Traditional Lockblade for A Hunter

IABIGBUCKGUY

IABIGBUCKGUY

Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
753
Im looking for my first Traditional Lockblade folder. I love to Hunt and Trap and I need a knife that will stand up to heavy use. Im looking at the Schatt & Morgan Mountain Man knife. Will this knife stand up to Heavy use ? I own a few Case Copperlocks and there great Trad. knives but Im just itching for something older looking with great blade steel. Any suggestions. I'm I on the right track with Queen Cutlery ? The 1095 and D2 steel appeals to me as a great steel.
 
Are you dead set on a folder?

I've used a folder for hunting and fishing, but it was a pain to clean after. I eventually went to a sheath knife, and life got easier. Lots of old timey traditional fixed blades for hunting. Just a thought.
 
my traditional lock back hunter is a buck 110, but I get that you're looking for a diff form factor. I also have a MM. I believe that mine is the exception as it has very good/tight lockup. Take a look at the various offerings by GEC.

buck_2.jpg
 
Check out the thread on the new Great Eastern #23 Bullock. May be just what you are looking for.
 
I know what your saying and your right. Folders need more detailed cleaning after use. I've just got the itch for a traditional lock blade. I own over 50 fixed blade knives and a over a dozen folders. But I don't have any quality premium traditional folders.
 
Buck 110,112 or even 55!!! Amazing knives, time tested. Looks like Sheriff Longmire carries one too!
I used my 112 on Whitetails as a teenager, not so much these days, and it was always easy to clean. Just wipe, flush , dry, lube.
But to be honest fixed is a better way to go. Thinking back my urban parents were scared of fixed blades but OKd my 112. Maybe even the 110 was too big at the time as far as they were concerned. But the 112 served and is still around today, 30 years later.
 
markpmc said:
my traditional lock back hunter is a buck 110, but I get that you're looking for a diff form factor. I also have a MM. I believe that mine is the exception as it has very good/tight lockup. Take a look at the various offerings by GEC.

buck_2.jpg
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Beautiful knife there buddy. I have a 110 with finger grooves I think it's the Buck Ranger. It has served me well over the years. Im just looking for something different.
 
I have skinned/butchered many deer with fixed blade knives and prefer a drop point style with a 3" to 3-1/2" blade. If I was to again use a folding lock-back (I have in the past but quit because of the cleaning issue) I would look at a Buck 500 or similar sized and shaped blade. OH
 
It's kinda cliche, but a 110, or 112 would probably suffice, but even though they are common, you could make it more appealing, by purchasing it through Buck's custom shop, and have it tailored to your specific taste. I hear Mountain Mans are hit or miss, but still solid performers nonetheless. Their D2 is great, I really hold it in high regard.
 
GEC is scheduled to make a run of #72's very soon. These have an approx. +3" clip point blade. Pick one up in stag and you'll have a classic. Of course if you have your heart set on a drop point, 2 minutes with a grinder and you are there.
 
Maybe I should just look for a vintage Copperlock or a old k-Bar hunter even a old schrade hunter. Thanks for your input guys :)
 
IABIGBUCKGUY said:
I Just checked it out and it looks like a tuff enough knife. Do you have one ?
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Not yet but there is one of the antique yellow bone knives on its way and there will certainly be a stag handled knife also as soon as its released. Its a good design thats been produced by European and American makers for many years. This one is slightly smaller than the originals but should be just as good.
 
IABIGBUCKGUY said:
I'm looking at the Schatt & Morgan Mountain Man knife. Will this knife stand up to Heavy use ?
Click to expand...

If it is built on the same frame as the Queen Mountain Man, I would say, "yes." Although I would also add, "It isn't a fixed blade."

The D2 will likely take a bit of effort to sharpen. Once sharp, it holds an edge very well. I find the grip of the Mountain Man to be very comfortable in use.
 
I do own the GEC 23TL Bullock and it's definitely tough enough! It also has all the features you're looking for, locking blade & 1095 Steel plus it's a beauty!

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IABIGBUCKGUY said:
Beautiful knife there buddy. I have a 110 with finger grooves I think it's the Buck Ranger. It has served me well over the years. Im just looking for something different.
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The Ranger is the smaller 112. Both have been made in finger groove styles. I find the 110 to be a lot more knife than the 112, which is a pro or a con depending on personal preference.

If you dig the idea of carbon steel, I can offer this observation. Not all carbon is the same.

I love Opinels for every day carry and for hiking and such, but steel in my couple of Schrades is just different. It's harder. Sharpens up with a teeny tiny bit more effort (just a bit more pressure on the stones) but holds an edge insanely better when working with wood. Just got back from a week on the beach using a Schrade H-15 (fixed blade) for making fires and an Opinel #9 for everything else. Used both killing time doing some "whittling". The Schrade easily shaves even after splitting wet drift wood all week. My smaller 5OT is the same way. Just holds an edge forever.

If you're looking at old USA made Schrades, I would look at the 125OT or the 7OT. Just be careful to avoid knives with the "Schrade+" tang stamp, as that indicates stainless. If it were me, I would be inclined towards the 125OT as the pattern is more directly linked to the older "folding hunter" pattern that was around for a very long time as a slip joint. The 7OT is something of a copy/response to the Buck 110. The 125OT is a liner lock.

If you like the lockback of the 7OT but can't find one, Moore Maker makes a 1095 folding hunter that bears a close resemblance to the Schrade 7OT/LB7 frame pattern (nice homage, imo).

As other have noted, the Queen Mountain Man in D2 is another worth looking at. And GEC has another large lockback that has no finger guard. Missouri Trader maybe? Maybe somebody can clarify.

My suggestion: Schrade 125OT.
125OT.jpg


Oh wait... another, harder to find to Schrade would be the 51OT Sunfish. 3" drop point blade. Lockback. And in the old USA made version (not the current Taylor made saddness), carbon steel. Usually these go for top dollar.
51OT.jpg
 
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I have the Queen Mountain Man with D2. I like the knife. It should work for you and the single blade (knife weight and thickness) makes the entire package tolerable in your pocket. Still a large folder. I like large folders.

The GEC #23 Pioneer or GEC #42 Missouri Trapper would work for you as well. I like these two knives a lot. The #23 (two blade) is a bit heavy in the pocket and a pocket sheath is suggested or a belt pouch of some kind. But excellent knife! The #42 is more pocket friendly. Haven't decided which I like better yet as I just got a #42. It is big enough to put some force behind cutting if you need to.

I used a folder for years hunting. I know people say that you can't clean them easily which is true. But I really never had a problem with this or discovered something stinking in my pocket a week later.

Hard to beat a Buck 110 as others have mentioned.
 
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IABIGBUCKGUY said:
Im looking for my first Traditional Lockblade folder. I love to Hunt and Trap and I need a knife that will stand up to heavy use. ... Any suggestions. I'm I on the right track with Queen Cutlery ? The 1095 and D2 steel appeals to me as a great steel.
Click to expand...

Get a single-blade Great Eastern Cutlery #23 (or a two-blade model, if you like trapper-style knives). For something a little smaller, the #73 liner lock GECs are hard to beat.

-- Mark
 
My Queen MM is certainly a very sturdy locker. Been using it hard for 7+ years so far, and it's held up great. The D2 steel is my favorite steel available in a current production pocket knife.
 
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