Your Traditional Knife of the Year 2022 (Easy Tiger! Read the rules first! ;) )

[66sprint6]

For the first time I clicked love not for the knife but your sentiments, which is probaly high praise.

I appreciate it!!! It amazing how something inanimate...a tool in its most basic core can be so so much more. This place understands it all too well and the ability to share with like-minded folks is a wonderful thing especially considering everyone else around seems to see it as nothing more than a "thing" that you use to cut stuff.

Matt

 

[glennbad]

Hmmm, my knife of the year for 2022 has to be this Lloyd that I got on the second hand market. Course, it looks mint to me. Once I got over the fear of putting it in my pocket on a regular basis, it clearly has become my favorite knife to carry. Small enough that it doesn't overpower your pocket, but solid enough that it can be put to hard use if needed. I like it so much, I need multiple pics to share it's awesomeness!

 

[jlauffer]

For me it would be the 2017 BF knife I got recently. Have been here since 2016 and would like to have one from each of those years. Got the 22 on the way, and only need a 19 now (just missed out on one on the exchange the other day ). In looking at pics of the 17, it didn't really do anything for me, but it put me one step closer to completing the quest. But then I received it, and it was so much nicer in person than I thought it would be. And for me, the perfect carry size for not having a clip.

View attachment 2021317

 

[JonMcD]

Hmmm, my knife of the year for 2022 has to be this Lloyd that I got on the second hand market. Course, it looks mint to me. Once I got over the fear of putting it in my pocket on a regular basis, it clearly has become my favorite knife to carry. Small enough that it doesn't overpower your pocket, but solid enough that it can be put to hard use if needed. I like it so much, I need multiple pics to share it's awesomeness!

View attachment 2021327
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Got tol mighty. I recon so. Such a cool knife!

 

[Pàdruig]

Jack, I've been thinking about this thread lately - like other have stated, it's one I look forward to capping my year off with.

Personally, 2022 has been a difficult year for me, and as such, I think it has sucked some of the joy out of this knife hobby. Of course, internet squabbles and folks seemingly forgetting how to be kind to one another hasn't really helped either.

That said, though my knife collecting has slowed some, it hasn't diminished any. As I am settling into things that I know I like and prefer, I am beginning to focus on more quality that quantity when it comes to my bladed pursuits. I've steered away some from amassing factory knives simply for the sake that I could and instead am being more selective, even dipping my toes into the custom slip joint pool.

This year saw me experiencing new things and that plays into the rather surprising choice I made regarding my 2022 KOTY.

First though, there is the journey. Earlier in the year, I decided (with some trepidation) that I would buy my first Case/Bose collaboration knife. Over my time on these forums, I have resisted spending that kind of money on a pocket knife - after all, when GECs were arguably more reasonably priced, you could get 3 or 4 of them for the cost of a Case/Bose collab. However, as my outlook towards GEC collecting has soured some, I decided to go for it and I am tremendously happy that I did. One became five and they have easily become fast favorites.

All of these knives have spent considerable time in use and in the pocket. Could one of them be the 2022 KOTY? It's possible but one of them in particular sparked an enthusiastic interest in the pattern itself.

The Wharncliffe Trapper (a Tony Bose gem), a two bladed trapper with a slender clip and pointy wharncliffe, is a pattern that really, really sat well with me. I began to carry it every day, those days stretched in a month or more and I became curious of other iterations of this blade combination. That led me to the GEC #48 "Improved" Trapper and I got one in Stag and one in Blackwood. This also made me more amenable to the GEC #88 Bayou Trapper - a somewhat controversial amalgamation.

Though the Case/Bose WT cemented itself as a knife and pattern that ranks amongst my favorites, it is not my 2022 KOTY - very close though

The only GEC knife that is a likely contender for this year's award is the aforementioned GEC #88. A two-blade trapper, with a wickedly sinuous clip and indomitable lambsfoot, fitted in a Sowbelly frame, raised a lot of eyebrows and drew accolades and revulsion alike. I found it to be a superb knife and one of GEC's better attempts at something "new" that wasn't simply another gimmick. I've used the heck out of it and have not found a single case where I have felt that it lacked.

