Mystery GAW/Challenge

[Duckdog]

(This really wasn't a surprise, but it's certainly a difference between my knife use in the 1960s and the 2020s: as a kid, I almost never used my knife for food (I had a Mom who basically took care of that for me ) but had myriad other occasions for knife use, while in the past week, almost all of my knife use was food-related. Stuart D Duckdog gently objected to so many of us using pocket cutlery for food prep, and I thought, "Lighten up, Stuart! If I didn't use my knife for food, I'd have almost no use for a pocket knife, as shown by my not carrying one from age 18 to 63." But, a couple of posts after Stuart's remark, I found myself hypocritically reacting to a Jack Black post with the thought, "Why in the world is that crazy Yorkshireman using a sodbuster to cut cheese slices when there are much better dedicated cheese-slicing tools??" We humans are a logically inconsistent race!)

GT, both your observation and your comment are well-considered, and they were recently echoed by others in this and various other threads. I simply wasn't seeing beyond my own bubble. I enjoy owning and using knives such that I have large piles of knives (and other cutters) for all sorts of pursuits: culinary, fishing, hunting, everyday duties, etc. (including castration and bloodletting). But not everyone shares this mania. Clearly, others readily use their folders for a task at hand, regardless whether another more suitable blade might (or might not) be handy, because they can. Cut with joy and cut with abandon henceforth.

Wow... That's killer
A real beauty

Thank you. Here's today's changing of the guard:

After the photo shoot, I realized that reflection of the outdoors played strange effects, including a camo blade on the horn handled Ed Fuller lockback.

- Stuart

 

[Prester John]

Mike, thanks again for the entertaining GAW! This is my favorite kind of GAW on The Porch, in which participants actually have to DO something (besides write, "I'm in") that helps us all learn a little more about each other. I've been amazed and enriched by the amount of participation this week, with many participants posting periodic updates on how the challenge was progressing for them.

My summary of the week of the challenge emphasizes nostalgia, both short-term and long-term.

First, by short-term nostalgia I mean that the GAW took me back about 5 years to when I first got interested in pocket knives again, joined BF, and started accumulating some knives. I knew that many members changed their pocket knives on a daily basis, but that didn't appeal to me for a couple of reasons. First, it was too time-consuming to have to pick out a different knife to carry every morning, and second, I didn't think I was getting to know my knives very well by carrying them for only a day at a time. So I started carrying each new-to-me knife a week at a time, and that was much more satisfying and helped me learn the pros and cons of each knife. This GAW took me back to those days: even though I still carried the MANY knives my weekly rotation assigned me for the week, the pre-owned Imperial Kamp-King was the ONLY knife I used during the week. Doing that "intense bonding" was good to experience again!

By long-term nostalgia I mean that the GAW took me back almost 60 years to when I got my very first pocket knife, a Colonial Forest-Master that is very similar to the scout knife I used for the challenge. Here are photos of my first-ever Forest-Master (don't know why I didn't open the bottle opener for this old shot ) and the Kamp-King, my most recently-acquired knife:
View attachment 1303111
View attachment 1303115

It was like going back to my youth to have a scout knife clipped on a lanyard attached to a belt loop and hanging in my RFP with my keys (except I didn't carry any keys when I was 10). The black plastic handles felt so familiar, the spear main was like an old friend, and it was great to have some tools available if needed. Surprisingly, I didn't use the awl even once during the week, while my (possibly inaccurate) memory is that I used that tool often when I was a kid; might be a difference between life on a dairy farm and life in the city. That was really the only surprise to the challenge for me; I expected that I would enjoy using the Kamp-King, and I was right!

(This really wasn't a surprise, but it's certainly a difference between my knife use in the 1960s and the 2020s: as a kid, I almost never used my knife for food (I had a Mom who basically took care of that for me ) but had myriad other occasions for knife use, while in the past week, almost all of my knife use was food-related. Stuart D Duckdog gently objected to so many of us using pocket cutlery for food prep, and I thought, "Lighten up, Stuart! If I didn't use my knife for food, I'd have almost no use for a pocket knife, as shown by my not carrying one from age 18 to 63." But, a couple of posts after Stuart's remark, I found myself hypocritically reacting to a Jack Black post with the thought, "Why in the world is that crazy Yorkshireman using a sodbuster to cut cheese slices when there are much better dedicated cheese-slicing tools??" We humans are a logically inconsistent race!)

