Traditional bows, traditional knives

I

idahoguy

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Feb 8, 2013
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I was into longbows and recurves for quite a while when I was a bit younger, and recently got an interest in buying quality knives for EDC and hunting and butchering a few hogs. I see so many similarities between the crap that's sold to bowhunters, and what's peddled to knife freaks these days. If a modern bowhunter picks up an issue of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine and looks through it at the beautiful works of art that will kill anything that a high tech machine bow will, there's a natural draw back to the days when things and objects were simple and beautiful. It's the same way with the knife industry.
Here's my question. How many of you started out, or spent some time dabbling with the modern high tech knives, and were drawn to, or back to the simplicity and beauty of traditional knives? No shame here, don't be embarrassed.
 
Great thought, idahoguy.

That was definitely the case for me. As a youth I had traditional knives and was gifted folders throughout my bringing of varying level of modern and traditional. When I was old enough to start buying my own, I started with modern folders of many varieties. Over the course of years, I accumulated many fly ices and began to wonder about he high tech steels and what my personal uses of a knife really require. Around the same time, I happened upon a Northwoods presidential picture.

That was the game changer for me. I had never seen any knife so beautiful as the blue camel bone Presidential. I determined to get one and began saving. Sadly by the time I got the funds they were all gone, but I got a Northwoods Burnside Jack. After using that as my EDC for a few months I started selling off moderns to fund more trads. And here I am. Haha. I feel that there is certainly a place for both, but for my EDC needs a slippie does just fine and even excels.

Sorry for the novel, but the journey has been fun! Glad I landed where I am and excited to see where it all takes me!

Justin
 
Hi Idahoguy,

I went through a similar journey over the past 36-37 years. I started carrying traditional folders just as I saw my grandfather and other family carry; however, by my early teens I was beginning to buy larger knives, then modern folders. Once I reached my thirties, a bit of reality and common sense kicked in and I reverted back to my traditional knives. It isn't a matter of shame, a buddy of mine of similar age went through much the same pattern as well...in other words it's likely normal.
 
I believe this pattern happens to a good percentage of people. I think we as youngsters, believe in "new fangled" everything. Gortex, thermoloft, etc. Then we figure out in our infinite wisdom that if it's cold-it ain't gonna rain, and we find that wool can't be beat. Tell that to your grandfather (if still alive) and he'd say that's why I still where my Pennsylvania Tuxedo.
Try a high tech graphite flyrod, then fish with a number 3 wt orvis bamboo.
Myself, I went to a recurve bow after standing in a field that had gone fallow and overgrown. It started snowing in the late afternoon and the deer were on the move. A doe appeared from the briars. I raise my bow and draw at the same time..........peep sight had snow on it. I licked it, huffed on it, the deer now watching me. New fangled crap cost me that one.
After dozens of 1000 or 1200 gram thinsulate boots, I'm back to a pair of dress socks and a good pair (schees) wool lined pack boots.
To heck with new fangled-I'm sticking with the stuff that was good for my grandpa including knives.
 
First off, welcome to the traditional forums, Idaho.

I started off with traditional's because there want anything else back then. I may be dating myself, but the so called 'modern knife' wasn't around then. But I've weathered many of the 'new and better' things. In the 1980's I tried a few of the 'new' knives, as well as other things. Just didn't click wit me. I used to be big into the traditional archery thing, and loved my recurves. But a shoulder operation on my right rotator cuff and the surrounding structure put an end to that.

The few moderns I tried just didn't cut as well, nor have any 'feel' to them. I've tried other stuff and gone back to traditional materials. Like the Gortex and synthetic pile stuff. Give me wool. Put a carbon steel pocket knife in my pocket and I'ma happy camper.

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Welcome to the forum!

Enjoy your knives.

I like traditional - fixed blade knives the most!

I do have one modern style knife - it is a BUCK PakLite.

Cate - A Buck Knife Lady
 
Can't say I have had the same journey. I have always carried a slippie. starting from the age of seven with a BSA knife. carried that knife well into my twenties. I also carry a modern folder. I feel both do different jobs. Same with my hunting equipment. I mix modern and traditional. and feel you get the best combo that way.
 
It's morning and I am about to head out for work... but I am definitely making a return to traditional knives. I currently shoot a compound bow but will be purchasing a longbow soon. Weird how things work sometimes.
 
Idaho, I know what you mean! I'm 45 and started off bowhunting around 1984 and my gear consisted of a 1964 Bear Grizzly bow, and a Bucklite from Wal-Mart and some army surplus store clothes.
I got into compound bows and with compound bows, you buy one and 2 years later they are out of date and you need to buy another one to keep up. What ended the compound bows for me was I had one blow up on me while I was shooting it. After that, I got target panic and can't hardly hold the site on a target. Anyway, I still have my 64 Grizzly bow that I still use plus a few other old recurves, mostly Bear bows. Traditional archery and traditional knives go together. I did pick up a 1964 Buck 102 to go with my 1964 Grizzly bow to use this season, .. .. for no particular reason since I was born in 1969.
 
I was an archery tournament shooter (with a traditional recurve) for many years. Even tried out for the Olympic team (didn't make it past the quarter finals :-(. Still have my bow hanging in my study. During those years I carried a Buck 110 then a Buck 110 style style damascus bladed Parker-Edwards lockback on my belt and a Schrade OT barlow in my pocket (still have both). While I like and use some non-traditional linerlocks (one hand operation is wonderful when you use a cane to get around), I never leave the house without my SAK Tinker and have "re-discovered" the beauty of traditional knives. I have collected several barlows (my favorites), stockman and whittlers among others. I'll never shot a mechanical beasty bow. To me they are just cross-bows held vertically without a stock. There are some traditional things that just have the beauty and craftsmanship you can't find in modern stuff.
Rich
 
I started with traditionals, both bows and knives. Went over to moderns in both for a while. I have been back to the trad side of things for years and feel that is where I belong. My wife swears I was born in the wrong century.

I carried this part of last year.

With this as its companion.

Chris
 
I started shooting primitive archery, then onto modern bows. I tend to switch between modern and traditional. I like to use both and keep acquainted with both. Same with knives.
 
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