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Trapper or Canoe- Which to get next
- Thread starter winchester73
- Start date
screened porch
Basic Member
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- Feb 19, 2012
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- 18,868
I have one canoe by Camillus.
I like trappers, but I tend to hurt myself choking up on a long blade. The canoe pen blade spares me that in close work.
If you are one of those who eat with their pocketknives, you might appreciate the wider main blade for spreading condiments.
I like trappers, but I tend to hurt myself choking up on a long blade. The canoe pen blade spares me that in close work.
If you are one of those who eat with their pocketknives, you might appreciate the wider main blade for spreading condiments.
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2010
- Messages
- 4,186
the canoe is cool, thin, fits in the pocket better, and has a great spear point blade
but for ME, when trying to use the pen blade, the big spear made the grip kinda uncomfortable. Note this was not an issue when the pen was closed and the spear was opened
just me somewhat limited experience
they ARE cool, and i might try another one on day just to see
but for ME, when trying to use the pen blade, the big spear made the grip kinda uncomfortable. Note this was not an issue when the pen was closed and the spear was opened
just me somewhat limited experience
they ARE cool, and i might try another one on day just to see
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,171
I dig trappers. I've found for EDC a mini-trapper carries quite well and is very useful. If you don't have one then consider one of those too. I also like canoes, the look and their comfort in the pocket.
If you aren't sure and just want to try the pattern then I'd second the motion to try a Rough Rider or a Boker Magnum to see if you like it, then a Case or a Queen later. A warning though. I've always wanted to try the sunfish or elephant toe pattern, but not in a position to dump $95 and up just to see if I like it. I also like canoes as mentioned. About the same time about a month ago I picked up a Rough Rider elephant toenail for less than $5 shipped on a last minuted bid and I also picked up a Case canoe in smooth chestnut bone to go with the Case mini-trapper that had been my EDC for about the last year. Both were new knives. The Case was a 2013. Quite simply the Case was a disappointment and the Rough Rider quite a pleasant surprise.
The main blade on the Case canoe was rubbing against the tail of the pen blade and if you weren't careful on closing the knife that same blade would hang up on the back of the pen blade on closing. I had to pad the blade and put it in a vise then carefully tweak it several times to get enough clearance for the blade to close without hanging or rubbing. This was on a two spring canoe. Fit, finish, and walk and talk, between the 2013 Case and the RR were about the same. The Case was bought on auction also, but from a stocking, regular dealer so it wasn't someone's leftover.
Now my 2006 Case mini-trapper and the 2007 Case medium stockman (both in smooth chestnut bone) I picked up shortly after the Case canoe under discussion are both much better as was the 2007 Yellow/CV Case peanut. Seems that 6 years or so made a difference.
The moral of this story is that if you decide to go with a newly made Case canoe, check it out in person first or go with an online source that has a liberal return policy. I'm confident I would have had no problem returning the Case, but for the sub $30 price I paid for it I was okay with tweaking it more than the hassle of returning it. I hate having to return things. Not sure what Queen and others are doing now, but I would think they're probably okay.
Oh yeah, and the obligatory pics. I don't have the middle Boker anymore. I traded/sold my stag scaled Bokers as they were just too heavy in the pocket. I liked them, but they were in patterns I wanted to carry and that normally carry well, but the stags I kept noticing when carrying. The Boker and Boker Magnum's both carry well as does the 2007 forum Canittler.
The red bone on the right bleed out a LOT the first time I went to rinse it off after using it for lunch one day several years ago. I ended up rinsing it a lot then just dumping it in a cup of water I changed a few times, rubbing it down with paper towels between changes until it finally stabilized. Then I took it home and dumped it in a jar of mineral oil for a day. For all the dye that came out of it you would think it would have faded, but I just took a look at it to be sure and it's darker and much more even looking that in the (old) photo. It looks quite nice in fact. Not bad for $10 and cuts well too.
So what it comes down to is that, yes, you should get a canoe. There's just something about them that's down home. Not to mention that the scales are wide enough and the pattern shaped just the right shape and size that they make a nice worry stone for your pocket.
I may have to start wearing that photographer's vest just to be able to carry more knives.
If you aren't sure and just want to try the pattern then I'd second the motion to try a Rough Rider or a Boker Magnum to see if you like it, then a Case or a Queen later. A warning though. I've always wanted to try the sunfish or elephant toe pattern, but not in a position to dump $95 and up just to see if I like it. I also like canoes as mentioned. About the same time about a month ago I picked up a Rough Rider elephant toenail for less than $5 shipped on a last minuted bid and I also picked up a Case canoe in smooth chestnut bone to go with the Case mini-trapper that had been my EDC for about the last year. Both were new knives. The Case was a 2013. Quite simply the Case was a disappointment and the Rough Rider quite a pleasant surprise.
