-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
why a peanut over pen?
- Thread starter hardheart
- Start date
Availability is a definite factor. For instance I can buy a nice carbon steel peanut with little effort or expense, under $40 for a Case with nice red bone handles. Tried that with senator/pen knife lately?
My Eisenhower has the "harvest orange" Pocketworn handles, very nice. Even though the elongated profile isn't ideal, I'd buy a second Eisenhower to carry if it was offered in carbon steel.
I have one of those Imperial peanuts too, made in Ireland, just like the one shown in your photo. Darn nice for $1.49.
ElCuchillo
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2006
- Messages
- 713
I went out to dinner tonight, and my wife and I indulged in some Lobster and crab. Boston Lobster Feast for us. Not the most high class place to eat, but it is ALL you can eat. They give you these walnut openers for the claws and such, but there are parts on the lobster/crab shells that are too soft for these pliers. They bend and give, not crack, yet are too tough to use your fingers on, so out came my Peanut, and open went the shells. I used the "Pen" blade on my Peanut to do all the work, and it worked like a charm. A great little slicer.
I was thinking more about this thread, about what else sets the Peanut apart for me as opposed to the Pen, and it was construction. I had a Case CV Pen knife, with the single spring, and ended up giving it to a friend. The blades kept rubbing, and I wondered why. I inspected it, and realized the two blades on the Peanut are seperated by a copper lining, where as the Pen knife has no lining. Since it is only one spring, the blades are crinked, and touch when I opened them, creating the rub. The Peanut, with it's two springs, needs no crinking. Each blade has it's own slot, and lives individually from the other. So for me, construction was another factor in why I chose the Peanut over the Pen.
For you Pen knife fans, however, the Brotherhood of the Pen would sound like a cool club to belong to. LOL!!
I was thinking more about this thread, about what else sets the Peanut apart for me as opposed to the Pen, and it was construction. I had a Case CV Pen knife, with the single spring, and ended up giving it to a friend. The blades kept rubbing, and I wondered why. I inspected it, and realized the two blades on the Peanut are seperated by a copper lining, where as the Pen knife has no lining. Since it is only one spring, the blades are crinked, and touch when I opened them, creating the rub. The Peanut, with it's two springs, needs no crinking. Each blade has it's own slot, and lives individually from the other. So for me, construction was another factor in why I chose the Peanut over the Pen.
For you Pen knife fans, however, the Brotherhood of the Pen would sound like a cool club to belong to. LOL!!
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2006
- Messages
- 1,196
Those Imperials are good little knives. Mine have great walk and talk and take a good edge.
I like them so much I bought 8 of them on the bay, all new, just like the one in the picture, and all dirt cheap
I wish Case made a peanut in that size too.
I bought a couple of those little imperials, gave my grandfather one and put one up, like the carbon steel, maybe soft but gets sharp very easy, and as you said, great walk and talk. :thumbup:
Okay, that's it!
Gator skinning, snake disection, now lobster picking.
I nominate our own ElCuchillo for the Order Of The Golden Peanut award, for the most inovative and unusual uses of a peanut.
Okay, that's it!
Gator skinning, snake disection, now lobster picking.
I nominate our own ElCuchillo for the Order Of The Golden Peanut award, for the most inovative and unusual uses of a peanut.
Cool idea. He could even append it to his title like the Brits do with their titles. ElCuchillo, O.G.P. has a nice sound to it
ElCuchillo
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2006
- Messages
- 713
LOL
Wow!! The Order of the Golden Peanut award!! What an honor!!! I don't know what to say. I guess I can start by thanking Jackknife, our very own pocket knife sage for awarding me this distinct honor. I want to thank Popedandy for seconding it. I also want to thank fewpop, for if it wasn't for him sending me this Peanut a few years back, I would never have been able to attain this distinction.
I just want you all to know that, as the very first Order of the Golden Peanut award winner, I will continue to strive to distinguish this little cutter everyday. I will maintain a high level of innovation and imagination when it comes to how this little big knife can be used, and I will also continue to promote the use of this classic pattern no matter what the situation may be. There is nothing this little guy can't accomplish with a little ingenuity.
