Your Traditional Knife of the Year 2021 (Please read post #1 before posting)

[btb01]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

This is one of my favorite Porch traditions! I look forward to the thread every year. Most of us are here on an almost daily basis, talking knives, posting pictures of knives, reading about knives, looking at knives, and often it feels like the focus is on what’s new, what’s next. So I think it’s nice to stop and reflect on what you already have, and what knife has really become your knife, rather than just another addition to the collection.

I also enjoy looking back at my own posts in the previous years’ threads, to see if those KsOTY remain favorites or not.

So this year, my Knife of the Year is the Hultafors Chisel Knife

That’s an interesting one, Jack. It certainly looks like useful knife. The handle and sheath remind me of a Mora, and I see they’re both made in Sweden, but it doesn’t appear that the companies are connected.

(Also, I’m glad you had a knife worth nominating and were able to participate in your own thread this year!)

My Knife of the Year is the GEC #68 White Owl in Jigged Bone... Thank you Barrett btb01 btb01 for the wonderful gift.

As I know you know from experience, John, it’s a pleasure to be able to gift a knife to a friend, and it’s even better when they really like it, so I’m honored and quite pleased that you nominated that White Owl as your Knife of the Year.

For me, this year’s pick was an easy one, but I’ll share a few runners-up anyways.

Much like my KOTY last year (the BF Viper), I was surprised how much I like this modern-traditional LionSteel Bolus, and I carried it quite a bit this summer.

I have to mention this Fejesgörbe made by László Papp, my first Hungarian-made knife, which showed up mysteriously and turned out to be a gift from Jolipapa . A very interesting knife, and unlike anything else I have.

Then, of course, there’s Merle. For me, this year’s forum knife might have been “just another forum knife” — special because of what it represents, but probably not my personal favorite among the forum knives that I’ve been around for — but the decision to send it off to Chip WValtakis and turn it into a project anyone on the Porch can take part in has made it very special to me. And while I had a lot of fun carrying Merle to kick off his journey, I only had him for two weeks, and who knows when I’ll see him again, so I don’t think he can be “the one.”

My Knife of the Year this year has to go to the #86 Angus Jack (Medium Rare). I was only mildly curious about these when they were released, and I missed all the drops, but fortunately sf fanatic had one he was willing to sell me for cost + shipping (thanks again!). At 3 7/8” closed, with two springs and that high-riding Sheepsfoot, I really thought this knife was going to be way too bulky — and don’t get me wrong, GEC wasn’t lying when they called it “beefy” on the label — but somehow it just works.

I started out by taking this knife with me on a weekend trip back home to Arkansas, because it had just come in the mail and I wanted to try it out, and it ended up staying in my pocket for over a month straight. I have carried other knives since then, but the Angus Jack keeps sneaking back in my pocket in between the others.

 

[mrknife]

Its gonna be tough for me to pick as well. Probably gonna be a long one and a little convoluted. I also didnt buy much this year as well, or scaled back.

For me its gotta be this knife I saw at the rendezvous. This is not the exact one, but one that eventually came my way.

This is not my first 85, that will be appearing a little later, which was a club knife with the EO which I bought because I was a part of the club, but wasnt a fan of that EO. In fact, when I saw the caplifters, I wasnt really gonna chase after them. But during the rendezvous, having missed the 85 in single, i was looking at plumbob's trays of knives for sale. And as the last day went, he packed up his knives I just passed. Even during the first day of the rendezvous when I spotted the single 85s parts knives, Patty took out caplifters by mistake and told me the 85s were all out. The idea stayed and stayed with me. And a few days maybe a week later, I contacted plumbob and scored this

However, I really did want that parts 85. And lucky enough that came in a trade offer for another parts knife I grabbed. That fella was nice enough to offer me this regular dead skunk acrylic caplifter later as well. Since its tough to carry mint knives, I bought a user to blade delete. It sits next to that inspiring knife.

