Newbie introduction, questions and pictures

H

Humint

Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
963
Hello everyone. I am a long time lurker on Bladeforums, recent Gold Member poster and a complete newbie to the traditional knife forum. I feel like this place will be my new home.

What I hope to do with this thread is:

1. Introduce myself
2. Tell you how I recently came into traditional knives
3. Ask your advice on an upcoming purchase

Background: I am 31 years old, living in New England. I am married with a 2-year-old son and a baby girl on the way any day now, literally I am waiting for my wife to come downstairs and say it is go time. I work in Law Enforcement and just graduated law school and I am currently studying for the July Bar Exam. I love the outdoors, reading anything and everything, working out, being with my family and long walks on the beach, just kidding on that last one.

How my transition into traditional knives came about: I have loved knives since I was a kid but didn’t really start getting into edcing and collecting them until about five years ago. I started collecting and using modern production knives and stayed away from traditional knives. I was on the quest for looking for the ultimate modern production knife, the one that I would carry and use and never think about another modern production knife again. The quest took me over 220+ knives; from the lower end, price-wise, of Kershaw and CRKT to the middle end of Benchmade and Spyderco to the high end Chris Reeve and Strider, and everything in between The very last knife I ever considered would actually turn out to be one of the best modern production knives ever made (in my humble opinion of course)…The Spyderco Military. After finding that knife 5 months ago I have sold every single knife I owned. That knife is absolute perfection. However, that is another thread in a different forum. Long story short, since I have found my ultimate grail knife I wanted to look into also carrying some traditional knives. I should note that I frequently carry at least 4 blades on me at all times as each serves different purposes. More on that in a minute.

After finally purchasing and finding my soulmate in (don’t tell the wife and kids) the Spyderco Military, I purchased my first traditional knife (excluding the dozens of SAKS I have owned)…The Moki Kronos Large Lockback in Stag Bone and Mirror Polished VG10. What a BEAUTIFUL knife this is. At first I was way too hesitant to use this, and that says something because I had no problem using and abusing the 5+ Chris Reeve knives that I have owned, but I eventually got over it and started using it. I have not abused this knife as the swedge of the knife gives it a thin point and I view it more as a gentleman’s knife. But I have run it through its paces; cutting down thinner cardboard, opening packages, food prep, etc. I am trying to resist using the Military when I need a knife to cut and I use the Kronos as much as I can. All-in-all I love this knife, especially its sheath as it is one of the greatest sheaths I have ever owned and used. The knife is beautiful, functional (for lighter use) and I have no doubt I will be giving this to my son one day. I may do a review on it soon

My next foray into the traditional knife category was an Inox Opinel No. 8 in beechwood. I bought this knife as I always knew that Opinels were still carried today for a reason and I wanted a light-weight stainless steel knife for food-prep on the go. Even though the Spyderco Military is an excellent food-prep knife, since it was my one-and-only EDC blade, it frequently got dirty and with the stuff I was cutting I did not want it to end up on my food or apples that I cut up for my son when I am out. The Opinel solves this problem. It is now my dedicated EDC food knife. I really love this knife for its light-weight, simplicity, heritage and traditional feel. I have since bought the No9 in carbon for an outdoor gardening knife. And while the No9 fits my hands just a little better (remember the Military to me is an average size knife) the No8 is just plain better to edc (for its light-weight and size) and always have on me. I actually use it as my in-laws are amazing cooks but their knives couldn’t even cut butter, the Opinel solves this problem).

Which comes to the third part of this thread: What traditional knife should I get next? Again, I really am a newbie in this realm but I must say the beauty, simplicity and functionality of traditional knives has really tugged at my heart recently. I currently edc the Spyderco Military (for heavy duty use - in my left pants pocket) the Moki Kronos (for edc use and out in public - in it’s sheath around my neck under shirt, or in the pocket with the Opinel) and the Opinel No8 Inox (for edc food prep/steak knife in my right front pocket). I am looking for a traditional knife with at least 2 blades 3 maximum. Non-locking slipjoint. Although it sounds like I love big blades I am actually looking for a smaller peice. Nothing too large, something in the 2"-3" max blade length. Price is $200.00 max (lower would be better). Pictures would help.

