The Knife of 2014

[Jack Black]

I’ve been lucky enough to acquire lots of lovely traditional knives this year, all of which I enjoy carrying, but the one that has been really hard to kick out of my pocket has been Charlie’s Northfield SFO Radio Jack in ebony. I received the knife as a belated birthday present from ScruffUK, and for the past six months or so, I’ve found it a struggle to carry anything else. Ironically, my very first pocket knife was a very similar pattern, and I knew I was going to find the cap-lifter tool useful, but it turned out to be even more useful than I’d thought. Even more useful than the cap-lifter itself has been the screwdriver, which is great for poking, scraping, light prying, and dealing with screws, I use it for something every day. The Spearpoint blade is very versatile, and I just love everything about this knife, it’s a hard one not to carry.









Last year, it was the Aitor Castor Pequenya which completely took me by surprise, and I ended up carrying it a lot of the time. This year it was the Radio Jack. How about you, has any one folder grabbed hold of you and taken up more than its fair share of pocket time? Not necessarily your fanciest knife, or the one you’ve hunted after most, but the one you actually ended up carrying. Let’s see ‘em folks :thumbup:







Have a Happy New Year!

Jack

 

[markpmc]

Ebony for me also.
My story begins with not being thrilled with the butterscotch bone on the saddle trappers forum knife. I could have darkened it with tea, but I also suspected that GEC would do their own version. Traded to a forum member for this.

It's in my pocket for New Year's eve.

 

[Hammer67]

Great idea for a thread, Jack. :thumbup:

I've put effort into exploring and spending more time 'branching out' with various patterns this past year - different pen knife patterns, congress, etc. And some of those have really grown on me, but came too late in the year for me to declare them as "the" knife for 2014. I keep coming back to the Boy's Knife, in its various mutations, as the knife that just hits all the right notes for me. And while I cherish all of the various #15s I have (especially the TC's), at the risk of being unoriginal I've come to the essentially same conclusion - for day in and day out versatility, my #15 ebony 'Crown Lifter' takes the cake and has probably seen the most pocket time (and kitchen time, and work table time and pub time... ):

I hope we see another run of these at some point!

And a Happy New Year to all!

 

[GlennH]

By far my least expensive knife, but this year it has slowly become one of my favorites, and would probably claim the number one spot for 2014.
Imperial Frontier 4" Stockman.
Can't really explain why. Just has a solid feel and seems like the perfect tool for any cutting job I have. Nice to fondle, too. Taking on a nice patina.

 

[Sjostygg]

For me the Anniversary Barlow has represented everything that has been great about 2014. I have had other TC's, but I have liked none as well as this one.

It is everything I love in a traditional knife and represents everything I love about the community here in our corner of the forum. I feel like a kid again when I use this knife. I couldn't be more grateful for the lessons and experiences I've had here this year. I look forward to an even better 2015.

Phil (that's only 8 of us now right?)

 

[Half/Stop]

Jack, this is a great thread! Early in the year I purchased this 1973 Case 6231-1/2 Jack Knife on the big auction site. I own 3 mint examples in the same vintage era, but I did not want to carry one of those. I saw this one on the site and it appeared to be in very good condition so I won the auction. When I received the knife I was very pleased with the condition. The knife has been carried alot but not abused. It has the "Gator Snap" walk and talk that is common with these old Jack Knives. Needless to say it went in the RF pocket and has been there a large percentage of the time since. Wishing a Happy New Year to everyone here

~ Ron

 

[sitflyer]

It's funny how a pattern can grab hold of you, is it not? I have many other knives that I expected to favor over this one, but for some unexplained reason, I keep returning this knife to my pocket time and again after carrying others for a short while.

'twas ever thus...

 

[Whetstone39]

It was the GEC #99 Wall Street for me this year. Can't really explain why this one pattern appeals to me as much as it does, but regardless this is always with me. In fact I have become so enamored that I am planning on purchasing several versions.

 

[Captain Howdy]

I didn't acquire many knives in 2014 but I did get a gec 66 hj6. This sfo is a real gem in my eyes and since its built off the northfield line it's definitely the nicest knife I own as far as materials and looks go. The 66 frame rides great in my pocket and also feels great in my hand.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I do really love the Radio Jack, it's a huge favorite indeed. It's never missed a BBQ or party/gathering that's for sure! Mine is in blood red bone and just a beauty :thumbup:

Gosh this is a tough call, as there are several that have been beloved companions day in and day out. My SAK Farmer rides in a belt sheath. In the pocket is more often than not the 6375 large Stockman and one of my Peanuts in the watch pocket (I have two).

