All About Pocket Knives

Ky wonder wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:18 pm I am new to this forum, and noticed most photos are of knives in pristine condition.

So I thought I share the story of a 25 year old german bulldog canoe, this knife has been in my pocket for the last 25 years, it's a hard used farmers knife,

It has cut more Bailer twine, fertilize and seed bags than I ever want to open again, it has been used cleaning everything from squirrels to deer, as a tool working on numerous pieces of equipment , even cut me a few times

Loss and refound, never properly cleaned just wiped down with oily rag at times

Still snaps closed with enough force to separate a small finger if it's in the wrong place,

After 25 years ,this 1996, bulldog canoe, has lost its round shield, the etching Is unreadable these days, the date, bulldog, hammer forged blades, solingen steel marking are under quite a bit of crud

But even today my arms are hairless, where I shave them with this knife, to check for sharpness

So let's see some of your working knives

20210304_135904.jpg20210304_135855.jpg

A knife is a tool, and I make ’em to be used. It burns me up that most of them wind up in velvet boxes and display cases, priced so high your average deer hunter or cowboy can’t afford ’em.

Ky wonder wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:18 pm I am new to this forum, and noticed most photos are of knives in pristine condition.

So I thought I share the story of a 25 year old german bulldog canoe, this knife has been in my pocket for the last 25 years, it's a hard used farmers knife,

It has cut more Bailer twine, fertilize and seed bags than I ever want to open again, it has been used cleaning everything from squirrels to deer, as a tool working on numerous pieces of equipment , even cut me a few times

Loss and refound, never properly cleaned just wiped down with oily rag at times

Still snaps closed with enough force to separate a small finger if it's in the wrong place,

After 25 years ,this 1996, bulldog canoe, has lost its round shield, the etching Is unreadable these days, the date, bulldog, hammer forged blades, solingen steel marking are under quite a bit of crud

But even today my arms are hairless, where I shave them with this knife, to check for sharpness

So let's see some of your working knives

20210304_135904.jpg20210304_135855.jpg

cody6268 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:01 pm About as old as I am, and has been used like it was intended, but it still looks great! Prices on these can be high these days. I'm looking at getting a cheap cell-handled Bulldog that has imploded (because the outgasting rusted the knives, which easily cleans off, it really makes them cheap) and then getting bone put on it to be a user. There's a mint horn-handled Fightin' Rooster here on the store for $60 that is really tempting me.

I follow the words of the late custom knifemaker Bob Loveless:

A knife is a tool, and I make ’em to be used. It burns me up that most of them wind up in velvet boxes and display cases, priced so high your average deer hunter or cowboy can’t afford ’em.

.


And we see this with GEC. With very few things they make, they rarely last at MSRP, with rare exceptions being the Farm and Field Tool line knives in Delrin; as well as the acrylic scaled Templars. And, I will bet you ninety out of one hundred sold never get used. Of those ninety, a lot get bought up to resell when prices get stupid. Of those ten, I bet most get used a couple times lightly (mostly just to show off) and are put away. I wanted a Calf Pen; or the two Sodbuster-type knives (Bull Pen and Bull Buster), as they were patterns that fit my needs as a farmhand, and weren't that expensive. I never really put much of an effort into getting one, and finally, early in 2020 when they finally sold out, were starting to really increase in price by 25-50% Used GECs listed at reasonable prices never last long. A guy on another forum listed a used Barlow for $50, and it sold in minutes. Take their recent Ram's Foot for example--almost $100. It copies old Sheffield-made patterns that never sell for that much. I picked up an A. Wright and Son Lambsfoot in rosewood and C-75 carbon steel for just under $30 brand new from a seller here who imports them, and it is really well made. It replaced an (also Sheffield-made) 1950s Taylor's Eye Witness in used and beat up condition I lost that cost around $15.


