Perfect traditonal pocket knife??

S

Samon

Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
1,111
So, I'm looking for the 'perfect' pocket knife! Yeah.. not an easy one I know. Anyhoo you dudes have to be most knowledgeable around so let's start here!

Now, what am I looking for in a pocket knife and what do I like in a pocket knife..? here's a list.. :yawn:

.high quality
.sturdy
.brass
.bone/antler
.good steel - carbon or stainless
.blades must be under 3" long!
.no lock - slipjoint or friction folder only
.1-3 blades, I don't want it too thick
.Under $150

Ok so I hope that gives an idea of my tastes! :D

I'm currently pocketing a GEC bullnose, which is lovely but I'd like less plastic, more metal and a more tradtional look.. (yeah.. it's orange!)



So, what do you guys think?

Cheers, Samon.
 
Where to start? There are so many great knives that could fit your specifications. What came to my mind first would be a Boker stockman. You get three different shaped blades of carbon steel. Well within your budget.

Other 'usual suspects" Case, GEC, Queen.
 
under 3-inch long blade(s) refers to the peanut and the pemberton. great pocket knives. they just run the risk of getting lost easily owing to their sizes.
 
Boker stockman is a good choice, maybe something like the Boker Trapper if "sturdy" is a higher priority than short length.

Still, the most perfect Traditional on the market today is the Great Eastern White Owl. It's perfect. :)
 
gec 73 scout,single drop point blade,1095 carbon steel blades,burnt stag handles. coming to a Distributor near you in just a few weeks. probably around $100 bucks or so.
 
There is no right answer. I'm carrying a Pony Jack in my pocket today.

20130625_071233_zps7f8cfa1a.jpg
 
rma100 said:
gec 73 scout,single drop point blade,1095 carbon steel blades,burnt stag handles. coming to a Distributor near you in just a few weeks. probably around $100 bucks or so.
Click to expand...

+1. One of GEC's first and still one its finest.

mynorthfieldscout6.jpg


- Christian
 
How about one of Trevor Ablett's Barlow knives? See recent posts by Sitflyer and ScruffUK in the EDC thread for pics :)
 
Take a look at a Case 6318 medium Stockman in CV or SS - it will fit your criteria pretty well. OH
 
If your quest is to find "the 'perfect' pocket knife!", prepare for a life of frustration in search of that white whale.

If you might instead be willing to find "a 'perfect' pocket knife!", you could have one in your pocket everyday.

Get a Peanut.
 
Samon said:
.high quality
.sturdy
.brass
.bone/antler
.good steel - carbon or stainless
.blades must be under 3" long!
.no lock - slipjoint or friction folder only
.1-3 blades, I don't want it too thick
.Under $150
Click to expand...

Honestly, those are some pretty broad parameters. Under $150 will buy you pretty much any production slipjoint as long as it's not a GEC prototype, an annual Case/Bose issue, clad with ivory, or something rare and vintage. Personally, one of the main draws of traditional knives is the assortment of edges you cram into a small package. You like your Bull Nose, so I'd recommend looking heavily at other GEC knives. A Calf Roper or Maverick or Buckaroo has the classic stockman selection of blades: large clip, short sheepsfoot, short pen/spay. They also make various whittler patterns with clip or wharncliffe main blades and pen and coping secondaries, as well as single-spring half-whittlers. Their new Eureka Jack is a great 2 blade knife, with a spear main blade and a coping secondary. The spear main is great for most typical every-day tasks, and the small, thin, straight coping secondary is great for opening taped boxes, cutting cardboard, defeating evil clamshell packaging, or anything that requires a very precise, controlled cut. Go to kniveshipfree.com or collectorknives.net and just browse until something takes your fancy. Any 2 spring GEC should be thinner than your Bull Nose, which is quite thick for a single spring knife, as most sodbusters are.

If you want to go stainless, Queen or Canal Street might be your best way to go. Queen uses D2, which is "semi-stainless", which means it won't rust if you look at it sideways, or discolor instantly if you cut up an apple, but should still be kept dry and/or oiled to keep shiny. GEC makes some knives in 440C, but the choices are few and far between.
 
Last edited:
rma100 said:
Another Great Knife! I'm a sucker for the plain,ole pocket Jack! No Shield, No Etch, All Steel, All Traditional!
Click to expand...
Well said, Bob! (And thanks for mine - I've been really enjoying it :) )
I said elsewhere I wasn't sure if the Pony Jack would be able to kick the White Owl out of my pocket, and I'm still not sure, but they're both really great knives...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top