Your Traditional Knife of 2020

[Jack Black]

I’ve gotten many nice knives this year as many of you have, but my KOTY is going to a small very cheap advertising knife from the early 70s. I finally got it this year so I believe it qualifies. Please bare with me while I tell you the story of how I finally came to own this special little knife.
My grandfather and grandmother owned a place called the Stardust Lounge along Rt. 20 in Northern Indiana in the 60s and early 70s. My grandfather had some knives made to handout to customers. As a young boy, I thought they were the coolest things I’d ever seen. Years after closing the place my grandfather passed away and one of the cheap little knives that my grandfather carried became my father’s. Much time passed and due to a divorce my dad and I didn’t see one another that often and over the years I forgot about that little knife. After my father passed 6 years ago we were going through his things and I found an old sign that used to be in the lounge my grandfather owned. When I saw the sign (which I kept of course), I remembered the knife but couldn’t find it anywhere. This past spring his wife was throwing out a box of stuff that she deemed “worthless”. The neighbor saw some old photos in that box and figured I’d want them, so they grabbed the box from the curb and contacted me. In the bottom of the box under the photos was this cheap yet priceless little advertising knife from the days of the old Stardust Lounge. It now sits along side my very best GECs, Bokers, and Case knives and isn’t worth a thing to anyone but me and that is exactly why it is my KOTY!
View attachment 1479564 View attachment 1479565

Fantastic story

 

[btb01]

I’ve gotten many nice knives this year as many of you have, but my KOTY is going to a small very cheap advertising knife from the early 70s. I finally got it this year so I believe it qualifies. Please bare with me while I tell you the story of how I finally came to own this special little knife.
My grandfather and grandmother owned a place called the Stardust Lounge along Rt. 20 in Northern Indiana in the 60s and early 70s. My grandfather had some knives made to handout to customers. As a young boy, I thought they were the coolest things I’d ever seen. Years after closing the place my grandfather passed away and one of the cheap little knives that my grandfather carried became my father’s. Much time passed and due to a divorce my dad and I didn’t see one another that often and over the years I forgot about that little knife. After my father passed 6 years ago we were going through his things and I found an old sign that used to be in the lounge my grandfather owned. When I saw the sign (which I kept of course), I remembered the knife but couldn’t find it anywhere. This past spring his wife was throwing out a box of stuff that she deemed “worthless”. The neighbor saw some old photos in that box and figured I’d want them, so they grabbed the box from the curb and contacted me. In the bottom of the box under the photos was this cheap yet priceless little advertising knife from the days of the old Stardust Lounge. It now sits along side my very best GECs, Bokers, and Case knives and isn’t worth a thing to anyone but me and that is exactly why it is my KOTY!
View attachment 1479564 View attachment 1479565

That’s really cool!

 

[brownshoe]

Michael Zeiba Heritage Slipjoint in marbeled carbon fiber.
https://www.dlttrading.com/zieba-heritage-slipjoint-marble-carbon-fiber-415

Totally meets Traditional Forum rules but a lot sexier than a Lionsteel

 

[bigfish64]

Fantastic story

That’s really cool!

Thanks, you guys it was a remarkable chain of events, it was fun sharing it.

 

[redsparrow]

This year has certainly been a difficult one. But on a brighter side it has been an exceptional year for quality cutlery. Four knives come to mind as I consider my 2020 KOTY.

The first contender was quite a surprise. I didn't think that I would like it as much as I do but the 2020BF Viper is a thrill to use and a joy to look at.

Unfortunately it's just too new for me to nominate it as my KOTY.

Next is GEC's Pioneer Trapper. Absolutely love it...

...and if my state carry laws were different it would be my KOTY.

The next possiblity for KOTY wasn't a surprise to me. I could hardly wait to receive it and I was extremely fortunate that I was able to acquire both of the models I wanted most;

The Venerable GEC Mustang.

I like the 74s so much that it has actually been fairly difficult giving other knives any pocket time this year. But since I have enjoyed various 74s for several years I thought it only fair to nominate something new for 2020.

Hence an incredible pointy and capable slicer was able to rise to first place;
GEC's 62s

And specifically the one that has been finding it's way into my RFP about half the days since it's early February release - MY 2020 KOTY

The Snakewood Easy Pocket Congress

The 62s took me completely by surprise being a swayback design (which I'm not usually partial too) but after receiving the first one, I found it fit my hand, pocket, budget and taste and gladly picked up a few more.
All of the above mentioned contenders could be a KOTY in any given year. All are such fine pieces of cutlery that in order to select one over the others, (let the reader notice) three were disqualified through no fault of their own. As I have already stated, "it has been an exceptional year for quality cutlery." I hope that in future years the choice will not be so difficult.

sparerow​

 

[RayseM]

4 for bigfish64 's story. There's a movie in there, just need a few goils.

