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Pattern recognition: Canoe
- Thread starter quattromori
- Start date
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- Jan 10, 2010
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- 161
It is hard to beat a canoe for ease of carry in the pocket. I have a few including the Buck. You might try to locate a Dan Burke with the wharnie third blade as a whittler pattern. My EDC is an old Parker Frost Gunboat That is like a canoe shaped stockman. I like the standard pattern but if you are going two backsprings you might like another pattern like mine that close kin to stockman pattern.....Herb
dannyp
Gold Member
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- Nov 25, 2007
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The things I like about the pattern are the feel in hand while using the main blade and the difference in thickness of the two. A nice sturdy master blade paired with a laser thin pen is a good combination. The downside is that I find it uncomfortable when using the pen blade with the big hump of the wide spear in the closed position. I think that may depend on the manufacturer though and not be a problem with all examples of the pattern.
The Queen Canoe
Why yes.........
It is a single spring knife so it is thin in the pocket
The raised bolsters cover the tangs so it is easy on the pockets
The bolsters are wider for the length of the knife so it has an easy grip in the hand, and the raised bolster is a natural resting place for my finger
The main blade is the width of the whole spring so it a very stout blade
The stout blade is backed by large bolsters
The main blade is differentially ground to fit the secondary pen/spear
Because of this differential grind the blade is weighted to be slightly chisel shaped so it favours slicing
The blade is 2 1/2" 63mm long which means you have full control on the point
The point is very strongly backed by the meat of a spear blade
So.....
I feel I have this very stout and sturdy main blade to use well
The secondary blade is a wide pen blade or a spear blade
Half the width of the spring, with some nice swedging at the point to get a strong but narrow point
Again with a slight differential grind to get this slicing effect and the depth of the knife means it is easy to slice with
So the pen is this super thin, super sharp little lazer with depth on the blade
A great complement to the sturdy main spear without feeling redundant
Queen Cozy Glen is the same in carbon
But the Queen carbon is always thinner than D2, so the whole package is thinner and lighter
If you can find one, get it!!
Why yes.........
It is a single spring knife so it is thin in the pocket
The raised bolsters cover the tangs so it is easy on the pockets
The bolsters are wider for the length of the knife so it has an easy grip in the hand, and the raised bolster is a natural resting place for my finger
The main blade is the width of the whole spring so it a very stout blade
The stout blade is backed by large bolsters
The main blade is differentially ground to fit the secondary pen/spear
Because of this differential grind the blade is weighted to be slightly chisel shaped so it favours slicing
The blade is 2 1/2" 63mm long which means you have full control on the point
The point is very strongly backed by the meat of a spear blade
So.....
I feel I have this very stout and sturdy main blade to use well
The secondary blade is a wide pen blade or a spear blade
Half the width of the spring, with some nice swedging at the point to get a strong but narrow point
Again with a slight differential grind to get this slicing effect and the depth of the knife means it is easy to slice with
So the pen is this super thin, super sharp little lazer with depth on the blade
A great complement to the sturdy main spear without feeling redundant
Queen Cozy Glen is the same in carbon
But the Queen carbon is always thinner than D2, so the whole package is thinner and lighter
If you can find one, get it!!
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- Oct 14, 2008
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- 1,224
I don't post much here anymore, but I do read through the threads. Since you are talking about my favorite pattern, I had to jump in. Even before I started collecting, I liked the canoe pattern. When I would look at catalogs my eye would always go right to the canoe. I couldn't tell you why. Just something about it. I now have a decent collection of them, but could always use more. LOL Like others have said, it is very pocketable. I drop mine in my watch pocket. Perfect fit. I like how it is in the hand. Just feels right. The shape, and the blades above the main body give you a good grip. And I like the equal ends. And I think it is cool i looks like a canoe. I use the pen blade the most. I like it better than the spear. But the spear has grown on me. It has its uses. I have several Bucks, Rough Riders, Boker, and mostly Case. All but the Case's have more of a point on the spear blade, which helps its usefulness. Cases don't and I wish the did. I did get a Gunboat Canoe and love it. Kinda big and heavey, but a great pattern. The bigger spear is very useful. I do miss the pen blade on it theough. But it has a sheepsfoot blade that I love so that makes up for it. The spey blade I am not a fan of. But I do find uses for it. I have other patterns I like, but my favorite is the Canoe. Give it some fair pocket time, and you might just come to love it like me.
Bill
Bill
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- May 7, 2011
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It's funny how feedbacks on this pattern swing between rational opinions and emotional reactions.
The whole world of multiblades is new to me, so I guess my bias is still pretty weak (both in positive and negative sense).
