Small pocket size lockback

M

mdsmith

Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
1,495
Hey guys. I am planning on ordering a few new knives in the near future, and was interested in a small pocket sized lockback. Carbon steel would be a plus. I've been looking at the Buck 55, which seems to be a pocket size version of the 110. Does anyone have any experience with this knife? Any recommendations of other knives to check out? Thanks guys.
 
The Buck 55 is a great choice. So is the 501 Squire (or older 501 Esquire)
Here's a picture that shows scale.
DSCN0974-1.jpg
 
Great Eastern has a few pocket sized lockbacks in both carbon and stainless. They are not that easy to come by but can be found - superb knives. Nothing wrong with the Buck 55 either.
 
The small lockback part is easy, but the carbon steel is a bit more of a challenge. If you consider D2 to be carbon steel, Queen makes a 3" (closed) lockback. Bear & Son has a few small lockbacks in carbon steel.
 
If you don't mind haunting the great online auction site, the Schrade Old Timer 194OT is a very good pocket knife. Kind of a single lockblade trapper affair, great Schrade carbon steel.

Carl.
 
How big is pocket sized?

I have a GEC @ 3 3/4" wharnie in Ebony in carbon
It is very thin and very light in the pocket
 
Thanks Carl, I'll have to look into them. I do love my Schrades.

Neeman, I guess it's a combination of the right weight and length. I was shooting for about 3.5", but an extra .25" won't kill me. I'll have a look at these too.

This is really just something to try out. I have traditional slip joints and I have modern locking knives, but I have no traditional locking knives that can be carried comfortably in the pocket. An Opinel seems like the obvious choice, but I don't really care for the handle. They almost seem too light and a little bulky.
 
mdsmith said:
Hey guys. I am planning on ordering a few new knives in the near future, and was interested in a small pocket sized lockback. Carbon steel would be a plus. I've been looking at the Buck 55, which seems to be a pocket size version of the 110. Does anyone have any experience with this knife? Any recommendations of other knives to check out? Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

I have set aside a nice little lockback from Tidioute, a 72 with bone scales, for my little brother. I got him started on Spyderco, but he really likes this little lockback. Figure now was as good a time as any to get him started on "traditional" knives (he'll be 17 next week). Jeez, did I just type that he'll be 17!
 
I have a Buck 55 and it's a great knife. The only thing I don't like is how the brass turns dull and gets dinged up in pocket (as would a 110, of course -- just part of what you get with those knives). If you have the dough and are leaning to carbon steel anyway, I'd definitely check out a GEC model 72 mini lockback.

-- Mark
 
I had a Buck 55 with bone scales and gave it away. Now I am sorry I did so. I know the person appreciated it but it was unique enough that a knife nut realized it was keeper but just a little too late.....Thats happened a time or two, I should be use to it by now....... 300
 
I also had a nice Buck Cabelas lockback with rosewood and buffalo horn scales. Great little knife. I sent it to a member here.
 
The Schrade 5OT came out around 1990 and was available in carbon steel with green saw cut Derlin scales and a carbon steel blade. Occasionally, you'll see some of the green ones with stainless "Schrade +" blades. I actually have mine in my pocket today as it turns out. This picture is not mine but gives you an idea of what they look like. The green scales take some getting used to. Blade is a tick under 3" and closed length is a tick under 4". Very thin and pockets nicely. There is an old version that has brown scales and Schrade+ stainless. Current Chinese made ones have the brown scales and 400 series stainless.

schrade_5ot.jpg


The GEC mini hunter model 72 is a current day (and pricey) option. They are available with a range of blade types.

Another current day alternative is the Boker "Tree Brand" Fellow.

Another older one that is harder to find is the Camillus "Gents Lockback" which was made with carbon steel blades.

The Bucks, while really nice are stainless blades.

I should note, while I really like my 5OT, find I end up carrying my Opinel #8 more often. It has a longer blade, weighs less and has a reasonably good lock (especially if you modify the lock ring with a file to allow it to spin more).
 
I am partial to Gerber Silver Knights in a small lockback, but the Al Mar Osprey, Hawk, Falcon, Eagle series might have some interest for you. I don't currently have any Al Mars to show but here's a picture with a sample of Silver Knights:

pic024.jpg


Ed J
 
TLARbb said:
I am partial to Gerber Silver Knights in a small lockback ...
Click to expand...

I had a Silver Knight for awhile. I sold it off in one of my semi-annual "toy purges," and still sort of regret it. The quality was fantastic and the blade shape and edge geometry were outstanding as well.

-- Mark
 
Mercator k55k Cat knife is a carbon steel lockback. It's more utilitarian looking than the Bucks and is 4 1/4" long closed.
.German_knife_Mercator_k55k_made_in_solingen-03_m.jpg


Opinels are also carbon steel and they have a locking ring, but they are not lockbacks.
 
Rough Rider makes lots of traditional styled lockbacks starting at about 3" closed. All in SS, but good stuff.
 
Weidmannsheil did a small 3.25" carbon Locker in various bone, I have one in Red Stag and Damascus. Also a bigger one in Stag at 3.75" Worth keeping an eye out for.
 
Doesn't Case offer a lockback knife too? I assume it's stainless though...
About the Opinel: they are very light and some users prefer their knife to be a bit heavier, but it's not bulky at all.
I might also recommend you a few Italian made small lockbacks, no idea if you could find them in the US though.
For example, Fox does make quite a few lockbacks that look nice in 440 steel, but I don't know if they sell them in the US too.
Fausto
:cool:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top