Picking my first traditional.

[D-R0CK]

Although I've been given a couple slip joints in the past, I feel I may have been a bit young to appreciate them fully, and I'm interested in getting a slipjoint to try for "EDC". I'm currently looking strongly at the GEC bullnose, which I understand is very highly regarded, but is a bit more expensive than I would want just to "try" traditionals. Some preferences:

-I REALLY like the look and size of sodbusters, whose lines are very similar to the bullnose

-All four of my jobs require a knife, so a decent steel is preferable

-Probably a single-blade design, unless someone wants to convince me otherwise (have at it)

-I'd like something with natural handles, no delrin please, seems to defeat the purpose of a traditional knife

-I'd prefer a knife that isn't very conspicuously branded

-Slipjoint with a cap lifter/bottle opener. Does anyone make one? I would get a multiblade if it had a lifter.

-Prefer to spend less than $40 USD

The world of traditionals can be overwhelming, and it seems that the sort of people who love slip joints aren't often internet savvy, which is contributing to my confusion! HA! Thanks All!!! :thumbup:

 

[Humppa]

Oh ... this is a hard recommendation here. The low price point doesn´t make it easier

If you like the look of Soddies / Hippeknieps but you would rather prefer natural material like wood, I´d recommend you one of the Solingen makers like Carl Schlieper, Otter, Löwen Messer that have wood handled Sodbuster pattern in their production line. Mostly the steel on these is carbon steel, C75 in particular mostly. You can usually choose between two sizes of knives.

If it should be a bone handled knife, I´d recommend you the CASE Sodbuster with bone handles - but there are just the small ones "Sodbuster Jr." available (IIRC).

I haven´t seen a Sodbuster pattern with a caplifter - so if you´re limited to that pattern it will be hard to get. (A Vic Cadet is usually a winner of the game in that)

I hope I could help you a little.

 

[arizonaranchman]

Case's Sodbuster Jr is available in jigged bone now. It's a classic and a good stout work knife and also fits into your budget limits. GEC makes a caplifter/spear bladed #15 but not sure if they're available new currently. You'll have to watch the exchange for them and they're also more like in the $80 range probably.

Sodbuster Jr in jigged bone is what comes to mind from your description. I use mine for the dirty work I don't wanna use my more expensive slippies for.

 

[Pipeman]

Yellow delrin is pretty traditional, been around quite a while. The Case soddie Jr in yellow delrin is about 25 bucks US. Great work knife in CV.

Best regards

Robin

 

[Ryan Sumner]

If you don't like the delrin case uses on their sodbuster jr, then you could look for this recently released model. It is significantly thinner than the delrin version, and has great bone!

 

[Lee48]

Case or Queen for the Sodbuster pattern, although there are various brands available.

If you want a bottle opener blade, you can't really beat a SAK.

Delrin, or whatever the composition was in synthetics, has been around for decades and is a very traditional material. Older knife guys remember fondly the Schrade Old Timers and Uncle Henry models and both were most frequently found in synthetic grip panels, saw cut delrin and "staglon". Case yellow handled knives are about as traditional as bone, stag and wood.

 

[jc57]

If you like the Sodbuster style, then AG Russell makes a couple of patterns - the smaller Rancher and larger Cowboy, that all come in close to or under your price point. They are available in yellow Delrin, black or dark red Rucarta (AG's version of Micarta), and rosewood scales.

The steel is 8Cr13MoV. They are not prominently branded, having only a plain federal-style shield, and no blade etch. AG's knives have a good reputation and he is an active member here on the forums. I have never owned one of these knives so I can't make a direct recommendation.

Another option to look at would be the Queen Country Cousin. D2 steel and a slightly narrower blade profile. I am not sure how readily available these are currently.

If you spend $40 to "try out" a traditional to avoid paying $55 for the one you say you want (GEC Bullnose), then you will end up spending $95 by the time you get there.

I can see dropping $10-15 on a Rough Rider as a test drive, but I don't get the point of trying to save $15 if you think you'd later go for the more expensive knife anyway.

There are so many options for bottle-openers that I would not restrict my knife selection looking for that feature. There are plenty of nice Victorinox Swiss Army knives that have a bottle opener. I carry a Vic Alox Cadet every day myself, though the bottle opener is almost never used. There are also dozens of little keychain gadgets with bottle openers included.

 

[jackknife]

-Probably a single-blade design, unless someone wants to convince me otherwise (have at it)

-I'd like something with natural handles, no delrin please, seems to defeat the purpose of a traditional knife


The world of traditionals can be overwhelming, and it seems that the sort of people who love slip joints aren't often internet savvy, which is contributing to my confusion! HA! Thanks All!!! :thumbup:

First, welcome to the world of traditional. And yes, it can be a bit much at first contact. But you say to have at it, so I will.

