Traditional stainless steel knive recommendations ?

Ogri

Ogri

Joined
Feb 19, 2016
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Hoping for some advice. I really like the build quality of GEC, but I need a stainless steel blade. Ive managed to pick up the odd stainless steel GEC on the forum but since there are so few of them made I was interested to know if anyone could reccommend a knife as well built as a GEC but in stainless ? ( my preference is single blade )
 
While I don't own any, I've heard nothing but great things about the build quality of CollectorKnives' Lionsteel Barlows. M390 steel, titanium bolsters, and your choice of Clip, Sheepfoot, or Spear blade.

Also, check out Solignen-made Boker's. The ones I've owned have been great quality.
 
The first brand that comes to my mind is A.G. Russell if you don't mind knives made outside of the U.S.A. His China made slip joints and lockbacks are of exceptional build quality and reasonably priced. Most of them have a stop pin in the blade well to prevent blade rap and I think they all have stainless steel liners, bolsters, and blades. Unbeatable warranty too.

I'll also second all of the suggestions above.
 
Case makes good knives. The ones I have owned and others I have handled have all been good. I know A lot of people might have a different opinion about Case but I like them. My peanut holds up well to what I put it through.
 
I own a box load of Case and Buck slip-joints made with stainless blades, built from the 1960's to the current day. If you plan to use the pocketknife to cut the ordinary things a pocketknife is used for, the stainless in these knives will perform well. If you want stainless blade steel that can also be used to build space stations, nuclear weapons, and to baton their way through the great northwoods you may want something else. OH
 
Case Sod Buster or Sod Buster Jr.?
For a lockback, I'd go with one of the Buck's. A 500 series if for whatever reason you don't care for the 110 or 112.
 
The Lion Steel Barlows are pretty great knives. I've had one in my pocket just about every day since I've gotten one. I'm a huge fan of M390 on my moderns so I'm thrilled to have it on a traditional pattern. To me they're the perfect blend of both styles, modern materials in a traditional build. That may not be what you're after, but I for one love 'em. I tend to prefer single blade traditionals as well so that's another reason they've become a favourite of mine.

Obligatory picture -

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Schatt & Morgan File & Wire knives series 1 through 5 were beautifully made and had ATS-34 stainless blades. Not made any longer, you will have to find them on the secondary markets, but they're worth the search.
 
BP_ said:
If you like lockback knives, take a look at Buck. Case is another big one you can get stainless blades, I also agree with the Lionsteel recommendation.

ETA: this guy went up for preorder today. https://www.skblades.com/product-page/the-goodfella (Supporting dealer link)
Click to expand...

Buck only makes a few models in their custom shop. And, currently, they are all lockbacks. I have two knives from the custom shop and consider them very well made indeed. They are made to order and are ordered directly from the Buck web site.

The regular Buck knives one finds in the retail store are not made in the custom shop. Those don't rival GEC for fit and finish.
 
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The Lionsteels are great knives, M390 and really nice fit and finish but a completely different animal than GEC

Enigma Knives is another great option, based in Poland they use really modern materials like Ti, steels like US2000, M390 etc. and mix it with mosaic pins and woods of all sorts. They usually have really stout backsprings and often tiny gaps between liner and spring and run around 100-130€. I've lately been dealing with their service because I dropped mine(a bit too often :D) and the wood cracked and there were no problems in hooking up with them.

And lastly there's Otter, they use N690 on the more expensive models and have some models that are really up there (Like 200+€). They also have more budget oriented Knives but I don't think they'll hold up to GECs fit and finish.

And as somewhat of a wildcard the robert klaas collectors knives are nice. Usually stainless damascus and nice fit and finish.
 
If you are interested in European knives, the French Laguiole is their ultra Traditional. Seen here a small 9cm locking Laguiole from Fontanille-Pataud. Other sizes(bigger) and loads of scale materials to choose from. I would not be without one of these in my collection or pocket.

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The Viper easy open from CK is a very nice knife. It's traditional in looks, but has an open back and a three-position detent instead of a spring. The more I carry it, the more I like it. I actually prefer the detent system now. I think that Mike still has a few left. M390.
 
I do find it necessary to carry stainless quite often and there are a lot of good options in traditional slip joints.

This Laguiole from Fontenille Pataud has a simple sandivik steel that takes a screaming edge and at 11cm carries very slim for it’s size...
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The Case/ Bose Collabs have a nice heat treat on 154CM, though they are pricey...
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Queens D2 is semi stainless but takes and holds a very nice edge, harder to find now that they closed their doors, but they are out there...
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Carried Case’s tru sharp for long while, it is a fine edc stainless for very reasonable prices...
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Case even did a recent run of trappers and back pockets in their 154CM and they can be found discounted if you look, very nice....
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If I carried single blades more.... this Lionsteel shuffler would stay in my pocket, took a screaming edge with the M390, light yet fills the hand, good fit and finish, just a great knife....
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Or you could always go custom this one in S30V...
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And of course GEC’s 440C is very well done...
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