Suggestions for collecting large toothpicks and trapperlocks

rschuch

rschuch

Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Messages
709
I'm a newbie to this site and folding knives in general. I have a small collection of swords, but I'm not a big fan of reproductions, and since I'm not independently wealthy, my collection has remained tiny.
However, recently I got a Case trapperlock (02743) as a gift and I've realized my love of sharp objects just needed a slight reduction in size to be reawakened.

So I'm here for advice regarding QUALITY knives in the Texas toothpick and trapperlock size range (4" - 5+"), new and used and which to avoid, but less than $75 or so. Case is the obvious starting point and I already got another OLDER one because (correct me if I'm wrong) it seems they've discontinued their large toothpicks (all the ones I see now are 3") and I read the other posts and know about Schatt and Morgan, Miguel Nieto and Queen Cutlery's toothpicks (next on my list). I'm watching others by Bear & Sons, Bulldog and WR Wragg, BUT I see other names like Frost, Marbles, Cannon, Colombia River, Whetstone, Fury, Rough Rider, Buck, Remington, and Stoneworx which can range in price from $5 to $300.

SO, I know "you get what you pay for", but I also want to know a good deal when I see one. I want to buy U.S. if possible, but will also be interested in British or German-made knives of quality. Obviously, I'd like to avoid Chinese knockoffs and anything using inferior materials. I'd like to be able to pass this collection down to my grandkids someday, and weak discolored blades and peeling handles isn't something I can feel pride in collecting.

Thanks for all the advice!
 
GEC no 12 powderhorn,:)can't go wrong.
yeah whats with Case and the mini deal ? those minis don't appeal to me.
 
Yeah! That's a sharp one (not the first to use THAT pun on this site I'm sure). The GEC #89 has a similar look to it as well. A little pricey, but I can save up. I do see that brand often when looking through posts here.
I think Case is going for the female market or something - all the pretty little Corelon handles to collect, just the right size for Barbie and Ken. The whole "Texas toothpick" term is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, not taken literally.

Of those I listed in the initial post, are there any you'd avoid?
 
The toothpick pattern doesn't seem to be especially popular these days, other than for those who collect the Case Small Texas Toothpicks for display purposes. Case still makes a few of their Medium (4 1/4" closed) Texas Toothpicks in a couple of handle styles, but they haven't made the Large (5 1/2" closed) in a few years. You can still find them through online auction sites, and some dealers may still have some new old stock since, as I mentioned, they don't seem to be as popular as some others.

Queen/Schatt and Morgan is still making larger Toothpick knives. And you've already heard about the GEC #12s, which haven't been made in a while but you can still find a few out there for sale. For some reason it's not as popular as their other patterns so some dealers may have new old stock sitting around.

For USA made, I think you are limited to Buck, Case, Queen, Canal Street and Great Eastern for current production. Well, Bear and Sons is in the US, but I have never yet read a positive thread about their knives. I don't know of any that are currently making/have recently made toothpick patterns other than Queen, Case, and GEC.

Some of the others you mention - Rough Rider, Columbia River (aka CRKT), Frost, and Marbles (current production) are not US-made. I can't personally vouch for the quality since I don't own any of them. Rough Rider, Marbles, and Colt brand names are currently owned/licensed by Kevin Pipes, owner of a large knife dealer in the east Tennessee area (whose name I can't mention because they are not a paying BF dealer member) and are manufactured overseas, but of the "value-priced" brands seem to get some good comments here.

In your original post you mentioned traditional knives in the 4-5" size range. One option there is the Case Back Pocket/Panama Trapper line. These are nicely done, designed by Tony Bose, and are pretty decently sized knives. We really can't discuss the Case T***lock on this forum because it is considered a modern knife due to the design features.


Edit: Also, some of the Buck current production of traditional knives is done overseas, particularly the 37x and 38x models, using 420J2 stainless steel. I believe their current toothpick knife (which is a small one) falls into that category.
 