1. Multiblades; this is one of the best things about a traditional pocketknife, the choice of blades, and having more than one sharp blade available at any given time. You say you use a knife a lot on your jobs. Then you will appreciate the small pocket cutter that if one blade gores dull, you have another ne or two blades on tap. Many legions of working men have gone through a hard working career with a two blade jack, or even a stockman in the pocket, and all the blades worn down to steel toothpicks. A two blade jack of some sort will give you a couple of blades that can be sharpened in a different way, for different jobs. I carried a Buck stockman for 25 years, and I kept the blades for different uses. The sheep foot blade was my do all blade for opening boxes of parts to modify on the mill, or cutting the gritty filthy tape that held the bugles of round stock for the lathes. The main clip blade felt with food, easy slicing jobs, fishing duty, and any fine point work. The spey blade was my real dirty deeds blade. It was only semi sharp, was sued as a putty knife, poking and probing tool, scraper, and whatever. That knife saw me through the last few years of my army service, and 20 years of being a machinist. Aside from a scout knife or Swiss army knife, I found the stickman to be one of the most versatile pocket cutters available.

2. Synthetic handles. These go back to the 1800's. Gutta percha grips and celluloid go back to the old days and are very traditional. And like was said by Lee, generations of working men will have memories of the Schrade Old Timer line of knives that were almost the backbone of the workingman's cutlery in the 1960's, 70's, 80's, and even the 90's. My own Buck 301 stockman had saw cut delrin, and it stood up great, looked decent, and is still ready to go. And yellow delrin is about as classic as you can get. It was popuar in the 1950's, and it's still popular to this day. Not to mention it makes it darn hard to loose your knife. Yella handles go well with the classic old Chevy, drive in burger joints, and dime Cokes at the soda fountain. To this day I can't look at a yella handle knife and not remember a hot summer day, the fish in' hole, some cane poles, my friends and I having a lot of optimism and hope of the 'big one' being landed.

I like natural handle materials as much as the next guy. But I won't discount the synthetics, they've been around in one form or another for well over a century, and have a lot of history behind them. Some nice colorful swirl of acrylic or some golden micarta with the weave showing cam make an interesting knife handle that is as durable as is comfortable. The Bull nose is available in a wide variety of handles.

But, everyone has a different taste, that's why the ice cream police has 31 flavors. Sometimes you have to try something different.

 

[joepa150]

I would get a Case Sodbuster Jr and get a Case peanut. Total price will be just a little over your budget (about $50-55) if you shop online.

 

[mooshisho]

Case's Sodbuster Jr is available in jigged bone now. It's a classic and a good stout work knife and also fits into your budget limits. GEC makes a caplifter/spear bladed #15 but not sure if they're available new currently. You'll have to watch the exchange for them and they're also more like in the $80 range probably.

Sodbuster Jr in jigged bone is what comes to mind from your description. I use mine for the dirty work I don't wanna use my more expensive slippies for.

You can still find a few available. I'd just gotten mine last week from one of our dealers in ebony. It may have been the last ebony one available from them, but they still do have the red jigged bone the last time I checked. Absolutely love it.

As for my recommendations...

The Vic Cadet seems to fit the bill. ($30 for normal ones, and they go up from there for Limited Edition runs).

"Trying" out patterns via Rough Rider knives is always fun. Their knives run about $10 - 15 shipped on average.

Personally, I carry the Case Peanut in CV/yella delrin handles ($30) in my watch pocket and the GEC #15 Cap Lifter ($80) in my left front pocket (next to my wallet). Works fine for girl pockets and has been a stellar combo. On Class A days, I'll switch out the #15 for a Cadet.

 

[trevytrev]

I'd spend the extra $15-$20 and get the bullnose, it's about as good as it get's in the sodbuster department and comes in a few different micarta handles plus orange and black delrin. As others stated, delrin is about as traditional as it gets, so I wouldn't rule them out. If you absolutely don't want or can't pay for the Bullnose, then the Case Chestnut jigged bone in CV would be my choice for you. Nice thin profile and a good carbon blade all for under $40. Queen's linen micarta soduster would be another choice for about $45, blade is D2 steel.

If you're interested in a knife with a caplifter, go with one of the Swiss Army Alox models. The electrician has a main Spear Blade, a smaller sheepsfoot blade, awl and bottleopener/flathead screwdriver with metal handles, can be had for about $25 bucks. There are other variations of the aloxes as well so you have lots of options.
Good luck!

 

[jc57]

Minor point - the Case Amber Bone Sod Buster Jr is stainless steel. It's the Chestnut Bone Sod Buster Jr that's CV (carbon) steel.

