Your Traditional Knife of 2019

[kamagong]

2019 was a year of wishes fulfilled. I crossed three knives off my want list.

Let's start with the Aitor Castor. Jack brought this knife to my attention a few years back. It was discontinued not long after, so I didn't think I'd ever get one. When I saw one pop up I didn't hesitate and immediately grabbed it. An inexpensive knife, I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. Fit and finish could be better, the steel could be harder, but this peasant knife has proven its worth. It's a cutting tool, plain and simple. She knows her business and does it well.

Next up is a Cudeman Stiletto. I bought it because I needed a proper picnic knife. A Corsican Vendetta in all but name, it (along with the Castor) confirmed my preference for pointy, leaf shaped blades. I like the ease of sharpening the wharncliffe provides, and nothing is more beautiful than the clip point, but the cutting characteristics of a subtly curved leaf blade can't be beat.

As nice as the Cudeman is, it can't compare to my knife of 2019, the Waynorth Cutlery Lamb Foot. This is a knife that I had long dreamt of. Every time Harry would post his TEW I would drool in envy. I even started a thread several years back articulating my hope that maybe one day, GEC would decide to tackle this wonderful English pattern.

Somehow Charlie was able to convince Bill to give it a go. The knife that resulted was everything I could have hoped for. Fluted bolsters, gorgeous bone covers, and slim, graceful lines, I think this knife would have tempted Mallory himself.

My knife no longer looks this pristine, use and worry stoning has darkened the steel some. I hope that eventually she'll look like Paul's old treasure.

 

[Jordan@DLT]

Mine is definitely my Ebony Waynorth Lambfoot -

This knife is special for multiple reasons. It was the first American Made lambfoot, is the best quality lambfoot I have gotten to use and was given to me/I was encouraged to purchase it for my first father's day and had my boy's first initial and B-day engraved. This knife has been in my pocket most days and done a lot of work for me, it is the epitome of an excellent user.

 

[waverave]

Cool thread It has been a pretty good year! I think these three stand out for me though...

This Hammer NY HJ I bought from @waynorth at the OKCA show in April. Not only do I love the knife, but it was the first time I got to meet Charlie (and many others from BF)


This SFA #14 is an absolute beauty and there is no chance I would have ever scored something like this without the help of Travman


And this Camillus...basically my first mod. Although imperfect in many ways, it represents a whole new world of creativity that was opened up to me.

 

[JasonG™]

This started out as a run of the mill GEC 93 Ram's foot. I'm not a HUGE fan of the jigged bone look, so I had to get it recovered. I wanted a shadow pattern. I sent this off to Jason Ritchie (@Signalprick here on BF) and now i love it. I have way more expensive slipjoints, but this little micarta number is my favorite. Burgundy G-carta from Greg Hansen, recover by Jason Ritchie.

 

[Mayonardo]

View media item 7613View media item 7612For me it is this gorgeous all-around useful, fun to fondle, great eastern cutlery number 66 calf roper.
I’ve had a number of great eastern lives this year and learned that you have to have it and use it for a while before it’s real characteristics come to light. Sometimes I really thought I was going to love and they ended up on the block after a month or so. But this one, one that I’ve had in various covers, is the last knife standing.

 

[Pinemoon]

I bought this Case tribal lock this summer at a Case Knife event, got to meet Tony Bose, and got him to autograph the box. I have a yellow Delrin SS version from last year and found it to be a very handy knife, large enough to carry in a sheath but slim enough to slip in a pocket. When they came out with the whiskey bone CV version I knew it was what I "needed". I really like small (even tiny) knives, so the fact that I enjoy this one so much says a lot about the quality of the design in my humble opinion. Solid lockup, easy to get quite sharp, and the CV takes a great patina. The "Zulu" spear is a very practical blade shape and the handle is quite comfortable. I think the "bare head" design adds to the charm.

That is a nice one.
Just picked up a Tribal myself and an really liking it.

