Traditional as EDC?

jackknife said:
Carrying a traditional knife after the one hand things, can take a wee bit of time to get used to. You won't be able to quick draw a knife like the ones with the hole in the blade, or others with thumbstuds.

But reaching down and taking a moment to get your knife out and open it, is a way to step back in this hyper speed world and draw a breath. And maybe take a moment to enjoy your knife as you feel the nicely figured stag or jigged bone in your choice of hue. Life is short, and our society is moving too fast, why not take something you enjoy a little slower, and enjoy the beauty of a nice chestnut bone Case, or stag Eye-Brand?

I don't know what you do for a living, but you have to ask yourself, do you really need that one hand opening, or is it the stuff you've been reading about for years in the knife magazines?

I always find it a little strange that in our modern society, the fast opening knife has been touted so well, when in past times where more people really worked outdoors in some very dangerous jobs, the old slip joint did for a couple of hundred years. They had single blade lockbacks in the 1800's, some of witch could opened very easy. But the hard working cowboys pushing a herd up the trail, or a freight wagon driver, or even a seaman climbing aloft in a square rigger in a squall, didn't use them. Most of the seaman's knives of the 1800's were a heavy springed large single blade jack.

If they needed a one hand knife, they carried a sheath knife. Easy solution, and you get a better knife out of the deal.

I'm going to be turning 70 years of age this winter. Not a pleasant thought, but there's little I can do about it. But in my life I have been a soldier, and a machinist. For a bit over 10 years, (1960 to 1971) I served in the army engineers, and everyday was a construction job site, somewhere. In addition to the continental U.S. I had the privilege of serving in Germany, Italy, Southeast Asia, and some TDY duty in Libia. While serving on a wide variety of jobs sites, I cannot recall any time I needed a one hand knife. But I do recall how handy my three blade stockman pattern was. Having three different blades to choose from was a very nice thing to have. There is one very large advantage to a multiblade slip joint; having one blade that you sharpen at a higher angle to have a rough cut blade to save your really sharp blade.

About the only thing the modern one hand wonders do that the slip joint traditional pocket knife can't do, is to be used as a weapon, either defensive or otherwise. Of course, I freely admit my own prejudice on the matter. I've never really considered the pocket knife as a weapon. But in my own very humble and possable wrong opinion, it seems that a lot of the tactical knife thing is a driven market toward younger buyers who take video games and TV shows too seriously. All I know, is from my travels around this globe, sometimes in some not too nice places when I was young and dumb, there always seemed to be a beer bottle, pool que, beer mug, chair, bar stool, fire extinguisher, or other object to press into service, when things got a wee bit dicey.

Just for yuks, try this little experiment; drop a nice slippy into your pocket, and leave the one hand job at home. Do this for a month, no cheating. If after a month, you can honestly the slippy wasn't doing it for you, then maybe it really it is not for you. Won't cost much to find out. But I have a feeling, that once you experience the easy cutting of a thin flat ground blade, some nice jigged bone scales, and the slow down moment you get when you use a slip joint, I think you'll be a new convert to the cult.

Carl.
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Thank you for this Carl, permission to quote some of your line?

falah
 
Sqoon give this a try. One week traditional only. One week is not that hard. I began with a month and have now made it four months. I have acquired many more traditional knives than I would have figured in that four months but they are worth every penny. If you make a week then go two and so on. The kicker is finding the pattern you are satisfied with. I began with a medium stockman went to a furtaker trapper, barlow, large trapper, swayback jack, large stockman and have finally carried the barlow the longest with one other slip joint and have been completely satisfied. Before taking the traditional challenge I was carrying many knives with the mantra that each one had a purpose and thats why I carried all of them. Basically one in each pocket including a small slip joint and a SAK keychain tool. I have cut all that out and it is extremely enlightening. give it a try. I'm pretty sure you will change your mind.