Once again, I love browsing this forum and can’t wait to continue on my journey down the traditional knife road.

Pictures of my current EDC:

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Hi,
and welcome to our world :)
I admit you and I are worlds apart in terms of knife carrying, but I wish to give you my two cents just the same.
I'm away from home now and I have no pictures to post; I'm also trying to see things from your point of view...and it sounds like you might be fine with a full size stockman or cattle knife (like a Buck 301, or a GEC #54 cattle knife, just to name a couple).

Fausto
:cool:
 
Nice knives! I'm fairily new to traditionals also(outside of SAKs). I recently purchased and love my opinel 6 & 8 in walnut/stainless. I also use these for food prep. Stockman patterns are my favorite(3 blade) so far in my traditional journey. But lately I have been carrying a large case sodbuster and found it to be extremely useful. Nice yellow with CV blade. Good luck! Sorry I can't be more help.
 
I'm also new to trads, having bought my first two (below) the other day. One (the white bone) is Schatt & Morgan, the premium line of Queen Cutlery, the other a Boker Fellow with damascus blade. They are pretty large (3 1/4 and 3 1/2 blades), so my next knife will be a smaller slip joint. I'm looking at a GEC Pemberton #6 or a Toothpick (I like the toothpick style a lot).

But I can't spend the money for a little while, so now I'm just looking. Best of luck to you.

 
As you already have knives with wood, bone and synthetic cover materials, I would suggest something in stag. Your current knives are all drop style blades, so something with Wharncliffe and clip or pen blades would be good to try as well. From BFC participating dealer CollectorKnives .net, check out the #57 Half-Whittler, the #74 Saddle Trapper and the #85 Bullet End Jack in stag on the following linked page. http://www.collectorknives.net/greateastern5.html
 
I'm new myself, but welcome!

$200 and < 3" blade length is most of the slipjoint universe -- seriously, you have eliminated almost nothing from your search but customs. :D

Assuming you go with a 2-blade knife, how about this:
Jackknife or penknife? The jack will have both blades riding on the same end of the handle, running side-by side, on two springs. The pen will have a blade on each end and usually they'll ride the same spring and be ground so they don't knock into each other. The jack will often do a better job of packing longer blades into a shorter handle, I find -- the pen has to keep the blades short enough that they don't interfere with each other. The pen will be more slender, which is nice in the pocket, but can make them feel a little insubstantial in the hand if you really need to get a grip and cut something (which might not matter to you since you carry larger hard-use knives as well)

Carbon steel or stainless? I know I was skittish about carbon steel after a lifetime of carrying stainless, but now I probably carry 50/50.

I would say: go browse the Case website, and then go browse the Great Eastern and Queen sections of www.collectorknives.net, see what grabs you and refine from there. (Might wanna hand your wallet to your wife for safekeeping first -- like the Man in Black sang, "Don't take your guns to town" :D)

--Mark
 
Welcome aboard Humint, hope you enjoy your foray into traditionals.

You've got some really wonderful knives already. I see some common ground on them. Maybe a trip into something that contrasts with their style might be in order. From a traditional standpoint the blade on all of those knives is pretty big. Granted there are numerous traditionals that have similar profiles but there are a whole lot that aren't even close. Maybe something with the slim and thin variety might be just the ticket.

I'd say anyone who wants to try the truly quintessential American traditional knife can do no better than the old 2 blade jack. The Case 6232 is a great example of this style. Queen makes a nifty little jack that is very similar with D2 blades. GEC's Northfield 76 pattern is one I carry and couldn't be happier although the blades are just a tad taller on this model. All of these knives would give you a chance to see how a smaller set of blades fit into your want/need paradigm.

Will
 
Welcome to The Porch poster, hope you'll be happy here :)

I'd also reccomend a 2 blade Jack. There's a lot to chose from. Recently I've been carrying this GEC Serpentine #66 in Valley Green jig bone. The size of the pattern fits your criteria and there's plenty of options available. Good luck in finding something you like :thumbup:

Jack

 
I would recommend going to a dealer that supports BF, get a nice GEC eureka jack for under $100, and save the other $100, because you're going to go back for more real soon! Enjoy!

Mark
 
Interesting first post and welcome aboard.

