The Traditional Knife of 2016

[Old Engineer]

Two things I found out; it has a nice fine tip that punctures easy and that blade rides higher so it's very easy to just pinch it open. It almost makes you go to it for most quick EDC use.

I will say, even though I use that blade the most, I do not really care for a knife that just has a straight edge. I do have a couple but they aren't preferred. Pairing the straight edge blade with a blade that has some belly like a clip or spear is ideal and having both blades be full size is icing on the cake for sure.

Makes a lot of sense to me now that you have explained it Jake.

Harry

 

[pertinux]

Jack,

Count me among those who enjoy this thread every year! I have looked forward to this thread since early December, 2015-- because I knew then what would be confirmed through these past 12 months, that my knife of 2016 had found me.

However, the last quarter of this year has been full of surprises and overturn in my little knifely life, revelations compelling reconsiderations. My Top Knife abides, but first here are the runners-up, the catalysts three, in chronological order:

While at GEC's 2016 Rendezvous, reveling in all things Great Eastern Cutlery, I was approached (ambushed! enticed! teased!) by Parke1, who showed me a certain Wostenholm and said he thought I might like it:

At first glance, I thought it was 'very fine,' and kept moving. Over the next days the knife kept calling me back; Parke1 and I made arrangements, and it become mine. Of all its charms, this proved most irresistible:

(Swoon.)

In array:

[The Northfield at the far right would possibly pip the Wostenholm, were it a user....]

The Overturn: The character, sturdiness, and indefinable mojo of this Wostenholm IXL Barlow casts my newer knives in a noveau kewl light in comparison, much as I still esteem them, and prompted the beginnings of the pare-down of my personal selection/collection as I return to the essence of what first drew me to traditional knives, and evaluate in real-time what holds me still.

Best Runner-Up of Ever(!):
A friend sent me word that a certain Whaler was floating by, and I was, am, astonished to have landed this one:

I have long admired this knife in all its excess. I had no imagination for ever being able to find one at a price that made for peace, and then This.

The Overturn:
I spent more on this Whaler than I ever had for any knife, custom or production, and felt-- knew-- that I had been given a gift.
1) Unbeknownst to me, the now-broken price barrier poised me for the most dramatic o'erturn yet, and
2) I at once knew that I'd bumbled into my grail as far as a "collectible" knife, with an odd sense of completion on a front I didn't know existed. A puzzle, and a relief: having this Whaler here fills me full in an unexpected way, putting an end to wanting other production knives that I won't prefer or use more than the ones I already have-- and prompting me to release many knives that I had previously considered non-negotiably mine until kingdom come.

Runner-up #3, or AND THEN THIS HAPPENED:

This isn't my knife, and I don't want this knife, but I collided with this picture of this knife in a random off-topic subforum, and as I have written at length elsewhere, didn't my ever-lovin', blue-lovin' heart suffer what can best be described as an "episode," and it's been all kancamungus and Fiddleback for me ever since.

I suddenly have three Fiddleback knives, and attendant leather (oooooh, the leather):

The Overturn: I cannot explain, even to myself, my sudden and unreasonable(?) affection for these knives, over and against other knives and makers that I continue to love, but I do know that I am moved on a visceral level by the directness of their handmade production, the whimsy of their appointments, and the good hearts and company of those who make the knives (and the craftsmen who make their sheaths), the responsive and enthusiastic vendors who are an active part of the Fiddleback community, the whole sheboodle.

The Patch Knife is my first and most comfortably-handled of the three, the little Stubby Muk will likely prove the most trouble going forward in a WLST® sort of way, but I'm designating the Esquire as my Official 2016 Runner-Up here, simply because I carry it every day, in a cross-draw belt sheath or APS pocket sheath.

The Fiddleback Effect has had a significant impact here in 2016, and I anticipate further consequence in 2017. I am culling my collection(s) hard, with an eye towards simplicity but also with a new-found appreciation for that which is handmade, extending even to other areas of my life and possessions (dishware, furniture, etc.). I am cognizant of the turn for Home, and it's time to distill what I have and use down to the best I can manage.


My Traditional Knife of 2016:







It was always you.

... When one's favorite production company makes a favorite pattern in a favorite color, one does well to pay attention. My default preferences are for two-bladed jack knives with clip mains, but this sheepfoot single-bladed overbuilt Weird Little Stubby Thing® quietly and pervasively made its case as Mine from the moment it arrived, and I have carried it every single day in 2016,* no rules, compulsion, deliberation or Only One! guidelines required. It's mine, and it's with me.

