what, in your opinion, would be the classic traditional american pocket knife?

It seems to me that a "classic" knife should have been around in "classic times". Of all of the patterns that have been mentioned, so far, only the Barlow goes back to the time "when men were men and sheep were scared".

In its way, the Barlow qualifies as a classic, if only on the basis of nearly every nineteenth century farm boy's having one (or at least, that is the way that it seems, now). Two problems that the
Barlow has in qualifying as an "American classic" are that it is a modification of a British pattern and, fairly or not, farm boys are not always seen as the basis of anything "classic".

The other nineteenth century pattern that may qualify for the honor of "American classic" is the cattle knife. As far as I can tell, this pattern, in its many variations, is a truly "American" pattern that was designed for American conditions. It was also there "to see the Elephant" during the hey-day of the open range cattlemen, a distinction that its post-1890 descendant, the stockman, could not share.

While it is true that the cattle knife has been pretty much displaced by its offspring, especially since World War II, there is still a dedicated remnant of knife users and colllectors who prefer the older pattern. Given the popularity of SAKs and canoes, both having frames that are basically the same as two of the most popular cattle knife patterns, there might even be the basis for a "cattle knife comeback". The rising popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting, and the accompanying obsession on "authentic" cowboy gear, might just help such a "comeback",too.
 
The Russell Barlow is what started knife clubs and collecting as we know them today. There is a good article about the Barlow in the January issue of the NKCA Gazette.
Greg
 
I think the trapper is the most beautiful and the stockman is the most useful but the barlow conjures up pictures of another age.

Frank
 
John
I hope you are right about a Cattle knife revival. My collecting consists mainly of stockman knives, I would really like to aquire some Cattle patterns both as users and collectors pieces.
Are there any production Cattle knives out there or is a Canoe the closest we can get?
 
Originally posted by Dr van Nostrom


Are there any production Cattle knives out there or is a Canoe the closest we can get?

Click to expand...


Hi,

I've seen current, or recent Cattle patterns from the following:

1) Case Classic's- These date to about 10 yrs back. They were really nice knives, and can still be found with a little looking.

2) Hen & Rooster has made various Cattle knives, They are sometimes listed in S.M.K.W. .

3) Bulldog.

Sadly, most companies have switched to the Stockman, or on rare occasions the three blade Canoe/Gun-boat.
 
>"I think the trapper is the most beautiful ..."

===========================

Really? I never liked 'em myself, mainly 'cause of that big stubby-looking blade. Just doesn't seem like a very useful selection of blades as compared to a stockman or even two-blade jack with a pen blade, which I use all the time. I should add, I don't hunt, so skinning and other game-processing isn't an issue for me.
 
Stockman!!!
The thoughts on the Barlow and Trapper are good and I agree with them but the Stockman still gets my vote.
 
My Dad would say stockman, I would say scout/utility. The utility has been around for a hundred years, so that is pretty classic for our young country.
 
that I think the stockman is the most usefull. But I find the two long blades pleasing to the eye. Just like I think two-doors look better than four doors, but the four-door is more practical.

Frank
 
Originally posted by Dr van Nostrom
John
I hope you are right about a Cattle knife revival. My collecting consists mainly of stockman knives, I would really like to aquire some Cattle patterns both as users and collectors pieces.
Are there any production Cattle knives out there or is a Canoe the closest we can get?
Click to expand...


Smoky Mtn Knife Works has a Camillus Cattle knife in this month's ad.
 
I would say jack or barlow. I like stockman knives alot, but when I was growing up, most of the old-timers I knew carried barlows or jack-knives.
 
well it seems that the majority believe it would be the stockman, I would agree with that.

What we're talking about here is something widely used, been around for a long time, and you see many of them, and they are associated with being american. it doesnt matter which one came first, it only matters whats widely associated with being an american style.
 
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