Traditional as EDC?

[sqoon]

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

I thought about sending it into them, but then I would be knife-less. I went ahead and put a decent edge on the clip blade. I'm not that great at sharpening, but this came to an edge nicely. Paper will think twice about messing with me. The spay and sheepsfoot are fine.

I already have been growing fond of the knife. Last night alone, the wife gave me some boxes to break down. Holding the box in one hand, I reached into my pocket and grunted a bit when I remembered that this was going to be a two-handed operation. With a sigh, I put down the box, slowed down and carried out the task just a bit slower than usual, but no less effectively.

I'm going to work today, where several of the guys carry bigger tactical knives (some of which I sold, and some of which I recommended). I'm sure I'll have some 'splainin to do.

As for carrying two knives. That is a no-no. For one, I already committed to my challenge. I don't like to back down from a challenge, least of all from those made by myself. Second, I don't want to carry something I don't plan on using, or use something else just for the sake of it. I'll leave the big boys at home.

 

[Dr Bill]

For the past year or so, all I carry and use is a slipjoint. It does all I need and is capable of much more. OK, I rotate a few - a Bose Zulu, a Bose wharncliffe trapper, an Erickson sowbelly, and an Overeynder lock back.

And even if I should grab a Mayo or Bogi from time to time, I never use the pocket clips. I don't want to advertise or attract attention.

And yes, they are all customs. I decided to treat myself.

 

[gajinoz]

Interesting coincidence ....

I was sitting outside my place the other day on a bench under some trees and eating locuts (or loquat, depending on how you prefer to spell it). I have a huge locut tree in the front yard with zillions of locuts on it right now. I was sitting there slicing them open with my forum knife and eating them when it suddenly occurred to me that this was something I used to do as a kid, sitting out the back with my grandfather cutting open peaches off the tree with what was then just a pocket knife but nowdays is called a traditional knife.

 

[NeoClassic]

Regarding how to comfortably carry a slipjoint: If it's smaller than 3.5 inches closed and light (like my Victorinox Bantam Alox), I just put it in the front pocket that doesn't have my keys in it.

If it's larger than 3.5 inches and heavy, I have found that certain pocket sheaths help to spread the weight and add some friction to keep it from always sinking to the bottom of my pocket into an uncomfortable position.

For my GEC Scout #73, an old iPod case (from like four or five years ago) works quite well. It's kind of a thin, faux suede and adds negligible weight.

 

[Ed T]

You could always track down one of the case mid folding pocket hunters with a pocket clip and slowly ease into the transition.

 

[Foilist]

I carry a small traditional slipjoint at work when I am wearing dress clothes because they are elegant, undisturbing to the knifeless crowd, and ride well in dress pants pockets - while still being quite capable.

On my own time, or when I'm working around the home, I like a modern folder and a multitool.

 

[Spoutz]

I think you will be pleased to venture into the slipjoint world!

 

[dannyp]

It sounds like we have a lot in common. We're about the same age and your description of yourself could easily be applied to me as well (except for the wife). I suspect that it won't turn out to be much of a challenge at all. In fact, you'll probably look forward to using your knife even more. The only thing I ever missed about carrying a tactical knife was playing with it while sitting around.

 

[lambertiana]

I always have at least one traditional slippy and one modern folder on me at all times. But I use the traditional slippy far more often.

For slim models (like a stockman), these work very well to keep the knife suspended instead of falling sideways in your pocket, and you have something to grab to pull it out of your pocket. Scroll down to see a couple models at different price points, from extra fancy to plain.

http://www.backroomleather.com/buckaroopouch.html

 

[sqoon]

It sounds like we have a lot in common. We're about the same age and your description of yourself could easily be applied to me as well (except for the wife). I suspect that it won't turn out to be much of a challenge at all. In fact, you'll probably look forward to using your knife even more. The only thing I ever missed about carrying a tactical knife was playing with it while sitting around.

Well, with day one behind me, I think I played with my Buck 303 more than I usually play with my griptilian. It certainly does take on a worry-stone quality to it. I'm a bit of a worrier and a fidgeter, so it seems to work out nicely.

 

[LKJW]

Well, with day one behind me, I think I played with my Buck 303 more than I usually play with my griptilian. It certainly does take on a worry-stone quality to it. I'm a bit of a worrier and a fidgeter, so it seems to work out nicely.

