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"Must Have" traditional folding knives?

us Offline Rich_SD

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"Must Have" traditional folding knives?
on: October 20, 2021, 09:43:27 PM
I'm looking to add a traditional folder or two to my collection, and I'm not sure where to start.  What are some good suggestions for a beginner like myself?  What knives do you consider a "must have" for someone that likes traditional folders?

(Note, I already have a few, but I'll leave them out of this first post so this thread can apply to anyone)


us Offline SteveC

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #1 on: October 20, 2021, 09:49:49 PM
A Barlow or a Stockman for sure  :tu:

And a nice Equal ended Jack  ;)


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #2 on: October 20, 2021, 09:59:23 PM
Stockman or at least a Serpentine Jack for starters.  :tu:


us Offline PitCarver

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #3 on: October 20, 2021, 10:39:22 PM
 :iagree:
Everyone has already said it.
Barlow and stockman, though I'm a Whittler fan, so you can add that too.
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us Offline Aloha

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #4 on: October 20, 2021, 10:40:13 PM
I'd have to agree with a Stockman.  I also think the Copperhead is a nice pattern.  I'd also suggest a Barlow as well.  Coming from someone who was not a fan till I got one I can say its a terrific pattern.  Single or dual blade you cannot go wrong. 
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us Offline SteveC

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #5 on: October 20, 2021, 11:12:39 PM
The correct answer of course is all of them   :D


us Offline NutSAK

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #6 on: October 20, 2021, 11:23:23 PM
 :iagree:

One of everything!!

I suppose I can use my most carried patterns as suggestions, in no particular order, and in the most basic sense, no brands or materials:

  • Stockman with clip, sheepsfoot and spey
  • Stockman with clip, sheepsfoot and punch (cattle knife)
  • 2-blade jack w/clip and pen (barlow, trapper, swayback patterns, etc.)
  • large 2-blade jack w/sheepsfoot or wharncliffe & pen (my preferred "working"  knife pattern)
  • Canoe or Copperhead
  • Whittler with clip and coping/sheepfoot (pen optional as third blade)
- Terry


scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #7 on: October 20, 2021, 11:44:09 PM
So, the first patterns that spring to mind are; Stockman and Trapper.  A 2-blade Jack of some type is a very strong contender.  My personal favourite is a "pen-knife" but, other than vintage, they're not really common these days.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2021, 11:53:36 PM by Gareth »
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us Offline Aloha

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #8 on: October 21, 2021, 12:03:11 AM
:iagree:

One of everything!!

I suppose I can use my most carried patterns as suggestions, in no particular order, and in the most basic sense, no brands or materials:

  • Stockman with clip, sheepsfoot and spey
  • Stockman with clip, sheepsfoot and punch (cattle knife)
  • 2-blade jack w/clip and pen (barlow, trapper, swayback patterns, etc.)
  • large 2-blade jack w/sheepsfoot or wharncliffe & pen (my preferred "working"  knife pattern)
  • Canoe or Copperhead
  • Whittler with clip and coping/sheepfoot (pen optional as third blade)

 :iagree:
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline trichosirius

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #9 on: October 21, 2021, 12:29:37 AM
Another vote for all of them  :whistle:

The great thing about traditional folders is there is such a variety of patterns to suit any personal taste.
I would start with what size you are willing to carry, then what kind of cutting you expect to do. If you don’t know start with a medium sized multi-blade pattern such as stockman and see what blades you prefer.
 If you are more of a minimalist peanuts and pen knives are great easy to carry patterns  that go unnoticed in pocket until you need them, with thin, super slicey blades.
If you are coming from more modern folders you can try larger patterns such as trappers or the Case Tribal Lock.

I’m a Barlow and Sodbuster nut myself, so I’d also recommend those  :D

 





us Offline Rich_SD

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #10 on: October 21, 2021, 12:57:10 AM
Thank you, everyone  :hatsoff:

I just ordered a Buck 303 Cadet (Stockman).  I have some other Buck knives that I like, and I chose the smaller Stockman  because I normally prefer smaller pocket knives.

I'm shopping around for one more... I have seen several I like, but they were from China.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2021, 01:09:03 AM by Rich_SD »


us Offline Sos24

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"Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #11 on: October 21, 2021, 02:31:59 AM
Everyone seems to mention what I would consider the “must haves”.  I am very partial to the Jack, Trapper and Barlow format.

If you are just getting started and already have a couple Bucks, I would look into some of the Case offerings.  Case is one of the big well known manufacturers that is still makings new knives and seems to be easy to find, multiple options, and reasonable price point.


us Offline Alan K.

