One Blade to rule them all . . .

[SA Condor]

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.

I'm sure some people would consider my scales great and not fat at all, but for me, it just didn't do it. I saw some of the pics people posted up. Some were way fatter, but there were a few that looked really nice and thin. I still have over a year before returning stateside, we'll see what I do when I get home. I'm torn! It's got sentimental value since it's the year I joined the forum, plus I was involved with the process from start to finish.

 

[mrknife]

I'm sure some people would consider my scales great and not fat at all, but for me, it just didn't do it. I saw some of the pics people posted up. Some were way fatter, but there were a few that looked really nice and thin. I still have over a year before returning stateside, we'll see what I do when I get home. I'm torn! It's got sentimental value since it's the year I joined the forum, plus I was involved with the process from start to finish.

i hear ya, i was away from the forum that year, i join in 2010, wouldve been nice to have been around then, so i dont have to shell out for the premiums now. keep it! its sentiment is worth more than money.

 

[JB in SC]

My Wiseman Front Pocket (3.5" closed) is becoming a favorite EDC, a working custom. Nice thin blade with great edge geometry, tough G-10 covers, D2 blade. Single blades carry slim and can handle most any task.

 

[Cannonball970]

I'd have to agree with zolthar on the GEC 83, it was my first "modern" traditional and it is a great little one-blade folder. I also like the Northwoods broadway jack and the Northwoods every day barlow pattern (which has CMP-154 steel). I also really like the look of those IRJs, I might have to pick one up when they do the next run of them.

 

[pinnah]

Regarding size...

I like a much larger knife. Something with a blade length in the 3" to 3.25" range usually. Above this and the knife gets too heavy to carry in my RFP and, frankly, too scary for the general public so I'm less likely to use it. Below this, and I have trouble getting my XL hands on it and I get frustrated because I use my pocket knife for food pretty much daily and short blades don't reach deep in the peanut butter jar or across fat sandwiches well. Here's a bunch with some commentary...

This is the Opinel #9. Handle is thinned and blade dropped. Easily my most commonly carried combo. (The Micra rides in my LFP with my money clip.).
Opinel #9 Inox Drop Point & Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr

My Buck 500. This is an older one with micarta scales. My favorite Buck and the second most commonly carried knife.
Buck 500 Duke & Micra by Pinnah, on Flickr

My Case Sodbuster. This is my 3rd most commonly carried knife.
<no picture... too busy... just imagine it... it's blue and looks just like any other Case Sodbuster that is blue...>

Lastly, the Buck 112. IMO, this is the prettiest production knife ever made. It's a bit thick though and a bit heavy. The other knives get carried more often but it stays in my EDC bowl with the other 3.
Buck 112 by Pinnah, on Flickr

All of these knives fit my hand well, handle food and wood work well and aren't too big for pocket carry and don't scare people. That's what's in my EDC bowl. The rest of the pictures that follow are knives that stored away. They're either too big for EDC use or too small and frustrating for me.

The Schrade 5OT. A real emotional favorite but too small for my needs. I do carry this whenever life forces me (rarely) into dress slacks. If I could give up food prep, I could deal with this for EDC.
Shrade 5OT by Pinnah, on Flickr

My most loved and least carried knife.... The Buck 110. Everybody should own one. I don't carry mine often though. Just too big and I can't deal with holster carry. I keep one in my car. I carry this older one hunting. Perhaps they'll make a slim line version some day.
Buck 110 by Pinnah, on Flickr

The "Pocket Buster", the Schrade 51OT. This is a beast. I carry this occasionally just for grins. This destroys a stack of potatoes. And just holding it in your hand is an experience. What a monster.
Schrade 51OT by Pinnah, on Flickr

 

[thawk]

I really like the drop point blades on these Rough Rider San Mai Damascas lockback knives. They are 3 3/8" aand 4" closed length.

 

[RobbW]

Double post

 

[RobbW]

The Schrade 5OT. A real emotional favorite but too small for my needs. I do carry this whenever life forces me (rarely) into dress slacks. If I could give up food prep, I could deal with this for EDC.
Shrade 5OT by Pinnah, on Flickr

I really like the look of this knife. The interplay of golden brass and forest green is just good looking! Reminds me of something nostalgic: like the Boy Scouts, my grandpa...something older and elegant. Great knife!

