Recommendation? Who is left?

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PirateSeulb

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Jun 6, 2017
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So now that Queen seems out who is really left making traditionals? GEC, Case, Rough Rider, and...

I like traditionals they have so much more character to them than the majority of modern knives but seems we are losing the good makers. I have really enjoyed the new modern traditionals that @knifeswapper has made possible but I know for others those are too far removed. No telling if those will continue to be just little projects pushed by a select few or a path those makers might take moving forward.

Mostly looking to know what brands to keep an eye on when I look for various traditionals. I know GEC's can be a tough to land for some of the more popular designs which can be frustrating for some.
 
Well the 'dead' makers are still plentiful and with a little strategy, you can get truly great knives with patience. I'd add Böker Germany to the list, very tidy carbon knives and consider French knives, a lot of regional gems there.
 
Lots more make traditionals.

Enzo has a nice bushcraft slipjoint, Lion Steel makes barlows, many quality Laguoile type french knives, and then a ton of custom makers.

Hopefully someone new will come along to keep GEC honest!
 
I have heard hit and miss reviews of Boker of late and I know there are some nice Queen and other "closed" maker products to be found. I don't know why and how Buck and A.G. Russell slipped my mind at the time.

E Elgatodeacero Are you talking about the LionSteel Roundhead and variants.

I don't know many French maker names besides Opinel. I know Maserin and Viper do have some traditionals as well but the select is limited. Thanks for the suggestions so far will keep them in mind and take a look at them as I shop.
 
PirateSeulb said:
...
I don't know many French maker names besides Opinel...
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Chevalerias, Dozormes, Au sabot, Arto, Issard, G David, R David, Le Fidèle, Thérias, Glandières, Cognet, Nontron, Cortial, Destannes, Y. Nominé, Coutier, Calmels, Vialis, Chazeau-Honoré, Douris-Chastel, just to name a few (all traditional) that count and I forget probably twice as many! Most are located in Thiers and around (la Monnerie, etc) but there 's also many other places.
 
PirateSeulb said:
So now that Queen seems out who is really left making traditionals? GEC, Case, Rough Rider, and...

I like traditionals they have so much more character to them than the majority of modern knives but seems we are losing the good makers. I have really enjoyed the new modern traditionals that @knifeswapper has made possible but I know for others those are too far removed. No telling if those will continue to be just little projects pushed by a select few or a path those makers might take moving forward.

Mostly looking to know what brands to keep an eye on when I look for various traditionals. I know GEC's can be a tough to land for some of the more popular designs which can be frustrating for some.
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oh shoot, you forgot those really cool custom shop Buck knives. Get one today!:p
 
Jolipapa said:
Chevalerias, Dozormes, Au sabot, Arto, Issard, G David, R David, Le Fidèle, Thérias, Glandières, Cognet, Nontron, Cortial, Destannes, Y. Nominé, Coutier, Calmels, Vialis, Chazeau-Honoré, Douris-Chastel, just to name a few (all traditional) that count and I forget probably twice as many! Most are located in Thiers and around (la Monnerie, etc) but there 's also many other places.
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Fontenille Pataud, Honoré Durand, Laguiole en Aubrac, Forge de Laguiole to name a few laguiole makers although a few make other patterns as well.
 
Utica is still around.
There's also bear and sons, but they don't seem too well loved.
Buck makes mostly traditional knives though their slipjoint models are slowly dropping.
Grohmann of canada is also a good one but they're not cheap.
 
Will Power said:
Well the 'dead' makers are still plentiful and with a little strategy, you can get truly great knives with patience. I'd add Böker Germany to the list, very tidy carbon knives and consider French knives, a lot of regional gems there.
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I second this the Solingen Böker's are excellent knives they're my favorite traditional knives outside the Case/Bose line. I find them to be "old worldly" feeling with their look and feel.
 
Bear & Son still make some models out of Alabama. If you look at German made, there are a handful of other options.

I'm still hoping someone buys the Queen/S&M names and make a run every now and then, even if it isn't coming out of their old factory. I will just be sad if they end up being made in China. :(
 
PirateSeulb said:
I have heard hit and miss reviews of Boker of late and I know there are some nice Queen and other "closed" maker products to be found. I don't know why and how Buck and A.G. Russell slipped my mind at the time.

E Elgatodeacero Are you talking about the LionSteel Roundhead and variants.

I don't know many French maker names besides Opinel. I know Maserin and Viper do have some traditionals as well but the select is limited. Thanks for the suggestions so far will keep them in mind and take a look at them as I shop.
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The trick with Böker is to buy the ones marked “SOLINGEN.” Those are good quality knives.

I, too, prefer to buy American when I can.
 
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