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #12 on: October 21, 2021, 02:40:26 AM
Stockman, trapper, and...


cy Offline dks

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #13 on: October 21, 2021, 07:44:19 AM
some more, with a more international appeal:
sodbuster (largish , single blade, working man's knife)
toothpick, small or large
a friction folder, the most basic, traditional, folder style (Svord, pallares, Higonokami, opinel)
ring lock folder (opinel, antonini)
a camp/scout pattern

etc.
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bg Offline DavisNikolov

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #14 on: October 21, 2021, 10:45:11 AM
Oh, are you about to get into deep waters  :D

For starters I'd say : trapper, stockman, sodbuster. Those are the most iconic to me and easier to obtain. In the "most iconic" category I also place the barlow, but a good one of those isn't so easy to come across, at least around here. So my advice would be to see which one of the first 3 looks you like best and get that one first. For me the most important thing in a traditional pocket knife is to please my eye. Everything else is secondary.


pt Offline pfrsantos

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #15 on: October 21, 2021, 11:52:51 AM
The correct answer of course is all of them   :D

:imws:

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us Offline Poncho65

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #16 on: October 21, 2021, 01:57:07 PM
I do like a Congress pattern knife as well :cheers: Not as many here on MTO like them but it was what I grew up around and my dad always carries one :tu:

Plus you can have a good main blade and a rough main blade :D


us Offline Barry Rowland

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #17 on: October 21, 2021, 02:04:09 PM
Sowbelly and Opinel  :D
Barry


us Offline Alan K.

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #18 on: October 21, 2021, 02:23:13 PM
No one mentioned it yet, but I've always wanted a sunfish / elephant toe and I just haven't found the right one yet (at least not when I had any money).


us Offline G-Dizzle

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #19 on: October 21, 2021, 03:04:19 PM
I'm looking to add a traditional folder or two to my collection, and I'm not sure where to start.  What are some good suggestions for a beginner like myself?  What knives do you consider a "must have" for someone that likes traditional folders?

(Note, I already have a few, but I'll leave them out of this first post so this thread can apply to anyone)

Hey guys! You definitely need a trapper variant. I am partial to the GEC improved trapper with a wharncliffe instead of a spey blade. It is my favorite knife.
gec1.jpeg
* gec1.jpeg (Filesize: 154.83 KB)


us Offline G-Dizzle

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #20 on: October 21, 2021, 03:07:32 PM
Also, for me personally, once I found this GEC, I don't really carry many other traditional knives at all other than a Case Peanut occasionally for something small. If you are like me, you may find one model you really love and stick with it, so buy quality!


us Offline Sos24

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #21 on: October 21, 2021, 08:58:57 PM
Sowbelly and Opinel  :D
I really like the Sowbelly, but for some reason they don’t seem to be popular.


us Offline Barry Rowland

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #22 on: October 22, 2021, 04:41:03 PM
I wasn't a fan until I held one.  They're amazing!
Barry


us Offline VICMAN

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #23 on: October 22, 2021, 06:43:01 PM
My 3 favorite traditional folders are the Stockman, Trapper, and Barlow. :D


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #24 on: October 22, 2021, 06:56:29 PM
I :like: Sowbellys as well :dd:

My 2 cases for a congress :cheers:



And a Sowbelly  :D



us Offline Barry Rowland

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #25 on: October 22, 2021, 08:23:51 PM
 :like: :cheers: :like:
Barry


us Offline Alan K.

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #26 on: October 22, 2021, 08:25:51 PM
That Hen & Rooster Damascus! :dd:


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #27 on: October 22, 2021, 08:29:59 PM
I do like a Congress pattern knife as well :cheers: Not as many here on MTO like them but it was what I grew up around and my dad always carries one :tu:

Plus you can have a good main blade and a rough main blade :D

Not really my favourite pattern... Unless it's got a pen main blade along with a sheepie, then that's a different story!   :dd:


00 Offline SAKTaschenmesser

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"Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #28 on: October 22, 2021, 08:41:21 PM
My favourite pattern is the three bladed Whittler, main clip blade one end, coping and pen the other.

And, you can’t get more traditional than a Barlow.

Make? Solingen made Boker.




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« Last Edit: October 22, 2021, 08:48:30 PM by SAKTaschenmesser »


scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: "Must Have" traditional folding knives?
Reply #29 on: October 22, 2021, 09:13:00 PM
Thank you, everyone  :hatsoff:

I just ordered a Buck 303 Cadet (Stockman).  I have some other Buck knives that I like, and I chose the smaller Stockman  because I normally prefer smaller pocket knives.

I'm shopping around for one more... I have seen several I like, but they were from China.

Don't dismiss the Chinese brands to readily.  The likes of Rough Rider is well made and they are an inexpensive way of trying out a pattern to see if it's for you or not.
Be excellent to each other and always know where your towel is.


 

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