Your Traditional Knife of the Year 2023 (Easy Tiger, read the rules please! ;))

[Jack Black]

After a little polite prompting from afishhunter , I thought I'd get this year's Knife of the Year thread up and running! Remember it's not THE Knife of the Year, it's YOUR Knife of the Year!

And remember!

For those who are new here, or (like me), forgetful, here's the spiel from last year's thread (with the year updated )

In 2023, if you’re lucky, you may have bought, found, or been given, an EXCEPTIONAL knife. Maybe it was a knife you didn’t think was going to be that special, but it has absolutely CHARMED you. Perhaps it was an inexpensive knife, which you picked up somewhere, slipped in your pocket, and then found you couldn’t stop carrying it. It must be a knife you have gotten on or since Christmas Day 2022. If you’ve come across a knife like that, perhaps you’d like to nominate it as YOUR knife of the year.

Now, it could be that you’ve been perfectly happy carrying the knife you bought or were given many years ago, a knife which has served you so well, why would you want to change? If that’s the case, good luck to you my friend, but that knife doesn’t qualify.

It could be that you’ve had lots of knives this year, and liked many of them, but none of them really stood out. Don’t worry, maybe something will come along next year, which will absolutely knock your socks off. You can tell us about that knife next year.

Also, and we always get a couple of these, you may be one of those indecisive folks who just can’t make your mind up. Maybe you have two, or three, or four knives you really like, and can’t decide which you like the best. If that applies to you, feel free to start another thread, because if ONE of those knives doesn’t stand out, it doesn’t deserve to be nominated for this one. By all means mention a number of knives, but in the end, YOU MUST CHOOSE ONE. If you can’t…on yer bike!

It gets worse, there’s no prize for this, and there’s no winner! We’re just talking knives, and telling each other which single knife has made all the difference to us this year

So, we're not looking for the fanciest custom you picked up this year, we're looking for a knife that you've CARRIED, that has absolutely hogged your pocket in a way which may have taken you by surprise. Don't worry if you can't choose one, you're not being asked to choose your favourite child, just sit back and read the posts, and maybe you'll find a knife to nominate next year

This is supposed to be fun, so have a good think, and enjoy posting I hope that 2023 has been a good year for you, and that 2024 is equally kind

I'll post my own contribution in due course

Jack

 

[screened porch]

My first thought was the copperlock from Modoc Ed. Experiencing this slim yet stout pattern was a revelation.
The swayback from Modoc Ed was my next thought. I'm enchanted by its refined swagger.
But I've always carried them together, and I've had them only a few weeks, so neither one can be the pocket hog of the year, and a stockman guy is never unlikely to go back to a stockman.

Bruno the TSA confiscation knife has spent more time in my pocket than any other this year. (And the psychic cleansing seems to have been effective.)

 

[Invoice]

Being a big fan of the Case 6375's it would have to be this cranberry boned 75.

 

[Jack Black]

In 2019, my Hartshead Barlow was a real game-changer for me, and I was transformed from a promiscuous blade-floozie into a largely monogamous Barlow carrier. While the Hartshead Barlow is an attractive and useful knife I think, I had plenty of other great-looking knives, and a great many Lambsfoot patterns to choose from. True love though, cannot be measured, weighed, or quantified, it is beyond rationality, or logic, and I never felt comfortable without my cherished knife. I simply did not want to carry anything else, and even when I slipped a second knife into my pocket, I almost always used the Hartshead. Such singular affection was not a winner in terms of this annual thread though, year after year, I was prevented from making a definitive entry.

