Turning traditional

H

HFinn

Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
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I decided to get a couple of traditional folders. My suit knife will be a Case Copperlock mini blue bone and the "user" and travel companion knife a Buck ranger.

What should I expect about the quality of these knives? Blade play? How sharp out of box and sharpening ease?

I have enough "tactical" knives (Cold Steels) and decided to try something new. Benchmade Shoki was an option but quite expensive. Anyway, my choise is made so any opinions on these?
 
I really like my copperlocks; I have several. None of them have any significant quality issues. The Case stainless sharpens fairly easy and is quite adequate for your "Sunday" service. The Buck Ranger is a fine EDC. You have made good choices.

Ed J
 
TLARbb said:
I really like my copperlocks; I have several. None of them have any significant quality issues. The Case stainless sharpens fairly easy and is quite adequate for your "Sunday" service. The Buck Ranger is a fine EDC. You have made good choices.

Ed J
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Thank you. Getting the copperlock may take some time but ranger will be in my hands in a couple of days.

To say the truth, I am getting tired of the black tactical knife scene. So much so that I have in mind to make wood scales to my Counter Point I :D
 
HFinn said:
To say the truth, I am getting tired of the black tactical knife scene. So much so that I have in mind to make wood scales to my Counter Point I :D
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Finn, may I make a suggestion?

If you like wood, maybe go get an Opinel or two, in a couple different sizes and use some sandpaper to reshape the handles, and restain and seal the wood handles. Some of the wood on Opinels has some very nice grain, and you can buy them with upgraded wood like Olive wood or Bubinga. There's a sort of cult following on refinishing Opinels, and some of them are quite striking. As an added point, you will get a knife with slicing ability that will be eye opening.

Carl.
 
Every newer Case or Buck knife I have gotten came arm-shaving sharp. The real joy of a traditional is the hand workmanship and the thin blades, which slice "oh so nice!" I think you'll enjoy your sabatical from "sharpened pry-bars."
 
Once you go traditional its hard to go back! You'll quickly fall for the sentimental "feel" and connection that you just don't get from a black tactical. And after becoming accustomed to using a small slippy and having it handle all your needs, you may feel alittle silly packing a 4 inch tactical. Enjoy your new blades.
 
I have a couple of the Case Mini Copperlocks and A full size. They are great knives. They are one of my Case favorites.
 
It's not really their quality that will grow on you, nor their sharpness out of the box, nor anything like that.
It's the variety of design, the history behind the patterns, the choice of blades and materials, the traditions that comes with them.
Those things will get you before you're aware of it.
And then...before you realize what's going on...you'll be adding another chair on this porch :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
both are excellent knives. copperlock would be a good user knife also but have no complaints with the ranger! both keep excellent edges and easy to sharpen with a good whet stone. both of the blades would be good for most jobs you might be intending, may be a smidge to big for some things but can still be accomplished. these are the types of knives you'd pass on to those you care for if you are willing to part with. keep em sharp and clean and enjoy the years to come.
 
HFinn said:
To say the truth, I am getting tired of the black tactical knife scene. So much so that I have in mind to make wood scales to my Counter Point I :D
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Welcome to traditionals, I left that scene a long time ago, ashamed to admit I was ever a part of it...
 
My pocket-worn mini-copperlock is solid as a rock and very sharp. Slips in the slacks like nobody's business! Say that fast 3 times. :D
 
traditional folders are the reason I joined this forum. I'm only 24 years old but have carried most 'styles' of knives, I had to try it all before deciding what I liked best. My first pocket knife was a traditional folder (great grandpa's knife given to me by my grandma, still got it) and now I've come full circle and there's no going back.
 
Welcome to the Trad Forum! Pull up a chair, my friend, and stay a while.

I think you will feel quite at home here. I feel that your choices are perfect. I have handled both and love them; Buck's heat treat of their steel is just perfect, I do no think you will be disappointed. I could never get Case's SS on my Cheetah Cub too sharp, but that was when I was a novice at sharpening...I wish I still had that little guy!

I also used to be a part of the tactical crowd, but the tactical knives just lacked soul to me. There is nothing that brings a smile to my face quite like what we see here everyday.
 
colekmiller11 said:
Welcome to traditionals, I left that scene a long time ago, ashamed to admit I was ever a part of it...
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Well... variety is the spice of life. Tacticals have their place and I am not going to sell/give away my Mcusta basic cocobolo, I think it is on the fine line between traditional and modern. Not too big, not too small and nice wood handle

Anyway thank's everybody, I'll enjoy my new knives when I get them. Ranger is on the way in the post, waiting for information about the Case. Will post pictures.

Edit: I quess Finnish puukko's count as traditionals so I have been a trad-knife user practically all my life :D
 
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I do believe that Both Brands are great, Case seem to be Bigger - but there seems to be more people having issues, in saying this Case always has had a very good customer relationship integrity, and solves issues if contacted-you cant ask much more than that, other than GEC, who seem to strike the nail on the head nearly every time, I truly believe that GEC knives will be talked about in knife Forums to come in ........ lets say 100 to 150 years, in the same Manner now of which we talk about a very rare Robeson, Utica, Ulster, Schrade Cut Co...etc.
If you went with the movement... GEC just wont let you down...I am looking at my computer desk right this second, and there are 6 GEC'S sitting on top of it :o

I'm sorry, this is an edit, I was meant to say that every Copper lock I have owned has been a beautifully machined piece of work-I'm not too sure what it is, but the Copper-locks to me ( maybe I have been lucky ) have been a magnificent knife.
The pull on them would rate to only a 2 or 3 if you are lucky-but so so smooth with a beautiful; snap at the end of each Walk and Talk...lovely knives those Copper locks.
 
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Knife-Nutty said:
And after becoming accustomed to using a small slippy and having it handle all your needs,
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Like this? ;) Available from the shop I ordered the Case and Buck.

2319_CA7007-01.jpg


I have reservations about slipjoints, but damn that knife is pretty.
 
Get that too, it's one of CASE's best made.

Also consider the Mini Copperlock, I find it more pocket useful than the full size one. Of my CASE Copper and Mini Coppers, never had issues with gaps, play, poor lock up or anything unpleasant. Their stainless is well good enough for everyday duties.
 
stingray4540 said:
Might I ask what reservations you have? I'm willing to bet that we could put your mind at ease on most, if not all, of those reservations...
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The possibility of the blade turning on my fingers kind of worries me. There is a reason why the lock-back and other locks developed. Of course the accident might be entirely my own fault, but still. Had that happen with a swiss army knife.
 
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