YOUR Traditional Knife of the Year 2024 (There can be only ONE!)

[BakeryWizard]

This French friction folder. It's definitely the knife I've carried the most this year. I think I just love how simple it is.

 

[Jack Black]

I have been blessed with more than a few great knives this year. It wasn't easy coming up with just one, but this one rose to the the top over all the others.



Joseph Rodgers 2 blade Lamb



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You have had some stunners this year Steve, but that Rodgers is absolutely exceptional A worthy winner in my opinion

Thanks for the thread, Jack Black !

This guy:

Why ?

1) I had been looking for a reasonably priced copy of that knife from a seller that I like for a several years

2) carried it for two weeks during our move in Oct/Nov; above in our trailer while we were „camping“ in our back yard and our house was being emptied. Now that the move is done, those will be fond memories

That looks useful Some nice-looking chips there too!

 

[Jack Black]

This French friction folder. It's definitely the knife I've carried the most this year. I think I just love how simple it is.
View attachment 2735327

That has great character

 

[Lifesfordeath]

For me, this K'roo has earned its spot as #1 for this year.

Having carried striders, hinderers, spyderco's and others I never gave much thought (or appreciation or admiration, my how wisdom comes with age!) to traditional slip joint knives. I purchased a couple GEC's and I quickly found my somewhat tacticool and hard use knives started to lose pocket rights.

Quickly my collection has grown to well over 30 traditional slip joint knives to include, GEC, Case, Schatt Morgan and custom K'roo's.

I really like all of them but this K'roo with giraffe bone that I purchased here on BF has down right dominated pocket time. This was a knife previously owned and used in the past, I'm not sure of its true production specs or anything honestly I don't care, I love it's walk and talk, the feel in hand, the keen edge it takes and it's looks and wear it's earning from my use of it.

It's become my favorite knife of this year if not of all my years for whatever reasons I can or cannot think of. I'm somewhat hopeful of posting next year in a thread like thjs but I'm not too sure I will be. It's really been that good to me already!

 

[Jack Black]

For me, this K'roo has earned its spot as #1 for this year.

Having carried striders, hinderers, spyderco's and others I never gave much thought (or appreciation or admiration, my how wisdom comes with age!) to traditional slip joint knives. I purchased a couple GEC's and I quickly found my somewhat tacticool and hard use knives started to lose pocket rights.

Quickly my collection has grown to well over 30 traditional slip joint knives to include, GEC, Case, Schatt Morgan and custom K'roo's.

I really like all of them but this K'roo with giraffe bone that I purchased here on BF has down right dominated pocket time. This was a knife previously owned and used in the past, I'm not sure of its true production specs or anything honestly I don't care, I love it's walk and talk, the feel in hand, the keen edge it takes and it's looks and wear it's earning from my use of it.

It's become my favorite knife of this year if not of all my years for whatever reasons I can or cannot think of. I'm somewhat hopeful of posting next year in a thread like thjs but I'm not too sure I will be. It's really been that good to me already!

Great story He makes a very fine knife

 

[danno50]

I enjoy this thread every year, however, have not had a knife that fits the rules until this year.
I have two knives in very close competition for the KOTY of 2024. The first is the Waynorth lambfoot, which I acquired this spring. I carried it for months and was sure it was hands down to be my knife of the year.


However, along comes the Waynorth City Stock, which I have been carrying since the day it arrived.


I love them both and will be carrying one or the other for the foreseeable future. However, I believe the City Stock will see more pocket time and is therefore my knife of the year for 2024.

 

[DaleS]

I enjoy this thread every year, however, have not had a knife that fits the rules until this year.
I have two knives in very close competition for the KOTY of 2024. The first is the Waynorth lambfoot, which I acquired this spring. I carried it for months and was sure it was hands down to be my knife of the year.
View attachment 2735586
View attachment 2735589
However, along comes the Waynorth City Stock, which I have been carrying since the day it arrived.
View attachment 2735597
View attachment 2735599
I love them both and will be carrying one or the other for the foreseeable future. However, I believe the City Stock will see more pocket time and is therefore my knife of the year for 2024.

Beautiful patinas!

 

[pistonsandgears]

This one is easily the knife of the year for me.

 

[DaveHS]

I love seeing this thread come up every year. Thanks Jack!

I have five knives in the running for KOTY that were in heavy rotation in 2024.

