The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Most of us start the year with good intentions!Some great-looking knives, but the final two are off the charts
Great photography
Thanks Gordon
<snip>
Coming in second to Reese Bose is an honor!!!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 byTravman , 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!)
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I would say that both of these knives are my favorites, but I do not want to causeJack 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.
Safe travels good sir
Great post David, I hope Eric looks in here at some point
I like your choice, I'll definitely get one of Dave's knives at some point (just don't want to have to pay the income tax. I certainly don't need any more fixed blade knives, but I like Dave, and his family. He's shared a lot of interesting stuff, and his emails are the nearest I'll get to being a cowboy! It'd fit right in your stable VinceThat Horsewright knife is a real looker, David. Might have to get me one of those myself.
Thanks buddy, I saw you ordered a Verijero a while back Vince, and thought it was a great choice for you. If you don't have it in your hands until Christmas Day, assuming you take to it, there's always next year
Fantastic Gary, that sounded like a wonderful trip, and your Zuava is a beautiful souvenirMy traditional knife for 2023 is the Scarperia Zuava I picked up in Florence, Italy this past October. It brings with it some very fond memories of the time we spent with family from all over the USA, in the homeland of our ancestors. It also reminds me of how my wife, I and our oldest son came home with COVID. I find the Zuava to be a very useful pattern, and I'm carrying it fairly often.
I'm glad you all got over the Covid I did a Zuava giveaway once. Carl
J
jackknife
won it, and the last time I heard, Karen was still carrying it in her purse
That's a sweet little knife, I can see why you picked it, very cool
Interesting story too 
Travman
mentioned, it is a terrific #86 year for GEC. I think it can be argued that any year that GEC produces on this frame is a great year though. It's such an excellent pattern and pretty much any knife made on it is an instant classic. I was mostly intrigued by the Harness Jack variants. Though I have a couple of knives with punches, none of them are jacks so it was nice to be able to land a few of these 86s. Barring the forum knife this year, these 86s are the last GECs I have been able to acquire.
Fantastic post Dylan, you're a great wordsmith my friendIt's always a pleasure to see this thread come up, Jack - an honored tradition, for sure.
This year has been an interesting year for me. Work has become more intensive for me (not a bad thing) and my kids are both in high school and they are keeping us rather busy. As such, I've found the need (more often than not) to simply unplug when I get the chance. It's been a positive for me but it has meant less time on the forums and as an unexpected side effect, far less knives. I've also pulled myself out of the "GEC" game and so it has become pretty rare for me to land a new knife. When I do, it's because I've managed to be in the right place at the right time or I am simply taking advantage of far more available offerings.
That all said, it wasn't a knife drought for me, by any means, and I've managed to acquire some quality pieces - quality over quantity, as they say, right?
There is a very clear KOTY for me and I'm sure Jack will not be surprised by my choice. More on that in a bit though - I would be remiss not to showcase some of the runner-ups and possible contenders.
Earlier in the year, I was at the Oregon Knife Show and was able to meet up with some folks I hadn't seen in a couple of years like Charlie and Neil. I also got to meet Rhidian and had some great chats with Joan Mae from GEC. It was a grand time and though I didn't get to meet up with everyone I was hoping to see, it was still memorable all the same.
I scooped up a Case Loom Fixer off of Charlie's table and a #59 in Stag from GEC's table (the latter being the last bit of Stag I've gotten from GEC). Both fine knives, especially that Case, and instantly cherished pieces in my collection. Still, they are knives that haven't seen any use or carry from me quite yet so they are simply honorable mentions.
Sometime in late spring, I decided to check out a line of fixed blades that are made in Finland, Terävä's Skrama and Jääkäripuukko in a couple of different sizes. These knives offer a tremendous value and the company was a real treat to deal with. I set the Skrama to some blackberry vines almost as soon as I got it and I used the larger version last month at a winter camp, making hearth boards for a bow drill fire making workshop.
Fantastic knives and if I were outside all day, every day, I'd likely be carrying one or more of these rather consistently. Alas! I work at a desk so I have to create my own opportunities so they collectively remain distant runner-ups in my quest for KOTY.
In the summer, I travelled back east to where my story began and I road tripped back with my biological dad - we essentially drove from Portland, Maine to Portland Oregon. On the way, we stopped in Bradford, Pennsylvania to check out the Case/Zippo museum. My dad, a lifelong Zippo user and Case carrier, was thrilled to death and I must say, it was a very fun experience. Such excellent Americana to enjoy there. We followed that up by stopping in Titusville to visit the GEC factory. I was less enthused by that visit and I'd say my experience was rather neutral.
Regardless, I did get souvenir knives from both locations - an H20 and a Paring Knife. I haven't used the GEC yet since the edge is almost nonexistent and I haven't taken the time to reprofile yet. The Case however, is a quite a treat in the kitchen and has seen an enormous amount of use since I brought it home. I would say it is a rather pleasant surprise and it qualifies as a solid second runner up for me.
