Recently became interested...

Go for something different. Rough Rider large sunfish. Choice of three or four covers, surprisingly useful, and it does not print in your pocket. I have the smooth tobacco )actually more of a honey color( and the white smooth bone versions.
 
I have always liked traditionals since I was a kid. I depended on them and they served me well over the years. Started buying and carrying moderns in the 1990's..... but I have this one huge problem. I love my Vic SAKs and I always want one in my pocket! So, how do I reconcile this.... two knives of course. I started carrying a Spydie Delica or Native, later a ZT 0770CF (notice the size is about the same) and more recently the Spydie Kiwi 4. But this is about traditionals.... so.

Here is what I do. I carry a 111mm SAK every day except when I carry my GEC #42 (large 4.25" trapper pattern) in a leather pocket slip. Got to protect that knife and I don't want it all trashed like my SAKs. The 111mm SAK (Adventurer and Centurion are my favorites) and it are a bit redundant, so I carry a small SAK those days (Bantam) which is small enough to disappear in my pocket but still have the tweezers, toothpick, and a moderate sized blade. This works for me. The GEC #73 pattern is great for something a bit smaller but still a trapper. Trappers are my favorite pattern. It is worth the extra money to buy the GEC. Good stuff made by Canal Street and Queen/S&M too.

I picked up a S&M large gunstock (stag) at KSF a while back and it's a wonderful two bladed knife. The Northwoods Madison is another that I like a lot. Notice I tend to be in that 4.25" closed length size for carry choices..... I'm stuck a bit in a rut, but I like my rut.

One thing, you may be a bit rough in your sharpening activities. The only knife I ever owned that got worn down to a "toothpick" was a Case Barlow that my dad used to sharpen on a grinding wheel and I used for skinning furbearers. Probably sharpened that knife two three times an evening skinning for hours. Those were the days....
 
Welcome to the porch. Many of us have gone the modern knife route for a while before coming back to traditionals. I'm ashamed of how many I've amassed in the past year, but there is nothing like the artistry and craftsmanship of a traditional slipjoint. They just harken back to a simpler time. I'd give anything to be able to show my dad and grandfathers the pieces i have now. I'm sure they would be awestruck by many of them that they themselves would have carried.

As for what to carry, I think a good way to try some out would be to find a pattern you might like and see if Rough Rider carries one similar. They are an inexpensive way to try different patterns to see what you like, and they are really decent knives. I found out I like to comfort of a congress while whittling thanks to RR.
 
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