 

[trevytrev]

Minor point - the Case Amber Bone Sod Buster Jr is stainless steel. It's the Chestnut Bone Sod Buster Jr that's CV (carbon) steel.

Thank you, too early in the morning for me Post edited for correction. To the OP, there is only one Case in bone handles that come in CV, that would be the Chestnut version. All other bone versions are stainless.

 

[Lemmy Caution]

The sodbuster pattern is the american version of a large family of traditional working knives. It has many cousins form europe and elsewhere. For your considertion, the Aitor Castor Mediana.



Shown next to a Case Sodbuster Jr for size comparison. There is also a larger and smaller version, the Grande or the Pequeya. Its a spanish work knife in Bubinga wood and carbon steel for under 25 bucks. Theyre very sturdy and have a bear trap spring. The factory blade etch will disappear under your own patina and the stamped name on the handle comes off with a light sanding, so after a tiny bit of work the knife has no makers mark at all.

 

[Lemmy Caution]

With a small amount of modding the Opinel can assume the form of a woodhandled locking sodbuster. This blue dyed one is the number 7, closest in size to the SB Jr.

 

[yatsunil]

If you spend $40 to "try out" a traditional to avoid paying $55 for the one you say you want (GEC Bullnose), then you will end up spending $95 by the time you get there.

Agree 100%. Been there, done that. I bought 2 delrin Case Sodbuster Jrs and still wasn't quite satisfied. Finally I ponied up for a Bull Nose in Maroon Micarta. Initially I didn't believe that the GEC would be twice the knife that the Case was even though it cost twice as much. But it IS that and more. If you really want the Bull Nose, get it. You won't regret it.
Linus

 

[KBA]

Agree 100%. Been there, done that. I bought 2 delrin Case Sodbuster Jrs and still wasn't quite satisfied. Finally I ponied up for a Bull Nose in Maroon Micarta. Initially I didn't believe that the GEC would be twice the knife that the Case was even though it cost twice as much. But it IS that and more. If you really want the Bull Nose, get it. You won't regret it.
Linus

+1 here on the Bull Nose. Watch the exchange and not worrying about getting a used one. Thought I saw one the other day for around 45.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Get a used Bullnose, you'll eventually get one, just get it right out of the gate. The bone handled sodbuster is a great looking knife, but prepare for it to get abused at work. A yellow delrin or black delrin Case, a micarta Queen country cousin or a micarta handled Bullnose will stand up to years of use (note I did not say abuse ).

 

[D-R0CK]

Wow! What an overwhelming response! Thanks everyone :thumbup:

If you like the Sodbuster style, then AG Russell makes a couple of patterns

Another option to look at would be the Queen Country Cousin. D2 steel and a slightly narrower blade profile. I am not sure how readily available these are currently.

If you spend $40 to "try out" a traditional to avoid paying $55 for the one you say you want (GEC Bullnose), then you will end up spending $95 by the time you get there.

I can see dropping $10-15 on a Rough Rider as a test drive, but I don't get the point of trying to save $15 if you think you'd later go for the more expensive knife anyway.

Where does one order a GEC sodbuster in micarta, anyways? I can't find them in stock anywhere... Or the Queen in micarta either!

First, welcome to the world of traditional. And yes, it can be a bit much at first contact. But you say to have at it, so I will.

1. Multiblades

2. Synthetic handles.

I like natural handle materials as much as the next guy. But I won't discount the synthetics, they've been around in one form or another for well over a century, and have a lot of history behind them. Some nice colorful swirl of acrylic or some golden micarta with the weave showing cam make an interesting knife handle that is as durable as is comfortable. The Bull nose is available in a wide variety of handles.

But, everyone has a different taste, that's why the ice cream police has 31 flavors. Sometimes you have to try something different.

Maybe I've been unfair.

I'll take another look at delrin, I suppose it probably does stand up to chemicals somewhat better.

Agree 100%. Been there, done that. I bought 2 delrin Case Sodbuster Jrs and still wasn't quite satisfied. Finally I ponied up for a Bull Nose in Maroon Micarta. Initially I didn't believe that the GEC would be twice the knife that the Case was even though it cost twice as much. But it IS that and more. If you really want the Bull Nose, get it. You won't regret it.
Linus

Thanks, you don't seem to be alone in thinking this. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[D-R0CK]

I really like the rancher in rucarta, and the price even more! :thumbup: but 8Cr13MoV is a pretty serious step down from D2... How is the quality? I see it's made in china... not a deal breaker, but I would prefer a knife manufactured in a democracy. How is case's CV regarded now? Older forum posts don't seem to regard it very highly... Thanks all!