Where to start.

If you are a tinkerer, one of my favourite things is to find old knives at pawn shops, junk shops or antique shops. Fixed or folding, extra cheap if you cannot open them easily or at all. Typically I can buy these very cheaply, often 2 or more at a time. Within a couple hours of a lite oil soaking and elbow grease, I end up with a very serviceable knife I can add to my collection or even give away to someone who doesn't know they need it yet.
 
Rough Rider 'Grand Dad' Barlow if you want a large knife, 'small Barlow' if you prefer a not so big knife. Both of these are sungle blade. Their standard Barlow with spear point and a pen blade are hard to beat, and fits the pocket well. I have the standard with imitation Abalone covers.
Rough Rider's large coke bottle (a bit over 5.25 inches closed) and small coke bottle are also nice 1 blade knives.

While not a single blade, you might want to consider a stockman pattern. The Buck 301 (USA made) and 371 (China made) are both a great buy, and although they are a 3 spring design, they ride in your pocket very nicely.
The 301 will have a slightly softer pull than the 371. I've found the 3 blades to be most useful.
 
Welcome.

It is hard to beat any GEC. Queen is an excellent choice. I prefer those to any other manufacturer domestic or foreign.
 
Some advice that I was given that proved useful, was to first find out what attracts your eye. Do you like a certain pattern, or certain brand, or certain handle material, etc. Once you have a good idea of what you like, then do a lot of research about it to learn what you can, and ask a lot of questions about it here to help you learn more. Once you are armed with knowledge, the collecting is a lot less stressful, and the hunt for a certain knife is fun.
 
gonebad395 said:
Well guys I just bought a rough rider amber jig boned 440ss workman knife which is their version of a sod buster. Thank for all the great suggestions I'm a knife carrier but never these kinds so I went with nice but cheap to start to see if it's for me. Who knows I might win my first nice one here.
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Something like this, perhaps??
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Not surprisingly, I'll say that you made a wise choice, gonebad!! :thumbup::thumbup::D (You could've gone worse, for sure. :rolleyes:)

- GT
 
Have fun, these knives are much more addictive than modern styles, they have character. I spent $75 on the Everyday Barlow in the link below, and love it. So many forks in the road to a decision... one main one is carbon 1095 type steel, or a higher end steel with more alloys added for many improved characteristics. I like single blade patterns with higher end steels, and that's one thing about Queen, they use a lot of D2 steel, which takes a great edge and keeps sharp longer. The knife in the link is perfect pocket carry size, good for the watch pocket. The fit and finish on some Queens leaves some knife collectors cold, but they sure are user knives.
You may have invested in some sharpening equipment. If you go for higher end steels, you'll do well with silicon carbide and diamond stones. Nothing like a sharp knife, and nothing more embarrassing than a dull one.
I see you bought a knife already, but hang around here and you'll have a little collection in a drawer.
https://www.knivesshipfree.com/queen-cutlery-69-barlow-d2-steel-stag-bone/
 
Thanks rookie for the advice will put it to good use. And 5kqs that is the the one I got. I do know I'm drawn to 3 styles just by looking last night insomnia is a devil and a saint at the same time :). I know I like the sod buster , Barlow and lockback with the stag scales just call to me.
 
Oh wow idahoguy I really like that knife looks so idk elegant in a manly way I would say
 
There is a lot to learn, and you will never stop learning about traditional knives. I would look for the Blade Guide to Knives, if you can find one that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg, check out the Levine's Guide to Knives 4th edition. Knife World back issues can be found at gun and knife shows for cheap. This subforum has a lot of great knowledge. I would tell you to dive in to GEC and Queen right away, but there is a lot of fun and knowledge to be had starting out at the, I won't say bottom, but beginning.
 
Rough Riders are good knives at a great price. All I am carrying today is a Rough Rider Small Coke Bottle and a Victorinox SAK. Unless you want to spend more money, you can do just fine with nothing but RRs.
 
Yeah I was thinking that until I figure this is what I want to carry I'm a modern knife user been carrying since I was around 11, 40 now. I've always been drawn to traditional knives just so many out there and a lot of junk so not no wing I stayed away.
 
Sweet the reviews online are all pretty decent. I truly hope I can learn to love carrying these I'm so used to my moderns
 
It doesn't have to be an either-or thing. You can carry more than one pocket knife. There is a thread here about Traditional and Modern pairings. A number of people here carry both a modern and a traditional, or switch up between the two styles as their mood dictates.

I sometimes carry a modern locking folder in addition to one or two smaller slipjoint knives. Today, no, but last week, yes.
 
Same advice I always give.
Take your time. Browse the "What traditional knife are you totin' today" thread.
Some knives (and patterns) will catch your eye. Start there. There's too much variety in traditional cutlery, so, to quote a favourite singer of mine, let your soul be your pilot :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Gonebad - I had been a modern folder guy since a young age, similar to you. I would also frequently carry a SAK, but that was the only slipjoint. Last year I came across a traditional 2-blade congress in an old box of mine. It had been in my possession for 20+ years. I recall getting it as party of a box of stuff, where I was really after a nice SAK.

The darn blade was AMAZINGLY sharp. I was stunned. I decided to carry for a week to the office. The week became a month.... I then started spending some time in this forum and now I am hooked. You will not find a nicer group of folks or a better online atmosphere. I have only just begun my journey into traditionals, but I am here for the long haul.

word of advice - get a carbon steel bladed knife. I had never carried carbon steel but it is amazing. I have carried many of the fancy modern steels but nothing takes and edge like a traditional carbon blade steel. It raised my bar for what a good blade is like. I also really enjoy watching the patina develop...something I never would have considered in the past.

I suggest you get (and use) a carbon steel Opinel, #7 or #8. It will run you ~$15 and possibly change your views forever. edit - Enjoy that rough rider you ordered!

Cheers and welcome.

my first.....
 
Right on jc I'll keep that in mind. And rishma sweet looking knife I'll keep the carbon mind while looking
 
jc57 said:
It doesn't have to be an either-or thing. You can carry more than one pocket knife. There is a thread here about Traditional and Modern pairings. A number of people here carry both a modern and a traditional, or switch up between the two styles as their mood dictates.

I sometimes carry a modern locking folder in addition to one or two smaller slipjoint knives. Today, no, but last week, yes.
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100% correct John. At this very second I have a RR trapper, a Case Texas Jack and a RR Mini Whittler in my front pocket and an Elmax Blur in my back pocket and a Vic Classic on my keychain. Yea I'm a little out there for an old man.
 
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