Suggestion on First Traditional folder/slip joint

Based on what I'm reading a GEC white owl would be just the ticket. Slim with a useful size main blade and a smaller pen that won't upset anyone when you use it.

Ed J
 
I have a case medium stockman ( 63032) that rides along everyday since i got it. Great knife in the hand and the pocket and tones of utility in A nice 3 blade package that stays compact, also i like having a pen over a spey for whittling without having to dull my two utility edges. As far as the buck vs case argument both are great knives but i don't feel the buck has any extraordinary advantages in toughness i think that reputation is more stemming from its appearance and material compared to the case. The case may seem almost more fragile just due to its beauty but it will hold up to any and all tasks that the buck will. The bottom line is your preference as both will hold up to any use if used properly and cared for. However for me i'll take my 032 with nice sharp carbon steel and handsome chestnut bone. Goodluck in ur search!
 
So many GEC to choose from. I want something I can use everyday in jeans OR slacks.
These are my choices:
GEC Whiteowl
GEC Melon Whittler
GEC Serpentine Calf Roper
GEC Ben Hogan
GEC Congress
GEC Hound Tooth
GEC Gepetto Whitler

It is hard to tell how big or bulky these are from pics.
 
The Great Eastern White Owl is very slender and comfortable. Build quality is top-notch. Looking for a dealer, we aren't allowed to recommend dealers here who aren't paid supporters of BladeForums but the GEC website has a list of official dealers and I've never heard a bad thing about any of them. Check the forum section "The Good the Bad and the Ugly" for reviews of specific dealers.

Almost as good are the German-made Boker knives. Can't believe no one has mentioned them yet. Carbon steel or stainless, variety of handle materials, traditional patterns, excellent quality, and priced about the same as Case.
 
You have a large selection of great knives to choose from by some great members here!

I would suggest a bit of a different approach to your slipjoint search. I always try to recommend people new to slipjoints to try to get knives in hand before making a first online purchase. Check out local pawn shops/antique/thrift stores/antique or gun/knife shows. This way you can find out what kinds of actions you like (weaker or stronger pulls to open; nail nick vs long pull), how the handle shapes and sizes fit your hands, how you like the different arrangements of blades if multibladed models, and how you like how different handle materials look and age (I like the looks of some acrylics but find their feel not to my liking as one example). Nothing wrong with not buying any if them, just looking and then transferring your new self awareness to the online descriptions. I often find very capable knives in the $5 range, and you could purchase some of these to have in hand when doing online searches. I find that a 1/4"-1/2" difference in advertised length can greatly change a knifes features, and like to have an in hand representation when choosing. You could always gift out the cheaper knives after your initial major purchase.

I understand wanting the best, but I suggest not overlooking those knives that have experience on them. Right now I am carrying last years forum knife along with a $1 garage sale find- both are great knives that fit their intended niches well.

One last suggestion- if ordering something like stay handles, try and see a picture of the specific knife, or utilize a vendor that will look at their stock and pick the personality of the stag that fits you (I am rarely a fan of Case stag as an example).

Good luck on your search!!
 
I'm a Buck fan and tend to prefer them. I've carried a Stockman for years (the one I have now somewhere north of 15 years). My alternate EDC is a small Case M3 FINN SS fixed blade (I started carrying it to work when I noticed that often I had only one free hand and it was easier to simply pull out a fixed blade to strip wire of whatever instead of having to open the folder, LOL).

They're mentioned above, I have several Rough Rider knives. Yes they're made in China but actually they're not bad (especially for the price). I've never had one fail on me or break. They hold an edge alright and do a good job on every day jobs. While they're not Buck or Case they aren't bad.
 
Does anyone think it would be better to get say a Buck and Case or a Buck and Boker or Buck, Case, and Rough Rider INSTEAD of 1 GEC?

I was just thinking for the price of GEC, I can get 2-3 other knives. Is GEC really leaps and bounds over Buck, Boker, or Case?
 
joepa150 said:
So many GEC to choose from. I want something I can use everyday in jeans OR slacks.
These are my choices:
GEC Whiteowl - 1 single spring
GEC Melon Whittler - 2 thinner springs without center liner (IIRC, may be tapered liner at least on the whittler)
GEC Serpentine Calf Roper - 2 springs, 1 extra liner
GEC Ben Hogan - singe spring
GEC Congress - Half congress is single spring, I believe full congress is 2 spring
GEC Hound Tooth - single spring
GEC Gepetto Whitler - someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe being a whittler it will be 2 spring with a tapered center liner

It is hard to tell how big or bulky these are from pics.
Click to expand...

You can use this thread to see some length/height comparison shots for different GECs. I don't really have thickness pics but I marked in your post how many springs the knives have which can help determine thickness.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/975391-Great-Eastern-Cutlery-(-GEC-)-group-shots-photo-requests

Of the bunch, I would say get the #68 White Owl as it would be a great pocket knife for most tasks.
 
joepa150 said:
Does anyone think it would be better to get say a Buck and Case or a Buck and Boker or Buck, Case, and Rough Rider INSTEAD of 1 GEC?