Once again, thank you. Thank you all very much!!!
Wow!! The Order of the Golden Peanut award!! What an honor!!! I don't know what to say. I guess I can start by thanking Jackknife, our very own pocket knife sage for awarding me this distinct honor. I want to thank Popedandy for seconding it. I also want to thank fewpop, for if it wasn't for him sending me this Peanut a few years back, I would never have been able to attain this distinction.
I just want you all to know that, as the very first Order of the Golden Peanut award winner, I will continue to strive to distinguish this little cutter everyday. I will maintain a high level of innovation and imagination when it comes to how this little big knife can be used, and I will also continue to promote the use of this classic pattern no matter what the situation may be. There is nothing this little guy can't accomplish with a little ingenuity.
Once again, thank you. Thank you all very much!!!
Last edited:
ElCuchillo's been carrying that acceptance speech for 3 years and finally got to use it.
*neener*
Why a Peanut over a Pen?
The Peanut has a blade to handle ratio in a light weight that is easy to pocket carry, meaning folks actually carry the knife.
It does not matter if one is a kid, or adult, nor if one is male or female.
Mode of dress, does not matter either, as the Peanut is just as comfy in ladies light skirt pocket, or gents dress pants, as it is in jeans.
According to Case's website, going to the Yellow Handle series page:
Peanut:
#0030
3220 CV 3220 SS
Clip and Pen Blades
2 7/8" closed; 1.2 oz.
Pen Knife
#0109
32087 CV or 32087 SS
Clip and Pen Blades
3 3/8" closed; 1.8 oz.
For sake of comparison of same series by the same maker.
Pocket Pal, a 3 1/4" (84mm) , Medium sized Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, with a single back spring and two Spear Point blades.
Not sure of the weight, still it is not much.
According to Victorinox:
3 1/4" (84 mm) knives-- blade is 2 1/2" (63 mm) long
3 1/4" (84 mm) knives-- blade is 1 5/8" (38 mm) long
Pocket Pal is a really neat knife!
Go grab a Pocket Pal and Peanut and compare the blade sizes.
Very close, and the Peanut has the clip for a main blade.
Many folks prefer a clip, over a spear blade for many tasks, I do for example.
Now compare the Case Pen knife if you have one, with any or all 3 of the ones I have mentioned.
Some folks find the Peanut, actually pocket carries better than a Pocket Pal.
Yes I know other patterns such as the Eisenhower were referred to in this thread.
There are other patterns by other manufacturers as well that fall into the "Pen knife" category.
You know how sometimes no matter how much you read the specifications, and measure something, it still surprises you?
Either positive or negative ?
Peanuts are a positive surprise to many folks.
It is sort of like folks never considering a Number 2 wooden pencil.
They see all these pens and pencils, with clips, and various features.
Twist to open, click to open, multi color inks, shapes, thin, thick, ergo and various cushions.
They sound and look neat, but once in hand, they feel funny.
Not to mention they pocket, or purse carry funny.
They snag a No. 2 pencil and jot down a note and "Huh!"
Darn pencil writes, a lot of lead to handle ratio, and easy to maintain.
No looking for leads or refills to fit, just sorta simple, plain , but the darn thing like a Peanut is proven to handle a multitude of tasks.
Peanut has that "feel" to it, due to its shape, that just feels good in just "piddling" with it.
Closed, just in hand, messing with it, like a worry stone or good luck charm.
Same as folks do a No 2 pencil and reading the paper, or listening to a lecture speaker or working a crossword puzzle.
Just my take, which mirrors others, why a Peanut is preferred by many folks.
*neener*
Why a Peanut over a Pen?
The Peanut has a blade to handle ratio in a light weight that is easy to pocket carry, meaning folks actually carry the knife.
It does not matter if one is a kid, or adult, nor if one is male or female.
