What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today?

[Amir Fleschwund]

Nice.
When I was trying to find out what they called my Kabar in the same pattern, I found out it was called Boston Whaler half the time, and Loom Fixer the other half.

So I just call it my Kabar Swayback Jack.
I made the winning bid for it four years ago on my cell phone while walking into “The World’s Largest Truck Stop” in a blizzard on my way to Denver, after just happening to check the auction. I had been watching it for a week or more, and really wanted it, but forgot about it trying to keep my vehicle and trailer on the road. When I looked, it was under one minute.

Even though it lacks the pretty bone your Case Whaler Fixer has, it’s a favorite of mine. Needs totin.

>>VOOS> and a Bullnose


View attachment 1901082

Tryin to think of a better pairing, but nuttin happens.

One summer when I was in high school, I worked for a week in August at a sweet corn packing plant run jointly by several of the big local growers. Truckloads of sweet corn would come in the front, and after it went through "the line", crates of "pristine" washed and cooled corn, still in the husk, left in tractor-trailer rigs out the back of the facility. I was a sorter as the trucks unloaded onto a conveyor at the front, looking for ears that had too much stalk attached, or were broken, or had "smut" on the tip, etc. They only needed the "full crew" that I was part of for a week, but there sure was a lot of corn that came through that week! I worked a 6-day week and had almost 90 hours - we worked 7am to 9 or 10pm each of those 6 days.

- GT

Great and memorable story! I’m impressed how you remember every kernel of detail!

Thanks, Gary. That dough is what I got home with after a day at a flea market with two of my brothers & a sister in law. I think I spent $60 total on 3 items, admission and lunch.
Oh, and an additional 75 cents on wagon fee. My one brother always pulls a wagon at the flea market and there is a 25 cent fee for each item that the rest of us put in it.
I always take a pocket full of quarters and consider it a good deal since he's pulling the load.

I did score a great deal on two knives, a Kinfolk fixed blade that needs rust removal and clean up and this Western 522 stainless LB pictured below. I gave it a test run in the pocket today and am pleased that I was able to acquire it. Especially since I paid half the price of ones I've seen listed for sale on the amazing interweb.

View attachment 1901205View attachment 1901206

Dang. I’d thought about going, because I haven’t in three or four months, but decided chores had to come first, and would cost me less.
You scored. The last time I went, this spring, there was nothing but junk as far as knives goes. Either that, or I ran out of leg power!
It’s still a good place to find old American made hand tools, as long as you buy from the guys who just pile them up dirty and unsorted. Watch out for the ones that are all cleaned up. Those are for the Kane County upper crust housewives to decorate their living room before the next book club meeting. My favorite is still the nice old wooden plane made into a lamp.

I don’t know how long you’ve been in the area, but 35 or 40 years ago, that place was unforgettable. Just a great place to find stuff cheap. Most of the furniture in our house is solid wood antiques from the Kane County Flea Market.

 

[BrotherJim]

301 Bucks ... well one of them anyway

301 BUCK TRIVA ... from 2010 :

The 301s of past can be vastly different than modern ones. First models were made by Schrade, then Camillus, then Buck took them in-house in 1985. Between then and now, the 301 went from a flat ground, nickel silver bolster, 2 spring, brass liner stockman to a
3 spring all SS, convex ground stockman. From 85 on Paul Bos continued treating 420HC to be best cutting steel it can be. Before 85 blade steel could have been a situation that was variable and unknown. So todays Buck is what it is. The result of long heritage and development. It is as tough a stockman as made. Fit and finish can on a rare occasion vary from great to only good but we are talking about a $35 knife. BUT, the guarantee may be the best in the business.....If its Bucks fault you will get satisfaction and usually more.
So in wrap-up be careful comparing peas and carrots. I like some of the design of the old 301s (long pull, flat grind with decent polish) but if I have to go on one of the survival TV shows I will grab a new one off the shelf.....

Well, to start with, the Buck 301s made in the 70's were made for Buck by Camillus. Buck started making their own in ~1985, and modified the design in about 1990. So the designs are different. The Camillus-Buck and early in-house Bucks were a 2-spring design. The post '90 Buck is a 3-spring design. ( The 3-spring design is no fatter than the 2-spring.)

