Well I gave traditionals a shot..

StuntDouble

StuntDouble

Gold Member
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Apr 26, 2004
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And I think I've finally been able to determine that they're not for me. :( I carried a Schrade 8OH for a few days as my EDC, and just couldn't get used to it. I think my main complaint is that the blades are just too difficult to open with wet hands. A couple of times I nearly cut myself, because the main blade was so hard to open, and it slipped out of my grasp.

Ah well, it looks like I'll just have to enjoy reading about them, rather than enjoy using them. :D
 
If you're using them for working on the water, then yeah, a slippie might not be the best for an everyday work knife on the boat, at the dock etc (I have no idea how you pay the bills).

But for just carrying around town, I would keep one. I am carrying a Strider SNG this week, but my Camillus demo knife gets much more use ;).
 
DIBS ON THE 8OH!!!:D:p

Don't worry. I'll come back around. The traditionals bug always does. Maybe that model didn't do it for you. There are still a hundred or so paterns out there that might get your attention.

That said, I still like both traditionals as well as modern offerings. No one said you have to be on one side or the other. My Spyderco's and Benchmade get just as much pocket time as my Schrade, Case, Swiss Vic's & Wengers...
 
I personally EDC a slightly smaller Schrade, the 897UH with a Turkish clip master blade. I work in and around water constantly and have no problem with opening and closing the knife safely when both the knife and I are wet. I am sure a lot of it has to do with long term familiarity with the knife though. Also I might add that it might be a mistake to judge the utility and performance of all traditional slipjoints on one example which might not be broken in or flawed in it's cutlering.


That said, I echo what the others have stated. Choose what works best for you, not me.

Codger :thumbup:
 
Codger_64 said:
I am sure a lot of it has to do with long term familiarity with the knife though.
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I agree totally. Also -- and I don't mean this to disparage Chris Mapp; I don't know him from Adam -- I suspect that a lot of the guys even hear on bladeforums who tote the latest, greatest turbo serrated wonder locking sharpened prybars can't get by with smaller, non-locking pocketknives because they've never developed the skill necessary. Most likely they just were never taught the correct way to use a folding knife A) safely, and B) effectively.
 
Hmm.. there are some really smooth opening lockbacks (and other patterns) you might like. Check some of the A.G. Russell models, or the Kershaw Gent's Folder (mine is buttery smooth and very sharp). Some Rough Rider (usually have SOME cosmetic issues) or Steel Warrior (both are China-made) turned out to be good buys for me.
Finally, the EKA Swede-88 - not one I've handled, but seems to be pretty popular.

For working on water, I rather like my Swede-92 w/ serrated blade (has rubber handles). Also consider the A. G. Russell Sailor's Knife.

Not precisely traditional, but still worth looking at.
 
You might want to check out a Sodbuster / Sodbuster Jr. It has plenty of exposed blade to allow you to pinch the blade to open it. I find it much easier to open with cold wet hands that most of the mulitiblade traditional patterns.
 
Chris Mapp said:
And I think I've finally been able to determine that they're not for me. :( I carried a Schrade 8OH for a few days as my EDC, and just couldn't get used to it. I think my main complaint is that the blades are just too difficult to open with wet hands. A couple of times I nearly cut myself, because the main blade was so hard to open, and it slipped out of my grasp.

Ah well, it looks like I'll just have to enjoy reading about them, rather than enjoy using them. :D
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I can't help but wonder if it was a knife made within a couple of years before they closed the doors on the factory. I've seen some of the Old Timers as well as Uncle Henrys that were not very well finished compared to the older product. Rough joints, too heavy springs bordering on nail breakers, poor grind lines. Some very inconsistant back spring presures. The quality of Schrades were not very good in their final years.

About a year before they went under, I was in the Walmart in Frederick and they had some knives on clearence in the case back in the sporting goods section. One was the Uncle Henry King Ranch. The staglon stockman. I had the guy take it out of the case and it had a 7 dollar clearence sticker on it. When I went to open the main blade it was so stiff it gave me a hard time. The sheepsfoot was not to bad, but the spey almost broke my thumbnail. I handed it back to the clerck. If I were out in the woods on a cold wet day, I don't know it I could get that knife open, and I have alot of experiance with slip joints. it was fitted very badly.

I hate to admit it, but if I were a young guy these days trying out a slippy for the first time, that Schrade would have made a very negative impression on me. About the only slip joints today that are finished off in such a way to have smooth opening and just the right spring pressure is the sak's by Victorinox and Wenger. I don't know how many foot pounds of torque it takes to open my old Wenger SI or Victorinox tinker, but it should be an industry standard. My gandads old Hen and Rooster is about the same as the tinker. There's no exuse for nail breaker slip joints exept poor skills on the factory workers part. You just don't need a spring pressure that high to keep a knife closed, and the dynamics of how you use a slippy will keep the blade open. Heck, look at how many hundreds of years they had penny knives that were just friction folders! Some are still available today, and still work, even though they may be the equivelent of the muzzle loader of pocket knives.

Its a very fine art for the cutler to adjust the slippy. To feel the action on some of the knives made in the last decade, it may be a dieing art.

