Let's Talk About Folders/Pocket Knives

Cooter Brown · #51 03-17-2013, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onomea

I like Great Eastern. Learned about 'em on the forum here a couple of years ago. They have three brands, I think. I bought a Northfield Trapper with sambar scales. These are old fashioned, slip joint, carbon steel pocketknives made in the USA.

Northfield Cutlery - UN-X-LD Knives

Best production traditional pocket knives going right now. Old fashioned patterns like doglegs, swell end jacks, toothpicks, trappers including the big old Remington trapper pattern, stockmans, muskrats, barlows, sodbusters, and great natural and acrylic scales, with micarta on the soddies.

I prefer carbon steel for a pocket knife and they use good old 1095 (01 on the soddies) steel which takes a great edge and holds it. They do offer some stainless as well. GREAT users!

Made totally in Titusville, PA.

Glad you like the knife, Onomea! You are clearly a man of taste and discretion.

Bone scaled "Powderhorn" toothpick pattern:

Ebony Dogleg jacknife:

Stockman:

All these knives (sp?) get used, but this bone scaled Remington pattern Trapper gets used a LOT, for everything (a lot more patina on it since this pic was taken):

Texas Star · #52 03-17-2013, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkc

One of my SAK's saw blades saved the day, years ago, when while camping in the Florida Keys on some tiny uninhabited sand-spit island, we went exploring in our vessel, a tiny one-design Penguin class sailboat. I can't recall the particulars, but there was rudder failure (much less complicated on a boat of this size than on a Carnival line cruise ship, but serious nonetheless). I think that the bolt around which the tiller pivoted in its vertical axis had worked loose and fallen overboard. This would have been a race-losing catastrophe in an around-the buoys race, but would have been an even worse disaster if we hadn't been able to get back to camp, and eventually back to the mainland.

I perceived that we could "fix" this problem by wedging the tiller into the "socket" at the rudder "stock", if we could find a bit of wood of sufficient size to wedge into the space behind the tiller's tilting arc. But, alas, there wasn't any wood at hand, apart from some red-barked mangroves, which don't produce any substantial limbs, only many small branches. At last, I found a short segment of branch of sufficient size for the task, but too short too be gnawed away by a knife blade, but the narrow kerf cut of the tiny saw blade saved enough wood to serve the purpose... A wedge was made, steering was restored, the day and the trip were salvaged, we lived to tell about it, all thanks to the tiny SAK saw. It ain't much of a saw, but it's way better that no saw at all in exigent circumstances...

Tell Victorinox about this. They get a lot of letters telling how their knives saved lives. You'll probably get a nice letter back with a colorful Swiss stamp. You can hand it down in the family. But check your spelling and punctuation first. You have "too" in one place where you mean, "to." Stuff like that.
The address is:

Export Director
Carl Elsener Messerfabrik (Victorinox)
CH- 6438
Ibach-Schwyz, Switzerland

Let us know what they say. (By addressing it to the Export Director, you'll get a man who reads English.) Tell him the model of knife, if you know it. They may post your letter for employees to read. It'll boost their morale, as knife ownership and use is probably under attack in Switzerland, as here. You may ask for a catalog, too. That'd be nice to have.

I'm glad that you made it home okay.

jmg1911 · #53 03-18-2013, 12:03 AM

I was amazed that Queen cutlery was not on the OPs list. Many fine folders at reasonable prices. And better still, several in 1095 and D2. One or the other is always with me in medium stockman .

Cooter Brown · #54 03-18-2013, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg1911

I was amazed that Queen cutlery was not on the OPs list. Many fine folders at reasonable prices. And better still, several in 1095 and D2. One or the other is always with me in medium stockman .

Look for new and good stuff to come out of Queen. One of the two guys that started GEC split off and bought Queen not long back. They've got a great history to work with and will surely offer some fine traditional knives.

don5 · #55 03-18-2013, 01:09 AM

For pocket carry-Case trapper/ stockman with bone handle. For hunting-Buck 110 folder, Fixed blade-Buck Special. Old school all the way. I am consistant!