But I do understand both points of view. My "judgement" over the Canoe pattern is still pending, but I like to read your opinions.
I still find it weird that one would look for a third blade (a main blade and a secondary blade looks like almost too much for me), but I guess that's just why I'm not that deep into these patterns....yet
Fausto
The whole world of multiblades is new to me, so I guess my bias is still pretty weak (both in positive and negative sense).
But I do understand both points of view. My "judgement" over the Canoe pattern is still pending, but I like to read your opinions.
I still find it weird that one would look for a third blade (a main blade and a secondary blade looks like almost too much for me), but I guess that's just why I'm not that deep into these patterns....yet
Fausto
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- Jan 24, 2010
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- 3,920
I like canoes quite a lot, both the two blade versions and the single blade by Jeff Mutz (avatar). I find it fits the pocket nicely and is comfortable in the hand. I've kind of gotten off on a jack knife kick here lately and haven't carried my canoes much. This doesn't mean that I don't like them anymore, just that I am experimenting with other knives.
Ed J
Ed J
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I did some research, and found out that there's not much variety in the pattern actually.
All production Canoes seem to be almost identical in blade choice (ok, it's the pattern) size (apart from the Case Baby Butterbean - which is in fact a small Canoe), and they're offered in a few handle materials.
I also found out that I paid double the US price for my knife...but that's an old story here
So far, I found myself using mostly the main spear blade, which works fine. The more I use my Canoe, the more comfy I find the grip on it. Too bad my Canoe has a very stiff spring on the pen blade, so sometimes I just avoid using it, and get back to my old single blade habit. I need more time...
Fausto
All production Canoes seem to be almost identical in blade choice (ok, it's the pattern) size (apart from the Case Baby Butterbean - which is in fact a small Canoe), and they're offered in a few handle materials.
I also found out that I paid double the US price for my knife...but that's an old story here
So far, I found myself using mostly the main spear blade, which works fine. The more I use my Canoe, the more comfy I find the grip on it. Too bad my Canoe has a very stiff spring on the pen blade, so sometimes I just avoid using it, and get back to my old single blade habit. I need more time...
Fausto
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- Apr 19, 2005
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The Buck Canoe,
Look in the Buck catalog and all you will see is a off-shore Canoe, model 389, which has been produced in several shades of colors and scale materials. BUT, there was a run of USA MADE Buck Canoes for the AG Russell catalog. They were made in India stag, Black Pearl and ivory.
The first (< 100) issues were ivory and there was trouble with cracks starting at the scale rivets. So Buck kept those with cracks and offered them with good discount (as seconds) on their website. They went super fast. Here is mine. Both premium steel blades (s30V, 154CM) signed, one by Chuck Buck and one by AG Russell. 300Bucks
Black Pearl AG Russell Catalog photo
India Stag AG Russell Catalog photo
Look in the Buck catalog and all you will see is a off-shore Canoe, model 389, which has been produced in several shades of colors and scale materials. BUT, there was a run of USA MADE Buck Canoes for the AG Russell catalog. They were made in India stag, Black Pearl and ivory.
The first (< 100) issues were ivory and there was trouble with cracks starting at the scale rivets. So Buck kept those with cracks and offered them with good discount (as seconds) on their website. They went super fast. Here is mine. Both premium steel blades (s30V, 154CM) signed, one by Chuck Buck and one by AG Russell. 300Bucks
Black Pearl AG Russell Catalog photo
India Stag AG Russell Catalog photo
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I don't know much about these patterns, and I had no idea of the US made Buck Canoe. Mine is the 389 actually in production (in China); my version is the amber jigged bone.
I have to say I love yours (also, it's a knife with a story, for the cracked scales).
I don't really like the brass bolsters on mine (don't ask me why, I never really enjoyed brass, and that's not just in knives), I prefer the steel ones on yours. And I also prefer smooth handles (no matter if it's ivory, wood, horn) to jigges bone and stag.
But, most of all, I love the fact that your Canoe has a wharncliff/sheepsfoot as secondary blade. Nice find :thumbup:
Fausto
I have to say I love yours (also, it's a knife with a story, for the cracked scales).
I don't really like the brass bolsters on mine (don't ask me why, I never really enjoyed brass, and that's not just in knives), I prefer the steel ones on yours. And I also prefer smooth handles (no matter if it's ivory, wood, horn) to jigges bone and stag.