WELL CARL BEAT ME TO IT!!!!!!! but thats ok. listen to him he is yyyyyyyyyy (Wise)
 
Spoutz said:
Then the traditional bug bit me. I couldn't get a Case Slipjoint out of my mind and just had to have it.
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I completely agree. For me it was the case sodbuster jr with those lovely yellow scales and the CV steel.

well, i risked the wrath of "She who must be obeyed" and picked it up. But it was worth it :D
 
Rsmith_77 said:
I would be very curious to hear the details of these two incidents. I am not saying it doesnt or couldnt happen, but i'd imagine that incidents like these are exceedingly rare and to happen twice in a persons life is pretty incredible.
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Please take that discussion to email or PM so we don't start another "Practical Tactical" forum over here. Thanks.
 
sqoon said:
Traditional knives are calling out to me for a reason. I'm a computer technician at the moment. I hate computers.
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Hate 'em too, but, when I was wrenching on computers (and 486 with a 56K modem was smokin' fast and an A+ Cert meant something) I switched from a Gerber LST lock back to a Wenger SI. Now that I think about it, that was probably one of my first steps onto the slippery slip joint slope.
 
For all the hype very, very few people have to defend themselves with a knife. Very few have to even raise their fists and go a few rounds Queensberry style. Don't believe the marketing, the news, the naysayers and the experts. They world is still a good place with good people. The aberrations that are plastered all over the TV and news make up a very small, insignificant even, percentage of the population.

People are attracted to traditionals because they are a reminder of the times when the best was emphasized in us. When we believed in ourselves and our neighbors. When we deliberated and sought common ground to make the world better and safer. That world is still there, the future is just as bright as it was 50 years ago. Carry a traditional and use it as a tool, maybe you'll find that place too.
 
Ok. I'm doing it. The Griptilian and the Al Mar are put away and the Buck 303 is in the pocket for 1 month.

I'll be sure to report how it goes. Thanks ya'll for the input. The response has been really great.
 
I carry a modern folder clipped to my pocket and a traditional slip joint quite often. If I'm working on something and need a knife quick with only one free hand I go for the modern folder.
If I just need to cut something and am in no hurry I'll opt to dig out the traditional, admire it a second, make my cut, admire it some more and be done.
You may want to look into some traditionals 3 1/4" and smaller to carry in your watch pocket if you have one. That way it's easier to find and you don't notice it as much. Just a thought.
 
sqoon said:
Ok. I'm doing it. The Griptilian and the Al Mar are put away and the Buck 303 is in the pocket for 1 month.

I'll be sure to report how it goes. Thanks ya'll for the input. The response has been really great.
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Sqoon,
Good luck. You will find it easier than you thought it would be. Remember to take a deep breath and relax. There are far fewer "Tactical Situations" in this world than we are led to believe.
 
I use to carry a Spyderco endura 4 ffg. I still do sometimes.At work I carry a traditional at work. I love my case yellow handle stockman CV because with the California clip the sheepsfoot stick up just a little more so its easier to open. It doesn't look threatening at all either so its easy to pull out and use to disassemble cardboard boxes. though I did have a girl ask me if I was allowed to have "a weapon" today. I told her Ive carried a knife since I was 5.
 
sqoon said:
Ok. I'm doing it. The Griptilian and the Al Mar are put away and the Buck 303 is in the pocket for 1 month.

I'll be sure to report how it goes. Thanks ya'll for the input. The response has been really great.
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Good move. While you're doing that, see if you can find a place that sells some slipjoints with stag or jigged bone or even wood handles and just fondle them for a bit. Won't take long and you'll be getting your credit card out ...



.
 
Compromise?

I just got a Great Eastern Lockback with a Wharncliffe blade
Traditional?

There is enough blade showing to thumb the blade open.
Locks up with a click
It feel like a modern in traditional clothing

And good luck with the month with the Buck 303
You will start using the different blade for different cutting
Sharpen the blades differently, and you will see it is like having 3 in 1
 
Out of respect for all others here, I'll say only that it was long ago, when I was young and even more foolish.
Someone else mentioned taking time to admire a traditional before using it-something with which I'd agree. There is a pleasure in using a trad slippy that I find nowhere else.
 
sqoon said:
Ok. I'm doing it. The Griptilian and the Al Mar are put away and the Buck 303 is in the pocket for 1 month.

I'll be sure to report how it goes. Thanks ya'll for the input. The response has been really great.
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Like you, I have a renewed interest in traditional slipjoints, and have been carrying one (a smallish stockman) most days.