As
I was able to get one of Charlie's Easy Riders and if I hadn't been able to scoop up one of the variants with the Sheepfoot main, I think I would have given it a lot of use and time. I've become so accustomed to having a straight edged blade for my everyday cutting needs though, that when I was able to score one of the regular runs in the red micarta, I was pretty thrilled. As such, I have carried it and used it a bunch. Micarta is not my favorite material on slipjoints, especially the overly plastic-like linen stuff that GEC uses, so when I learned of M&G's offerings in more traditional materials, I had to grab one of those too.
The Harness Jack in micarta though is the one I can toss in the pocket and never fear. It's robust and tough, and it gets the job done. It is easily my first runner up and would have been my KOTY if it weren't for the next entry.
I mentioned earlier that I had met Rhidian at the Oregon Knife Show. Those of you who are familiar with his work know that it is absolutely exquisite. We had talked some before the show about a project that I had in mind. He was amenable to it and I was able to finalize things at the show. This would be the first time that I had worked with a custom slipjoint maker and I could not be more pleased with the results.
I was inspired by an old Lambsfoot that I found some time ago. It isn't in great shape but I was struck by the unusual blade/handle configuration - a lambsfoot blade on a "coke bottle" handle. Some folks here know my penchant for both coke bottle handles and lambsfoot blades so finding both in one knife was literally a fantasy brought to life. Rhidian saw the knife in question at the show and he agreed to reproduce it for me.
Jack is familiar with the concept of finding that "one" knife. The knife that seems to melt away any need for others to even be considered for your everyday needs. Well, I can safely say that this Rhidian Lambsfoot is that "one" for me. I have never had a knife so diminish my desire to acquire other knives like this one. The craftmanship, the materials used, the design all simply "click" for me and I am never left wanting when I carry this knife.
It has been a couple of years since I have been able to dub a Lambsfoot as my KOTY so I am enthusiastically naming my Rhidian Lambsfoot as my 2023 KOTY. 2024 has its work cut out for it but it's doubtful that anything that can be conjured up can compete with such a lofty bar.
Unplugging is something I have real difficulty doing I'm afraid, I envy you! Great to hear about your road trip, and while you may have slowed down a little, you have still acquired some wonderful knives. I like dealing with the Finns, but don't shop with them as often as I used to due to Brexit (they weren't shipping knives here for a while too - ended yesterday). However, I did put in a small order a couple of days ago As I'm sure you imagined, I had guessed what your KOTY would be, as soon as I saw your post. I know it is a dream come true for you my friend, and I think
Rhidian
did a superb job 
Great read and photos Dylan. Your quote above perfectly sums up my feeling for my KOTY that I posted earlier. Hope your holidays are as pleasant as the ride you just took us on.
That's always got to be it my friend
A very cool project I always enjoy your maple syrup posts 
CongratulationsWell, this is an easy decision for me. Turns out I bought only one knife in 2023. I've wanted a Buck 117 for the longest time. Finally they came back into production. I asked the local knife shop to get one for me, wanting to support my local shop as much as possible. It seemed to take forever but he finally got a couple of them in. It's an ideal, all around size: bigger handle than the 102, shorter but heftier blade than the 105, not as imposing as the 119 -- it's the Goldilocks of Buck fixed blades!
Carl, everything about your "Syrup Makers Special" project is just cool, especially the finished product.
Jack Black
- an unexpected treat in the bottom of the box. When we opened the tin the HHB was in, my eyes got huge, my jaw dropped and I stopped breathing for a minute (I distinctly remember my wife asking, "Are you okay?"). This is a grail knife I never expected to actually see in person, much less own. It's better in person than my photos can show - sorry for my complete lack of photography skills.
I will say, there is 1 outcome with the project that I wasn't thrilled with. All my relatives say the knife is too nice to use, and so they have it sitting on a shelf in their houses. Every single one! I told them these knives are built to be used. But it is their knife to do with as they see fit, and I do take a little pride knowing that they are treasuring it in their own way.
I think that kind of thing is pretty common Carl, and can think of numerous occassions where I've given knives to people, and they've done just that. My friend Tool Man is a case in point, he keeps all the knives I've given him in a safe, 'in case he loses them'! Paul
Jakeywax31
very generously sent him a Reminton Bullet Jack a few months back, and he planned to do just the same. I told him there was nothing sadder than an unused knife, and this somehow penetrated his thick skull, and he started to carry it. It has made a big change in his life. I mean, he's still a great big greedy stupid lump, but at least he has a nice knife in his pocket! It is definitely his KOTY 
Great post, and a great knife, Dylan. I always enjoy reading your musings.It's always a pleasure to see this thread come up, Jack - an honored tradition, for sure.
