Traditional?

[LKJW]

A lot of people want to get into collecting traditional knives. And we all have different takes on what this means. Does traditional just mean patterns? Not to me. To me, that is part of it...sure, but it is also about how knives have traditionally been used. The idea of starting a traditional knife collection with a $150 knife is crazy to me. You can buy a US made buck for thirty dollars. You can buy used US knives in good shape for the same or less. You can get a Camillus TL-29 in good shape for ten bucks if you're patient. I recently bought my first GEC knife (the forum knife). But I've been at this a while. And the first traditional knife I bought for myself (not a gift from my grandpa) was an old TL-29 with beautiful orange-red scales (Camillus). One of the scales was a little melted. Beauty of a knife. I love it.

I didn't want to muck up anyone's thread so I started a new one. And to each their own. I don't judge anyone or the way they want to spend their money. But when I think about or hold a traditional knife there is part of me that thinks about my grandfather. Every time. And he would never in a million years have spent more than he needed to for a knife. Sure, he had a nice Case or two. He had some nice Bucks. But he would never have spent $100 on a knife. I have. I'm not judging, like I said. But it just seems weird to me that if you are starting a 'collection' - heck, start with a Buck Cadet. It's one of my favorite knives and I have hundreds. Even if you want to kick it up, a case can be had for $40. Why start with the big players. I don't get it.

I was just wondeirng if any one else agrees with me. I own a stupid amount of knives, but most of them are used and most of them were cheap. I just feel weird reading these 'what should I buy, Case or GEC' threads when, if you really want a traditional knife, get a TL-29. Get an Old Timer off the bay. Jumping into the deep end just strikes me as, well, untraditional.

I don't mean to try and impose my beliefs on others, I was just wondering if any of y'all have these same thoughts.

 

[yobbos1]

My love for traditionals was born out of being able to buy US and Sheffield made knives here in Canada for $10-20-30 at any hardware store when I was younger. It has evolved since then but I have an idea of what is a sensible amount of money to spend on a slippie and rarely go beyond that.
Hunting for bargains is nearly impossible where I live, everyone seems to think any beat up old knife is worth $50 or more. Most of the time I settle for moderately priced Case knives and try the occaisional new pattern from an 'offshore' maker. BTW I did treat myself to a more expensive knife this year but that is one for the entire year.

 

[Stelth]

I tend to agree with you, LKJW: I buy a lot more moderate and inexpensive knives than expensive ones. My most costly "traditional" is about $120 but most of the others average around the $40 range.

 

[kamagong]

You probably have a point, but then again I doubt men like your grandfather would have an entire collection of slipjoints. They may have had a half dozen or so -- a couple of users along with a few they were gifted over the years. Spending the money we do, whether it is on a few expensive knives or a whole drawerful of more modest ones, would strike them as foolishness.

- Christian

 

[Bob W]

My Grandfather had traditional pocketknives that, he would tell us, cost thousands of dollars. How? He'd get them from the ag companies when buying seed or feed.

 

[robbobus]

I buy whatever my hobby budget allows me, how I choose to spend my money after my bills, food and future retirement are looked after is well, up to me. That is a traditional point of view I think. My grandpas farmed their whole lives, used tools til they were scrap and I am quite sure would consider my collection interesting - but not money well spent. I would love to spend $5 - $10 per knife, I did actually pick up a lot of Case, USA Schrade, Gerber and Puma for what worked out to $10/per, but generally the knives I prefer seem to command $60 - $110ish. With the occasional variation either way. I am amazed at the folks around here with amazing collections of +$1000 knives and appreciate their sharing. But I also love the "look what I found at a garage sale" threads. There's a whole lot of room for all budgets I think around here.

 

[LKJW]

I totally agree, Christian. I tried to make that clear. I am not casting judgement because you are dead right, my Grandpa, if he was still alive, would think my knife collection is ridiculous. It just strikes me as strange when people want to jump right in with $150 knife. The forum knife is the most expensive knife I've ever purchased I think. Point is valid. My grandpa used the heck out of his tools. We are fetishists. It is just, well, in my mind a nice Old Timer with patina is more traditional than a knife that costs more than $100. I fully understand there is an odd hypocrisy at play here, but I've been collecting knives a long time. And it took me a long time to get to buying a real expensive knife. I just read these posts and, sure, GEC knives are nice, but for the same price you can get a nice cv peanut, an Old Timer, a TL-29, a sharpfinger, and a Buck Cadet. It just seems odd to me. Old knives speak to me more. And if you are just starting out, you can get a handful of great knives or one pricey one. It is hard for me to figure. As I said, there is no judgement. I was just wondering if anyone else had similar thoughts.

