My first Case...Trapper lock, Trapper or Large Stockmen

S

SVRIDER1

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Dec 29, 2008
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I am sure this subject has been beaten to death already but here it goes: I have always been a tactical folder type of person but as of lately I can't stop looking at stuff with polished bolsters, natural materials and traditional blade shapes. I have been looking at the new trapper lock because of the features I am already used to ex. one hand opening and it locks, a regular trapper and either a medium or large stockmen. I want something close to the size I am already used to. Plus I am still considering carrying my regular EDC in the waist band and then putting the Case in my front pocket. I use my knives regularly (used not abused) so it will definitely be a working knife but I don't mind paying extra for nicer materials and better attention paid to fit and finish( I think the xx designation falls in that category). Also blade play that is not inherent in a knives design make me crazy so can I reasonably expect that those three knives I am looking at will lock up tight in all directions and not have any kind of wobble?

One more thing...carry suggestions ex. front or rear pockets, watch fob pockets, sheaths or any other ways.

Thanks for any help you guy's could give me. My taste in folding knives is changing and I feel completely uninformed about purchasing. Also I am open to suggestions about custom slipjoints if the prices were right.
 
Wow, that's a tough choice. Ill leave it to guys that know better than me, to give you the fine details of the knives your looking at. I can tell you that I've bought the Case Trapper, Mini Trapper, a Medium Stockman, a couple of Peanuts. Everything is tight, no wobble. Fit and finish pretty good, although not perfect. Worth the money I paid for them, and after trying them my "tactical folders" have been set aside.

Of the ones I've mentioned, I'd choose the Stockman for EDC. Good luck on the research, and purchase.
 
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If you fancy a big knife that's well-made with a variety of scales, then check Great Eastern Cutlery. You won't be disappointed with dimensions or finish there.

Consider their No.23 and 73 liner locks,ought to suit your needs:thumbup:
 
Thanks for the reply, did you order from websites and catalogs or did you buy in person?
I like to inspect what I am buying first but I don't have any retailers around unless somebody knows of any big chain stores that carry Case( walmart, target, kmart...)
 
I can't really comment on the new Trapper Lock. I haven't looked at one and really don't have the desire to. For me, it looses some of the simplicity and beauty of a slipjoint.. But just because I, or other people don't like them, is no reason for you to not check one out if it interest you....

The Trappers and Stockman are both great choices, its all personal.
I tend to stick with things that only have two blades. I just don't find a need for 3. Again, that is a personal thing.
My favorite (right now anyway) is the Mini Trapper. Plenty big enough for just about everything, and when it goes in a front jeans pocket it almost disappears.
Plus they have half stops which I really like... :D

For the most part, quality on most of the knives is perrty good. I think you will find that there is a variation on spring tension and fit and finish between knives. I have some that are hard to open and really snap when ya close them, and some that aren't as stiff.

If ya buy a Case and have any problems with it, their customer service is great.

There are some other companies that really seem to be catching on and making a quality product as well...
 
SVRIDER1 said:
Thanks for the reply, did you order from websites and catalogs or did you buy in person?
I like to inspect what I am buying first but I don't have any retailers around unless somebody knows of any big chain stores that carry Case( walmart, target, kmart...)
Click to expand...

I don't think any of the big chain stores carry Case. If you have a TruValue hardware store close to you, they usually stock a few versions..
Sometimes ya just have to buy one and hope that it is what ya want.
If its not, you can always sell it or trade it.
 
Case is fairly consistent in it's quality and appearance of scale materials, very soldom will you get a surprise. GEC is the same only you can expect even nicer scale materials and almost always well matched side to side.

Of the knives you mentioned a medium stockman is about the largest I like for a front pocket, trappers seem to be a better back pocket fit. I like the trapper patterns and like carrying them so I just ordered a leather belt sheath to make carrying them as well as other large patterns a bit more comfy.
 
I just bought one of the new Case Trapperlocks, yellow delrin with the CV blade. It is very smooth opening, almost too easy and will take some getting used to. At any rate I had some concern as to whether the liner lock was covering enough of the blade and returned it right away to Case to have it checked out under warranty. It's only been a week and have not heard anything.
 
I have been carrying a Case Large Stockmen as part of my EDC rotation for a while, it's a very impressive and beautiful knife in my experience. I like the amber bone scales, which make it look traditional, and the CV blades, which are excellent for almost all cutting chores.

