Which is THE Bose knife?

[Jsega51]

When I was out looking for my first Bose knife, I was told by many that my collection needed to have a WT. So that’s where I started.

 

[Mike Robuck]

I’m not sure Tony came up with the Tennessee trapper but Kerry would know.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

I’m not sure Tony came up with the Tennessee trapper but Kerry would know.

It's possible it could have been Reese but pretty sure it's DNA is all Bose. I defer final word to Kerry or any other Bose expert

 

[Docscoot]

Lock back whittler is an icon, but too many fit and finish issues with the case collab models imo unfortunately. The wharncliff trapper is my personal favorite, I have one in antique bone and one in ebony, the bone is a user. If only I could afford a real Bose, but the case collabs will have to do!

 

[Mike Robuck]

It's possible it could have been Reese but pretty sure it's DNA is all Bose. I defer final word to Kerry or any other Bose expert

Kerry came up with that pattern for our old friend Campbell https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/custom-traditional-knives.1265902/page-3#post-14553732

 

[kamagong]

Nicely done Mike Robuck . I wonder how cnasty is doing. He had some nice knives!!!

I wonder how that Tennessee Trapper carries. I already find the Lanny's Clip too hefty as it is.

 

[Riz!]

That thing is beautiful.

Sure thing my friend. Have been off the grid over Thanksgiving and just saw your request today. Was a Blade lotto win, my first!

Spring for the main is wider than the secondary and has a pretty strong pull. Remington bone is so classic.

It looks like Tony may have drawn inspiration from it to make the Case Bose Premium Stockman.

 

[rpstrimple]

I’ve always associated the WT with Tony and the sowbelly with Reese. Those are the knives that pop into my head if the boys get brought up. Although I thought Tony had said at one point that the saddlehorn put Wilfred Works on the map. Maybe I’m confusing that with the WT though.

Some of my favorite, not so common patterns are the Texas Jack, Panama trapper, and the saddleback (I think Tony told me that James Spader asked him to put a saddlehorn clip in a backpocket frame and that’s how that one was born).

My personal favorite has to be the Norfolk though. Of course case made the collabs and they are excellent, and Reese makes a great Norfolk as well. There are other makers who do it justice as well. One thing I appreciate about Tony and Reese is that they were always willing to share patterns and tips. Really kept the knife making alive all these years.

Now, I’m off to like all these photos y’all are posting.

 

[Will Power]

I'm in favour of Wharncliffe over Spey As for Squirrel gutting, very true, the old Ettrick pattern was likely a gamekeeper's knife.

 

[black mamba]

Our old Bladeforums Traditional Saddle Trapper is very close to the Tennessee Trapper . . . and Christian, they are heavy!

 

[Mike Robuck]

Got this early version of a WT trapper as a gift from Tony years ago. He gave it to me because I collect Henckels. Still sharp!

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

Kerry came up with that pattern for our old friend Campbell https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/custom-traditional-knives.1265902/page-3#post-14553732

Thanks for clearing that up Mike. Sorry about the confusion. It’s a bit heavy but still an awesome and unique pattern.

 

[Mike Robuck]

No worries, Ron. I thought it was Kerry but wasn’t sure until I found that post. Off to look for my truck keys and wallet…

 

[waynorth]

Got this early version of a WT trapper as a gift from Tony years ago. He gave it to me because I collect Henckels. Still sharp!

That knife has covered many well-maintained miles!! What a nice memento of a great friend, Mike!!

 

[kamagong]

Interesting to see the results. I expected the LC and WT to be among the favorites, but I thought the BP and Zulu would get more votes.

 

[KnifeHead]

Kerry!!!

Thanks for popping in and sharing your thoughts bud.

The WT is an awesome pattern, but it's no KHnutbuster. Speaking of which, I need you to build me a companion to the KHnutbuster and desk knife that I have. It's been too long since I've had a new KnifeHead knife.

HA! Well, my $.02 is very stable and will never change with inflation, which makes it a very terrible investment. I do appreciate the compliment and I am almost another day closer to retirement so, who knows...I may be able to crank out another knife or 2 or 3 some day in the near future. Follow me for more recipes but please don't look for them on my knifehead website because, dang...the thing needs some attention.

 

[KnifeHead]

Thanks for clearing that up Mike. Sorry about the confusion. It’s a bit heavy but still an awesome and unique pattern.

Yes, the idea of a second blade in the Lanny's clip came from Campbell but I had to figure out a way to make it make sense. Whenever I talked about it with Tony before execution, I am almost positive he said, "it will be like carrying a potato in your pocket", but that didn't seem like a good reason NOT to make it. Anyway, a "jack configuration" seemed to me like a good compromise...smaller Wharncliffe blade with nail nicks on the mark side of both blades, and Tennessee Jack is Whiskey...Bonus! ...It rolls off the tongue, if you will.

I will have to talk with Reese to find out the story behind the trapper version. I am not sure of the timing for when he started making that pattern but as far as I am aware, The Tennessee Jack predated Reese's version. It wasn't rocket science to make it so, whatever the case, it's all good. Here are my original pix of the Tennessee Jack.

 

[Ron Sabbagh]

Kerry that is gorgeous. Tennessee Jack....Tennessee Trapper.....I bet if it were submitted to BLADE it would be Knife of the Year.

 

[black mamba]

A terrific knife, Kerry, we've missed having you around. Do you ever hear from the nasty man?

BLADE 2010

 

[Mike Robuck]

We had some epic times at Blade with Cnasty. One year he was frantic because the ATM was out of money and he wanted to buy a Bose knife from Rhett Stidham. He found money somewhere.