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

[afishhunter]

Has to be the knife I received in the 01-10-23 mailcall.
2022 BF Forum Bunny Knife number 291.
It has seen more pocket time and use of any knife I got in 2023. Over five months total daily carry spread out over the year. (if my 'rithmatic is unwrong.)
None of my other knives that I received this year come close in carry time.
(Admittedly, some knives I received prior to 2023 have seen longer carry. My SAK Hercules for example will have 2 consecutive years of daily carry time on March 31-2024. The Toferner Celtic/Norse/Viking (non-folding) pocket/neck knife will have 3 consecutive years of daily carry on November 04-24.)

 

[Leslie Tomville]

Earlier this year, I traveled to Bradford, Pennsylvania to see Tony Bose inducted into the Case Hall of Fame. It was a special honor rarely awarded. Reese Bose represented his family well. Reese is a great knife maker, but like Tony, he is an even better person and a trustworthy friend.



Visiting the Case factory was a treat. Of course, there is another factory not too far away in Titusville that many of us know and love.




I was able to visit with Bill Howard and Randy Bell. GEC was working on the 86 Pattern. In the photo taken around the same time by Travman , Bill can be seen inspecting Charlie’s Ebony Riders by C.C.. I later acquired one.



It was a wonderful experience. To make
it even more special, Reese Bose completely surprised me by pulling a gorgeous Stag Western Trapper out of his pocket. He offered it to me, and I immediately said yes! (Even before I knew the price, which is completely unlike me!)



I would say that both of these knives are my favorites, but I do not want to cause Jack Black to burst a valve. Therefore, in order to preserve the peace, I hereby officially declare the Reese Bose Stag Western Trapper to be my sole favorite 2023 Knife of the Year!

I wish you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas.

 

[ferider]

Here she goes. With a superbly made sheath by our EMCEE that just came in today

 

[black mamba]

Jack, first off, I think your post nominating your KOTY might be the finest post I've ever read on BFC. Eminently thoughtful and incisive.

For me it was the year of the lambsfoot, adding two to my beloved RALF of 2018 Guardians fame, both of which were in the running for KOTY. Like Jack, I was fortunate to snag an Albers, mine in ringed gidgee: so svelte and beautiful in every respect. I also added a larger custom from F. Benini in beautiful stag and stainless, my preference. Although I esteem them both and carry them both often, they fell short.

Another addition that has had a lot of pocket time in a short period of time is my yella Buck 301. This one is old enough to have the sheepfoot on the same end as the clip, the way a stockman should, and has the best W&T of any Buck I've handled. But alas, there can be only one!

There is something mystically satisfying about the eureka pattern which is hard for me to describe. I'm more of a stockman guy, but of all the two-blade jacks, and I've tried nearly all of them, the eureka stands alone as my favorite. The combination of size, the feel in hand of the uniquely serpentine frame and the supercool extension spring for the secondary have me hooked. When you add a Wharncliffe secondary blade, excellent 154CM stainless steel, grippy deeply jigged bone and Case-Bose design and workmanship, well . . . my KOTY is the Case-Bose #TB622017 Eureka Jack in brown jigged bone. Whether in the hand or just in the pocket, it always makes me feel special!

 

[OldHercDude]

2023 was going to be a light year for me. Cost-wise, the only reason it wasn't was a dive in the collab rabbit hole. Still lighter than a few previous years.

This year's contenders:

The Teardrops, SFO single-blade Trapper, and Boker Copper and Brass Micartas were to either complete a set I was building, or to grab some knives I liked before they became unobtanium. The Opinels were simply to try out and were purchased relatively inexpensively, as was the CRKT. Of the listed, the Opinels are still in the decision stage with regard to how much I like them and which to keep.

The Rabbit Hole. Yep. Went there. Never expected to want to carry pricier knives, but here I am. Both the Eureka Jack and Locking Lanny's Clip have been my most carried knives since I acquired them. The EJ has a handle shape I wasn't sure of, until it arrived, I started carrying, and decided I liked it. Both have a set of materials I like. Sometimes I like the single locking blade, sometimes I like the utility of having a choice between the spear and the Wharncliffe, I love the utility of the smaller Wharncliffe blades.

Since there can be only one, my 2023 KOTY is the Bose Case Eureka Jack collab in brown standard jig bone. The EJ has been carried more than any of my other knives since it arrived, slightly more than the Lanny's Clip. If I need to pick between the EJ and LC, it's usually the EJ.

 

[OldHercDude]

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

I always enjoy these - thanks for herding the cats again this year.

 

[OldHercDude]

View attachment 2412461

Earlier this year, I traveled to Bradford, Pennsylvania to see Tony Bose inducted into the Case Hall of Fame. It was a special honor rarely awarded. Reese Bose represented his family well. Reese is a great knife maker, but like Tony, he is an even better person and a trustworthy friend.

View attachment 2412464

Visiting the Case factory was a treat. Of course, there is another factory not too far away in Titusville that many of us know and love.