Mode of dress, does not matter either, as the Peanut is just as comfy in ladies light skirt pocket, or gents dress pants, as it is in jeans.
According to Case's website, going to the Yellow Handle series page:
Peanut:
#0030
3220 CV 3220 SS
Clip and Pen Blades
2 7/8" closed; 1.2 oz.
Pen Knife
#0109
32087 CV or 32087 SS
Clip and Pen Blades
3 3/8" closed; 1.8 oz.
For sake of comparison of same series by the same maker.
Pocket Pal, a 3 1/4" (84mm) , Medium sized Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, with a single back spring and two Spear Point blades.
Not sure of the weight, still it is not much.
According to Victorinox:
3 1/4" (84 mm) knives-- blade is 2 1/2" (63 mm) long
3 1/4" (84 mm) knives-- blade is 1 5/8" (38 mm) long
Pocket Pal is a really neat knife!
Go grab a Pocket Pal and Peanut and compare the blade sizes.
Very close, and the Peanut has the clip for a main blade.
Many folks prefer a clip, over a spear blade for many tasks, I do for example.
Now compare the Case Pen knife if you have one, with any or all 3 of the ones I have mentioned.
Some folks find the Peanut, actually pocket carries better than a Pocket Pal.
Yes I know other patterns such as the Eisenhower were referred to in this thread.
There are other patterns by other manufacturers as well that fall into the "Pen knife" category.
You know how sometimes no matter how much you read the specifications, and measure something, it still surprises you?
Either positive or negative ?
Peanuts are a positive surprise to many folks.
It is sort of like folks never considering a Number 2 wooden pencil.
They see all these pens and pencils, with clips, and various features.
Twist to open, click to open, multi color inks, shapes, thin, thick, ergo and various cushions.
They sound and look neat, but once in hand, they feel funny.
Not to mention they pocket, or purse carry funny.
They snag a No. 2 pencil and jot down a note and "Huh!"
Darn pencil writes, a lot of lead to handle ratio, and easy to maintain.
No looking for leads or refills to fit, just sorta simple, plain , but the darn thing like a Peanut is proven to handle a multitude of tasks.
Peanut has that "feel" to it, due to its shape, that just feels good in just "piddling" with it.
Closed, just in hand, messing with it, like a worry stone or good luck charm.
Same as folks do a No 2 pencil and reading the paper, or listening to a lecture speaker or working a crossword puzzle.
Just my take, which mirrors others, why a Peanut is preferred by many folks.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 487
Yes, it is a single spring. Very elegant design. Mine is about 3/8" thick and 3 5/16" closed length. Small enough for a pocket and large enough to feel comfortable in my medium-sized hand.
Attachments
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2000
- Messages
- 6,676
Sounds like something a wise man once wrote in tribute to the merits of the Schrade 33OT Middleman Jack.
yablanowitz
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2006
- Messages
- 9,926
Another heathen among the faithful here. Although I try periodically, I just can't warm up to the peanut. There just isn't enough of it there for me to get a secure grip on. Looking at the knives I do carry and use, my comfort zone starts at a handle the length of my index finger and goes up. The peanut is a quarter-inch shy of that, so even when I do carry it, I don't use it for anything substantial. The Case yellow CV Pen gets a lot more carry time and use, since the length just makes my minimum.
ElCuchillo
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2006
- Messages
- 713
Sounds like something a wise man once wrote in tribute to the merits of the Schrade 33OT Middleman Jack.
LOL. Great minds think alike, I guess.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2007
- Messages
- 950
Well, I have a Peanut, and some pens.
I never thought I would like the Peanut, just seemed to small, but after I got one at a price I could justify, I found a lot about it that I like. It's small, fits in a watch pocket, or just about anyplace else. Sits in a shirt pocket just fine, too. It's built more solidly than most pen knives -- more substantial spring tension, the liner separates the blades, the half stops. It's just a solid little knife. I was surprised, honestly. I giggled when I opened the box -- I couldn't believe it was so small. But then I handled it some, and got more comfortable with the idea.
