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Tried and liked: 2013
- Thread starter pinnah
- Start date
I'm trying to shrink my collection of knives, not expand it. But this year I did get three transcendent knives that for me hit a giant sweet spot of being really effective cutters, very easy to discretely carry, and have great ergonomics for my hands.
#6 Pemberton--like the Case Peanut, small but very capable. Wider handles than the Peanut, so more Autumn Bone to admire.
#15 Boys Knife--single clip blade. Wow, just wow. Carried more than any other this year. This one opened my eyes to the advantages of 1 blade.
Half-Moon Trapper--this Canal Street Cutlery knife introduced me to CSC. I had no idea these knives were built for pure cutting. The blade is nice and thin and tapers beautifully from bolster to tip and from spine to edge. As a single blade, it carries easily. The 14-4 CrMo takes and holds a very sharp edge, and the bolster & spring are stainless as well. Apparently this knife has been recently redesigned to have more snap. I love it.
#6 Pemberton--like the Case Peanut, small but very capable. Wider handles than the Peanut, so more Autumn Bone to admire.
#15 Boys Knife--single clip blade. Wow, just wow. Carried more than any other this year. This one opened my eyes to the advantages of 1 blade.
Half-Moon Trapper--this Canal Street Cutlery knife introduced me to CSC. I had no idea these knives were built for pure cutting. The blade is nice and thin and tapers beautifully from bolster to tip and from spine to edge. As a single blade, it carries easily. The 14-4 CrMo takes and holds a very sharp edge, and the bolster & spring are stainless as well. Apparently this knife has been recently redesigned to have more snap. I love it.
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,679
I tried and liked carrying knives that were larger than what I had carried in the past.
My usual size range was Peanut/Pemberton, Conductor, White Owl, etc. I didn't see the need to lug around anything bigger or heavier as these knives handled anything & everything I asked of them. They still would, but ..
I slipped a GEC Cuban Stockman into my pocket one day and found that it rode virtually unnoticed there. This surprised me as I had tried it before and it felt like a long, heavy, uncomfortable lump in my pocket. Why the difference now? I have no idea. (Moral of the story: examine your prejudices from time to time - they may change).
At any rate, I've started carrying a larger knife (GEC 53 or 73) and really like the size & feel-in-hand, and continue to be impressed with how well they carry in the pocket.
My usual size range was Peanut/Pemberton, Conductor, White Owl, etc. I didn't see the need to lug around anything bigger or heavier as these knives handled anything & everything I asked of them. They still would, but ..
I slipped a GEC Cuban Stockman into my pocket one day and found that it rode virtually unnoticed there. This surprised me as I had tried it before and it felt like a long, heavy, uncomfortable lump in my pocket. Why the difference now? I have no idea. (Moral of the story: examine your prejudices from time to time - they may change).
At any rate, I've started carrying a larger knife (GEC 53 or 73) and really like the size & feel-in-hand, and continue to be impressed with how well they carry in the pocket.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2004
- Messages
- 6,997
This is a cool thread; I've enjoyed reading the responses so far.
Personally, I've had several.
The first two:
1. I was exposed to the split-back whittler, and fell in love.
2. I learned that I like a wharncliffe as a main blade, or at least a full-size secondary. Never really warmed up to it fully, even though I had a couple wharncliffes in my quiver.
These both happened when I was fortunate enough to win Gus' give-away of a Case Classic wharncliffe whittler. I carried it around for a few days, and was really "wowed" by it. It was my first split-back whittler, and has a big beefy wharncliffe main blade. I was really impressed by the construction of the knife, and the difficulty involved (as a hobby-level machinist, I know how tough it is to drill an angled hole in a flat sheet of metal.....). Also, I really grew to appreciate the wharncliffe for its pure utility, and its sleek appearance.
So, long & short of it, is that due to the extraordinary generosity of a fellow forum member, I discovered some new favorite aspects of my favorite pastime!
(Thank you, again and again, Gus! I'm still touched by your generosity every time I hold this knife in my hand.)
The third one, is surely not least!
I'm not the kind of guy who has funds to spend on custom knives. Even higher-end production knives are often beyond my reach. I tend to orbit in the "best bang for your buck" plane, sometimes skipping into the "got a great deal on that one" sphere. So, this is something I would not have had the chance to experience, if it were not for another outstanding display of selflessness by another member, Duncan (Cambellclanman). Some time back, when Duncan gave us his good news (health-related... some of you may remember it), I sent a modest token of my well-wishes and congratulations, a little expression of "I'm with ya, buddy!" Well, a short time later, a package from NZ arrived for me, here in Philly. Inside was a gorgeous John Lloyd toothpick, dressed in amber stag with a shield in the shape of a perch! I was absolutely stunned (and still am!), and it almost brought me to tears. I now carry that toothpick almost every day, and each time I use it or handle it I think of our Kiwi buddy and his caring nature. From this experience, I have also become exposed to the work of Mr. Lloyd, and come to understand what exactly a custom knife really is. It's adjusted my perspective a bit, and now I have largely curtailed my purchasing of production knives while I put pennies aside for a future custom commission.