 

[black mamba]

My favorite is the Queen #06L teardrop linerlock, at 3.8" closed. I have both the amber and natural stagbones, plus a very nice newer winterbottom bone.

 

[Catherine_Montana]

At 3 5/8" closed, the Mini Copperlock is my favorite in that size. Thin, lock back/lefty friendly, and affordable.

Wow!

You have a beautiful blue knife. Thank you.

Cate

 

[ichor]

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:

What an elegant little folder!!

 

[Catherine_Montana]

Beautiful knives are posted on this thread.

The Buck 110 and Buck 55 were/are my favorite single blade folding knives. My husband owns them now.

I personally liked the 'single blade folding knives' compared to other styles of beautiful folding/pocket knives due to my hand issues.

I only use a knife with a fixed blade now due to my hand issues.

I do like the Case CopperLock very, very much, that one Queen knife and a few others too.

Cate

 

[SA Condor]

My Wiseman Front Pocket (3.5" closed) is becoming a favorite EDC, a working custom. Nice thin blade with great edge geometry, tough G-10 covers, D2 blade. Single blades carry slim and can handle most any task.

That is a nice looking knife.

 

[SA Condor]

I'd have to agree with zolthar on the GEC 83, it was my first "modern" traditional and it is a great little one-blade folder. I also like the Northwoods broadway jack and the Northwoods every day barlow pattern (which has CMP-154 steel). I also really like the look of those IRJs, I might have to pick one up when they do the next run of them.

I really like what KSF have done with the Northwoods knives. They're quite hard to get the one you want though because they get bought up so fast!

 

[Rebel Nimrod]

I rotate my EDC often and work in an office so my biggest use is cutting my food, pealing apples and removing staples among other things. I like knives and have carried my different styles and sizes from peanuts to sodbusters to Buck 110/112s. The best one I have found for my daily use is the Canal Street Cutlery Half Moon Trapper. Slim, very easy to carry, blade long enough to perform well with a fantastic shape, stainless, low maintenance, holds an edge, looks great, well fitted....for that environment it is perfect for me and rules them all!

 

[SA Condor]

Nice Al Mar! I think if you are looking for one blade to rule them all..... a single blade Peanut would be the ticket!

I just did a Google search for "one blade peanut" but I'm not impressed with the results. Do you know of a quality single blade peanut? Please point me in the right direction! I'd be willing to try one out. I have a 2 blade Case Peanut, but it is a nail breaker. I've carried it and tried to like it, but the nailbreaking is a definite deal breaker for me.

 

[SA Condor]

So in the last couple weeks I came across the Lanny's Clip thread and must say, I'm really drawn to the pattern! It's a single blade beauty! I still think I'd prefer 3 ½" or less. The only thing is that there is no poor man's version!!! I think I need to start saving now and hopefully someday get one!

 

[BASguy]

On the peanut front I've got a new Old Timer Mighty Mite that is a wonderful knife in all aspects. It's not something I carry on a regular basis because I'm a one knife guy and the blade is just to small, but it's perfect for dressing up, etc

 

[Dadpool]

Sorry for the rainy-day pic, but here are three of my favorite single-blade slippies:

Top to bottom, with closed lengths: Hiroaki Ohta friction folder (4", 4 3/4" with the lever), SM Scout (3 1/2"), S&M sheepsfoot Barlow (3 1/4"). I aligned them at the base of the blade so you can easily compare them.

Apart from being knives with a lot of pocket time, I picked these three to share because of their lengths. All three absolutely disappear in my pocket. All three give me a solid grip in-hand. If I can get four fingers on there, I'm good, and all three handles let me do that.

The longer handle on the Ohta in particular gives me more grip options, but all three are pleasing to use. I suspect you might be happy with lengths other than 3 1/4", but that said 3 1/4" is a great length for a knife IMO.

 

[Easyrider]

I have a couple of Buck lockbacks that I enjoy but these are my favorites. The green micarta model 83 is my daily EDC. It beat out the model 73 at the top of the photo for that honor. I really like the cocobolo 83 with a clip point but I can drop the micarta handle one and not worry about chipping or cracking the covers.