Want a good, tradicional styled, good value folding knife. Any recommendations?

Case Trapperlock is a traditional looking knife with a lock:



They seem to have gone up in price since I bought mine. They are around $100 now. Some models come with a pocket clip attached. Mine above looks like wood in the pic but it is smooth chestnut bone, with 420 HC steel. The saber-grind blade is pretty sturdy. The liner lock is OK and I have never had any problems with it but there are stronger locks out there.

Blade length is about 3 1/4"

If you want to go up a notch and get a traditional look in a modern knife, the Benchmade North Fork is S30V steel, with the great Benchmade Axis Lock, available with dymondwood handles. About $140 or so.

Buck 110 is the value winner, if you don't mind the weight of them. Though mine (made in 1979) has right at a 4" blade length so maybe not the right thing for you based on your knife restrictions.
 
Last edited:
How about a Case Trapper. I can recommend the Stag handled one.
I am very happy with the steel, the way it cut from the factory, the quality of workmanship, the price, the nickel bolsters, the full sized handle shape, the nicely hollow ground but not too thick blades.

GOOD STUFF !

I carry mine in this clip on belt pouch which shows it off more than the Case pouch and is quick to pull and put away at work. The Case pouch is good too and very fairly priced; I have one of those with the snap flat closure if I need a more secure pouch.







PS: I hadn't read the request for a locking Traditional.
I think you would do fine without a lock, I always have. Anyway something to consider.
I have tons of locking knives but I don't really NEED a locking knife. Never had a near problem with a decently made Traditional.
 
Last edited:
I picked up a stag handled LionSTEEL Opera and believe it would make a great hunting or general purpose knife. It is a lock back with about a 4" closed length. No clip.

Another that I like a lot for the woods is a Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) #42 or the Northwoods Madison Barlow. Both are made by GEC and have a 4.25" closed length. They are made in one or two blade versions.
 
I had included the standard trapper in my original reply above before being reminded that OP is looking for a locking knife. The aforementioned Trapperlock should have some of the same options in terms of material, however. If non-locking slipjoints are acceptable then that opens a whole new world of sub-3.5" blades, of course.
 
LarryPT,

In any case I would remind you to consider spending some significant cash, meaning $100 plus is not considered "expensive" and I think a person needs to support makers that make knives good enough to depend on for a real work knife. Toys are toys, tools are tools.

In the same breath the problem with a Traditional is that usually they don't clip to your pocket (etc.) so they are easy to loose. I still grieve the loss of my Western, dang I loved that little slip joint. A good pouch might save you the loss of a good knife if not a clip equipped knife.
 
OH, HOW I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!

If LarryPT is just getting into knives, the Buck 110 may not be old hat. It's good to know these things, so it's okay to ask.
BTW: Thankyou Larry, for letting us know you're just starting. That makes a difference in what some of us will reccomend, and which details need to be spelled out. (((1))) My own EDC (everyday carry) working blade is a CASE XX camping knife.($30-60) My little brother gave me his 1985 camping knife, with the leather punch/reamer, and I carry it everwhere except to a courtroom. Best working knife I've carried. I also reccomend the farmer stockman, a variation of the 3 blade traditional.($30-60) Instead of the short 'spey blade' opposite the long blade, it has a leather punch/reamer. I'm partial to the older knives, the ones with dark grey patina on the blades. (((2)))If you haven't rushed out to get a Case XX yet, check out the AITOR capitan($35-45) and AITOR Electricista knives($16-25). I keep an Electricista new in the box as a backup for very serious work trips or for a sweet gift to the right working person.
(((3))) If you want to put more emphasis on hunting (skinning? woodscraft?), the buck 110 is pretty much the best knife of the century($40-70)....... except for the Outdoor Edge Swingblaze($45-60). It's got the deer gutting market cornered. Only thing it doesn't have is the piercing point that clip point blades are designed for (see buck 110). (((4))) If cost is an obstacle, spend some time researching MORAKNIV($15-40). Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, this knife is so practical it's sick. I want to hate it for being that good without actually looking cool. (((5))) If cost is not too much an obstacle - go to Smoky Mountain Knife Works and say "Give me your best Marttiini." ($40-100) Then be careful - don't test the edge on your skin. That's the best picks I can reccomend for any balance of work & hunting. Happy hunting, neighbor. Vaya con Dios.
 
LouieLouie109 said:
I also reccomend the farmer stockman, a variation of the 3 blade traditional.($30-60) Instead of the short 'spey blade' opposite the long blade, it has a leather punch/reamer. I'm partial to the older knives, the ones with dark grey patina on the blades.
Click to expand...

I love mine. 6318PU with carbon steel blades including a Turkish clip, stainless punch, jigged bone handles. Disappears in the pocket, eminently useful but not intimidating to "non knife people", built to last, will develop that lovely dark patina with use over time (or you could force it - Case CV blades are popular for that, too).



 
"Traditional" depends on where. You might investigate the traditional locking knives of Europe. The US understanding of European options is limited by what gets imported here and what had the most visibility. Boker of Germany is one of the first brands I think of when I think of locking hunters from Germany. Perhaps you tell us about the most traditional Portuguese hunting knives!

There are many US made traditional locking hunters but the one that started it all is the Buck 110. The blade is about 9.5cm. If you like the 110 but need something smaller, the blade length on the 112 is 7.6cm. Both are available with upgraded scales and blade steel through the custom shop. Several online dealers sell special variants. The Buck subforum is a good resource for learning more. But really, the stock 110 is a wonderful knife and a great value.

The 110 is a very heavy knife. It was designed to be carried in a belt holster. I sew a seam up my back pocket to carry mine.

Good luck.
 
The Buck 110 is a very good general purpose knife especially if you live in a rural area. Can't count the number of times I have seen the familiar belt pouch when I was working out in the country all the time in Texas. By today's standards, it is heavy (but it is in a belt pouch, not your pocket). My favorite was always the Schrade version (250T) with the two blades as the slight increase in weight was nothing in comparison to having the second blade to use when one gets duller than you prefer. You can still buy these (USA version) at shows and pawn shops and run in the $30 area. There were lots of Buck 110 styled knives made back in the 70's and 80's especially.

I used the Schrade for years as my primary field knife. It went hunting and hiking with me. I purchased a new one last year to replace my old one that had gotten really beat up over the years. I don't carry it much, but I enjoy the memories it invokes when I handle it. It mostly sits on my desk lately. It is there right now. :D

From the perspective of the OP, I would decide if you are thinking "pocket knife" or something larger. The 110 is certainly larger.
 
I like the Buck 112, smaller blade but just as sturdy. I got an older one from a friend at church, I sent it off to the Buck factory for some spa treatment for a small fee to ship back, it came back like new. One idea, I have been curious how the new 110 fixed blade would work for you? Would that be restricted in your area even though it is a fixed blade?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top