 

[Camillus]

For me this year was all about stopping and appreciating things I already have, rather than always wanting things I don’t.
So this is the one.

 

[danno50]

I only acquired 8 knives in 2020, two of which were the BF traditional forum knife. I did carry one of them a bit, but am now back to my usual carry knife for the past few years. My knife of the year for 2020 would be the fixed blade below. I carried it in my pack while hunting, and used it to debone and cut up the small whitetail buck my grandson shot in November.

 

[Camillus]

Beautiful little knife danno50 -please tell us the model and make.

 

[r8shell]

The two knives that I used and carried the most this year, do not qualify for KOTY2020, because I got them last year. A Lambsfoot "Big'un" Jack Black SFO in bagpipe ebony, and a GEC #29 Stockyard Whittler. I went back to check out last year's thread, to see which one I had chosen, and I found that I hadn't posted. I guess I just couldn't make up my mind in time.

So, I've been mulling over which knife might be nominated for this year. I acquired a GEC #62 Pocket Carver last spring, and used it to whittle a few times, but it hadn't gotten as much everyday use as knives I've had for longer. Being on a tight budget in this difficult year, I've been focusing my knife buying impulses on inexpensive vintage knives.

And then! Just in the nick of time on Christmas Eve, a package arrived with a knife I'd bought on ebay. The pictures hadn't been very clear, and it was erroneously described as a two-bladed bone-handled penknife: unknown maker. Squinting hard at the photos, I suspected that it was actually a whittler. Perhaps one of the small blades was broken. I decided to take a gamble that it might be something interesting to look at.
I open the box and Yes! It is an intact Whittler, with ivory scales! I spent some time over this holiday weekend googling and reading, and I do believe that this knife was made by Carl Otto Ryd (C.O.Ryd) in Eskilstuna, Sweden between 1876 and 1918.

After spending some time cleaning a bunch of black, crusty dirt from inside the well, and oiling the pivots, I find it's in perfectly fine, usable shape. This morning, I carefully touched up the edges of the blades with a fine ceramic stone and put it in the watch pocket of my jeans.
Why is this my 2020 Knife Of The Year (even though I've only had it for a few days)? Because it's not only a fine and worthy knife, it's the experience. Buying some old and interesting thing, simply because it appeals to me. Then researching and reading about an obscure and almost forgotten knife maker. Sharing pictures, putting it in my pocket to use (lightly) giving new life to a neglected 100+ year old knife: this is the part of knife collecting that originally brought me to The Porch.

Thanks for hosting this yearly thread, Jack.

 

[JohnDF]

Sharing pictures, putting it in my pocket to use (lightly) giving new life to a neglected 100+ year old knife: this is the part of knife collecting that originally brought me to The Porch.

Quality post.

 

[danno50]

Beautiful little knife danno50 -please tell us the model and make.

It is a puukko, forged by a Finnish smith, Alti Kankaanpaa. The handle and sheath were done by a guy named Boris Krylov. I believe he is from Oklahoma.

 

[315]

Well, I’ve been thinking about the knives I picked up in 2020. Some of them were patterns similar to what I already have, or duplicates of the same. Some were a little different, but there is pretty much a common theme in what I prefer. Stockman’s and Swiss Army knives make up the majority of my collection. I’ve told this story a few different times, but I like it so I’ll tell it again.
Somewhere in the early 80’s I bought an Old Timer 34OT. I carried it to school, working on farms, hunting, fishing, pretty much everywhere. And I used the daylights out of it. Sometime in 1989 I lost it when I was in the Marines. I ended up buying a Victorinox Small Tinker at the Henderson Hall PX. I used some 550 cord to dummy cord it to my belt loop so I wouldn’t lose it. That knife went to the Persian gulf, island of Iwo Jima, all over the US and did a ton of work for me. I picked up a few knives over the years but never went crazy until I found this forum, then my meager little collection exploded. Part of it was a quest for “the one”, which for me I don’t think exists. Part of it was for the nostalgia of some American made knives that were no longer. In the last few years my tastes really haven’t changed, stockman and Swiss Army Knives.

The one knife I always thought would be the perfect Swiss Army knife, was one I didn’t own. They were readily available, not expensive, I just didn’t have one. I rectified that this year and picked one up. I know many of you turn away at the idea of a Swiss Army knife being traditional, and that’s OK. But I would imagine many people in the European countries view the nostalgia of a SAK the way I see a stockman.

So my 2020 knife of the year for me, a Victorinox Camper...As much as I like my Small Tinker, this is the knife I should have bought back in the 80’s.