This year has been an interesting year for me. Work has become more intensive for me (not a bad thing) and my kids are both in high school and they are keeping us rather busy. As such, I've found the need (more often than not) to simply unplug when I get the chance. It's been a positive for me but it has meant less time on the forums and as an unexpected side effect, far less knives. I've also pulled myself out of the "GEC" game and so it has become pretty rare for me to land a new knife. When I do, it's because I've managed to be in the right place at the right time or I am simply taking advantage of far more available offerings.
That all said, it wasn't a knife drought for me, by any means, and I've managed to acquire some quality pieces - quality over quantity, as they say, right?
There is a very clear KOTY for me and I'm sure Jack will not be surprised by my choice. More on that in a bit though - I would be remiss not to showcase some of the runner-ups and possible contenders.
Earlier in the year, I was at the Oregon Knife Show and was able to meet up with some folks I hadn't seen in a couple of years like Charlie and Neil. I also got to meet Rhidian and had some great chats with Joan Mae from GEC. It was a grand time and though I didn't get to meet up with everyone I was hoping to see, it was still memorable all the same.
I scooped up a Case Loom Fixer off of Charlie's table and a #59 in Stag from GEC's table (the latter being the last bit of Stag I've gotten from GEC). Both fine knives, especially that Case, and instantly cherished pieces in my collection. Still, they are knives that haven't seen any use or carry from me quite yet so they are simply honorable mentions.
Sometime in late spring, I decided to check out a line of fixed blades that are made in Finland, Terävä's Skrama and Jääkäripuukko in a couple of different sizes. These knives offer a tremendous value and the company was a real treat to deal with. I set the Skrama to some blackberry vines almost as soon as I got it and I used the larger version last month at a winter camp, making hearth boards for a bow drill fire making workshop.
Fantastic knives and if I were outside all day, every day, I'd likely be carrying one or more of these rather consistently. Alas! I work at a desk so I have to create my own opportunities so they collectively remain distant runner-ups in my quest for KOTY.
In the summer, I travelled back east to where my story began and I road tripped back with my biological dad - we essentially drove from Portland, Maine to Portland Oregon. On the way, we stopped in Bradford, Pennsylvania to check out the Case/Zippo museum. My dad, a lifelong Zippo user and Case carrier, was thrilled to death and I must say, it was a very fun experience. Such excellent Americana to enjoy there. We followed that up by stopping in Titusville to visit the GEC factory. I was less enthused by that visit and I'd say my experience was rather neutral.
Regardless, I did get souvenir knives from both locations - an H20 and a Paring Knife. I haven't used the GEC yet since the edge is almost nonexistent and I haven't taken the time to reprofile yet. The Case however, is a quite a treat in the kitchen and has seen an enormous amount of use since I brought it home. I would say it is a rather pleasant surprise and it qualifies as a solid second runner up for me.
As
I was able to get one of Charlie's Easy Riders and if I hadn't been able to scoop up one of the variants with the Sheepfoot main, I think I would have given it a lot of use and time. I've become so accustomed to having a straight edged blade for my everyday cutting needs though, that when I was able to score one of the regular runs in the red micarta, I was pretty thrilled. As such, I have carried it and used it a bunch. Micarta is not my favorite material on slipjoints, especially the overly plastic-like linen stuff that GEC uses, so when I learned of M&G's offerings in more traditional materials, I had to grab one of those too.
The Harness Jack in micarta though is the one I can toss in the pocket and never fear. It's robust and tough, and it gets the job done. It is easily my first runner up and would have been my KOTY if it weren't for the next entry.
I mentioned earlier that I had met Rhidian at the Oregon Knife Show. Those of you who are familiar with his work know that it is absolutely exquisite. We had talked some before the show about a project that I had in mind. He was amenable to it and I was able to finalize things at the show. This would be the first time that I had worked with a custom slipjoint maker and I could not be more pleased with the results.
I was inspired by an old Lambsfoot that I found some time ago. It isn't in great shape but I was struck by the unusual blade/handle configuration - a lambsfoot blade on a "coke bottle" handle. Some folks here know my penchant for both coke bottle handles and lambsfoot blades so finding both in one knife was literally a fantasy brought to life. Rhidian saw the knife in question at the show and he agreed to reproduce it for me.
Jack is familiar with the concept of finding that "one" knife. The knife that seems to melt away any need for others to even be considered for your everyday needs. Well, I can safely say that this Rhidian Lambsfoot is that "one" for me. I have never had a knife so diminish my desire to acquire other knives like this one. The craftmanship, the materials used, the design all simply "click" for me and I am never left wanting when I carry this knife.
It has been a couple of years since I have been able to dub a Lambsfoot as my KOTY so I am enthusiastically naming my Rhidian Lambsfoot as my 2023 KOTY. 2024 has its work cut out for it but it's doubtful that anything that can be conjured up can compete with such a lofty bar.