You probably have a point, but then again I doubt men like your grandfather would have an entire collection of slipjoints. They may have had a half dozen or so -- a couple of users along with a few they were gifted over the years. Spending the money we do, whether it is on a few expensive knives or a whole drawerful of more modest ones, would strike them as foolishness.

- Christian

 

[LKJW]

My grandfather collected trucker caps.

 

[LKJW]

Completely agree with you. Every man has the right to do things his way. I tried to make that clear. I guess I failed. I was simply wondering if others thought like me. For instance, the forum knife was a big decision for me. I don't think I could ever spend 1K on a knife. But I fully support others' decisions to do so. It's all about choice, but it seems like a lot of people want to go whole hog right away. It's just something I don't understand. But there are LOTS of things I don't understand.

I buy whatever my hobby budget allows me, how I choose to spend my money after my bills, food and future retirement are looked after is well, up to me. That is a traditional point of view I think. My grandpas farmed their whole lives, used tools til they were scrap and I am quite sure would consider my collection interesting - but not money well spent. I would love to spend $5 - $10 per knife, I did actually pick up a lot of Case, USA Schrade, Gerber and Puma for what worked out to $10/per, but generally the knives I prefer seem to command $60 - $110ish. With the occasional variation either way. I am amazed at the folks around here with amazing collections of +$1000 knives and appreciate their sharing. But I also love the "look what I found at a garage sale" threads. There's a whole lot of room for all budgets I think around here.

 

[dannyp]

Spending the money we do, whether it is on a few expensive knives or a whole drawerful of more modest ones, would strike them as foolishness.

- Christian

I completely agree with this. A big part of it is disposable income and the ability to research and buy knives on the internet as opposed to what was available down at the local hardware store. It would be interesting to find out what a Case knife cost them back in the day and see how it compares to current pricing after factoring in inflation.

Another thing to consider about those who are just getting into traditional knives is that they are often coming from buying modern folders. If they are already past that monetary threshold for those types of knives, then it's not a big deal to spend just as much on a traditional knife.

 

[LKJW]

That's a good point from a man with a good name. If you've been buying Benchmade, a GEC ain't so intimidating. Didn't think of that.

 

[ranchmanben]

I understand what LKJW is saying, you have to crawl before you walk. In my opinion, having and using some less expensive knives lets you know what patterns you like and gives you a better appreciation for a quality knife later. After 20 years of carrying the pattern I like, I have no problem spending $200 on a knife I like. I buy it, stick it in my pocket with my keys, change and what ever else is in my pocket and use it everyday. A knife is a tool, Craftsman to start out Snap-on once you gain some experience.

 

[JAB]

One thing to consider is that when some are relatively new to a hobby they will jump in with both feet and have the mentality that they need what is perceived as "the best" right off the bat.

 

[LKJW]

One thing to consider is that when some are relatively new to a hobby they will jump in with both feet and have the mentality that they need what is perceived as "the best" right off the bat.

That's a good point, too. I bought a new motorcycle about 8 years ago...a 73 Honda CB450. I didn't buy a new motorcycle until a few years ago. That's how I was raised. Work your way up.

 

[Cisco Kid]

Just to offer my point of view, the reason I almost only buy expensive slip joints (> $150) is because I want a quality that cannot be found in less expensive knives. This is not snobbery, it's just OCD ):

And, by the way, I use my knives, none of them gather dust in display cases.

 

[knarfeng]

The focus on "highest quality big bucks knives" is not just in the traditional area. I spend a fair amount of time in the General Forum. I frequently see new folks who are just certain they have to have "the best", the "sharpest", "toughest" knife. In the Gadgets and Gear forum, I see a lot of folks talking about how many expensive watches they have or how expensive the car they have is.

I Think it's a culture thing in general. I'm not sure if it is good or bad. It just is. But it isn't the way I was raised to think.