I have a Camillus Buck 303 that I carried in the 70' and 80's, and a current design Buck 303 from 1992. I also have Buck 301s from 1997 and 2007. (Buck moved the factory from California to Idaho in 2005.)

All in all, I'd say the overall build quality is about the same, but IMO, the Buck steel is better than the Camillus steel. Camillus used 440A. Buck uses 420HC and hardens it to a 58. I've never compared them side by side. But just in daily use the Camillus-Buck does not hold an edge as well as the Buck. (I refuse to say "Buck-Buck" )

Of all my knives, nice traditionals with bone scales or one-handers, I carry a 301 more than any other knife.

Not sure when Buck first offered the "Rosewood" with Brass Bolsters. The one I have is from 2021 but they've been around a good while. One other thing I've noticed when comparing the earlier Schrade and Camillus versions with the current "Buck-Buck" is that the earlier versions blade configuration is different. At some point (1990?) Buck turned the Spey and Sheepfoot blades around end to end and where they are on today's 301. I sure do like having a spring for each blade and no krinking.

 

[afishhunter]

walking into “The World’s Largest Truck Stop”

The only truck stop in the USA that is literally on the map. I believe they also have their own post office and zip code.

I always made it a point to stop there when I was going by.
They are not (or weren't the last time I was there about 6 or 7 years ago) stingy with how much ice cream went in the cone, and have good coffee. Also have plenty of pumps for gas and diesel, plenty of parking, and didn't charge for parking overnight the last time I reset my daily clock there.

 

[afishhunter]

...

 

[Sacto]

I remember that one, it's a beauty... love the saw cut and the color.

Thanks, John. It’s a nice one. More evidence of your great generosity

Sweet picks Bart, love that trapper. I used to have quite a few Wharncliffe mini trappers, the sawcut is one I kept.

Thanks, Todd. The trapper was a bonus knife in one of John’s giveaways I won a while back.

Ocoee Jack and “copper top” to start my day. View attachment 1900648View attachment 1900649

I’m glad your trip went well, Todd. Nice to see some of the regulars back in the rotation.

I'd have a hard time ranking those three beauties, Bart!
- GT

I do too, Gary. Each one has a special story.

I took some of my Spanish knives on vacation with me this year to get some newer photos.
Here's a Taramundi I bought in Sevilla:
View attachment 1901179

Here's a Laguiole I bought in Denia, although it's almost certainly made in China:
View attachment 1901180

- GT

Two nifty knives, Gary. The shadow laguiole is cool-looking

 

[Tyson A Wright]

301 Bucks ... well one of them anyway

301 BUCK TRIVA ... from 2010 :




Not sure when Buck first offered the "Rosewood" with Brass Bolsters. The one I have is from 2021 but they've been around a good while. One other thing I've noticed when comparing the earlier Schrade and Camillus versions with the current "Buck-Buck" is that the earlier versions blade configuration is different. At some point (1990?) Buck turned the Spey and Sheepfoot blades around end to end and where they are on today's 301. I sure do like having a spring for each blade and no krinking.

I had a Camillus-era Buck 303 that my Dad bought at a garage sale and gave to me. It looks like it was run over by a car or something - damaged scales, cracked bolsters, the kick on the main blade appears to have been broken off (not filed off, but jaggedly broken), so the blade hits the backspring.

In spite of all that, I used to carry it fairly often. I would love to replace it someday, but I just can't get excited about the Buck-made ones - I don't like 3-spring stockman as much as 2-springers, I prefer long pulls, and I like the full height grind better the sabre grind. I should probably see if I can track down an old 1980's 303 sometime.

The one thing I think they do much better on the new ones is the wood and brass like yours - that really is a good-looking knife. They nailed the look on these.

 

[Sacto]

I carried my Ettrick today. We were putting electronic ear tags in the calves.

 

[315]

Been on the road since Friday, going through Montana and up to Grandad’s grave. A little shot of the Fort Peck spillway.