This is a wonderful "place" that we're fortunate to "inhabit," and is filled with some of the kindest and truest people on the planet, all crammed into one place. I feel blessed to be a part of this community.
Personally, I've had several.
The first two:
1. I was exposed to the split-back whittler, and fell in love.
2. I learned that I like a wharncliffe as a main blade, or at least a full-size secondary. Never really warmed up to it fully, even though I had a couple wharncliffes in my quiver.
These both happened when I was fortunate enough to win Gus' give-away of a Case Classic wharncliffe whittler. I carried it around for a few days, and was really "wowed" by it. It was my first split-back whittler, and has a big beefy wharncliffe main blade. I was really impressed by the construction of the knife, and the difficulty involved (as a hobby-level machinist, I know how tough it is to drill an angled hole in a flat sheet of metal.....). Also, I really grew to appreciate the wharncliffe for its pure utility, and its sleek appearance.
So, long & short of it, is that due to the extraordinary generosity of a fellow forum member, I discovered some new favorite aspects of my favorite pastime!
(Thank you, again and again, Gus! I'm still touched by your generosity every time I hold this knife in my hand.)
The third one, is surely not least!
I'm not the kind of guy who has funds to spend on custom knives. Even higher-end production knives are often beyond my reach. I tend to orbit in the "best bang for your buck" plane, sometimes skipping into the "got a great deal on that one" sphere. So, this is something I would not have had the chance to experience, if it were not for another outstanding display of selflessness by another member, Duncan (Cambellclanman). Some time back, when Duncan gave us his good news (health-related... some of you may remember it), I sent a modest token of my well-wishes and congratulations, a little expression of "I'm with ya, buddy!" Well, a short time later, a package from NZ arrived for me, here in Philly. Inside was a gorgeous John Lloyd toothpick, dressed in amber stag with a shield in the shape of a perch! I was absolutely stunned (and still am!), and it almost brought me to tears. I now carry that toothpick almost every day, and each time I use it or handle it I think of our Kiwi buddy and his caring nature. From this experience, I have also become exposed to the work of Mr. Lloyd, and come to understand what exactly a custom knife really is. It's adjusted my perspective a bit, and now I have largely curtailed my purchasing of production knives while I put pennies aside for a future custom commission.
This is a wonderful "place" that we're fortunate to "inhabit," and is filled with some of the kindest and truest people on the planet, all crammed into one place. I feel blessed to be a part of this community.
A lot of nice knife patterns tried and like on this thread.
Have to 'fess up, I didn't try anything new in the way of knives. I know what I like pretty well now and don't experiment much. But I did ~reacquire~ an old way of doing things. I purchased two large and very nice Arkansas whetstones and made an effort to do most the stuff freehand. Like I did as a kid. Only with nice stones instead of the stuff I could afford when growing up.
Not only did it work, and work well, but it also added a degree of pride in my hobby. I'd always been able to sharpen a knife the old way but had gotten away from it over the years. Glad I went back to it. Still use the newer stuff to do profile or heavy lifting but it is nice to do the other 90% by hand.
Will
Have to 'fess up, I didn't try anything new in the way of knives. I know what I like pretty well now and don't experiment much. But I did ~reacquire~ an old way of doing things. I purchased two large and very nice Arkansas whetstones and made an effort to do most the stuff freehand. Like I did as a kid. Only with nice stones instead of the stuff I could afford when growing up.
Not only did it work, and work well, but it also added a degree of pride in my hobby. I'd always been able to sharpen a knife the old way but had gotten away from it over the years. Glad I went back to it. Still use the newer stuff to do profile or heavy lifting but it is nice to do the other 90% by hand.
Will
Gary W. Graley
“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 2, 1999
- Messages
- 27,789
Been a strange year for me, starting off a new position with the same company I have been with for over 32 years, but at least they cut my pay by about 15% so that was something 
I kinda went wild with the GEC knives, got to visit their place in Titusville, hope to do that again in 2014, but again strange that I suddenly find my self devoid of any GEC knives? Not for any 'good' reason except that I went French all of a sudden. Started with a trade that got me a small Le Compact by Chambriard of Thiers France, that had me checking Opinels out until I even ended up getting a #13 WOW is that a large but very sharp folder! I thought it would be more for just my collection but I find that I put that large blade to use quite a lot in leather work as well as cutting thick foam for packaging, pretty handy!
