You talking about guys "our age" getting a knife at an early age and learnign how to useit, and respect it gave me a trip down memory lane. When I was s a kid, my dad carried a pocket knife he had gotten from his father. When I was about 8 or 9 he bought me a cheap used folder and told me if I could make it a year without getting in trouble with it, or cutting myself, and took care of it, he would give me grandpas knife. A year later, to the day, he asked to see my knife. He looked it over frowned and put it in his pocket. I just knew I had screwed up somewhere along the line. Then he handed me his knife and smiled. I carried that one for many years. When he passed in '88 I discovered that he still had the one he had bought for me in his jewelry box. I still have both of those knives in that box. I don't carry either of them, because I'm afraid of losing them. But I carry a similar style.
when I was 7, my dad gave me my first folder, and it was a HUGE deal to me. then in '77 when they first came out, he replaced it with my first leatherman. I will never forget the vast uses I had for my folder growing up in Indy on a small farm. great video Sir.
So true about the right of passage of getting your first pocket knife as a kid. It's one of those memories that sticks with you forever. Mine was when I was in the second grade. The first camping trip after joining cub scouts with my dad. It's a small Buck lockback. I still have and cherish that knife, though it's too small for me to really use anymore. It's basically child sized, but I'll never get rid of it, I might pass it down, as it should be. And Dave, it's not just guys of your age and older, I'm only 29, so the tradition still does live on. Excellent video brother.
I know you've said some of this before, but it never gets old to us knife guys. I love that you mentioned that "Scout" pattern of knife, because my first knife was a modern Imperial BSA knife, (a red one) and last year my aunt gave me an old stainless Imperial with jigged bone or an analogue that my grandfather had given her when she first moved out west. I still haven't gotten around to giving it the TLC it needs.... It's very rusty, and I think the old concaved bench stone I have of my grandfather's is responsible for what looks like a convex edge.
Dave: By way of introduction I have worked on and restored older pocket knives for close to 40 years now and wanted to pass on a tip. I noticed at one point you opened two blades to the half open position on opposite ends of the same spring. Not always (it depends on the tang design) but in some cases that puts double the pressure on the center of the spring and it will break right where the center rivet is or you will break one of the arms of the spring. When displaying even though you often see it done I don't recommend opening both blades on one spring to half stop and leaving them. Open one fully and then the other I have had many come into the shop for springs over the years that this happened to.
Another page in the doctrine of woodsy knowledge.. I can never repay you for what you teach me, but i can hand it down to the next generation. Thank you brother.
I love those big two bladed folders. Many years ago that type of knife was known as the Rancher pattern so I still refer to them as such. I own two Ranchers. One, my favorite, is a Western that I bought in 1974 when I got out of the Seabees. The second is an even older Schrade/Walden. They get the job done and they do it well no matter what that job is as long as it doesn't involve battoning. When I bought the Western Rancher I also bought a Western hunting knife with a 5 1/2" blade along with a Norlund Hudson Bay hatchet. I had never heard of Nessmuk but it appears that we thought much alike when it comes to cutlery. I knew what I needed so I bought them. I later bought a Victorinox Swiss Army knife with a saw blade and scissors. I gave the Swiss Army knife away but I still have and still use the rest of that lot. I also bought a few more Swiss Army knives. I still have knives that belonged to my grandfather, father and my best friend that passed on two years ago. Some knives are just meant to be kept along with the memories they represent. Sorry for being so long winded but I'm done now.
I watched my father carve a new stock for his 20 gauge using an old case pocket knife.. but not overnight it took him about 3 days.. but it was great to see a natural craftsman fashion a stock from walnut and a pocket knife..
Since you mentioned it, I was actually handed down a folding knife that was my grandfathers (and no I'm not your age or older, I'm 21) when I first got I thought it was so cool, it is almost razor sharp and looks very rustic. Come to find out my buddy was given the exact same knife by his father, and they are sold at the sporting goods store for about $25. It is a Schrade Uncle Henry. Regardless of its antiquity it is a very reliable, practical and versatile little knife.
Good video that helps put knife use in it's proper perspective. Finally, knives can be used for cutting without being required to split wood! Like the series brother.
