Pocket friendly traditionals

timwilso

timwilso

Joined
Nov 25, 2014
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265
So I'm really not very familiar with traditionals. I'm interested in picking up something smallish that would be very comfortable to throw in my pocket during my work day. 1 blade or multi blades doesn't matter. Just hoping you guys could give me some good suggestions. Its hard to tell the larger ones from the smaller ones when browsing sites. Thanks for the help!
 
The new 38 grinling whittler is great in pocket and has three blades. Nice easy pull. Im a huge fan.
 
in my experience, though I prefer something larger for while I am working (3.875"~) , a 3.625" frame fits the pocket very well without sacrificing too much in the hand. My Case Canoe has to be one of my most pocket able knives. Nice and slim with two blades. My boker barlow at 3.5" carries very nicely as well.
 
jmarston said:
in my experience, though I prefer something larger for while I am working (3.875"~) , a 3.625" frame fits the pocket very well without sacrificing too much in the hand. My Case Canoe has to be one of my most pocket able knives. Nice and slim with two blades. My boker barlow at 3.5" carries very nicely as well.
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I think a smaller frame is what I'm looking for. I may not have worded that very well.
 
The humble Case Peanut is a fantastic little companion and performs way above it's fighting weight.
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Do you guys recommend the chrome vanadium, stainless, or surgical steel option of the peanut?
 
Can you provide some more information in order to help narrow things down? Smaller frame is very subjective. If you're used to modern flippers most traditionals are going to seem smaller to you.

What closed length are you looking for? Giving a range would help.
What is your budget?
Does your work day involve business suits and board rooms, cutting cardboard, chopping down trees?

The two patterns that every upstanding Traditional regular is obligated to bring up are the peanut and the GEC #15. Both carry very easily and are wildly popular. Case and Queen are both making peanuts that are worth looking into.

Queen's S&M Gentlemen's series are all quite small. http://queencutlery.com/SXM_Gentlemen_s_Stag.html The Queen small sleeveboard is one that I'm planning on giving a go.

GEC's smaller patterns are the #6, #9, #22, #25 and #33. They all carry very easily, though the 22 and 25 are pretty stout and fill the hand more than their measurements would suggest.

There are also patterns that are made by multiple companies that are known for being small. Anything that says pen knife or gentlemen's knife is usually going to be small. The previously mentioned peanut is a pattern that stays under 3" in just about all iterations. Tribial mentioned a whittler, and most whittlers feel pretty small in pocket to me. That's one you have to be careful with though, as there are beefy whittlers out there.

That's probably already an overload, so I'll stop there. Here's a quick picture of three "small" knives that I just happen to have on hand right now. From left to right they are a peanut, a Primble 5304 whittler, and a GEC #15. The 15 looks monstrous by comparison, so I put the Sharpie in there to give you a sense of perspective.

small.jpg
 
For me, 3⅜" closed is about the smallest knife that feels like it can really do some serious work. The following pics are of the Rough Rider Eureka stockman in different handle materials. This is a great small knife, with lots of utility because of the 3 different blades.

RR #406 in dark red jigged bone
IMG_0285-2.jpg~original


RR #890 in yellow comp (delrin)
RR_DoglegStockman.jpg~original
 
The GEC 22 Magnum is perfect for what your wanting. Feels much more substantial in hand than a case peanut but carries just as easily. I've seen a couple on the exchange in the last couple days but there are also many GEC dealers that still have some available.
 
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I'd look at a single-spring two blade pattern. You get a knife that's slim, doesn't weigh down a pocket yet gives you two blades working from the ends of each spring.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Supporters?highlight=single+spring+supporters

CASE Penknife in Yellow delrin, their Mini-Copperheads in various bones. Böker Germany do a nice Pen too. Rough Rider's Mini Copperhead is extraordinarily good and costs little (good starting point to test the pattern but a serious knife nonetheless) If you are prepared to spend more then search out a GEC Conductor 33 you get a wonderful amount of blade from a compact frame. Finally, although not single spring the Buck 309 is a wonderful small knife that's up to a lot and is light too.

Regards, Will
 
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The Pemberton (in hand) is 2 3/4 and the magnum is 2 5/8ths I believe. Two will fit in a watch pocket. :D

Regards

Robin

 
timwilso said:
Do you guys recommend the chrome vanadium, stainless, or surgical steel option of the peanut?
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There are only two steel options with the Case Peanut:

Case CV (Chrome Vanadium) which is a carbon steel based on AISI 1086 with small amounts of chromium and vanadium added. It is easy to sharpen and takes a fine edge. Being carbon steel, it is subject to rust and the development of a patina (gray coloration). Some people like the looks of a patina, some do not. It can be removed using metal polish if desired.

Case Tru-Sharp stainless steel is Latrobe 420HC stainless steel. Any references to "surgical" steel are meaningless. It is almost as easy to sharpen as the CV steel, though does tend to form a wire edge (burr) which is easily stropped off, and in general gives a slightly more toothy edge than the CV steel, which is better for some purposes. It is rust resistant as are all stainless steels and doesn't form a patina.

These are small distinctions and in daily use you would not notice much difference between the two.

If you are looking for a small but useful, drop in your pocket and forget it knife, it's hard to beat. Nicely pointed main clip blade and a small secondary pen blade for times when a little blade is the right tool.

I've been carrying one a lot recently along with my Victorinox Cadet:

As you can see, it is a much smaller knife but you get almost the same length of cutting surface. The one in the picture there is stainless steel. I own and carry both Case CV and Case Tru-Sharp knives and like them both. For lowest maintenance I'd go with stainless, but it's a matter of personal preference.
 
Two of my favorite small knife caries: top is a two blade Northwoods Norfolk in smooth bone and bottom a case damascus toothpick in burnt stag.
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Anything that fits in a watch pocket is pocket friendly to me. That's my preferred traditional carry. I usually clip a Spyderco or Kershaw in my front pocket.
 
For something very traditional/affordable/pocketable look on the auction site for a Schrade USA 34OT. Be sure it says USA. OT means Old Timer.
 
timwilso said:
So I'm really not very familiar with traditionals. I'm interested in picking up something smallish that would be very comfortable to throw in my pocket during my work day. 1 blade or multi blades doesn't matter. Just hoping you guys could give me some good suggestions. Its hard to tell the larger ones from the smaller ones when browsing sites. Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

For me, pocket comfort is more about the knife being FLAT and less about it being small, or even light.

I would rather carry my Buck 500, which is quite large and not light than my peanut or my scout knife. I find that I really notice multi-blade slip joints and conversely, a flatter frame lays flatter in the pocket and stays more comfortable.

If you want to go smaller, the Buck 501, 503 and 505 get progressively smaller.


Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Take a look at Rough Rider knives. Well made, good steel, a zillion models to choose from and inexpensive. Sounds like you're looking for a Rough Rider Canoe (various handle materials) or a half whittler.
Rich
 
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