It's a serious knife and though it didn't quite make the cut for KOTY, it is a really close runner-up.

Over the last few years, I have predominantly preferred 2-blade knives, with a smattering of single blade patterns mixed in (Lambsfoot being a dominant choice in the latter). If I am to like a knife that has more than 2 blades, I have to really take to it - as I have with Sowbelly knives, and only one or two Stockman examples. On a gamble (mostly because the price was right) I scooped up a Case/Bose Premium Stockman. As soon as I took receipt of it and got to experience it over a couple of days, I fell pretty hard for it. Despite not usually caring for spey blades, I love everything about this knife - its wonderfully designed main clip, its wide and thin sheepfoot, and yes, yes, its bellied spey blade, all make for a LOT of blade utility in a robust frame.

This knife has dominated my daily carry choice since I got it and there have even been times where I have tried to switch it up and go with a different knife, only to go and switch back halfway through the day. It's hard to say no to and for that reason, it is a very clear choice for 2022's Knife of the Year.

It would be remiss of me not to highlight a honorable mention. In a community where EDC sized fixed blades have saturated the market, I have struggled to find "the one". This little Cowbell from Redmeadow knives comes pretty close to fitting that bill though and I find that I have it in the pocket almost as much as my Premium Stockman.

Thanks for hosting this again, Jack, it is always a pleasure. I hope you are keeping well across the pond and that your health improves, if it hasn't already!

 

[cudgee]

it is a very clear choice for 2022's Knife of the Year.

I see why.

 

[Jon0385]

I’ve been fortunate this year on several fronts to include new knives. Some are significantly sentimental such as a gifted boker Barlow from Todd. Others are everything I hoped they would be such as the GEC 59 splitback whittler. However, my knife of the year was a bit unexpected for contention. It is my LT Wright Campmuk because I’ve had a lot of fun using it, and it blends my knife/grilling hobbies together.

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, I've been thinking about this thread lately - like other have stated, it's one I look forward to capping my year off with.

Personally, 2022 has been a difficult year for me, and as such, I think it has sucked some of the joy out of this knife hobby. Of course, internet squabbles and folks seemingly forgetting how to be kind to one another hasn't really helped either.

That said, though my knife collecting has slowed some, it hasn't diminished any. As I am settling into things that I know I like and prefer, I am beginning to focus on more quality that quantity when it comes to my bladed pursuits. I've steered away some from amassing factory knives simply for the sake that I could and instead am being more selective, even dipping my toes into the custom slip joint pool.

This year saw me experiencing new things and that plays into the rather surprising choice I made regarding my 2022 KOTY.

First though, there is the journey. Earlier in the year, I decided (with some trepidation) that I would buy my first Case/Bose collaboration knife. Over my time on these forums, I have resisted spending that kind of money on a pocket knife - after all, when GECs were arguably more reasonably priced, you could get 3 or 4 of them for the cost of a Case/Bose collab. However, as my outlook towards GEC collecting has soured some, I decided to go for it and I am tremendously happy that I did. One became five and they have easily become fast favorites.

All of these knives have spent considerable time in use and in the pocket. Could one of them be the 2022 KOTY? It's possible but one of them in particular sparked an enthusiastic interest in the pattern itself.

The Wharncliffe Trapper (a Tony Bose gem), a two bladed trapper with a slender clip and pointy wharncliffe, is a pattern that really, really sat well with me. I began to carry it every day, those days stretched in a month or more and I became curious of other iterations of this blade combination. That led me to the GEC #48 "Improved" Trapper and I got one in Stag and one in Blackwood. This also made me more amenable to the GEC #88 Bayou Trapper - a somewhat controversial amalgamation.

Though the Case/Bose WT cemented itself as a knife and pattern that ranks amongst my favorites, it is not my 2022 KOTY - very close though

The only GEC knife that is a likely contender for this year's award is the aforementioned GEC #88. A two-blade trapper, with a wickedly sinuous clip and indomitable lambsfoot, fitted in a Sowbelly frame, raised a lot of eyebrows and drew accolades and revulsion alike. I found it to be a superb knife and one of GEC's better attempts at something "new" that wasn't simply another gimmick. I've used the heck out of it and have not found a single case where I have felt that it lacked.