Thanks again to Mike for getting this started and to all the participants who made the thread so entertaining!
I'll conclude with before/after shots of my Kamp-King; it definitely picked up some patina over the course of 7 days:
View attachment 1303148
View attachment 1303149

- GT

Enjoyed your post (as usual!), Gary. A scout knife just like that (don't remember the brand) was my first knife, when I was 9 or 10. With one of those, you don't really need any other knives.

 

[Prester John]

Well, looks like I'm finally caught up with this thread, lol!

Where to begin on my summary? I guess a pic of my carry will get it started.
The Spanish navaja by Jose' Antonio Herreros, one of my most unique pieces:


20200310_104313 by Pine Moon, on Flickr

Jose' used to have a membership here (ArtesaniaHerreros), but I think he has some arthritis/neck issues and may be retiring from the craft. I don't know. He has won several awards in his country as a traditional cutler. His website is still active.

At any rate, this knife didn't see much carry after the initial novelty wore off. There isn't anything wrong with it. It locks up great. It's just one of those pieces that didn't carry well, and I realized it lacked a spring, which kinda left me flat. I guess I like a knife with good "walk-n-talk." After not carrying it for some time, it felt like a perfect candidate for this GAW.

After five days of it as my only carry, I've come to the conclusion it's likely going to stay in my "shelved" section of my collection. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don't find it all that carry-friendly. However, I'm not parting with it. This experiment taught me it's just too unique of a knife-- something I'd probably never replace. I don't want to experience "seller's remorse" with this one. Jose' made a fine piece (I still think no one makes a clip point quite like Jose) and his knives caught on with a few of us here This reminds me of my earlier days getting caught up in traditional knives; it's something I'll remember with a smile.

Ambassadors-3.0 by Pine Moon, on Flickr


My rebound knife will happily be my new Moki!
A sweet little lockback in Damascus steel


20200224_092509 by Pine Moon, on Flickr


Thanks Mike for a cool and different GAW. It sure was popular
I'm curious to see what the GAW knives will be and how the winner(s) get chosen.
I enjoyed seeing 315 's nice little Remington, D Duckdog 's Queen 31, Hibou Canne 's 35 Calf Pen, @Dschal 's & @mitch4ging 's 81s All great stuff guys

Lastly, I gotta give a plug for the safety pin method
This works well. It might even stop me from drilling lanyard holes in my knives!

Excellent post.

 

[Pinemoon]

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."

John Muir, The Yosemite (1912).

Yes, very appropriate
Muir is great. One of my favorite quotes of his is: “Who has not felt the urge to throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence?”

Doesn't that knife have an external spring Darren?

The knife has a spring, but the blade doesn't ride on it at all. As far as I can tell, the spring is only for keeping the lock engaged. I believe you have his vendetta model with similar palanquilla mechanism. I'm guessing it's the same as mine spring-wise. Perhaps Vince can chime in about his as well. There is actually very little keeping my blade held closed. I've had to be aware of this when reaching into the pocket for it. This is another reason why carrying it in a slip is probably a good idea.
I sure hope Jose's son keeps up the tradition. I'll have to reach out to Jose'.
And you may realize the error, but you called me Darren. ... close, but it's Don

I was learned a man would no more leave home without a pocket knife than he would go out the door naked.

Ha!
The best thing I've read all day, Sir
That'd make for a fine t-shirt

Excellent post.

Thanks my friend; you're mighty kind

 

[Prester John]

The knife has a spring, but the blade doesn't ride on it at all. As far as I can tell, the spring is only for keeping the lock engaged. I believe you have his vendetta model with similar palanquilla mechanism. I'm guessing it's the same as mine spring-wise. Perhaps Vince can chime in about his as well. There is actually very little keeping my blade held closed. I've had to be aware of this when reaching into the pocket for it. This is another reason why carrying it in a slip is probably a good idea.
I sure hope Jose's son keeps up the tradition. I'll have to reach out to Jose'.
And you may realize the error, but you called me Darren. ... close, but it's Don

Yes, I think mine is like yours: the spring keeps the lock engaged. But that is fine with me. My navaja is easy to pinch open, but it stays closed. I carry it in a pouch anyway, mostly to protect my pocket, since I don't usually carry anything else with a knife. My left front pocket is my dedicated knife pocket--since I was about 9 or 10. (I ain't NEVER gonna carry a knife CLIPPED to my pocket!) I do use a belt sheath sometimes.