Couldn't agree more. Once you get past the speed of new knives, I find old ones much nicer to worry.

 

[dannyp]

I'm a bit of a worrier and a fidgeter, so it seems to work out nicely.

I told you we had a lot in common. I'm also with you on the one knife thing. As much as I like knives, I carry too much other stuff to pocket more than one at a time. I think that's part of the appeal of multi blade slipjoints to me.

 

[tomsch]

I'm also somewhat new to the traditional knife world. Prior to slipjoints I carried mainly Chris Reeve knives typically clipped to my pocket but also riding in the bottom too. Since I move to slippies I have not even touched my one hand openers. I really am finding that the multiple blades provide so much utility compared to a single blade modern knife. It has been a bit a struggle to find non-custom knives that are up to the quality levels as the Reeves I have but the usability is outstanding. Adjustment to the "super steels" such as S30V to a simple carbon blade was not too bad. The edge does not last long but are so easy to reprofile, sharpen, and touch-up. Welcome to the world of traditional folders!!

 

[Harayasu]

I grew up with traditional knives. My father and grandfather carried a Friedrich Herder sodbuster, which was and still is very common here, and I too got one. The other knive my parents gave me was a SAK.

Later I found the knife forums on the internet and got interested in modern knives. I've used them for a while, but found myself using and liking the traditional knives much more. I love their looks and enjoy using them much more. Not sure why, maybe it's because I grew up with them or it's just personal preference.

I've sold most of my modern knives now. Only a Kershaw and a Byrd are left, but they spend most of their time in the drawer. A SAK is always in my pocket and I rotate other traditional knives.

 

[Planterz]

Well, with day one behind me, I think I played with my Buck 303 more than I usually play with my griptilian. It certainly does take on a worry-stone quality to it. I'm a bit of a worrier and a fidgeter, so it seems to work out nicely.

Get one with jigged bone handles. They're fun to stroke.

 

[panicotr]

As several of us have said, carry both. Working in construction, I always have a one-hand opener for emergencies; that said, I have never used it in an emergency but it is nice to know it is there. In years of carrying a stockman, trapper or swayback jack in addition to a "tactical" knife, the traditional is the one used 99.9% of the time and oddly enough due to the influence of this forum they keep getting smaller as well.

Tom

 

[Nightshifter]

Plus One on Carl's post.

 

[mdauben]

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.

The easy answer is just don't carry so much crap in your pockets. In my right-front "knife" pocket I usually either don't carry anything other than my knife, or just a knife and bandana. I keep knife and change on the other side. I find accessing the knife no problem at all.

Most traditional knives I'm seeing seem to have zero defensive capabilities.

Honestly, any knife has defensive capabilities, but if that's one of your prime considerations you are probably better off with a modern one-hand-opening, lockblade. On the other hand in 30+ years of carrying a knife on a daily basis, I've used it litterally thousands of times for every day tasks, but I've never once needed it to defend myself. YMMV of course.

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?

I've carried larger slip-joint folders (4+ inches) loose in my pocket, but I admit I prefer to carry these bigger knives in a belt sheath. More confortable and easier access.

Are knives like the Case TrapperLock decent as traditional knives for EDC, seeing as how they have a thumb-stud and a liner lock?

I actually prefer a standard 2-blade Trapper for EDC, as opposed to the 1-blade Trapperlock. Nothing wrong with the Trapperlock, except I find the stud seems to get in the way when I use the knife for food prep.

 

[jackknife]

Sooo, sqoon, how's it been going with the Buck cadet?

Carl.

 

[sqoon]

Sooo, sqoon, how's it been going with the Buck cadet?

Carl.

Great, actually! I've been firm on my commitment to EDC'ing a traditional slipjoint and have not touched any of my tactical folders since I accepted the challenge. I was meaning to post a "review" after the month was up (the 8th).

I'm really liking the three blades and am finding them to be so much more handy than any of my larger folders ever were. My knife friends have been really curious about my switch, and it has turned into a lot of conversation about slipjoints in general.

I have a post going in the trade forum in an attempt to get rid of some of my tactical knives for some Case knives I have been looking at.

In all, it's been great. The best part has probably been the folks in this forum. So many people have been really kind... the best I've met yet on BF.

Peter