What "Traditional Knife" are ya totin' today?

T. Erdelyi said:
About 20 years ago my sister-in-law had finally gotten a good job after a long spell of terrible jobs. She asked me what I wanted for Christmas that year because she could afford to buy presents.

I just told her a knife figuring she’d just get me some gas station jarbenza or a Swiss Army knife. Well much to my surprise she did some research and after much internal deliberation (it was a lot of money to spend on a Christmas present let alone on a knife according her).

Well all her research led her to this knife, a Laguiole Rossignol. What I consider to be the perfect gentleman’s knife and the best knife to take to a restaurant to aid in eating your meal.

We lost her to colon cancer a few years ago and this knife is the only thing I have from her so every so often I throw it in my pocket for the day and when ever we go out to eat I always make sure it’s in my pocket.

It’s started more positive dialogue regarding knives, the carrying and daily use of than any other object in my pocket including any SAK.

Today’s a light duty day and it’s about as capable a blade for any task I’m likely to encounter so without further delay.

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A typical example of this pattern the horn is rich, the strength of the backspring and the subsequent snap when closing are insanely strong. The blade is 440C, thin and razor sharp but it sufferes from a common ailment to these knives. The small belly in the blade tends to get a flat spot on it from hitting the backspring when closed.

With all it’s quirk and foibles I love this knife because it reminds me of my deceased sister in law and how much effort she put into trying to find me a knife I truly appreciate.

Thanks Kathy, today’s knife is for you, I’ll never stop missing you.
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Lovely knife, and a better story, Ted.
 
Jack Black said:
Gorgeous combination Tom :thumbsup:


Is it only Tuesday? :eek: ;) :thumbsup:

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Thanks Jack, great photo my friend :thumbsup:

I am anticipating the arrival of a new fixed blade this week that I have been vacillating over for months; I am going to carry a few of my stalwart FBs all week so their performance is fresh in my mind for comparison. This city knife is one of my favorites.

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Buzzbait said:
Of course, the Camillus is always with me.

Alongside the Camillus today is my most carried knife of last year, Rondeau, the ironwood 77 clip point Barlow. Not many of my knives ever got a pet name, but this one did. I honestly don't know if a finer Barlow will ever be made. The blade configuration from this run is pretty much perfection in my eyes. The over-sized design nestles wonderfully into my palm, and that long match striker pull with swedge is just to die for. Walk and talk on the main blade was always perfect. The secondary took a long time to break in, but the snap is now quite excellent.

The ironwood covers on mine weren't nearly as beautiful as other examples from the run, and they weren't perfect shaped either. But what they did have, right out of the tube, was a vintage feel to them. They looked old and haggard and used for years. These qualities are what lead me to fall in love with this knife, choosing it over the natural micarta and red sawcut bone options from the run.

In trying to keep with the very "authentic" aesthetic of this knife, I've carried the theme over to my sharpening habits. This knife has never seen a modern day sharpener. No diamonds. No jigs. No synthetic sapphire. The only stones that have ever touched the edge have been Norton Crystalon, Norton India, and a variety of Arkansas bench stones, along with my old homemade leather bench strop.

Like my Micarta #43, The 2-blade clip #77 is another knife from my GEC Top 5 list. I could easily carry this Barlow for the rest of my life, and be perfectly content. Well done, @knifeswapper. You didn't just manage to come up with a successful run. You truly created an heirloom in the process.

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That truly is a great looking Barlow !
 
Buzzbait said:
Of course, the Camillus is always with me.

Alongside the Camillus today is my most carried knife of last year, Rondeau, the ironwood 77 clip point Barlow. Not many of my knives ever got a pet name, but this one did. I honestly don't know if a finer Barlow will ever be made. The blade configuration from this run is pretty much perfection in my eyes. The over-sized design nestles wonderfully into my palm, and that long match striker pull with swedge is just to die for. Walk and talk on the main blade was always perfect. The secondary took a long time to break in, but the snap is now quite excellent.

The ironwood covers on mine weren't nearly as beautiful as other examples from the run, and they weren't perfect shaped either. But what they did have, right out of the tube, was a vintage feel to them. They looked old and haggard and used for years. These qualities are what lead me to fall in love with this knife, choosing it over the natural micarta and red sawcut bone options from the run.

In trying to keep with the very "authentic" aesthetic of this knife, I've carried the theme over to my sharpening habits. This knife has never seen a modern day sharpener. No diamonds. No jigs. No synthetic sapphire. The only stones that have ever touched the edge have been Norton Crystalon, Norton India, and a variety of Arkansas bench stones, along with my old homemade leather bench strop.

Like my Micarta #43, The 2-blade clip #77 is another knife from my GEC Top 5 list. I could easily carry this Barlow for the rest of my life, and be perfectly content. Well done, @knifeswapper. You didn't just manage to come up with a successful run. You truly created an heirloom in the process.

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I also feel that the 77 Northfield Barlow is pretty close to being the perfect Barlow . I say "pretty close " because I would like it just a little longer and the early 2015 issue clip blade . I had always wanted a Barlow in Desert Ironwood too . I know that mine is made of Unobtainium .

Harry
 
Smooth bone ages so well, it’s like a canvas for the history of the knife. It shows the dings, scratches, stains and scars from a long life of service. All this talk of smooth bone I’m puttin’ this 1920s-40s Graeff & Schmidt smooth bone jackknife I rescued from the junk pile.

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Peregrin said:
That's a bummer, Alan.
I always worry a bit in the winter time, about how the low humidity is going to affect my stag and ivory handled knives.
I'm been lucky so far.
Maybe John can make a recommendation?
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So far it’s only affected this one and another bone which has shrunk ever so slightly. I’ll contact John and see what he suggests.
 
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