Great thread Jack, one I look forward to. It makes me think and take stock of the maddness of my accumulating.
Narrowing it down in my mind and will post a choice a bit later.

 

[Pomsbz]

My home made custom SAK, single layer with two blades. Simply a great great pocket knife. Made from a $9 2nd hand Spartan it has become 'the one'. I would never have believed it after years of searching for 'the one' that it would be so simple, so cheap and so very good.

 

[Wowbagger]

This SFA #14 is an absolute beauty and there is no chance I would have ever scored something like this without the help of Travman

Oh my gosh look at that knife !
I never use the term but if I ever did I would say that knife is "Stunning" !
What a prescence it has.
Not to put down the ebony handled knives here etc. I love ebony for a knife handle ! ! It's just that ebony is quiet and understated.

Well I bought a pile of knives this year. For once I won't blindly post any modern things by mistake in the Traditionals thread. See, I'm learning to look at the catagories though I forget often.

I bought a pile of Traditionals this year including my long pined after Ranch Boss and the very interesting to hold and use rough G-10 Buck Solo ! Is that discontinued already ? I wouldn't mind a larger version of that as well.
But
I bought these two this year a few months apart and as anyone who reads my drivel can tell you there isn't a knife out there that fits my hand and use better than a good old Case Trapper. Yes keeping in mind I bought the Ranch Boss and my first CRK 21 the knife I carried the most, in a belt pouch, this year would have to be the Case Trapper in Black Water Buffalo shown here. I love the robust handle of my Stag Case Trapper but am not no super about the way it looks. This Buffalo has much of the thickness of the Stag and some of the knarlyness but I like the look of it much more. Just a hint of brass (liners and pins) with the black scales. Case's rounded and polished liners and nicely done pins patina so nice in no time.
(these make a brilliant pair carried together; my idea of a two bladed knife . . . just carry two knives)


PS: I soon removed the spay blade from this Trapper.

 

[Wowbagger]

I bought this Case tribal lock this summer at a Case Knife event, got to meet Tony Bose, and got him to autograph the box. I have a yellow Delrin SS version from last year and found it to be a very handy knife, large enough to carry in a sheath but slim enough to slip in a pocket.

I totally agree. That it was good in the pocket surprised me.

That is a nice one.
Just picked up a Tribal myself and an really liking it.

Same here. My first lockback Case.
Good stuff !
(it would have been my fave but I'm a fat handle freak Think Buck 110 and Case Trapper)

 

[Wowbagger]

My home made custom SAK, single layer with two blades. Simply a great great pocket knife. Made from a $9 2nd hand Spartan it has become 'the one'. I would never have believed it after years of searching for 'the one' that it would be so simple, so cheap and so very good.

If there ever was a "Laser", as they call it around here, it would have to be my SAK Bantam. Single blade with a bottle opener.
Once re profiled it slips through BIG wire ties and says "I thought you had some work to do for me. Wire tie ? What wire tie ? Are we done already ? "

More photos !
More photos !

 

[Jack Black]

2019 was a year of wishes fulfilled. I crossed three knives off my want list.

Let's start with the Aitor Castor. Jack brought this knife to my attention a few years back. It was discontinued not long after, so I didn't think I'd ever get one. When I saw one pop up I didn't hesitate and immediately grabbed it. An inexpensive knife, I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. Fit and finish could be better, the steel could be harder, but this peasant knife has proven its worth. It's a cutting tool, plain and simple. She knows her business and does it well.

Next up is a Cudeman Stiletto. I bought it because I needed a proper picnic knife. A Corsican Vendetta in all but name, it (along with the Castor) confirmed my preference for pointy, leaf shaped blades. I like the ease of sharpening the wharncliffe provides, and nothing is more beautiful than the clip point, but the cutting characteristics of a subtly curved leaf blade can't be beat.

As nice as the Cudeman is, it can't compare to my knife of 2019, the Waynorth Cutlery Lamb Foot. This is a knife that I had long dreamt of. Every time Harry would post his TEW I would drool in envy. I even started a thread several years back articulating my hope that maybe one day, GEC would decide to tackle this wonderful English pattern.