For a long time, I had a pretty big selection of very old knives I used to carry. While most were '50s era, some dated back to the 1920s. Most didn't cost me much, and while far from mint condition, they weren't junk either. I found many would be difficult to find another if I lost them. I found, however, most of the USA-made traditional knives that were still in my budget and could be found in stores (Utica/Kutmaster, Buck, Bear and Son, Case) never really met the quality of many of those older knives (especially Westerns). I have several Camillus and Schrade from the 1980s and 1990s mostly, but even they often never met the quality of these older knives. Queens have skyrocketed since they went out of business about 3 years ago. But, in the years prior to the Daniels Family (who also started GEC) buying up the brand, quality was spectacular.

I recently picked this one up to replace two really old Large Stockman knives (a Pal Blade Co. and a Western) that I retired, as well as a larger '90s German Buck Creek (which originally was my great-uncle's) whose celluloid handles had outgassed (and I still hadn't got the handles replaced on yet). The seller wanted just $30 for it, and I felt it was a really good deal. I didn't even pay attention to what it was or the size. I just knew Queens had skyrocketed, and Moore Makers were inflated in price.

2001 Moore Maker (Queen-made) #5304 Large Stockman. It's a very large knife at 4 3/8" closed.w But it pocket carries really well for its size (though I do prefer to use a belt scabbard intended for a Large Sodbuster-size knife) Back in 2001, only 100 were made, and they were over $100, even back then. Someone before me really used it, but took care of it. I specifically bought it to carry. It does match the quality of these very old knives. The jigged bone handles have been worn smooth, and there is a chip in the back handle.

KIMG3694.JPG

KIMG3695.JPG


I prefer to not use my pre-1960 knives (and I have some as old as the late 1880s); but anything made after 1970 usually gets used, especially if the handles are synthetic. There are some that I use (often with damaged/worn blades and large chunks out of the bone), mostly ones sold as parts, but I use and carry since they still snap well and don't wobble. I buy so few older knives that still have boxes (no more than maybe 2-3 a year), but they generally don't get carried. If it's a new-old-stock knife without a box, I do use it. The only time I won't use a knife newer than that if it bears advertising (or is a safety/production award) for companies related to my local area, especially the coal industry; and I've amassed a small collection of those.

My take is simple--after 1970, knives were often seen as collector's items and investments. Thus, more ended up in safes than people's pockets. Thus (especially with Case), if you lose one, there's a good chance you'll find another quickly. With these older knives, which were bought by workmen and used until they wore out, not likely.

Ky wonder wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:18 pm I am new to this forum, and noticed most photos are of knives in pristine condition.

So I thought I share the story of a 25 year old german bulldog canoe, this knife has been in my pocket for the last 25 years, it's a hard used farmers knife,

It has cut more Bailer twine, fertilize and seed bags than I ever want to open again, it has been used cleaning everything from squirrels to deer, as a tool working on numerous pieces of equipment , even cut me a few times

Loss and refound, never properly cleaned just wiped down with oily rag at times

Still snaps closed with enough force to separate a small finger if it's in the wrong place,

After 25 years ,this 1996, bulldog canoe, has lost its round shield, the etching Is unreadable these days, the date, bulldog, hammer forged blades, solingen steel marking are under quite a bit of crud

But even today my arms are hairless, where I shave them with this knife, to check for sharpness

So let's see some of your working knives

20210304_135904.jpg20210304_135855.jpg

cudgee wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:34 pm

cody6268 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:01 pm About as old as I am, and has been used like it was intended, but it still looks great! Prices on these can be high these days. I'm looking at getting a cheap cell-handled Bulldog that has imploded (because the outgasting rusted the knives, which easily cleans off, it really makes them cheap) and then getting bone put on it to be a user. There's a mint horn-handled Fightin' Rooster here on the store for $60 that is really tempting me.

I follow the words of the late custom knifemaker Bob Loveless:

A knife is a tool, and I make ’em to be used. It burns me up that most of them wind up in velvet boxes and display cases, priced so high your average deer hunter or cowboy can’t afford ’em.

.


