USA made traditional

Kvk09 said:
Looking for a small USA made pocket knife. Keep fining my way to Case. Is there a better option? GEC seems to be tough to get hands on. Thanks in advance.
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Is there a better option? It depends.
It depends on what you want to pay, and it depends on what you want in a pocket knife. I love the patterns and options available from Case, but often I am disappointed with the overall execution of build when I open the box. I can say the same for Buck also. And I'm not saying they're unfit knives, they have their place. But for me, they leave something to be desired.
If I may put it like this, instead of handing over $50-$80 for a knife I kind of like, I'd rather hand over $100-$150 for a knife I really like. For me, GEC gets me closer to the feeling of being happy I handed over hard earned money for the product, but the availability of the patterns I like is discouraging to say the least.
 
Bloodloss said:
Is there a better option? It depends.
It depends on what you want to pay, and it depends on what you want in a pocket knife. I love the patterns and options available from Case, but often I am disappointed with the overall execution of build when I open the box. I can say the same for Buck also. And I'm not saying they're unfit knives, they have their place. But for me, they leave something to be desired.
If I may put it like this, instead of handing over $50-$80 for a knife I kind of like, I'd rather hand over $100-$150 for a knife I really like. For me, GEC gets me closer to the feeling of being happy I handed over hard earned money for the product, but the availability of the patterns I like is discouraging to say the least.
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Seems GEC knives are hard to get your hands on without a markup
 
Kvk09 said:
Seems GEC knives are hard to get your hands on without a markup
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Yeah, it is what it is, I guess. Take the advice of Travman Travman and keep your eyes peeled on the exchange. Turn on notifications to jump on a deal, as there are some around here that are quick on the draw. But honestly I'm seeing GEC knives lately that are slow to sell or not even selling for whatever reason.
 
Yeah folks are starting to fuss on the Facebook trade groups that things are slowing down

But that may be a side affect of inflation. Less spending money by lots of people. Not to mention the mark ups in the secondary market being somewhat artificially inflated

In the long run, as more folks struggle to make ends meet, more knives and other luxury items will likely be sold to supplement income and as this continues the market value may come down to what others can or are willing to pay for said luxury items


Course I am just an old air force cop veteran
What do I know??
 
Bloodloss said:
Yeah, it is what it is, I guess. Take the advice of Travman Travman and keep your eyes peeled on the exchange. Turn on notifications to jump on a deal, as there are some around here that are quick on the draw. But honestly I'm seeing GEC knives lately that are slow to sell or not even selling for whatever reason.
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What do you have?
 
Rsmith_77 said:
Yeah folks are starting to fuss on the Facebook trade groups that things are slowing down

But that may be a side affect of inflation. Less spending money by lots of people. Not to mention the mark ups in the secondary market being somewhat artificially inflated

In the long run, as more folks struggle to make ends meet, more knives and other luxury items will likely be sold to supplement income and as this continues the market value may come down to what others can or are willing to pay for said luxury items


Course I am just an old air force cop veteran
What do I know??
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God bless
 
I don't think you would be disappointed in any of the knives that you've mentioned. I can certainly recommend a 55, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Case, either. A Mini Copperlock would be a similar size.

55 with a 112
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A congress shown here for no real reason.
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When I see these threads I'm always amazed that the choices offered often ignore 200+ years of knife making in the US. You can buy readily available current production Case or Buck knives for half the cost of GEC, and they're nicely made knives. You can buy old knives made by a hundred or so makers from years gone by for the same or less money, and end up with nice knives with some history to them.
 
dsutton24 said:
You can buy old knives made by a hundred or so makers from years gone by for the same or less money, and end up with nice knives with some history to them.
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Genuinely trying to learn. Could you give a couple of examples / manufacturers names so I can narrow down the search. Looking for a 4 blade camp knife - has to have the bail. USA made only.

I have a 1950's ka-bar and a 1980's cold steel. Not interested in the newer ka-bars readily available for sale/in auction.

Also, I know there are a lot of Case knives that meet this requirement, but I'm not sure of the older model numbers; if you know ? Looking for, say 1950's or older.

THANK YOU
 
Kvk09 said:
Wow this is a lot. Was just looking for a small peanut or jack swell from case but I have no way to see them in person around Manhattan. How do you feel about the buck 503. Seems small enough to not interfere with the pocket, made on shore and assuming Buck is a good name. Thanks again
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The 503 is a sweet knife! Slim, not too small, not too big, solid lock-up, good steel. That would be a great choice.
 
Man I keep bouncing back and forth (in my head)
I am considering a 55 or 503
Classic, perfectly sized, bomb proof and unlike the 112 or 110 not overly heavy

But I keep hearing Carl's ( J jackknife ) why settle for one blade when you can have multiple blades or blades and tools. That's the real strength of traditionals

😅


Edit
Then again I been edc'ing my single clip #77 for the past what? 3-4 weeks now
Soooooo that argument doesn't really hold up for me anyways
 
dsutton24 said:
When I see these threads I'm always amazed that the choices offered often ignore 200+ years of knife making in the US. You can buy readily available current production Case or Buck knives for half the cost of GEC, and they're nicely made knives. You can buy old knives made by a hundred or so makers from years gone by for the same or less money, and end up with nice knives with some history to them.
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Precisely!
I agree, but nice is a little different for everyone. Noobs like me need guidance in this area. While it may be possible to end up with a solid knife from many different makers, it may need cleanup, repair or modifications for one to be truly satisfied with it as a user. There are less variables to consider when selecting a new or basically new secondhand knife. Also, I don't have the time, know how, or hand strength to refurb old knives from auction sites. If I had the knowledge to select a good old knife for a decent price, and knew a craftsman I could send it to for a little work, all the while having a pretty decent feeling that what I'll be receiving is what I consider "nice", I'd be down to invest $200+ in knives like that. But look at the secondhand GEC knives that can be obtained for that price and you'll see the reason they're so popular.

So, please, if you have knowledge about the knives of old, continue to help those of us that don't, so we can make better purchase decisions.
Do you have any suggestions for an old knife similar in size to the ones discussed already?
 
What's your budget and which GEC would you be looking for ? And what steel in general, stainless or Carbon ?

Also, Schatt and Morgan made some nice ones that are not too expensive on the used market, for the F&F that you get.
 
Bloodloss said:
Precisely!
I agree, but nice is a little different for everyone. Noobs like me need guidance in this area. While it may be possible to end up with a solid knife from many different makers, it may need cleanup, repair or modifications for one to be truly satisfied with it as a user. There are less variables to consider when selecting a new or basically new secondhand knife. Also, I don't have the time, know how, or hand strength to refurb old knives from auction sites. If I had the knowledge to select a good old knife for a decent price, and knew a craftsman I could send it to for a little work, all the while having a pretty decent feeling that what I'll be receiving is what I consider "nice", I'd be down to invest $200+ in knives like that. But look at the secondhand GEC knives that can be obtained for that price and you'll see the reason they're so popular.

So, please, if you have knowledge about the knives of old, continue to help those of us that don't, so we can make better purchase decisions.
Do you have any suggestions for an old knife similar in size to the ones discussed already?
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Agree. Hard to find where to begin with so many choices and the buck, case, and GEC seem to have a strong following
 
Those are nice. The only 505 I can find in off buck site for like $75. More that a 503 or 55
 
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