Somehow Charlie was able to convince Bill to give it a go. The knife that resulted was everything I could have hoped for. Fluted bolsters, gorgeous bone covers, and slim, graceful lines, I think this knife would have tempted Mallory himself.

My knife no longer looks this pristine, use and worry stoning has darkened the steel some. I hope that eventually she'll look like Paul's old treasure.

Hey Christian, I'm so glad you were able to pick up a Castor I haven't carried mine in ages, but I must give it some pocket time soon. I think it may have been the original inspiration for this thread That Cudeman looks pretty cool too, I might have to pick one of those up Charlie showed amazing persistence in getting that Lambsfoot made by GEC, I hope Bill knows they made something really special there

Mine is definitely my Ebony Waynorth Lambfoot -

This knife is special for multiple reasons. It was the first American Made lambfoot, is the best quality lambfoot I have gotten to use and was given to me/I was encouraged to purchase it for my first father's day and had my boy's first initial and B-day engraved. This knife has been in my pocket most days and done a lot of work for me, it is the epitome of an excellent user.

That one ticks all the boxes of what this thread is about

Cool thread It has been a pretty good year! I think these three stand out for me though...

This Hammer NY HJ I bought from @waynorth at the OKCA show in April. Not only do I love the knife, but it was the first time I got to meet Charlie (and many others from BF)
View attachment 1250268

This SFA #14 is an absolute beauty and there is no chance I would have ever scored something like this without the help of Travman
View attachment 1250267

And this Camillus...basically my first mod. Although imperfect in many ways, it represents a whole new world of creativity that was opened up to me.
View attachment 1250266

Three outstanding knives Darren, but which one is your KNIFE of 2019?

This started out as a run of the mill GEC 93 Ram's foot. I'm not a HUGE fan of the jigged bone look, so I had to get it recovered. I wanted a shadow pattern. I sent this off to Jason Ritchie (@Signalprick here on BF) and now i love it. I have way more expensive slipjoints, but this little micarta number is my favorite. Burgundy G-carta from Greg Hansen, recover by Jason Ritchie.
View attachment 1250274

That's special

View media item 7613View media item 7612For me it is this gorgeous all-around useful, fun to fondle, great eastern cutlery number 66 calf roper.
I’ve had a number of great eastern lives this year and learned that you have to have it and use it for a while before it’s real characteristics come to light. Sometimes I really thought I was going to love and they ended up on the block after a month or so. But this one, one that I’ve had in various covers, is the last knife standing.

Love the #66 frame

That is a nice one.
Just picked up a Tribal myself and an really liking it.

Great thread Jack, one I look forward to. It makes me think and take stock of the maddness of my accumulating.
Narrowing it down in my mind and will post a choice a bit later.

Thanks buddy, looking forward to seeing what you decide. The first few months of the year, I really didn't think I was going to be able to decide, or have a single knife which stood out, with all the competition. Strange how some knives just take control of you

My home made custom SAK, single layer with two blades. Simply a great great pocket knife. Made from a $9 2nd hand Spartan it has become 'the one'. I would never have believed it after years of searching for 'the one' that it would be so simple, so cheap and so very good.

Nice

 

[waverave]

Three outstanding knives Darren, but which one is your KNIFE of 2019?

If I had to pick one it would be the green star SFA #14

 

[TheChunk91]

Error

 

[Prester John]

Hey Christian, I'm so glad you were able to pick up a Castor I haven't carried mine in ages, but I must give it some pocket time soon. I think it may have been the original inspiration for this thread That Cudeman looks pretty cool too, I might have to pick one of those up Charlie showed amazing persistence in getting that Lambsfoot made by GEC, I hope Bill knows they made something really special there



That one ticks all the boxes of what this thread is about



Three outstanding knives Darren, but which one is your KNIFE of 2019?



