The bug bite...what now?

Stand Straight

Stand Straight

Joined
Oct 11, 2013
Messages
823
I just recently was bitten by the traditional bug. I have many folders and enjoy them immensely, but something about the traditionals; something kinda magnetic.
The world of traditionals even has its own vocabulary that I’m learning. Much to learn in this new (to me) traditional knife world. Scary learning curve but exciting at the same time.


Made my first purchase (of many to come) last night of a Tidioute #77 Yankee Jack in antique autumn saw cut bone. Yes, I would have liked the Northfield #77 but gone, gone, gone.
Please correct my kindergarten vocabulary and I gratefully accept any advice, tips, etc. to learn and build upon this exciting turn in my knife hobby. Got any homework for me?
greg
 
I will give you the hardest, toughest homework you could do, that will really make you dive into the slipjoint world and never look back.
Browse this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-Traditional-Knife-quot-are-ya-totin-today

Start from the first one, from the last page, and go backwards. you will see a huge number of pictures, most of them with some info on the knives pictured, and learn.
Then after you're done, come back with a loaded wallet and with a more precise idea of what you like most ;)

Fausto
:cool:
 
That is a great knife to start with, good choice!

The above advice is really good too, that thread is an amazing resource of images of both new and old traditional knives and some good discussion to go along with them. Over 2,500 pages - 51,000 posts!

Other than that, my advice is to just hang around and not rush it. You will never learn everything in a week so just let the knowledge come to you naturally as you spend time here. I'm still learning from this forum all the time. Some of my favorite threads are the custom maker threads where some of the best knife makers around are not only showing their knives but also their knowledge. The Ken Erickson thread is amazing for the work in progress pics and discussion that goes along with some of the builds and the Bose knives thread is not to be missed! There are other great ones two, those are just the couple I'm most familiar with having gone through every page and post of each of them.
 
If your just getting interested in traditionals you should read jackknife's stories. Theres a sticky at top of trad forum i have read and re-read them many times and i learn something new each time they are great escapes from busy life. And WELCOME TO TRADITIONALS
 
Didn't notice any issues with your vocabulary.

Here;s a tip: Traditional knives are generally measured by their closed length, not blade lengths. I.e. when someone says a knife is 3 7/8", that is the closed length. Blade lengths are harder to find out (frequently not even listed on mfr web sites), but a good rule of thumb is that the longest blade is typically 1" shorter than the closed length, give or take 1/4".
 
More homework for you.
You have bought a very beautiful knife. Carry it, use it, feel it, and as you get more familiar with this subforum, and learn more about knives, blade shapes, patterns and so on, your knife will help you understand where to look and what to get.
And browse the "old knives" thread as well. Knowing the history of slipjoints will help you alot on making your history with them :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Thank you all for the advise and encouragement. I appreciate the direction given me as a novice. Nice to have a map when one begins a journey.

Quattromori, I'm chipping away at the Mount Everest you assigned me. Ten pages down, couple thousand more pages to go. I'm gonna be pushing up daisies before I complete this assignment.

A lot of information stuffed away in the stickies of most sub forums containing a wealth of information on wherever ones interests lie.
I hope in the future I can contribute to this forum with a little knowledge and some wisdom. A long way to go.
 
I also am getting reacquainted with traditionals. I am just about 50 and had many knives when I was a kid. However, they weren't "traditionals". They were just knives back then. Really wish I had kept them.

Reason for post if I may, what does the term "walk and talk" mean in the traditional for sale section. They mention fit and finish as though it were an entirely separate consideration in the buying and selling of the knife. Asking for clarification because there a bunch in there that I would like to get (would like to have gotten).

Thanks.
 
cutchu said:
I also am getting reacquainted with traditionals. I am just about 50 and had many knives when I was a kid. However, they weren't "traditionals". They were just knives back then. Really wish I had kept them.