View attachment 2412465
View attachment 2412463View attachment 2412469

I was able to visit with Bill Howard and Randy Bell. GEC was working on the 86 Pattern. In the photo taken around the same time by Travman , Bill can be seen inspecting Charlie’s Ebony Riders by C.C.. I later acquired one.

View attachment 2412466View attachment 2412467

It was a wonderful experience. To make
it even more special, Reese Bose completely surprised me by pulling a gorgeous Stag Western Trapper out of his pocket. He offered it to me, and I immediately said yes! (Even before I knew the price, which is completely unlike me!)

View attachment 2412476View attachment 2412477

I would say that both of these knives are my favorites, but I do not want to cause Jack Black to burst a valve. Therefore, in order to help protect Jack’s physical and mental well being, I hereby officially declare the Reese Bose Stag Western Trapper to be my sole favorite 2023 Knife of the Year!

I wish you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas.

That Trapper's a beaut!

 

[SteveC]

2023 has been the year of the Lamb for me and I've acquired some nice ones.



I was able to get one of Jack's special Lambs, the Ironwood '19 Guardians knife






I was also able to acquire some nice vintage lambs including this Albert Oates Current Lamb






And this nice Rosewood lamb




And this George Wostenholm I*XL





I was lucky to be able to trade for one of Eric's Lambs as well








Now Jack's Guardian knife is truly special to me but I have to pick the I*XL for my KOTY. It was made by a master cutler as it's almost perfect in every way and has been truly a pleasure to carry.

 

[Old Engineer]

I have received a number of new knives this year for my meager collection . Some of them are patterns that I wanted and some of them are brands that I wanted in my collection and 1 of them was a rare pattern . I carried every one of them at one time or the other but none of them could be seen as a contender for my KOTY . My actual KOTY is one that I received a few years ago and there was not even a #2 for me . But that being said , I still enjoy reviewing this KOTY thread every year . That you for doing it again Jack Black . Maybe in 2024 I will be able to get one to qualify for entry .

Harry

 

[pmek5]

This one is easy this year. The Bunny came late for me (after Christmas 22). I echo everything afishhunter said earlier. Never carried a knife as much as this one in a year. It just has a strong nostalgic draw for me. Plus being Ebony & jack knife.
Perfect in every way. A pleasure to carry.

 

[Centermass]

I’ll add to the growing 2022 BF Bunny list as well.

I’ve said it before, but when this one was announced, like most I grabbed one because, well, Forum knife. When I ordered it, I had no idea I would like and carry it as much as I do. It has definitely been my most-carried traditional over the last year, and I don’t see that changing in the foreseeable future. For me, it’s just ticks a lot of the right boxes, so it gets picked most of the time.

 

[jc57]

Well, I only acquired one knife in the date range to qualify, which was the 2023 forum knife, so I guess that's gonna have to be the winner for my best, worst, favorite, least favorite, heaviest, lightest, largest, smallest, most expensive, and cheapest categories of the year.

So - the 2023 Bladeforums GEC Humpback Congress is my Knife of the Year. I did not see in the rules where I have to post a photo of it, which is good, because I didn't take any photos during its brief inspection before returning to its nice warm little tube.

 

[Travman]

This was the year of GEC 86’s for me. This is a perfect pattern for me. I love the size and the feel in hand. I love the walk and talk. The action is just right and the snap is authoritative. I was able to make a day trip to the factory in July and was able to pickup a marrow bone 86. With the help of two friends I was then able to get a white bone Harness Jack Charlie Campagna 86. I thought that was it, but then a Cocobolo M&G was available. So I was able to get a spear point, clip point, and sheepfoot 86 all in one year. I feel each one of these is perfect in every way.

However, my selection for KOTY has to go to this David Valdivieso mammoth clip point 86. It actually came out exactly how we pictured it. This was the first knife I have ever held with mammoth handles. The mammoth is highly polished and more luxurious than anything I was familiar with. Thank you David, you do excellent work.

 

[meako]

2023...there's the forum knife ...always a strong contender...this year being no different.
Very strong in the field CC Rider HJs...black and white plain Janes or simple, understated beauty matched only by solid capabilty.Classics. definitely worth considering.
Top weight favourite for mine...a seasoned campaigner...been in the pocket most of the year...glad to be out of the stable....patinering nicely...your friend and mine...
Ol' Pondy.

 

[Hoffmajo89]

It’s been a strong year for me, with a lot of great additions to the collection. However, this late-year acquisition in leaves zero doubt that it is my 2023 TKOTY.

The ebony is darker than night. The fit and finish is impeccable. It feels great in use and it disappears in my pocket. AND I’ve been super into three-blade knives lately.

This 2009 Canal Street Stockman is definitely my best pickup of the year!

 

[Ironbut]

I've slowed down a bit from previous years, but have still bought "a few" really nice knives this year. There isn't a bad one in the bunch, but the one that stands out is this dumb thing. And it cost $16.

