Share your "Two to Carry" Traditional Knives

JohnDF

JohnDF

Joined
May 14, 2018
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As I do most mornings, I was sitting outside enjoying a hot cup of coffee. It was nice and cool, the geese were flying and honking overhead, my dog had a few angry squirrels pinned up in a big Oak tree, and I was fidgeting with a couple of my knives. I reflected that these two knives could keep me happy for years to come and would probably cover most all my needs.

The first is a GEC #15 with a clip point blade. This is a tremendous watch pocket knife and it would serve all my needs for an office carry knife, something in the pocket for school events (legal), and just dang useful around the house. The size is not so big as to hog the pocket and not so small as to not be useful for just about anything. I'm anxious to see how the all-steel construction ages and takes on character through the years.

The other knife is a GEC #72 Lockback. This is currently my most favorite knife. It is going to be my go-to outdoor knife where a larger size and a locking blade will come in handy. I can see it being very useful around the camp and holding up to the harder tasks. I like how thin the handles are and how it has the smoothest action of any knife I own. I can sit for hours and fidget with it and never get bored. I'm easily entertained I guess.

So tell me, what two knives could you stick with using for a long time? You don't have to get rid of any of your knives, this isn't a "There can be only one" type question. All your valuable knives and personal keepsakes are safe. You just have to show us which two would get the lion's share of pocket time and perhaps tell us why you would choose them. Perhaps one is a "user" and the other a "fancy" dress knife. Perhaps it's a small/big tandem carry. Who knows?

My two choices... They were good company this morning.
 
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I've only got one of the two right now, but as soon as my Wilfred Lockback Hunter gets back from @glennbad (getting ironwood covers to match:)) it will be paired up with my EDC Ohta Whittler...should be able to handle anything that comes my way ;)

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~Chip
 
This SOG Stingray is in my left front pocket no matter what with my keys every day. I've been carrying it since 1991 and the Kraton Rubberish covers have been worn away for years. You can see by the grind that the blade is very stout and I keep it sharp at all times. You might say it's an EDC last resort knife. No wise cracks about the covers being worn away. The SOG Stingray is my favorite knife. I've got two brand new virgin SOG Stingrays but I just can't bring myself to retire this one.

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Here's what one of my virgin Stingrays looks like.

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Lately, I've been carrying a Sowbelly Stockman. 3 7/8" length and very, very pocket friendly with three tough blades. This is the particular Case Sowbelly I've been carrying. This picture was taken when it was new but all the shinny has been knocked off of it and it is now dulled. Even the not so beautiful Olive Drab Green covers have grown on me.

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All the above said, I'm very fond of the GEC #71 Bull Nose F&F knives and often carry one as a third, tag-along, knife.

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I always carry two traditionals, with an alox Cadet being the most consistent, always in the left front pocket with keys. Since I can do about 80% of what I do with a daily pocket knife with the Cadet, the other one in the right front pocket can be just about anything, but usually is larger and has a straight-edge.

My usual key worn olive alox Cadet
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Favorite large stockman in curly zebrawood and D2
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When going out to dinner I usually carry a stainless single blade that I can use as a table knife, along with a nicer Cadet.
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I've been in the habit of carrying two knives each day for a few years now but only one of them has become a mainstay. The GEC #35 Churchill. It's always in my pocket regardless of what the other knife is. If something ever happens to the one I'm carrying now I'll replace it with one of my other Churchills. That is, unless something comes along that I like even better. Not very likely though.

I can't get out of the habit of rotating the other knife nor do I want to. In fact, it's the main reason that I carry two knives. I get to have a constant companion and I still get to rotate and enjoy my other knives too. Kind of like the best of both worlds, so to speak.
 
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The Lloyd has been my go to since I got it. At 4" it's a little longer then I used to carry but there's just something about it. It just looks and feels so right. It does everything I need most days, and makes me feel good carrying it.

I like CPM-154 stainless, check. I like nice stag, check. I like the looks and simplicity of a shadow trapper pattern, check. I like John Lloyd, check.

The 2nd carry is usually my latest purchase and will change. Right now it's the Laguiole. Before that a pinched peanut.

Then there's always a 3rd, maybe a 4th.....:D
 
TrapperMike said:
These two everyday. Peanut everyday for 2 years and the recruit everyday for almost 1 year. Love them both and they do everything I come across.
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The Recruit was my first SAK (aside from the Classic), and I carried one for years before I got my first Tinker. I like the fact that the Recruit has a smooth back, making it more comfortable for whittling. But I like having the awl and Phillips driver, plus the hole for a straight pin.
 
JohnDF said:
I'm seeing a pattern of one knife being a mainstay and rotating a second knife. I like that!!!
I like seeing the regular carry knives the most, they obviously check off the most boxes for the users.
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I just started doing the rotating thing, rotating between my Case Yellow SS and Chestnut CV Peanuts while my Tinker stays constant. I feel a little silly because I also wear a Leatherman Wave on my belt, a habit left over from maintaining my bike in college. Trying to break that habit :)
 
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One of these 3, although I've not had them long, I have found myself thinking " I shoulda got one of these YEARS ago!" In fact I'be been a faithful carrier of a fixed blade since my youth, I find myself just wearing one of these now.(usually) 0922181603a_Film4.jpgI also consider this one in that same category.0826181238~2.jpgMy second wouldn't be more a pattern than a particular knife as well, that being scouts. Although the Ulster gets carried most. Probably due to the fact that from age 10 til my 20s I carried either a Vic camper, recruit, or tinker. So those just "click" with me. Honorable mention goes to my Klein and Imperial electricians, honestly carry them most every work day.
 
I’ll have to get some pictures taken tomorrow.. Had to use some older pictures. If I had to choose two one would be my LionSteel Dom sporting that gorgeous ebony. M390 makes me happy, M390 in a single blade barlow pattern makes me the happiest. The Dom barely beats out the Shuffler.

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As for the second, my two blade 73 STL trapper dressed in cocobolo wins that spot. The steel bolster and liners make me love this knife even more. I’ve left him at home as of late, but he’s fit to make it back into rotation very soon. He’s a bit hefty for shorts when the Dom or Shuffler is available, but he’s a welcome addition to my watch pocket in jeans.

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I carried this one every day for 40 years and it served me very well .

But I have a few more knives to choose from now and if I was going to choose 2 to carry every single day I would have to have a Stag and and another one to work with . I have carried these periodically together and I consider each one of them to be a great knife .
Northfield 73 in Stag and a Taylors Eye Witness in jigged bone with a Sheepfoot and a pen .


The 73 is about 100 years younger than the TEW .

Harry
 
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