The main blade on the Case canoe was rubbing against the tail of the pen blade and if you weren't careful on closing the knife that same blade would hang up on the back of the pen blade on closing. I had to pad the blade and put it in a vise then carefully tweak it several times to get enough clearance for the blade to close without hanging or rubbing. This was on a two spring canoe. Fit, finish, and walk and talk, between the 2013 Case and the RR were about the same. The Case was bought on auction also, but from a stocking, regular dealer so it wasn't someone's leftover.
Now my 2006 Case mini-trapper and the 2007 Case medium stockman (both in smooth chestnut bone) I picked up shortly after the Case canoe under discussion are both much better as was the 2007 Yellow/CV Case peanut. Seems that 6 years or so made a difference.
The moral of this story is that if you decide to go with a newly made Case canoe, check it out in person first or go with an online source that has a liberal return policy. I'm confident I would have had no problem returning the Case, but for the sub $30 price I paid for it I was okay with tweaking it more than the hassle of returning it. I hate having to return things. Not sure what Queen and others are doing now, but I would think they're probably okay.
Oh yeah, and the obligatory pics. I don't have the middle Boker anymore. I traded/sold my stag scaled Bokers as they were just too heavy in the pocket. I liked them, but they were in patterns I wanted to carry and that normally carry well, but the stags I kept noticing when carrying. The Boker and Boker Magnum's both carry well as does the 2007 forum Canittler.
The red bone on the right bleed out a LOT the first time I went to rinse it off after using it for lunch one day several years ago. I ended up rinsing it a lot then just dumping it in a cup of water I changed a few times, rubbing it down with paper towels between changes until it finally stabilized. Then I took it home and dumped it in a jar of mineral oil for a day. For all the dye that came out of it you would think it would have faded, but I just took a look at it to be sure and it's darker and much more even looking that in the (old) photo. It looks quite nice in fact. Not bad for $10 and cuts well too.
So what it comes down to is that, yes, you should get a canoe. There's just something about them that's down home. Not to mention that the scales are wide enough and the pattern shaped just the right shape and size that they make a nice worry stone for your pocket.
I may have to start wearing that photographer's vest just to be able to carry more knives.
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 710
Since I don't have a canoe and a couple advised me to try a rough rider first to see if I like it, I have ordered one of the new colt carbon steel micarta scaled canoes. I have heard the new colt carbon blades come very sharp. I'll let you know what I think when it comes in.(I actually got it for less money than from non BF dealer member with a little searching)
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- Mar 7, 2006
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- 2,171
I have a Colt 175th Anniversary Barlow (stainless) and a Colt Congress in a nice gift box. Both newer ones (the earlier Chinese stuff left a lot to be desired. Both in Black Stag Bone and both are nicely made. I was really surprised. Particularly since I don't have much in either. So it should give you a decent try out. I haven't really seen the carbons yet so may have to check.
Let us know what you think when it comes in and how it carries.
Let us know what you think when it comes in and how it carries.
Another vote for a canoe, especially if you already have a trapper.
I do find the main blade on a canoe to be as useful as the main blade on a trapper or stockman. And all the comments on how well it rides in the pocket are spot on.
Here's a couple of shots of my queen canoe
Top down to show the thickness of the knife...
As said above
The main Spear blade is quite stout
And the pen is laser thin and sharp
knowtracks
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2006
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- 3,881
Let's see, What was the question again?? OH YA! Go for the Trapper!
Dave
Old Hunter
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- Jul 12, 2012
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- 9,888
Besides the benefits already described, Canoe's come with some pretty cool blade etches! That said, I like both patterns - get a Canoe if you don't already own one. OH
I know of the carbon steel g10 canoes that just came out that have titanium nitride coating, in fact it's sitting right next to me. The blades on this thing is THICK, and overall makes my rough rider canoe look anorexic and is overall built like a tank in the way it feels. I much rather prefer my rough rider over the colt, the difference in how it feels in the hand and how it carries is drastic. It doesn't feel like the same pattern of knife to me. So if you like it, thats awesome, but if you don't I wouldn't write off canoes off you list completely yet if it's the same knife as mine.
And are you sure it's micarta, the only carbon steel colt canoes I know of are g10 and I did a pretty extensive search on those knives within the last month. Could you send me an email of where you picked it up or post up the model number, I want to see if they really did make one are of micarta.
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- Jan 6, 2008
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- 710
I did some research and was told by the importer/maker( I didn't buy it from them. My wife stopped by on the way home and talked to one of their sales reps and that's what he said)they a mistake was made on the description and the box and that it is actually micarta not g10. Have a close look and see if you can tell and let us know. The pic of it looked like the blades are beefy. I wish they would state if it's 1095 steel.
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- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 710
I received my Colt canoe yesterday. Here are my impressions. With it's Micarta(to me it looks like Micarta) or G10 scales and TINI coating it is not a pretty knife and as Bob 6794 said the blades are beefy. It is more of a working knife suited to jeans or work pants than Dockers. The fit and finish are good with no spring or liner gaps and it has good snap. It came from the box very sharp. Since I have other knives to put in the pocket with dressier pants, I'm very pleased with the knife. Looks like it's built like a tank which some will like and some won't.