The Barlow is still my most cherished knife, but it is no longer in my pocket every day. Two knives, in particular, have come along this year, which have challenged its position in my pocket

Now, I've had a lot of nice knives this year, including some beautiful vintage knives, many of them gifted, which means they're always especially treasured. They do get carried, they do get used, but they are mainly admired, and fondled lovingly

Also, partly because of our rotten weather this year, and partly because I'm getting older, and more decrepit, my knives haven't been getting the range of use they used to. I really like this Brisa Kephart, for example, and if I was out in the woods everyday, it would have seen a lot of belt time, but I wasn't, and it hasn't

I love the aesthetic of GEC's '86 frame, and Charlie's gorgeous, impressive Harness Jack is one heck of a knife Like the Kephart, it'll definitely get carried, but it's not been in my pocket enough this year to be a Knife of the Year

I sold my soul to Carbon Steel a long time ago. Nothing logical about it, whatsoever, but I have rarely wanted to carry a stainless knife, and I think I have some nice ones for sure. Two knives I received this year, both received as gifts, are so special to me though, that their stainless blades simply add to their beauty, rather than detracting from it. I would change nothing about them, least of all, the pattern, of course. They both have Lambsfoot blades

The first is one of Eric Albers beauties. I have been so pleased to see Eric take to the Lambsfoot pattern, and was thrilled to actually have one to examine. It is perfect

I received the second Lambsfoot a few months later, from Bob Rufus1949 , and his generosity absolutely blew my socks off - in fact it Waboomed them off! The knife is made by a well-known, and extremely talented, South African maker, who is very familiar with the Lambsfoot pattern, and it sure has all the bells and whistles of a custom knife, with absolutely immaculate workmanship. Like Eric's knife, I have carried the K'roo Lamb a great deal

Either of these knives could be my Knife of the Year, so I have thought long and hard about my choice, searching my heart, as well as my head, seeking any great preference of one over the other. Both are a joy to carry, but of course, 'There can only be one!'

I have carried the Albers Lamb a little more, but it was my head, not my heart, which made the final choice. The K'roo Waboom Lambsfoot is a stunning custom knife, but while they certainly aren't easy to get hold of, I think Eric's Lambsfoot knives have a significance that transcends their beauty and function, they are historic - like Eric! Eric was trained as a factory cutler, he is one of our last links to a great world of American cutlery manufacture, which imported skills and ideas from the old world of Europe, and of Sheffield in particular. Eric certainly wasn't trained to make Lambsfoot knives, because there were no US-made Lambsfoot knives, but like Charlie waynorth , he could see the character of the pattern, it's usefulness, it's versatility, its function, and its possibilities. I am thrilled that he has added it to his stable of patterns, and is producing so many wonderful examples. These knives are beautiful, but they are also good, honest working knives, their attractive covers do not detract from their function at all, and I think Eric has done a great job with the pattern. So, with respect to my lovely K'roo Lambsfoot, as good-looking and well-made a knife as you'll find, my 2023 Knife of the Year is my Eric Albers Lambsfoot. I hope that Eric makes many more

 

[Jack Black]

My first thought was the copperlock from Modoc Ed. Experiencing this slim yet stout pattern was a revelation.
The swayback from Modoc Ed was my next thought. I'm enchanted by its refined swagger.
But I've always carried them together, and I've had them only a few weeks, so neither one can be the pocket hog of the year, and a stockman guy is never unlikely to go back to a stockman.

Bruno the TSA confiscation knife has spent more time in my pocket than any other this year. (And the psychic cleansing seems to have been effective.)

An excellent choice Jer

Being a big fan of the Case 6375's it would have to be this cranberry boned 75.

That's a beauty

 

[joeradza]

I must be psychic, or is that psycho because I was thinking about the KOTY thread today. Now, if I could predict the lottery numbers as well. Ok, here goes. Most years, I have several candidates and I go through their pluses and minuses before giving my answer.
This year is a no doubter. Drum roll please! May I present my 2023 KOTY. My black micarta saddlehorn designed by Steve McNatt and executed by the Maestro himself Vincenzo Balistreri.

 

[calm]

https://imgur.com/gwLYPMI

https://imgur.com/f4oK8IA

https://imgur.com/2tQV8Fj

probably these three equally, used and carried.