Reason for post if I may, what does the term "walk and talk" mean in the traditional for sale section. They mention fit and finish as though it were an entirely separate consideration in the buying and selling of the knife. Asking for clarification because there a bunch in there that I would like to get (would like to have gotten).

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The WALK is the smooth glide you feel when opening (you do not want gritty feeling) and the TALK is the snap you hear when you open the blade. Hope that helps cutchu.
 
Talk can also be the closing sound as you get it mostly closed and then the backspring takes over and clicks it shut. A knife with good walk and talk has a nice, consistent feel throughout the opening and closing process. No grittiness, no places where the blade feels like it is binding up or is loose. Talk is the click and clack of the opening, possibly the half-stop, and closing positions. You'll know it when you feel and hear it on a good knife.

Many times, a brand new knife may have poor walk and talk, but just needs a good initial cleaning and lubing of the joints, or will work itself out with use or with repetitive open and closing. Some new knives benefit from flushing the joint in hot soapy water to get rid of factory grinding and polishing residue, followed by a good thorough drying and light oiling.

Fit and finish is things like the attention to detail, blade sharpness and evenness of the bevel, swedges, finish and even-ness of handle materials, lack of backspring gaps, backsprings flush when open and closed, just overall appearance of quality.
 
Cool, thanks for the info. I will have a new GEC #66 and a Northwoods Presidential on my porch when I get home from work tomorrow. Now I have the appropriate terminology to mentally identify their different aspects.

I wanted to get a Northwoods Fremont Jack in blue bone, but missed out on that. I will get the Fremont Jack next month.
 
I agree, you have made a great first choice. There is much to learn but you can do it.
 
Welcome to our little corner of the Forum. You'll find a TREMENDOUS amount of knowledge and expertise here and you'll pick up on it over time. This is perhaps the greatest online family I've ever seen on a forum - patience, generosity and helpfulness abound here. Ask any questions and have fun.

As mentioned above ref jackknife's stories - they can be found below. They are a joy to read and take you back to another time.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-jackknife-s-tales-With-thanks-to-stockman242
 
It was very recently that I dove back into 'traditional' pocketknives from a number of years of carrying only more 'modern' folders. If you are coming from the same background, I think that, in addition to the 'homework' assigned by others, some lab time is in order.

That #77 is not made from one of those new powered stainless steels, it's 1095 carbon. You are going to have to spend some time cleaning and oiling that blade to keep the 'pepper spots' away. Here in SoCal I learned that pocket time after a string of hot days can warrant a nightly wipe-down & oiling or rust can (and will) rear its ugly head. It's something I didn't have to monitor as closely with my ZTs and SAKs.

And I have one other suggestion for you: keep a clock near the computer. That way you can track the hours that mysteriously vanish while you wander through so many marvelous threads and posts.
 
MrBitters said:
It was very recently that I dove back into 'traditional' pocketknives from a number of years of carrying only more 'modern' folders. If you are coming from the same background, I think that, in addition to the 'homework' assigned by others, some lab time is in order.

That #77 is not made from one of those new powered stainless steels, it's 1095 carbon. You are going to have to spend some time cleaning and oiling that blade to keep the 'pepper spots' away. Here in SoCal I learned that pocket time after a string of hot days can warrant a nightly wipe-down & oiling or rust can (and will) rear its ugly head. It's something I didn't have to monitor as closely with my ZTs and SAKs.


And I have one other suggestion for you: keep a clock near the computer. That way you can track the hours that mysteriously vanish while you wander through so many marvelous threads and posts.
Click to expand...

We do have some things in common. I am a fan of the modern folder. s30v; s90v; m90; etc. I knew about 1095 but had no interest in it just because I didn't want to have an interest in it (good logic). In spite of the powered stainless steels, I still take good care of my knives: lube/oil & protect. We both live in the same region of the planet and don't usually experience much humidity, which allows us a bit more wiggle room in the rust preventative arena. Satisfaction in upkeep.