And here they are all together.

This knife spoke to me as it commemorates a new hobby and interest I have just started this year.

An honorable mention is this 86 that J jsdistin modded for me. Did the spade shield and he did the rest.

It accompanies an interesting project I will attempt to under take when my vacation starts in about two weeks. Had been considering something ever since I saw waynorth 's extra blades. Blade deletes have been getting expensive so here we go with much encouragement. Gotta love my other 86s that I got this year as it joins a whole bunch of single blade clips.

Oh yeah, cant forget these I suppose, a perennial favorite of mine.

Interestingly, I have learned that 85s are very similar to 15s in proportions actually and that im starting to love the spear blade more and more. Guess scaling back really helps puts things in perspective or I just have a type. Never considered them too seriously before. Buy what you love and love what you buy. A happy and healthy holiday to all!

 

[Jack Black]

Great annual Thread, Jack Black !! It is fun to see the knives my fellow Porchenbergers treasure!!
Several knives have again marched into, and through my life this year. Many go straight to the safe, some try my pocket out for a time, like this wonderous Sfilato from @Rhidian, a cross-pollinated ethnic design, produced by this local knifemaker with prodigious talent!! He extracted the beauty from an antique gift from r8shell !!View attachment 1700468
It has sliced tomatoes, and Soppresatta for lunch with aplomb!!
But when all is said and done, the knife that wins my pocket again and again, is the Barlow, you might say designed (and modelled after) a/by New York Knife, and exquistely reproduced in 2012 by my friend, and wizard, Bill Howard!!
Behold, old Boiley!! My Knife of the Year!!View attachment 1700469View attachment 1700470

Nice try Charlie, you old rascal, trying to slip that past me on a Sunday night! You know darn well that Old Boiley can't be your 2021 Traditional Knife of the Year! We're talking knives you acquired THIS year

I must have missed the r8shell connection to your Rhidian Sfilato, that's nice, it's a very cool-looking pattern

 

[cudgee]

This is one of my favorite Porch traditions! I look forward to the thread every year. Most of us are here on an almost daily basis, talking knives, posting pictures of knives, reading about knives, looking at knives, and often it feels like the focus is on what’s new, what’s next. So I think it’s nice to stop and reflect on what you already have, and what knife has really become your knife, rather than just another addition to the collection.

Very well said..

After reading some posts from members whose opinions i always respect about accumulating knives and targeting specific knives i made a conscious decision to restrict my knife purchases. I have more knives than i can actually justify, so i made a pact that i would restrict my purchasing to two knives a year unless something really special came along. This year i purchased only one knife, a Lambsfoot with Walnut covers from previous management, was chuffed to get it as i have been on the hunt for one for over 2 years. Hard to get a decent photo my skill level is very limited. Here it is getting some patina going with hot grass fed Angus steak. Hope all Porch participants have a safe and Merry Christmas and holiday season.

 

[Jack Black]

I'm really enjoying seeing everyone's diverse choices Great post folks

I generally loathe acronyms...but this one is ok...KOTY...knife of the year right?...usually they're used by politicians or fire brigade trainers to baffle everyone and make themselves seem more intelligent and up to the minute...it doesnt work.
The Swiss are brilliant at making knives...and sewing machines and clocks apparently ...but their crowning glory must certainly be .....featured here with KOTY...

Im a sucker for Ox horn..this Well worn JMilner has a place on my coffee table ...still has SLBs *

Snappy Little Blades.

Cheers and Happy Xmas.

Interesting choice Jon At a glance, I would have guessed that was a William Rodgers, since so many Sheffield Swell-Centre Jacks of that exact same pattern, bore that name, but they weren't the only firm to make them

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

This is one of my favorite Porch traditions! I look forward to the thread every year. Most of us are here on an almost daily basis, talking knives, posting pictures of knives, reading about knives, looking at knives, and often it feels like the focus is on what’s new, what’s next. So I think it’s nice to stop and reflect on what you already have, and what knife has really become your knife, rather than just another addition to the collection.

