So Many Knife Styles!

J

johnnywizzo

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Mar 1, 2018
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I've recently regained my interest in traditional folders, after having been wandering in the world of large locking blades for many years. Trying to make sense of it all can be overwhelming; for example, which knife style is the most appropriate for my EDC needs? Barlows used to be my favorite, but lately I find them just slightly too short in overall length for pocket carry when closed. And I've never understood the logic of multiple blades (like the Congress or SAKs), much preferring one or two blades at the most. I no longer have a farm, so I don't need a spey blade or a hoof pick. The Muskrat style has always interested me, but do I really need two identical clip point blades? The Peanut strikes me as too small because it sits sideways in my jeans pocket, being better suited for a vest pocket. The Sodbuster Jr is too short (OAL) and the regular Sodbuster may be just the ticket for me, but I like half-stops on knives. The other day I acquired a Hawksbill which I really like but can't explain. After all, its blade shape certainly has its limitations.

So where does that leave me? I'm afraid that I may drift back to large locking folders if I can't sort things out soon.
 
Try a lockback.
Coming from the world of modern knives, a lockback might have some of what you liked/are used to, yet possess the romance of a traditional.

The Case Tribal Lock, Copperlock, or a Buck 110/112 might temp you.
 
Coming from the large tactical world, these knives are going to seem small for a while.
I don't see many scenarios where the blade on a Sodbuster Jr would be too short. But like what you like. :cool::thumbsup:
I'd recommend a GEC Farm and Field #71 Bullnose, seems a good size for you and also has half stops.
But coming from the tactical world, you may want stainless which puts most GEC knives out of the running.
 
GEC also makes the #21 Bullbuster - roughly the same size as the Case Sodbuster but the bull buster has a half-stop. The orange delrin version from the last run can still be found at numerous GEC dealers. If you want a different scale type, there are several GEC Facebook groups that have stuff sold and traded where one could likely be found.
 
Single Blades?
Where is the versatility in that?
No one blade profile is "ideal" for every task. (That is why there is such a wide variety of blade shapes available. It's not to confuse the users. :) )
I can understand the some knives are "too small" thinking, and I agree. Personally, I find anything under about 3 1/8 inch closed, just too tiny to use. They don't "feel right" in the hand. Of course it also depends on the patter,n. A Stockman, for example, that is smaller than 3 7/8 or 4 inches just feels too small and "delicate". (Yes, I am aware that they are not "delicate", but that is how they feel to me.)

My EDC for the last couple months has been a large (4 to 4 1/2 inch closed) stockman, and a 3 5/8 inch closed canoe in my right front pocket, and a 5 1/2 inch two blade folding hunter on my belt.
Only the Clip Point blade is redundant, and by one. :)

I've never lived nor worked on a farm, and I have never "fixed" a "he" critter to a "it" critter.
The Spay blade also makes a great mustard and horse radish spreader, skinner, and budding blade. It isn't only for "fixing" he critters. :)

You might want to consider a Buck 110 or Bick 110LT, (or a two blade folding hunter, like the Marbles MR417) for belt carry.
Even the 7.4 ounce standard production brass and wood 110 isn't felt on your belt. The 110 LT is only something like 3.2 ounces. However, at 5 inches closed, it might be a bit big for pocket carry. (No clip on either. Buck does make a 110 with a clip, but I do not recall the model name. I detest clips, so don't give them much thought.)

I've always like horizontal in the pocket carry. They are les likely to fall out.
For a two blade, depending on what size you like, there is the Trapper, Moose, Canoe, (large) Sunfish (which does not "print" in your pocked, regardless of how massive it is and full size jack knives.

I don't know if Case is with-in your budget, but they make several "not exactly small" single blade traditional patterns.

Welcome back to the Traditionals obsession. :)

EDIT:
The Rough Rider (don't groan, or roll eyes, they are a good knife) Rider's of the Silver Screen series Moose have half stops on both blades.
I have the RR1838 "Hopalong Cassidy".
Also available are Red Rider, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Zorro.
They are as nice as the original Camillus made, and have the same artwork, and there are slight modifications so they cannot be passed off as a vintage/antique Camillus.
Oh, Rough Rider, (and Taylor/BTI Schrade) are American companies that has their knives produced offshore. Just like Cold Steel is and does.
 
