Your list of top 5 "must-own" traditionals?

Just a suggested starting point for someone new to Traditionals (or someone already in deep, but somewhat unsatisfied) and in no particular order;

Morakniv (take your pick)
Opinel (the one that fits your hand best)
Sodbuster (Case, A G Russel, Robert Klass, etc.)
SAK (so many to choose from)
Stockman (Buck, Schrade (UH & OT), Case)

All can be had for less than $35 each, if you look around.
All are solid examples of historic cutlery.
 
Trapper
Jack
'skrat
Barlow
Scout

whooaaa dragon whoooaaaaaaa
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This.
 
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To be honest, the world of traditional pocket knives (and fixed blades) is too wide to say what five knives might fit the definition.
In such a range of variety, taste is king.
And your cultural roots are the queen...cause a balisong or a pattadesa could mean nothing to an American, just like a stockman to a southern European :p
So, my advice is: never care about the "must own", and decide the "want to own" :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Very good advice, Fausto.

My five wants:
Opinel
Douk-douk
Mercator k55k black cat
Case medium congress with CV blades
Another TC Barlow

:)
 
With my list, I am thinking of the older versions (pre mid-80's) of some classics that shouldn't break the bank.

1. Schrade 8OT
2. Schrade 34OT
3. Case 6332
4. Case 6318
5. Kabar or Camillus Barlow
 
Any brand...any size:

1. Stockman
2. Congress
3. Trapper
4. Single blade, any style
5. Nothing else really necessary
 
My Five:
Douk Douk
Mercator "Black Cat"
Opinel #8
Otter Messer Bone knife
Therias and L' Econome French Sailor's knife (Sheeps foot)
 
Here's my picks:

1. Small stockman/peanut/or pen knife for watch or front shirt pocket (ex. Schrade 108OT, Case Peanut, Vic Pocket Pal or Secretary)
2. Vic Alox Pioneer (pocket with change and other stuff as it wont be damaged by junk)
3. Medium to Large Stockman or Congress in nice bone, wood or stag ( for whittling or wood working duties)
4. Carbon Opinel (6, 7, or 8) perfect for your on the go steak/paring knife
5. Douk Douk Squirrel (a big slim knife for the back pocket)

Alternative to one of the above (for a good hardworking utility single blade folder): Case Sod Buster Junior with CV blades in Yellow delrin, Aitor Castor Pequeya or Mediana, EKA Swede 38 in Carbon, Higonokami medium size, Mora 2/0 or 1
 
top five traditional folders ,,,,,,,,hmmmmmmm,,,to me that would have to be.....
1. a medium stockman
2. a barlow
3. a trapper
4. a congress
5. a sodbuster

but I could have also said a peanut , a grand daddy barlow , a canoe , or a etc etc
 
This has been an entertaining thread. How about hearing from the OP, what have you learned.

My contribution is this, five I don't have. Ha

300
 
GEC Calf Roper Stockman
GEC TC Barlow
Case Heavy Jack
GEC 48 Improved Trapper
GEC 81 Abilene Stockman
 
  1. Buck 110 or 112
  2. Opinel 8 or 7, Carbon if you're willing to do the maintenance. SS if you're not.
  3. Case Stockman Large or Medium, CV if you're willing to do the maintenance. SS if you're not.
  4. Case Seahorse - Currently only available in SS. Very popular with whittlers.
  5. Texas Toothpick, basically a folding single blade long narrow clip point. As usual, Case makes a good one. There are some slight variations to the Texas Toothpick pattern that have been around for a long time.
That should give you a very good range of blade types and the most popular patterns for not a lot of money. Whittlers will use all of these patterns, but I'm getting the feeling that if they could only have ONE knife to whittle with it would be the Case Seahorse because of the Wharncliffe and the narrow coping blade.

Many woodworkers might pick the Opinel as their only knife. It is a very flexible (meaning many uses, not "flexi") blade shape. Excellent swiss steel. Convex grind that works well and is easy to resharpen. Lots of straight with a good strong tip. Very good locking mechanism that locks the blade open and closed. Very comfortable grip for extended use. Available in a size to fit every hand from midget to giant. Very affordable.
 
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Here are 5 I’ve got, love and would recommend to add to a collection. Some are hard to come by but worth the wait. Some are readily available at dealers and the exchange.

1. GEC #15, any of the many choices but my fav is the Beer Scout.
2. Northwoods (GEC) Esky Zulu.
3. Case Copperlock or Mini Copperlock, again any one that catches your eye.
4. Enigma Knives Classic 01
5. Either of the Forum knives from 2015(Canal st.Cutlery) or 2016(GEC)
 
spyderg said:
Here are 5 I’ve got, love and would recommend to add to a collection. Some are hard to come by but worth the wait. Some are readily available at dealers and the exchange.

1. GEC #15, any of the many choices but my fav is the Beer Scout.
2. Northwoods (GEC) Esky Zulu.
3. Case Copperlock or Mini Copperlock, again any one that catches your eye.
4. Enigma Knives Classic 01
5. Either of the Forum knives from 2015(Canal st.Cutlery) or 2016(GEC)
Click to expand...
Very nice thread you've found and brought back up
 
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