Alnamvet68 · #56 03-18-2013, 08:34 AM

Well, out of the two knives I'm looking at, the Gerber will be one, but I did have to order a knife that I completely forgot about and thought about when I was wiping down one of my 1911's, the M1911 knife that's made in Canada using US steel. $124.00 shipped, and I couldn't be more pleased...

m1911officer.jpg

m1911officer1.jpg

CW Spook · #57 03-18-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

I'm intrigued that you carry a Huntsman in your pants pocket....The absolute limit in my pants is the Vic. Camper. And I usually have a Spartan there. Anything thicker than the Camper creates an outline and is uncomfortable. If you can tolerate the Huntsman, Thou art a better man than I, Gunga Din. (Apologies to Rudyard Kipling.)

As I mentioned, I've carried this one for daily just about 30 years. As you can see, the Victorinox cross has worn off long ago. The removable tools and the spring for the scissors have been replace multiple times. 15 years ago as I was getting dressed in a tux for our son's wedding, I dropped the knife into my pocket. My wife grumbled, "You're not taking that are you? It makes a bulge in your pocket." "Look," I said, "I ALWAYS carry my knife. Just let it go." She just shook her head in resignation. Ten minutes later we were at the small church where the wedding was to be held. One of the wedding party tried to open the double front doors, but the latch that held the normally fixed door was stuck. I pulled out my Huntsman, opened the screwdriver blade and popped the latch. A few minutes later my future daughter-in-law came out of the dressing area in her wedding gown and her sister exclaimed, "You've got a big thread hanging from you train!". I again pulled out my SAK, opened the scissors, trimmed the errant thread, and looked at my wife. "See...?!" That was the last time I've ever gotten criticism for carrying the knife.

RonJ · #58 03-18-2013, 04:03 PM

My prettiest knife is a Browning with Sambar Stag and polished brass bolsters. My Boker stockman feels very smooth and substantial. My sharpest knife is probably my Gerber Leek. My carry knife is a plain old SAK.

Texas Star · #59 03-18-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CW Spook

As I mentioned, I've carried this one for daily just about 30 years. As you can see, the Victorinox cross has worn off long ago. The removable tools and the spring for the scissors have been replace multiple times. 15 years ago as I was getting dressed in a tux for our son's wedding, I dropped the knife into my pocket. My wife grumbled, "You're not taking that are you? It makes a bulge in your pocket." "Look," I said, "I ALWAYS carry my knife. Just let it go." She just shook her head in resignation. Ten minutes later we were at the small church where the wedding was to be held. One of the wedding party tried to open the double front doors, but the latch that held the normally fixed door was stuck. I pulled out my Huntsman, opened the screwdriver blade and popped the latch. A few minutes later my future daughter-in-law came out of the dressing area in her wedding gown and her sister exclaimed, "You've got a big thread hanging from you train!". I again pulled out my SAK, opened the scissors, trimmed the errant thread, and looked at my wife. "See...?!" That was the last time I've ever gotten criticism for carrying the knife.

Good story there. Did you add the small screwdriver in the corkscrew? I don't think they were supplied when the knife was new. Not sure which models have them now, but my SwissChamp does. Of course, it goes in my briefcase; I don't pocket carry that thick knife!

It looks as if you have an uneven edge on the blade near the point. Or is it just how the edge caught the light in the photo? I can usually sharpen a SAK with one of those little pull-through hones.

I've never lost or broken a scissors spring. I keep spare tweezers and toothpicks on hand, but seldom lose one.

Most of my 20 (or so) SAK's are from Victorinox, but I have a few Wengers. I usually had to sharpen the Wengers. Vic. knives were always sharp out of the box. But I often have to sharpen the points. For some reason, they come dull. I think I'll ask the factory why. Maybe they're afraid that some will say they're making weapons if the points are sharp. ??

rags · #60 03-18-2013, 04:49 PM

I was gonna show y'all my (2) SOG"s I carry, but don't want to be hammerd on.

ladder13 · #61 03-18-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -rags-

I was gonna show y'all my (2) SOG"s I carry, but don't want to be hammerd on.

Come on, we promise to be nice.

CW Spook · #62 03-18-2013, 05:30 PM

Texas Star...yes, I added the eyeglasses screwdriver to the corkscrew years ago. It's been a very handy addition. The uneven edge is more an optical illusion than fact I think, although it looks like it wouldn't hurt to run it through the sharpening sticks. This knife has had lots of abuse over the years...I broke the tip of the smaller pen blade trying to pry the back off a watch and had the blade reground. Once in a while I have both blades sharpened professionally by a guy who sets up at the local gun show.