[*Save for the two days it spent at the dentist's after it slid out of my pocket there, and I couldn't immediately return to retrieve it. ]

[Actual day's pocket/sheath 'dump, representative of most days from the last quarter of 2016 onward:]

Thanks, Jack!

~ P.

 

[Pomsbz]

Great collection of excellent knives. ^^^

 

[swaybacksteve]

~P : Great story leading up to your knife of the year, beautiful 25.

I am still at a quandary on picking a knife of the year.

 

[r redden]

I’ve posted a similar thread to this at the end of the past couple of years. What I’m asking for is for you to pick the knife that has made the biggest impression on you during 2016, not one you want, but one you have, and not necessarily the fanciest or most expensive, but the one which meant the most, which maybe took you by surprise. For most of us here, this is probably going to be a hard choice, and you can post about as many knives as you like, but in the end, you must make a decision. This thread is called ‘The Knife of 2016’ – Your knife of 2016 – not KNIVES. So let’s see what you got [/URL]

This is an extremely hard choice and it really comes down to just picking one because so many are so close. All of these knives came into my possession in 2016.

This 1st one a Schrade 3OT I bought for $20 and was a complete surprise at what a great knife it is and I carry it often.

This 2nd one is my very first pocket knife my grandfather gave me that Glennbad restored for me. Not only did Glenn do an incredible job but it has tremendous sentimental value to me.

The 3rd one is just an incredible knife that I absolutely love. It gets more pocket time than any knife I own. However as of Thursday I no longer own it. I gifted it to a friend here on BF that has been unbelievably kind and generous to me I wanted to give something special to him. He won't receive it until Monday so right now he doesn't know it's his.

This 4th knife my first S&M is not only an incredible knife but was gifted to me by one of my best friends Jack lam (Mrknife)

This 5th knife is the oldest knife I own. It is a WW2 era Camilius radio jack gifted to me by my good friend Bob Bendell (BigBiscuit)

Finally the winner, my knife of 2016. My Boker 494 Barlow. As most of you know the Barlow is my favorite pattern. I saw one of these posted by a member here and fell in love. At that point the search was on. After a couple of months a mint never used or sharpened one appeared on that big auction site. I think I paid either $35 or $45 for it but wanted it so bad I placed a maximum bid of $200 for it and would have paid it. Anyway I know most of you understand when you find a knife you really want your willing to pay high for it but glad I didn't have to.

 

[mrknife]

[QUOTE...

Finally the winner, my knife of 2016. My Boker 494 Barlow. As most of you know the Barlow is my favorite pattern. I saw one of these posted by a member here and fell in love. At that point the search was on. After a couple of months a mint never used or sharpened one appeared on that big auction site. I think I paid either $35 or $45 for it but wanted it so bad I placed a maximum bid of $200 for it and would have paid it. Anyway I know most of you understand when you find a knife you really want your willing to pay high for it but glad I didn't have to.

[/QUOTE]

I remember that search Randy, months and months kept our eyes on the bay! Glad you got it pal!

 

[Will Power]

Jack, your asking me to remember when I bought certain knives brother and to be honest it is a blur.

One I took a gamble on and am glad I did. I'm always pleased when I use it. The pruner handle is perfect imo. My Lambsfoot.



Last, but not least, I spent way to much to grab this one only to make it a user. However, I would do it again. Amazing ergos, pull, and just an amazing knife to enjoy growing old with.

Brett That Eureka swept my board for Knife of the Year for sure. Not only epic quality stag, but that shield too.:thumbup::thumbs:

Thanks, Will

 

[Railsplitter]

In array:

[The Northfield at the far right would possibly pip the Wostenholm, were it a user....]

Hold on there, Sarah! Is that an original Northfield?!

At the risk of derailing the thread, may we please see more of this knife?

 

[BenHarris]

This is an extremely hard choice and it really comes down to just picking one because so many are so close. All of these knives came into my possession in 2016.

This 1st one a Schrade 3OT I bought for $20 and was a complete surprise at what a great knife it is and I carry it often.

This 2nd one is my very first pocket knife my grandfather gave me that Glennbad restored for me. Not only did Glenn do an incredible job but it has tremendous sentimental value to me.

