Recommendation please. First traditional, small and single bladed options?

W

wonewin78

Joined
Mar 19, 2012
Messages
57
What's up guys.

I've never had a traditional, but I've been looking at them for a long time. I've handled my fair loads of CRKs, Spydercos, Emersons and whatnot, but something about the traditionals always spoke out to me, if that makes sense. They just look/feel really comfortable and friendly, unlike a lot of modern knives I've had. Also as a younger guy, I really like the idea of a knife I can use in public without people looking at me like a complete psycho. My SAK Alox Cadet has been perfect for that role but with it going in for warranty I decided to use that as an excuse to finally get a traditional, haha.

Anyways, the most important thing is that the length of the cutting edge has to be less than 6cm. (2.36 inches) Yup, laws where I'm currently living are pretty bad.

I would really like for it to be a slipjoint, single bladed (I really don't see the use for a second blade, and it just adds thickness) and of carbon steel so that it develops a patina. I really like the idea of a patina developing as I use it over time.

I was looking at the Case Peanut and Swayback Gent/Jack, but the peanut and jack are standard double bladed. The gent on the other hand only comes in stainless. The single blade GEC Pemberton also looked like it would fit the bill, but it's pretty much out of stock everywhere.

A solid, quality traditional with those traits would be great.

Thanks in advance guys.
 
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Sounds like you already have your first. There is a huge traditional following for the Cadet. (Sorry just saw the single blade part)

There are a few sites that have the single blade 06 still in stock.
 
How about a moore maker single blade peanut in smooth white bone with a 1095 carbon steel blade?

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I'll send you a Visitor Message with a link to the site I took the picture from.

Paul
 
Schrade Old Timer Pal Single Blade Pocket Knife is 2.25 inches, Schrade 18ot is 2 inches with liner lock, Buck 505 knight 1 7/8 inch(lockback). The peanut rides great in my watch pocket and in left side front pocket without being noticed if that is a concern.

Search for single blade peanut.

Dave
 
There are still some GEC #25's to be found, either at legit dealer sites or that auction site we all know. I can appreciate the desire for a single blade (for the slim profile), but I've found that the added thickness is quite comfortable and an extra blade can be quite handy--I prefer two blades, making one exclusively a food blade and the other a general utility blade... Depending on the knife pattern/blade configuration. Good luck with your choice and post some pics when it arrives!
 
If you want a slim single blade traditional with a blade under 2.5 " might I suggest the Case Small Toothpick? They're available now in chestnut and yellow with CV (Carbon) Blades. The toothpick is renowned for wasting no space and packing a great blade length to handle ratio. Borrowed pics:


 
Yes, I was going to mention the Case Tiny Toothpick as being the only current production slipjoint that I know about that fits all of your requirements. I own one Case Tiny Toothpick (in SS) and while it is a cute little knife, it just seems sort of delicate. That long slim blade is good for letter opening and package cutting, cutting tags off clothing, cleaning under your fingernails, and other things where you need a slim blade for very light duty cutting. For me personally, I'd rather have something a bit sturdier.

The Case Mini Copperhead fits your blade size requirements, but is a dual-blade (but single spring) knife and may not fit your other requirements, plus it is not made in CV steel.

Another option is the Case Pen knife in yellow Delrin CV, but the main blade is a little over your 6cm blade restriction.

A really great little knife (discontinued, but you might be able to find one) is the Case Pocket Hunter, which was offered in a 1-blade CV configuration not too long ago, TH61165 CV is the model designation. You can still find them if you search enough. There is one on the big auction site right now, not brutally overpriced considering the relative rarity of them.

This is my only single-blade Case Pocket Hunter (in SS). These are generally Peanut-sized but much stouter. Lot of knife in a small package.

 
I hope you find a small one that calls to you but I just wanted to say one of the benefits of a traditional knife is that you can have multiple blades in one frame. Just like your Cadet. If you don't want a knife that thick, have you thought about a pen knife? There are many 2 blade pen knives that are single spring so you get the 2 blades without the thickness of a 2 blade knife. I happen to have my #33 Conductor in my pocket (mine is stainless but there were 2 blade 1095 ones made, although hard to find now) and a Vic Cadet handy. My (sharpened) #33 has a main blade of 58.3mm (straight measurement from the kick to tip, so it includes the small amount of choil in the measurement) and was 10.6mm thick. The Cadet's main blade was 54.6mm and it's body was 8.3mm thick. The #33 is a small knife with a lot of blade. I don't have my Case Pen knife handy but I believe it's pretty close too. If you look at something like a #61 Half Congress, the blades are well under the 6cm but you can have a straight main edge. Just a thought.

ETA, I didn't measure them closed but the #33 is just slightly longer than the Vic Cadet (not including the key ring hole) by about a mm or 2.
 
I think the Tiny Toothpick is going to be your best bet. Quite a few different manufacturers make them other than Case. Look around and see what you find. I have a German Eye Brand one in stag handles that is pretty sweet, although it doesn't get used, just looked at.
 
Thanks a lot guys. Lol I feel pretty silly as not acknowledging the Cadet as a traditional.

Still looking around, Might get a pocket hunter if I can find one, or heck maybe just get a peanut or swayback jack and try out the double blades.
 
Not that it is really pertinent, just curious. Where are you living now with such silly laws?
 
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The Case Sodbuster Jr, in CV and Bone handle, is a pocket friendly, well built, and inexpensive first traditional. Might fit the bill for you. Good luck.
 
Oh sorry. I just saw the blade length parameter. Here is a pic of the GEC 25 I carry frequently. Great little knife!
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I'd add my vote for finding an old Schrade USA 18OT or 12OT. You can get one super cheap, they're great knives and they tick all your boxes. I would also say that on a knife that small I prefer a 2 bladed knife. Even if I'm not going to use the second blade I like the extra grip from the wider knife. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
 
A Victorinox Alox Solo would fit your criteria, as well as introduce you to the wonderful world of SAK's...

 
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