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The pattern that crept up on you

thatotherguy said:
if you don't like the yella handles, there's always the stainless and black one, and they're a bit cheaper in my experience.
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The problem is, I am too much of a CV fan to buy any of the stainless models. Plus, that creamy 'yella' color is growing on me a little. :)
 
Yeah, cv is my preferred Case steel too.
Yella used to be my least favorite handle materials and now it's only surpassed by red bone. It does grow on people quite fast.
 
The mini copperhead is a pattern I never considered and rarely looked at until ProTourist posted a photo of his in the "what are you carrying today?" thread. I looked for and found one and purchased it and it has been my favorite carry ever since. Oh, I like other patterns too, but that one is the one that sucked me in.

Ed J
 
I have to say it's the Barlow for me.
I think I disliked it because the first one I've ever handled was a cheap crappy barlow. I also didn't care for the big bolsters.

The look is certainly growing on me though. Especially with the beauties that's being posted on the TOTM. I am really starting to like 'em.

KG
 
uchinanchukg said:
I have to say it's the Barlow for me. . . I also didn't care for the big bolsters.
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That is what keeps me from falling in love with this pattern. I prefer bone to bolster, and that is why I am having my old barlow rescaled as a shadow pattern.

I will say, though, that the old red bone Case XX is gorgeous beyond words. And I also really like Gevonovich's Ulster, and some of the old Bökers posted in the TOTM thread. So, maybe I'm coming around to the barlow as you are.
 
Doug Add said:
That is what keeps me from falling in love with this pattern. I prefer bone to bolster, and that is why I am having my old barlow rescaled as a shadow pattern.

I will say, though, that the old red bone Case XX is gorgeous beyond words. And I also really like Gevonovich's Ulster, and some of the old Bökers posted in the TOTM thread. So, maybe I'm coming around to the barlow as you are.
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Exactly, Doug, that Ulster, and the Bokers all look great, I never liked the Barlow, but since I picked up that old Camillus, I have changed my mind on the pattern, it's a heavy duty peanut, I've really enjoyed using it this past week.
 
I was always a fan of the Barlow as a "muck 'n' dirt" knife, because decent quality ones can be found for as low as $5 at flea markets and garage sales. At that price point, it was a good usable knife that I didn't really care if it got messed up to the point of no repair. The bolsters have driven tacks, cracked nuts, marked wood (whack it hard enough to make a dent) and still held up enough to do their job. I wouldn't carry one as my sole EDC now, too heavy, but I do still have a couple of cheap modern Imperials floating around for the jobs I don't have the heart to put my 'Nut through.
If I ever have kids their first knife will be a Barlow, solely because they're hard to mess up.
 
The Opinel. I was always snobish toward them thinking how can a cheapo knife made in France be all that good! I try to keep an open mind about things and remembered my grandpa carried one sometimes, so I figured what the hey try one! I couldn't be happier I did! What an amazing knife and nice looking to my eyes as well!
 
I'm with Peter Parkr on this. The Opinel has totally taken over my pocket. I always read how for many, they were the standard as far as cutting ability, but there was also a lot of criticism regarding their handles expanding when wet and not being able to close or open the blades. It seemed people either loved them or hated them. So, just for kicks and giggles, for Father's day I bought myself an Opinel #6. I like the Soddie Jr, and this was about the same size. I have been smitten since. I was never that big of a fan of the single blade knife, and only carried the Soddie occassionally, but the Opinel has resided in my pocket all month. I keep trying to find reasons not to carry it, but I can't seem to do it. I wet it to see how bad it was, and it wasn't. A little stiff, but unless you submerge it in water for a time, it can still be opened and shut. I read about the lack of edge retention of the their carbon steel, but mine holds up just fine. A little stropping and its good to go. I keep wanting to do something to the handle, but like it the way it is. The blade is starting to get a nice patina. This is an amazing little knife, whether I need it to work "hard" or not, there hasn't been anything it hasn't been able to do. And even though it has one blade, I never feel under knifed. I've even put my Peanut away (blasphemy, I know) because this is all I want to carry. Have I found "my" knife? Only time will tell. Perhaps I have joined the Cult of the Opinel? LOL.
 
I love my little Opinel, the #4. Small enough to not even have the locking ring. It's about peanut sized. I use it for light whittling, and as many a woodworker has said before me, it's more important to be able to resharpen quickly than being able to hold an edge forever when woodworking. I find that at the end of every project I do the knife is dull, but I can strop it back to life in seconds. I personally love the carbon steel Opinel uses, and the handle is really comfortable too.
On the #4 the little peak on the end of the handle digs into your ring finger a bit, and causes a hotspot, but it's easily remedied with a bit of sandpaper and five minutes of time.
 
For me it was the Case Russ-lock. Then I found a couple of those with a Drop point blade - That got me hooked.
 
Ahhh the Russlock. Arguably the most eccentric design Case makes. Quite polarizing in my experience- people either love it or they hate it. I love the design- the only reasons I don't carry one is because the tang would stick into my leg and the fact that I don't currently own one.
 
me, it's the stockman. my first one was a buck 371 (chinese-made.) the stainless blade wasn't terrific but the finish, fit and action were great. it was a wrench to give it away but it was well-given. the guy's very happy and more than gifted me back in kind.

now, this buck 301 (US) i got as a replacement, i already mentioned in another thread how a nearly threw it away as a lemon. the exact reverse of the 371. bad fit and finish, awful spring action on all three blades. blade and edge quality was its only saving grace but it proved enough. i gave it a soapy water and oil bath. it came out nice and clean. action smoothened a bit but opening was still weak and closing for the spey was still partial (due to the sheep's foot's thickness.) but now, i find i'm holding and carrying it more often than my ultra-modern spydercos. it's easily the most convenient and practical knife in my collection right now, mainly because of the blades. it's like carrying three scalpels in one tool. the spey blade is the most impressive. i'll defer using that one as the clip and sheep already fulfill all my cutting/whittling needs.
 
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