That's special



Love the #66 frame



Thanks buddy, looking forward to seeing what you decide. The first few months of the year, I really didn't think I was going to be able to decide, or have a single knife which stood out, with all the competition. Strange how some knives just take control of you



Nice

Great thread, Jack. Being OCD (or so I'm told!), I probably won't post till the evening of December 31. I am enjoying all of the posts, though.

 

[Prester John]

This year has been very good and I've been fortunate to acquire some truly great knives in 2019. This one is easily my ''knife of the year''

View attachment 1250355

I have to include the runner up though. Probably more scarce than the above knife, and its older, but it lost out by a fraction because of the red peachseed on that stockman.

View attachment 1250370

Beautiful Schrade stockman!

 

[Prester John]

I've had lots of great knives this year, but for me, 2019 has definitely been THE YEAR OF THE LAMBSFOOT, and all the knives I have under consideration are of that pattern.

First of all, the 2019 Guardians Lambsfoot SFO in Desert Ironwood. I was hugely impressed by my sample, the wood had a character I'd never seen before.

Unfortunately, soon after I got the knife, some Butter-Fingered Oaf, asking to look at it, managed to throw it into the air, and the resultant fall onto textured concrete made a mess of the wood I eventually got it repaired, but the manufacturer took so long about it, that by the time I got it back, I had bonded with the other model I'd bought, which I named Lucy (Westenra) because of two 'puncture marks

A few months later, I got the chance to purchase some Lambsfoot blades in Damascus, and had 20 knives made up in 4 patterns.

I carried this one for a while, and it is certainly my fanciest Lambsfoot knife.

Strangely, for reasons which have been examined at length in the Guardians thread, the Lambsfoot pattern never crossed The Pond in the way that other blade patterns did. My friend Charlie @waynorth has spent years gently trying to poke GEC in the direction of producing the first US-made Lambsfoot, and we have been discussing his project for years. So, I was tremendously excited when Charlie told me, at the start of the year, that GEC had finally given the go-ahead to produce a Lambsfoot for him. The resultant historic knife is beautifully elegant, and Charlie generously gifted me an example in sublime jigged bone and another in dark-as-night ebony. Two wonderful knives I will treasure always

A month or so earlier in the year though, another project of my own finally came to fruition, my Hartshead Barlow, named for the small area in Sheffield where the world's first Barlow Knives were made. All steel construction, covers in Rosewood and vintage Sambar Stag, I didn't have anywhere near as long as Charlie did invested in his Lambsfoot project, but getting Sheffield cutlers to make anything 'different' (however traditional), and to a better standard than they have become accustomed to making, is always a lot of hard work

I've been very pleased with both models, but the stag model has taken hold of my pocket in a way that no other knife has come close to this year, or for a long time previously. I really struggle not to carry it! So, despite strong competition, my Traditional Knife of 2019 is my Hartshead Barlow

The Hartshead Barlow is an extraordinary knife.

 

[Jack Black]

If I had to pick one it would be the green star SFA #14

You do! That's the purpose of the darn thread!

This year has been very good and I've been fortunate to acquire some truly great knives in 2019. This one is easily my ''knife of the year''

View attachment 1250355

I have to include the runner up though. Probably more scarce than the above knife, and its older, but it lost out by a fraction because of the red peachseed on that stockman.

View attachment 1250370

Very nice

The Hartshead Barlow is an extraordinary knife.

Thanks Vince

 

[Ironbut]

I picked up quite a few nice traditionals this year, but if I could only keep one, it'd be this large Texas Jack that I picked up from the classifieds here. It's quickly become a favourite.

 

[Prester John]

I picked up quite a few nice traditionals this year, but if I could only keep one, it'd be this large Texas Jack that I picked up from the classifieds here. It's quickly become a favourite.

Great colour & jigging.

 

[Travman]

I have one more knife coming in a few days so I can’t finalize my decision. Let’s not forget the upcoming 2019 Blade Forums knife.