One Blade to rule them all . . .

SA Condor

SA Condor

Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
1,704
Hello everyone! I've been back and forth trying out different patterns and I think I've landed on a single blade as my favorite. I've checked out the Northwoods Indian River Jack and I'd like to get one. That, at 3 ½", is about the biggest I'd like to go.

So now for your help! Please share your single blade traditionals: Pics and your reasoning as to why you suggest said knife. If yours is over 3 ½", please feel free to share. Perhaps your pics and explanation will be enough to sway me. And please please please, I'm very interested in sub-3 ½" patterns, so help me out!!

Currently the only one I have that's single blade is my Al Mar Osprey in cocobolo:

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this is a favorite for me by far,

a close tie is

but in terms of sheer numbers, i own more 2014 bladeforum knives than i do 48 big clips.

this is smaller and also a favorite, special mod from Glenn! :D thanks again!

for me, the search for a perfect single blade trapper has been an ongoing project for ages, even before i was a member on the forum, and even when i was a member on the forum but not on the porch. I googled single blade trapper and found many examples which later turned out to be 2dead's knives! when I began to look, he helped me out, and eventually sold me some of his CSC HMTs. I even bought some case slim lines which were too slim too my liking, almost fragile. the 48 big clip is by far my favorite in the search and although i dont consider the search over, i would buy 48s if i see them here or any where if the price is right. missing it in ebony now. In general I prefer single blade traditionals because of the slimness of the carry. of course wiser members always do suggest that there are days i may need other blades, so i shouldnt be so single minded :p o and end caps are not really the most important things, they are nice tho :D
 
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The #15 Boy's Knife is perfectly proportioned. Thin and easy to pocket, yet the handle is wide enough to give a strong, comfortable grip. Came in different blade styles.



The #55 Dogleg Jack is similar, but with more curves. Handle has an edge in draw cuts (like slicing apples). Came with different blade options.

 

Stan Buzbek made this for EO for me with O1 steel and burl amboyna covers. The knife is 3 5/8" (just a hair over your mark!) For me it is a perfect single blade size, enough to do most anything but not too bulky in your pocket.
 
Your knife size preference mirrors my own - 3.5" is about as big as I like, but under 3" is just a smidge under what I like. Somewhere around 3.25" is about ideal.

My current favorite is the Canal Street Cutlery Boy's Knife in zebra wood https://www.knivesshipfree.com/canal-street-cutlery-3-1-4-boys-knife-african-zebra-wood-serialized/

I'd been carrying around either my GEC Beer Scout or a Case Texas Jack, both great knives, but at that upper 3.5" length. Just happened to be on the Knives Ship Free website and saw the Canal Street Cutlery Boy's Knife. Nice looking wood, better stainless steel than my Case, and right at that magic 3.25" length. Came shaving sharp, and I've since gotten it a bit sharper. If I had the money I'd get another as back up since sadly Canal Street Cutlery will be closing it's doors.

Another option could be the Great Eastern Cutlery #25 Little Jack http://www.gunstockjacksknives.com/...Orange-Jigged-Bone-Tidioute-252115-bur-or.htm

It falls in at 3" in length, but it's a stubby, stout 3" knife.
 
svord_butter.jpg


I love the Svord Mini Peasant. It is 1% form, 99% function. 2.5" blade, 1.5 oz. Cheap handle, good tool steel blade, tough design, good size for doing most jobs. I've used it to shave my face, carve wood, make kindling, cook dinner...
 
mrknife said:
but in terms of sheer numbers, i own more 2014 bladeforum knives than i do 48 big clips
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I completely forgot about the 2014 BF knife. I actually got one and still have it. It's in the US and I'm planning on selling it when I get back. My slabs were thicker then I was hoping for. I definitely prefer a slim handle scale profile.

RobbW said:
The #15 Boy's Knife is perfectly proportioned. Thin and easy to pocket, yet the handle is wide enough to give a strong, comfortable grip. Came in different blade styles.



The #55 Dogleg Jack is similar, but with more curves. Handle has an edge in draw cuts (like slicing apples). Came with different blade options.

Click to expand...

I've often looked at the boy's knife. The ones that appeal to me most are the TC barlows with the single blade, sadly they are impossible to come by!

Ernie1980 said:

Stan Buzbek made this for EO for me with O1 steel and burl amboyna covers. The knife is 3 5/8" (just a hair over your mark!) For me it is a perfect single blade size, enough to do most anything but not too bulky in your pocket.
Click to expand...

That's pretty. I really like O1 steel too. If it had the modified wharncliff blade shape like the pics from idahoguy's thread below, I might be all over it!

idahoguy said:
Below is a link to a thread I started recently. I just got a Moki Small Kronos, look them up, and love the blade shape. It's much like your Almar, but with more of a curve to the cutting edge by the tip. It's a beautiful knife.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1318266-If-you-could-only-carry-one-blade
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Thanks for the link, interesting read. I'm going to look up the Moki now.

Halfneck said:
Your knife size preference mirrors my own - 3.5" is about as big as I like, but under 3" is just a smidge under what I like. Somewhere around 3.25" is about ideal.

My current favorite is the Canal Street Cutlery Boy's Knife in zebra wood https://www.knivesshipfree.com/canal-street-cutlery-3-1-4-boys-knife-african-zebra-wood-serialized/
Click to expand...

I've had that exact page open several times over the last few days! The shield is a real turn off for me. How slender is it folded? Any chance you could post a few pics from a different angle. If I can overcome the dislike for the shield, this might just be the one.
 
Ah ive been there, handle slabs on the 2014. The first used one was pretty close, got a second that had unproportionate scales but it was NIT, a third ones on the way that was patinaed but mostly NIT still curious about that one but the handle slabs were closer.
 
SA Condor said:
I've had that exact page open several times over the last few days! The shield is a real turn off for me. How slender is it folded? Any chance you could post a few pics from a different angle. If I can overcome the dislike for the shield, this might just be the one.
Click to expand...

Here's a cruddy cell phone pic, but it should give you an idea.
 

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Halfneck said:
Here's a cruddy cell phone pic, but it should give you an idea.
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Very nice, that looks like it rides nice and slim! Does the shield stick out or is it flush? I recall reading some threads that mention them popping out.
 
I favor knives ~ 3 3/4" closed. For me that's the sweet spot for both ease of carry and comfort during use.

I like the GEC #73. It's not perfect, no knife is, but I'm very content with it. I think the only knife that can kick it out of my pocket is a #73 with a clip point blade like the ones found on Tony Bose's BackPockets.

 
Nice Al Mar! I think if you are looking for one blade to rule them all..... a single blade Peanut would be the ticket! ;)
 
At 3 5/8" closed, the Mini Copperlock is my favorite in that size. Thin, lock back/lefty friendly, and affordable.

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RobbW said:
The #15 Boy's Knife is perfectly proportioned. Thin and easy to pocket, yet the handle is wide enough to give a strong, comfortable grip. Came in different blade styles.

Click to expand...

Love that knife. I'm hoping GEC does another run of those so I can get ahold of one. Been trying to find one like that but no luck so far.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
Nice Al Mar! I think if you are looking for one blade to rule them all..... a single blade Peanut would be the ticket! ;)
Click to expand...

I've not seen one or held one, but I'd entertain that idea. I have a Peanut, but it's a nail breaker, so it hasn't seen a ton of pocket time.
 
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