Nice video Dave. I am really enjoying this new series. I must admit I am quite envious of your knife collection. That "multitool" knife from 1908 is very cool. Keep up the good work! Jon
I have always known there was an importance to carrying a folding knife. I must admit that until now I did not know how much of a role the folding knife had in our history. Thank you for enlightening us on this subject.
Mornin', Dave! I'm a home schooling Mom in the sticks of E. Texas where we still do many things "the old fashioned way": milk the cow, occasionally plow with mule/horse/donkey, raise/hunt our own meat, etc. I've just found Horace Kephart's books on Amazon but what about that other author you speak about...Nesmit? I'd like to purchase these books for my "students" to read and then start them on some basic survival skills. One never knows when such would come in handy, especially in these days and times.
Another wonderful vid brother. I must say for a while I fell away from using a pocket or jack knife, opting instead for a Leatherman, now however I am back using a trusty high carbon Opinel!
You are correct about carbon steel. I do believe it is the best steel of choice for a knife. It's hard for sharp edge retention and sharpens easily. I do have some very hard stainless steel blades but they are very hard to sharpen and require a lot of time. I did enjoy your video thanks for taking the time to produce it.
I carry a casexx cv trapper...i use it daily.. i carry a leatherman 200 in the woods, casexx in my pocket and my WC Knives Homesteader on my hip.. tool heavy yes but better to have and not need than need and not have....(love this series) greetings from nc tim
When I was 6, (1960) my Dad gave me a 3 blade stockman. I recently found it and my youngest daughter has it. Anyway those were the days every boy carried a pocket knife, even to school. We were never without our knife.
I know it’s an old video but Thanks for the mention on the bear and sons been looking for a carbon steel folder. I just ordered their carbon steel trapper 4th Gen can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Case still makes high carbon steel knives, and several models come this way. They call it CV steel, and this is what you have o look up on the Case website. They've always used CV steel in their high carbon knives and still do.
My Savage 1899 30-30 that my Great Grandfather gave me. It has a hand carved stock that he carved after a horse rolled over the rifle after falling down on it. It sure is a neat old gun.
Dave, I have a Camillus folder from the 70's that's just like the Case you carry in your pocket. It was my father's. He gave it to me at my Eagle Scout Court of Honor nearly 20 years ago now. Despite nearly forty years of hard use it's still as tight as ever. It's not high carbon steel, but that's OK. While, on anything other than a dive knife or a fillet knife, I definitely want high carbon steel on my fixed blades, I don't mind stainless on everyday use pocket knives that so often end up being neglected a bit more than they should be (despite our best intentions).
Just wanted to let you know your videos are awesome very informative. But as for high-carbon stainless steel blade steel provided by case try the yellow handled line it's cheaper then their bone handled line eggcetera and still made today with carbon steel yes the older knives are better but this is a modern-day option still available I've been a case collector for over 30 years. Thanks again for the great videos keep it up. God bless
I love these history nuggets. Reminds me back in the 60's & 70's I was a knife junkie, I can relate to Dave's view that stainless steel is not good, because back then they were absolute junk, they couldn't be sharpened and they wouldn't hold an edge, they dulled if you just looked at them wrong! Today I prefer the modern stainless super steels. They are extremely rust resistant, they get shaving sharp fairly easy and hold a working edge for mountains of use, and they will throw huge showers of sparks from a ferro rod. The bad side is they are expensive and not as tough. But I will say if you like non stainless knives I suggest you use "Slip 2000" gun oil on your knife (no acid) it is a synthetic, it is claimed to be nontoxic, and it will protect your blade from rusting for months and months if you coat your blade and let it soak in for an hour or so. It has never failed on anything that needed oil. Hope this didn't sound like a commercial just sharing what I know. Do I talk too much?
great presentation. i lately prefer the historic canadian trapper knife. what are your thought on that type of blade if you've encountered them? you can get something like the penny knife today for under $20. opinel france makes some great carbon steel penny knifes that even have an ingeniously simple locking mechanism.
Hey Dave, in case you didn't know Case still makes carbon steel knives, just look for their models in CV steel. Great video BTW, really enjoying the series.
great presentations, you have a great wealth of information and skill. That combined with a great personality made me think more in depth and search your videos, thanks, you do great --RR
Excellent series Dave. I love your information. Two questions: Would it be possible for you to go into more detail on steel types? Specifically, which type sharpen best, create a spark etc... I get confused as to all of the different numbers and how they relate to quality and hardness. Kind of a steel for dummies as it were. Second, what is/was the preferred type of sharpening method for these guys at the turn of the century? Did they have a system? Or one stop sharpening. Thanks in advance for your reply.
