What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today?

20250618-182744.jpg
 
Along the way, someone identified it as a Redland Jack, a pocket knife passed around between the paid members of BladeForums Traditional folders and Fixed Blades so often, no one remembered who owned it first. Its handle was carved from jigged bone dyed a deep mahogany. Some said the jigging was worn smooth where fingers had gripped it over decades. Others said it was pristine when in their hands. The bolsters were nickel silver, sometimes dull from pocket rides in denim and oil-stained khakis. Its blade, a clip point of no particular steel anyone could name ... some said stainless, others carbon.

The Redland had crazy-amazing and impossibly precise walk ‘n talk. Most agreed on a pull of about 6 or 7. A few noticed a tiny nick near the blade tip, said to be from a failed attempt at opening a paint can during a camping trip gone sideways. Others couldn’t find a single mark on it. It had cleaned fish, trimmed cigars, dug a thorn out of a dog's paw, and once, according to forum “What are ya totin’?” legend, been used to slice a wedding cake after someone forgot to bring a knife.

Nobody knew where the Redland Jack would turn up next. It showed up in tackle boxes, glove compartments, junk drawers, and even once in a cigar box marked “DO NOT OPEN UNLESS LOST AT SEA.” When it did appear, it never felt out of place. It was the kind of knife you didn’t plan to carry, but once it was in your hand, it just felt right. Not flashy, not collector queen grade, but dependable. The kind of blade that could make a sandwich, start a fire, or settle a bet. And when it disappeared again, folks just smiled, figuring it had moved on to whoever needed it next.

There was that day a Traditional forum member named Ellis found the Redland Jack at a rest stop off Highway 41, sitting alone on the hood of his truck after a long drive through nowhere. He didn’t remember picking it up, and no one he asked had seen anyone leave it on the hood of his truck. The blade bore a weary gleam, slightly tarnished in his eyes, but sharp enough to cut through the years.

That night, around his campfire, the other guys were already comparing pocket jewelry … some with new GECs, a vintage Barlow, and that one guy with a pearl-handled something that looked like it had never touched anything more dangerous than soft cheese. Ellis used the Redland to slice an apple and deep inside, felt something strange: a flicker of deja vu, like he’d done this before, in a place that maybe didn’t exist anymore … or only in his mind. He asked his buddies if they’d ever seen a knife like that before. One of them just stared and said, “Yeah … but I thought that thing was lost in a barn fire in ’23.”

Next morning, Ellis trimmed a torn bootlace, and the Redland even served as a spatula when the bacon flipper disappeared mysteriously (again).

Ellis kept it for a while. Weeks, maybe months, it was hard to keep track. But eventually, the Redland Jack was gone again. Not stolen. Not misplaced. Just gone. Like it never existed. Traditional BladeForums folks say it only appears when you need it … when you’re truly stuck, or lost, or at a turning point you don’t even know you’re at yet. Some say it doesn’t help you so much as tests you.

Every so often, some newbie paid member starts a thread and posts, “Anyone ever heard of a jigged bone folder with no tang stamp and a weird feel to it? Found it in my jacket pocket and swear I’ve never seen it before or one like it …” And the old-timers just smile quietly, and scroll on. Most non-paid forum members scoff and post to say no tang stamp means the knife is most likely made of Chinesium and probably bought at any truck stop or flea market.

But those who’ve held the Redland Jack, really held it, know differently. They think it highly possible, the no stamp on the tang indicates the Redland Jack is from a whole ‘nother universe but would never post “such nonsense”. Besides, usually a mod comes along and locks the thread with a note to the OP saying, “Doesn’t belong in General Discussion.”


C8wqj5U.jpeg
 
Last edited:
^^^ Call me crazy, but I think that "Redland Jack" might be missing a spring pin
... unless it's under the covers 🤷‍♂️
 
A274BD6D-3B01-4401-ADD3-988EB904AE1F.jpegIMG_3206.jpegWhen the temps are near 100 with a blanket of humidity in the air I do my gardenin after midnight. My tools for the night. I live “hood adjacent” n the firearm is an unfortunate necessity. As a roadie/event operations worker I keep a weird sleep schedule so, it isn’t too bothersome n I don’t mind. Had a few sleepy helpers as well to keep me company
 
timgiesel said:
View attachment 2909473View attachment 2909481When the temps are near 100 with a blanket of humidity in the air I do my gardenin after midnight. My tools for the night. I live “hood adjacent” n the firearm is an unfortunate necessity. As a roadie/event operations worker I keep a weird sleep schedule so, it isn’t too bothersome n I don’t mind. Had a few sleepy helpers as well to keep me company
Click to expand...
Great to see SAK Pruners appearing in consecutive posts :cool:

Those Cats are turning the place into a real Flop-House 😻 No wonder you need a pistol ;)🤣

Thanks, Will
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top