Which type of traditional folder?

L

lachy

Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
136
I posted this in the Traditional knives section, but decided to post here for more replies.

Im looking to get my first traditional folder. What would you guys recommend. A canoe style knife? Trapper? Toothpick? Congress? Etc. I would like it to be a slip-joint like the ones I just mentioned, no lockbacks etc as Im most likely going to have it shipped from the USA to Australia, and its illegal to import any knives, although I should be able to get away with slipjoints. Thanks in advance :thumbup:
 
lachy said:
Im most likely going to have it shipped from the USA to Australia, and its illegal to import any knives
Click to expand...

I must respectfully decline your request for assistance in choosing a traditional folder as I wish to avoid the wrath of your government and the rest of the international community.

















I really like both the harness jack and two bladed congress. :thumbup:
 
Stockman is perhaps the most popular traditional pattern here in the United States. The Old Timer 34OT, for example, was the best-selling Schrade knife of all time (as I recall reading). Unfortunately, those original Old Timers are only available through secondhand sources now. For current production, check out the CV stockman models from Case. I was also quite impressed with a recent Boker stockman.

Do you have a price range? A favorite dealer that you know will ship overseas?
 
Thanks.

To tell you my price range would be difficult, USA knife prices are much different to Aussie ones, and as for dealers, well I dont really know any, Im only thinking about getting a traditional folder because I found an ebay shop based in the USA that I could snatch one up for around AUD $15 or less.

Also, what are some favourable brands? The ebay shop I mentioned earlier has Buck, Rough Rider, Colt, Kissing Crane, Smith & Wesson, Elk Ridge, Imperial Schrade and a couple more.
 
lachy said:
Also, what are some favourable brands? The ebay shop I mentioned earlier has Buck, Rough Rider, Colt, Kissing Crane, Smith & Wesson, Elk Ridge, Imperial Schrade and a couple more.
Click to expand...

Smith and Wesson are Chinese imports, and I'm not sure if they have any traditional pattern knives. Maybe?

Rough Rider are very inexpensive Chinese imports that get generally good reviews and comments by users. I don't own one.

Imperial-Schrade went bankrupt and was sold in 2004 to Taylor Brands, who primarily import their knives from China, although in the past some of the Taylor-Schrades were contract made in the USA. By most accounts, the new imports are not made to the same quality as the originals.

Colt are also, I believe, Chinese imports. I'm not familiar with their traditional knives, if they have any.

Buck is an excellent company with fine products. Some are made in the USA and some are imported from China. The Buck website clearly labels each knife model as to it's origin.

--------------------------

My favorite traditional brands...

Case knives are affordable and beautiful, although I've had some issues with the blade edges not being properly finished lately.

Stagpenknife.jpg


Queen is very good. Known for having extra-stiff springs, and my Queen knives are no exception.

AG Russell has a selection of traditional knives with their own brand. Contract-made in various places around the planet. Quality is excellent.

Schatt and Morgan, and their File & Wire series. These are extremely excellent, the top-of-the-line from Queen.

Boker. Never had a bad traditional knife from this German company. Here are the last two I've purchased, well-finished and high quality in every way. http://www.agrussell.com/boker-medium-pen-knife/p/BOhhhAN240GW/

Happy Shopping!
 
lachy said:
Im only thinking about getting a traditional folder because I found an ebay shop based in the USA that I could snatch one up for around AUD $15 or less.
Click to expand...
I'm not that familiar with the laws down under, but be aware that some of the import restictions on knifes in Australia are kind of extreme. I know we have had more than one Australian formum member post stories here about mail order knives getting confiscated by Austrailian customs.

Also, what are some favourable brands? The ebay shop I mentioned earlier has Buck, Rough Rider, Colt, Kissing Crane, Smith & Wesson, Elk Ridge, Imperial Schrade and a couple more.
Click to expand...
Unfortunatly, many of the brands you listed where formerly well thought of makers who have since moved to off-shore (primarily Chinese) factories, resulting in significant drops in their quality. Amoung "traditional" or slip joint makers, Boker Case, GEC, Schatt and Morgan and Queen seem to be the most popular with those who know knives.

Unfortunaly, you generally get what you pay for, and except for the occasional close out bargain, most really inexpensive knives (less than $20-30US) are going to be poor materials or craftsmanship. :(
 
Lachy mate, I've bought (nearly) all my knives from U.S. and have never had a problem with customs. You only cant bring in auto's, knives with a blade >6", stilettos, balisong etc. But I've bought some pretty mean looking knives that have had the boxes opened and a little note saying 'customs has opened and checked this but taken nothing out'.

Unless they're really anal in states other then WA, you will have no problem bringing in lockbacks whatsoever.

On that note, I recommend a Queen swing guard (lockback).. I just love mine! If the price isnt right for one of them however, Kissing Crane are an excellent knife for the money you pay, imo.
 
Roobiks said:
On that note, I recommend a Queen swing guard (lockback).. I just love mine!
Click to expand...

I'm also a fan of Swing Guard knives. Don't think I'd carry one though, but I love the pattern.

From top to bottom: Canal Street Cutlery, AG Russell (made by Boker), Case:

SwingGuardcomparison1.jpg


cheetah-1.jpg


The best of the bunch is the AG Russell/Boker.
 
If this is going to be your first traditional pattern, can't go wrong with a mid-sized folder with at least a couple blades. I'm partial to the stockman pattern, as well as the Texas jack knife.
 
I always have a stockman in my pocket. Right now, at work, a Hen & Rooster in stag. Outside of work, a Boker in delrin. I've carried trappers (1 & 2 blades), pen knives, barlows. But I keep coming back to a stockman.

Frank
 
I'd suggest Case Amber Bone Canoe with Chrome Vanadium blades. Great bang for the buck at $45 USD.

Or maybe a yellow Case Peanut with CV blades; that'd be in your price range.

US made Schrade Middleman's are still gettable. Amazing knife for the price and you get a nice selection of blades.
 
Stockman all the way! Get a nice Case, or go look on the 'Bay for a good Schrade. And if your willing to shell out a few good dollars...look for a nice Damascus Stockman.
 
LOTS, and LOTS of nice patterns to choose from as well as LOTS and LOTS of companies to choose from. I have several Case folders and like each one of them. There are Gunstock patterns, two bladed Copperheads, whittlers, stockman, etc, etc.

I favor the Gunstocks and the whittlers. For the past 5 months it has been a Case black G-10 Humpback whittler. This is the longest I have carried a single slippie without switching it out. The whittler pattern just meets my every need for a small user.
 
Since you mentioned Rough Rider, I can recommend these two. I use them both regularly and can't find anything to complain about. The gunstock ( lower) carries pretty thin in the pocket. The large stockman is bulkier but I prefer it.

DSC00618.jpg


If you want to spend a more, here's a Queen and Case large stoclman with the RR stockman.

DSC00624.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top