First rule, imo, is there is no rule other that which gives you peace of mind. What works for me or anybody else here may not work for you. Your pocket. Your hands. Your decisions, ultimately.

I'm very glad you have the Opinel. I'll try to explain that a bit more in a second.

Anyway... let me just wade on in here.....

You might find that traditionals will give the option of compressing your carry down a bit. I too am a fan of carrying a single blade locker as my main blade. I also carry a back up single blade locker in my pack, just because. So, I'm with you so far. But, as you move into slippies, you'll find a lot of multi-blade options which may help consolidate all your other blades and tools into a single piece.

The first obvious question is multiple blades or a combination of smaller blades and some tools? You may have been on the right track with the SAKs, although really, they are awfully ugly and clunky imo. Just sayin'. Wouldn't it be nice if there was somebody making a traditional US style camper (like an SAK) with bone or wood scales and modernized tools like in an SAK? Just sayin'. Nobody does, so you're out of luck if you want a traditional with tools like an SAK. The one exception that I know of is the Boker Camp knife. That would put you right up to you $200 price tag. Case used to make one but they used old fashion tools. Meh.

If you want multiple blades and don't need tools, 2 bladed jack knives and 3 bladed stockmen (and their variants) come in all sorts of styles, sizes, blade steels and grinds.

Something worth mentioning... IMO, the "tradition" in traditional is centered on inexpensive knives made for working men and women who work on farms, ranches and in the trades. There is a deep tradition in mass produced pocket knives with less than steller fit and finish. I mean, do you worry about fit and finish on your hammers and screwdrivers? I doubt it. Steels traditionally are on the softer side for quick and easy sharpening on a pocket stone while in the field or on the job site.

Nothing wrong with spending $200 or $2000 on a knife. But you will find a lot of excellent traditionals in the $100 range and a lot of super durable and functional ones in the $50 range. If you shop the used market, you can find older but still functional knives for $20, including some real classics. This is a great way to try different patterns to see if they work in your pocket and hand.

Now we come back to that Opinel. I dare you to break it. Seriously. Yes, they do cut well in the kitchen. But go out and open paint cans with it. You'll be out what? $20 maybe? I think you'll find that the Opinel will be up to anything you dare throw at it.

I've found that an Opinel #9 or Opinel #8 (for me, and I'm not you) functionally combines your 3 current knives. It's the toughest knife I've ever owned (tougher than all my Bucks). I know how to clean it in the kitchen so I use it for food prep too. And, it's so citizen friendly that I can pull it out no matter where I am and nobody says "Boo".

Here's my EDC pairing. Get's me down to 2 in my pockets. A bigger multi-tool and big ol' Opinel #10 ride in my day pack.

edc-pair by Pinnah, on Flickr

My suggestion, hunt for the following on the auction sites and give them a ride. These will all fall in the sub $30 range.
+ Ulster BSA knife (SAK like)
+ Barlow
+ Peanut or Serpentine Jack
+ Stockman

Once you've carried a cheap version of some these, you'll have a better sense of what works for you.

Good luck
 
pinnah said:
Interesting first post and welcome aboard.

First rule, imo, is there is no rule other that which gives you peace of mind. What works for me or anybody else here may not work for you. Your pocket. Your hands. Your decisions, ultimately.

I'm very glad you have the Opinel. I'll try to explain that a bit more in a second.

Anyway... let me just wade on in here.....

You might find that traditionals will give the option of compressing your carry down a bit. I too am a fan of carrying a single blade locker as my main blade. I also carry a back up single blade locker in my pack, just because. So, I'm with you so far. But, as you move into slippies, you'll find a lot of multi-blade options which may help consolidate all your other blades and tools into a single piece.

The first obvious question is multiple blades or a combination of smaller blades and some tools? You may have been on the right track with the SAKs, although really, they are awfully ugly and clunky imo. Just sayin'. Wouldn't it be nice if there was somebody making a traditional US style camper (like an SAK) with bone or wood scales and modernized tools like in an SAK? Just sayin'. Nobody does, so you're out of luck if you want a traditional with tools like an SAK. The one exception that I know of is the Boker Camp knife. That would put you right up to you $200 price tag. Case used to make one but they used old fashion tools. Meh.