And we see this with GEC. With very few things they make, they rarely last at MSRP, with rare exceptions being the Farm and Field Tool line knives in Delrin; as well as the acrylic scaled Templars. And, I will bet you ninety out of one hundred sold never get used. Of those ninety, a lot get bought up to resell when prices get stupid. Of those ten, I bet most get used a couple times lightly (mostly just to show off) and are put away. I wanted a Calf Pen; or the two Sodbuster-type knives (Bull Pen and Bull Buster), as they were patterns that fit my needs as a farmhand, and weren't that expensive. I never really put much of an effort into getting one, and finally, early in 2020 when they finally sold out, were starting to really increase in price by 25-50% Used GECs listed at reasonable prices never last long. A guy on another forum listed a used Barlow for $50, and it sold in minutes. Take their recent Ram's Foot for example--almost $100. It copies old Sheffield-made patterns that never sell for that much. I picked up an A. Wright and Son Lambsfoot in rosewood and C-75 carbon steel for just under $30 brand new from a seller here who imports them, and it is really well made. It replaced an (also Sheffield-made) 1950s Taylor's Eye Witness in used and beat up condition I lost that cost around $15.


For a long time, I had a pretty big selection of very old knives I used to carry. While most were '50s era, some dated back to the 1920s. Most didn't cost me much, and while far from mint condition, they weren't junk either. I found many would be difficult to find another if I lost them. I found, however, most of the USA-made traditional knives that were still in my budget and could be found in stores (Utica/Kutmaster, Buck, Bear and Son, Case) never really met the quality of many of those older knives (especially Westerns). I have several Camillus and Schrade from the 1980s and 1990s mostly, but even they often never met the quality of these older knives. Queens have skyrocketed since they went out of business about 3 years ago. But, in the years prior to the Daniels Family (who also started GEC) buying up the brand, quality was spectacular.

I recently picked this one up to replace two really old Large Stockman knives (a Pal Blade Co. and a Western) that I retired, as well as a larger '90s German Buck Creek (which originally was my great-uncle's) whose celluloid handles had outgassed (and I still hadn't got the handles replaced on yet). The seller wanted just $30 for it, and I felt it was a really good deal. I didn't even pay attention to what it was or the size. I just knew Queens had skyrocketed, and Moore Makers were inflated in price.

2001 Moore Maker (Queen-made) #5304 Large Stockman. It's a very large knife at 4 3/8" closed.w But it pocket carries really well for its size (though I do prefer to use a belt scabbard intended for a Large Sodbuster-size knife) Back in 2001, only 100 were made, and they were over $100, even back then. Someone before me really used it, but took care of it. I specifically bought it to carry. It does match the quality of these very old knives. The jigged bone handles have been worn smooth, and there is a chip in the back handle.

KIMG3694.JPG

KIMG3695.JPG


I prefer to not use my pre-1960 knives (and I have some as old as the late 1880s); but anything made after 1970 usually gets used, especially if the handles are synthetic. There are some that I use (often with damaged/worn blades and large chunks out of the bone), mostly ones sold as parts, but I use and carry since they still snap well and don't wobble. I buy so few older knives that still have boxes (no more than maybe 2-3 a year), but they generally don't get carried. If it's a new-old-stock knife without a box, I do use it. The only time I won't use a knife newer than that if it bears advertising (or is a safety/production award) for companies related to my local area, especially the coal industry; and I've amassed a small collection of those.

My take is simple--after 1970, knives were often seen as collector's items and investments. Thus, more ended up in safes than people's pockets. Thus (especially with Case), if you lose one, there's a good chance you'll find another quickly. With these older knives, which were bought by workmen and used until they wore out, not likely.

Great post, well thought out and presented, but i did find one major flaw in what you stated, it contains far too much common sense. Here are a couple of users that i thought you may be interested in pertaining to your post. A GEC SFO for Waynorth Cutlery, jigged bone lambsfoot, well used, patina'd up and not sitting in a bed of velvet. And the other one is an A.Wright sheepsfoot which has what many would call a major flaw, the backspring sits down a bit when in the closed position. But it is one of my favorite knives and is a work knife, extremely sharp and keeps a good edge. I have many knives from Wright's and to me they are good knives that have a bad wrap that they don't deserve.