However it has not replaced my "tactical" folder (whatever that means), and I doubt one ever will. I don't own a gun (yet), so other than running like hell, my "tactical" folder is the only thing I'd have in a self defense situation. Will I ever have to use it? Hopefully not. But I've been jumped once in town here (in a nice area), and I don't live in the nicest area, so I can't say that I'll never have to use a knife to defend myself, so I'll always still carry one.

That said, I have been using said "tactical" folder a lot less these days and pulling out my stockman instead. I don't know why but using an old slipjoint feels more "legitimate" than whipping out my BM940, Caly 3, or a balisong. It's like when I whip out those blades I'm doing it just to "whip it out", while the deliberate, 2 handed action of opening a slipjoint to make a cut seems more honest and ingenuous.

I commend your decision to forgo carrying your regular modern folder and carry only your 303, but IMO it's not necessary. Just promise yourself to use only the 303, but keep your SERE or Grip in your pocket as well. You'll feel better knowing you have it, even if it's never used.
 
Planterz said:
I commend your decision to forgo carrying your regular modern folder and carry only your 303, but IMO it's not necessary. Just promise yourself to use only the 303, but keep your SERE or Grip in your pocket as well. You'll feel better knowing you have it, even if it's never used.
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Don't do it. Its like someone trying to quite smoking carrying just one cigarette or an alcholic carrying a small flask. Go Cold Turkey.
 
I've been EDC'ing a trad for more than 6 months now, far better than a OHO
at home I rotate every knife I own, wheather a POLICE, Rift or Trapper and #48 dogleg

trads always win!
 
sqoon said:
So as I get older and more fussy, I'm starting to get more interested in traditional folders. I really like what I am seeing and hearing about Case. Also, as if I wasn't spending enough on knives, I love the idea of starting a little Case collection.

Anyway, onto the point of my post. I've been carrying mostly an Al Mar SERE 2000 and a Benchmade Griptilian for a number of years. However, as my interest in traditional knives starts to grow. I'm wanting to start carrying a traditional knife for my EDC, but it still just doesn't feel right. Without a pocket clip, the knives seem to get lost in my pocket along with loose change. I don't like the idea of needing a knife in a pinch, and not being able to get to it and open it one handed in a hurry. Most traditional knives I'm seeing seem to have zero defensive capabilities.

While I know that most of these issues are unfounded, as the majority of people rarely need to get a knife out in a hurry, the fact is that these situations CAN happen. Larger tactical knives seem to provide a little more security and piece of mind, in my current opinion.

What I'm wondering is how all of you traditional knife guys handle this. With no pocket clips, do you rely on sheaths for your slip-joint folders? Are knives like the Case TrapperLock decent as traditional knives for EDC, seeing as how they have a thumb-stud and a liner lock? Should I just stick with what I know, or are there secrets or words of wisdom ya'll can share as to why traditional knives are superior to "tactical" knives for EDC?
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Why not carry both.
Today for example, in the same pocket is a Case 6347 stockman and a Umnumzaan.
Carry what you like and use.
For me the slip joint is part of my heritage and carrying and using a slip joint holds many personal memories for me.
The one hand opener is like carrying a fancy Buck 110 with a pocket clip. :D
 
I recently made the switch and sold off many of my tacticals and fixed blades and invested in several custom Buck 110s and Case slippies. I got tired of the mall ninja tacticool blades and decided it was time to step back in to a more relaxed time. I spent many years in the military and in law enforcement, so I am no stranger to the tactical mind set. I decided however it was time to relax. I used my humback whittler to cut something yesterday and was simply amazed how sharp it is. Sharper than anything else I've ever used. I wish it would break it a bit so it wouldn't rip of my nail when I was opening it, but other than that I can't wait to invest in many, many more.
 
sqoon said:
Ok. I'm doing it. The Griptilian and the Al Mar are put away and the Buck 303 is in the pocket for 1 month.

I'll be sure to report how it goes. Thanks ya'll for the input. The response has been really great.
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Very cool, sqoon! Be sure to put an edge on the 303 at some point. No reason to carry a dull knife. If you're not comfortable sharpening, btw, you can mail it back to Buck HQ and they'll put a killer edge on it for you. There's a small fee (something like $6) but it's totally worth it, as they really give the knife a spit shine as well. It'll come back looking like a new knife.

-- Mark
 
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