I also enjoy looking back at my own posts in the previous years’ threads, to see if those KsOTY remain favorites or not.



That’s an interesting one, Jack. It certainly looks like useful knife. The handle and sheath remind me of a Mora, and I see they’re both made in Sweden, but it doesn’t appear that the companies are connected.

(Also, I’m glad you had a knife worth nominating and were able to participate in your own thread this year!)



As I know you know from experience, John, it’s a pleasure to be able to gift a knife to a friend, and it’s even better when they really like it, so I’m honored and quite pleased that you nominated that White Owl as your Knife of the Year.

For me, this year’s pick was an easy one, but I’ll share a few runners-up anyways.

Much like my KOTY last year (the BF Viper), I was surprised how much I like this modern-traditional LionSteel Bolus, and I carried it quite a bit this summer.

I have to mention this Fejesgörbe made by László Papp, my first Hungarian-made knife, which showed up mysteriously and turned out to be a gift from Jolipapa . A very interesting knife, and unlike anything else I have.

Then, of course, there’s Merle. For me, this year’s forum knife might have been “just another forum knife” — special because of what it represents, but probably not my personal favorite among the forum knives that I’ve been around for — but the decision to send it off to Chip WValtakis and turn it into a project anyone on the Porch can take part in has made it very special to me. And while I had a lot of fun carrying Merle to kick off his journey, I only had him for two weeks, and who knows when I’ll see him again, so I don’t think he can be “the one.”

My Knife of the Year this year has to go to the #86 Angus Jack (Medium Rare). I was only mildly curious about these when they were released, and I missed all the drops, but fortunately sf fanatic had one he was willing to sell me for cost + shipping (thanks again!). At 3 7/8” closed, with two springs and that high-riding Sheepsfoot, I really thought this knife was going to be way too bulky — and don’t get me wrong, GEC wasn’t lying when they called it “beefy” on the label — but somehow it just works.

I started out by taking this knife with me on a weekend trip back home to Arkansas, because it had just come in the mail and I wanted to try it out, and it ended up staying in my pocket for over a month straight. I have carried other knives since then, but the Angus Jack keeps sneaking back in my pocket in between the others.

Thanks Barrett Hultafors, like Mora Knives, (or Frosts of Mora as they used to be called), do a full range of fixed blade knives, many of which are aimed at specific trades. The first time I saw a Chisel Knife, it was in a glass cabinet, in a hardware store, and it looked so odd, I barely glanced at it. I was really surprised by how useful it has been Great post my friend

 

[Jon0385]

I have been super fortunate this year. From connecting with many people to acquiring amazing knives including my all time favorite. Several have sentimental value. For my KOTY I have to pick the one I have had the most fun with, a 2021 release, and that is my GEC 38 English Whittler. Sure it has great fit and finish, but I also picked up a new hobby.

 

[kamagong]

KOTY! I enjoy the annual tradition this thread has become.

Strictly speaking, I don't have any knives that fit the guidelines Jack has set down. Now that I'm working from home, I don't have much call to carry a knife. All of my knives are within easy reach so I tend to travel (from room to room) light without anything in my pockets. I did pick up some new sharp and shinies this year though, so I'll share some of them.

The first couple are a Highland dirk and a gift from our British friend, the inimitable Jack Black . The lambsfoot helped free the dirk from its cardboard confines.

I handle them both fairly frequently as I keep them near my work space. Confession time, I even had the dirk in hand when I re-watched this year's Dune remake, imagining that it was my very own crysknife.

This next knife needs no introduction. Our 2021 forum project, everyone here is familiar with its good looks. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to get one.

I got this one simply because it tickled my love of knives. A ratcheting, ring lock knife, it is a cra cra, similar to an Okapi.

