Workman's knives collection coming together...somewhat.

Galeocerdoshark

Galeocerdoshark

Joined
May 21, 2011
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3,132
Hi all,

Over the past couple of years, I've been sneaking a classic traditional workman's knife in my collection here and there. You know how that goes. You're ordering a knife, and the same seller has some lower priced items you'd also like... and you just throw them in the basket.

Well, today I've gotten a nice package in the mail that allows me to broaden that small but growing collection of workman's knives.

Here they are, from left to right: a Mercator Katzmesser (this thing is pretty big if you ask me!), Case Jr. Sodbuster in CV (really wanted CV, and this must be the highest polish I've seen on a production CV knife ever) and last but not least, a Rough Rider Gunstock Barlow.



Another one...


So here's the collection 'till now. I already noticed some are missing, but I do have them (notably an Ankermesser /anchorknife and my svord Peasant).
Top to bottom: Case Jr. Sodbuster, Aitor Castor Mediana, Opinel 7, Lierenaar, Mercator Katzmesser, small Douk-Douk, small (or was it medium?) Higonokami


New gunstock barlow and old Case jack knife included...



So, I've got those... but which ones am I missing? There's room for improvement for sure. A Case Peanut maybe? A Stockman (but what brand is iconic with regards to this pattern)? A barlow (similar question: what brand)?

I must say that I do like the jack/barlow pattern. Main clip point blade, and secondary pen blade. I just find it very appealing ànd useful.
Here's the 1972 Case and the new RR again...




Hope you all enjoyed it. Suggestions regarding additions are definitely welcome!
 
You are missing a Stockman. I prefer the Case Chestnut Bone CV. This is a basic working knife.

Also, have you looked at the GEC #99 Farm-Field?
 
Nice collection :thumbup: This is a type of knife I also really like and admire. Unfortunately, I'm working myself at the moment, but I'll try and dig out some pics later. Nice thread idea :)

Have you thought about getting a Sheffield Lambsfoot?
 
DocT said:
You are missing a Stockman. I prefer the Case Chestnut Bone CV. This is a basic working knife.

Also, have you looked at the GEC #99 Farm-Field?
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Thanks for the suggestion. I do have a Kabar and Camillus stockman. Both are not yet what I'm looking for (the Camillus is just beat to death, actually, and the Ka-bar doesn't have the character).

Of course I've been looking at GEC's and they make some absolutely stunning blades, but I find them to be a bit out of the price range. Not MY price range, but the price range for a collection of workman's knives (which, in my head at least, are per definition affordable).

Jack Black said:
Nice collection :thumbup: This is a type of knife I also really like and admire. Unfortunately, I'm working myself at the moment, but I'll try and dig out some pics later. Nice thread idea :)

Have you thought about getting a Sheffield Lambsfoot?
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Be sure to post. I'd be glad to see them! I'll update this thread too with pics of the one's I've left out. I've thought of it, but I'm not sure about the brand?
 
A Schrade USA 8OT is about as workman as you can get as far as I'm concerned. I was able to pick one up on the secondary market pretty cheap. I got my 8OT and a 12OT (Schrade's peanut) for $20 for the pair. Both were used, but once I cleaned them up you'd never know it. I carry the 8OT and my wife snagged the 12OT and has been using it as her primary knife at work.
 
Nice collection and a good idea for one. Don't forget the lowly Buck 110, probably used by more workman over the last 50 years than any other knife.
 
I think you're missing a Svord Peasant. Sure it's a little rough around the edges (and the scales, and the tang, and...well you get what I mean) but it's a basic knife with soul. And they actually come up okay when you give the blade and wooden scales a bit of love.

The other one to consider would be a South African Okapi.
 
Cory Hess said:
A Schrade USA 8OT is about as workman as you can get as far as I'm concerned. I was able to pick one up on the secondary market pretty cheap. I got my 8OT and a 12OT (Schrade's peanut) for $20 for the pair. Both were used, but once I cleaned them up you'd never know it. I carry the 8OT and my wife snagged the 12OT and has been using it as her primary knife at work.
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Valid point. I actually don't own a single schrade knife. Mostly because I'm uncertain that I'll be buying old/new batch on online auction sites.

Augie said:
Nice collection and a good idea for one. Don't forget the lowly Buck 110, probably used by more workman over the last 50 years than any other knife.
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The Buck 110 is definitely on my list. Amazing that I still don't have one, actually.

Chris Larrikin said:
I think you're missing a Svord Peasant. Sure it's a little rough around the edges (and the scales, and the tang, and...well you get what I mean) but it's a basic knife with soul. And they actually come up okay when you give the blade and wooden scales a bit of love.

The other one to consider would be a South African Okapi.
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I've got a Svord Peasant, but it's not in the pic. Will have to update that. I've never heard of the last one. I'll definitely research it!

mr_badexample said:
TL-29 electricians knife?
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Got one, but also not in the pic. Jeesh, I've been sloppy!
 
All good suggestions :thumbup:

(Posting from the pub! ;) )
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
Valid point. I actually don't own a single schrade knife. Mostly because I'm uncertain that I'll be buying old/new batch on online auction sites.
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Schrade's are fairly easy to know if original or new, the originals will have USA stamped on the tang in some form, the current ones do not.
 
Updated...

The sight of me walking through the garden with bulky pockets must have been quite hilarious.



Top to bottom: Camillus Stockman, Kabar Stockman, Kabar microscopically small Stockman, Kabar Peanut, Anchor knife, Camillus TL-29, Mercator Katzmesser, Belgian (made in UK) 1950's army knife, Case Jr. Sodbuster, Opinel 7, Higonokami, Aitor Castor Mediana, Lierenaar, Svord Peasant, Victorinox Farmer, Douk-Douk, Case Jack, RR Gunstock Barlow...

Well, that's that :D. The large Stockmans (Stockmen?) have lost their snaps and/or halfstops if there were any so I indeed should get one that works properly. I do have a peanut, but there's only one peanut and that's a Case (imo) so I'll have to get that as well. I'll have to research that Okapi for sure. And I'll have to get some of the Schrades, as well as the Buck I suppose. Sheesh, and I thought I was almost there.
 
My Svord Peasant suggestion stands - you should replace that orange monstrosity with one with some wooden scales ;)

Also, I think there's a rule about only owning one Opinel. Something along the lines of either you don't have any or you need at least three... :D
 
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Great collection, nice to see a clasp knife in there :thumbup:
 
Not necessarily worth buying in addition to the Castor, but these Joker knives are also worth a look :thumbup:

 
This big old Joseph Rodgers Sheepsfoot is definitely a working man's knife I think.

 
Chris Larrikin said:
My Svord Peasant suggestion stands - you should replace that orange monstrosity with one with some wooden scales ;)
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I guess you're right.

Chris Larrikin said:
Also, I think there's a rule about only owning one Opinel. Something along the lines of either you don't have any or you need at least three... :D
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What's that? I can't hear you over the sound of my Opinels :D.


That's not counting the one in my car, first aid kit and kitchen drawer... There's a WIP in there as well. I guess you can say I kinda like Opinel knives.

Jack Black said:
Great collection, nice to see a clasp knife in there :thumbup:
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Thanks. And it just had to be in there. It might stretch the definition of workman's knife but it's mass produced, inexpensive and it's built to use.
Thank you for the suggestion on the Joker knife. It sure looks good. I'll look into it.
 
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