Traditional knowledge

[shinyedges]

Good afternoon everyone,


I was in a conversation with a coworker today and we were talking about traditional knives and it occurred to me I am under educated in all that is traditional knives. I can hold my own in most others knife related categories.

So which brings me to the point of this thread; traditional knowledge.

Some of my questions are:

What are the different styles/patterns of traditional folding knives? I can think of a few such as a trapper or Congress but I realized I know surprisingly little about them.

What else should I know/research? Anything and everything is welcome, including the "do your own research" if you don't want to tell me anything.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[shinyedges]

Oh, for what it's worth I currently own a peach seed TC Barlow and sunbrite beerscout. I've had probably 5 beerscouts and maybe 7 total gec knives. A few SAK as well, although I'm not sure if people consider them truly traditional.

 

[black mamba]

Yes, around here at least, SAKs are considered traditional. While barlows are the hot commodity right now, historically trappers and stockman patterns are the most popular. Many of us around here like the combination of a bellied blade (clip, spear, drop point) mated up with a secondary straight-edged blade (sheepfoot, coping, Wharncliffe) for the greatest utility. Stockman patterns fill this desire very nicely, while adding a third blade (spey, pen or punch) for the odd jobs.

 

[McFeeli]

There's some good recommendations in this thread. Certain books to read, websites to browse, so forth.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/new-to-traditionals.1597748/#post-18247612

Edit - I linked the wrong thread, that one is much more GEC related. Good information, but not the one I wanted. I'll try to find the right one.

 

[Whetstone39]

This is a list of patterns Case has produced (I guess?), it is by no measure definitive but is a decent reference to some pattern shapes.

http://www.casexx.com/Pattern/

 

[TheChunk91]

Take a look through this 1926 schrade cut co catalog, it will give you an idea of what traditional knives are called and what they are like.

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/images/1926_Schrade_Catalogs.pdf

 

[shinyedges]

Such awesome resources, everyone thank you!

 

[afishhunter]

A couple things about Traditional knives that have not been mentioned yet, that you may or may not be aware of:

1) Traditional knives are addictive.
2) When (not "if") you find another pattern you want to try, get it in the Rough Rider brand.
Rough Rider will let you try patterns without bankrupting the bank. They are also a good knife. If you decide you like the pattern, you can always "upgrade" to a higher name brand ... if they make that pattern ...
3) Multi-blade knives are more versatile than any single blade knife.
4) More than one traditional knife will fit in your pocket(s).

 

[Will Power]

Simply keeping an eye on many of the long running regular threads here will enhance your knowledge enormously, and rapidly. It may spark off a buying mania though...

 

[Bladester]

Chunk91 -
Thanks for link to Schrade catalog. Found it v interesting. Much appreciated.
--Larry