Switching to a traditional folder to EDC

[WreckedVeteran]

I‘m sure this has been posted a thousand times but...

My interest in traditional folders, specifically slip joints has peaked to the point of wanting to switch from a Sebebza 21 to a traditional. I would of course rotate them out but l do not have a slip joint.

I am looking at a Case Trapper full size with yellow scales but haven’t made my mind up yet.

Any recommendations?


Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[solphilos]

The Trapper isn't a bad choice by any means, its a hard worker if that's what your after.
It really comes down to what your looking for in a traditional, there are just so many options its hard to suggest anything without knowing you or what you like.
I always advise people to go with what they're initially attracted to, since they'll likely try out other patterns in the future anyway.
Good luck and welcome!

 

[lutejones]

I'll suggest you to go smaller,
I made the same mistake years ago and bought a large stockman as my first knife, thinking in blade length as you do with modern knives.
I quickly realised that slip joints are different and it felt like a brick in the pocket.
The sweet spot for me is between 3 3/8" and 3 3/4" closed for multiblades.
If you want to go bigger anyway try the slimline trapper, is a beautiful useful pattern and much lighter, specially single bladed
Hope it helps

 

[Ernie1980]

I have a couple of questions before making any recommendations...
Are you planning on carrying the knife in your pocket or on a belt sheath? Also, what are your preferences for stainless vs carbon steel?

 

[abcdef]

Try to decide how many blades/tools you want and size. Prices are all over the place too. A used GEC might be a good place to start.

 

[Prester John]

I‘m sure this has been posted a thousand times but...

My interest in traditional folders, specifically slip joints has peaked to the point of wanting to switch from a Sebebza 21 to a traditional. I would of course rotate them out but l do not have a slip joint.

I am looking at a Case Trapper full size with yellow scales but haven’t made my mind up yet.

Any recommendations?


Thanks in advance,
Chris

I think the Case trapper is an excellent choice. If you wear dress pants, it is a little heavy, but certainly pocketable. I have an amber bone trapper and a yellow Delrin mini trapper. I prefer the full size, and often carry it in a belt sheath. The Delrin is very durable, and would also make a great choice. I also really love the stockman pattern. Here's a picture of my Case trapper and medium stockman:

I love them both. And here's my mini trapper:

My amber bone knives are stainless steel, but the mini trapper is CV steel, and will develop a patina. I think you can get a full size trapper in either steel.
Good luck.

 

[pinnah]

If you want to maintain the size of a modern knife, I highly recommend back pocket carry. I find the easiest way is to stitch a seam up the side of the pocket to hold the knife vertically. It's very discrete, comfortable and easy to access. For reference, my 2 most commonly knives are a Buck 110 or an Opinel 9.

If you are commit to front pocket loose carry, I recommend either something mid-sized and very flat, like the Buck 500. Or something shorter like a traditional Barlow or camper model.

 

[Frailer]

A Trapper is about as traditional as it gets, and if that’s what appeals to you, go for it.

Nevertheless, as has already been said you might find it a bit bulky and/or heavy, particularly if you’re not accustomed to carrying a knife loose in your pocket. I’ve been carrying a knife this way for nearly 50 years now, and it’s too bulky for me (this one is my daughter’s).



Since you asked for suggestions, I’d recommend taking a look at the Case Slimline Trapper, which is much more “pocketable” than its dual-bladed cousin...



...or the Tribal Lock, which is quite sturdy for a traditional knife while remaining slim enough for easy pocket carry.



If you want to look at other brands, many consider the GEC 15 in its many incarnations to be just about perfect in size. This one is in my pocket today, and I think it would be ideal for someone who wants to give slipjoints a try.



With all that said, my favorite traditional (other than SAKs) is the GEC 14. It might be a little on the small side for someone who’s transitioning from a Sebenza, but it punches well above its weight class, and it’s so darned *cute*.



Just my two cents. Enjoy your journey!

 

[BenjaminRush]

Personally, I found single blades to be more my speed when starting out with traditionals. If materials are important to you (like many modern enthusiasts), I think the Lionsteel/CK collabs bridge the gap very well.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I think your first choice should have a smaller secondary blade, if you find you don't need or use the smaller blade you'll know.

Check out the Case 62032 small Texas jack, if not now at least at some point.

Or just go with a good ol' Victorinox tinker or recruit.

