Thinking about Going Traditional

C

Cheeseiest1

Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
96
Hello all! Just last week for the first time I bought a traditional folder, a chestnut bone case peanut with cv steel. I started carrying it the day I got it, and have absolutely fallen in love. It was supposed to be a secondary knife to another recent purchase, a benchmade 530, but since slipping the peanut in my pocket I don't think I've used the benchmade once. As a college student it's awesome to finally have a knife I don't hesitate at all to use in public, I don't think anyone cringes at the sight of traditionals or thinks of them as weapons.

I've enjoyed using the peanut so much that today I decided to try going all traditional. I left the benchmade in a drawer and replaced it with a case medium stockman that my grandfather gave me, with the peanut riding in my left pocket. Although I enjoyed using the stockman to cut up an apple, all day I felt it sitting in my pocket; it did that thing where it went sideways in the bottom and made it look like I was carrying around a short bar for some reason. I ended up slipping it into the change pocket, but this left the top bolster sticking out of the top of the pocket (at least in the jeans I was wearing today), and made me worry a little bit that I might lose this nice heirloom knife. I also noticed that it does take longer for me to pull out and use a traditional style knife compared to something like the benchmade which I can whip out of my pocket, open, cut something, close, and return to my pocket lightning fast.

I suppose I could just start carrying the peanut alone, but I was kinda starting to get excited about the idea of buying a few new traditional knives once I gather a little spending money. I guess I could just stick to the smallest lightest models (which I do tend to prefer with modern folders anyway) to avoid the pocket drag issue, although this would really limit my options.

I was just wondering if you guys had come up with some methods of carrying your traditional knives so that larger ones (not that a medium stockman is exactly a HUGE style) aren't as obtrusive in the pocket. Maybe it doesn't bug you, or you've gotten used to it? Does it bother any of you that it takes longer to open and use a traditional style knife? I'm starting to think that perhaps the enjoyment I might get from carrying traditionals outweighs the convenience of modern folders. Just thought people here might be able to provide some advice/perspectives to help me out with this issue. Thanks for any thoughts/experience you're willing to share!
 
Hi there and welcome to Traditional :thumbup: Sounds like you're off to a good start there. Personally I like to carry a small folder in my watch pocket and something a little larger in my front right pocket (or in a belt sheath if it really is quite big). Another forum member kindly made me a pocket sheath since they're difficult to find here in England, and that not only protects my knife, but changes the 'footprint' so it looks more like a phone, and it sits better in my pocket :)
 
Honestly, I don't notice the knives in my pocket as I carry bigger heavier things in my pockets on a daily basis. What did bother me is wear on the boltsers and handles. I got a pocket sheath to protect them, but it slows you down a little more. Another option is belt carry..... which doesn't always look right either.
 
Cheeseiest1 said:
I also noticed that it does take longer for me to pull out and use a traditional style knife compared to something like the benchmade which I can whip out of my pocket, open, cut something, close, and return to my pocket lightning fast.
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Welcome. This is the main reason I love carrying a traditional... as a reminder to slow down and enjoy life. My keys are bulky in my pocket, so a little knife doesn't bother me at all.
 
Welcome to the club! I also experienced instant love when my first yellow case peanut arrived, but it's a slippery slope- I now own two more small Case slipjoints (a small texas toothpick and a small pen knife) and actually don't usually carry anything larger for EDC these days.

The tendency of larger slippies to slide down sideways in the pocket annoys me too- one of the reasons that my Vic pioneer, despite how much I like it, only gets carried in my pack when I am camping or hiking. I've found, through carry, that I do not need anything larger than a peanut for regular day-to-day use, especially while I am on campus.
 
Some folks like to carry their mid-sized folders vertically beside their wallets. I've tried this with a Case medium jack, which is the same general size as your medium stockman and it sits there fine. I carry a leather wallet in a rear pocket so it usually just stays there unnoticed by me or anyone else.
 