View attachment 2734541

First up is the 2023 BF knife that I won in a GAW from @DocJekl. Thanks Larry! This was in the pocket so many days this year. Being #625 makes it really special to me. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 62:5. I carried this one on days where I knew I would need some extra patience. It’s such a great pattern. I believe this one got to me in early January.

View attachment 2734542

Also in January, I was blown away by this gift from my good friend Jeremy, sbh06 . It’s such an iconic knife and I had wanted one since I started visiting the forum in late 2019. This knife hogged my pocket for the front half of the year. Many apples have been slayed by this beast!

View attachment 2734543

In May, Chris 321Bandaid loaded me up with this white bone beauty. My knife drawer is decidedly brown and black, so this guy was a breath of fresh air. I had been viperless for several months, so I guess Chris saw that I was going through withdrawals! I love this knife.

View attachment 2734544

A few months back I snagged a 33 in stag. I’ve had several of these. They make great gifts, but I wanted one that I can tote myself. I have loved having this in the drawer.

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And then, holy smokes and what the heck hit the mailbox. Last month, Chris sends me this Cosmio De Benedetto lambsfoot. It maybe has been out of my pocket 2 days in the last 50. I doubt anything will be usurping it for a while. Chris is a great friend with great taste in cutlery! This would be my KOTY, but it’s jut too new and I have too many other great candidates.

View attachment 2734546

So…after all of that…I have to go with the white bone 47 Viper for my KOTY.

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What a beautiful group of knives. I don’t know how you picked only one!

 

[Jack Black]

I enjoy this thread every year, however, have not had a knife that fits the rules until this year.
I have two knives in very close competition for the KOTY of 2024. The first is the Waynorth lambfoot, which I acquired this spring. I carried it for months and was sure it was hands down to be my knife of the year.
View attachment 2735586
View attachment 2735589
However, along comes the Waynorth City Stock, which I have been carrying since the day it arrived.
View attachment 2735597
View attachment 2735599
I love them both and will be carrying one or the other for the foreseeable future. However, I believe the City Stock will see more pocket time and is therefore my knife of the year for 2024.

This one is easily the knife of the year for me.

Charlie's City Stock is really sweeping the board! Well chosen gents

What a beautiful group of knives. I don’t know how you picked only one!

'Cos them's the rules!

 

[321Bandaid]

Wow, tough call!
I'm going to try to go by your criteria Jack Black
"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."

I definitely have my favorites, but this year's knife that took me by surprise on how much I liked it & probably got carried the most out of all of them is this Schatt & Morgan Harness Jack.
I already liked its looks, the teardrop pattern just has some amazing lines to it, not to mention it's in my favorite color
I've just recently found out about the harness jack pattern this year & it has proven to be very useful for a variety of things.
But what has gotten it so much pocket time is the way that big teardrop pattern just fills my hand perfectly. It has a nice wide swell without being too much.
So I believe this one would have to be my K.O.T.Y.

View attachment 2733466

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I've said it before, and I'll say it again: That ole "pickle jack" is the REAL DILL!!!

 

[321Bandaid]

Truth be told, I'm relatively new to knives in comparison to most folks here. If memory serves me correctly, I purchased my first "real knife" toward the end of last year, so let's call this my KOTY (+/- a month or two).

First up, this 15 TC Barlow gifted to me early on by fellow blade-brethren, JonMcD . I had very few GECs, and barely knew what a "barlow" was at the time! It was an immediate favorite. Oh, grasshopper...

Shortly after, I had a blind squirrel moment : I won a GAW sponsored by the one and only Rufus1949 . Bob gave me a real education with this one. The prize: A custom South-African Margrate swayback w/ Waboom covers AND a vintage '65-'69 Case 6347 red bone stockman!!! My first custom knife AND my first vintage Case... both of which remain solid examples by which all others are measured.


Then, I got my hands on a 34 Hummingbird Oh, boy! This one has spent more time in my pocket than any other GEC in my collection by far! Straight edge, single spring, the shield and color... It's pretty perfect, IMO.

Final candidate for KOTY was another knife "lesson". Holy smokes!!! This one was sent to me by Jeremy sbh06 who has become a great friend over the past year. I remember the first time I saw this knife (close to a year ago) while browsing the forum and thinking to myself, "that's the coolest knife I've ever seen." Never thought I'd have it in my hands!

Without further ado, my KOTY: the K'roo

Thanks again, fellas!!! JonMcD Rufus1949 sbh06

 

[Oldy]

2024 is going down as the year gec darn near broke me,the 32,78 and these 3 fine blokes.hard to choose from the 5 until you break it all down and then the 81 stands out with lined bolsters and unique jigging and color ,coupled with a single spring sleek ness and 2 useful blades.

