What traditional brands do you collect or carry ?

M

Mike-The-Knife

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Dec 6, 2011
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Hello everyone . I'm new to the traditional section here , but as my knife addiction continues to grow and change (as they seem to) I have become interested in some older traditional knives .
So in an attempt to save myself from a long list of knives bought and then resold , I wanted to put a question to you fine folks here who have been carrying and collecting traditional knives for some time .

I know of a few brands of knives such as Case , Great Eastern and Camillus and I am sure there are other brands from England , Germany , the U.S. and maybe others as well . My question is what brands are the most collected , carried or sought after , so I have some direction when I look for knives to buy .
 
Among older brands no longer made, the USA Schrades and Robesons are well thought of, but of course these are found only on the secondary markets. Great Eastern, Case, Canal Street are currently desirable, and Solingen made Bokers are also quite good.
 
Knives, (like tools, automobiles and bicycles) are not the best thing to invest in if you have an eye to profit down the road. Therefore, it just makes sense to buy the style knives you like, or are of an unusual pattern (like the Sunfish/Elephant Toe and Sleeve board, for instance), from a reputable manufacturer.
 
Well it was the "reputable manufacturers" that I want to find out about . It's not that I think I'm going to make any profit with knives . It's just that if I know what brands are considered high quality , rare or just well liked for their ergonomics I'll probably like the knives better myself for the same reasons that everyone else does . If I don't , then at least they will be easily resold to allow for the next purchase . Because I know this addiction isn't going to end any time soon lol .
 
Well, what appeals to you simply appeals to you! Brands I most actively collect are Buck & Case (on these two brands both current and vintage), and Schrade (old USA made only). I also pick up knives in patterns that appeal to me or knives that appeal to me due to a particular scale or action, etc., in any good name brand; both old and new - some examples (mixed as to current or obsolete) Canal Street, Camillus, Boker, Imperial, Robeson, Colonel Coon, GEC, Marbles, Utica, Ulster, Ka-bar, etc., etc., etc. Good luck and enjoy what you buy! OH
 
I've been buying a lot of Opinel, and Rough Rider, a couple Cold Steel (low end Cold Steel ... I flat refuse to spend more than $20 - $30 for a knife or machete, no matter who made/makes it) and a couple new made Schrades. Yes, most of my knife choices (excluding the Opinel and Rough Rider) are not popular here.
 
afishhunter said:
I've been buying a lot of Opinel, and Rough Rider, a couple Cold Steel (low end Cold Steel ... I flat refuse to spend more than $20 - $30 for a knife or machete, no matter who made/makes it) and a couple new made Schrades. Yes, most of my knife choices (excluding the Opinel and Rough Rider) are not popular here.
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For what it's worth, afishhunter, your choices are popular with me :D The majority of my knives are Rough Riders, and they're very well-made! I just wish RR offered some carbon steel in addition to their stainless. I figure when it comes to knives, it takes all kinds, and one thing I really enjoy about this subforum is that I haven't felt "ostracized" here for my admittedly "low budget" approach. (Of course, I'm not the most sensitive soul, so maybe I wouldn't recognize ostracism if it bit me in the butt :eek:)

- GT
 
Case, GEC, Victorinox, Buck, Queen, Schrade USA, Canal Street. My regularly carried knives are usually Victorinox, Case, and Buck, though some of the other brands see pocket time occasionally.

I don't have an official "I only collect these brands or patterns" approach to it. Those listed just happen to be the list of names of brands I have bought so far.

I don't have a strategy of buying knives with a thought about future resale value. My purchases have reflected my tastes and interests over time as they have developed, and continue to develop and change.
 
Thanks guys I appreciate the input . Although I knew some of the more common brands , you folks have given me many I had never heard of .

So now the reading , research , hunting and hopefully buying starts :D
 
As you will discover soon, the world of traditional knives offers huge variety not just in terms of brands, but in patterns as well. A great quality Barlow (just an example) may never catch your eye while a stockman (example again) of the same quality and brand might haunt your dreams until you find one.
It's quite an interesting journey...fasten your wallet and get ready for turbulence :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
I'm new to traditionals. I started off with GEC but have added Case, S&M, Robeson, Cripple Creek and Northwoods to my collection.
 
I accumulate knives of every sort and brand. Brands that I specifically collect, original Old Timers from Schrade and Bruckmann from Germany. :thumbup:

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corkscrewBruckmanns.jpg


I also have enough Swiss Army Knives, Victorinox and Wenger combined, to consider them a Collection and almost enough Case.
 
If you want to stick to USA made, I would say these are the big dogs. Case, Buck, Great Eastern, Bear & Son, and Queen (specifically their Schatt & Morgan line). You should be able to view a huge variety of patterns, handle materials, and blade steel options. And all 5 of these companies have pretty good quality, and a warranty if something isn't up to par.
 
I generally get knives on the used market, sometimes used condition, sometimes still brand new. Collect is to fancy a word for me, I tend to buy what is cheap and often what I already have. For example I used to have 3 Cold Steel SRK's and 2 Becker BK9 but only have one of each now, still own a box of 15 of the same Mora knife.

Since I have been bit by the traditional multi-blade folder bug, it is the closest thing you could say is a collection. As for brands I like American, English, German, etc.; staying away from China, Japan, Pakistan, etc. I look for old knives from companies that still made quality folders rather than new companies who just bought the old name.
 
Bob W said:
I accumulate knives of every sort and brand. Brands that I specifically collect, original Old Timers from Schrade and Bruckmann from Germany. :thumbup:

corkscrewBruckmanns.jpg


I also have enough Swiss Army Knives, Victorinox and Wenger combined, to consider them a Collection and almost enough Case.
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Oh man!! Bob, those Bruckmanns are gorgeous (and I'm not usually a corkscrew fan)!! :thumbup::thumbup: Are a lot of the covers acrylic? Those kind of "marbled" or "swirly" ones look fantastic! (The wood covers are also knockouts :p) I don't think I've even heard of Bruckmann knives before, and now I have a deep yearning for one (or more) :D

- GT
 
For the newer brands I have 99% GEC. In the older brands, I started off looking for Robeson, Russell, and Schrade Walden/ Cut Co, and Hibbard Spencer & Bartlett, but have expanded to several others. There is an older Ulster that I have my eye on but haven't the funds.

Realistically, I will probably never own several older ones of the same make, so I am working on trying to find a quality piece from each maker for a display. I am also working on a Northfield serialized #10, #4, and whatever date my second child's birthdate will be, to create a display as well.

As far as carrying, I tend to only carry a handful in rotation and they are all GEC.
 
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