Kampfer needs a Traditional Knife, please help

[Kampfer]

I could use a small Traditional Knife for utility tasks.
Here are my preference:
Traditional classy look, wooden (or black smooth synthetic  material) handle with sliver bolster.
Light (<2oz) and slim (<3/8") for pocket carry.
2"~3" blade, clip point preferred.
Lock or non-locking

[kaput]

Blade shape matter?

[Kampfer]

Blade shape matter?

Not matter much, but I generally prefer clip point

[dks]

buck etc mini toothpick

or, buck 373

[kaput]

buck etc mini toothpick

or, buck 373

But kam likes his knives, big. Or at least normal sized lol

[Kampfer]

buck etc mini toothpick

or, buck 373

But kam likes his knives, big. Or at least normal sized lol

True statement, that is why I need a smaller one to pair with my big ones.

[Gareth]

A Barlow pattern perhaps?

[T14]

Carbon-bladed opinels fit all your criteria and are cheap as chips to boot. Sizes range from unusably tiny to folding machete monstrosity.
Buy a few sizes to try. Your wallet will hardly notice 

[Kampfer]

Carbon-bladed opinels fit all your criteria and are cheap as chips to boot. Sizes range from unusably tiny to folding machete monstrosity.
Buy a few sizes to try. Your wallet will hardly notice 

After three days of using the Opinel, here is my summary report:
Low cost high value.
Round handle is super comfortable in hand.
Perfectly designed blade cuts extremely well.
Wood handle swells after cleaning, makes it almost impossible to deploy the blade. I have to leave it in a bag of rice every night so I can use it the next day.
Round handle takes up way too much space in pocket.


While I find the knife is interesting and stylish, it is not my favorite
Opinel was a great design in that part of the world at that time period, but that is all.
It still is a fine choice as a low cost work knife to leave on work bench or tool bag, but not for daily carrying.

Opinel, OUT!
(Image removed from quote.)

[Mechanickal]

Laguiole...

[T14]

While I find the knife is interesting and stylish, it is not my favorite
Opinel was a great design in that part of the world at that time period, but that is all.
It still is a fine choice as a low cost work knife to leave on work bench or tool bag, but not for daily carrying.

Opinel, OUT!

Duly noted 

[sLaughterMed]

I'm not sure you will find a light "traditional" style blade in the 2-3" range, outside a Opinel. Most knives with bolster construction are very heavy. Maybe a Victorinox Solo?

[Kampfer]

I'm not sure you will find a light "traditional" style blade in the 2-3" range, outside a Opinel. Most knives with bolster construction are very heavy. Maybe a Victorinox Solo?

Under 2 oz is good.

[Kampfer]

So far I am liking the Harley Davidson Mini CopperLock. What do you think?
It checked all my boxes, visually it looks like the little brother of my Espada.
https://www.tricityknifeworks.com/product/case-xx-52079-harley-davidson-black-synthetic-mini-copperlock/

[captain spaulding]

I would definitely try out a Svord Mini Peasant. Super simple and so very easy to disassemble and clean. Only downside is sometimes they do not come extremely sharp, but they have been much better lately in my experience. I honestly do not think the Svord is the "traditional" you are looking for, but you need to try one if you are going down this road. They can be had for around $13 shipped if you look around on Amazon. Last time I looked at least. As far as a traditional to get I would say a USA made Buck of some sort would be a great place to start.

[SteveC]

Check out a Case mini Sodbuster

They come in Carbon fiber as well

[Gareth]

That Harley D Case knife certainly looks the part and the quality should be good.

Have you thought about a good old Buck knife?  A Ranger perhaps.

[Kampfer]

Some interesting suggestions.

Again, there are my preference:
Traditional classy look, wooden (or black smooth synthetic material) handle with sliver bolster.
Light (<2oz) and slim (<3/8") for pocket carry.
2"~3" blade, clip point preferred.
Lock or non-locking

[captain spaulding]

Check out a Case mini Sodbuster

They come in Carbon fiber as well

(Image removed from quote.)

I want it!

[Gareth]

Boker Barlow might fit your needs: https://www.heinnie.com/boker-barlow  Not tried this knife myself, but Boker make a good knife.

[Kampfer]

Boker Barlow might fit your needs: https://www.heinnie.com/boker-barlow  Not tried this knife myself, but Boker make a good knife.

I like that too, will add that to the list of consideration. Thanks.

[Ron Who]

It all depends on what you think is classy and traditional. The Gerber Double Take is a modernized traditional that is small (it's shown next to a 84mm Walker and a 58mm Classic), looks great, is lightweight, and has a serrated blade opposite the clip blade as a bonus. The blades are liner locked with a single liner for both. The ergonomics are good for people with slender hands and fingers. Length closed 3.5'', weight 2.3 oz.

[Kampfer]

Another contender : Buck Solo

[daverobson]

Grohmann slimline

[Dean51]

You do know there are hundreds of answers to that question. 

Buck 503 Prince 3 3/8"
Buck 303 Cadet 3 1/4"
Taylor brand Peanut 2 9/10"

[Kampfer]

You do know there are hundreds of answers to that question. 

Isn't that fun?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I am a truly horrible person- I know that, and I think I have made it fairly obvious over the years, so feel free to ignore this post.... but...

If ever there was a type of knife I couldn't care less about, it would be the traditional style folders.  There.  I said it.  They bore the living crap out of me, and I can't understand how one would spend that much money on a four bladed knife with nothing but blades.  Maybe it's because I actually use screwdrivers, bottle openers and saws, but I just don't see the need for four blades on one knife. The traditional American lockback (like the classic Buck 119) is nice enough, but I don't really see the appeal of that either, when there are so many better options out there.

Give me a CRKT, Spyderco, Cold Steel, Benchmade, Kershaw, Benchmade, SOG, Gerber, Grohmann, Victorinox, Leatherman etc knife any day of the week.

That having been said, good luck with your search and make sure to let us know what you find and what you think of it when it comes in! 

Def

[Dean51]

 
 
 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I had a feeling that would be an unpopular opinion.

But I'd rather have an Opinel if one needed an unthreatening, inoffensive, traditional looking blade

Def

[Gareth]

Are we allowed to ban Grant from his own forum?