IMAG0465.jpg

IMAG0478.jpg

IMAG0477.jpg

Colonel26 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:41 pm

cudgee wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:34 pm

cody6268 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:01 pm About as old as I am, and has been used like it was intended, but it still looks great! Prices on these can be high these days. I'm looking at getting a cheap cell-handled Bulldog that has imploded (because the outgasting rusted the knives, which easily cleans off, it really makes them cheap) and then getting bone put on it to be a user. There's a mint horn-handled Fightin' Rooster here on the store for $60 that is really tempting me.

I follow the words of the late custom knifemaker Bob Loveless:

.


And we see this with GEC. With very few things they make, they rarely last at MSRP, with rare exceptions being the Farm and Field Tool line knives in Delrin; as well as the acrylic scaled Templars. And, I will bet you ninety out of one hundred sold never get used. Of those ninety, a lot get bought up to resell when prices get stupid. Of those ten, I bet most get used a couple times lightly (mostly just to show off) and are put away. I wanted a Calf Pen; or the two Sodbuster-type knives (Bull Pen and Bull Buster), as they were patterns that fit my needs as a farmhand, and weren't that expensive. I never really put much of an effort into getting one, and finally, early in 2020 when they finally sold out, were starting to really increase in price by 25-50% Used GECs listed at reasonable prices never last long. A guy on another forum listed a used Barlow for $50, and it sold in minutes. Take their recent Ram's Foot for example--almost $100. It copies old Sheffield-made patterns that never sell for that much. I picked up an A. Wright and Son Lambsfoot in rosewood and C-75 carbon steel for just under $30 brand new from a seller here who imports them, and it is really well made. It replaced an (also Sheffield-made) 1950s Taylor's Eye Witness in used and beat up condition I lost that cost around $15.


For a long time, I had a pretty big selection of very old knives I used to carry. While most were '50s era, some dated back to the 1920s. Most didn't cost me much, and while far from mint condition, they weren't junk either. I found many would be difficult to find another if I lost them. I found, however, most of the USA-made traditional knives that were still in my budget and could be found in stores (Utica/Kutmaster, Buck, Bear and Son, Case) never really met the quality of many of those older knives (especially Westerns). I have several Camillus and Schrade from the 1980s and 1990s mostly, but even they often never met the quality of these older knives. Queens have skyrocketed since they went out of business about 3 years ago. But, in the years prior to the Daniels Family (who also started GEC) buying up the brand, quality was spectacular.

I recently picked this one up to replace two really old Large Stockman knives (a Pal Blade Co. and a Western) that I retired, as well as a larger '90s German Buck Creek (which originally was my great-uncle's) whose celluloid handles had outgassed (and I still hadn't got the handles replaced on yet). The seller wanted just $30 for it, and I felt it was a really good deal. I didn't even pay attention to what it was or the size. I just knew Queens had skyrocketed, and Moore Makers were inflated in price.

2001 Moore Maker (Queen-made) #5304 Large Stockman. It's a very large knife at 4 3/8" closed.w But it pocket carries really well for its size (though I do prefer to use a belt scabbard intended for a Large Sodbuster-size knife) Back in 2001, only 100 were made, and they were over $100, even back then. Someone before me really used it, but took care of it. I specifically bought it to carry. It does match the quality of these very old knives. The jigged bone handles have been worn smooth, and there is a chip in the back handle.

KIMG3694.JPG

KIMG3695.JPG


I prefer to not use my pre-1960 knives (and I have some as old as the late 1880s); but anything made after 1970 usually gets used, especially if the handles are synthetic. There are some that I use (often with damaged/worn blades and large chunks out of the bone), mostly ones sold as parts, but I use and carry since they still snap well and don't wobble. I buy so few older knives that still have boxes (no more than maybe 2-3 a year), but they generally don't get carried. If it's a new-old-stock knife without a box, I do use it. The only time I won't use a knife newer than that if it bears advertising (or is a safety/production award) for companies related to my local area, especially the coal industry; and I've amassed a small collection of those.

My take is simple--after 1970, knives were often seen as collector's items and investments. Thus, more ended up in safes than people's pockets. Thus (especially with Case), if you lose one, there's a good chance you'll find another quickly. With these older knives, which were bought by workmen and used until they wore out, not likely.