The 3rd one is just an incredible knife that I absolutely love. It gets more pocket time than any knife I own. However as of Thursday I no longer own it. I gifted it to a friend here on BF that has been unbelievably kind and generous to me I wanted to give something special to him. He won't receive it until Monday so right now he doesn't know it's his.

This 4th knife my first S&M is not only an incredible knife but was gifted to me by one of my best friends Jack lam (Mrknife)

This 5th knife is the oldest knife I own. It is a WW2 era Camilius radio jack gifted to me by my good friend Bob Bendell (BigBiscuit)

Finally the winner, my knife of 2016. My Boker 494 Barlow. As most of you know the Barlow is my favorite pattern. I saw one of these posted by a member here and fell in love. At that point the search was on. After a couple of months a mint never used or sharpened one appeared on that big auction site. I think I paid either $35 or $45 for it but wanted it so bad I placed a maximum bid of $200 for it and would have paid it. Anyway I know most of you understand when you find a knife you really want your willing to pay high for it but glad I didn't have to.

I'm glad you found your knife, Randy! I used the 494 out in the garden the other day and thought of your search. I love being able to pinch open the blade with gloves on!

 

[pertinux]

Hold on there, Sarah! Is that an original Northfield?!

At the risk of derailing the thread, may we please see more of this knife?

I don't remember if the gathered Knife Minds determined conclusively that the knife was produced while Northfield was still in business, or assembled later from original Northfield parts (if I recall, consensus was towards the latter, but I forget why), so let's call it an "original" Northfield.

Delectable in size and proportion, with a pinned federal shield, beautiful bone and a tapered, full sheepsfoot blade...

... and these tang stamps:

~ P.

 

[MJ71]

Pertinux: that is one of the more eloquent pieces of prose surrounding the rationale for a preferred knife I've read. Very nicely relayed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[r redden]

I'm glad you found your knife, Randy! I used the 494 out in the garden the other day and thought of your search. I love being able to pinch open the blade with gloves on!

Ben your knife started a 3 month search that ended with the one pictured here. Jack (Mrknife) was as diligent as I was in the search.

 

[Railsplitter]

Thanks for the additional pictures and info, Sarah. That was a real treat!

I'm always fascinated by Northfield and Tidioute originals. I don't really know a lot about vintage knives but the fact that GEC uses those names now makes me very interested when I see one of the originals. Especially one in such great condition as yours.

That is a very nice Northfield!

 

[waynorth]

First, I'd like to thank Jack for starting this thread! This could become an enduring tradition within Traditionals! A fine "wrap-up" for a year of the knife enjoying that we do!!
And it's really a tribute to the knives we actually carry, I would say!
I was carrying the 2014 BF Stag Jack as the year commenced, mostly accompanied by "old Boiley" (who is currently MIA - but I am sure he will show up).

Clad in donated Stag (thanks John Lloyd:thumbup:!), this is a great user, and great-looking!
Now most of you have heard or read the story (or parts thereof) of Wharcliffe knives, thought to have been invented by a Noble knife-lover, and recognized as a very useful and ergonomic knife.
The serpentine handle fits my hand perfectly, edge up or edge down. And it is the natural home of the Wharcliffe Blade!!!
While beautiful and impressive in three-blade, split-spring Whittler form, I find I prefer the simpler two-blade single-spring model.

When the #38 pattern appeared at GEC, Bill offered this version to Derrick Bohn for his Northfield line (I was so jealous!!)!
I loved them so much, I bought a complete collection of them!!
But this Stag version just sang to me! I knocked down some sharp edges on the Stag, to make it pocket-smooth, and it has been in my pocket ever since! I enjoy using this knife immensely! A pure traditional design with a story, I feel I am going to enjoy watching the Stag mellow, and the blade patina for many years to come - truly my knife of 2016!!

 

[Jack Black]

I've read through this thread numerous times now, and have really enjoyed reading the well-considered and well-written posts, as well as all the superb photos of superb knives. Many thanks for entering into the spirit of things, and thanks for the kind words

Pertinux, that is the sort of outstanding post I have come to expect from you my friend, full of great insights and some stellar knives - even some great carrying leather. Nice to see more of that Northfield too :thumbup:

Beautiful Wharncliffe Charlie, looks like they did a nice job of that :thumbup:

I dare say I'll be reading through this thread a few more times, and look forward to seeing what comes to all of us in 2017 :thumbup:

 

[supratentorial]

Very nice knives, P. You are one of the nicest people that I've met online and one of the last people that I would want to make unhappy (not that I'd want to make anyone unhappy). I hope you take my comment well. The "Northfield" is the work of a tinkerer. It's what I call a "knife collage" or "knife sculpture". You might show it to Bernard Levine to get feedback.