TACC1 · #63 03-18-2013, 07:34 PM

Buck 110 Folding Hunter. My first Buck is a pre-110,
that I got in case I got shipped back overseas. Got two
Browning pistols at the same time. $85 dollars,NIB, OTD.
Still have the knife. I only need about a 1-1/2" blade for deer, but the handle makes the knife; at least, for me.
Got the knife in '66, finally replaced it, 'cause the blade geometry changed with time and sharpenning. Tried lots of others, but
still carry a Buck.
TACC1

Alnamvet68 · #64 03-23-2013, 01:39 PM

Sooooooo, what is everybody's favorite EDC kinife?

sceva · #65 03-23-2013, 01:54 PM

Other for me.

Whgile I always have a Victorinox classic in one pocket, the other has either an AG Russell or a Canal Street Cutlery knife.

tjfenske · #66 03-23-2013, 02:42 PM

I have carried a number of knives over the years. Copied Dad in the beginning with a case. Broke the blade years ago and Dad buy me another before he passed in '93. Today, with more difficulty in opening a knife, I carry a CRKT "ICHI" assisted as it flies open and sharpens very well.

Kitgun · #67 03-23-2013, 03:09 PM

Like the Benchmade 705 or old Gerber the best.

Smith357 · #68 03-23-2013, 03:52 PM

I have a slew of Victorinox Swiss Army Knives most of them have the Alox scales because that's what I like. I have a few of the single blade knives from Benchmade, CRKT, and Gerber but generally find those are horrible screwdrivers and lousy can openers.

My main EDC is a SAK Soldier

Red Cadet

Blue Farmer

Silver Cadet

Victorinox 14" Scimitar, Cleaver, and Tinker

Alnamvet68 · #69 03-23-2013, 08:29 PM

lifeisgood.jpg

..............

Sprefix · #70 03-23-2013, 08:55 PM

Spyderco Paramilitary II M390.........'Nuff said.............

CW Spook · #71 03-23-2013, 09:15 PM

I showed my real EDC earlier. The auxiliary EDC's are usually an Emerson -waved Spyderco Endura, or a CRKT M-16, once-in-a-while a Kershaw Blur.

Texas Star · #72 03-23-2013, 10:28 PM

Anyone else see that Spyderco that Willem Dafoe had in, "The Hunter"?

TAROMAN · #73 03-23-2013, 10:42 PM

My favorite folder is a small Puma 700 ****.
The blade is only about 50mm.
Gift many years ago from a German colleague when I was stationed there.

Marshwheeling · #74 03-23-2013, 11:08 PM

I like a pocket cleaver, too. This one is a Warther.
Cleaver.jpg

Alnamvet68 · #75 03-23-2013, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Anyone else see that Spyderco that Willem Dafoe had in, "The Hunter"?

Yes....he's using the Spyderco Delica 4 with combo edge. What's interesting is in each scene where he draws and opens the knife, which is with his left hand, right afterwards, you see him using it with his right hand; a whiskey tango foxtrot moment if you ask me.

dafoesspydercodelica4combo.jpg

Buford57 · #76 03-24-2013, 01:01 AM

My daily carry is a Gerber. That is true only because I left my Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Skinner at my brother's house 2 years ago. Every time I go back I forget or he can't find it. I have a feeling it's on an oil platform in the Gulf.

Skunkhome · #77 03-24-2013, 01:03 AM

I own Gerber, Case, Buck, Kabar and Schrade but my everyday carry is (don't laugh) a simple inexpensive Appalachian Trail Folder. Some would consider it junk, it is not pretty but this little knife is as stout as a tank, takes and holds good edge. It is a great squirrel skinner. Unfortunately I will loose it long before I wear it out. In fact I have lost three of these so far and now they are no longer available. I lost this knife two weeks ago and luckily I found three more on eBay but like a bad penny it showed up again today.

I cut a reinforced rubber truck flap with it today....

For the shear utility of the knife, it is my favorite.

