New to traditional folders, help me decide!

Kitten Party

Kitten Party

Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
1,125
Hi All,

Been collecting modern folders for quite some time but have been wanting to get into slipjoints. Usually my budget is around 200ish for knives every couple months but kinda wanting to keep it lower since this will be my first slipjoint and I dont know my pattern preferences yet.

Sooooo, was thinking the GEC #47 in wood, Northwoods norfolk whittler, or the GEC #85 bullet end jack looks really nice. Or, maybe i should try out different patterns with some cheaper case knives... IDK, honestly I think I just think out loud sometimes on the forums lol. Was looking at QC at that website where knives ship free but wasn't really digging any of them since they seemed to be competing in pricing with the GEC which I like the looks of more.

Feel free to throw out some ideas, I haven't done too much research on whats out there.

Oh, and I am a real stickler for good fit on a knife. I cant STAND an off center blade or other common fit issues so if a particular brand is known for issues in this please let me know!
 
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I love my #85- hasn't left my pocket since I got it. Hard to go wrong with any any of your choices, but I'm votin' on the 85

Peace
JustDave
 
That is what I am leaning towards. I saw a video where a guy used a dremel to cut an easy open mod into it (he had to grind the smaller blade into a sheepsfoot to accommodate) and it looked awesome! Not sure if I would be brave enough to do that though...
 
Advice I received when I started collecting, with traditionals it's best to pick a common theme for the collection, or you'll spin out of control quickly. Pick a brand (current or extinct), a specific pattern, a specific handle type, etc.
 
Rookie82 said:
Advice I received when I started collecting, with traditionals it's best to pick a common theme for the collection, or you'll spin out of control quickly. Pick a brand (current or extinct), a specific pattern, a specific handle type, etc.
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Sounds like good advice. However, my collection spun out of control LONG ago haha!
 
You could at some point get a passle of Rough Riders in every pattern to see what you like.
 
Your are looking at some great patterns. I would go multi blade for your first. I love single blades and carry them often but a great jack knife or stockman or whittler can be a treausure to use. That norfolk is a great choice, i love wharncliffes. Look at the Northwoods presidential or the 53 T.K. Cuban for a big knife thats thin and carrys well. I would also recomend anything on the 66 or 68 frame from GEC to start. If you want to try some single blades you can find the 55 and 92 in matching pairs with wharnies and spear blades. Welcome to the addiction lol :D
 
I would second the choice of a GEC #85 bullet jack, or else the #92 eureka jack. Both are medium sized, medium number of blades (2), with one large and one small, what multi-blades are all about. From either of those choices you can go larger or smaller, more or fewer blades, etc., as your experience dictates. I have both, and enjoy both a whole bunch!

#85 Bullet Jack in Burnt Stag
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#92 Eureka Jack in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone
EurekaEDC_zpsd41f8788.jpg~original
 
You'll be happy with the fit and finish of any GEC knives. I'd say pick one of the great patterns that you mentioned since you will probably wind up with all of them anyway.
 
I'd suggest on of two options. If you want to just start buying high quality knives knowing that you'll have a full stable of them, GEC is the most universally praised manufacturer on these forums and usually cost around $100. You can just start picking patterns and buying. If you're coming from modern knives I'd start with a 23, 72 or 74. These are very large for traditionals, but probably more in line with the size you're accustomed to with moderns.

If you want to find a pattern that you like and then go from there, Rough Rider offers something like a 12 pack of knives all in different patterns. You can test out a lot of options for relatively cheap, decide what you like and then go hunting for that. This is more the method I took, but I bought individual Rough Riders in specific patterns I was interested in. It was very helpful to have the various knives in hand to see what I liked before I started dropping what I consider to be serious money on knives.
 
I think that you will be pleased with any of the options that you listed. I know that you will be pleased with the quality of any of the Great Eastern Knives. As for the 3 patterns that you listed in your OP I only own one. I have 3of the Great Eastern #47's. Here is a photo of my Northfield example that has the Che Chen Rosewood, a very beautiful knife, but also able to handle any of the EDC chores that you should task it to do. You will receive a lot of good advice from here. We have very knowledgeable members that are always willing to share with others. Which every one you choose, I will say that it will not be your last Traditional purchase. Welcome to the Front Porch.

16095910136_aa36f63761_b.jpg


~ Ron
 
With your stated per-knife budget, GEC is definitely the way to go if you are focused on fit/finish in general. No guarantees of perfection, but in general they tend to impress. Northwoods are generally made by GEC (though sometimes Queen) as contract orders by KnivesShipFree and are also of the highest quality.

Rather than focusing on chasing down prior patterns, if I were a new collector just getting into GEC I'd just keep an eye on what they are turning out new each month. Check the Greateasterncutlery.net web page frequently for their "what's in production" and "production schedule" links. If there is something you see coming that really interests you, consider getting on a pre-order or early notification list with one of the dealers who offer that service. There are several who are regular posters in this forum (green names) who are all outstanding people to work with.

Nothing wrong with finding and collecting the existing patterns, of course, just sometimes harder to find what you are looking for.
 
Thanks for all the feedback everyone! So, I actually went with a 07012 case mini trapper in cv lol. I am going to be picking up a GEC sometime in the next two weeks however. I decided that I was long past due for a set of waterstones as my current sharpening system is fairly crude. Pretty sure I will be getting a #85... and a #47... and I bought a spyderco southard 2 weeks ago :D It's a sickness I tell you!
 
I am hook, line, and sinker on the #85. Along with the #66 and the #15.....the #85 is among the top of my very favorite patterns. Here are a couple of shots of my most carried knife...

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You are considering a number of great knives. My trusty #85 is the one I would choose if some nasty person said "only one". Let us know where you land.

Peter
 
Anybody new to Slipjoints owes it to themselves to get physically acquainted with the different models. That means taking out a couple of afternoons, a Saturday/Sunday or even a weekend and checking out flea markets, antique stores. Garage sales, gun shows etc and get some models in hand. It will do wonders for your knife collecting journey. Even within old, used, abused and often overpriced Slipjoints there is much knowledge to be gleaned. You will be able to tell poor quality from gummed up, you will tell what knife styles fit your hand and what doesn't. What blade styles fit you a bit better In Hand then in pictures. And you might just find your Grail without even knowing it. Besides, all of our opinions mean squat next to yours!! My opinion only.
 
Cory Hess said:
If you want to find a pattern that you like and then go from there, Rough Rider offers something like a 12 pack of knives all in different patterns. You can test out a lot of options for relatively cheap, decide what you like and then go hunting for that. This is more the method I took, but I bought individual Rough Riders in specific patterns I was interested in. It was very helpful to have the various knives in hand to see what I liked before I started dropping what I consider to be serious money on knives.
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I'd never seen that option. Could you PM me where? I've seen lots of the same pattern on the big auction site - but never a grab bag of their traditional patterns, otherwise. (I think I saw a grab bag of their modern folders somewhere, but not traditional.)
 
mooshisho said:
I'd never seen that option. Could you PM me where? I've seen lots of the same pattern on the big auction site - but never a grab bag of their traditional patterns, otherwise. (I think I saw a grab bag of their modern folders somewhere, but not traditional.)
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I shot you a vistor's message.
 
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