Options on budget single blade traditionals

I know you mentored staying with a traditional scale but if you ventured out from there you could also look at a Victorinox Cadet. Single blade, very useful tools, ultra thin and light and very people/office friendly. The Cadet and Cadet Bantam (only blade and cap lifter) can be had for around $30 each.
 
Wow. Just wow. You guys are incredible.

I'm not going to be able to get back to every single post, but I did read every one and want you all to know I greatly appreciate the help and advice. You are a freaking wealth of knowledge and it makes me want to hang around "the porch" more and just absorb some of it.

Loved the suggestions for knives like DoukDouk, Mercator, Opinel etc... I actually already have those, so I know how good they are and what a great suggestion that is based on my criteria. In this instance i'm looking for something that falls more in line with the classic slip joint sort of look... you know, the look you associate with Case, or Buck's 300 series, or GEC, or any of the other great makers of such things. I should add that I do have the Vic. Alox knives as well, and it's another fantastic suggestion though not quite what i'm looking for here.

Meako- Normally I'd say your spot on. It just so happens I had a very negative experience with Schrade (their more recent interaction under Taylor) about 5-6 years ago. It's kind of soured me on their knives, although I'm starting to come around and willing to give them a shot. I'll keep an eye out for the Old Timer.

TX- If you can pocket carry a buck 110, you're a better man than me. I have probably a half dozen... all of which go in a sheath on my belt. You get major juevos-points for pocket carrying the 110.

NJBill, that Grohmann knife is flat out gorgeous.

You guys are right that I hadn't located the less expensive source for the bone Sodbuster Jr... Now is there anywhere other than "big river" that sells them under budget?

A forum member PMed me and was kind enough to offer to sell me a knife or two of his that might fit the bill going to explore that option. I'll update...
 
19-3ben, the problem with your price point is that it kind of puts you in a no-man's land. There are inexpensive and decent traditional slipjoint knives in natural (bone, wood) handles that are made in Asia and imported. Rough Rider and related brands are a good example. These will be in the $10 to $20 range.

Then there is a gap, in the $20 to $35 range, where you have western (North American and European made) knives that is occupied by synthetic handle materials - Delrin, Zytel, and similar. You just start to get into the natural handle materials again at around the $35-$55 range, where there is a pretty good selection, but you are really limited to Case and maybe a few Queen knives, up to maybe $80. Then starting around $80 and up, you have GEC and more Queen patterns.

The other problem is wanting just a single-blade knife. There aren't as many single-blade patterns in traditional slipjoints as there are multi-blade patterns, so your choice is again limited.

So you've kind of painted yourself into a fairly restricted corner where there are only a few patterns that will fit your requirements. The good news is that if one of the few knives in that category suits you, you are done looking. For example - if you like the Case Sod Buster Jr pattern, you are done. Chestnut Bone CV and Amber Bone SS are both right around your $40 price point. But if you want a different blade shape, you will have to keep looking.

I really think it's best if you figure out exactly what size, blade shape, pattern, and handle material you want, and then go looking for knives that match that set of criteria. You will then have a realistic range of prices of what fits what you want, and can decide from among them. Or, at least you will have discovered that what you want is $60 (for example) and it's not worth it to you.
 
19-3ben said:
...
You guys are right that I hadn't located the less expensive source for the bone Sodbuster Jr... Now is there anywhere other than "big river" that sells them under budget?
Click to expand...
I PM'ed you a list of places to browse.
 
I agree with going with Rough Rider. Many single blade models. IMHO, made as well as Case at much less cost. You can try several RRs for the cost of one Case.
Rich
 
Ice Tigre said:
I'd like to know where these can be ad for $40 or $50!
Best I could find recently was around $70..
Click to expand...

Yes. CASE prices really seem to have gone up a lot lately.

meako the picture of my knife you used might give the impression it is large, it is not only 3" closed. Quality and finish of the Chinese Schrade lock backs I've had have been extremely good. But it's a small type.
 
I second the recommendation of Sodbusters and Opinels. I own and love both.

BTW, NJBillK, you just cost me $69 by posting the pic of that Grohmann.:D
 
The OP said small and had yours in mind as an LB3 small schrade. Small in size, large on style:thumbup:
 
The OP said small and I had yours in mind as an LB3 small schrade. Small in size, large on style:thumbup:
 
19-3ben, why just a single blade? Tell you what, get the Case Mini Trapper with Caplifter. It has a Caplifter/Screwdriver and a single blade. If all you have is a single blade, eventually you're going to be in a situation where you need a screwdriver and end up ruining that single blade, but with a caplifter/screwdriver, you'll have the screwdriver. So there ya go, one single blade and a screwdriver as well as a caplifter which is easier to use than actually twisting off the caps on beer.
I'm waiting for Case to come out with a full size trapper with the clip point blade and an electircians style screwdriver and caplifter.
 
I also like the one blade traditional slipjoint.

