Traditional Folder, Bone Handle, Worth It?

[Demel]

Hello everyone, I am considering a traditional knife with a bone handle. I've been really digging the traditional folders and modern traditional folders lately. I'm wanting to do more research and investigation first. Are there any insights that you have that could help me in my decision making? And please post pictures for examples!

[Farmer X]

My advice: find a pattern you like and get one in bone. Be aware that bone and jigged Delrin can look very similar, so unless you're buying new from a trusted source, don't pay more than Delrin prices unless you know for sure what you're getting.

Oh, and some pictures of Cases with bone:

 

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[Myron]

Jigged bone is the best.   I'm in agreement with Farmer X; find a pattern you like and buy a knife with jigged bone and see if you like it.   It's been my personal experience that the older stuff looks a little better than the modern stuff.  Not sure why this would be, but I do have some modern jigged bone knives that look rather plasticky.   

Here are a few of my jigged bone knives.  (The last picture includes a stag Hartkopf and a synthetic Böker Torpedo Freilauf.) 

[Demel]

Those are good looking knives

I'll definitely start there. Is Case the go to knife brand for starters like me?

[SteveC]

Case is a fairly safe bet to get started unless you like the looks of the older bone handles. Check out Camillus, Ulster, Utica as well.

[Farmer X]

Is Case the go to knife brand for starters like me?

I can't speak for the quality of other brands, but Case does a great job with their jigging. As Steve said, Camillus, Ulster, and Utica are other good (though possibly expensive) options. Do you have a preference for pattern, or at least size range and/or number of blades?

[nate j]

Are there any insights that you have that could help me in my decision making? And please post pictures for examples!

Many traditional knife fans really appreciate the look, feel, and classic nature of bone covers.  They are available in a wide variety of models, patterns, and colors.  However, they can be more prone to crack or chip than modern synthetic or composite materials, especially if dropped on a hard surface.

As others have said, with so many options out there, it can be helpful to think about what sort of overall closed length you want, and how many blades, and use those criteria to start narrowing down your choices.

Is Case the go to knife brand for starters like me?

Case is a good choice.  Many options available that won’t break the bank.  And if you buy a new Case knife from a reputable distributor, you shouldn’t have to worry about not getting what’s advertised.  If you really want to get into bone-scaled trads for cheap, Rough Ryder knives are good value for the money, with many available for under $20.


Here are a few I had handy (top to bottom):

Mark Entwistle custom

Case Barlow

Case Stockman (47 pattern)

Case Copperhead

Case Seahorse Whittler

Cold Steel Ranch Boss

[Farmer X]

Nice line-up, Nate. The Ranch Boss caught my eye; I'll have to do some looking into that one.

[nate j]

Nice line-up, Nate. The Ranch Boss caught my eye; I'll have to do some looking into that one.

Thanks!

The Ranch Boss was a limited run, I believe of 600 pieces.  It was (IMO) a great concept; a traditional large stockman with S35VN blades.  However, there were some reports of QC issues, and many felt the price was out of line with the market at the time.

I think this one was actually a factory second of sorts.  There is a chip on one scale that has been repaired with epoxy.  Also, one of the actual 600 would have a serial number and “”S35VN” engraved on a blade, which this one does not.

If you decide you simply must have one, Ranch Bosses still pop up on the ‘bay from time to time.  Do watch out for the Ranch Boss II though; it was a Chinese-made knife with a single locking blade, that had very little in common with the original Ranch Boss except for the name.

If you’re just interested in a similar pattern, some of the USA-made Queen large stockmans (stockmen?) are very close (I believe Queen manufactured the Ranch Boss for Cold Steel).  And a Case Large Stockman (75 pattern) is easiest to get and probably least expensive, as they are still being manufactured.

[PitCarver]

Rough Ryder knives are good value for the money, with many available for under $20.

If you're not certain about what pattern that you'll want to carry, I've told many folks that they need to check out the Rough Ryder lineup.  They even have several patterns that are almost identical to the same patterns in the CASE line.
Many criticize them for being a Chinese import, but in my opinion they are one of the best built knives for the money.  They also won't make you cry if one gets lost.

[Aloha]

Bone is great.  As said it can crack if dropped ( don't ask how I know  ).  It comes in great colors as well so theres a lot to choose from.  If you are still working out what pattern you want to try I would echo PitCarvers advice and try RoughRider. 

If you're already to dip your toe in, I'd wholeheartedly say Case is a great start.   

[Demel]

I ordered my first Case today. Hopefully it's legit. I'll post it here once it arrives. Thank you all for the recommendations. Maybe one day I'll add a GEC if I can ever get a hold of one 

Now we wait 

[SteveC]

 

[SteveC]

Equal end and Trapper Jacks


 

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[Demel]

Equal end and Trapper Jacks


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Beautiful knives Steve. If you ever decide to liquidate your traditional knives please pm me first I love your post

[Demel]

Just came in the mail today

[Demel]

Size comparison

[David]

Just came in the mail today

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Verah nice!        Case Copperhead is a good place to start.   

[nate j]

Just came in the mail today

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Outstanding choice!  And some very nice comparison knives too.

[SteveC]

Sweet Copperhead Demel !   

[Fuzzbucket]

Good choice  And I like the Lionsteel Jack there - excellent knife! 

[Myron]

Very handsome!   Congratulations Demel.   

[Aloha]

  Copperhead is fast becoming a favorite pattern for me.  Yours has a few bells a whistles 

[Demel]

Copperhead is fast becoming a favorite pattern for me.  Yours has a few bells a whistles 

Of all the patterns, the copperhead stood out the most for. I was initially looking at a wharncliffe variation but this gray bone style with the extra engraving was too good to pass up 

Good choice  And I like the Lionsteel Jack there - excellent knife! 

Thanks. The Lionsteel was a perfect find. I wanted a dressier modern tradition knife, but with a couple SAK-like capabilities. This fit the bill perfect. It's a great knife that can also pop open a beer or bottle of wine if necessary. Love it

Sweet Copperhead Demel !   

 



Thanks again to everyone for the feedback and help with this one. Although I'm not sure if it's a true "bone handle" I think it's a beautiful knife nonetheless.

[pfrsantos]

That's a beautiful knife!

 

[G-Dizzle]

Those are good looking knives

I'll definitely start there. Is Case the go to knife brand for starters like me?

congrats on the purchase!!!

[Farmer X]

That's a beautiful knife!

+1.