Traditional Brands To Stay Away From?

sabre cat

sabre cat

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Jul 4, 2014
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I am still more of modern folder guy and don't know jack about traditional folders. My question is this, what brands do I run from?

People have told me to avoid Frost Cutlery and that Rough Rider is a decent starter brand if you are on a budget. That is about all I know.

I have seen other brands like Kissing Crane, Colt, Steel Warrior, among others. As a Noobie, I could use some of your wisdom and experience.
 
Very hard to say as there are many sides to Traditionals and the brands all have various sides too. There are variables in all brands. But I suggest you spend a week reading through the 'What are You toting Today' thread, that way you will not only be able to see the different styles but also hear of peoples' experiences with the knives.
 
sabre cat said:
I am still more of modern folder guy and don't know jack about traditional folders. My question is this, what brands do I run from?

People have told me to avoid Frost Cutlery and that Rough Rider is a decent starter brand if you are on a budget. That is about all I know.

I have seen other brands like Kissing Crane, Colt, Steel Warrior, among others. As a Noobie, I could use some of your wisdom and experience.
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People have different opinions. I actually won't buy knives from any of the brands that you mentioned... partly because of country of origin and partly because of issues with quality. I would avoid them. Others love them.

What I would recommend is... GEC is a popular brand on this forum. Also take a look at Case--in particular the knives with TB (Tony Bose) in the pattern number. Opinel, Victorinox, Douk-Douk, Mercator K55 are some very inexpensive but great knives made overseas.

Will Power said:
Very hard to say as there are many sides to Traditionals and the brands all have various sides too. There are variables in all brands. But I suggest you spend a week reading through the 'What are You toting Today' thread, that way you will not only be able to see the different styles but also hear of peoples' experiences with the knives.
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^^ reading up on knives on the forum and in books would be a good place to start.
 
I agree that case and GEC are generally very safe bets on the cost to quality ratio

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One brand to stay away from is "Le Bougna" selling fake Laguioles cheaply made in Pakistan.
 
Rough Rider, Colt and Marbles are good knives (as good as most Case IMHO). I don't care for Frosts.

Rich
 
Another thing to note is that the USA made (2004 and back) Old Timer knives are drastically better than the new China made ones.

At least in the few examples I own. Some people have better luck with the new ones. I don't think that they are ALL bad, I think they have poor quality control and let too many bad ones slip through.

Which is a shame since you can still get gently used USA made OT's on ebay for the same or less than what a new China one costs all day long. That leaves people like me with no reason at all to buy the new ones, which is why I think they keep trying to tempt us with special editions.

IMO a usa old timer is the perfect starter knife. They're made in america, have carbon steel blades, have good fit and finish, and cost as much as a fast food lunch. Can't go wrong there. They're plain, but in terms of utility they can hold their own against other knives way above their price range.

If you don't like carbon steel then look for Uncle Henry, they're pretty much the same thing except stainless.
 
In general, knives made in the US or Europe are going to be better quality than ones from Asia (although they are also going to be more money)
 
GEC. That's THE safe bet at getting an amazing knife.

I always feel a pang of dissspointment when I see Kissining Krane mentioned as a terrible brand because the TRUE Kissing Krane Vintage knives were extremely good knives.
 
When it comes to older traditionals, I generally try to stay from folders with pivot pins that do not extend through the bolsters, such as older Imperials and Colonials. I sometimes give Schrade a pass on this method of construction though, just because the carbon steel was so good.
 
Rough rider, colt, and marbles are all made in the same factory.
Steel warrior knives are by frost cutlery and actually aren't that bad, but it's the ones stamped frost cutlery that are bad and made in Pakistan.

Now as far as old or vintage folders, the ones you really want to look out for are imperial and colonials as they're often looked over and can be had for really cheap ( just as they were low cost new ) the blades are super thin and slicey and the steel takes a great edge, they're not fancy or built like tanks, but basically they're like the peasant knives of America. Remember that traditional slipjoints usually aren't hard use knives.

I've seen some pretty sloppy kissing crane knives at the flea market so I'd stay away from them, and any frost cutlery stamped slipjoints as they're horrible.
 
There are no brick & motrar stores around here that sell quality traditionals, so buying on-line is really my only option. I feel comfortable buying GEC knives sight unseen, even used knives from the Exchange. Most other brands I prefer to handle them first, or at least see detailed pics before buying.
 
Case is well-respected, and I carry one every day. Still, many of us prefer to pick out our Case knives in person, if possible. I have gotten good knives through mail order, but I've also seen knives in the shop that I definitely wouldn't take home. YMMV.


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I avoid the Chinese Schrades like the plague.. Others seem to like them.
Also, I cant get excited about a Rough Rider in any form, but others seem to like them.
 
Campbellclanman said:
GEC. That's THE safe bet at getting an amazing knife.

I always feel a pang of dissspointment when I see Kissining Krane mentioned as a terrible brand because the TRUE Kissing Krane Vintage knives were extremely good knives.
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No doubt the same can be said for Robert Klaas and most German firms-
look at the price. With that in mind howevr I own a RK small toothpick with beaudeeful rams horn scales -cost -11 AUD inc postage!!
 
Rookie82 said:
In general, knives made in the US or Europe are going to be better quality than ones from Asia (although they are also going to be more money)
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From what I have read Moki makes a great knife. I believe they are still produced in Japan.
 
KBA said:
From what I have read Moki makes a great knife. I believe they are still produced in Japan.
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I think he was referring more to PRC. Japan usually makes very good knives. At least from my experience and especially Moki when it comes to traditional style knives and lock backs.
 
Frost knives in the 1970's were pretty good knives. Now they suck. Boker used to be a sure bet, not so much today. Lot's of "reused" names out there and a lot that are really close to the old ones (for obvious reasons). Attention to detail is your best bet.
 
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