Jeff423 · #78 03-24-2013, 09:05 AM

I carry an SAK every day (unless I'm flying). I find that I use the tools more often than the blades. I don't need to cut stuff very often but I'm always using the screw driver, nail file (the point makes a good #2 Phillips), etc. I've got a friend who is a retired Pastor. He always carries a 4" folder clipped to his pocket, but I've never seen it used.

Jeff

Marshwheeling · #79 03-24-2013, 12:24 PM

Anybody who drives a school bus is going to collect some pencils, and will be asked about twice a week if he has a pencil. When it comes to sharpening a pencil, a Philips screwdriver or a tweezer is useless.

Jeff423 · #80 03-24-2013, 12:47 PM

I didn't say that it did not have blades, just that I don't use them as much.

Skunkhome · #81 03-24-2013, 01:45 PM

Oh I carry a Leatherman also and use everyday but if I am going to cut something it won't be with a Leatherman as I usually end up cutting myself.

Brien · #82 03-24-2013, 01:56 PM

I recently picked up a Kershaw Chive (background) and a Scallion. I found the Chive too small for daily use so got the Scallion a week later. For me the biggest selling point was the SpeedSafe opening, it's awesome.

Marshwheeling · #83 03-24-2013, 08:09 PM

The Leek falls right between the Chive and the Scallion. If you ask me, it's just the right size.

luangtom · #84 03-24-2013, 11:34 PM

Benchmade for me. Most often carry a Mel Pardue 530S and if not, an Emerson CQC-7, both folders.

Cyrano · #85 03-26-2013, 11:10 PM

Did I say I like Laguioles? The second photo is of my daily carry knife, a Fontenille-Pataud lock blade. The sharpened part of the blade is 7 CM long; for those of us wedded to the length of the English king's thumb, that's about 2 3/4 inches. The scales are antler,and except for the scales, the whole knife is stainless. Although not marked, I wouldn't be surprised if the blade is Sandvik 12C27, a favorite steel of Laguiole makers. It's so small and light I hardly know I'm carrying it. When I'm out working, or go to the range or a gun show, I carry the Swiss Army knife instead, a good deal bigger than the Laugiole. Like many people, I find I use the tools more than the blades. Just as well, as in my experience, the blades are pretty soft and need frequent sharpening. Took the 'Tinker' version to Vietnam and fixed the Xerox machine with it so well it took the factory techrep a week to get it going again. You don't need more blade: when I was stationed in Alaska I carried a much thinner SAK, and once out hunting, when I had loaned my sheath knife to someone who came out without one, I got the insides out of my caribou with the SAK, without problem.

I don't usually carry the Opinel, another French knife. It's quite sevicable, but in France they are very inexpensive due to their simple construction. In the US they're only about $25. The metal sleeve twists on the wooden handle to lock the blade open.

Walking Dead · #86 03-27-2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labworm

Old school, what else would I own

Hello there "doesn't have to call me Johnson" but I will call you Ray. Haven't talked to you in awhile. How are you doing for an old cogger. Looks like you like Buck and Case knives. Me too but my favorite knife is Camillus USA Three Blade #65 with Butter/Molassus Handles. Just the right size to carry in your pocket and great steel that stays sharp. Walking Dead:

Walking Dead · #87 03-27-2013, 09:27 PM

I have been collecting pocket knives for 50 years, all brands and sizes and bought and sold and traded and lost so many I can't remember. As of today, my favorite is Camillus, New York USA - 3 Blade #65 with Butter/Molassus Handles. Just right size to carry in your pocket, Great Steel that will sharpen razor sharp and stay sharp. Walking Dead

David LaPell · #88 03-27-2013, 09:57 PM

Here are a couple of Smith folders along with the Bear Claw that I carry on a regular basis.

I have my Uncle Henry which I have carried for about ten years plus now, just dont have a pic at this moment of it.

Alnamvet68 · #89 04-07-2013, 09:47 PM

...and now for some nice knife leather...

Attachment 109830

Berserker · #90 04-08-2013, 08:07 AM

Tough one.

Case for pretty ones.

I have carried A Kershaw Leek for many years, I like how thin it is in, my pocket, but the tip got broke off abusing it.

Carrying 20 yr old Gerber Ezout, made in USA back then, stouter blade.

