey guys, so I'm fairly new here and don't have much experience to make the type of purchase that I want to make, so I'm leaving it in the hands of the experts. My son turns 1 next month and I want to buy him a nice classic/traditional Stockman-type folder that he won't be getting for about 15 years. Corny? Probably, but I want to add sentimental value to it. I was going to get a Buck 301, because, like I said, I'm fairly new at this. I figured that maybe a Buck wasn't "special" enough so I'm hoping that you guys can send some recommendations my way. I was looking at the Boker Tree Brand, Queen Cutlery, Schatt and Morgan, and Bear and Son. If I am missing something here...if these are crap...if the Buck will work...any information would be great and I would really appreciate it.
 
It's not a brand on your list, but Case puts date codes on their knives; you could get him a knife that was born the same year he was. I believe Buck puts date codes on their blades too.
 
Have a look at Great Eastern Cutlery's model 66 stockman. Not cheap, but mighty high quality.

-- Mark
 
I would choose either a Case medium stockman or a Queen no. 26 stockman. My personal preference would be bone handle and carbon steel. These knives have both been around since the early 1900's and truly represent the stockman style. The Buck is a nice knife but I don't especially care for the black synthetic scales.
 
I own the Buck 301 and it's a very nice Stockman pattern knife that will serve your boy proudly.

However, as you said, it's not very fancy.

A Case Stockman with nice amber bone (or another color of bone) scales would make a nice looking gift. If you get the CV blades they should have a nice patina by the time you give the knife to your son. If it's stored without use, it might also have some rust, however. You will want to oil the blades to prevent this.

There are other fine options (Queen, S&M, GEC and more), but a nice Case Stockman with bone handles is still rather affordable and would make a very nice gift when he's about 15.
 
You might consider givin Moore Maker shot. They haven't "gone hollywood" yet; they're made is the U.S. (still are I hope?), and they're solid knives.
 
johnny1950 said:
You might consider givin Moore Maker shot. They haven't "gone hollywood" yet; they're made is the U.S. (still are I hope?), and they're solid knives.
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Moore Makers are made by Queen (higher priced ones) and Utica and Bear & Sons (lower priced ones). Old stock cheaper ones were made by Camillus. All USA made.
 
Don't sweat it too much. Whatever you choose to get him he will love because you got it for him when he was one! It will have a lot of sentimental value! A dated note on what you were thinking when you chose it or how you want him to use it in life would be cool to put inside the box. When he is sixteen, it will seem to him you wrote it a hundred years ago!! Congratulations on your son's first birthday!!
 
Planterz said:
Moore Makers are made by Queen (higher priced ones) and Utica and Bear & Sons (lower priced ones). Old stock cheaper ones were made by Camillus. All USA made.
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thanks for the info. I learn something new every day on this forum! Johnny
 
If it were me I would get him something small and simple yet well made . Small so no matter if he's a jeans and boots kind of guy or a slacks and loafers guy he will carry it . Simple so he won't be afraid to use it and simple also often translates to useful . Well made so that he will be proud of it and it will serve a life time .
It being a gift from you bought when he was but a year old will make it special . You giving it to him along with some words of wisdom when he is older will make it special . Him carrying it and using it will only make it more so .
The first two knives that came to mind were the Case Peanut and the Buck 309 . Both are available with different handle options and both are dated . Both are well made and have the potential to be very special . Until you rub a little love on them there both just things . My 2 cents .
Jim
 
I say get him both a Buck 301 and either a Queen, Case, or GEC stockman. Give him the 301 on his 13/14th birthday so as he can learn how to sharpen, appreciate use and not abuse a good quality knife. Then after that on his 16th give him the real deal.
 
Getting him a stockman is a great idea. I am going to have to side on a Case bone handled one in CV (carbon blades) because that is about as traditional as you can get. I've seen those run from $35 to $50, depending on bone color - I really like the looks of the Amber bone and the Chestnut bone personally.