 

[Angry Waiter]

This is always a great thread to participate in and thank you Jack Black for posting, good sir.

One special knife I was lucky to be able to be part of was the Four Horseman lamb Jakeywax31 sbh06 TXGatorbait Rufus1949

Made by Cosimo De Benedetto these knives were carbon blade, picked bone knives. Made by CDB, thank you sir, to the vision of the group. Love this knife. Picture:



Another project knife that I feel blessed to be included on is the Guardians of the Lambfoot 2024 knife. Barrett, btb01 - thanks to you and Eric and Jack, thank you for this very special knife. I carry it very much and it was a strong contender for my KOTY.


My brother Greg TXGatorbait gifted this knife. It was our Grandfather’s preferred pattern. This Case knife has a special place in my heart.



However, much to my dismay and as much as I love the lamb foot knives and the Case, this year was a different year for me. I had a three blade knife steal my heart. In June I traded a GEC Barlow for this 66 Calf Roper in blue Camel bone. I call it a Camel Roper and the propeller shield, pinched & rat tailed bolster plus gorgeous bone proved to be a knife that I carried most of June to now. It’s hard to explain but I put this in my pocket and it has not really gotten a break. Always in the weekly pile. I know it’s a knife released a few years ago but it’s my KOTY.

 

[KentuckyBlackBird]

I made this knife. I made it during the Spring/Summer of 2024. It was the first one I’ve ever made. 1095 (I believe), oak hickory reclaimed handle from an axe haft (the shoulder), and quite a bit of sweat equity produced this little jewel. It’s strong, needle pointed, and is as sharp as a razor. It isn’t something I can carry at work, so I didn’t get to carry it as much as I would have liked. But, I’ve put it into my weekend rotation. The size is pleasing and it ain’t too bad to look at either.

 

[Jack Black]

Truth be told, I'm relatively new to knives in comparison to most folks here. If memory serves me correctly, I purchased my first "real knife" toward the end of last year, so let's call this my KOTY (+/- a month or two).

First up, this 15 TC Barlow gifted to me early on by fellow blade-brethren, JonMcD . I had very few GECs, and barely knew what a "barlow" was at the time! It was an immediate favorite. Oh, grasshopper...
View attachment 2737303
Shortly after, I had a blind squirrel moment : I won a GAW sponsored by the one and only Rufus1949 . Bob gave me a real education with this one. The prize: A custom South-African Margrate swayback w/ Waboom covers AND a vintage '65-'69 Case 6347 red bone stockman!!! My first custom knife AND my first vintage Case... both of which remain solid examples by which all others are measured.
View attachment 2737315
View attachment 2737335
Then, I got my hands on a 34 Hummingbird Oh, boy! This one has spent more time in my pocket than any other GEC in my collection by far! Straight edge, single spring, the shield and color... It's pretty perfect, IMO.
View attachment 2737306
Final candidate for KOTY was another knife "lesson". Holy smokes!!! This one was sent to me by Jeremy sbh06 who has become a great friend over the past year. I remember the first time I saw this knife (close to a year ago) while browsing the forum and thinking to myself, "that's the coolest knife I've ever seen." Never thought I'd have it in my hands!

Without further ado, my KOTY: the K'roo
View attachment 2737336
Thanks again, fellas!!! JonMcD Rufus1949 sbh06

Wow, what a year!

View attachment 27374392024 is going down as the year gec darn near broke me,the 32,78 and these 3 fine blokes.hard to choose from the 5 until you break it all down and then the 81 stands out with lined bolsters and unique jigging and color ,coupled with a single spring sleek ness and 2 useful blades.

Nice choice I'm glad you're not completely broken!

This is always a great thread to participate in and thank you Jack Black for posting, good sir.

One special knife I was lucky to be able to be part of was the Four Horseman lamb Jakeywax31 sbh06 TXGatorbait Rufus1949

Made by Cosimo De Benedetto these knives were carbon blade, picked bone knives. Made by CDB, thank you sir, to the vision of the group. Love this knife. Picture:

View attachment 2737574

Another project knife that I feel blessed to be included on is the Guardians of the Lambfoot 2024 knife. Barrett, btb01 - thanks to you and Eric and Jack, thank you for this very special knife. I carry it very much and it was a strong contender for my KOTY.
View attachment 2737583

My brother Greg TXGatorbait gifted this knife. It was our Grandfather’s preferred pattern. This Case knife has a special place in my heart.