I absoluly hate the knife when it rides sideways in the pocket. I bought the leather pocket sheath and I do not realize the knife is there. I would never put a knife in my back pocket as things have come out, even my wallet wihile cutting lawn on the rider.
 
PGeo00 said:
Welcome. This is the main reason I love carrying a traditional... as a reminder to slow down and enjoy life. My keys are bulky in my pocket, so a little knife doesn't bother me at all.
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This is just one of the big reasons a traditional is so nice. It forces you to take a brief moment to slow down, and think about what you are doing. Sometimes the journey is not about getting from point A to point B as fast as possible. Sometimes it's the trip itself and what you experience along the way that makes it great. Slowing down just a bit sometimes lets you see things along the way that you miss traveling fast.

The other big thing for me is, the way the knife will age along with you. With natural bone scales and carbon steel blades, the knife will develope a patina on the blades, and the bone only gets better with age and handling as it smooths out and becomes what is called pocket worn. That is a look all it's own.

Traditional is a different state of mind and presence. LIke develping a taste for fine whiskey. Or getting off the train at Willoughby.

By the way, good choice of a peanut.:thumbup::thumbup:

Carl.
 
I use a small safety pin to create a partition in my right pocket, it works great and in two years I've never had one open up or come undone in the wash. Try an Opinel #6, they weigh almost nothing, slice like crazy, and lock.

Eric
 
I used to carry a modern day folder and still do on rare occasions. I personally fun that slowing down once in a while is a good thing. Our whole world is build on speed and convienence and I think sometimes we forget to slow down and enjoy some of the little things in life. Taking your time to use and enjoy your knife is a worthy time investment. As far as in the pocket, I make my own little pocket sheaths. Protects the knife, helps keep it in the pocket and keeps them riding smoothly.
 
Cheeseiest1 said:
I was just wondering if you guys had come up with some methods of carrying your traditional knives so that larger ones (not that a medium stockman is exactly a HUGE style) aren't as obtrusive in the pocket. Maybe it doesn't bug you, or you've gotten used to it? Does it bother any of you that it takes longer to open and use a traditional style knife? I'm starting to think that perhaps the enjoyment I might get from carrying traditionals outweighs the convenience of modern folders. Just thought people here might be able to provide some advice/perspectives to help me out with this issue. Thanks for any thoughts/experience you're willing to share!
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A very thoughtful question and welcome tradionals.
Through trial and error I eventually discovered that I prefer knives not more than 3 3/8" COL. Moreover that, for me, two blades are better than three. I rarely ever carry the medium Case Stockman for the same reason noted in the OP.

If it bothered me that using my pocket knife took longer or that it somehow inconvenienced me I would carry something else. It would bother me if it was dull or couldn't hold an edge or, if it didn't fit in my pocket comfortably. It's just me but if I had to put my knife in a slip to carry it then it's not the right knife... For me.

Most here probably have more pocket knives than we know what to do with but day in day out the knives we actually carry are likely few in number. At least for me that's been the case.
 
Anabasis said:
Welcome to the club! I also experienced instant love when my first yellow case peanut arrived, but it's a slippery slope- I now own two more small Case slipjoints (a small texas toothpick and a small pen knife) and actually don't usually carry anything larger for EDC these days.

The tendency of larger slippies to slide down sideways in the pocket annoys me too- one of the reasons that my Vic pioneer, despite how much I like it, only gets carried in my pack when I am camping or hiking. I've found, through carry, that I do not need anything larger than a peanut for regular day-to-day use, especially while I am on campus.
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You're probably right, I really don't need anything larger. After reading this post I spent a little time and realized there is plenty of variation within the small knives, definitely enough to keep me hungry to find and try new models out. Thanks for the advice!
 
I think what works and what doesn't in terms of pocket carry is highly personal, depending on what you wear and what you get used to. I find multi blade slippies to be the most annoying, even if short. It's the combination of weight, girth and a square profile around.

I find that light round handles of Opinels carry better if carried lock ring down.

But I find that flat single blade knives carry best, especially if they have rounded bolsters. My Buck 500 has a 3" blade but is among my easiest carrying knives. You might look at some of the smaller versions like the 501 which has a 2.75" blade.