If you still want to get him a Buck knife, I would skip the 301 and go all out and get him a Buck 110. It was my first knife when I was twelve ten years ago, and I am about to go use it to clean fifteen fish! The Buck 110 is VERY hard to beat for a hunting and fishing folding knife. I'd say get him a Stockman for the special quality, and maybe when he goes on his first hunting/fishing trip, get him a Buck 110?? I don't know about that, but I DO know that any knife you give to your son will be very special to him.
 
I think a Case stockman or a GEC 66 stockman would be great.
Giving him something unique is because of the different handle materials you can choose. A Buck 301 is a great working knife, for sure. But just available in some series. Mostly in black or yellow Delrin, some give have such in bonescales, as I have seen. But I never saw one at vendors site.

Kind regards
Andi
 
AM515 said:
Hey guys, so I'm fairly new here and don't have much experience to make the type of purchase that I want to make, so I'm leaving it in the hands of the experts. My son turns 1 next month and I want to buy him a nice classic/traditional Stockman-type folder that he won't be getting for about 15 years. Corny? Probably, but I want to add sentimental value to it. I was going to get a Buck 301, because, like I said, I'm fairly new at this. I figured that maybe a Buck wasn't "special" enough so I'm hoping that you guys can send some recommendations my way. I was looking at the Boker Tree Brand, Queen Cutlery, Schatt and Morgan, and Bear and Son. If I am missing something here...if these are crap...if the Buck will work...any information would be great and I would really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Any knife to a boy from his father is special enough. Nothing wrong with that Buck 301 at all.
 
A lot of good stuff here guys...I have exactly one month (as of yesterday) to look into these brands. The only thing about Case knives that threw me off, and it's more a product of me not knowing the knitty gritty about blades, was the "Surgical Steel". I was up late last night looking to see if I could find what this was and I couldn't. I just checked out Moore Maker and they look like really nice knives. How about that 1095 High Carbon for these knives? D2 on the Queen? Just skimming through these I think that I might be headed toward Queen, Great Eastern, or Tidioute but it's all still fair game. I appreciate everyone's input.
 
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Case's Tru-Sharp surgical stainless is just 420HC under a trade name. It's a good steel.
Any gift from a father or mother to a son or daughter (the former in this case) is special enough. I would say to stay away from Bear and Sons. Their quality control is spotty at best. All the suggestions here are good ones, and IMO a nice CV bone Case born the same year your son was would be a great gift. Maybe you could also have it engraved with his name and birth date. To keep rust off of it, keep it in a sealed Aloksak bag with a few oxygen absorber packs thrown in, as well as a note written at the first birthday and maybe added to every year until he receives it on his 16th.
 
I don't know why anyone would look down on a Buck 301.

With that said, I would try to find a USA Schrade Old Timer. No Schrade+, stay carbon and Delrin.

Good luck with whatever you go for.
 
Although I'm a BIG fan of GEC,the 1095 Carbon Steel blades would require some intermitent care over the next 15 years to prevent rust. A good coat of Renaisance Wax would help protect the blades. I am,however, also a big fan of D2 Tool Steel,used primarily by Queen Cutlery. While still a Carbon Steel,D2 has a high percentage of Chromium [around 18% I think] and is considered to be rust RESISTANT.
I also agree with the posters who say the young man will cherish ANY knife his father was thoughtful enough to purchase and store for fifteen years as a gift for his 16th birthday.
 
I agree RenWax is the best for long term storage. I use BreakFree CLP also but if there is any corrosion, even on the brass, the clp will remove it over time and let it stain the blades. Just a warning if you go with a simple carbon steel.
 
The first user I got my son for a user was Opinel #6. The friction folders are the safest for young hands, IMO.

But I think you're talking about a keepsake from his dad. For that, pick a knife that YOU love. There's no telling what he'll think is cool when he's older. Might as well have the gift reflect his memory of you.
 
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