But it is small. There is not a lot of handle there. I am more happy with a larger knife if I am doing a bunch of work. I like the Texas Jack -- it is about the right size for most things for me. I heard someone say once that a small pocketknife for every person is a different size, because for most people, the small side of usability can be measured by laying the knife across the palm. The small knife, closed, should reach from the web of the pinky finger to the web of the thumb. That gives enough handle to hold onto, no matter the size of the blade. Bigger is okay, but that is the lower limit. For me, the Texas Jack fits that parameter. So does my Boker Whittler, and my Camillus Scout Whittler.
The Peanut is a niche knife for me. A nice, good cutter, built well, that fits anywhere and I can pull out to snip stuff or slice a steak w/o freaking anybody out. But I usually carry it in tandem with a bigger knife for doing work with.
Little bugger twisted in my hand the last time I carried it as my only knife, when I wasn't working it that hard. Got lost in there, and twisted, and bit my thumb, bad. I am smarter about how I use it now, and make sure I've got something more substantial along with it.
Anyhow, the Peanut over most Pens, because it's built better, and has blades about the same size while being a smaller package. And I like my pens.
I never thought I would like the Peanut, just seemed to small, but after I got one at a price I could justify, I found a lot about it that I like. It's small, fits in a watch pocket, or just about anyplace else. Sits in a shirt pocket just fine, too. It's built more solidly than most pen knives -- more substantial spring tension, the liner separates the blades, the half stops. It's just a solid little knife. I was surprised, honestly. I giggled when I opened the box -- I couldn't believe it was so small. But then I handled it some, and got more comfortable with the idea.
But it is small. There is not a lot of handle there. I am more happy with a larger knife if I am doing a bunch of work. I like the Texas Jack -- it is about the right size for most things for me. I heard someone say once that a small pocketknife for every person is a different size, because for most people, the small side of usability can be measured by laying the knife across the palm. The small knife, closed, should reach from the web of the pinky finger to the web of the thumb. That gives enough handle to hold onto, no matter the size of the blade. Bigger is okay, but that is the lower limit. For me, the Texas Jack fits that parameter. So does my Boker Whittler, and my Camillus Scout Whittler.
The Peanut is a niche knife for me. A nice, good cutter, built well, that fits anywhere and I can pull out to snip stuff or slice a steak w/o freaking anybody out. But I usually carry it in tandem with a bigger knife for doing work with.
Little bugger twisted in my hand the last time I carried it as my only knife, when I wasn't working it that hard. Got lost in there, and twisted, and bit my thumb, bad. I am smarter about how I use it now, and make sure I've got something more substantial along with it.
Anyhow, the Peanut over most Pens, because it's built better, and has blades about the same size while being a smaller package. And I like my pens.
Traditional folks discuss - them other folks argue.
*grin*
I fully understand everyone's hands are different. No argument from me.
The old rule of thumb was , one opens their "tool" or "strong hand" and the width of the relaxed hand across the palm indicated a handle that allowed them purchase and comfort in using a knife.
Take a note of what folk that whittle and wood carve, prefer in a handle length.
The blade might be a really short pen, coping or clip, still the handle being longer allows comfort and control.
Another rule, was to again relax the hand and measure to the web between middle to index finger.
This was one's pocket friendly size, allowing for about 90% of the tasks one will encounter requiring a pocket knife.
Neat huh?
I know, I know, now you folks want a traditional wooden ruler to measure your hands with.
Go bother Blues, get him to come up with a BFC Traditional Wooden Ruler
Just me, to really make everyone jealous, this ruler needs to be 5".
Oh , it needs to have a beaded key chain too.
Just 'cause we are traditional, does not mean we cannot be different.
*snicker*
*grin*
I fully understand everyone's hands are different. No argument from me.
The old rule of thumb was , one opens their "tool" or "strong hand" and the width of the relaxed hand across the palm indicated a handle that allowed them purchase and comfort in using a knife.