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johnnywizzo said:
Trying to make sense of it all can be overwhelming; for example, which knife style is the most appropriate for my EDC needs?

So where does that leave me?
Click to expand...

This leaves you asking us a question that we can’t definitively answer for you. I’d say, determine what size of knife you’d like to carry, use that as your start point, then go from there.

Also, you can always just blow your tax refund on a ton of knives and sell off what you don’t like lol.
 
Thanks for all of the responses. I already own a Buck 110. I like it, but don't carry it too much for some unknown reason. And I have a Case Jr Sodbuster, another nice knife. I don't think that the blade is too small, I think that the OAL is too short for pocket carry as it rides horizontally in my jeans, which I don't like. I have a Rough Ryder Hawksbill that rides nicely in my pocket, it's just sort of an oddball blade shape.

I might try a large Sunfish or a Canoe. The GEC Bullbuster has crossed my radar lately. It sounds like it may be just what I'm after. Another knife that is sold out everywhere is the Rough Ryder (RR 2038) Warncliffe Work Knife. I really hope that it wasn't just a limited production run.
 
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Take a look at the variety of sizes and scales with Rough Rider stockman. The medium may be just the size you are looking for.
More expensive, but nice is the A.G. Russell lockback barlow.
Rich
 
A larger but not overly large two blade might be the answer. With multi-blades, the key is to get two different blades. I prefer a full length bellied blade and a smaller straight-edged blade together. If the bellied blade is a clip (my preference) then the straight-edged should be a sheepfoot or coping. If the bellied blade is a spear, then the straight-edged blade should be a Wharncliffe. This way you always have a blade slender enough to get into small spaces, and the smaller straight-edged blade is great for precision cuts.

If you prefer a jack pattern (both blades on the same end), then the GEC #86 Oil Field Jack is a great one to consider. Here is mine in stag, at 3.85" closed length.
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If you prefer a double-ended pattern, then the GEC #82 Possum Skinner is a winner. This one in elderberry jigged bone, at 4.15" closed length.
82elderOpen.jpg
 
johnnywizzo said:
So where does that leave me? I'm afraid that I may drift back to large locking folders if I can't sort things out soon.
Click to expand...
This is the answer:
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The Calfpen is in my opinion the best working knife I could imagine. Decent size but not huge. It has a locking straight edge blade that locks with a liner lock,which feels familiar to those used to moderns. It has a non locking blade that can be opened one handed if needed. Available in tough handle materials, I like the hi-viz orange and its available in glow in the dark. As you can see I dont baby it and it performs very well imho.
Well at least its my answer lol, ;)
I carry many different patterns and brands, but this one has become one I just about cant do without.
 
You like the Barlow, but it's too short. You like the Sodbuster, but want a half stop.

Have you looked at Grand Daddy Barlows? I'm sure you can find a Remington with bone handles. I'm almost positive they have half stops. I can't remember if they made a single blade, but I'm sure you can find other examples of Grand Daddy Barlows either in single- or double-bladed.
 
Wurrwulf said:
You like the Barlow, but it's too short. You like the Sodbuster, but want a half stop.

Have you looked at Grand Daddy Barlows? I'm sure you can find a Remington with bone handles. I'm almost positive they have half stops. I can't remember if they made a single blade, but I'm sure you can find other examples of Grand Daddy Barlows either in single- or double-bladed.
Click to expand...


I just ordered a Rough Rider Big Daddy Ram's Head Barlow. I'll give that one a try!
 
The Rough Rider Big Daddy is a single blade Barlow. So I also ordered an RR conventional sized Barlow with a pen blade and a clip blade. It will be good to have the two to see which one I like carrying the best. After all, my last Barlow purchase (and my first knife that I bought myself) was about 55 years ago. I still have it kicking around somewhere.
 
I too prefer single blades as one is usually all you need. Perhaps a single blade trapper like a 48 gec. Case also does a single blade trapper but their blade to handle ratio was never a favorite quality of mine. Case also does a slim line trapper but those tend to lack an end cap. The gec 77 barlow is also an option unless you like the grand daddy size barlows.
 
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