EDIT - Chose just one, a few posts down

 

[Jack Black]

I must be psychic, or is that psycho because I was thinking about the KOTY thread today. Now, if I could predict the lottery numbers as well. Ok, here goes. Most years, I have several candidates and I go through their pluses and minuses before giving my answer.
This year is a no doubter. Drum roll please! May I present my 2023 KOTY. My black micarta saddlehorn designed by Steve McNatt and executed by the Maestro himself Vincenzo Balistreri. View attachment 2412248

That's a very special moment, when you have no doubts, and you know you have the one That is a sweet, special knife my friend

 

[Jack Black]

https://imgur.com/gwLYPMI

https://imgur.com/f4oK8IA

https://imgur.com/2tQV8Fj

probably these three equally, used and carried.

I was just thinking of you earlier! 'I wonder how that nice young feller is doing?' I think it was prompted by Chip's post in the EDC thread. But what is this?! Go back and read post #1! Don't be 'That Guy'!

 

[Rufus1949]

In 2019, my Hartshead Barlow was a real game-changer for me, and I was transformed from a promiscuous blade-floozie into a largely monogamous Barlow carrier. While the Hartshead Barlow is an attractive and useful knife I think, I had plenty of other great-looking knives, and a great many Lambsfoot patterns to choose from. True love though, cannot be measured, weighed, or quantified, it is beyond rationality, or logic, and I never felt comfortable without my cherished knife. I simply did not want to carry anything else, and even when I slipped a second knife into my pocket, I almost always used the Hartshead. Such singular affection was not a winner in terms of this annual thread though, year after year, I was prevented from making a definitive entry.

The Barlow is still my most cherished knife, but it is no longer in my pocket every day. Two knives, in particular, have come along this year, which have challenged its position in my pocket

Now, I've had a lot of nice knives this year, including some beautiful vintage knives, many of them gifted, which means they're always especially treasured. They do get carried, they do get used, but they are mainly admired, and fondled lovingly

Also, partly because of our rotten weather this year, and partly because I'm getting older, and more decrepit, my knives haven't been getting the range of use they used to. I really like this Brisa Kephart, for example, and if I was out in the woods everyday, it would have seen a lot of belt time, but I wasn't, and it hasn't

I love the aesthetic of GEC's '86 frame, and Charlie's gorgeous, impressive Harness Jack is one heck of a knife Like the Kephart, it'll definitely get carried, but it's not been in my pocket enough this year to be a Knife of the Year

I sold my soul to Carbon Steel a long time ago. Nothing logical about it, whatsoever, but I have rarely wanted to carry a stainless knife, and I think I have some nice ones for sure. Two knives I received this year, both received as gifts, are so special to me though, that their stainless blades simply add to their beauty, rather than detracting from it. I would change nothing about them, least of all, the pattern, of course. They both have Lambsfoot blades

The first is one of Eric Albers beauties. I have been so pleased to see Eric take to the Lambsfoot pattern, and was thrilled to actually have one to examine. It is perfect

I received the second Lambsfoot a few months later, from Bob Rufus1949 , and his generosity absolutely blew my socks off - in fact it Waboomed them off! The knife is made by a well-known, and extremely talented, South African maker, who is very familiar with the Lambsfoot pattern, and it sure has all the bells and whistles of a custom knife, with absolutely immaculate workmanship. Like Eric's knife, I have carried the K'roo Lamb a great deal

Either of these knives could be my Knife of the Year, so I have thought long and hard about my choice, searching my heart, as well as my head, seeking any great preference of one over the other. Both are a joy to carry, but of course, 'There can only be one!'

