Which to get?

Badhammer

Badhammer

Joined
Jun 8, 2009
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Just starting to make my way around to slipjoints after several years with folders and was wondering what I should look to for quality production items/brands?

I've got a new Buck CW Stockman and a 701 Bronco that I like quite a lot as well as a Queen Country Cousin, (took some reprofiling on this one but I like it).

Been looking at more Queens, Schatt & Morgan, Canal Street Cutlery and Case XX as possibilities as well as continuing with new and old offerings from Buck.

I tend to like the Stockman and Trapper styles most. It's a given that everyone has a favorite but I was hoping that you all could let me know if my proposed choices are good ones in so far as quality materials, fit and finish, customer service, etc? TIA
 
All the companies you mentioned make a quality knife. I would also consider GEC (Great Eastern Cutlery). A.G. Russell also makes some good ones under his name contracting through various companies.
 
Thank you. I had seen GEC mentioned in several posts but didn't know what it stood for. I'll check them out.

Are the regular Case models a good deal or should I stick to the XX?
 
To most collectors XX means the era from around 1940 to 1964 and those knives represent a higher level of knifemaking than we see in production knives of today.

Today XX has been used quite a bit on certain auction sites. I do not think it really means anything since XX has been stamped on their knives for a long time, but it can be confusing a little. Here is a good webpage that goes over Case dating and tang stamps.

I think all the current regular models are stamped XX.
 
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What about Northwoods knives? I see they also use D2 (are their factory bevels any better than Queen) and have some good looking knives.


I also see NW Scagel knives that look interesting.
 
Bastid said:
To most collectors XX means the era from around 1940 to 1964 and those knives represent a higher level of knifemaking than we see in production knives of today.

Today XX has been used quite a bit on certain auction sites. I do not think it really means anything since XX has been stamped on their knives for a long time, but it can be confusing a little. Here is a good webpage that goes over Case dating and tang stamps.

I think all the current regular models are stamped XX.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this Gus.
 
Badhammer said:
What about Northwoods knives? I see they also use D2 (are their factory bevels any better than Queen) and have some good looking knives.
Click to expand...

A lot of the Northwoods were contracted by Queen (D2 especially) or ,recently GEC. The trademark is now owned by Kniveshipfree and who he will use once the old stock sells has not been announced to my knowledge
 
I'm partial to the GEC offerings, including the Northfield UN-X-LD and Tidioute brands, but of the ones you mentioned in the OP, the S&M File & Wire series with ATS-34 stainless are REALLY nice. Each model is only made for a limited time, so depending on the rarity/availability of the ones you like, they run from about $80-$150. Every one of them I have ever seen have been beautifully made from premium materials. Happy Hunting!!
 
Here's what I decided on

gec_48_062710_3.jpg


Vendor link removed by moderators. Image substituted.
 
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