My little United Nations...

A

axesbold

Joined
Aug 3, 2007
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400
This is my first real post in this forum after lurking and enjoying for quite a while. As an admirer of simple, inexpensive quality I’ve relished posts on the Sodbuster, the Mercator, the Anchor, the Opinel, and the Douk Douk. I’ve owned and carried Sodbusters and a Buck 110 since I was in my teens in the 70s. Recently I picked up a Svord Peasant, and it fascinates me for the reasons above.

So, I decided to start a little collection of work knives from around the world. Here’s what I have so far, arranged alphabetically by country of origin. Six nations represented so far….

UNKnives.jpg


I hope this may make a nice companion thread to lutejones’ posting of his very interesting collection!

All of these can be had for under 30US each, and most well under that. As this is a warm, international forum I am soliciting suggestions for additions to this collection and comments/criticisms on what I have so far. I am interested in “work” knives, folders, that have history and cultural identity with their place of origin. The work knife requirement tends to keeps them in my price range. And it helps if they are commonly exported to the US.

I am thinking a Laguiole, Okapi, Navaja… what else? Thanks!
 
Awesome idea and good luck on your quest. :thumbup:
If you don't have a china knife, I hear a lot good about Rough Rider.

But who doesn't have a china knife laying around???
 
Include the Okapi for SA. A nice Spanish Carraca for the Iberian peninsula. A gobbo knife for Italia, a laguiole for france. A swiss army for good measure.

EDIT: I overlooked read the last sentence of your OP, didn't I? :o
 
Well, search for the "Taschenfeitel". That´s a typical austrian pattern. Nowadays it would be called as a "Reverse-tanto" blade, but not here. Theese knives do not have any lock and pretty cheap built. But as a working knife it´s ok. I might have a Taschenfeitel around here anywhere... :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
johnny twoshoes said:
Awesome idea and good luck on your quest. :thumbup:
If you don't have a china knife, I hear a lot good about Rough Rider.

But who doesn't have a china knife laying around???
Click to expand...

I think he's looking for something that would be a traditional tool in China, (or other countries) as opposed to a Chinese made American design. Here's one I'd like to get: The Shilin Cutter

3db87d71269b38da53db044f0f2c2955.jpg


Here's the thread about the knife on British Blades Forum that I got the picture from:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums...The-Shilin-Cutter-a-traditional-Chinese-knife

I really want one, but I've been having a hard time finding a place to buy it!
 
Nice bunch of knives you have :)
I'm not sure of what you mean by "work knife"...my thought is that more or less any pattern (at least "old" pattern, like any knife used in the field for a long time) was created to be used for work, and the only difference is in the user actually.
If for "work knife" you mean a good quality knife, build without too much care for "fancy details" and sold at a relatively low price so any buyer won't be scared to use it (I'm guessing from the knives you already have), then you are up for a very nice and interesting hunt around the world.
As for my country (Italy), I can think of many work knives (meaning traditional patterns made and used for work), but, unfortunately, not something in that price range that you could possibly compare (quality wise) with Opinel's or Mercator's or Douk douk's. But, I'm really really interested in your search and willing to see what you will find :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement all!

@ G the c: I will check the two that I did not have listed. Thanks much. I spent a month in Eindhoven when I was in my early 20s, but spent most of my time thinking about Amsterdam. Anything from the Netherlands I could add to my list?

@ Humppa: I will follow up on your suggestion. The Mercator and Anchor knives I own as a result of your threads. Thanks!

@ Nixelplix: You are right about what I am looking for. I will join you in your search for the Shilin Cutter.

@ Fausto: Thank you for the clairification of my vague use of my native language! Your observation is astute and correct. Please pass along any suggestions from Italy. I either have carried or intend to carry and use all of these knives, and I would love for Italy to be represented.
 
I just guessed what you meant...your picture told me an evident tale of quality knives sold at relatively low prices (and I'm very interested in the same topic too :rolleyes: ).
As I told you, I'm not sure that I can find an Italian brand producing a traditional knife with such low prices and comparable quality (I'm a big fan of Opinel's, so I take them as a reference for the matter) but I will think about it.
Meanwhile, you should add a Mora and a Victorinox to your bunch...I know Mora's are not folder's and SAK's are "not just folders", but speaking of quality and consistency at a low price, they got game for sure :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Hi axesbold!

I´m glad and happy, that my threads caused you to buy a Mercator and an Ankermesser. I hope, the do as fine to you as they do to me.

Thank you for the feedback. :) :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
Fausto you are right again! I have a couple SAKs, but it didn't occur to me to add them. As for the Mora I think a similar collection of fixed blades would be equally interesting. Perhaps that's next:)
 
Humppa your threads are wonderful, I thank you for them, and I am very pleased you have weighed in on this one. I remember Mercators from when I was young but hadn't seen one in years and don't believe I ever owned one. It really is all that you described and I use it often. The Ankermesser I have just received and have not used it yet but I believe I will enjoy it very much:)
 
EKA from Sweden all wood handles, locking.

Otter Messer from Germany have other wood handled patterns in carbon worth looking into.

Joker knives from Spain, some interesting stuff there.

Kizlyar from Russia but these aren't so cheap to buy, good quality mind.

Nixel, I like the look of that leaf bladed Traditional from China.
 
Opinel has a few different patterns like the Garden knife, the slim Efile, the mushroom knife and the two pruning knives, one a hawksbill and the other a real hook blade.

Consider the Nontrons also. I don't know their prices.
 
Thanks for these willgoy. I'm finding some available but not many. I may get some copies to have while I keep looking just to have an example of some of these patterns.

It occurred to me a toothpick might fit in this group pretty well....
 
Thanks Esav... I found the Nontrons easily. Very attractive knives. Ya'll have got me reading and looking at some very helpful suggestions.
 
axesbold said:
It occurred to me a toothpick might fit in this group pretty well....
Click to expand...

Place a toothpick, opened, back to back with a laguiole of similar size. The toothpick tends to have a thin handle, the laguiole has thicker scales. Otherwise, they are very close cousins. I would think they both derive from an old navaja pattern.
 
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