However, what I consider my knife of the year wasn't made this year at all but rather in 2013. I still marvel that I was able to find one NOS, eight years later. A nice, refreshing change. I've realized that I much prefer to engage in the Search as opposed to participating in the Lolly Scramble. It's a much more civil and gentlemanly pursuit.

The Wharncliffe Trapper checks off a couple of boxes for me. I've long wanted a Case knife, but the problem is that their designs don't do much for me. The folks at Case tend to design their knives with a fair amount of blade droop, which I thoroughly dislike. This knife though, was thought up by Tony Bose. No droop here, just a pair of expertly swedged 154CM blades fitted with stainless steel furniture. Combined with the chestnut bone covers, the entire package makes for a beautiful pocketknife. It's become my favorite worry stone and I spend way too much time chicken eye'n and coon fingerin' it.

 

[lambertiana]

Although I picked up a few really nice ones this year, (Latreille laguiole and Steri Pattada being two obvious examples), I'm going with the one that has the most value to me. In 1983 I bought a Puma Prospector. Not long after seeing mine, my father bought one, too. He passed four years ago tomorrow; recently his Prospector found its way to me.

 

[Jsega51]

Received in January and it still takes top spot for the year!

 

[Old Engineer]

2021 was quite a year for me for knives I think . Not so much as quantity as desirable ones . I always wanted another 38 to go with my 38 Farmers Jack . That happened and I carried it a fair amount . I wanted a Barlow larger than the 77 and that happened and I carried them some . Then there also were others as well . But Jack asked for : What did I carry and use the most of what I received this year . This picture shows what I carried the most , and what I carried the most that I received this year .

I reviewed my photos for the year and found that I carried and used the Old Stag more often than any other knife that I have . Then after that it was the Northfield 83 Dark Brewed Jigged Bone that I did receive this year . It is a little smaller than I like to carry and use , but when I put the leather thong on it , carrying it and getting it out of the pocket to use and the size of it to carry when I really did not need to use it , Changed My Mind . The Old Stag gets a job done and when I have it in my pockets , it makes me feel good to know that I can carry that quality of Stag and it only cost me $28 plus freight .
Edited 12-15-2021 : corrected cost

Harry

 

[Travman]

For me, well executed split-back whittlers are the pinnacle of traditional pocket knives. Of course it takes a lot of skill and expertise to make these and not every manufacturer can make these. There are a lot of useful blades in this tidy and ergonomic package. The fluted bolsters, beautiful jigged bone, and the new ”Shield” shield work well together to make for a beautiful, but funky looking traditional. My vote goes to the jigged bone 38 English Whittler. It was the “Star” of 2021.

This 2021 GEC Rendezvous knife had the potential to be the top knife of 2021. It was an even better knife than the one above. The action on the blades was even better. The color and the jigging were even better. However, since my original 38 English Jack was already well used and loved, this Rendezvous knife consigned to the tube and never used.

 

[Jack Black]

KOTY! I enjoy the annual tradition this thread has become.

Strictly speaking, I don't have any knives that fit the guidelines Jack has set down. Now that I'm working from home, I don't have much call to carry a knife. All of my knives are within easy reach so I tend to travel (from room to room) light without anything in my pockets. I did pick up some new sharp and shinies this year though, so I'll share some of them.

The first couple are a Highland dirk and a gift from our British friend, the inimitable Jack Black . The lambsfoot helped free the dirk from its cardboard confines.

I handle them both fairly frequently as I keep them near my work space. Confession time, I even had the dirk in hand when I re-watched this year's Dune remake, imagining that it was my very own crysknife.

This next knife needs no introduction. Our 2021 forum project, everyone here is familiar with its good looks. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to get one.

I got this one simply because it tickled my love of knives. A ratcheting, ring lock knife, it is a cra cra, similar to an Okapi.