 

[WreckedVeteran]

The Trapper isn't a bad choice by any means, its a hard worker if that's what your after.
It really comes down to what your looking for in a traditional, there are just so many options its hard to suggest anything without knowing you or what you like.
I always advise people to go with what they're initially attracted to, since they'll likely try out other patterns in the future anyway.
Good luck and welcome!

Thank you and I should have been more specific. I’m not a hunter but like to fish occasionally. That’s about the extent of my outdoorsman use.
I use my current knife to cut boxes, open mail, food prep, vehicle hoses... pretty much daily tasks that I can find anyway to use the Blade.

 

[JOELSM]

A case trapper is a great choice. I happen to have a photograph with my case trapper in hand next to my Sebenza to help you with size comparison.

And open in hand.

I personally don’t find the size/weight too much for loose pocket carry.

 

[Sabercat]

Some folks like to "experiment" with inexpensive knives to determine what pattern suits them for EDC use. I think this is a practical idea. Rough Riders are decent quality (especially for the price) and you can try 4-5 patterns for about $60.

For me, I really like a two blade knife with one curved blade (clip or spear) and one straight edge. If Case is where you'd like to start, I'd recommend a mini trapper with wharncliffe.

GEC Eureka Jack is far and away my favorite, but getting one of those on the secondary is not easy or cheap ($150-200). There's a Case/Bose Eureka that is easy to get, but you're looking at spending ~$400+.

Good luck! You'll find something you'll like - there's tons of great traditionals out there.

 

[black mamba]

If you want to stay with a single blade, the Case Tribal Lock is an excellent suggestion, as the Zulu spear blade is about a utilitarian as they come. It combines a slight belly for slicing with a low enough tip to use for precision cuts. If you want to dive into a multi-blade traditional, then a 4" stockman is about as good as it gets. A pretty new looking Schrade USA Uncle Henry 885UH can be found on the bay for well under $50, and is a wonderful tool. Here's mine.

 

[jstrange]

I‘m sure this has been posted a thousand times but...

My interest in traditional folders, specifically slip joints has peaked to the point of wanting to switch from a Sebebza 21 to a traditional. I would of course rotate them out but l do not have a slip joint.

I am looking at a Case Trapper full size with yellow scales but haven’t made my mind up yet.

Any recommendations?


Thanks in advance,
Chris

I think you are on the right track as that is by far my most carried traditional. And if you can’t just jump in with both feet quite yet, they even make one with a pocket clip.

 

[WreckedVeteran]

A case trapper is a great choice. I happen to have a photograph with my case trapper in hand next to my Sebenza to help you with size comparison.

And open in hand.

I personally don’t find the size/weight too much for loose pocket carry.

These are perfect, thank you for these.
Always great to see a size comparison especially these to.
Chris

 

[kvaughn]

Having carried trads for 60+ years I still grab a single blade slim trapper for my edc more often than not. The GEC 48 Weasel is my current favorite in 1095 carbon steel.--KV

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

I'm not a good judge on what to tell someone is good in the pocket. I carry 5 inch barlows and big 5-1/8 2blade folding hunters in my right front regularly, lol. "Sodbuster" patterns are a good edc I think, I really like the GEC Bullnose, but some people feel the grip is a tad chunky. Case Sodbuster and Sodbuster Jr. Are nice to. I like the trapper and multi blade knives quite a bit. With the 2 blade trapper you can use the spey for rougher stuff like boxes, and preserve the clip for food prep and such. If your breaking down boxes and come across one of those big staples, you'd still have one pristine edge. A Case large stockman is nice, one food prep, whittling, splinter getter blade, one box cutter, zip tie killer, hose cutter blade, and one blade to do those tasks that you know gonna dull and edge, so you just use the spey to scrape paint, strip wire, on and on..

 

[Pinemoon]

A Case Trapper is a great choice, as is a Case Sodbuster

If you think locking is a feature you'll want after being used to that in non-traditionals, a Buck 112 might be the ticket, or the Case Tribal Lock

And ask yourself if non-stainless is your thing. It typically means more maintenance, and some things like cutting fruit will actually stain your blade, a thought that may have never occurred to you with a knife before.


What's kept me in the traditional camp is I realized I really like the "snap" of traditionals. The backspring makes these knives feel alive to me; they're fun to fidget with, too.

 

[Arathol]

How about a nice TL-29?