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For me it’s not necessarily an order of preferences but how they are combined. For example, I really liked the most recent GEC run of the 2 bladed 14’s, except they were just a tad too small for me. So here goes....for pocket knives

Size- 3 1/4 to 4 inches
Blade configuration- 2 or 3 and different shapes for different tasks
Handle material-I guess whatever happens to appeal to me at the time
Pattern- If you looked at my collection I think you’d agree that Stockmans pretty much cover it. Toss in a few Barlow’s and some Swiss Army knives.
But when it comes down to it it’s really what looks good to me. I guess it’s sorta hard for me to explain, so I’ll shut up nowo_O

BUT...after looking at all those picture of the 93OT you keep posting I may have to start looking for one!!
 
I'm not super picky... Yet... But here goes. :)

I prefer single blade knives with a blade in the 2.5 to 3 inch range. I find this length blade does almost everything I need from a pocket knife while making the knife small enough that I don't even notice it in my pocket.

I like smooth scales, preferably wood, but bone or horn is fine too. No reason, except personal preference.

Blade shape isn't as important to me, as long as it cuts what I need to cut and fits with the rest of the knife. So far, I haven't encountered anything I need to cut that the knife I carried couldn't do the job. Some blade shapes are BETTER at some cutting jobs, but when you carry a single blade knife, you use what you have.

While I prefer carbon steel because it's easy to sharpen and can take a scary sharp edge, I find the knives I prefer tend to only come in stainless steel, which obviously gets the job done.

I like a well finished knife. While things like a slightly sunken or proud back spring don't affect the function of the knife, it bothers me.

There's also a difference from before I found the porch to after. Before I joined, this was my EDC knife:

302-1.jpg
I was happy with it until I learned about the nicer knives available. Some things I don't like about it include:
The scales are dymondwood instead of real wood.
The blade is from the 301, so it's a little short in the closed position. If they had made a dedicated blade for this pattern, it would be a little longer and fill the liner a little more.
The back spring is slightly sunken.
The pins are proud on both sides. It appears this is the way the knife is designed and not a defect, but ever since I bought knives with flush pins, it has bothered me.

After joining the porch, I bought a series of knives looking for the best one for me. So far, this is the closest I've found to my ideal knife:

teardrop.jpg
It has none of the things I dislike about the Buck. I've done a couple short reviews here already, so I'll just say it meets most of the things I want in my EDC knife. Now if it was CV... :D
 
Most important to me is steel. I want stainless (anything in the 440c to CPM-154 range is acceptable)
My second consideration is blade choice: I want two of them, one at either end (clip and sheepsfoot preferred, but spear could be swapped for the clip, and wharncliffe could be swapped for the sheepsfoot).
My third consideration is size. I prefer 3.25-3.5", but this must not be nearly as important to me as I've been carrying a 4" knife for the last year.
4th, but not least important, it has to be pretty.
 
PaulS. said:
I'm not super picky... Yet... But here goes. :)

I prefer single blade knives with a blade in the 2.5 to 3 inch range. I find this length blade does almost everything I need from a pocket knife while making the knife small enough that I don't even notice it in my pocket.

I like smooth scales, preferably wood, but bone or horn is fine too. No reason, except personal preference.

Blade shape isn't as important to me, as long as it cuts what I need to cut and fits with the rest of the knife. So far, I haven't encountered anything I need to cut that the knife I carried couldn't do the job. Some blade shapes are BETTER at some cutting jobs, but when you carry a single blade knife, you use what you have.

While I prefer carbon steel because it's easy to sharpen and can take a scary sharp edge, I find the knives I prefer tend to only come in stainless steel, which obviously gets the job done.

I like a well finished knife. While things like a slightly sunken or proud back spring don't affect the function of the knife, it bothers me.

There's also a difference from before I found the porch to after. Before I joined, this was my EDC knife:

View attachment 1041579
I was happy with it until I learned about the nicer knives available. Some things I don't like about it include:
The scales are dymondwood instead of real wood.
The blade is from the 301, so it's a little short in the closed position. If they had made a dedicated blade for this pattern, it would be a little longer and fill the liner a little more.
The back spring is slightly sunken.
The pins are proud on both sides. It appears this is the way the knife is designed and not a defect, but ever since I bought knives with flush pins, it has bothered me.

After joining the porch, I bought a series of knives looking for the best one for me. So far, this is the closest I've found to my ideal knife:

View attachment 1041580
It has none of the things I dislike about the Buck. I've done a couple short reviews here already, so I'll just say it meets most of the things I want in my EDC knife. Now if it was CV... :D
Click to expand...

Very interesting account. The more you become aware of traditional knives, the more the taste refines, like wine drinking :cool::D But you can become cash poorer...

The knife you show is available in cv but it has Chestnut Jigged Bone, but I suspect you know that;)
 
Will Power said:
Very interesting account. The more you become aware of traditional knives, the more the taste refines, like wine drinking :cool::D But you can become cash poorer...

The knife you show is available in cv but it has Chestnut Jigged Bone, but I suspect you know that;)
Click to expand...

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Yes! I probably paid around $35 USD for the Buck many years ago, when they were still being manufactured. Most of the knives I've purchased since joining the porch are more or much more than that!