 

[supratentorial]

My grandfathers were also practical men that bought knives/tools to use.

There are a lot of good comments floating around. I don't think there is a right or wrong when it comes to collecting traditionals. People will buy what they like or at least what they can afford. On a budget of $300, someone might be happy with 10 knives costing $10 each and two knives costing $100 each. Some may regret spending $100 on 10 inexpensive knives instead of putting the money toward another $100 knife. Someone might be happy buying only one knife with the $300. I think that the most important thing is that they enjoy their collecting -- whatever it is they choose to collect.

 

[LKJW]

Very reasonable answer. :thumbup:

My grandfathers were also practical men that bought knives/tools to use.

There are a lot of good comments floating around. I don't think there is a right or wrong when it comes to collecting traditionals. People will buy what they like or at least what they can afford. On a budget of $300, someone might be happy with 10 knives costing $10 each and two knives costing $100 each. Some may regret spending $100 on 10 inexpensive knives instead of putting the money toward another $100 knife. Someone might be happy buying only one knife with the $300. I think that the most important thing is that they enjoy their collecting -- whatever it is they choose to collect.

 

[LKJW]

That's a good call, too. I got a friend who has a ten thousand dollar watch. WTF for, I have no idea. Different strokes.

The focus on "highest quality big bucks knives" is not just in the traditional area. I spend a fair amount of time in the General Forum. I frequently see new folks who are just certain they have to have "the best", the "sharpest", "toughest" knife. In the Gadgets and Gear forum, I see a lot of folks talking about how many expensive watches they have or how expensive the car they have is.

I Think it's a culture thing in general. I'm not sure if it is good or bad. It just is. But it isn't the way I was raised to think.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Price is also relative.

I used a $300 knife for over a decade (first higher quality user I bought).

I often carry and use a $350 knife as an edc.

I have used a $800+ knife as my user heavy chopper. (and even have video's throwing it! which is very abusive!)

Tonight, I was teaching some Boy Scouts fire building skills. I handed out about $2400 in knives to the kids to use for making fuzz sticks, and whittle a pile of tinder/shavings. (three of which were GEC folders).

$150 for a nifty, well put together folder that I like is not too bad! Especially if you have carried and used Hinderer, Chris Reeve, Busse etc knives.

Actually the price of GEC made folders (and some nice looking Queen collab folders) has been a real treat for deals this winter. I ordered 5 traditional folders for Christmas for my self (a Northfield Barlow, Northfield Sunfish, Queen/Burke Grandaddy barlow, Queen/Pardue canoe whittler, and a neat looking Schatt and Morgan File and Wire Grandady barlow). These all came for about the price of one of my large Busse choppers, so I was quite tickled with all the fun stuff I could buy for the money!

The Buck, and a few other traditionals that I have handled multiple examples of were not finished well enough for me to even consider buying. Off grinds on the edges, and sloppy fit and finish.

I won't pay 20-30 for a poorly put together knife (even if it is rugged and will last) when I can pay $10 more and snag a Scharade (GEC made) pioneer in 1095, or a nice Tidioute/GEC/Northfield folder for a bit more.

I don't have a good local source to go fondle and pick out choice examples, nor do I have a good local source for traditional folders in genera. The local sporting goods store has horrible examples of traditional folders (most Buck).

So I have not had a chance to handle any case or any other brand. I will soon (when I get to open them for Christmas) some Queen's and Schatt & Morgan File and Wire to try out.

Funny thing is in my family, we all have guns, and will spend decent money on a nice firearm. My dad thinks nothing of spending $1000 on a gun, then near as much on a scope and gunsmithing to get the gun's action and trigger where he likes it.

But he thinks $300 on a quality knife is crazy (which is funny, because he does have one custom that he spend $250 on......though it is worth much more than that).

As to what I consider "traditional", for me it is more about look and steel. If some one carries a $2000 custom slipjoint from a top maker, in super steel, I still consider it to be very traditional as long as it looks the part.

There were a lot of inexpensive high quality folders back in our father's and grandfathers and time, but labor costs for hand fitting was very very cheap. That said, there were still makers turning out pieces that were very expensive for the time (I think of some of the high end pieces I see in threads here that are in collections, or museum pieces from top makers like Sheffield and Tiffany etc. Many of these were expensive back then, even when bought to be used)