Make this a traditional holiday

texasflyfisher

texasflyfisher

Joined
Aug 17, 2007
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Gift giving is always a challenge for me. This year my brother-in-laws will be receiving some traditional gifts from me. Traditional slipjoints that is. I don't have a lot of money to spend (I have five brother-in-laws) so suggestions for a good yet inexpensive traditional knife to compliment a Victorinox Alox Classic SD knife they will all be receiving (I picked them up for $7 each last month). I am hoping to spend less than $20 on each knife and good quality are appreciated. I have never held a Rough Rider brand knife but they seem to be in the price range I am looking for though.

I hope that y'all will be able to give a traditional knife to someone this holiday season, too.
 
Case Sodbuster Jr.'s can usually be found pretty inexpensively. ($22 on SMKW with free shipping over $100 (five sodbusters). There may be other sites cheaper.)

Opinels are always a good choice.

Douk-Douk's are a possibility.

Okapi is another.

BTW, Boker's "Arbolito" sodbusters are usually very inexpensive as well. I think I got mine for about $11 or $12 but it doesn't have the feel or class of the Case. (Still cuts well after sharpening though.)
 
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Carolina River Rat said:
I would recommend the Case Sodbuster or the Opinel.
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I will second that opinion. The RR knives are good quality, but I would rather have a real traditional knife with history and carbon blades than ten new rough riders's.
 
Go to a Lowes in your area.

They have the SS Case Sod Buster JR with black plastic scales for $17 and change.
 
+1 on the Case Sodbuster JR. With the yellow scales and CV, it's a real winner. Shepherd Hills has them for $22.
 
I'm going to throw Boker into the mix. There tradaitional line is pretty decent and many are quite inexpensive.
 
Don't rule Rough Rider out of hand, they are not badly made and they can help generate interest in getting more knife patterns, they are a good start and have a wide range. Cheap they are but they don't feel shoddy.

Hen&Rooster can be reasonably inexpensive too.

Opinels also come in different woods including- oak,walnut,bubinga and coloured finishes.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! While I would love to get all my brother-in-laws some real nice slipjoints, I may end up having to get them the RR or nothing at all (says the wife). I saw Cumberland had some nice looking sowbelly knives at $9 a piece.
 
Check out SMKW they have a huge selection of RRs. On a personal note, I like the RR line of knives. I have been carrying a RR Barlow for about six months now and it has performed great,and takes a good edge. Just my two cents.
 
Another vote here for the Case Sodbuster Jr and the Opinel. If you're thinking multiblades take a look at some of the newer Bucks. I really like the small Stockman.
 
Tex,

If you don't mind me saying so,, poopooo on the RR's unless it be a last resort..

I would also endorse the Sodbusters, but if your $$ is tight like mine, do what I've been doing.

If'n you really want to do them all a solid, for low prices, go with the older USA production Schrade's in carbon and/or ss steel in Mint to Excellent condition. Lately, I have been scoring them extremely cheaply on eBay because of the lousy economy, so its a buyers market right now. :thumbup: Most under 11.-13. + shipping. Some for 7.-9. + shipping. One older Uncle Henry Peanut, MIB for just north of 11. including shipping.

It's early yet, and if you pick out a pattern based on the individuals hobby's and/or career it could be a real nice Christmas for those fellows and you too.

If my luck holds out my Christmas list will be finished in another 2-3 weeks or so and most everyone on it will be getting a real nice traditional slipjoint's from me. :cool:

Good Luck & Merry Christmas!:)
 
IMO, you get the best value and utility in slipjoints from Victorinox. They are a great product. The only reason I insist on carrying around stag handle stuff and old Case redbones is pure vanity!
 
Schrades are a bargain right now (as per Sunnyd), and are a great knife, the older ones I mean. I have seen some great buys on ebay for them as well.
 
texasflyfisher said:
Gift giving is always a challenge for me. This year my brother-in-laws will be receiving some traditional gifts from me. Traditional slipjoints that is. I don't have a lot of money to spend (I have five brother-in-laws) so suggestions for a good yet inexpensive traditional knife to compliment a Victorinox Alox Classic SD knife they will all be receiving (I picked them up for $7 each last month). I am hoping to spend less than $20 on each knife and good quality are appreciated. I have never held a Rough Rider brand knife but they seem to be in the price range I am looking for though.

I hope that y'all will be able to give a traditional knife to someone this holiday season, too.
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First flyfisher, "Good on ya" as our Aussie friends would say, for giving a good knife to those you care about. The Victorinoc classic is a very handy little knife for a keyring, and judging by what my Karen uses hers for, its capable of more than you would think. I gave out some classics as stocking stuffers some years back, and it's surprising how even the non-knife knuts came to like having a sharp little cutting tool handy. But it is a bit small for some cutting, so an aumentation is needed.

May I make a few sugestions?

If you want to stay with Victorinox for the impecable workmenship and over the top factory service and warenttee, Smoky Mountain Knifeworks has the victorinox Pioneer solo for 15 dollars. Item # V53950. This is a alox handle single blade pocket knife, that for lack of a better analogy, can be described as a modern metal handle sodbuster. Same simple but rugged construction, low price, but able to stand up to some very rugged use for a long time. Lays very flat and light in the pocket, and the silver alox is checkered for a good grip in damp/slipper conditions.

Another alternative if you want to stay with the traditional sodbuster style, but keep the cost down a bit, is the Boker Gaucho knife at Smoky Mountain, for 17.99. Item #BK40Y. Has the traditional yellow handle, and flat ground blades that get hair poping sharp. Good buy for the money.
 
Hi y'all. Thanks for the continued suggestions. Having a larger Vic alox knife as a companion to the small Alox SD sounds like a great idea. Will look into that. Thanks!
 
sunnyd said:
If my luck holds out my Christmas list will be finished in another 2-3 weeks or so and most everyone on it will be getting a real nice traditional slipjoint's from me. :cool:
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Oh, you shouldn't have!:D


Seriously, I would love to give nice slippies to my friends and family, but most of them simply would not appreciate it or understand what a personal and potentially sentimental, lifelong gift such a thing is. The few who understand have already gotten such things in the past.
 
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