:thumbup:
 
I like the trapper. I carry them once in a while. Sometimes in front right pocket. Sometimes right rear pocket, depending on what else I am carrying. I do not think it is to big for front pocket carry. But it does do better in the rear pocket. Any bigger though would be to big. It is right on the border at 4 1/8", hence why some feel it is to big for that. So far my favorite front pocket knife is a Copperhead. It is 3 3/4" and is just right for that. And nice blades as well. Let us know what you end up doing. And post pictures.

Thanks,

Bill
 
I spent about 10 years in the 70's and 80's carrying a stockman and it's still my favorite traditional pattern. So you can guess my recommedation as to pattern.

As to size, it depends on the pants you wear. If you wear slacks, then I agree with Absintheur that a medium stockman is about as big as you want to have. If you mostly wear jeans, you can carry a larger knife in your front pants pocket. I mostly wear jeans and have been carrying a Queen Cattle King (a VERY large stockman) in my front pocket with no problems.

As to brands, I have current output from Queen, Case, and Canal Street and find them all very well put together.
 
I bought all of my Case brand knives at a local True Value Hardware, and a Case "Outlet" I found while driving through North Carolina. Go to the Case website and check out the dealer location feature. It will tell you if there are any in your area.
 
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That's two people who mentioned True Value Hardware stores, they don't list as a retailer on the Case website in my area but I might take a ride over in the morning just to check it out.
 
Definetly check with them. I'm not sure about all of them, but ours just has a small display case on the end of one of the isles.
Its been a while since I was in there but they had probably 4 or 5 different versions. One of them was a medium Stockman and I know for sure one was a large Trapper.
 
You can get used to carrying a larger knife in your pocket. It takes a few weeks, maybe three to get used to it. Then the medium ones you can't even feel anymore. It's likewearing a watch. When you don't have it you miss it.
Take a look at Mooremaker knives. They have some nice trappers.
 
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How is knivesshipfree.com? They seem to carry all the brands you guys have mentioned.

Two more brands I have looked at now are Schatt&Morgan and Queen cutlery how are they compared to the rest some seemed more expensive, are they more of a collectible type knife or still users?

I also have looked at all the knives from GEC. I am confused about the three different name brands and there differences.

Also I like the idea of high carbon steels, I usually put a coat of tuff glide on my custom fixed blades and that takes care of the whole thing. Do I have to worry about corrosion on the inside of the pivot area on a folder? Do I need to do anything special to protect the bone or stag scales? Which companies are best for high carbon?

I know I am asking for a lot of info so thanks for the answers and patience.
 
As regards G.E.C. This is the generic name for the whole company,it's divided into 3 marques: The Northfield & Tidioute marques employ carbon steel, the former usually has more elaborate detailing-swedges,long nail pull,different scales&shields, the Great Eastern marque has a smaller range than the other 2 and offers stainless blades, acorn shield.

Check their website for official dealers, I've used 3 and found them very reliable indeed, some have EXCELLENT on-line photos which show you the knife you are actually getting with item number.

Don't think you need worry too much about the pivots if you keep the knife clean&dry it properly,a drop of oil on the joints from time to time works in. Mind you, if you are using it in the wet,fishing hunting a lot then more care is needed. as for the scales, not too much to do apart from don't drop them! Again, a lot depends on the environment you live in, I live in the Arctic and I'm be-deviled by hot dry interiors and cold dry exteriors.This is a problem as I've seen stag shrink back & bone a bit less.It's really difficult to get the air humid here,no rust probs of course but this shrinkage is worrying. Wiping the scales over with furniture polish or mineral-oil helps a lot, some people swear by Lemon Oil, I can't get it here but I think it could be useful. You don't have to be fanatical with the upkeep of a Traditional-unless you want to safequeen the lot and keep mint virgins..-most are stout and just wiping after use stainless or carbon is good enough. One bugbear I find is if you cut up adhesive tape, that rreally sticks to blades and makes a mess!

Good luck with your new collection.
 
Your first Case should be a Trapper...no no.....a Lg. Stockman.......wait wait...those Trapperlocks are really cool......oh I dunno....
 
I could not remember what my first Case was. I had to look back at post I made. I was fortunate to buy 4 at one time. I got a medium Stockman, Canoe, Copperhead, and a Trapper. The Copperhead and Canoe see the most use. But the Trapper is third. If I think I might have some heavier cutting to do I make sure to grab the Trapper.

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Bill
 
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