 

[Jack Black]

The knife has a spring, but the blade doesn't ride on it at all. As far as I can tell, the spring is only for keeping the lock engaged. I believe you have his vendetta model with similar palanquilla mechanism. I'm guessing it's the same as mine spring-wise. Perhaps Vince can chime in about his as well. There is actually very little keeping my blade held closed. I've had to be aware of this when reaching into the pocket for it. This is another reason why carrying it in a slip is probably a good idea.
I sure hope Jose's son keeps up the tradition. I'll have to reach out to Jose'.
And you may realize the error, but you called me Darren. ... close, but it's Don

My sincere apologies Don, that's trying to do too many things at once, and posting on my phone! And being middle-aged of course!

You're quite right! I really hadn't given it much thought (the Vendetta is a pattern I like, but not a practical knife for me), and had assumed that the spring was much the same as on my Okapi knives, but as you say, it is merely a spring for the locking mechanism. The blade on mine holds closed fine, and it requires effort to open, but I'm guessing that is actually just friction, and something which might alter with wear. I do have a slipjoint of Jose's, and thought I might enjoy carrying it, but while beautifully crafted, I find it a little bulky, and worse, the nail-nick is so shallow, it is difficult to use Thank you for drawing my attention to this, and I'm very sorry about mis-naming you

Both knives:

 

[Crazy Canuck]

A little under one more hour to go!

 

[btb01]

I like the Sodbuster pattern, and I've carried this Farm & Field Bullnose a lot when hiking. Carrying it every day this week though, I was quickly reminded of how much I love my Lambsfoot knives, and how useful and versatile they are. I really like the handling characteristics of GEC's #71 pattern (one of the reasons I'd like to see them use it for a Lambsfoot), and I like the practical Shadow-pattern looks of the Farm & Field range. I think this is my only orange-handled knife, and I love the look of it. Great covers, the lanyard hole is a plus for me, and great steel, a very well-made working knife. What I don't like is the height of the point, which gives it plenty of belly, but can make penetration difficult, and even unsafe. Horses for courses, but, for the most part, I need that belly less than I need a good sharp point. While, I've enjoyed carrying and using the Bullnose, I certainly wouldn't swap it for my Lambsfoot, and I'll be glad to get back to using one

Starting Day 7 of Mike's Challenge. I will finish off the full 7 days of carry.
First, I want to echo everyone else's sentiments on this wonderful GAW. It was fun to read the experiences of fellow knife knuts being forced to carry and use only one knife. I believe I chose my knife well and didn't run into any major problems along the way. My opinion of the knife was pretty well set on the first full day of carry and didn't change along the way. The GEC #71 Bullnose is a great knife, it has high quality fit n finish, solid materials, and the strong pulls and authoritative 'snap' build confidence in the user. The things I like about the knife are; Build quality is top notch, the comfort in-hand is spectacular, and it's actually pretty easy in the pocket despite being a bigger knife. The things I didn't care for about the knife is the blade shape. I agree with Jack that a lower point is needed more often for my cutting tasks than a full belly, piercing tasks are a little difficult with this blade. All that being said, this would be a perfect choice of knife when paired with a smaller knife that has a Wharncliffe or Lambsfoot blade. I'm thinking about the #71 in the front pocket and a little Pemberton Wharncliffe in the coin pocket, that would have been a potent pair. Thanks again to Mike for the imaginative GAW and good luck to my buddy ED.

I enjoyed reading your Bull Nose assessments, gents! I’m a big fan of GEC’s sodbusters (both the #71 Bull Nose and the #21 Bull Buster), and would gladly carry a Bull Nose as my only knife. I do understand your point about the height/position of the tip — it’s certainly not the ideal blade shape for piercing, poking, opening packages, etc. — but in my experience, I’ve always found a clip, spear or drop point to be a bit more versatile than a straight edge blade.