P.S. What revolvergeek said.
 
mnblade,

I was definitely like that when I first got into knives. If it had a blade under 4" I wouldn't even consider it. Now however, my EDC's usually have a blade of 3" or less. I'm finding the smaller folders are easier to carry, and are more than capable of the same chores as the larger ones. I think my main problem is I haven't found a traditional that speaks to me yet.

Revolvergeek,

I think I might have to check into that pattern a bit more. Those, along with the Copperhead and Copperlock patterns seem to be more up my alley.



Codger,

You have a point, it is a mistake to judge all traditionals by my one Schrade. I think I'll check out some of the single blade patterns from other makers, like the examples that were suggested in a thread I started a couple months ago.
 
jackknife,

I think you hit the nail on the head. The 8OH I bought came in one of the newer boxes, which makes me think that it was made in the final years they were open. The grinds were awful, it's stiff to open, pretty much everything you describe. Thinking about it, it would be criminal of me to make up my mind based on my example.
 
Then your example was likely fine blanked from stainless steel rather than the traditional 1095HC and also possibly assembled during the last days when, at the direction of the bank and trustees, the office workers and even janitors had a hand in assembling knives... after the skilled cutlers had been let go. I'd wager that your experience would be a lot different if you found one in the earlier tan box (circa 1984-2000). But there are still a lot of other brands selling traditional patterns out there. Heck for the prices asked for most of them, try it and gift it out if you don't like it!

Codger :thumbup:
 
Chris, may I make a suggestion?

Try to find out where there is a knife collectors club in the area, or at least not too awfull far of a drive. Go to one of their meetings and see if you can handle some of the many makes of slippys out there. If possable, try to look at some original Hen and Rooster pocket knives made back when the Bertrams were still alive and in charge. They are some of the finest example of cutley ever made. If you can find one for sale it will cost you a pretty penny, but you'll have what is the finest pocket knife around.

Or try to find a store in your area that handles Case, and see if they have a pattern that speaks to you. If so, see if they have more than one, so you can hand pick one if there is one smoother than the others. Maybe made on a Wedesday:D.

Or...(I hope I'm not starting to sound redundent) Go to the website of Smoky Mountain Knifeworks and to their Victorinox section. You can pick up a Pioneer settler for a moderate price, and what you will get is a checkered alox handle sleeveboard jack, with a spear blade at one end and a pen blade at the other, built like a tank yet slim enough to carry very nice in the pocket. The checkered aluminum handles are very good grip when wet, light weight, and very rugged. You can use this knife for a while to see if you like the slippy style knife. It's a blend of traditional style with modern all weather materials. Kind of a foot in both worlds. The same knife with just one large spear blade is called the alox solo. Simple but rugged knives to get a feel for the slippy thing.
 
I really like the Victorinox Pioneers and Solos.

Pioneer Apprentice


Pioneer Settler and Bantom II Alox


Pioneer Solo Alox and a red nylon Solo


I cut a easy open notch in the red nylon Solo, and with the BP clip I can open it one handed as I pull it out of my pocket if I need to (plus it hangs there nicely instead of falling over).
 
You know, I'm glad you mentioned the Victorinox Solo. I had actually bought one a few months back, and promptly misplaced it. I searched around a bit today, and found it hiding in a box. Now this one, I see myself carrying this one. The blade is easily opened even without using the nail nick, and apparently I sharpened it before I lost it, because it is scary sharp. The only thing I wish it had was a lanyard hole, but I can live without it.
 
I think you'll be happy with the solo (or any Victorinox for that matter) as Jackknife said the tension on the blades is right,easy to open but solidly in place.I bought a couple alox solo's several years ago,gave on to my dad and used the other for cutting things that I normaly don't cut with my pocket knife,paneling,siding,etc. and it has held up very well it's also dressed it's share of smallgame.

And of corse the nylon solo though larger is a sold knife with a great grip and it has a lanyard hole.
 
Chris, Jack is right. Check out Knife World for a list of local knife clubs. Alphabetical by state. The only one that I know of closest to you is the Chesapeake Knife Club, but we meet up near Baltimore. Too much of a hike frome the VA side of the eastern shore.
 
Don't worry about it you're just not old enough yet. nothing wrong with tacticals or any kind of knife for that matter just as long as you carry one of some type. Give it a few years and when you're a geezer like me you'll probably be looking for a yellow peanut like i am now. later,ahgar
 
Chris Mapp said:
You know, I'm glad you mentioned the Victorinox Solo. I had actually bought one a few months back, and promptly misplaced it. I searched around a bit today, and found it hiding in a box. Now this one, I see myself carrying this one. The blade is easily opened even without using the nail nick, and apparently I sharpened it before I lost it, because it is scary sharp. The only thing I wish it had was a lanyard hole, but I can live without it.
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Hey Chris, let us know how the solo works out for you. I have alot of respect for those alox handle Victorinoxs, they seem very rugged and should hold up under your Virginia eastern shore conditions. :thumbup:
 
Try a lockback if the opening is a problem, get stag scales and all grip worries will disappear.
 
jackknife,

The solo has been working out well for me the past few days. It's nice and flat, sharp, and has just the right amount of tension. I was also able to polish out some of the scratches I made on the blade when I reprofiled it, so it looks quite a bit better now. It's also perfect for dressier occasions. I'm tempted to pick up another one, just because they are so inexpensive and useful.
 
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