I stopped in Post Falls to do a little shopping on the way

I traveled through some gorgeous country in North Dakota trying to stick to 2 lane roads
I tried to meet up with paulhilborn but our schedules didn’t work out. Made it over to Minnesota to meet up with an old Marine buddy and do some fishing. He’s holding a Northern I caught on an ultralight rod jigging for blue gills

Another day of fishing tomorrow before I head further east

 

[tomas_f]

 

[Jack Black]

Thank you very much, Jack X 2!!!

Your Hartshead Barlow is always an amazing tote to start your week; I need some of that tape too!

Oh no! Not too much I hope Thank you very much my friend

Made Monday a Double Barlow Day with the Mr Jack Black Bagpipe Ebony and some Rosewood.

Happy Double Lambsfoot Day JJ

Been on the road since Friday, going through Montana and up to Grandad’s grave. A little shot of the Fort Peck spillway.
View attachment 1901421
I stopped in Post Falls to do a little shopping on the wayView attachment 1901425

I traveled through some gorgeous country in North Dakota trying to stick to 2 lane roadsView attachment 1901422View attachment 1901423
I tried to meet up with paulhilborn but our schedules didn’t work out. Made it over to Minnesota to meet up with an old Marine buddy and do some fishing. He’s holding a Northern I caught on an ultralight rod jigging for blue gillsView attachment 1901424

Another day of fishing tomorrow before I head further east

Great pics

 

[Jack Black]

Nice pic

 

[tomas_f]

Nice pic

Thanks. I like this knife a lot

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks. I like this knife a lot

Hope to see you in the Guardians thread

 

[Jack Black]

Carrying my Hartshead Barlow again, and a Random Tuesday RR Sowbelly Have a good day everyone

 

[Johnnythefox]

My I had to drop my car of for service and catch a filthy bus home carry.


skillet wallpaper


looks like Sheldon was right for once.

 

[RLB0414]

Been on the road since Friday, going through Montana and up to Grandad’s grave. A little shot of the Fort Peck spillway.
View attachment 1901421
I stopped in Post Falls to do a little shopping on the wayView attachment 1901425

I traveled through some gorgeous country in North Dakota trying to stick to 2 lane roadsView attachment 1901422View attachment 1901423
I tried to meet up with paulhilborn but our schedules didn’t work out. Made it over to Minnesota to meet up with an old Marine buddy and do some fishing. He’s holding a Northern I caught on an ultralight rod jigging for blue gillsView attachment 1901424

Another day of fishing tomorrow before I head further east

Two lanes road offer great scenery at a slower pace. Great photos. Thanks for sharing

 

[Travman]

 

[sunknife]

Dang. I’d thought about going, because I haven’t in three or four months, but decided chores had to come first, and would cost me less.

You scored. The last time I went, this spring, there was nothing but junk as far as knives goes. Either that, or I ran out of leg power!
It’s still a good place to find old American made hand tools, as long as you buy from the guys who just pile them up dirty and unsorted. Watch out for the ones that are all cleaned up. Those are for the Kane County upper crust housewives to decorate their living room before the next book club meeting. My favorite is still the nice old wooden plane made into a lamp.

I don’t know how long you’ve been in the area, but 35 or 40 years ago, that place was unforgettable. Just a great place to find stuff cheap. Most of the furniture in our house is solid wood antiques from the Kane County Flea Market.

I agree with your take on the current state of the KCFM, it was a far better market years ago. We only go there once every few years anymore. We went to the one in Elkhorn WI this past weekend. One of my brothers lives 75miles away, close to the border of WI and its a fun place to meet up for a day. Still not much in the way of knives at this one, scattered boxes of rusty broken relics mostly. This one vendor did have a few decent ones and offered up a great price on the two I bought without my even having to haggle.
Quite a bit of interesting items other than knives to see at this flea market and the vendors are friendly and usually welcome offers.

 

[Primble]

605,607, and 606 for Tuesday ................... since I couldn't make up my mind which two.

View attachment 1901528

 

[screened porch]

So I just call it my Kabar Swayback Jack.

I'm glad you got yours, in such special circumstances.
I got mine in an antique mall. It was pretty expensive for me and I finally bought it so the vendeuse who kept showing it to me wouldn't know it was too expensive for me. I'm glad I got it, though.

Loom-fixer is what I've always heard for the Case. Now it's the Whale-fixer for me. After all, I'm more about blubber than weaving.