Your pick for an EDC traditional under $300.

[AZGabe]

I love Ironwood. Have a couple that might qualify as a gentleman's knife. Not counting the Albers fixed on top... Boker Boxer, Fontenlle Pataud Laguiole (11cm IIRC), and the Boker Uno mentioned by A AZGabe in the post above. For reference, the Uno is 4 1/8" long with a blade just a hair over 3 1/4".

Does the Uno have a half stop?

 

[OldHercDude]

Does the Uno have a half stop?

No, it does not.

 

[OldHercDude]

I was looking at the LionSteel Bestman today. Looks nice. No one mentioned the Fallkniven GP. Is it not so great?

I have a GP in the green micarta, and honestly I expected more for the money. Not that it's a bad knife, but for that price I didn't expect a blade that cants to one side when open while centered closed. And considered "normal" by the company. And with the blade centered while closed the action is so loose I can drop-open the knife. Tightening the action so it isn't so free de-centers the blade. Maybe too much OCD-induced pickiness on my part.

 

[hhmoore]

My almost everyday traditional is a Buck 501... generally the DLT exclusive in green micarta and s35vn; but the 12/20 BOTM in red burlap and CPM154 gets a lot of carry, as well.

 

[OldHercDude]

Thinking about adding my first traditional to my collection (locking or slip joints). I’m obsessed with bolsters lately. I’d like to keep it under $300. So far , the Fallkniven GP is at the top of my list. Any other suggestions?

Missed this the first time around. Are you looking for a specific material? Size of bolster?

Again with Boker, what has become my favorite knife and seen the most pocket carry the last 12+ months has been the Boker Barlow Expedition. Green Micarta handle and matte raw brass bolsters. It certainly has a look once it starts to patina then wear off with carry and use.

New in 2020:

Recent:

They have other more standard nickel-silver bolsters, various handle materials and blade steel combinations. Some knives have been made with reclaimed wood from an old castle. Also some unique combos coming down the pipe including a desert ironwood/ copper, and sometimes patterned steels from WWII equipment.

 

[Wolverine666]

Missed this the first time around. Are you looking for a specific material? Size of bolster?

Again with Boker, what has become my favorite knife and seen the most pocket carry the last 12+ months has been the Boker Barlow Expedition. Green Micarta handle and matte raw brass bolsters. It certainly has a look once it starts to patina then wear off with carry and use.

New in 2020:

Recent:

They have other more standard nickel-silver bolsters, various handle materials and blade steel combinations. Some knives have been made with reclaimed wood from an old castle. Also some unique combos coming down the pipe including a desert ironwood/ copper, and sometimes patterned steels from WWII equipment.

I’ve been looking at Boker and they have some good looking gent knives. As far as bolsters go , I’m partial to stainless or titanium. But I’m open to other metals too.

That’s disappointing to hear about the Fallkniven GP. I really like the look and size of it (from what I’ve seen online). I’m also looking at the Boker Barlow and LionSteel Bestman among others.

 

[Railsplitter]

I'm partial to the Buck 112.


The Boker Scout series are also nice lock backs.

Scout
Junior Scout
Boy Scout

 

[Wolverine666]

I'm partial to the Buck 112.
View attachment 1788498

The Boker Scout series are also nice lock backs.

Scout
Junior Scout
Boy Scout
View attachment 1788499View attachment 1788500

Some good looking bolsters right there. Love the look of the Scouts

 

[Ajack60]

Modern slip joints, Viper Hug and Kershaw Federalist

 

[black mamba]

Another vote for the Viper Hug. Size, shape of the blade, quality of the steel, everything just right for a single blade.
I like the Dark Matter Red Carbon Fiber version.

 

[joeradza]

Along the lines of OldHercDude 's post I've been looking at some gorgeous Fench cutlery that might be what you're looking for. Check out the Corsican L' Anto. It's a locking folder about 4.7" closed and is available in many handle choices. This is stabilized beech.

 

[Peregrin]

Along the lines of OldHercDude 's post I've been looking at some gorgeous Fench cutlery that might be what you're looking for. Check out the Corsican L' Anto. It's a locking folder about 4.7" closed and is available in many handle choices. This is stabilized beech.View attachment 1788628

I like that! Sent me searching, Alan!

 

[Wolverine666]

I like that! Sent me searching, Alan!

Same here. But where to buy?

 

[Peregrin]

Same here. But where to buy?

I'll message you.

 

[joeradza]

I'll message you.

Thanks Gary. Beat me to it. Not a supporting BF dealer, but one of the best in the world.

 

[DavidABQ]

Lets see, an EDC for under $300? I am rather fond of the GEC model 78. That is my final answer.

 

[Railsplitter]

Some good looking bolsters right there. Love the look of the Scouts

They offer a few Scouts with Drop Point blades as well. I’d like to get one myself someday.

 

[Chief]

GEC 42 lockback on the right. Available in stainless, slim enough for the pocket and in the size range you are looking for. Might take a while to find one but don't be discouraged. IMO 42s have the best lockup of GECs lockbacks. I don't need a knife that large as I generally carry an LUDT too. 83 on the left gets a lot of pocket time.

 

[OldHercDude]

I’ve been looking at Boker and they have some good looking gent knives. As far as bolsters go , I’m partial to stainless or titanium. But I’m open to other metals too.

That’s disappointing to hear about the Fallkniven GP. I really like the look and size of it (from what I’ve seen online). I’m also looking at the Boker Barlow and LionSteel Bestman among others.

I thought I replied yesterday, I guess not. Oops.

Anyways, my GP might be a fluke on the edge of "within tolerances". And my attention to detail can be a bit excessive. Otherwise, it's a nice-sized folder, I love the blade shape, the Micarta is nice. Haven't used it much, so I can't comment on edge retention, sharpening, etc...

 

[5K Qs]

Don't be shy! I think you should try a bunch of "traditional" traditionals to see which pattern(s) you end up liking. What could be more traditional than carbon steel Case pocket knives with yellow synthetic handles? Maybe you'd like a mini trapper ($47), a pen knife ($49), a Sod Buster Jr. ($30), a sowbelly stockman ($64), a copperhead ($53), and a slimline trapper ($40). You can have them ALL for under $300! And you can even make some substitutions: maybe a peanut ($43) instead of a pen knife; maybe a large stockman ($63) or a medium stockman ($53) instead of a sowbelly stockman; maybe a full-sized trapper ($50) instead of a mini trapper or slimline trapper; maybe a mini copperlock ($58) instead of a copperhead. (Many of these patterns are available in stainless for the same price, but it's probably not the stainless you're used to, and there's real "traditional aesthetic appeal" in the visual combination of a carbon steel blade with patina on a yellow-handled knife!)

Here's a photo of a couple of yellow synthetic carbon steel Case knives I have, a slimline trapper and a pen knife. Note that at the time of the photo, the slimline trapper was almost new and had almost no patina on the blade, while the older pen knife had been used enough that its blades have darkened.


When I first started investigating traditional patterns, I was basically unfamiliar with most of them, and I ordered a set of 12 different patterns with matching handles (Chinese Rough Riders were my choice, at about $7.50 per knife). There were a couple of patterns (canoe and sowbelly stockman) that completely surprised me in terms of how quickly they won my heart; I'd have never known if I hadn't "taken a chance" on some patterns with which I was totally unfamiliar.

Best wishes and have fun!

- GT