What Should My First Traditional Be?

Sulaco

Sulaco

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Nov 15, 2003
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I would like to have something with a Wharncliffe blade, but am leaning towards a Barlow. I like what I see from GEC, haven't been real impressed with current Case (at least what I've seen/handled locally).

If you could go back and do it all over again, what would your first be and why? I plan to just get 3 or 4 I can put in an EDC rotation to replace the moderns I've recently let go.

Thanks!
 
I would say a stockman would be a good place to start, you have lots of options within the pattern, 3-5 blades, I would go with three, and with three you can find different configurations, (clip, sheepsfoot, Spey), (clip, sheepsfoot, pen), (clip, sheepsfoot, punch/awl),( clip,Spey, punch, ) reason: versatile knife because you have three different blade shapes in one knife to choose from, and you might find out you favor one style of blade over another, example being you said you want a Barlow, so maybe get a stockman with a clip, sheepsfoot, & pen blade, because you can find a Barlow with a clip & pen, but you might find that after you use the stockman you might favor the sheepsfoot over the clip blade so you might rather have a barlow with sheepsfoot & pen.

Pete
 
#68 White Owl (with clip or spear) - this knife disappears in pocket (nice and slim), but still has a nice size handle (and main blade) for comfort in hand. Close second goes to #15 Boys Knife...
 
I praise GEC almost any chance i get simply because they rarely disappoint.
My first GEC was the Calf Roper (stockman) in stag and it is probably my most used.
I can't tell you how many times it has hit the concrete and shrugged it off, ntm 1095 takes a sweet edge.
They're so well made.
Or find a nice old Case knife from the 70's. Back to the good ol' days!
 
I'm looking hard at the Boy's Knife. It seems similar to the Barlow and I like the spear point single blade model.
 
Because I like big beefy knives, and love the look and feel of my Case Barlow I would likely start with it. Mine is not a current production model though.
 
It's a slippery slope btw.
Blink and you'll have 15 traditionals on your nightstand.
 
For your first traditional? That's easy, get a GEC single blade #15 barlow. Classic design, good steel, and a nice pocketable size.

- Christian
 
I'm also looking hard at the #55. I like the blade profile and it looks nicer than the #15. It is more expensive though.
 
Sulaco said:
I plan to just get 3 or 4 I can put in an EDC rotation to replace the moderns I've recently let go.
Click to expand...

Well if you are going to get 3 or 4 and you like GEC then I would mix it up a bit. Get a selection from big to small, single to multi-blade, different handle materials and start to see what you like. If I was doing it now, my list would look something like this.

I would start off with the T.K. Cuban. At 4 1/8 long and single spring you will get a lot of knife with a backup blade in a thin package. This one is in cocobolo wood.


Then drop it down a little in length and go with a 79 Workhorse whittler. Great blade selection, a little wide but very stout. Bone handles on this guy.


Next up would be a boys knife in acrylic. Typical jack knife at 3.5" , give you a good middle of the road knife to try out.


Last I would drop it down to a small single blade for a very pocket friendly carry. You will find out quick if you like or dislike the small ones and might as well give some horn handles a try


Just a starting point from my perspective. I found all these available at collectorknives.net(a paying forum sponsor).
 
If I could go back and do it all again, I would stop after the first three knives I bought, which as it turns out were optimal for my needs. Case Peanut, Case Small Texas Jack, and a Case Swayback Jack.
 
I really love my 76 Outlaw Jack and 66 Calf Ropers and Serpentine Jacks. They have a lot of great patterns that's for sure.
 
You are off to a good start. You may find that three or four quickly can become five or six.
 
I feel like the #56 Dogleg Jack, while common is a great choice for general use. Certainly an excellent place to start IMHO.
 
Got to love that dogleg... be it wrangler, weaver, whittler or whatever it always seems to be a winner for them. Midas touch.
 
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