The Quintessential American Knife to Gift?

I'd say a slippy from case, just to make sure he'll be able to carry it once he gets home.
 
My thought before reading the thread
Buck 110- If it's too big, it's because he isn't in America.
Bowie- see above
Barlow- Can't beat it for Americana feel
Stockman of some kind, Case is as good as any other.
Boy Scout knife
Trapper of some kind
Sodbuster- Gotta be Case and gotta be yellow
 
The most popular Schrade knife of all time, and therefore presumably one of the most popular American knives of all time, was supposedly the Old Timer 34OT. It's a mid-size three blade stockman. They're made in China now by a different company, but the original USA versions are very common and affordable on eBay.

Is your brother-in-law involved in Scouting there? You mentioned a scout knife... Bought my F-I-L a B.S.A. knife made by Case last year. A bit more expensive than the standard Case knives, but very nicely done.

Not sure who makes a standard Barlow now. When I was a kid most Barlow knives were made by Imperial in Rhode Island. Later, most Imperial production was moved to IRELAND. ;)
 
Bob W said:
The most popular Schrade knife of all time, and therefore presumably one of the most popular American knives of all time, was supposedly the Old Timer 34OT. It's a mid-size three blade stockman. They're made in China now by a different company, but the original USA versions are very common and affordable on eBay.

Is your brother-in-law involved in Scouting there? You mentioned a scout knife... Bought my F-I-L a B.S.A. knife made by Case last year. A bit more expensive than the standard Case knives, but very nicely done.

Not sure who makes a standard Barlow now. When I was a kid most Barlow knives were made by Imperial in Rhode Island. Later, most Imperial production was moved to IRELAND. ;)
Click to expand...
yup - my Imperial Schrade Barlow, purchased at Sears, was made in Ireland.
 
Another vote for the Buck 55. Not too big or too scary, but with all the charm of a 110.
 
A Bass Pro, CPM154 Buck 110 is about as 'American' as it gets. If the 110 is too large, consider a Buck 112.
 
I don't know about Ireland, but how strict are European knife laws in general? When I visited Hungary a few years back, you could buy any and every kind of knife in the hunting shops, including ones that are illegal in most of the USA, like automatics and butterfly knives.
 
I gave my future son-in-law, who's Swiss, a Kershaw Needs Work for Christmas. Definitely an American knife, but not quite quintessential.

For a quintessential American pocket knife, I'd vote for a Buck or Case Stockman or Trapper.
 
Isn't Ireland part of the U.K?

If so, he's not going to be able to have and carry a locking blade knife when he gets home. So that rules out the Buck folding hunters totally. Even the smaller 55.

Non lock, and blade under 2 1/2 inches or so. That rules out a lot of knives. Maybe even the Buck 301 stockman. I'd get him a 303 Buck cadet. Legal even in the U.K., great little knife capable of heavier duty work than you would think, and easy on the pocket. And it's still a stockman, an American pattern.

Maybe a small junior size Case CV sodbuster.

Remember, in the U.K. knife laws are soo much more strict than mainland Europe.
 
Nothing says American Classic like an American Classic Buck 110 ;)

It was my very first knife when I was 10 years old.
 
If the "mountain man" concept appeals to you, then go for the obvious: a Mountain Man trapper/folding hunter. Queen makes these in both locking and non-locking versions, with nice amber jigged bone scales. There are also versions by other makers (GEC, Moore Maker come to mind). One nice thing about Moore Maker, they have that nice tang stamp on their blades (Matador, Texas). How's that for COWBOY style?

Otherwise, my first inclinations would be a nice medium/large stockman by Case/Queen, or a Buck 110/112. For fixed blade, I immediately thought of a Bowie (can't get more American than the knife that was made famous in defense of the Alamo). That might not be quite as practical, though...:p
 
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