Yeah, I know I can get the teardrop in CV with jigged bone and even a CV wharncliffe blade, but something about the smooth natural bone without a shield spoke to me (buy me! spend more money! :D). I'll probably buy a CV wharncliffe blade next year, when my budget recovers! :)
 
Where do I start? But more importantly, how to finish? :cool::D

I very much like Barehead knives so that biases me to single blades.

Multi blades are an interesting idea though :D

I much prefer Pen construction . single spring, blade at each end to 2 spring Jacks with blades from same bolster.

Ideally, brass should be kept to a minimum. granted it looks OK on pins but leave it out of liners and bolsters? No! It stinks, it's greasy and it greens up everything eventually:poop:

Loathe sunk or proud springs on open or close, shoddy workmanship no question :eek:

Pins should ideally be flush or domed. I staggers me that many people pay a ton of cash for some SFO Northwoods etc for it to have one huge eyesore sink hole pin, looks poor and aesthetics are very important.

Generally prefer stainless nowadays as it is fine quality stuff, good for using your knife on fruit etc. But if you like Traditional you have to tolerate carbon...;) by the tonne :D

All blades are interesting to me except the Spey, so that leaves a good varied choice.

I'm not interested in any pocket-knife that needs to be carried in a belt sheath, makes the knife pointless as a pocket item to my mind.

Don't want anything too heavy in the pocket either unless it's in a winter top-coat of course.

Size? Well that's pattern specific really but 3 3/8-3.7" is a good size for my uses, it MUST feel good in the hand when using and when coon fingering it, very important aspect but one that unfortunately can only be tested once you've got the knife in hand. Lot of money has been spent down that route...

Impressive W&T is always appreciated, a disciplined knife :D

Sunk joints are always a bonus too.

OK that's enough opinionated bench marking from me :D:D
 
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PaulS. PaulS. The Smooth Bone does look very impressive, uncluttered :cool:

Here's the cv version in Chestnut

QNhk2LC.jpg
 
My ideal knife would have...
Closed length of 3" to 3-1/2"
Single clip blade of Carbon steel
(I just like the character of Carbon)
I prefer sunken joints, but not a deal breaker
Round Steel or Nickel bolsters / No half stops
Barehead in Wood, Micarta, or Jigged Bone
Brass liners don't bother me, but prefer steel
High standard of fit and finish, no gaps and centered blade
A lighter pull weight of about #4 with crazy strong 'snap'
Has to have some kind of pinned shield, nothing too fancy
Teardrop or serpentine pattern both strike my fancy

I haven't found such a knife yet...
But something like a Barehead #56 with a Clip Blade would fit the bill. Until then, my #14s, #15s, and Single Blade Mini Trappers keep me happy enough. I do have something cool coming in tomorrow though :cool: While not perfect, it should hit many of my points...

 
I like two and three blade knives, and the four blade Scout knife.
I prefer 3 5/8 to 4 1/4 inch closed length, but do carry a 3 1/8 to 3 1/4 inch Barlow on occasion.
Favorite patterns include (but are not limited to) the Stockman, Canoe, Sunfish, Trapper, and Moose.
 
Nice thread.

My preferred criteria are:
*Lanyard hole (allows one to carry a larger knife vertically making it more comfortable)
*half-stops
*clip-point blade
*bone, stag or horn covers
*3.5-3.75" ideally
*brass liners

I am not a sheepsfoot fan
Also not a G10 fan (thankfully this isn't common on traditional knives).
 
I like stockman and cattle knives mainly, but also other patterns in varying degrees of interest. It's one of those things that I know when I see it but describing it entails more detail than I want to type, or that anybody would want to read.

I will buy pretty much any traditional pattern if it's a schrade in the right condition and price for my collection, schrade being my main interest, particularly the pre swinden/delrin knives. I like to try and have a somewhat organized and consistent collection, the bulk of my knives outside of schrade are stockmans. I am ocd and don't like having oddball or one off random knives, it just bugs me. If I have just one knife from one brand it feels out of place to me until it has a companion or four of the same brand, which sometimes sidetracks me from my main interest.
 
I love old knives in many patterns, too many to count. I love knives that lend themselves to hunting and butchery and food prep, and, therefore, a strong leaning toward fixed blade knives. I love natural handle materials. I love understated elegance. I love knives that cost too much. I love great fit and finish. I dislike gaudy, flashy, compound blade grinds, commemoratives, and non-traditionals. I am not interested in heavily worn knives. That still leaves an enormous field of cutlery to continuously impoverish me. And I like everything that Paul (see above) likes. LOL.
 
Ideally,

Smooth Handles
3 3/4 Length
Slender Blade(s)
1095 Carbon
Jack Knives

The #48 Improved Trapper is by far my favorite! :D

I'm eagerly awaiting the #82 Dixie Stockman's. ;)

Being a lefty, most of my knives are single blades and/or jacks with same side nail nicks.

Fit and finish is also extremely important to me (picky? :rolleyes: you betcha!).

As a collector (which I'm not) I love funky stag! :eek::eek::eek:

- Del

Funky Stag Example:

9ApneCv.jpg


[edit] My *few* stag knives are strictly desk candy (not for use). :eek::rolleyes::D
 
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