And the the Chambriards, well I sold off all in order to get two of the Stag scaled ones, Le Compact and Le Compagnon, both excellent knives, and now I have my final Chambriard inbound to me, Le Trappeur also in Stag scales. I had emailed Mr Philippe Chambriard about any stag Le Trappeur and he emailed back some photos to choose from and now one is coming to join the rest of the family.
So, it has been an interesting year!
G2
I kinda went wild with the GEC knives, got to visit their place in Titusville, hope to do that again in 2014, but again strange that I suddenly find my self devoid of any GEC knives? Not for any 'good' reason except that I went French all of a sudden. Started with a trade that got me a small Le Compact by Chambriard of Thiers France, that had me checking Opinels out until I even ended up getting a #13 WOW is that a large but very sharp folder! I thought it would be more for just my collection but I find that I put that large blade to use quite a lot in leather work as well as cutting thick foam for packaging, pretty handy!
And the the Chambriards, well I sold off all in order to get two of the Stag scaled ones, Le Compact and Le Compagnon, both excellent knives, and now I have my final Chambriard inbound to me, Le Trappeur also in Stag scales. I had emailed Mr Philippe Chambriard about any stag Le Trappeur and he emailed back some photos to choose from and now one is coming to join the rest of the family.
So, it has been an interesting year!
G2
CapitalizedLiving
Basic Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2007
- Messages
- 3,799
Tried and liked...
1. Full tang hatchets
2. Butcher knives
3. Neck knives
4. Sheepfoot profile knives
5. Knives made from recycled blade steel
6. Wooden handles
Finally gave up on...
1. Custom folders
2. Locking folders (with one exception, because i love the design)
3. Folders that cost more than $50 (one exception, same as above)
4. Folders that require fingernails to open
5. Chopping knives
6. Knives in 3/16" stock or greater
Also in 2013 I sold a massive crap ton of knives, broke several, and gave away others, to the point that some people thought I was suicidal. It was awesome. My collection looks fantastic now.
1. Full tang hatchets
2. Butcher knives
3. Neck knives
4. Sheepfoot profile knives
5. Knives made from recycled blade steel
6. Wooden handles
Finally gave up on...
1. Custom folders
2. Locking folders (with one exception, because i love the design)
3. Folders that cost more than $50 (one exception, same as above)
4. Folders that require fingernails to open
5. Chopping knives
6. Knives in 3/16" stock or greater
Also in 2013 I sold a massive crap ton of knives, broke several, and gave away others, to the point that some people thought I was suicidal. It was awesome. My collection looks fantastic now.
Last edited:
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,631
The Eureka jack was a new pattern for me this year, and it's become one of my favorites.
Agree with that! Just got an Ivory Bone one like this to join my jigged bone version, very beautiful knife as you can see. It's so smooth in hand and looks like a time capsule from 1913.
I share Gary's enthusiasm for Chambriard knives, but this year I lost the Compact in stag, a big blow.
I'd also like to mention a horn handled linerless Pattada style knife that Scruffuk very kindly gave me, thanks Thom! It's much liked and carried.:thumbup:
But 2013 isn't over yet....I'm hoping the Forum Knife gets here and a GEC Radio Red......
Thanks, Will
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2010
- Messages
- 3,920
I tried these out, new to me in 2013:
The 55 houndstooth wharncliffe:
The Boy's knife:
The Eureka jack (GEC 92):
The Diamond jack:
Maybe my favorite of the new ones, a GEC #48 Improved Trapper:
And Charlies Barlows, particularly the single blade versions like this:
or this:
The little Pemberton:
Ed J
The 55 houndstooth wharncliffe:
The Boy's knife:
The Eureka jack (GEC 92):
The Diamond jack:
Maybe my favorite of the new ones, a GEC #48 Improved Trapper:
And Charlies Barlows, particularly the single blade versions like this:
or this:
The little Pemberton:
Ed J
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2010
- Messages
- 3,920
No, it may just be the lighting in the pic, but it's not as translucent as the excellent example further up in the thread. The "Improved trapper" in my post is the same material - ivory bone. There could be some peculiarities in my cheap Kodak C743 I took these with too. I still use it and prefer it to the newer one I have with supposedly better optics and higher resolution.
I did just now get the trapper out and compared it to the picture on the monitor and it does look more "almond" color in the photo than in the flesh. The pile side has more "almond" coloration to it than the mark side shown. The Eureka however looks "lighter" or cooler in the pic than in the flesh. The trapper was taken indoors and the Eureka outdoors. Neither one of my knives is really very white nor are they very translucent. I still think this is one of my favorite cover materials.
Ed J