My next purchase: Traditional knife

R

Runawayemu

Joined
Sep 30, 2012
Messages
79
Hey everyone, I'm relatively new to the forums so if this is against a rule I haven't seen yet, let me know and delete. So I started my knife collecting about five months ago (like really heavy duty collecting). I had a few pocket knives, like victorinox ripoffs before. Now I have a bunch of knives I really like, but most of them being modern looking. Black handles, spring assist, awesome black Ka-Bar fighting knife (can you tell that's my favorite!). Now I realize, I really want an old school looking thing, a classical folder. Probably a slip joint. Anyone have any suggestions? I truely have no idea what company to look for one of these at. I would like quality, but like 30 dollar range. I am looking, but it's always nice to get a variety of opinions and I love posting on this place!

Thanks in advance!

edit: for dannyp, i am looking for a small to mid size blade, maybe even two blades in one. blade doesn't matter to me, just an edc for opening stuff and urban use. I feel as if a gentleman's folder would be impossible for the general public to freak about if i had to use it. Thanks!
 
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Cant go wrong with anything from Case, especially in thier cv steel. They can be found pretty easily in the 30-50 dollar range. Just pick a pattern that appeals to you and carry it till there is nothing left. Goodluck!
 
Welcome to Traditionals.:thumbup: First off, I suggest that you edit out the profanity in your first post as it is not tolerated here.

As far as a knife recommendation, it would help if you would give us some more info. Would you rather have carbon or stainless steel? How many and what type of blades do you want in the knife? Also, a size range or intended use would help. A big 4"+ Stockman or Trapper is quite different from a small gentleman's folder. The amount of choices are overwhelming without narrowing it down a bit.

Some general recommendations in the meantime are a Queen Country Cousin in D2, along with the Queen City economy line in 1095. You can often find older US made Schrade knives on the big auction site for a good deal. If you want stainless, then take a look at Buck or Case's yellow delrin knives.
 
dannyp said:
Welcome to Traditionals.:thumbup: First off, I suggest that you edit out the profanity in your first post as it is not tolerated here.

As far as a knife recommendation, it would help if you would give us some more info. Would you rather have carbon or stainless steel? How many and what type of blades do you want in the knife? Also, a size range or intended use would help. A big 4"+ Stockman or Trapper is quite different from a small gentleman's folder. The amount of choices are overwhelming without narrowing it down a bit.

Some general recommendations in the meantime are a Queen Country Cousin in D2, along with the Queen City economy line in 1095. You can often find older US made Schrade knives on the big auction site for a good deal. If you want stainless, then take a look at Buck or Case's yellow delrin knives.
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Oh, didn't realize the profanity thing, I expected this to be a mostly adult website (not in the perverted way) so i didn't think i was a big deal. Thanks for letting me know even tho i got a warning...
 
Peregrin said:
There's some guidelines posted at the top of the main page, here's a link for your reference, Guidelines For The "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades Sub-Forum"
Thanks,
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Thank you very much. I read all of the guidelines. I think we're good now.

As for the original topic, thank you Knife-Nutty for the case suggestion. You are feeding into my newly found knife collecting addiction! :) Everywhere i look in this forum I see Case and i really like the look of some of them. Problem is, I'm not going to be too quick to buy anything right now, maybe in a week or so tho! If i do buy a Case, I will be sure to message you.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please post here! I am not totally sold on the Case and if you have your own personal favorite then i would love to hear it!!!
 
I personally find GEC to make the best modern(new) traditional knife. Lots of patterns in different sizes with great cover selections. Something in the 3 1/2 range would probably suit you fine for urban use. Cant go wrong with a #66 frame Jack knife :thumbup:

2012-07-27125109.jpg
 
rockgolfer said:
I personally find GEC to make the best modern(new) traditional knife. Lots of patterns in different sizes with great cover selections. Something in the 3 1/2 range would probably suit you fine for urban use. Cant go wrong with a #66 frame Jack knife :thumbup:

2012-07-27125109.jpg
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Oh, i really like that.

