Three essential traditional patterns by maker

Will Power said:
I'm away on a machine that can't access my photos, but I like this thread and want to put in a word ;)

CASE Swayback Gent (Chesntnut Bone Barehead, great small carry) Slimline Trapper Barehead, Penknife in Delrin/or Half Whittler in various scales. Big mention HAS to go to their Large Stockman in Amber Bone cv- I carry it in winter in a coatpocket:cool:

Queen Cutlery Teardop liner lock in Carved Stagbone, No.26 Small Stockman also in Carved Stagbone or Zebrawood, QCCC Teardrop Jack.

Then there's Black Box Winchester:D Swell Centre Pen, Medium Stockman, Teardrop:thumbsup:

Böker Germany (carbon models) Whittler, Penknife, Copperhead

GEC a tough choice this! 92 Eureka Jack in Greenbone all steel no brass! 68 White Owl Stainless/Bone, 73 Stag liner lock or other scales. An early success for GEC and very good size knife for muktitude of tasks.
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Post pictures when you get back Will. Looking forward to them.
 
gaj999 said:
No one has mentioned Buck. Everyone should have a 110. And one of the basic fixed blades. I'd go with the 118, but if you were to be adamant about a 102, I wouldn't fight you over it. One of those two, anyway. Third place I'd put the 301. One made by Schrade. Which is kind of ironic, but it is what it is.
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I can go along with your choices. Good ones. Here are three Buck Classics that could easily be essentials.

Buck 301; Buck 110; Buck 119

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I think it's hard to argue that the 3 most POPULAR Case knives currently manufactured are:
- 6318 stockman
- 6220 Peanut
- 6254 Trapper

However, the 3 ESSENTIAL Case knives that I prefer which are currently manufactured are:
- Muskrat (Ratcliffe modded of course :-) )
- 62032 medium stockman
- 6107W mini trapper w/ single wharncliffe blade

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I can't figure out which three GEC patterns I might choose since I don't see any of them as iconic. The patterns, sure, they're mostly classics, but GEC makes a bit of this and a bit of that and nothing that stays in production for years, let alone decades. So I'm left with which three I like the most, which three are most popular, which three are most collectible, etc. None of those feel like they work for me.
 
gaj999 said:
I can't figure out which three GEC patterns I might choose since I don't see any of them as iconic. The patterns, sure, they're mostly classics, but GEC makes a bit of this and a bit of that and nothing that stays in production for years, let alone decades. So I'm left with which three I like the most, which three are most popular, which three are most collectible, etc. None of those feel like they work for me.
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The #15 and the #71 are pretty regular production models.
I could see those two knives being on a list of essential patterns.
 
gaj999 said:
I can't figure out which three GEC patterns I might choose since I don't see any of them as iconic. The patterns, sure, they're mostly classics, but GEC makes a bit of this and a bit of that and nothing that stays in production for years, let alone decades. So I'm left with which three I like the most, which three are most popular, which three are most collectible, etc. None of those feel like they work for me.
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I agree that GEC’s business model/production schedule is so different from that of other manufacturers that choosing representative patterns is difficult.

But what the heck...I’ll take a stab at it anyway.

The first pattern that came to mind was the 25, as to my knowledge no one else is making such a knife these days. I’d choose one with a sheepsfoot blade, as it seems to suit the frame—and the concept of a small, yet very robust knife—best.

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Next is a 15 TC Barlow with a clip point blade. While I don’t own one myself due to personal prejudice (as a kid the Barlows I encountered were cheaply made knives, so the idea of a nice, well-made Barlow throws me into cognitive dissonance), there can be no question that these knives have near-universal appeal. It is also a tip of the hat to the day when “everyday” knives were of high quality, which I think summarizes GECs philosophy nicely.

My final choice is a 14 Lick Creek Boy’s Knife with a spear blade. While I personally prefer the clip point variant for carry/use, there is no question that this knife is truly iconic. No other maker has managed to capture the essence of the traditional “Boy’s Knife” from a century ago so well.

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I notice I’ve not listed any multi-blade knives, and I didn’t include any of the larger patterns, so my personal preferences doubtlessly came into play. I’d be interested in others’ opinions.
 
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And then there"s Camillus. They made knives of all descriptions that could be essential in many situations.

72Y Whittler - Sunday go to meeting or perhaps graduation.
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Pilot Survival Knife - Perfect for rolling around under a truck seat or truck bed or tool box.
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U.S. Utility Knife - Good in a camping pack or just general carry or camping kitchen box.
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Three essential Case Knives, my favorite brand for EDC. My most carried pattern of pocketknife for decades has been a Stockman, with the Case Medium Stockman in either the 18 or 32 pattern (with Pen) being my top choice. When I think Case I think "Barlow" so my essential Case collection includes this Redbone variation. For dress occasions I favor a flat Penknife for unobtrusive carry in light slacks - this Senator is my choice in from Case's extensive line of Pen Knives. OH
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Great stuff from everybody! No wrong answer here:D

With Buck there's a lot to like, their Gen 5 Skinner is a really comfortable knife to use as are most of their fixed knives-tough yet attractive. But I'll go for pocket-knives with Buck:

Well, last year's Forum Knife is a favourite because of the blade steel, blade types and scales, really pleased with it and what a bargain price:thumbsup:

Yellow Delrin Small Stockman 303 (discontinued which is a tragedy in itself)

Black Valox saw cut 309 Tiny knife yet no toy:cool:
 
I submit these three as essential Canal Street offerings:

1) Cannitler -- and my sense of it is that a clear majority would have this as the most essential CSC pattern
2) Boys' knife
3) Drop point hunter

If I was going with only folders, I'd trade out the hunter for the 2015 forum knife.

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