 

[jackknife]

For me the knife of 2014 has been the Northwoods stockman. Ever since Dan so generously gifted it to me last April, it's been a regular in the pocket. I've dallied with a few other knives, but when I carry something different, I get a vague feeling of disquiet, like some impending disaster just over the horizon. Maybe it's my decades long experience with an edc stockman all through the 70's, 80's and half the 90's. Or the fact that this knife is soooo easy for an old fart with arthritis to open. Or just the feel of the linseed oil polished wood scales when I slip a hand in my pocket for my Northwoods worry stone. My resolza is my dedicated dress and black tie occasion knife, and Zuava has taken up residence in Karen's purse, kicking out her Opinel. But I am always carrying my stockman if I have my jeans on.

 

[Old Hunter]

It's funny how the knife will tell you whether or not it's the one; this 1972 Case 6380 "Carpenters Whittler" has been in my pocket 90% of the time since it was acquired a few months ago - it's definitely the one for 2014, maybe for all time. At 3-7/8" it fits into the size range I prefer - beefy and stout but easy to carry, it has rounded bolsters - which I prefer as well. It is built with the care and quality that Case was known for in those days, it even sports some nicely colored red bone handles and possesses the right amount of pull and closing snap (about a 7). This knife was bought to add to my Case collection, to sit in a display - but has become my "favorite" - it tells me that every time I look over my EDC knives and refuse to pass this one up. Happy New Year Gents! OH

 

[rockgolfer]

This is very close for me. I handled a lot of knives this year and many of them were new patterns to me. Most went right back in the mail to new homes but a few have edged their way into the rotation. The 55 Houndstooth was certainly the knife of 2013 and this year I still carried it more than its new cousin the 47 Viper. It continues to see constant carry, a true staple in my small rotation of pocket knives. Proving its value as a sleek, effortless cutting tool time and time again.



Last years Christmas present to myself was a T.K. Cuban in ebony. I quickly filed the pen into a mini sheepsfoot blade and its been a staple for most of the year. It is very handy with a full, slim handle that honestly for its size, disappears in my pocket. The full size clip is a perfect edc blade for me and having that little straight edged back up really seals the deal. At one point this summer I left it with my tools in another state and spent 3 months kicking myself and wishing it was still around. If not for those 3 months it would have won 2014 without a doubt in my mind. But those work trips is what sealed its fate at the top of my list for this year. I love my little 55 but if I could only choose one today to carry for 2015, I would take the big pen knife.

My 2014 Knife of the Year
GEC 53 T.K. Cuban(with modified secondary blade)

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Two knives of 2014. One is my favorite pattern that I am never without outside of work, and the other is the pattern I am never without, including while at work. My ebony Case Tribal Spear and my Case single blade damascus peanut. The peanut handles most of my daily tasks, the Tribal Spear is mainly used just for fun and because I am in awe of the pattern.

 

[ms3902]

For me 2014 was the first year that I carried two knives on a regular basis. The knife in my RFP has changed weekly, but the one in my watch pocket has not changed since July. This little CV peanut has really taken it's place this year as "the knife" for me.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

As much as I like my Old Red Cross Pioneer and my Old Red Bone Pocket Worn Peanut, the nod goes to my Case 6375. It just oozes Old Timey Paw Paw knife.... despite being a newer model. This knife gets carried the most.

 

[VCM3]

For me it is this Congress by Reese Bose.
It is 4.25" closed & it is a hand full. I like all the blades & how they work ,and how they fit.

 

[Peter Parker]

Happy new year all! Great eye candy and those radio #15s are making me look forward to getting my new single blade version on the way! I thought when I got my Buck 500 it would really knock off my 2012 Buck 501 but I keep coming back to it. The 501 is just so thin, light easy to carry and a handsome little devil I just keep coming back to it! Like it's bigger brother a cutting devil! I'm crazy about both but I figure the 501 is always going to be my little pal!

 

[Peregrin]

It's a tough call for me. I have so many that I appreciate and enjoy carrying. That being said last years Case/Bose, which was Christmas present last year, has found it's way into my pocket more then any other (the Ohta is with me always). I love stag and the WT is pretty nice. The 3.5" size is just right and the blades are perfect for what I come across most days.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

This one, a Compagnon by Chambriard that I received from my friend down under, Ken aka harronek

and even nicer than the knife, was the sheath he made for it, he is a true artist ! This is one sturdy sheath!

nice knife, one of the Carbone bladed ones they make,
G2