Anybody else have suggestions? I saw a S&W Scrimshaw with a wolf on the handle. It's only 12 bucks but last time I got a cheap S&W that's exactly what I got, a cheap S&W. haha
 
Deffinatly! I find case to be a great blade because they are all USA handcrafted and fit and finish is very good yet they tend to be easier on the wallet than companies like GEC and thus, in my opinion, a lot easier to bring yourself to realy put them to work and not worry as much about ruining a beautiful knife that you spent a pretty penny on.
 
Thanks.

You get what you pay for. Some here love Rough riders and that thread is here on the front page right now, seems like a good value for what you pay for. I put GEC in the league of a lifetime knife, I doubt I will ever wear them out(see using them as a cutting tool). I may break one because I am rough on things but I doubt it. I carry them because I know(from personal use) that they will hold up to anything I throw at it and thats what I expect from the tools I carry in my pockets. Any knives in these few threads will do the trick as well.

The knives I usually carry
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...parison-of-GEC-s-53-79?highlight=construction

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...se-traditional-folders?highlight=construction

This one in particular is a great read
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...itionals-in-the-Trades?highlight=construction

Jeff
 
Hi,

Welcome to your first foray into traditional knives! It's a whole new world. $30 is quite doable for a slip-joint. And while I adore Great Eastern knives, they are more than a bit above your price target. Though if you really enjoy traditional knives, you will need to get a few Great Eastern knives, they are worth every penny.

Case makes a few knives in your price range and has many fine patterns. Buck also offers a few patterns worth looking at. Maybe the best bang-for-buck might be the Rough Rider brand. There is the secondary market on auction sites that are also out there. There are many vintage Schrade's, Camillus, Imperial, and Colonial knives that still have a life time or two left in them. And for heaven's sake, don't forget such names as Opinel, Mercator, or Higonokami. And other world wide traditional patterns.

You have a lifetime of collecting and using ahead.

Dale
 
Knife-Nutty said:
Deffinatly! I find case to be a great blade because they are all USA handcrafted and fit and finish is very good yet they tend to be easier on the wallet than companies like GEC and thus, in my opinion, a lot easier to bring yourself to realy put them to work and not worry as much about ruining a beautiful knife that you spent a pretty penny on.
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haha, yeah. I wanted to get a benchmade earlier, but i chose not to since it was 85 bucks and I would never feel right using it for anything but cutting a piece of tape!

I notice on these Case knives and really most gentleman's knives that they have multiple blades. What is the purpose of that? Is there really any functionality involved with them?
 
Sorry, missed the 30 dollar request. Buy an opinel if you want single blade, you wont be disappointed in what it can handle.
 
Welcome to the Darkside, bwahahahahahaha!

Check out the Exchange, under "Traditional, Old-Timey" knives for sale. You might even peruse the trade forums.

Always deals to be had.

Different blades for different tasks. Large, small. Big jobs, fine tasks.
 
Hi,

Yes. The names of the blade types is often a good clue as to what the blade was originally meant to do. For example Pen blades were originally meant to make and repair pen tips. A Spey was meant to well, do farm animal surgical procedures:eek:. But we don't often need to use certain shapes for their original intentions anymore, (I haven't need to make a quill feather pen in quite a long time:D). But the different blades are still popular today. You will find a shape or two you like. As most of us here have.

And having multiple blades in one frame is nice. One blade can be used for rough and ready work. While other blades are reserved for more delicate tasks perhaps. I can't imagine not having at least 2 blades in my knife.

Dale
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,

Welcome to your first foray into traditional knives! It's a whole new world. $30 is quite doable for a slip-joint. And while I adore Great Eastern knives, they are more than a bit above your price target. Though if you really enjoy traditional knives, you will need to get a few Great Eastern knives, they are worth every penny.

Case makes a few knives in your price range and has many fine patterns. Buck also offers a few patterns worth looking at. Maybe the best bang-for-buck might be the Rough Rider brand. There is the secondary market on auction sites that are also out there. There are many vintage Schrade's, Camillus, Imperial, and Colonial knives that still have a life time or two left in them. And for heaven's sake, don't forget such names as Opinel, Mercator, or Higonokami. And other world wide traditional patterns.

You have a lifetime of collecting and using ahead.

Dale
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ooh i am really loving the rough rider knives. Both the prices and the looks of them are sweet! I found a civil war 150th anniversary Union commemerative knife i want. I started this thread with the intention of maybe getting one traditional knife, but i may end up having a whole new branch of knives in my collection. Thanks for the pointers!

