Solid traditional?

[mnblade]

I'm trying to stay away from buck because of the softer steels.... I use my knives a ToN at work every day and also on off days.

Another work-tough option would be to find an old U.S.-made Schrade Old Timer 34OT or 80OT stockman on that big auction site. The handles are delrin, not wood or bone, and the steel is carbon 1095 (i.e. it will develop a patina and, if you don't mind it, rust). But they're tough as heck. Generations of hard working guys carried 'em for a good reason. Be sure to NOT get the current "Schrades" that are manufactured in Asia. Not the same deal at all.

 

[mnblade]

Really? I could have sworn I saw one with china on one of the blades.... Hmmm...

You saw one of the wood-handled 37_ models. They DO make a line of slipjoints in China, but not the 301, 303 305 and 309 models. Those are still made right in the U.S.

 

[n8swag]

Another work-tough option would be to find an old U.S.-made Schrade Old Timer 34OT or 80OT stockman on that big auction site. The handles are delrin, not wood or bone, and the steel is carbon 1095 (i.e. it will develop a patina and, if you don't mind it, rust). But they're tough as heck. Generations of hard working guys carried 'em for a good reason. Be sure to NOT get the current "Schrades" that are manufactured in Asia. Not the same deal at all.

Which of those is larger? Like blade length and width.

 

[n8swag]

You saw one of the wood-handled 37_ models. They DO make a line of slipjoints in China, but not the 301, 303 305 and 309 models. Those are still made right in the U.S.

Okay cool! I'll look into bucks more then.. That lifetime warranty is appealing.