All you modders ruining a perfectly designed knife!

I’m with you, Vince. I like Opinels the way they come. They’re comfortable in hand, and I’ve never had any problem carrying one in my pocket. I do think the No. 6 and No. 7 are the sweet spot for pocket carry.

I’ve been carrying my little Tidioute Nifebrite #14 all week. I chose it because, while I own several #14’s, I don’t carry them all that often. So I thought I’d give one a fair shake for the week and see how I felt about it. So, without further ado, here’s my assessment:

It’s too small.

Ok, so I may be oversimplifying things a bit, but that’s certainly the first thing that comes to mind when I think about it having been my only knife for the week. Can it do most of the tasks I need a knife for in any given week? Yes. Sure, there are some tasks I can think of for which I’d want a larger blade, but they don’t come up all that often.

That said, it’s not the size of then blade that I dislike; it’s the size of the handle. It feels too small in my hand, and not my grip on the knife isn’t as comfortable or secure as I’d prefer. I guess that’s why I’ve never joined the cult of the Peanut. I just prefer something that feels more substantial in hand.

So, for my final pics for this thread, I thought I’d photograph my #14 with some knives that I’d rather carry. First is the #71 Bull Nose. Very comfortable in hand, and more than enough blade for just about anything I’d need to cut.

This #25 is actually a bit shorter (overall length and blade length; the closed length is nearly identical) than the #14, but I much prefer the #25 because its short but broad size makes it feels like a larger knife than it is. Having handled them both back to back while setting up this picture, it’s amazing how different these two knives feel in hand.

Finally, I’d like to thank Mike for doing this GAW. I was a fun experiment, and a fun thread to follow along with!

 

[JohnDF]

(I ain't NEVER gonna carry a knife CLIPPED to my pocket!) I do use a belt sheath sometimes.

I'm the opposite, always have been.
I'd rather carry a knife clipped inside the pocket than carried in a sheath out in the open.

Love the Knifebrite #14, it reminds most of knives I carried as a kid.
I just contacted another member about his... but i don't think I want it "bad enough"... Lol

 

[Will Power]

I enjoyed reading your Bull Nose assessments, gents! I’m a big fan of GEC’s sodbusters (both the #71 Bull Nose and the #21 Bull Buster), and would gladly carry a Bull Nose as my only knife. I do understand your point about the height/position of the tip — it’s certainly not the ideal blade shape for piercing, poking, opening packages, etc. — but in my experience, I’ve always found a clip, spear or drop point to be a bit more versatile than a straight edge blade.



I’m with you, Vince. I like Opinels the way they come. They’re comfortable in hand, and I’ve never had any problem carrying one in my pocket. I do think the No. 6 and No. 7 are the sweet spot for pocket carry.

I’ve been carrying my little Tidioute Nifebrite #14 all week. I chose it because, while I own several #14’s, I don’t carry them all that often. So I thought I’d give one a fair shake for the week and see how I felt about it. So, without further ado, here’s my assessment:

It’s too small.

Ok, so I may be oversimplifying things a bit, but that’s certainly the first thing that comes to mind when I think about it having been my only knife for the week. Can it do most of the tasks I need a knife for in any given week? Yes. Sure, there are some tasks I can think of for which I’d want a larger blade, but they don’t come up all that often.

That said, it’s not the size of then blade that I dislike; it’s the size of the handle. It feels too small in my hand, and not my grip on the knife isn’t as comfortable or secure as I’d prefer. I guess that’s why I’ve never joined the cult of the Peanut. I just prefer something that feels more substantial in hand.

So, for my final pics for this thread, I thought I’d photograph my #14 with some knives that I’d rather carry. First is the #71 Bull Nose. Very comfortable in hand, and more than enough blade for just about anything I’d need to cut.

This #25 is actually a bit shorter (overall length and blade length; the closed length is nearly identical) than the #14, but I much prefer the #25 because its short but broad size makes it feels like a larger knife than it is. Having handled them both back to back while setting up this picture, it’s amazing how different these two knives feel in hand.

Finally, I’d like to thank Mike for doing this GAW. I was a fun experiment, and a fun thread to follow along with!