It's a serious knife and though it didn't quite make the cut for KOTY, it is a really close runner-up.

Over the last few years, I have predominantly preferred 2-blade knives, with a smattering of single blade patterns mixed in (Lambsfoot being a dominant choice in the latter). If I am to like a knife that has more than 2 blades, I have to really take to it - as I have with Sowbelly knives, and only one or two Stockman examples. On a gamble (mostly because the price was right) I scooped up a Case/Bose Premium Stockman. As soon as I took receipt of it and got to experience it over a couple of days, I fell pretty hard for it. Despite not usually caring for spey blades, I love everything about this knife - its wonderfully designed main clip, its wide and thin sheepfoot, and yes, yes, its bellied spey blade, all make for a LOT of blade utility in a robust frame.

This knife has dominated my daily carry choice since I got it and there have even been times where I have tried to switch it up and go with a different knife, only to go and switch back halfway through the day. It's hard to say no to and for that reason, it is a very clear choice for 2022's Knife of the Year.

It would be remiss of me not to highlight a honorable mention. In a community where EDC sized fixed blades have saturated the market, I have struggled to find "the one". This little Cowbell from Redmeadow knives comes pretty close to fitting that bill though and I find that I have it in the pocket almost as much as my Premium Stockman.

Thanks for hosting this again, Jack, it is always a pleasure. I hope you are keeping well across the pond and that your health improves, if it hasn't already!

An excellent post Dylan, and an enthralling read I was particularly interested to hear your thoughts on the GEC #88, but fascinated throughout. A surprising final choice, but a handsome knife for sure, and I love the final pic with your Cowbell Well done my friend, I always enjoy your contributions, to this thread in particular. I've not had a great year either I'm afraid, and my back is currently grumbling a bit, but I'm off for a week's sunshine shortly. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas, and I hope 2023 is a better year for you buddy Thanks again for a great post

 

[Jack Black]

I’ve been fortunate this year on several fronts to include new knives. Some are significantly sentimental such as a gifted boker Barlow from Todd. Others are everything I hoped they would be such as the GEC 59 splitback whittler. However, my knife of the year was a bit unexpected for contention. It is my LT Wright Campmuk because I’ve had a lot of fun using it, and it blends my knife/grilling hobbies together.

View attachment 2021790

Great choice Jon

 

[Sacto]

I look forward to this thread every year. It’s a great porch tradition and fun to see everyone’s favorites.

I’ve never contributed to this thread in the past because I tend to like to carry a variety of knives and I’ve never had a single knife that has changed that. But this year was different. I finally found a knife that I wanted to carry all the time. This year was actually a big knife year for me, I think I got 6 knives. I got a rough rider barlow with bone stag handles. It’s a cool little knife that I do carry and use, but not my knife of the year. I also got my first two Sheffield knives this year, a large rosewood lambsfoot and a rosewood ettrick. They both make great work knives and see a lot of use but neither are my knife of the year.
For Christmas last year I got a Boker Brook fixed blade. It’s a very cool knife that I have used a lot and I really like. It’s a close contender but I don’t carry it enough to be my knife of the year.

Another close contender was a 70s Case pen knife that was given to me by JohnDF when we met up to fish. Not only is it a great knife but it is a reminder of his generosity and the fun day we had fishing (and it came in one of his nice slips). It sees a lot of pocket time, but not my knife of the year.

The winner was an easy choice for me. It’s my Case/Bose eureka jack. Easily the most I’ve spent on a knife, but it’s noticeably nicer than anything I have. I had wanted that knife since it first came out but thought it was out of my price range. When I saw it on a huge discount, I had to go for it. It was everything I hoped it would be. The two blades are handy for just about everything and it’s really well made. I don’t carry it every day because I still like some variety but I’m always drawn back to it quickly. If someone told me a year ago that my favorite/most carried knife would be a Case I wouldn’t have believed it. Here I am and my top 2 are Cases. We’ll see if something can knock it out this year.

Thanks for doing the thread again, Jack and enjoy your trip.

 

[JohnDF]

the fun day we had fishing

Too bad Summer and Fall slipped away, we definitely need to do that again.

 

[Blue Sky]

I also got this lovely Sauveterre in snakewood.