Take a note of what folk that whittle and wood carve, prefer in a handle length.
The blade might be a really short pen, coping or clip, still the handle being longer allows comfort and control.
Another rule, was to again relax the hand and measure to the web between middle to index finger.
This was one's pocket friendly size, allowing for about 90% of the tasks one will encounter requiring a pocket knife.
Neat huh?
I know, I know, now you folks want a traditional wooden ruler to measure your hands with.
Go bother Blues, get him to come up with a BFC Traditional Wooden Ruler
Just me, to really make everyone jealous, this ruler needs to be 5".
Oh , it needs to have a beaded key chain too.
Just 'cause we are traditional, does not mean we cannot be different.
*snicker*
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,035
Don't own a peanut.But I do own a few 3" or under knives. This one gets the most pocket time. a 2 3/4 104ot pen,single spring.
A close second is my 12ot 2 7/8 single blade.
I have one of the previously mentioned 33ot's but since its length and width are the same as a 34ot, the stockman is my usual choice.
A close second is my 12ot 2 7/8 single blade.
I have one of the previously mentioned 33ot's but since its length and width are the same as a 34ot, the stockman is my usual choice.
I'm not going to ask how you figured out iti s just as comfortable in a ladies skirt pocket as it is in your dress pants and jeans.
I was surprised I've liked the peanut as much as I do. I bought one just to see if I could figure out what everyone liked about it, but figured I wouldn't care for it at all. It turned out to have just the right feel in hand to be comfortable and is just big enough to be useful for office-type tasks.
Last edited:
I was born in 1955.
In my dresser drawer crib, my maternal grandma placed a Case Peanut, a .22 revolver, and other items a Southern Boy needs.
Grandma carried a Case Peanut, as one of her patterns and one of her pistols.
One was not dressed unless had a pocket knife on their person.
Men, women and even kids, did not head out the door, without a pocket knife.
We carried knives to school, and teachers wore dresses and skirts and...Peanut Pattern was one such knife the ladies carried in skirt and dress pockets.
Even gals wearing short short mini-skirts, could carry a Peanut, when the fashion come to be *oh boy!*
Some of those skirts have an inside "key pocket" much like a guy's bathing suit, or like the watch pocket on jeans, except in the inside .
Umm, yes, gals were raised to never be without a knife, to have emergency phone money, and key to get in the house/ car.
Traditions - that seem to have sorta gone by the wayside today.
Last edited:
We're the same age. I grew up out west. It was a lot the same. By the time we were in second or third grade pretty much everyone in school was carrying a pocketknife. I don't think anyone gave it a second thought. Everyone did it and it was no big deal. It's been long enough that I don't remember what pattern I carried, but I remember that it was a knife my grandmother's second husband gave me for Christmas. The two of them met for the first time in the early 1900s. Both families homesteaded in southern Idaho. He and grandma met when they were out herding their families' cattle. My dad has carried a toothpick for as long as I can remember. I sent him a nice new knife for father's day this year, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't just sit around and look nice in his dresser drawer while he continues to carry the toothpick.
Last edited:
Peanut or Pen?
Are we not supposed to collect the whole set? *yep*
neeman,
The way I understand it:
Peanut is a serpentine jack 2 3/4 , 2/78" inches. (less than 3" closed) with two blades
Big Nut, is a name referring to a Peanut with 3 or more blades.
Pen is a double ended knife that measures less than 3 1/2" closed
Senator is a also known as a Equal End Pen, and is perfectly oval in shape.
I am not that smart, so folks free to correct me if I am wrong
Are we not supposed to collect the whole set? *yep*
neeman,
The way I understand it:
Peanut is a serpentine jack 2 3/4 , 2/78" inches. (less than 3" closed) with two blades
Big Nut, is a name referring to a Peanut with 3 or more blades.
Pen is a double ended knife that measures less than 3 1/2" closed
Senator is a also known as a Equal End Pen, and is perfectly oval in shape.
I am not that smart, so folks free to correct me if I am wrong