Interesting consideration of GEC's smaller knives. For me at least, it's an area where they pull up short, they haven't really mastered the art, balance&proportions of a small knife yet. I like the Jigged Bone 14 Spear I have but find no use for it really, too toy-like. Nor is this because I have a Yeti sized hand rather the opposite-long thin fingers. The 25 I'm less keen on than I used to be, I see its merits-many handles, many blade shapes but it feels trowel like The 18 Coyote is pretty but another toy like thing, the only 'small' GEC I like to use is the rare 33 Conductor and that's 3 3/8" so not exactly mini. Whereas CASE manages the Swayback, Penknife and Peanut (although the latter is not a fave on mine either) all credible users. I'd like GEC to do a Sleeveboard only not too precious in dimensions, yet compact. Let's see

Good luck to all who partook here, I can't do this type of thing as I like/need to have different knives about me, never been keen on just one pattern or type and my mood changes. Nor do I want to go back to my youth when knives for me were scarce and hard to come by

 

[Crazy Canuck]

All right! Going to temporarily shut this down and get working on the end of this challenge

 

[Crazy Canuck]

And after a quick break, we're back with our winners! Here's a quick video of the drawing.

Winners are:

1st Place - JohnDF for Modoc ED
2nd Place - Prester John for JTB_5
3rd Place - @CelloDan

Congratulations to the winners! I hope you’ve had a good week with your knife of choice, and got to know it a little better - even if it may not become a regular in the rotation. For everyone that participated, a sincere thank you for playing along and sharing your experiences.

Now, to end the mystery… As mentioned earlier in the thread, choice got you into the GAW, and one final choice remains for the winners. What knife do you want to win?

I’ve been a little cruel and narrowed your choices down to 11 knives. Why 11? Why not? I never said it would be easy

Here’s your pile to make your choice from.

I tried to make a pool that has something for everyone, and selected from 7 brands. Yes, there’s 4 from Case, but only because I really like Case knives and have quite a few of them

Starting left to right, top to bottom…

1. Bark River Little Creek in A2, maroon micarta handle - includes sheath so it can be worn on your belt, or dropped in your pocket (I prefer it in the pocket).
2. Case SS Half-Whittler (I believe the covers were called red barn bone?)
3. Case Medium Stockman with punch in CV, black synthetic covers
4. Case SS Wharncliffe Mini Trapper, smooth natural bone covers
5. Case SS Tribal Lock, black micarta covers
6. GEC Tidioute 73, black box brown jigged bone covers
7. Buck 503
8. Queen #48 Whittler in D2, American walnut covers
9. Victorinox Compact with nylon scales from Remade Knives
10. Victorinox Pioneer X
11. A. Wright & Son Ebony Ettrick

To keep this somewhat organized, first place gets first choice of one of the knives, followed by second place, then third place. After your choice, we’ll connect by PM for mailing address.

Please wait to post your choice until the person in front of you has made their selection.

Additional photos in next post.

So now we just need to hear from our winners…

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Solo photo shoot

1. Bark River Little Creek in A2, maroon micarta handle
   
   
   
   
2. Case SS Half-Whittler (I believe the covers were called red barn bone?)
   
   
   
   
3. Case Medium Stockman with punch in CV, black synthetic covers
   
   
   
   
4. Case SS Wharncliffe Mini Trapper, smooth natural bone covers
   
   
   
   
5. Case SS Tribal Lock, black micarta covers
   
   
   
   
6. GEC Tidioute 73, black box brown jigged bone covers
   
   
   
   
7. Buck 503
   
   
   
   
8. Queen #48 Whittler in D2, American walnut covers
   
   
   
   
9. Victorinox Compact with nylon scales from Remade Knives
   
   
   
   
10. Victorinox Pioneer X
    
    
    
    
11. A. Wright & Son Ebony Ettrick
    
    

 

[315]

Congratulations to the winners!!

 

[Wild Willie]

Most excellent Mike. Great week and awesome challenge... Congratulations to the winners, some great choices there.

 

[Prester John]

And after a quick break, we're back with our winners! Here's a quick video of the drawing.