Buck 500 Duke by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
jackknife said:
This is just one of the big reasons a traditional is so nice. It forces you to take a brief moment to slow down, and think about what you are doing. Sometimes the journey is not about getting from point A to point B as fast as possible. Sometimes it's the trip itself and what you experience along the way that makes it great. Slowing down just a bit sometimes lets you see things along the way that you miss traveling fast.
Traditional is a different state of mind and presence. LIke develping a taste for fine whiskey. Or getting off the train at Willoughby.
By the way, good choice of a peanut.:thumbup::thumbup:

Carl.
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I'm almost honored to have your words on this thread. It was actually reading one of your older posts about your father's peanut and how it got you interested in the 'nut that really sparked my interest in getting into traditionals. My father and grandfather are both the same way; my grandpa has carried the same peanut for at least my entire life (a good ol' yella handled cv), and my dad always has a vic classic in his pocket. I really connected with your story and realized I could probably get a more deep enjoyment out of traditional models than that I get from enjoying essentially the "niftyness" of my modern folders. I'm loving this peanut so far, I'm thinking I might start carrying it alone and maybe in a while look at a few of the other small traditional knife models. Thanks for the wise words!
 
The trapper is probably the all-time most collected (favorite?) traditional pattern. Some people don't see much use in a spey blade anymore, since they don't spey cattle, but it really does work well for a spreading knife. If you use your EDC for food prep or just to cut fruit or make a sandwich at lunch time, it is still a great choice. The GEC #48 pattern traditional trapper is my favorite. You get a lot of blade in a sub-four inch frame, and you can find them in either 1095 carbon or 440C stainless, both with excellent heat treat. I have this one in elk stag in my EDC rotation and love it.

ElkTrapperMark.jpg


I am a big guy and don't mind just carrying in my front pocket, but many slip cases can be found to carry the knife vertical in your pocket or horizontal on your belt if you don't like the bulk in pocket. They are a nice, slender knife for the length.
 
The trapper is probably the all-time most collected (favorite?) traditional pattern. Some people don't see much use in a spey blade anymore, since they don't spey cattle, but it really does work well for a spreading knife. If you use your EDC for food prep or just to cut fruit or make a sandwich at lunch time, it is still a great choice. The GEC #48 pattern traditional trapper is my favorite. You get a lot of blade in a sub-four inch frame, and you can find them in either 1095 carbon or 440C stainless, both with excellent heat treat. I have this one in elk stag in my EDC rotation and love it.

ElkTrapperMark.jpg


I am a big guy and don't mind just carrying in my front pocket, but many slip cases can be found to carry the knife vertical in your pocket or horizontal on your belt if you don't like the bulk in pocket. They are a nice, slender knife for the length.
 
I agree with Pinnah about pocket carry being different for everyone. It depends on how much bulk/weight bothers you, what type of clothing you wear, and what else you keep in the pockets. There is a trade off either way. A small knife will not be noticed in the pocket. At the same time, it will be harder to notice if it slips out.

For me personally, I carry mine in my front pocket with my phone and wallet. A long slim knife rides well along side and stays upright. When I have something small, it inevitably ends up at the bottom which makes it harder to dig it out. It's not a big deal either way. I only notice it for the first couple days until I get used to the change. Missing the one hand opening will most likely go away after a short time unless you constantly switch back and forth between both types. That's what my experience has been.
 
jackknife said:
Traditional is a different state of mind and presence. LIke develping a taste for fine whiskey. Or getting off the train at Willoughby.
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That's a great line Carl :) :thumbup:

Jack
 
Jack Black said:
That's a great line Carl :) :thumbup:

Jack
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My hat's off to that. Personally, my changing from "tactical" to "traditional" was abrupt. I just asked myself a question "why?" I find traditional knives just more beautifull and less agressive. I still have a 3 Cold Steels, but they see less and less pocket or bag time. I quess I keep them for my martial arts background, the same reason I have a sword.
 
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