 

[Duvel]

I didn’t buy too many traditionals this year, but my favorite, by far, was this elderberry 54:


Love those handles!

 

[Jack Black]

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!

Stunning pics of some great-looking knives, and that Barlow is certainly special

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 .

Thank you very much Paul He sure is, and he's not alone

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.View attachment 2412381

That's definitely your Knife of the Year my friend

Has to be the knife I received in the 01-10-23 mailcall.
2022 BF Forum Bunny Knife number 291.
It has seen more pocket time and use of any knife I got in 2023. Over five months total daily carry spread out over the year. (if my 'rithmatic is unwrong.)
None of my other knives that I received this year come close in carry time.
(Admittedly, some knives I received prior to 2023 have seen longer carry. My SAK Hercules for example will have 2 consecutive years of daily carry time on March 31-2024. The Toferner Celtic/Norse/Viking (non-folding) pocket/neck knife will have 3 consecutive years of daily carry on November 04-24.)
View attachment 2412449

Looking nicely worn in Thanks for reminding me to start the thread

 

[Jack Black]

Here she goes. With a superbly made sheath by our EMCEE that just came in today

No doubts there I very much enjoy seeing your fine-looking fixed blades Love the sheath

Jack, first off, I think your post nominating your KOTY might be the finest post I've ever read on BFC. Eminently thoughtful and incisive.

Why thank you Jeff, I'm flattered, especially coming from such an eloquent poster as yourself

For me it was the year of the lambsfoot, adding two to my beloved RALF of 2018 Guardians fame, both of which were in the running for KOTY. Like Jack, I was fortunate to snag an Albers, mine in ringed gidgee: so svelte and beautiful in every respect. I also added a larger custom from F. Benini in beautiful stag and stainless, my preference. Although I esteem them both and carry them both often, they fell short.

Another addition that has had a lot of pocket time in a short period of time is my yella Buck 301. This one is old enough to have the sheepfoot on the same end as the clip, the way a stockman should, and has the best W&T of any Buck I've handled. But alas, there can be only one!

There is something mystically satisfying about the eureka pattern which is hard for me to describe. I'm more of a stockman guy, but of all the two-blade jacks, and I've tried nearly all of them, the eureka stands alone as my favorite. The combination of size, the feel in hand of the uniquely serpentine frame and the supercool extension spring for the secondary have me hooked. When you add a Wharncliffe secondary blade, excellent 154CM stainless steel, grippy deeply jigged bone and Case-Bose design and workmanship, well . . . my KOTY is the Case-Bose #TB622017 Eureka Jack in brown jigged bone. Whether in the hand or just in the pocket, it always makes me feel special!

That's your Knife of the Year buddy Great photos of some fabulous knives

 

[Jack Black]

2023 was going to be a light year for me. Cost-wise, the only reason it wasn't was a dive in the collab rabbit hole. Still lighter than a few previous years.

This year's contenders:

The Teardrops, SFO single-blade Trapper, and Boker Copper and Brass Micartas were to either complete a set I was building, or to grab some knives I liked before they became unobtanium. The Opinels were simply to try out and were purchased relatively inexpensively, as was the CRKT. Of the listed, the Opinels are still in the decision stage with regard to how much I like them and which to keep.

The Rabbit Hole. Yep. Went there. Never expected to want to carry pricier knives, but here I am. Both the Eureka Jack and Locking Lanny's Clip have been my most carried knives since I acquired them. The EJ has a handle shape I wasn't sure of, until it arrived, I started carrying, and decided I liked it. Both have a set of materials I like. Sometimes I like the single locking blade, sometimes I like the utility of having a choice between the spear and the Wharncliffe, I love the utility of the smaller Wharncliffe blades.

Since there can be only one, my 2023 KOTY is the Bose Case Eureka Jack collab in brown standard jig bone. The EJ has been carried more than any of my other knives since it arrived, slightly more than the Lanny's Clip. If I need to pick between the EJ and LC, it's usually the EJ.

Most of us start the year with good intentions! Some great-looking knives, but the final two are off the charts Great photography

I always enjoy these - thanks for herding the cats again this year.

Thanks Gordon I appreciate folks making it easy

2023 has been the year of the Lamb for me and I've acquired some nice ones.



I was able to get one of Jack's special Lambs, the Ironwood '19 Guardians knife



View attachment 2412598


I was also able to acquire some nice vintage lambs including this Albert Oates Current Lamb


View attachment 2412599



And this nice Rosewood lamb

View attachment 2412601


And this George Wostenholm I*XL

View attachment 2412611



I was lucky to be able to trade for one of Eric's Lambs as well



View attachment 2412600




Now Jack's Guardian knife is truly special to me but I have to pick the I*XL for my KOTY. It was made by a master cutler as it's almost perfect in every way and has been truly a pleasure to carry.







View attachment 2412564




View attachment 2412591


View attachment 2412590



View attachment 2412592View attachment 2412593

You have rounded up some lovely old vintage Lambs this year Steve, but your IXL is a work of art. A worthy winner