Winners are:

1st Place - JohnDF for Modoc ED
2nd Place - Prester John for JTB_5
3rd Place - @CelloDan

Congratulations to the winners! I hope you’ve had a good week with your knife of choice, and got to know it a little better - even if it may not become a regular in the rotation. For everyone that participated, a sincere thank you for playing along and sharing your experiences.

Now, to end the mystery… As mentioned earlier in the thread, choice got you into the GAW, and one final choice remains for the winners. What knife do you want to win?

I’ve been a little cruel and narrowed your choices down to 11 knives. Why 11? Why not? I never said it would be easy

Here’s your pile to make your choice from.

I tried to make a pool that has something for everyone, and selected from 7 brands. Yes, there’s 4 from Case, but only because I really like Case knives and have quite a few of them

Starting left to right, top to bottom…

1. Bark River Little Creek in A2, maroon micarta handle - includes sheath so it can be worn on your belt, or dropped in your pocket (I prefer it in the pocket).
2. Case SS Half-Whittler (I believe the covers were called red barn bone?)
3. Case Medium Stockman with punch in CV, black synthetic covers
4. Case SS Wharncliffe Mini Trapper, smooth natural bone covers
5. Case SS Tribal Lock, black micarta covers
6. GEC Tidioute 73, black box brown jigged bone covers
7. Buck 503
8. Queen #48 Whittler in D2, American walnut covers
9. Victorinox Compact with nylon scales from Remade Knives
10. Victorinox Pioneer X
11. A. Wright & Son Ebony Ettrick

To keep this somewhat organized, first place gets first choice of one of the knives, followed by second place, then third place. After your choice, we’ll connect by PM for mailing address.

Please wait to post your choice until the person in front of you has made their selection.

Additional photos in next post.

So now we just need to hear from our winners…

Congratulations to the winners! I'm glad @Modoc ED was one of them. And some really nice knives to choose from.

This was a lot of fun, Mike. Great idea.

 

[Jack Black]

And after a quick break, we're back with our winners! Here's a quick video of the drawing.

Winners are:

1st Place - JohnDF for Modoc ED
2nd Place - Prester John for JTB_5
3rd Place - @CelloDan

Congratulations to the winners! I hope you’ve had a good week with your knife of choice, and got to know it a little better - even if it may not become a regular in the rotation. For everyone that participated, a sincere thank you for playing along and sharing your experiences.

Now, to end the mystery… As mentioned earlier in the thread, choice got you into the GAW, and one final choice remains for the winners. What knife do you want to win?

I’ve been a little cruel and narrowed your choices down to 11 knives. Why 11? Why not? I never said it would be easy

Here’s your pile to make your choice from.

I tried to make a pool that has something for everyone, and selected from 7 brands. Yes, there’s 4 from Case, but only because I really like Case knives and have quite a few of them

Starting left to right, top to bottom…

1. Bark River Little Creek in A2, maroon micarta handle - includes sheath so it can be worn on your belt, or dropped in your pocket (I prefer it in the pocket).
2. Case SS Half-Whittler (I believe the covers were called red barn bone?)
3. Case Medium Stockman with punch in CV, black synthetic covers
4. Case SS Wharncliffe Mini Trapper, smooth natural bone covers
5. Case SS Tribal Lock, black micarta covers
6. GEC Tidioute 73, black box brown jigged bone covers
7. Buck 503
8. Queen #48 Whittler in D2, American walnut covers
9. Victorinox Compact with nylon scales from Remade Knives
10. Victorinox Pioneer X
11. A. Wright & Son Ebony Ettrick

To keep this somewhat organized, first place gets first choice of one of the knives, followed by second place, then third place. After your choice, we’ll connect by PM for mailing address.

Please wait to post your choice until the person in front of you has made their selection.

Additional photos in next post.

So now we just need to hear from our winners…

That was fantastic Mike! This has been a really fun giveaway, great prizes too Congratulations to our winners, well done, and we'll done to everyone who has taken part Thanks again Mike

 

[Hibou Canne]

Congratulations to the winners

 

[chuck4570]

Congrats to all the winners, Vince go play the lottery, Mike thanks for all the enjoyment of this GAW and your generosity.

 

[AnW]

Congrats to the winners, many great knives to choose from. I really enjoyed the experiment this past week. Thanks to Crazy Canuck for the generosity and for providing us with an entertaining week.