Of course there is the 110, but to big for most carry.

diamonback68 · #91 04-08-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berserker

I have carried A Kershaw Leek for many years, I like how thin it is in, my pocket.

Exactly the same reasons I carry the Leek. Clip it in the corner of my jeans pocket and forget it's there until I need it.

gunlovingirl · #92 04-08-2013, 02:10 PM

I bought this little Parker umpteen years ago. I don't even remember where I bought it. I love it. Used it for years and years. Small enough to put in purse or jeans pocket. Then I lost one of the ...stocks...handles? Whatever it's called. I always have an eye out for one exactly like it, but I've never seen another. If anyone happens to know where I can get one, please send me a PM.

Rintimtin · #93 04-08-2013, 03:26 PM

I carry a Case Trapper with amber bone scales most times. But this is a recent development, when I was younger I carried alot of different knives, I like Spyderco, Benchmade, Boker, Gerber, Coldsteel, Browning, Buck, and any other blade that looks and feels of quality. I have lots of tacticool knives I hardly ever carry anymore as I get older i am starting to appreciate things differently, this is for everything Knives Guns Watches etc. etc. But Case it is and Case is what I voted for.

steamloco76 · #94 04-08-2013, 04:47 PM

My EDC varies between Ken Onion design Kershaw assisted opening knives. The Chive gets workday duty as it carries nicely in dress pants. Sometimes the mini-Scallion gets the nod. Evenings and weekends I choose the Leek, or on shooting range days my trusty old battered Victorinox Tinker.

I have some Case, Cold Steel, CRKT, Schrade, Queen, Tidioutte and Bokers too, but rarely carry any of them.

Marshwheeling · #95 04-08-2013, 06:42 PM

Last few days I have been carrying a Schrade Old Timer, 3 blades, I think it's a trapper. It doesn't say "China" anywhere on it, but I think the bubble pack it came in did (nobody saves those, do they?). Doesn't matter, the fit and finish give it away. The Old Timer medallion is not flush with the bone, its kind of stuck in there at an angle. Neither do the scales fit flush with the bolsters. It looks like it might have been assembled by an underpaid peasant working at his firset factory job, without adequate supervision.

Nevertheless I kind of like it. It was cheap enough, marked down to six bucks from whatever. I never would have paid seventeen bucks for it. It sharpened up decently, and it has opened a few packages and sharpened a lot of pencils. It takes two hands to open, so nobody in Wisconsin is likely to call it a switchblade.

reddogge · #96 04-08-2013, 08:21 PM

I have many nice pocket folders but my everyday carry is this lowly Model 303 Buck. I bought this one several years ago at a flea market for around $10. It does everything I ask of it, is light enough to not feel it and has that satisfying feel when you open and close it. One of the reasons I like Buck knives is I've broken a couple of blades doing dumb stuff like prying and when I send them back to Buck they send it back with a new blade on it, no charge or questions asked.

This is a handy Camillus for small game hunting. I used it this Feb on a bowhunt for rabbits. I used to use it all the time when we had pheasants around and also for ducks.

A folder I'd like to own is a vintage Puma Jagermeister with guthook and sawblade.

sheepdawg · #97 04-08-2013, 08:41 PM

My Buck 112 that I've had since the early 80s is my favorite but having lost it and then found it perhaps five times it's now retired. Just found a 70's 110 at an estate sale and carry it now. About five minutes on a diamond stone and it's razor sharp. It just needs about thirty years of opening and closing to make it right.

truckemup97 · #98 04-08-2013, 09:21 PM

Buck first, with Gerber a close second. I carry both daily, and the Gerber probably gets more use, but Buck won me over with their customer service. Plus, they're prettier.

Alnamvet68 · #99 07-24-2013, 01:03 PM

For fans of ESEE knives, here's a collaboration effort between ESEE & BRK, but not an ESEE knife, just designed by them with their Randall's Adventure & Training logo....

bamacisa · #**100** 07-24-2013, 07:41 PM

There are a large number of good edc knives. I currently have a Case. I have carried Case, Buck, Old Timer and Kershaw. I collect knives and have a large assortment of quality knives. Boker makes an excellent knife. I think that you should find a knife that you like and use it (not abuse it) Your intended use will determine what type knife you need.