Soliciting thoughts and opinions on a small knife for a colleague

[waltmc]

So, it looks like the Peanut may have taken the Executive's early lead... I'm going to check his keychain next time I see him to see if he has a Vic classic hanging around. If not, I'll give him one and see if I can get some more knife info out of him.

It turns out that there is, indeed, a Case dealer (actually two) in the next town over; which is good, because I think I really need to lay hands on these to make a decision.
I've not handled a Peanut yet to know how wonderful they are. I do have an old Schrade 108OT, which is 1/8" shorter than the Peanut [got that wrong at first], and I've always found it to be a capable cutter. So I can see why the Peanut has such a following. If it's anything like my mini stockman, it's invisible until you need it.

The funny thing is that when I was young I used to spend a week or two most summers in Bradford, PA and remember driving past the Case factory. That's not funny--what's funny is that I don't own any Case knives. Actually that's not funny, either. The last one I bought was a medium stockman as a gift for another friend. Hmmmm....maybe getting one for my buddy would be a good excuse to finally get one for myself, too.

 

[Doug Add]

Hmmmm....maybe getting one for my buddy would be a good excuse to finally get one for myself, too.

Now you're thinking like a true knife nut!

 

[waltmc]

Now you're thinking like a true knife nut!

According to my wife, I already am! She just doesn't understand.
I've been looking for an excuse to buy myself a Case, I just couldn't decide on which pattern. Still can't.

 

[tjswarbrick]

I got my dad a peanut, and was rather shocked at how tiny it is.
My favorite is definitely the chestnut CV Swayback Jack, though I guess it's a little out of your range. It's a thing of beauty, with fantastic F&F.
Before the Swayback, it was the medium Stockman. Just a handy, useful device.
Though I do really dig my Vic Farmer, Case says "congratulations" a lot louder than SAK does, to me.

 

[Mack]

Before you buy one, please, do yourself a favor and handle a mini copperhead. They really are a wonderful little cutting tool and the wharncliffe blade is beautiful and a fantastic cutter. If I was getting a knife for a non-knife person, it would be an MC.

 

[waltmc]

Before you buy one, please, do yourself a favor and handle a mini copperhead.

Thank you (and TLARbb) for the recommendation on this. I'm hoping that one of the nearby shops will have one. I really like the looks of that pattern and am eager to get my mitts on one.
If I have to order these online, I'm thinking I might buy both a Mini Copperhead and a Peanut and gift one and keep the other.

 

[Mack]

I like the way you think.

 

[Rsmith_77]

I like the way you think.

heh

and he shall lead ye to corruption and emptiness of the wallet
and a sickness shall be spread throughout the land
and the lamentation of the wives and the bank accounts shall be heard in all corners of the earth!

 

[whetrock]

While the Peanut is a proven choice, don't forsake the Buck 309 Companion. Mine is one of my favorite traditional folders.

 

[Doug Add]

Doug Add: Thank you for posting pics of the two side-by-side. That's very helpful.

You are welcome. Since you are thinking of the peanut and the mini copperhead, take a look here for some comparison shots I took a while back.

 

[pistonsandgears]

I'll second the Buck 309, I picked one up recently and like it more than I thought I would.

 

[waltmc]

You are welcome. Since you are thinking of the peanut and the mini copperhead, take a look here for some comparison shots I took a while back.

Thank you, again. I really like the slightly larger size of the mini copperhead. It seems like 1/8" here or there really makes a difference in how these small knives feel in the hand. I have a few in the 3"-3 1/4" range and that size seems just right.

 

[waltmc]

and he shall lead ye to corruption and emptiness of the wallet
and a sickness shall be spread throughout the land
and the lamentation of the wives and the bank accounts shall be heard in all corners of the earth!

A recent conversation Chez Walt:
Mrs: "How many knives do you need?!?"
Me: "All of them."
Mrs: <squint> <silence> <rolls eyes>

 

[waltmc]

I'll second the Buck 309, I picked one up recently and like it more than I thought I would.

While the Peanut is a proven choice, don't forsake the Buck 309 Companion. Mine is one of my favorite traditional folders.

I'm definitely a fan of the 309 (and Bucks in general), and it's still one of the options I'm considering. My EDC for the past week or so has been a 373 that I stumbled onto like new for a few dollars, and I'm really liking it. I'll probably replace it with a 303 or a 309 and pass it along to someone without a blade. Eventually...

Though it may sound silly, part of the decision in the end will come down to whether I want to get CV blades (which, of course, knocks out the mini copperhead, sigh). My friend and I are both historians, and 'change over time' is our stock and trade. I think he would enjoy seeing the bone and steel transform as the days go by. Now I'm waxing poetic. Time for bed, I think...

 

[waltmc]

As I was reading back over some of the suggestions, I came to jc57's and pertinux's mention of the sway back jack. I can get that in CV for a few bucks more than I had planned. That's starting to look good. I like that it's an unusual pattern. The barehead will help its character over time... hmm...

 

[Will Power]

Keeping it USSD50 or under is going to present some challenge, doubt if a Swayback could be got for that......

I would suggest a CASE Pen but the only problem is they don't come in bone handles just yellow delrin (CASE really need to address that one) Great easy carry knife mark you.

If your friend is a non knife type then stainless is a better bet than carbon, if it rusts up on him he might get shocked. We all know what to do with carbon, novices might not.

Two other suggestions: Check the Traditional for sale thread, a LOT of good stuff can be found here, sometimes at very reasonable prices. Secondly, look at Rough Rider knives, very much a bargain and often very decent. I have a Clip bladed Mini Copperhead in jigged bone that's a good knife all round, check also their Peanuts or even Small Congress or Barlow single blades. RR can do some very worthwhile stag handles too.

Much luck, Will

 

[300Bucks]

I once was the Mr. part of a "Let me introduce Dr. and Mr.". So base this recommendation on some of that experience....Now no one faint. I think the SAK would be good. Especcially with initials. If you think they may be more a knife "user", especially outdoors then I will say the black sawcut 309 is good. Why the sawcut over the other scales. The way its made it will stay in place till the last bell chimes. The other models scales are only riveted on. 300Bucks

 

[ddml]

If you like the look of the swayback jack, I think a Case desk knife may be a nice gift for an intellectual with a desk.

 

[Stich2442]

Here are some pics so you can compare sizes
2 small stockman, peanut, 62087 Jack, med. stockman

 

[Doug Add]

Very helpful picture Pete. I need to find one of those old 87 jacks, that is one sweet pocket pal!