View attachment 2737598

However, much to my dismay and as much as I love the lamb foot knives and the Case, this year was a different year for me. I had a three blade knife steal my heart. In June I traded a GEC Barlow for this 66 Calf Roper in blue Camel bone. I call it a Camel Roper and the propeller shield, pinched & rat tailed bolster plus gorgeous bone proved to be a knife that I carried most of June to now. It’s hard to explain but I put this in my pocket and it has not really gotten a break. Always in the weekly pile. I know it’s a knife released a few years ago but it’s my KOTY.

View attachment 2737604View attachment 2737606View attachment 2737603View attachment 2737607View attachment 2737608

Cool post buddy, that's the way a KOTY can grab you I love the #66 frame

I made this knife. I made it during the Spring/Summer of 2024. It was the first one I’ve ever made. 1095 (I believe), oak reclaimed handle from an axe haft (the shoulder), and quite a bit of sweat equity produced this little jewel. It’s strong, needle pointed, and is as sharp as a razor. It isn’t something I can carry at work, so I didn’t get to carry it as much as I would have liked. But, I’ve put it into my weekend rotation. The size is pleasing and it ain’t too bad to look at either. View attachment 2737626

Well done, that's very handsome

 

[Hatchet_Jack]

This is always a great thread to participate in and thank you Jack Black for posting, good sir.

One special knife I was lucky to be able to be part of was the Four Horseman lamb Jakeywax31 sbh06 TXGatorbait Rufus1949

Made by Cosimo De Benedetto these knives were carbon blade, picked bone knives. Made by CDB, thank you sir, to the vision of the group. Love this knife. Picture:

View attachment 2737574

Another project knife that I feel blessed to be included on is the Guardians of the Lambfoot 2024 knife. Barrett, btb01 - thanks to you and Eric and Jack, thank you for this very special knife. I carry it very much and it was a strong contender for my KOTY.
View attachment 2737583

My brother Greg TXGatorbait gifted this knife. It was our Grandfather’s preferred pattern. This Case knife has a special place in my heart.

View attachment 2737598

However, much to my dismay and as much as I love the lamb foot knives and the Case, this year was a different year for me. I had a three blade knife steal my heart. In June I traded a GEC Barlow for this 66 Calf Roper in blue Camel bone. I call it a Camel Roper and the propeller shield, pinched & rat tailed bolster plus gorgeous bone proved to be a knife that I carried most of June to now. It’s hard to explain but I put this in my pocket and it has not really gotten a break. Always in the weekly pile. I know it’s a knife released a few years ago but it’s my KOTY.

View attachment 2737604View attachment 2737606View attachment 2737603View attachment 2737607View attachment 2737608

All great choices Pete but hard to beat a nice bone serpentine she’s a beauty.

 

[DaveHS]

For me, this K'roo has earned its spot as #1 for this year.

Having carried striders, hinderers, spyderco's and others I never gave much thought (or appreciation or admiration, my how wisdom comes with age!) to traditional slip joint knives. I purchased a couple GEC's and I quickly found my somewhat tacticool and hard use knives started to lose pocket rights.

Quickly my collection has grown to well over 30 traditional slip joint knives to include, GEC, Case, Schatt Morgan and custom K'roo's.

I really like all of them but this K'roo with giraffe bone that I purchased here on BF has down right dominated pocket time. This was a knife previously owned and used in the past, I'm not sure of its true production specs or anything honestly I don't care, I love it's walk and talk, the feel in hand, the keen edge it takes and it's looks and wear it's earning from my use of it.

It's become my favorite knife of this year if not of all my years for whatever reasons I can or cannot think of. I'm somewhat hopeful of posting next year in a thread like thjs but I'm not too sure I will be. It's really been that good to me already!

Great knife. I made a full circle progression starting with traditionals as a kid, discovering modern folders in the last decade and then coming back to traditionals, with GEC as the gateway. Now I try to carry a traditional and a modern combo every day to celebrate them both.

 

[Hyesouljah]

This is my 2024 KOTY. Its great for a lot of reasons but above all my favorite reason is because of who it came to me from.

It’s been inseparable since the moment it came out of the tube.

May 2025 be a great year full of health and happiness for everyone here at the Porch!

 

[Angry Waiter]

Cool post buddy, that's the way a KOTY can grab you I love the #66 frame

All great choices Pete but hard to beat a nice bone serpentine she’s a beauty.