I liked it so much, I bought spares..... Here’s to 2021

 

[OldHercDude]

Well, I’ve been thinking about the knives I picked up in 2020. Some of them were patterns similar to what I already have, or duplicates of the same. Some were a little different, but there is pretty much a common theme in what I prefer. Stockman’s and Swiss Army knives make up the majority of my collection. I’ve told this story a few different times, but I like it so I’ll tell it again.
Somewhere in the early 80’s I bought an Old Timer 34OT. I carried it to school, working on farms, hunting, fishing, pretty much everywhere. And I used the daylights out of it. Sometime in 1989 I lost it when I was in the Marines. I ended up buying a Victorinox Small Tinker at the Henderson Hall PX. I used some 550 cord to dummy cord it to my belt loop so I wouldn’t lose it. That knife went to the Persian gulf, island of Iwo Jima, all over the US and did a ton of work for me. I picked up a few knives over the years but never went crazy until I found this forum, then my meager little collection exploded. Part of it was a quest for “the one”, which for me I don’t think exists. Part of it was for the nostalgia of some American made knives that were no longer. In the last few years my tastes really haven’t changed, stockman and Swiss Army Knives.

The one knife I always thought would be the perfect Swiss Army knife, was one I didn’t own. They were readily available, not expensive, I just didn’t have one. I rectified that this year and picked one up. I know many of you turn away at the idea of a Swiss Army knife being traditional, and that’s OK. But I would imagine many people in the European countries view the nostalgia of a SAK the way I see a stockman.

So my 2020 knife of the year for me, a Victorinox Camper...As much as I like my Small Tinker, this is the knife I should have bought back in the 80’s.

I liked it so much, I bought spares..... Here’s to 2021

Nice choice IMHO.

(I had a SAK Camper dummy corded into the knife pockets of my flight suits for 16 years.)

 

[Nature Boy]

I am fortunate to own a number of knives that belonged to both of my grandfathers, but this is the one that I have the most memories of; like my grandfather cleaning his nails, and then, immediately after, cutting us up an apple.

I was ecstatic when my dad told me to take it last month.

Happy New Year!

 

[JoeGoblyn]

This year has sucked so bad. Covid killing several people in my life really bummed me out. On top of that not being able to hang out with friends and go out for food and drinks, even work has been cancelled at times and that’s not as fun as it should be when the whole world is closed. Lots of time solo at the house. The bright side has been The Porch. Even when I’m not participating, being able to check in and ogle the knives and try and track stuff down has been a nice distraction.


Anyway, here’s my KOTY candidates:

The GEC 33 is the first “5th pocket knife” that I’ve really gotten into. I have some others and even the mighty Peanut just hasn’t stuck with me. But this one has been great. There’s a lot of blade for such a small knife.

Next up is the 2020 forum knife. I love the lionsteel Doms that I have and am a believer in the quality of them, but the idea of a wharncliffe just had me doubtful. But once I got mine in the mail it’s was all over. It finds a lot of time in my pocket.

The almost winner and final runner up is this Case 6235 ½. An old knife that makes me remember how much Case was “the king of the hill” in my mind when it came to pocketknives as a kid. This is one I’d love to see come out of the vault soon. It’s a perfect everyday jack knife.

But the winner of Knife of the Year for me was this Wenger Soldier (?). I’m not a big SAK guy, but this thing is near impossible to leave behind. I carry it daily. And I’m happy to admit that I was wrong for doubting it, but all of you guys that praise the awl in a pocket knife were 100% correct.

Happy new year to you all. And here’s to being able to see family and friends next year.

Joe

 

[Jack Black]

Some great entries over the last few days Thanks folks Still time to get a post in before I do the draw tomorrow, if you're still deciding Happy New Year everyone

 

[Jack Black]

Well, it's 2021 now, so time to wrap up this thread Thank you to everyone who has contributed, whether you had a knife to nominate or not. Lots of really great contributions for 2019, and some excellent choices. Now, it's time to start thinking of your KOTY 2021

In terms of the giveaway, I just threw everyone's name in the hat, except for a few people who opted out. So, if your name is drawn, and you don't fancy the patch, just let me know, and I'll do the draw again

Reading through all the posts again was quite a task!

Right, here we are with the names in the hat!

Just giving them all a good shuffle, and I'll be doing the same again, and drawing the names with my eyes closed (obviously)

 

[Jack Black]

The first name drawn is @Pàdruig ! Congratulations Dylan (if that's appropriate). Please let me know if you'd like one of the patches

 

[Jack Black]

And the second name out of the hat is @kamagong . Congratulations Christian, please let me know if you want to claim this small prize

Thanks again everyone