I have carried the Albers Lamb a little more, but it was my head, not my heart, which made the final choice. The K'roo Waboom Lambsfoot is a stunning custom knife, but while they certainly aren't easy to get hold of, I think Eric's Lambsfoot knives have a significance that transcends their beauty and function, they are historic - like Eric! Eric was trained as a factory cutler, he is one of our last links to a great world of American cutlery manufacture, which imported skills and ideas from the old world of Europe, and of Sheffield in particular. Eric certainly wasn't trained to make Lambsfoot knives, because there were no US-made Lambsfoot knives, but like Charlie waynorth , he could see the character of the pattern, it's usefulness, it's versatility, its function, and its possibilities. I am thrilled that he has added it to his stable of patterns, and is producing so many wonderful examples. These knives are beautiful, but they are also good, honest working knives, their attractive covers do not detract from their function at all, and I think Eric has done a great job with the pattern. So, with respect to my lovely K'roo Lambsfoot, as good-looking and well-made a knife as you'll find, my 2023 Knife of the Year is my Eric Albers Lambsfoot. I hope that Eric makes many more

A great compendium of thoughts concerning knives in your life.
I can agree with your final choice for 2023 Jack, for many of the same reasons.

 

[calm]

https://imgur.com/f4oK8IA

probably these three equally, used and carried.

OK. gave it some more thought and chose one clear winner, as per OP first post, which I read again.

https://imgur.com/fLAQk88

Apologies to the other two knives

 

[Jack Black]

A great compendium of thoughts concerning knives in your life.
I can agree with your final choice for 2023 Jack, for many of the same reasons.

Thank you Bob, and thank you for making my choice so hard, with my wonderful Waboom Lamb

 

[Jack Black]

OK. gave it some more thought and chose one clear winner, as per OP first post, which I read again.

https://imgur.com/fLAQk88

Apologies to the other two knives

Thank you, you're back in my Good Books!

 

[calm]

I need to read the first posts more often, instead of just looking at the pictures.....

 

[Jack Black]

I need to read the first posts more often, instead of just looking at the pictures.....

Talking of pictures, that's a tasty-looking avatar

 

[calm]

Talking of pictures, that's a tasty-looking avatar

Chips from the Tram Depot pub, Cambridge

 

[Jack Black]

Chips from the Tram Depot pub, Cambridge

Mmmm

 

[birdsbeaks]

I was blessed to acquire a lot of really great knives in 2023, and yet when I considered the question of my Knife of the Year - the answer came to me immediately and without doubt.

I've picked up some incredible lambsfoot knives from the Daniels' Family's Titusville Cutlery as well as having lucked into two gorgeous examples from Eric Albers - if there had been a running, these would certainly have been in it.

And then, there was waynorth 's The Rider Harness Jack 86, which I'd talked myself out of being able to acquire - right up until a marvelous example fell directly into my lap. Again, had there been competitors, The Rider would have been a fierce one.

This Case BackPocket was a pleasant surprise and saw a lot of pocket time for a while there. The fact that it kicked my KotY out of my pocket for a couple months (it's just about the same size!) is all that needs to be said. While S35VN and holey blades may not be everyone's cup of traditional tea - this one works for me. And to think if it hadn't been for a post by Gary W. Graley , I may have not even known these existed! It may not have been Case that dragged me back into traditionals, but I'm certainly happy they're still at it!

No, my Knife of the Year (no surprise if you've been monitoring the G.O.A.T thread) is this 2022 Remington 'Silver Bullet' Granddaddy Barlow which, if you recall, was not actually released for sale until early 2023. It's interesting to me that My greatest traditional knife of the year may have also been my first traditional knife purchase of the year. First try! I wonder if there'll be a 2023 Remington Bullet released in 2024 ... I can only hope!

It really does the majority of what I need a knife to do extremely well - cuts vittles, opens letters and boxes, helps in the yard, cleans under fingernails, dispatches loose strings, etc - and, if I do say so myself, looks darn good doing it!

