Small Traditional Penknife

This was my thought, I wish I hadn't waited so long to try one. The Cadet vanishes in the pocket and has options suited for office work.

I do understand that they don't suit everyone and the Alox is not bone or wood, and as such don't really fit the criteria you posted. I look forward to seeing what you choose.

Chris
 
Chris Montgomery said:
This was my thought, I wish I hadn't waited so long to try one. The Cadet vanishes in the pocket and has options suited for office work.

I do understand that they don't suit everyone and the Alox is not bone or wood, and as such don't really fit the criteria you posted. I look forward to seeing what you choose.

Chris
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I love SAKs especially Alox. My go to knives are soldiers, pioneers, and cadets. The pioneer has been my primary knife for a year or so now, including a cross country road trip. I guess I'm just longing for something less sterile? I'll always have a SAK nearby though.
 
Case Pen Knife (only available currently in yellow Delrin, both CV and SS versions), Case Mini Copperhead (if you can find a bone color you like). Their 6208 Half Whittler is a nice little knife in a pen-knife format if you don't mind the swell-center design. It's offered in a number of bone (and stag) handle materials, including a couple of new ones (Black Cherry Bone and Deep Canyon Goldenrod Bone), both of which I got to see in person recently and they look better than the catalog images. http://www.wrcase.com/sidesearch/index.php?s=0&q=half whittler

The Case Eisenhower pattern has been permanently retired so you may not be able to find one easily, though there may still be some in dealer stock here and there. The Case Small Pen knife is, well, small. Smaller than a Peanut.

There is also the Case Butterbean pattern, which is a mini-canoe. If you like a Canoe but want a smaller one, there you go.

The GEC #09 Esquire is a nice small pen knife, though may be above your stated price range. Haven't been made in a while so you'd need to check the dealer stocks to see if they still have any. Carbon steel, though, so - it will patina unless you keep it polished.
 
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The GEC Conductor #33 is one of the finest patterns that GEC has made. Mine is in elephant ivory, Northfield UnX'LD with a bale. You would never tire of it.
I have a #09 Esquire as well and it too is a very fine knife, makes you feel good all over when in hand.
The Case/Bose Norfolk from a few years back is an outstanding knife. Mine is in ebony and it is a Masterful knife.
I think you will need to get 2 or 3 Pen knives and carry them to work on rotation. Too many fine knives to just select one.
kj
 
Since you mentioned an interest in the Queen 03 and already have some peanuts I thought you might like some comparison shots.







As you can see, the 03 is a bit longer than the peanut. However, the two blades on the 03 fit together into a package that is no thicker than a single bladed peanut. The knock on it is that the main blade isn't long enough for the size of the knife. As you can see, the peanut actually edges out the 03 for main blade length. I think that the reason for this is so that the two blades can fit into such a small package without rubbing. There is absolutely no rub on either blade on my 03, which is impressive because I can be a bit hamfisted when it comes to opening my knives and I am more apt than most to push the blade I'm opening over into the other blades. I'm not real big on pen knives, but this one has won me over.
 
The Case 06263 also known as the Eisenhower is a great little pen knife. I do not own many small knives but this is a favorite :)

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Wanted to welcome you to NC. I grew up about 30 miles from Charlotte and now live just outside the city. It's a great place. Enjoy the game this weekend.

As far as knives, I'd consider the conductor, 66 slim (really easy to carry - I think even easier than the conductor), and for a less expensive option, a Case pen knife. Let us know what you decide.
 
For a long time I daily carried a red bone Boker 8288SS. Tree Brand made in Germany. Solingen stainless. Single spring pen knife 2-3/4" close. You can easily find then for $50 - $55. .


One of these will meet your wants/needs quite well.

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My favorite pen has to be the old Camillus 49 Tuxedo. If you are patient and watchful you can find an excellent one for about $30. Not often seen but they are out there if you remain watchful.