The Case Sodbuster in CV steel, already mentioned, is a winner IMO. Chestnut or "Whiskey" Bone scales.
Boker makes a one blade trapper in Germany that's very nice. Also carbon steel. Just have to be careful
because Boker is producing some knives in a couple of different countries - in my understanding - and the
original "Made in Solingen Germany" seem to have the best build quality and classic lines.
Also, recently I took a bit of a risk and bought a rosewood handled Bear & Son one blade trapper
(very similar to Case's Slim Line Trapper). After all the criticisms I'd heard about Bear, I was most
pleasantly surprised - if not shocked - at how nicely made this little knife was for $35.00 or so.
With a 1095 carbon steel blade, even.

Then, of course, there are the Queen's, Northwood's, and Schatt & Morgan's - though those tend
to be a bit pricier than the others mentioned.

There are a few others, just not coming to my mind right now due to the very late hour.

If & when I think of some more, I'll gladly come back and post them.
 
bt93 said:
19-3ben, why just a single blade? Tell you what, get the Case Mini Trapper with Caplifter. It has a Caplifter/Screwdriver and a single blade. If all you have is a single blade, eventually you're going to be in a situation where you need a screwdriver and end up ruining that single blade, but with a caplifter/screwdriver, you'll have the screwdriver. So there ya go, one single blade and a screwdriver as well as a caplifter which is easier to use than actually twisting off the caps on beer.
I'm waiting for Case to come out with a full size trapper with the clip point blade and an electircians style screwdriver and caplifter.
Click to expand...

I don't have the cap lifter model but I actually do have a Case mini trapper. I love the knife. It s a jigged white synthetic model. The darned thing is perfect. Fit and finish is excellent, great walk and talk.

I wear dress pants at work sometimes (depending on my schedule for the day), and have come to really appreciate how slim and light my Buck 302 is, so I was thinking of something similar, hence my asking about slim line trappers. I figure those are the closest equivalent to the 302.
Otherwise, I'm fine with a medium Sotckman trapper or whatever else when i can carry more.
I've found that 99% of the time I don't really need more than one blade anyway. So for this particular job, I'm looking for slim, light single blades.

Now... ummm... question for you guys. I mentioned the Boker slim line single bladed knife in my OP and while I've gotten lots of suggestions, nobody is weighing in on the Boker. Are they crap? Or is it an awesome value at $30? Is there something I'm missing here?
 
Henry Beige said:
Opinel, Mercator, MAM, Aitor, Douk-Douk, Svord peasant knife. Victorinox has a number of single blade knives. Pallares Solsona. All under$50, most under $20. This list is far from exhaustive.
Click to expand...

I would add to Henry's list of exotic but cool cutlery the Okapi Biltong knife from South Africa. A single blade sheepfoot in carbon steel with a resin impregnated cherry wood handle. The handle is single piece, like the Opinel or the MAM and in the same price range. It uses an external spring design, dating from 1902. I purchased one for a friend who had been on a Mission trip in SA, and was impressed by its light weight and comfortable handle.
 
If the Buck single blade is working out for you, then you may like a granddaddy barlow. Still a slim built knife though a bit longer than the Buck 302. Lays flat in the pocket, and gives a lot of cutting packed into a slim package. Lot's of history in that pattern as well.

There's a lot of patterns to explore with traditional's!
 
Bear and Sons Heritage Walnut slimline 3" blade. $29 at Blade HQ.
bear-and-son-c2148-jm.jpg
 
jc57 said:
19-3ben, the problem with your price point is that it kind of puts you in a no-man's land. There are inexpensive and decent traditional slipjoint knives in natural (bone, wood) handles that are made in Asia and imported. Rough Rider and related brands are a good example. These will be in the $10 to $20 range.

Then there is a gap, in the $20 to $35 range, where you have western (North American and European made) knives that is occupied by synthetic handle materials - Delrin, Zytel, and similar. You just start to get into the natural handle materials again at around the $35-$55 range, where there is a pretty good selection, but you are really limited to Case and maybe a few Queen knives, up to maybe $80. Then starting around $80 and up, you have GEC and more Queen patterns.

The other problem is wanting just a single-blade knife. There aren't as many single-blade patterns in traditional slipjoints as there are multi-blade patterns, so your choice is again limited.

So you've kind of painted yourself into a fairly restricted corner where there are only a few patterns that will fit your requirements. The good news is that if one of the few knives in that category suits you, you are done looking. For example - if you like the Case Sod Buster Jr pattern, you are done. Chestnut Bone CV and Amber Bone SS are both right around your $40 price point. But if you want a different blade shape, you will have to keep looking.

I really think it's best if you figure out exactly what size, blade shape, pattern, and handle material you want, and then go looking for knives that match that set of criteria. You will then have a realistic range of prices of what fits what you want, and can decide from among them. Or, at least you will have discovered that what you want is $60 (for example) and it's not worth it to you.
Click to expand...

This sums up my experiences in terms of current price points. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but seriously consider a single blade GEC #48 Weasel which will run you a bit more, but probably worth it. Really nice knife!

There are also the #14 Boys Knife with single blades both in a regular build and a barlow. Nice little and very useful knife!

The sodbusters are always pretty economical. I have a #71 and I like it. But I am starting to think I would rather have a typical clip blade on a knife like this as I think it is more useful for light cutting that you might do around the office. A clip or spear point blade design is better for piercing things like opening a pack of batteries.
 
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