Pick one.

[5K Qs]

Thanks Barrett but what about these ?

I don't know enough about fixed blades to even make an informed choice here. I'll pass, Harry.

Or these ?

Goldilocks choice for me here: top knife is too big, bottom knife is too small, middle knife is just right!

Or these 14's

The main difference among these 3 is cover material, as far as I can tell. I'll opt for stag!

Or Pick one of these Bulldog Barlows?

Terrific trio, Harry! I'd pick the swayback frame on the right, thank you.

Other Red Barlows ?

Did not intend on overloading the thread , but I was just going through some of my Older Photos . GREAT THREAD Jiki

Harry

I'm not a huge fan of clip point blades, so I prefer the middle knife with its sheepsfoot.

View attachment 1940077

3 very different stunners, Dwight. I'd pick the Damascus lambsfoot with golden Sambar stag handle (AKA DamSamLamb)!

- GT

 

[Old Hunter]

This threesome is for the overthinkers and deliberators that dwell among us - love you guys! OH

 

[dantzk8]

Dan.

 

[5K Qs]

I haven’t had a chance to take any photos specifically for this thread yet, but I have some existing photos that will work, so…

How fat do you like your spearpoints?

I like spearpoints quite bulbous, but for this particular trio, the checkered covers on the middle knife win out over the 2-blade on the bottom and the fat spear EO teardrop on the top!

Try these for size

I'm still ambivalent about "modern traditionals", so I'll choose the ram's horn Tidioute in the middle.

Compacts

My first choice would be the horn lambsfoot in the middle.

Clip Blades
View attachment 1940112
View attachment 1940113
View attachment 1940114

I'd opt for the slender trapper on the bottom.

Last trio before bed

This turned out to be one of the easiest choices for me. I prefer the little drop point stag lockback by a wide margin.

- GT

 

[Jiki]

View attachment 1940699

Dan.

Stockman.

 

[Jiki]

 

[5K Qs]

Bubinga, Catalina Cherry Burl or Cork Oak — choose your wood.

That cherry burl in the middle stands out for me!

Three Saddlehorns :

Stag, please.

Three 92's

Stag, please.

Three Stags

Top knife would be my choice. It's so groovy!

Three 77's

Wood multi-blade, please.

Three older GEC Northfields in Stag

I'd prefer the multi-blade 85(?) on the right.

Three Grandaddy Barlows : GEC Northfield , Russell , Russell Commemorative by Colonial

Harry

Can't beat Harry's taste in stag! I'll opt for stag from Harry whenever the opportunity arises!

View attachment 1940330

In an earlier trio, I selected a jigged bone Waynorth lambsfoot, and I'll go for it again here. I had an unhealthy lust for that knife when they were first released, and I'm glad I'm over THAT, but I still think they're mighty desirable knives!

- GT

 

[5K Qs]

Dixie

What a tremendous trio of superb stockman variants, Will!
I'd choose the stag.

Un-American Stainless

I've looked at Moki models like that one for years without "pulling the trigger."
I owe it to myself to grab one in this hypothetical exercise!

View attachment 1940532

Dan.

I could make a logically compelling case to myself for choosing each of those knives, but if I let heart overrule head, I'd pick the swayback sheepsfoot in the middle.

- GT

 

[5K Qs]

This threesome is for the overthinkers and deliberators that dwell among us - love you guys! OH

Bruce, assuming those Bucks are racing from lower right to upper left, the knife on the left has a sizable lead, so I'd choose that one!

View attachment 1940699

Dan.

In this case, I'm not going to violate my oft-violated principle that more blades are better, and I'll choose the stockman on top.

View attachment 1940703

I'll let my Rough Rider loyalty take over, and pick the cheerful yellow pruner.

- GT

 

[Old Hunter]

Bruce, assuming those Bucks are racing from lower right to upper left, the knife on the left has a sizable lead, so I'd choose that one!

 

[Old Hunter]

View attachment 1940703

I'll take the top variation, I like the Demo Knife style build. OH

 

[Old Hunter]

I like to have at least a Sheepfoot blade and a Clip blade in my pocketknife. I also prefer them to be about 3-1/2" as well, but all three of these work for me. OH

 

[btb01]

What's the matter with the rest of you??

It has to be Cork Oak, corker!

That would be my choice, too, Will. The Cherry Burl photographs well, and the Bubinga has different layers of grain that are interesting, but in person the cork oak really shines… literally. The grain changes/moves a lot with the light; I think it’s what you’d call chatoyance, although I’m never sure I’m using that term right.

Un-American Stainless

Laguiole for me.

View attachment 1940532

Dan.

Tough call for me between the #99 and the #47. I’ll make a purely utilitarian choice and go with the #47.

View attachment 1940699

Dan.

I had to look twice, thought you were trying to pull one over on us with two of the exact same knife, just with different blades open. I’d go with the stockman. I love a square bolster stockman!

View attachment 1940703

Looks like a pattern I would probably never use, but I’d go with the top one.

 

[Will Power]

btb01 Thanks Barrett, good to see some people have taste The Cork is different and I suspect it really would shine. Interesting you chose the Lag, it's only 8cm but still credible and has a decent amount of blade- far better than the much vaunted Peanut which I've never really favoured. It's also got Juniper handles...so for this who like to sniff It also has a stamped blade. G.David makes a good enough quality well finished Lag in many sizes and very reasonable cost- just what a production knife should be.

 

[mbkr]

I like to have at least a Sheepfoot blade and a Clip blade in my pocketknife. I also prefer them to be about 3-1/2" as well, but all three of these work for me. OH

All good, but I'd take the Buck

 

[Will Power]

5K Qs Thanks, you would not be disappointed with the Moki- it's the smaller Blakiston's Fish Owl 3 /8". Astounding finish & quality. Mind you, the others are stalwarts too

 

[Will Power]

I like to have at least a Sheepfoot blade and a Clip blade in my pocketknife. I also prefer them to be about 3-1/2" as well, but all three of these work for me. OH

Yes, superb array but no contest for me, it's the Buck. Why? Not merely because it's a Forum Knife, that's no qualification as such, but it's a brass free zone, fitted with Elk, it's blade at each end-far nicer than 2 spring bulky Jacks, and its steel is very versatile in the field and super sharp. One of my favourites and constantly carried, thank the gods I have a backup example too, just in case I become the Loser who Lost the User

 

[Will Power]

Fancy trying your hand at Bucks ?

 

[Will Power]

The Three Bones: One, Two, One.

 

[Jiki]

I like to have at least a Sheepfoot blade and a Clip blade in my pocketknife. I also prefer them to be about 3-1/2" as well, but all three of these work for me. OH

The craftsman