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Thanks for all the insight. I thought I'd read somewhere the toothpicks were the most popular - guess not. Maybe in the past? Most of my searching so far has been auction site. I went to a large antique mall to day and several people had collections of folders, but most all were small peanut multi-bladed affairs and not my cup of tea. Figures I'd like the style nobody carries anymore. On the plus side, it'll make collecting them easier to find a stopping point!

I like the Back Pocket line - I think I'll stick with the style I have which I can't mention since the blade is about the same size and they run the same price.

I did notice what you said about Buck and a few other local brands sending production overseas. Gotta read the fine print, I guess.

I like the Miguel Nieto toothpick (Spanish-made), but am having a hard time finding it. I see there's a Cannon brand that makes a cheap knock-off, but all the reviews I see say they're well made, so for $7 I may take a chance on that one.

I also see a French made Opinel brand (#15). Basically a folding fillet knife, but it looks pretty sharp with the bubinga wood handle. Are these well made? I know they're more practical and not fancy, but for $25 that's a lotta knife (13" unfolded).
 
I'm fond of the Toothpick pattern as my first knife as a kid was a Case Fisherman. My personal preference is for those offered by Great Eastern Cutlery, with Queen right behind them.

Buck did send production overseas, but has since started moving back to all U.S. made products.

Re: Opinels - There are a lot of fans on this subforum. A quick search should bring up a lot of posts. Quite a few members here have modified the handles to suit their tastes. You can even buy a Opinel with an uncarved handle (Opinel Ebauche) and finish the handle yourself. I have one in cherry wood that I finished and it turned out pretty good even with my limited ability. I have a plain Opinel #8 in carbon steel that has been my go-to folder for Scout trips when I can't take a fixed blade. Great knife for the money.
 
Very good. Thanks a lot, guys. It's nice to have a plan. My main issue seems to be the GEC not making theirs anymore, so I'll be watching the auctions for that one. The problem with Queen is deciding between the stag or zebrawood handle!

Another fillet knife question: I saw a few other brands. The Benchmade had horrible reviews so I'll steer clear of that one. There was also a Ridge Runner knife, which I see is made in the UK. It had more positive than negative reviews, but on another site they say "Stay away". What's the quality of the Ridge Runner compared to the Opinel?
 
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There are plenty of GEC toothpicks at the various dealer sites. They make an excellent toothpick, but it's a little small for my liking at only 4 inches. I prefer a toothpick to be full-size; 5" is the "right" size, IMO. :)

I recommend heartily the Queen-made toothpick. Best one on the market, in my opinion, beyond a shadow of a doubt. It'll run you between 50 and 60 bucks, depending on what material the handle covers are, and where you buy it. Schatt & Morgan, also a Queen brand, has an excellent toothpick you can find if you look around a bit. It's a hair larger than the standard 5" toothpick, which is kinda cool.
 
I like and own, in order of preference Schatt and Morgan, Queen and Case. Schatt and Morgan have the best fit and finish and some come in ATS34 steel. Personally I do not like GEC designs and won't buy them. Too thickly made for a toothpick.

You can find lots of vintage toothpicks as well, both as toothpicks and fishing knives.

There's nothing "Texas" about the toothpick though, other than as marketing hype. It's a pattern used throughout the US and is decades old. I like the older term "tickler" the best.
 
Also, I think that the older Case toothpicks (from the 70s and earlier) can be just as nice as the Queens of today.
 
You are right, the older Case are sweet. They are not cheap either. I've had one on my bucket list for awhile. I can find them beat to hell and cheap but never one good enough to be a user at a price I can stomach. I buy old toothpicks (e.g. Imperial, Colonial, Schrade) clean them up and give them to friends who fish but are short on decent tackle.
 
Schrade USA 190OT and 503SC Gunstock Trapper Linerlocks are tops in my book.

194OT-SC503compare_zps4940de45.jpg
 
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