I'm still open for suggestions if you're just reading this now! Let me know
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,

Yes. The names of the blade types is often a good clue as to what the blade was originally meant to do. For example Pen blades were originally meant to make and repair pen tips. A Spey was meant to well, do farm animal surgical procedures:eek:. But we don't often need to use certain shapes for their original intentions anymore, (I haven't need to make a quill feather pen in quite a long time:D). But the different blades are still popular today. You will find a shape or two you like. As most of us here have.

And having multiple blades in one frame is nice. One blade can be used for rough and ready work. While other blades are reserved for more delicate tasks perhaps. I can't imagine not having at least 2 blades in my knife.

Dale
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Thanks for the explanation! If anything, it just makes the knife cooler! I think u forgot that part :)
 
I too did not see the appeal of multiple blades, however once you get your hands on one and use it you'll soon wonder how you ever got by with one. Having several (or even two) blades available to choose from allows you to designate a blade for a specific job such as a main clip blade for general utility and a pen blade for "dirty" tasks. Or if you had a stockman, in my opinion one of the best and most useful 3 bladed knives around you could use the clip for utility as mentioned before, the sheepsfoot for whittling or cardboard as to not wear down a keen edge on the main blade and the spey blade for your dirty jobs or emergency removal of cattle genitals (joking). You see it offers a whole new level of utility to your knife. So look at your needs and factor in what appeals to you and carefully choose the blade you think is right for you.
 
Knife-Nutty said:
I too did not see the appeal of multiple blades, however once you get your hands on one and use it you'll soon wonder how you ever got by with one. Having several (or even two) blades available to choose from allows you to designate a blade for a specific job such as a main clip blade for general utility and a pen blade for "dirty" tasks. Or if you had a stockman, in my opinion one of the best and most useful 3 bladed knives around you could use the clip for utility as mentioned before, the sheepsfoot for whittling or cardboard as to not wear down a keen edge on the main blade and the spey blade for your dirty jobs or emergency removal of cattle genitals (joking). You see it offers a whole new level of utility to your knife. So look at your needs and factor in what appeals to you and carefully choose the blade you think is right for you.
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haha okay! I have come to a decision to buy a Rough Rider Rifleman Series knife. It's only 10 bucks and has a rifle on the bone handle! It's in the cart on another tab. Thanks for the advice and info everyone! Keep it coming with the discussion, I would love to start a gentleman's knife collection now. My knives are to modern and I feel the need to balance it out! I may just replace my SOG flash 1 with this new knife.

I am also thinking I carry the Rough Rider for when I go to places where people may freak at the sight of a Spring assisted knife. Or I carry both. So many choices! Help me!!! I think I may carry both now, but how do I explain that to the police? I guess the spring assisted for when only one hand is available and my Rough Rider for multiple different tasks (cuz it has 3 blades!)
 
I have a number of Rough Rider knives and think they a decent users for the money. I have an odd ball one handed opening Locking Trapper that unlocks in an unusual way. You press the smaller blade deeper into the frame to unlock the larger blade. When I received it the smaller blade tip would rest outside the frame when closed. I ground on the blade where it rested on the locking device (kick?) until it was inside the frame. It works well now.
I also have some Case knives and had to clean one very well when I received it. It had a very week closing snap (talk?), but a simple cleaning fixed it right up. I feel that the Case knives are a better knife than the Rough Rider. Better looking, but also cost more.
I have one GEC and it is such a good looking knife that it doesn't get used much. And more expensive yet.
In the 30 dollar user range, I would have a good look at the Buck traditionals. I have a yellow Buck Stockman model 301 that has become one of my favorite pocket knives. Smooth to operate. And with three springs I am amazed how equal the pull is on all three blades. It's stainless, but I don't mind that for just a working knife.
Traditionals come in lot of patterns and sizes. It took me a while to find the patterns that I like. For me it seems to be the Stockmans and Copperheads. And oh yeah, how can I forget the Peanut. Everybody needs a Peanut!!
I think with any brand it is possible to get a lemon. If you do, don't let it turn you off. If the company makes it right, all is well. If I get two knives that need work, then I will look elsewhere. Good luck and happy searching!
 
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