Beautiful. I’m trying to limit my knife buying these days but that one is a real test of will.

 

[Sacto]

Too bad Summer and Fall slipped away, we definitely need to do that again.

I agree. This year seemed extra busy between work and family obligations. I’m not opposed to some winter bass fishing.

 

[JohnDF]

I’m not opposed to some winter bass fishing.

"hook" me up.

 

[tmd_87]

Wow I have been able to get so many great knives in 2022!! I have been going back and fourth on which one to choose. It came down to 2 knives. My Albers or my GEC Cattle knife. I think both had a ton of pocket time. But the one I keep going back to is the Albers Clip point. Super sharp, crispy and perfect walk and talk. Just an amazing knife and I need to thank Primble for offering the knife up for sale.

Thanks Jack Black for always putting this thread together. It’s a great one to go back and reminisce on knives we have scored. Also, to look at what other people scored!

Edit* oh and it’s not carbon

 

[wickettedge]

I started working on filling out my 15 barlows this year and the oiled white bone has been one I’ve been really enjoying. I didn't get all of these this year but the grouping is coming along.

View attachment 2023347

In fact, the white bone has been a bit of a theme for me this year...

And this year I ended up with this white bone beer scout but it had a hard life with some cracks which I got patched by a top GEC modder.

View attachment 2023351

However, I didn’t carry it enough to count and I was always on the hunt for a BF21 White Bone.

When the Rhidian custom became available on the exchange, I was stoked. It’s really a beautiful example of the pattern with the custom feel. What a great knife.

View attachment 2023348

At this point, I thought my chance of getting a BF21 White Bone wasn't going to happen due to the elusive nature of it.

However, I had a DM from a member who got one and wanted to move it on.

View attachment 2023349


Once I got it, I found I carried it a lot. A good portion of the rest of the year I have been carrying it. I already liked the 86 and this is my KOTY.


View attachment 2023350


Thanks for reading and hope y'all have a great 2023.

 

[Jack Black]

I look forward to this thread every year. It’s a great porch tradition and fun to see everyone’s favorites.

I’ve never contributed to this thread in the past because I tend to like to carry a variety of knives and I’ve never had a single knife that has changed that. But this year was different. I finally found a knife that I wanted to carry all the time. This year was actually a big knife year for me, I think I got 6 knives. I got a rough rider barlow with bone stag handles. It’s a cool little knife that I do carry and use, but not my knife of the year. I also got my first two Sheffield knives this year, a large rosewood lambsfoot and a rosewood ettrick. They both make great work knives and see a lot of use but neither are my knife of the year.
For Christmas last year I got a Boker Brook fixed blade. It’s a very cool knife that I have used a lot and I really like. It’s a close contender but I don’t carry it enough to be my knife of the year.

Another close contender was a 70s Case pen knife that was given to me by JohnDF when we met up to fish. Not only is it a great knife but it is a reminder of his generosity and the fun day we had fishing (and it came in one of his nice slips). It sees a lot of pocket time, but not my knife of the year.

The winner was an easy choice for me. It’s my Case/Bose eureka jack. Easily the most I’ve spent on a knife, but it’s noticeably nicer than anything I have. I had wanted that knife since it first came out but thought it was out of my price range. When I saw it on a huge discount, I had to go for it. It was everything I hoped it would be. The two blades are handy for just about everything and it’s really well made. I don’t carry it every day because I still like some variety but I’m always drawn back to it quickly. If someone told me a year ago that my favorite/most carried knife would be a Case I wouldn’t have believed it. Here I am and my top 2 are Cases. We’ll see if something can knock it out this year.

Thanks for doing the thread again, Jack and enjoy your trip.

Thank you very much my friend, great post

Wow I have been able to get so many great knives in 2022!! I have been going back and fourth on which one to choose. It came down to 2 knives. My Albers or my GEC Cattle knife. I think both had a ton of pocket time. But the one I keep going back to is the Albers Clip point. Super sharp, crispy and perfect walk and talk. Just an amazing knife and I need to thank Primble for offering the knife up for sale.

Thanks Jack Black for always putting this thread together. It’s a great one to go back and reminisce on knives we have scored. Also, to look at what other people scored!

