What are some less-known, high quality traditional brands?

Moki (Japan) makes some beautiful traditional style knives. I'll eventually pick up their Kronos model with stag and VG-10.
 
Moki (Japan) makes some beautiful traditional style knives. I'll eventually pick up their Kronos model with stag and VG-10.

I will second that. AGRussell's premium slipjoints are often a Moki product as well. Al Mar, Mercator, DoukDouk and Eka come to mind as well.
 
I'd say some of the old Belknap Hardware brands like Pine Knot and John Primble...those were nice users.Quite a few of the Sears pocket knives were made by Schrade and Camillus.If I find it among my stuff I have a Simmons Hardware Stockman (more like a reverse gunstock stockman) knife they did called the Hornet which was pretty nice for German made.
 
I agree with others above. After purchasing my first Moki, I can't believe these knives don't have a stronger following. The fit and finish is near perfect.
 
A lot of the French manufacturers do good stuff, Chambriard and Guy Viallis come to mind.
 
I would like to eventually get a few more of the old original Remingtons from the 1920-1940 era. (not sure if I've got those years right) They made a ton of different patterns and I would like to acquire a few more.

I've also seen some old Challenge Cutlery knives that really caught my eye.

Have you checked out the "Old Knives" thread? Lots of interesting stuff there. It might be best to start on the last page and go backwards because a lot of the photos are gone at the beginning.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/527126-quot-Old-Knives-quot/page101
 
I would like to eventually get a few more of the old original Remingtons from the 1920-1940 era. (not sure if I've got those years right) They made a ton of different patterns and I would like to acquire a few more.

I've also seen some old Challenge Cutlery knives that really caught my eye.

Have you checked out the "Old Knives" thread? Lots of interesting stuff there. It might be best to start on the last page and go backwards because a lot of the photos are gone at the beginning.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/527126-quot-Old-Knives-quot/page101

The Remington bullet knives made by Cammilus can be very good knives as well. They are readily available at a variety of on-line sites for about the $40-100 price range, new in box. I see them at gun shows and flea markets too. I have a 1992 Cammilus-Remington panama jack that I like a lot.
 
Joker, made in Spain, are well made knives. Be aware the same company makes knives in China, & brands them JKR. I haven't used a JKR.
 
On the French side of things, I've found a large number of French traditional knives in numerous styles online, searching "french knives" and checking a few results. Mostly friction folders of varying sizes, materials, and designs.

Connor
 
An interesting pair of comments.
Case Tru-Sharp is 420HC, though it is not hardened to as high a Rockwell as Buck hardens theirs. But Case also offers CV. And there is a large contingent of traditional pocket knife folk who crave non-stainless.

My own opinion on the lesser focus on Buck traditional pocket knives is that Buck has only a few patterns they make in the US. IMO they best working knives available today due to their heat treat, unique blade profile, and overall robust design. But with only four patterns, stainless only, and limited choice of covers, they have limited appeal to collectors and knife knuts.

Frank, you hit the nail on the head with your Buck knife knowledge. They make great working knives and imho never tried to compete with Case.
 
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