Lol. As far as the clock near the computer, I don't look at it because I know it gonna tell me I should have packed it in a couple of hours earlier. I like staying up until my eyes bleed. Lots to read and my eyes aren't bleeding yet.:)
 
Now that you have a great new knife- I suggest you stop buying new knives immediately!! That being said, don't stop buying traditional knives at all. Set a low limit of say $25 and go explore your area. This way you have time to enjoy your new knife without replacing it right away with another treasure. This gives you more time to learn what you expect out of a traditional. You have a great knife to compare to when looking at something that somebody might want too much money for- after all, you have a great knife that you paid a premium for in your other hand as you are comparing. If you only pay $10 to try a new pattern, that might need a little peening or de-gunking/oiling and sharpening, then it's not a big deal if the pattern just isn't for you, you still get further knowledge/appreciation of YOUR traditional knife journey and different traditional knives in general, and can always find someone to pass a nicely used and reconditioned slipjoint to (cough, cough, cough).

Some of my best finds and favourite knives were found locally for under the limit I mentioned, and by going local you get to feel the knife before buying it, build rapport with other collectors/dealers, and come across some great knives. I collect diversity, but darned if I don't keep finding Stockman knives that fit my criteria. And if you find a Grail type of knife, it can often still be had for less than most mid-range modern clipped folders. Learn what suits you gradually (one blade, two, five?? Half stops or cam action, long pulls or nail nicks, what makes you walk away, or run towards? It seems like the right knife to fit newly discovered roles just fall into place. And as life situations and needs change, you will probably have something to fall back on already, until the next treasure appears. If you want advice- look here first!

Be very careful of playing catch up here. There are decades upon decades of collecting, utilize the knowledge but don't try to compete with everybody. Beware "HAVING TO HAVE THAT NEW XXX" knife. Yes it might be a great new knife, but if you don't get it right now, you will still be able to cut string, boxes, fruit and deer tomorrow if you want to. I collect online pictures to satisfy my needs, most of the time anyways.

After a bit of time and experience you will find what works for you, the biggest piece of advice I have is don't rush it, enjoy each new addition, and have fun here!! Plus show us each new find that you get from dusty shelves, garage sales and ebay finds, that you rescue into the hands of an appreciative knife lover!

Well..... You asked!! (I've made mistakes along my way, my advice is to let you watch out for the pitfalls I've seen!)
 
Welcome to the traditional world Stand Straight, we've been waiting for you;) Aside form the creepy welcome, seriously just read the threads as they come and you will learn. Ask questions, we all want to help, goodness knows the amount of stupid questions I asked and still ask now. :D Folks round these parts are real friendly and helpful :thumbup: enjoy the traditional knife.
James.
 
Somehow no pics have appeared in this thread, so I'll go ahead and show off a couple of my favorites :)

35D24B5A-DA35-47B1-8FF3-4B979D423BD9_zpsjhlods1y.jpg

#33 Northfield (GEC) Conductor in Gabon Ebony and Case Peanut in chestnut bone

098D02C5-10A6-48E7-A18D-CBB4CEBEB77D_zpsmxgyor7m.jpg

Case large Stockman and Northfield #06 Pemberton in Autumn Gold bone

C8782F90-37AA-445D-8D31-BDDC082A6BB6_zpspp2cfvox.jpg

One of my absolute most cherished... TC Barlow in Gabon Ebony
 
Arizonaranchman, because of those types of photos, how can one not be drawn to the beauty of the traditionals?
MrBitters, thank you for your well advised comments.

Below photo shows what I found in the bottom of a drawer under the usual clutter. I kind of remember the Buck 112, but the Camillus with the Boy Scout (?) shield...no clue. The other one is a Klein Tool which again, don't know how it ended up in the drawer. This is the extent of my collection, as humble as it is.


I couldn't constrain myself from snapping the photo of my humble traditionals (maybe they don't qualify) with a border of a few nice folders, which I cannot ignore. I've just widen my scope of interest.

 
You are correct. The one handers with thumbstuds, liner locks and pocket clips do not qualify as traditional knives.
 
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