Edit* oh and it’s not carbon

A pleasure Taylor, I'm grateful to everyone who has taken part, the contributions this year have been outstanding Excellent choice

I started working on filling out my 15 barlows this year and the oiled white bone has been one I’ve been really enjoying. I didn't get all of these this year but the grouping is coming along.

View attachment 2023347

In fact, the white bone has been a bit of a theme for me this year...

And this year I ended up with this white bone beer scout but it had a hard life with some cracks which I got patched by a top GEC modder.

View attachment 2023351

However, I didn’t carry it enough to count and I was always on the hunt for a BF21 White Bone.

When the Rhidian custom became available on the exchange, I was stoked. It’s really a beautiful example of the pattern with the custom feel. What a great knife.

View attachment 2023348

At this point, I thought my chance of getting a BF21 White Bone wasn't going to happen due to the elusive nature of it.

However, I had a DM from a member who got one and wanted to move it on.

View attachment 2023349


Once I got it, I found I carried it a lot. A good portion of the rest of the year I have been carrying it. I already liked the 86 and this is my KOTY.


View attachment 2023350


Thanks for reading and hope y'all have a great 2023.

If I had been able to get out more this year, that could easily have been my KOTY too I'm glad you found one

 

[JTB_5]

Looking back on 2022 knife purchases, I had a pretty remarkable year.

February brought an Mount of Olives Olive Wood 77 barlow:


In May I acquired a really nice Bruckmann (the #15 I have had for more than this year):


In August I acquired an almost unattainable (for me, anyway) 77 Harness Jack:


In September I was able to buy a GEC 35 -- a pattern I had and foolishly let go of only to find myself wanting to have it back. What's better is that I got glennbad to put some gnarly stag on it!


Finally, in October I order the Forum knife, which recently arrived:



All of these knives are special for different reasons. As a Christian, having a knife with olive wood handles from the Mount of Olives is doubly cool, since Jesus Christ spent time on the Mount of Olives throughout his ministry. The Bruckmann is the same pattern as one I sold to Glenn and I am glad to have found another one in as good, if not better condition as it is a really cool knife and a useful pattern, and Bruckmann knives have an interesting provenance if you dig into it at all. The 77 Harness Jack is such a great looking knife, and hard to come by, so I feel very privileged to have one. The Forum knife is always a pleasure to have, and this pattern is one I really like in size, shape, and blade style. It's a real winner and one that I think we should all feel grateful to have (who have one) since last year's process left such a bad taste in many folks' mouths.

But of all these knives, I think I'm most excited to have and have carried the recovered GEC #35 Churchill. It is a great pattern, very nice to have in the pocket, very useful, and with this wonderful stag is a pleasure to look at as well. I've carried it more since I've had it than any other knife for this year. It is my knife of the year for 2022.

 

[joeradza]

Let’s get the Bunny Knife upfront and out of the way. It’s probably the finest quality knife I’ve acquired this year and I’m very happy to own it, but it’s still got 2 blades. Close but no cigar.
There’s the brass figural knife from Couperier du Coursolle. I’ve carried and used it fairly often so it’s in consideration but it falls short too.
Next we have the Tom Bullard custom that I picked up off the exchange recently which in the long run will end up being my favorite.
The tater skin Rough Ryder linerlock work knife is smaller than I normally prefer but it’s found it’s way into my pocket on a daily basis just for its every day practicality, but it lacks the all important what if category.
Last but first is the aluminum bodied Laguiole from Arbalete and G. David. It may not be the most practical user but it makes up for that with its superb aesthetic. It shines with food and as a show off piece. The 2022 KOTY
So there we have knives that cover the full spectrum of my needs. There’s no predicting ahead of time which one would become my KOTY which is why I look forward to this thread each year. Thanks Jack Jack Black

 

[TheChunk91]

This year is the easiest pick ever. I bought two of the gec 35 cattle knives when they came out back in august, one for the collection and one to use. I haven’t given much thought to knives this year, so this one has just stayed in my pocket with little interest rotating others. It just works and I’m fine with that for now. A very sturdy cattle knife that has served my needs well and something I can appreciate using and looking at. It has gained nice character from these months in use.