But, most of all, I love the fact that your Canoe has a wharncliff/sheepsfoot as secondary blade. Nice find :thumbup:
Fausto
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- Jul 21, 2010
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I have had one Canoe and that is why I don't have two. I like the pattern and the strong suite for me was how well it carries in the pocket but I never could warm up to the blades nor the feel of the main blade while using the pen blade.
That's a real shame too because the of the two blades the pen seemed the most useful. Even at that, I always felt that the blades had too much depth for my liking.
In additon, I prefer a more varied selection on blades than the Canoe offers. A nice pattern all the same.
I tried it and moved on.
That's a real shame too because the of the two blades the pen seemed the most useful. Even at that, I always felt that the blades had too much depth for my liking.
In additon, I prefer a more varied selection on blades than the Canoe offers. A nice pattern all the same.
I tried it and moved on.
I love my Buck Canoe. I noticed a while back that some Canoes, like the Case, had a really blunt main blade, with very little tip, and I was never really a fan of blunt tipped knives. However, when I saw the Buck wood handled import, I fell in love. Looked VERY elegant in it's clam packaging, and for under $20, I figured I couldn't go wrong, you know? So I bought it, and have loved it ever since. I have the smaller Buck 303 Cadet, but the larger Canoe is much more comfortable in the pocket. The tip, as has already been said, is much pointier then other Canoes, so that works great. The one thing I have noticed about the other imported Buck Canoes, the ones with the different scale material, is that they don't have the visible rivets. I believe the scales are glued on, and have a propensity to fall off. Not a big deal, I guess, as you can just glue them back on, but for some it might be an issue. The wood handled one seems like a heavy duty slippie, probably the sturdiest of all my slipjoints, and definitely up to some hard work (whatever that means with a knife). I would definitely recommend anyone who wants to try out this pattern to try the Buck out. Inexpensive, incredibly well made, and durable. What do you have to lose?
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I think the Canoe design looks comfortable if it were a single blade design. I would think that the second blade would get in the way of comfort while in the closed position.
-Bruce
This looks like a single blade Canoe, is it?I've always liked the pattern myself. Not my favorite buy does get pocket time off and on.
-Bruce
I have a US made Buck Canoe also. Only a couple minor, and small, cracks. Blade steel is very unique but for some reason I've never even used it once. Time to dig it out and take it for a spin!
The Buck Canoe,
Look in the Buck catalog and all you will see is a off-shore Canoe, model 389, which has been produced in several shades of colors and scale materials. BUT, there was a run of USA MADE Buck Canoes for the AG Russell catalog. They were made in India stag, Black Pearl and ivory.
The first (< 100) issues were ivory and there was trouble with cracks starting at the scale rivets. So Buck kept those with cracks and offered them with good discount (as seconds) on their website. They went super fast. Here is mine. Both premium steel blades (s30V, 154CM) signed, one by Chuck Buck and one by AG Russell. 300Bucks
Black Pearl AG Russell Catalog photo
India Stag AG Russell Catalog photo
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
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- 3,681
I'm definately a fan, but I prefer the baby sunfish to it. The BSF to me is slightly better looking and feels better in the hand, but both are some of my most favorite patterns! If the BSF was before the canoe I suspect it's design pattern came from it. I don't really know, and that would be a good question for Mr. Bernard!
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I do love canoes (but then most forum regulars already knew that) and my fave are Queen Canoe: Single back spring, very thin pen blade. Cal Schlipner Canoe i got from Duncan, also single backspring and very thin pen blades. I got two case: Amberbone CV and Tru_Sharp barnboard red jigged bone: Nice knives. Two back spring and thicker pen blade are ok but I prefer single back spring and thin penblade.
Then there are custom canoes and single blade canoes... I love what Mutz does for his single blade Canoes.
Then there are custom canoes and single blade canoes... I love what Mutz does for his single blade Canoes.
silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
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The Queen canoe is one of my favorites, even while I was trying to get over the single spring 
.
.
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I'm pretty new to this, but I guess I would prefer a spring for each blade though I can't give a rational reason why...
I'm surprised to read that many of you consider the Canoe a pocket friendly knife. Not that I think it's not; in fact my Canoe stays in my pocket comfortably.
I just thought that other two bladed patterns (like the Swayback jack, or the Barlow) would be more pocket friendly (if compared to a Canoe of the same size, or even more if compared to a Canoe of the same blade size).
Fausto
I'm surprised to read that many of you consider the Canoe a pocket friendly knife. Not that I think it's not; in fact my Canoe stays in my pocket comfortably.
I just thought that other two bladed patterns (like the Swayback jack, or the Barlow) would be more pocket friendly (if compared to a Canoe of the same size, or even more if compared to a Canoe of the same blade size).
Fausto