However, what I consider my knife of the year wasn't made this year at all but rather in 2013. I still marvel that I was able to find one NOS, eight years later. A nice, refreshing change. I've realized that I much prefer to engage in the Search as opposed to participating in the Lolly Scramble. It's a much more civil and gentlemanly pursuit.

The Wharncliffe Trapper checks off a couple of boxes for me. I've long wanted a Case knife, but the problem is that their designs don't do much for me. The folks at Case tend to design their knives with a fair amount of blade droop, which I thoroughly dislike. This knife though, was thought up by Tony Bose. No droop here, just a pair of expertly swedged 154CM blades fitted with stainless steel furniture. Combined with the chestnut bone covers, the entire package makes for a beautiful pocketknife. It's become my favorite worry stone and I spend way too much time chicken eye'n and coon fingerin' it.

Great pics Christian How do you find the steel on your dirk, I've been eyeing them up myself?

2021 was quite a year for me for knives I think . Not so much as quantity as desirable ones . I always wanted another 38 to go with my 38 Farmers Jack . That happened and I carried it a fair amount . I wanted a Barlow larger than the 77 and that happened and I carried them some . Then there also were others as well . But Jack asked for : What did I carry and use the most of what I received this year . This picture shows what I carried the most , and what I carried the most that I received this year .

I reviewed my photos for the year and found that I carried and used the Old Stag more often than any other knife that I have . Then after that it was the Northfield 83 Dark Brewed Jigged Bone that I did receive this year . It is a little smaller than I like to carry and use , but when I put the leather thong on it , carrying it and getting it out of the pocket to use and the size of it to carry when I really did not need to use it , Changed My Mind . The Old Stag gets a job done and when I have it in my pockets , it makes me feel good to know that I can carry that quality of Stag and it only cost me $38 plus freight .

Harry

I doubt there's anyone here who tires of seeing that lovely old stag Harry

 

[fishface5]

This Lionsteel Bolus that I modified has been my fave traditional this year

 

[Onebigbill]

The only new knife that I acquired in 2021. Given the team effort and Charlie as the "Ram Rod" it is my candidate for 2021 KOTY. In addition to all that, it's so darn beautiful.

 

[Railsplitter]

The only new knife that I acquired in 2021. Given the team effort and Charlie as the "Ram Rod" it is my candidate for 2021 KOTY. In addition to all that, it's so darn beautiful.
View attachment 1700929

Wow! That is really nice, Bill.

 

[Onebigbill]

Wow! That is really nice, Bill.

Many thanks kind sir.

 

[Ironbut]

I've gotten "a few" nice traditional knives this year, but the award for my favorite of the year has to go to the SAK Alox Electrician. It's not real pretty & the only special thing about it is that it's been in my pocket every single day since I unboxed it back in February, and has probably gotten more use than any of my knives this year, traditional, or modern. It's kinda' like my #35 Churchill. It just checks all the boxes for me.

 

[joeradza]

I have gotten some awesome knives this year, including a Latreille with warthog ivory handles, a pair of Gec 86 2 ABs, the 2021 forum knife, and a Böker swell-end jack (among others). The one that just ticks all of the boxes for me, though, is this Charlie Bell in European red deer stag. I received it in February and it has been in my pocket almost daily since. I still have at least one more coming (a GEC White Owl), but I have a hard time imagining that it will overtake this sowbelly!

View attachment 1700401

View attachment 1700402

I'm a sowbelly fan and that broad clip point makes that one of the nicest sowbellies I've seen. I can see why it's your KOTY.

 

[glennbad]

I have had an interesting buying year, with some nice Bruckmanns, the forum knife, some nice old Schrades, etc. However, this has to be my knife of the year. I've been looking for an Erickson for a while, and Mike Robuck was gracious enough to let this one go. It's just beautiful...

 

[JohnDF]

John, it’s a pleasure to be able to gift a knife to a friend, and it’s even better when they really like it,

It was very generous, I love it, and thanks again.