Great post, well thought out and presented, but i did find one major flaw in what you stated, it contains far too much common sense. Here are a couple of users that i thought you may be interested in pertaining to your post. A GEC SFO for Waynorth Cutlery, jigged bone lambsfoot, well used, patina'd up and not sitting in a bed of velvet. And the other one is an A.Wright sheepsfoot which has what many would call a major flaw, the backspring sits down a bit when in the closed position. But it is one of my favorite knives and is a work knife, extremely sharp and keeps a good edge. I have many knives from Wright's and to me they are good knives that have a bad wrap that they don't deserve.

IMAG0465.jpg

IMAG0478.jpg

IMAG0477.jpg

Those are fine looking knives! As much as I love the big ol sheepsfoot on my loomfixer I bet I’d really like one of those lambs foot beauties. I’ve heard of Wright knives, but in know nothing about my their reputation. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for one.

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:00 am Here's one of mine. Case 5392.

________
Mike

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:00 am Here's one of mine. Case 5392.

________
Mike

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:00 am Here's one of mine. Case 5392.

________
Mike

philco wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:05 am Mike depending on what the pile side of that knife looks like, I just might nominate it for HOK of the year. Wade is one of the judges and I may have a little pull with him. We'll see.

treefarmer wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:19 am

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:00 am Here's one of mine. Case 5392.

________
Mike

I wanted to copy Mike's pose but didn't want to stretch that spring from both ends so my spay is fully open. This is an EDC, farm used, it has opened a few bags of fertilizer, opened a few bags of seed and has opened a few deer during the years I have had it. It was bought used, it's a Queen #49.008.JPG
One more that is used a lot especially during deer season is another Queen, a #39. It is well used, I had to make a small notch in the mark side handle to open the skinning blade after I lowered the point that was too proud to carry. Shaving the kick dropped the nick below the frame. This one belonged to a neighbor and his widow traded it to me maybe 25 years ago.013.JPG
KY wonder, you'll find all sorts of knives here on AAPK and as you can see your old well used Canoe is welcome among all the other old knives that have worked for a living.
Treefarmer

treefarmer wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:19 am

XX Case XX wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:00 am Here's one of mine. Case 5392.

________
Mike

I wanted to copy Mike's pose but didn't want to stretch that spring from both ends so my spay is fully open. This is an EDC, farm used, it has opened a few bags of fertilizer, opened a few bags of seed and has opened a few deer during the years I have had it. It was bought used, it's a Queen #49.008.JPG
One more that is used a lot especially during deer season is another Queen, a #39. It is well used, I had to make a small notch in the mark side handle to open the skinning blade after I lowered the point that was too proud to carry. Shaving the kick dropped the nick below the frame. This one belonged to a neighbor and his widow traded it to me maybe 25 years ago.013.JPG
KY wonder, you'll find all sorts of knives here on AAPK and as you can see your old well used Canoe is welcome among all the other old knives that have worked for a living.
Treefarmer

treefarmer wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:21 pm Colonel, it's a strange feeling to have great regard and respect for my great old Case knives and yet mostly pick up a Queen as an EDC except on Sunday morning.
Treefarmer

philco wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:05 am Mike depending on what the pile side of that knife looks like, I just might nominate it for HOK of the year. Wade is one of the judges and I may have a little pull with him. We'll see.

Ky wonder wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:18 pm I am new to this forum, and noticed most photos are of knives in pristine condition.

So I thought I share the story of a 25 year old german bulldog canoe, this knife has been in my pocket for the last 25 years, it's a hard used farmers knife,

It has cut more Bailer twine, fertilize and seed bags than I ever want to open again, it has been used cleaning everything from squirrels to deer, as a tool working on numerous pieces of equipment , even cut me a few times

Loss and refound, never properly cleaned just wiped down with oily rag at times

Still snaps closed with enough force to separate a small finger if it's in the wrong place,

After 25 years ,this 1996, bulldog canoe, has lost its round shield, the etching Is unreadable these days, the date, bulldog, hammer forged blades, solingen steel marking are under quite a bit of crud

But even today my arms are hairless, where I shave them with this knife, to check for sharpness

So let's see some of your working knives

20210304_135904.jpg20210304_135855.jpg