 

[pertinux]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Much appreciated.

Very nice knives, P. You are one of the nicest people that I've met online and one of the last people that I would want to make unhappy (not that I'd want to make anyone unhappy). I hope you take my comment well. The "Northfield" is the work of a tinkerer. It's what I call a "knife collage" or "knife sculpture". You might show it to Bernard Levine to get feedback.

Aha.

I'm guessing it's too late to get my horse back....

​

Thanks for your insight, Jake. That's what I alluded to when I wrote above, "...assembled later from original Northfield parts." Or do you mean, the tang stamps were finagled, and the blades are likely non-Northfield as well?

The main point for me, right now: if this means I can now use this knife without fear of eating a Dodo, I'm about to love this wonderful little knife even more.

Thoughts, on that score?

[I would appreciate further clarity on the knife's distinctive distinctives in order to speak of it accurately, but am admittedly a little skeered by the BRL subforum.]

~ P.

 

[supratentorial]

It's parts from multiple knives fit together... probably 3 or more donor knives. The parts don't belong together. The tang on the sheepfoot may or may not be Northfield. My first impression was that the blade might be welded to the tang but it's just a guess. It can be difficult to see a weld in photos if it is done well or heavily resurfaced. The blade has been heavily resurfaced. Some of the guys on Ebay have fake stamps but some also have real stamps. I'd show it to BRL. BRL has much more experience than me.

Making a knife from parts can be useful. Trying to fool people is hurtful to others as well as knife collecting. If the tinkers would mark their knives, they'd help preserve the hobby while still having fun making their sculptures. For some folks money is more important and they have no interest in the well being of the hobby. The market is pretty overrun with reworks and fakes.

Folks don't want to disappoint others but if folks on online forums don't identify knives it does further damage. It's never enjoyable for me to ID knives as reworks or fakes. I often stay out of the old knives topic now. I've considered no longer commenting on old knives.

I am one of the folks who believe that some oldies should be preserved but I also think there are plenty of old knives that can be used. And there are folks like Glennbad who are modifying knives, marking them, and accurately representing them. Making something useful has value. As long as the knife has utility to you, it has value.

 

[pertinux]

[With apologies to Jack(!). But if I'd known I could carry and use this knife with impunity, it would have joined, if not pipped, the IXL that made the cut-- as noted in my Official Knife Of® post. ]

Making a knife from parts can be useful. Trying to fool people is hurtful to others as well as knife collecting.

Folks don't want to disappoint others but if folks on online forums don't identify knives it does further damage.

As long as the knife has utility to you, it has value.

1) I welcome accurate identification so that I do not misrepresent this knife in any way.

2) I obtained this knife through a one-for-one trade, and do not miss the knife I traded as much as I enjoy having this one here. So, I'm good! For me, it isn't as much about "Northfield" cache (as cool as the possibility is/was), but about loving this knife's form factor in size, in proportion, in shield, and in the perfect-for-me walk and talk of the blades (firm and smooth without being too strong, flush at the half-stop, and very Snappy-- a skilled Tinkerer, then!). It's delightful in hand and pocket. [GEC's #14s showed some early promise of fitting the same bill, but are slightly slighter in a way that tells more than one might expect.] So, no worries about 'value' or disappointment on my end. I greatly appreciate your input.

I am still just mostly curious if it is a Dodo to be preserved, or if there is no disrespect/potential historical harm (heh) in using it.

[PM sent.]

Cheers!

~ P.

 

[supratentorial]

P, Thank you for your PM. Use the knife and have fun with it. When parts are repurposed, the original histories of the original donor knives is lost. A parts knife does have utility and can still be enjoyable to use. The only dodos are the guys that don't mark their work with the intention to deceive. There are good folks here on this forum who prove that you can mark your work and be successful. Hopefully, other dealers/mechanics/tinkerers will learn from these good examples.

Sorry for the off topic post. Lots of good knives in 2016. I wonder what's coming in 2017???