 

[Jakeywax31]

In 2019, my Hartshead Barlow was a real game-changer for me, and I was transformed from a promiscuous blade-floozie into a largely monogamous Barlow carrier. While the Hartshead Barlow is an attractive and useful knife I think, I had plenty of other great-looking knives, and a great many Lambsfoot patterns to choose from. True love though, cannot be measured, weighed, or quantified, it is beyond rationality, or logic, and I never felt comfortable without my cherished knife. I simply did not want to carry anything else, and even when I slipped a second knife into my pocket, I almost always used the Hartshead. Such singular affection was not a winner in terms of this annual thread though, year after year, I was prevented from making a definitive entry.

The Barlow is still my most cherished knife, but it is no longer in my pocket every day. Two knives, in particular, have come along this year, which have challenged its position in my pocket

Now, I've had a lot of nice knives this year, including some beautiful vintage knives, many of them gifted, which means they're always especially treasured. They do get carried, they do get used, but they are mainly admired, and fondled lovingly

Also, partly because of our rotten weather this year, and partly because I'm getting older, and more decrepit, my knives haven't been getting the range of use they used to. I really like this Brisa Kephart, for example, and if I was out in the woods everyday, it would have seen a lot of belt time, but I wasn't, and it hasn't

I love the aesthetic of GEC's '86 frame, and Charlie's gorgeous, impressive Harness Jack is one heck of a knife Like the Kephart, it'll definitely get carried, but it's not been in my pocket enough this year to be a Knife of the Year

I sold my soul to Carbon Steel a long time ago. Nothing logical about it, whatsoever, but I have rarely wanted to carry a stainless knife, and I think I have some nice ones for sure. Two knives I received this year, both received as gifts, are so special to me though, that their stainless blades simply add to their beauty, rather than detracting from it. I would change nothing about them, least of all, the pattern, of course. They both have Lambsfoot blades

The first is one of Eric Albers beauties. I have been so pleased to see Eric take to the Lambsfoot pattern, and was thrilled to actually have one to examine. It is perfect

I received the second Lambsfoot a few months later, from Bob Rufus1949 , and his generosity absolutely blew my socks off - in fact it Waboomed them off! The knife is made by a well-known, and extremely talented, South African maker, who is very familiar with the Lambsfoot pattern, and it sure has all the bells and whistles of a custom knife, with absolutely immaculate workmanship. Like Eric's knife, I have carried the K'roo Lamb a great deal

Either of these knives could be my Knife of the Year, so I have thought long and hard about my choice, searching my heart, as well as my head, seeking any great preference of one over the other. Both are a joy to carry, but of course, 'There can only be one!'

I have carried the Albers Lamb a little more, but it was my head, not my heart, which made the final choice. The K'roo Waboom Lambsfoot is a stunning custom knife, but while they certainly aren't easy to get hold of, I think Eric's Lambsfoot knives have a significance that transcends their beauty and function, they are historic - like Eric! Eric was trained as a factory cutler, he is one of our last links to a great world of American cutlery manufacture, which imported skills and ideas from the old world of Europe, and of Sheffield in particular. Eric certainly wasn't trained to make Lambsfoot knives, because there were no US-made Lambsfoot knives, but like Charlie waynorth , he could see the character of the pattern, it's usefulness, it's versatility, its function, and its possibilities. I am thrilled that he has added it to his stable of patterns, and is producing so many wonderful examples. These knives are beautiful, but they are also good, honest working knives, their attractive covers do not detract from their function at all, and I think Eric has done a great job with the pattern. So, with respect to my lovely K'roo Lambsfoot, as good-looking and well-made a knife as you'll find, my 2023 Knife of the Year is my Eric Albers Lambsfoot. I hope that Eric makes many more

That was a treat to read,Jack. So happy that you were able to receive such wonderful examples. That Rufus1949 is a swell guy isn’t he? Here is to another year of continued friendship and treasures coming up .

 

[jdswitters]

Rosecraft Blades beaver creek barlow. I am normally not a fan of barlows but it was one of the first sheepsfoot barlows I have ever had. Anyway, the bone color, fit and finish and blade just blew me away and took pocket time wasay from some other knives that cost more or could be more exclusive but none of them made me think, I know which knife I want to post when I saw this thread.