I was just thinking for the price of GEC, I can get 2-3 other knives. Is GEC really leaps and bounds over Buck, Boker, or Case?
Click to expand...

If you don't know what you want then getting multiple less expensive knives may not be a bad idea. I know I do like GEC and usually like the knives they put out so when I try a new pattern, I just get a GEC. Leaps and bounds, I can't say that but it is usually better ime. You may have different preferences though but the White Owl seems to be universally liked by those who have gotten one.
 
joepa150 said:
Does anyone think it would be better to get say a Buck and Case or a Buck and Boker or Buck, Case, and Rough Rider INSTEAD of 1 GEC?

I was just thinking for the price of GEC, I can get 2-3 other knives. Is GEC really leaps and bounds over Buck, Boker, or Case?
Click to expand...

I think going for a Rough Rider has some very good benefits. For one, aside from saving some money, you can sample a patter for a small fraction of what the GEC or Case will run you. And until you figure out what knife pattern is more useful and suitable to your life style and dress, that is a good idea. You may think one particular pattern appeals to you, but on close exam and daily carry for a week or two, you won't really know. Sometimes what appeals to our eyes, doesn't work out in the pocket or real world use.

By buying a less expensive knife, you can move on from it with little pain if it turns out that the pattern is not for you after all. I say, don't go all out on a higher end knife until you figure out what suits you.

Carl.
 
jackknife said:
I think going for a Rough Rider has some very good benefits. For one, aside from saving some money, you can sample a patter for a small fraction of what the GEC or Case will run you. And until you figure out what knife pattern is more useful and suitable to your life style and dress, that is a good idea. You may think one particular pattern appeals to you, but on close exam and daily carry for a week or two, you won't really know. Sometimes what appeals to our eyes, doesn't work out in the pocket or real world use.

By buying a less expensive knife, you can move on from it with little pain if it turns out that the pattern is not for you after all. I say, don't go all out on a higher end knife until you figure out what suits you.

Carl.
Click to expand...

If I go this route, what would you say are top/popular patterns I should buy? I would probably buy 2-3 Rough Riders.
 
joepa150 said:
If I go this route, what would you say are top/popular patterns I should buy? I would probably buy 2-3 Rough Riders.
Click to expand...

It's hard to say. There's such a wide variety of styles and patterns, that it's almost like an endless variety of knives. Very very subjective to the person making the choice. When I was a young stub full of vinegar, I carried a pretty full size three blade stockman. A Buck 301 to be exact. For 25 years that knife traveled with me everywhere I went. Army and civilian life. It served as a camping knife, trout and small game knife, utility knife, and even did small surgery when camping with some friends in Big Bend National park and a friend got a big thorn from a cactus imbedded in his leg. Thank God for fine points on clip blades. So in my experience, a stockman is a very good all around knife. Some others may go for a barlow or Texas jack, and they would not be wrong. It all depends on the person and their life style.

But I would try a medium stockman, a barlow, and a pen of some type. Case makes a yellow handle pen that is a slim carry, with only a single back spring. For a stockman, try for a size in the 3 inch and something range. The 4 1/4 stockman is a huge pocket full of knife, as is a large trapper, and you say you work in an office environment. Any of the two blade jacks in the 3 and something range will work well for your needs. From 3 inches to 3 1/2 is not too bad to carry. Anything in the mid 3 inch range and 3 ounces or less will do to start out and give you an idea more or less. Once you figure out what your own personal carry parameters are, you can then go for the higher end GEC's. The Rough Riders are just to give you a feel for the size and weight and blade patterns.

Carl.
 
Over the weekend I took a look at a few knives. I looked at Bear& Son, Buck, and Case slipjoints. Out of these, Case looked and felt the best in my hand. Before I order a GEC, Northwoods, Queen, etc, I am going to use a couple of Rough Riders and Case knives.

I bought a small Rough Rider Stockman, and a medium Rough rider Trapper over the weekend.
I also am receiving the following Case knives. They are both over 15 years old, maybe closer to 25 yrs old.
Case Canoe 62131 with indian etching
Case Stockman 6392
 
joepa150 said:
I am looking to get a slip joint knife (terminology)?
Anyone have any suggestions?
Click to expand...
This was on 2-13...

joepa150 said:
Over the weekend I took a look at a few knives. I looked at Bear& Son, Buck, and Case slipjoints. Out of these, Case looked and felt the best in my hand. Before I order a GEC, Northwoods, Queen, etc, I am going to use a couple of Rough Riders and Case knives.

I bought a small Rough Rider Stockman, and a medium Rough rider Trapper over the weekend.
I also am receiving the following Case knives. They are both over 15 years old, maybe closer to 25 yrs old.
Case Canoe 62131 with indian etching
Case Stockman 6392
Click to expand...
This was today at 6:28 :D
Are we all good influences or knife salesmen?
 
Are we all good influences or knife salesmen?
Click to expand...
We could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. Pointed ice cubes, that is.
 
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