Who made the best factory folders ever?

Durwood

Durwood

Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
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Lets see some opinions here on best factory traditional knives ever.
I have two different opinions, first best "Sunday" type pearl knives In my opinion were the older Keen Kutter knives marketed by E.C. Simmons and made by Walden Knife CO. and later Winchester though I believe the earlier ones were the best. My nomination is Case for their pre 1970 small stockmans, their older bone was the best in my opinion. To me nobody ever made a small stockman that compares with the 6333 and 6327 (pre-1970)
 
I've always been told that the Millers Bros. brand were some of the finest slipjoints ever made.
 
Buck 110, it has sold for about 3/4 of a century with almost no changes to it.
 
I think that Victorinox Swiss Army Knives simple cannot be beat for consistant quality.
As much as I love my Spydercos and Benchmades, I still keep Vics in my tool-box, tackle-box, medicine cabinet, and cars.

Allen.
 
from what i've read, chris reeves' sebenza has got to be Thee One. the terzuola "american made" t-101 looks pretty amazing, i'd love to have one of those.
 
For traditional, I vouch for Victorinox.

For modern, Extrema Ratio. It's even stronger than the Strider SNG - lock wise.
 
For a locking folder I would enthusiastically agree with the Sebenza as one of the finest. The wood inlaid models stand by themselves, in my eyes.
William Henry also makes some of the finest gents knives, with a lot of options you will not find available from CRK.
 
Oooo, this will be a good debate! And the word 'best' can be interpretted in so many ways.

For fit and finish, I've seen Woodards that amaze me. It's hard to believe that they are factory made.

As for ground-breaking, I'd say Microtech. I see things there that I don't see anywhere else. Their fit and finish is excellent.

For strength, it could be Strider.

Now comes Extrema Ratio with innovation, strength and fit and finish.

And I'd like to have them all!
 
This is like comparing racehorses of different eras. It is hypothetical. When you take the materials (steel etc) and manufacturing techniques available today it is hard to make a comparison. I would go for Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield PSE (pre stainless era) as the best. I have seen plus 50 year old versions of these in excellent condition.
 
I would like to thank everyone for thier replies so far. By "traditional" I meant patterns like stockman, whittler, trapper, congress, pen, etc. By "best" I meant exhibiting the best cutler skill. As much as I like modern single blade folders, I don't think they fall into the same category as a high quality multi-blade knives. I should have defined this a little better I guess!!
 
Older Roebsons, Remingtons, old Queens, Old Camillus, Marble Arms, back when all the cutlers were from Germany, and England, they took pride in their work, fit and finish were something tangible, now the computer just cranks em out with no regard for how it looks or works, just is it within spec.
 
I would say that the Sebenza has got to be one of the best ever. To me, the "best" means combination of the best quality, workmanship, toughness, and company support and service. A great knife, which has poor customer service behind it, is no longer a great, usable knife. I don't think there is a "better" made folding kinfe than the Sebenza. There might be some of close to equal quality (Strider) but none better (for my use and in my opinion).
 
Best Slipjoint: old sheffields... I've seen some of the current work put out by sheffield and they have lockbacks and linerlocks that may as well BE slipjoints.

Usefullness: Vic SAK

Tradition/Classic: Buck 110

Innovation: Spyderco
 
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