Traditional Knife Collector Starter Kit?

Prior posters have covered pretty much anything I could add regarding what to do with your $100.

It all depends on what your personal preferences are from a collecting/using/accumulating perspective. There are no wrong answers, nor is there such a thing as "bad form". There's nothing wrong with a belt or pocket sheath in my view. I wish I had a couple of nice belt sheaths for some of my larger knives.

I like Modoc ED's suggestion to be honest - get an affordable user from Case, and a nicer knife from GEC. I would also suggest (budget allowing) picking up a Rough Rider in a pattern you like. That gives you three points on the price/value scale so you can decide from there which way to go.

It is a very individual decision as to how you want to proceed, and that decision may change along the way. You may want a lot of variety and quantity, or you may want a smaller number of more expensive knives. This is largely determined by your individual budget and temperament, and you can of course mix the approaches.
 
steve-in-kville said:
Yeah, I got it from the get go. Why is it looked down upon? Enlighten me.
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It being "looked down upon" is largely a joke. Tony Bose even wrote a disclaimer. The historically accurate term is actually "knife purse" but it is now dressed up as "slip case" or "pocket sheath" which I guess is supposed to sound more masculine for guys that are easily embarrassed.

If I recall correctly, a belt sheath would not fit the description of a "knife purse". I don't think a "knife purse" was worn on the belt. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 
steve-in-kville said:
Yeah, I got it from the get go. Why is it looked down upon? Enlighten me.
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They're called pocket knives for a reason . . . you just put it in your pocket. Traditionally, that's the way it was done. I guess to worry too much about little nicks and scratches, honest wear, on your pocket knife was a little "sissy," hence the purse synonym. If a folding knife was too big for front pocket carry, it went in your back pocket. I think sheaths for pocket knives took off with the advent of multi-tools, which were bigger and thicker than regular pocket knives. Personally, if I needed a knife too big to carry in a pocket, I'd carry a sheathed fixed blade. But like I said earlier, many now like pocket sheaths for both folders and fixed blades, so trends are a changin'.
 
I recall many a Buck 110 carried in a belt sheath back in the '70's. Well before multi-tools were invented, at least the Leatherman variety. If you see a good ol' boy with one on his hip today, I advise against referring to it as a knife purse. ;)
 
The coin pocket of jeans will often carry a 3 inch pocket knife. I frequently carry my gentleman's knives that way. Case makes the sway back jack ( wharncliff + pen) fits perfectly in there. Another would be the Kabar Dog's Head coppersmith barlow at 3.25 inches ( clip + pen). Great little knife, made by Canal Street Cutlery. You might have to stretch out the budget if you want a lockable sod buster tho...

 
Just placed an order for a Case Amber Stag Mini Copperlock and a Buck large 3-blade Stockman. Just under my budget with shipping. Pretty exited, I really wanted a locking sodbuster, but the few I found were a bit pricey. Hope to have these knives by the week's end.
 
Modoc ED said:
Good choices be sure to post pictures when they arrive.
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Will do. I wanted at least one locking folder. The sodbusters I looked at just didn't look attractive to me, so the Case was a natural. And I am sorta Buck fan at heart, hence the 3-blade Stockman.
 
steve-in-kville said:
Just placed an order for a Case Amber Stag Mini Copperlock and a Buck large 3-blade Stockman. Just under my budget with shipping. Pretty exited, I really wanted a locking sodbuster, but the few I found were a bit pricey. Hope to have these knives by the week's end.
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Nice knives! Did you buy the American made or foreign made Buck stockman?

Are you going to carry the knives in a "knife purse"? :rolleyes: :D



Or are you going to pocket carry? ;)

 
supratentorial said:
Nice knives! Did you buy the American made or foreign made Buck stockman?

Are you going to carry the knives in a "knife purse"? :rolleyes: :D
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Not sure on the country of origin. I suppose I'll find out when they get here.

As far as the purse, I really doubt it. Not any of those two. I just took delivery of a Condor Kephart fixed blade that I am ichin' to carry on the belt. Not at work, but every where else!
 
I have recently made the transition myself. I have sold everything but 16 folders I'm keeping and have been buying old used USA made traditional knives and having a great time doing it. I'm finding these at garage sales, flea markets, pawn shops and ebay. Got my first two GEC knives coming and can,t wait to get them. Best of luck to you in your new venture. And one more thing these folks here in The traditional forum are among the nicest I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with.
 
steve-in-kville said:
Thanks for the replies. I will check out Collectors Knives.... like to patronize our fellow BF members when I can.

Upon some further soul searching, I think a one-blade lockback is in order (sodbuster, perhaps?) and maybe a two-blade trapper.

Is it bad form to carry such things in a belt sheath? Or is that bad form? I hate stuff in my pockets....

Again, keep the replies rolling.
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Around these parts (South Texas) you'd be hard pressed to go anywhere without seeing at least one yellow-handled trapper housed in a (usually tooled leather) belt sheath.;)
 
If I were recommending where to start in traditional knives to one who has only had modern knives, I'd recommend starting with one knife and one each small pocket Arkansas soft and hard stones. Seems many with only modern knives in super steels have no Arkansas silica stones.
 
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