CamillusTuxedoClosed.JPG

CamillusTuxedoOneBladeOpen.JPG
 
You might also want to look at Half Congress pattern knives. To me they make great whittling knives.

Half%2520Congress%2C%2520Farmer%2C%2520Speedmaster.jpg




Two blade single springs hold a special place in my heart.
 


Pen knives are a guilty pleasure, except for one of these they all cost less than $20 each, most I picked up less than $10 the most expensive was the red stag Eisenhower at $22.50, the burnt stag was $19, if you are patient there are deals to be found. My favorites are the Eisenhower knives, they seem to be the more solid of the pen knives, I think the elongated bolster helps with this in the way the larger bolster acts on a Barlow, my 2nd would be the Boker 240 which is the bigger brother to Leghog's Boker 8288, the Boker 240 comes in the same size as the Eisenhower at 3 1/8" but packs a larger main blade.


Both the Eisenhower and Boker can be found in new condition and on the cheap.

I would also recommend the 1/2 congess like Leghog suggested it's a slim package with a nice sheepsfoot and pen combo




Pete
 
Take a look at Case's Swayback. They're 3 1/4" closed and come with 1 or 2 blades and a good variety of handle options. This one is a stag TB5117 SS.
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I can't see how you can go wrong with any of the Case pens models. The mini copperhead is one that is a constant strong temptation that tests my loyalty to peanuts. The baby butter bean, the Case pen, are all wonderful little pocket knives.

My friend Wayne has been a very die hard fan of the little Buck 309 companion. I've watched him for more years than I care to think about, using it in all kinds of situations that I would have been doubtful of it's use. BNut ti seems to be a very sturdy little pocket beast, and backed by Buck's lifetime warrantee.
 
Don't leave out Victorinox. Single layer 93mm Alox Pioneer Settler. Pictured with my three layer Farmer.

Pioneer%2520Settler%2520-%2520Side.jpg

Pioneer%2520Settler%2520-%2520Top.jpg
 
jc57 said:
The Case Eisenhower pattern has been permanently retired so you may not be able to find one easily, though there may still be some in dealer stock here and there. The Case Small Pen knife is, well, small. Smaller than a Peanut.
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When the heck did that happen???:eek:

I must have been in my Rip Van Winkle mode!
 
Gah! This is a much more difficult decision than I was anticipating...Thank you all for all of your suggestions.

Leghog, that half congress of yours is gorgeous!

Ok, I have a short list:

-Case mini copperhead
-Queen #3 (I've heard good things about their recent production)
-Case Eisenhower

At this point I'm leaning towards the mini copperhead with antique river log scales, but I like the idea of the wharncliffe version as well. I'm sure I'll change my mind again...especially since I keep looking at all the options.
 
I really like single spring Pen knives. One that I like that hasn't been mentioned is the Case Butterbean. I believe it fits your specs and they do make nice little pocket knives.

Jim
 
Toddwalla said:
OH, Thanks for the welcome! I am actually headed to my first Knights game this weekend. Also, the mini-copperhead was my inspiration for this thread. I almost pulled the trigger on a wharncliffe version, but held off because I was a little concerned about the angle of the pen blade when deployed...what are your thoughts?
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I'm going to answer your question with a picture. Here you can see the Mini-Copperhead pictured between an older Case 06247PEN and an older Buck 309. I don't believe the angle of the pen blade in the Mini-Copperhead is much different from the other knives of the same blade configuration (in fact the bigger Case built on the 47 frame - has slightly more angle than the Mini-Copperhead). I think the Mini-Copperhead gives you a lot of main blade in a compact package. OH

Ps I own all of these and carry them; it is one of my favorites, but you know when you have the 47 frame in your summer shorts pocket (not so much in jeans). The Mini-Copperhead and the Buck are so light as to forget their presence even in light shorts with floppy pockets, however the Mini-Copperhead has just a little more main blade due to it's style.

IMG_69492.JPG
 
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