If you want multiple blades and don't need tools, 2 bladed jack knives and 3 bladed stockmen (and their variants) come in all sorts of styles, sizes, blade steels and grinds.

Something worth mentioning... IMO, the "tradition" in traditional is centered on inexpensive knives made for working men and women who work on farms, ranches and in the trades. There is a deep tradition in mass produced pocket knives with less than steller fit and finish. I mean, do you worry about fit and finish on your hammers and screwdrivers? I doubt it. Steels traditionally are on the softer side for quick and easy sharpening on a pocket stone while in the field or on the job site.

Nothing wrong with spending $200 or $2000 on a knife. But you will find a lot of excellent traditionals in the $100 range and a lot of super durable and functional ones in the $50 range. If you shop the used market, you can find older but still functional knives for $20, including some real classics. This is a great way to try different patterns to see if they work in your pocket and hand.

Now we come back to that Opinel. I dare you to break it. Seriously. Yes, they do cut well in the kitchen. But go out and open paint cans with it. You'll be out what? $20 maybe? I think you'll find that the Opinel will be up to anything you dare throw at it.

I've found that an Opinel #9 or Opinel #8 (for me, and I'm not you) functionally combines your 3 current knives. It's the toughest knife I've ever owned (tougher than all my Bucks). I know how to clean it in the kitchen so I use it for food prep too. And, it's so citizen friendly that I can pull it out no matter where I am and nobody says "Boo".

Here's my EDC pairing. Get's me down to 2 in my pockets. A bigger multi-tool and big ol' Opinel #10 ride in my day pack.

edc-pair by Pinnah, on Flickr

My suggestion, hunt for the following on the auction sites and give them a ride. These will all fall in the sub $30 range.
+ Ulster BSA knife (SAK like)
+ Barlow
+ Peanut or Serpentine Jack
+ Stockman

Once you've carried a cheap version of some these, you'll have a better sense of what works for you.

Good luck
Click to expand...

This is one of the single greatest post I have ever read on Bladeforums. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Also thank you for everyone who has responded. I am currently looking up all your suggestions. You guys are great!
 
If u like a bigger knife try a case full size trapper or large stockman. Other manufactures make these patterns as well. Look up case, queen, boker, German eye, GEC, Moore maker, canal street, buck, bear and sons, and hen and rooster. Prices vary among steel and handle material. Warning tho these knives could put that grail knife to shame!
 
Go buy a bunch of Rough Riders in different patters to find what suits you and what size you like. Once you have that figured out, then go shop for a nice one. Save ya some cash, especially with 1.9 kids you're gonn need it!

Goodluck on the bar exam.

-X
 
Congratulations, you have some really nice knives there!
Your Opinel looks like olive wood b.t.w., if it is beech, it is one of the nicest I have seen so far.

I would suggest a 4&#8221; or 4 1/4&#8221; stockman too. Having 3 different blades comes really handy and the stockman is usually very sheeple-friendly.
I prefer the serpentine (premium) stockman frame. I like stag, wood, bone and delrin handles, and on a stockman I prefer the square bolsters, but round bolsters are fine too.
Take a look at the Queen Curly Zebra Wood Cattle King Stockman (D2 steel, 4 1/4&#8221; closed, square bolsters) or the Queen Curly Zebra Wood #9 Large Stockman (D2 steel, 4&#8221; closed, round bolsters). The Queen Curly Zebra Wood series have an even better finish than the usual or previous Queen series.
CollectorKnives.net has really good price and selection, and a great customer service too.
As for the steels, on a multiblade edc knife I prefer the stainless steels. D2 is not a true stainless, but it is almost a one: it won&#8217;t stain so easily as 1095 or CV.

You may also get an Opinel with carbon steel just to find out how would you like the carbon steel blades. And while you are at it, get yourself a #9 (and a #10) stainless Opinel, and also a #8 and #6 bubinga ones! That way you will have Opinels for all kind of occasions and tasks.
Good luck in your quest and enjoy your journey in the wonderful realm of Traditional Knives.
 
I have a Camillus TL-29 that I love. It fits your criteria as well. If you'd like me to go into far detail, just ask
 
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