The "best" knife to use in an "emergency" or "survival" situation is the one(s) you have with you. Not the high dollar 3 or 4 pound "Bushcraft" chopper you left at home because (a) it is too heavy to lug around all day, and gets in the way when you try to sit, etc., and (b) you didn't expect to "need" it on a weekend getaway on a well traveled marked trail in a popular, over-crowded state or federal recreational area. Of course it also helps to have the knowledge and skills necessary to use finesse, rather than brute force. 😊 A 4 blade "scout knife" (or a comparable SAK with saw amd scissors, like the Huntsman/Field Master) is an indisensable item when in the woods, or as part of the EDC carry. I have carried a 4 blade Scoout or SAK Huntsman (recently an Evo Grip 14) every day for the last 60 years. That includes at school (from 2nd grade) and at church. I have had it paired with a Stockman or Barlow, just as long. Back in 1968, I added a Buck 110 to my belt. It or an Old Timer 7OT rode on my belt every day until last year, when I switched to a Leatherman Charge+ TII muli tool. Old habits are difficult to break. There have been months where I had both the Leatherman AND the 110 on my belt, along with tow or three multi blade slipjoints in my pocket, and a small (3 inch OAL) forged medeival type neck knife inna sheath hanging from my neck.
Dave great information... I'm 45 years old I been carrying a pocket or jack knife since the third grade. Have a knife in my pocket is a part of me like breading. Dave it would be nice to see some videos in wood carving with a pocket knife... God bless...
Case still makes high carbon knives. My brand new case stockman will throw sparks just as good as my Mora with a flint rock. You just have to make sure it has CV in the model # when ordering.
Dave, what do you use to lubricate the pivots on your jackknives? In past videos you've talked about using vegetable oil on tool blades, but does that work as a lubricant or just as a surface protector?
Last Christmas I suggested I would like an American made knife to my wife. I gave her some hints and she scored me a Case American Workman. It's stainless steel, but you have a sharp 90 degree edge on the top the spine that can throw sparks off a fire steel like nobody's business.
Nice knives. Be careful, though. You should never open two blades half-way that run on the same spring - it puts tremendous strain on the spring and it can actually break the spring in the long run.
I should have been more specific, I guess. It was on one of the Boyscout models (7:20min) where the awl and the knife blade opened on opposing sides - you can see how Dave struggles to fold out the awl, because the spring is under high tension from the half-opened knife blade.
Anything before think 1915 would have been convexed ground blades. Right? And then flat and hollow ground blades didn't start till the 1900's. I'm I right? I think so. I get mixed info when looking into that. Great video! I own all your books. Learned alot.
The 1908 jack knife with all the tools, what is the brand of knife? You found it in a catalog, what was that kind of knife called? I know there are lots of different names for traditional knives: sway back, Canoe, pen, congressman, tear drop, etc. what name was this type of knife called?
How do you test if the blade is high carbon? Sound and looks? Because I found some old naval folders on an antique sales in my town, or so the seller said. They did look the part and if I were to buy them it would have set me back about $250 or $300. For both. That was too much. But damn those knives were sweet! They had one blade and a rope tool, essentially a huge spike that I feel would have performed good in combat also. So what I'm getting at is it may be a bit hard to find one good piece at a low price.
My dads first knife was a pocket knife, my first knife was a pocket knife, I can't wait till the day I have a son and give him his first pocket knife. I believe they are the best knife to start anyone one.
I'm 21 and my dad gave me a BUCK pocket knife that he bought with his own money growing up when I was 5, but I wasn't allowed to carry without him there till I was probly 11. I got so mad bc i couldn't carry it in school! lol It sucks that we live in a time that a boy can't carry his knife everywhere IMHO
so, 2 questions. why a carbon steel on a modern folder? I know it can make sparks, but if you have your carbon fixed blade do you NEED a carbon folder? 2nd, why no case or bear or other folders on your website.
TheFloridaWaterdog Stainless not inherently softer. That's about heat treatment, not the steel. There are plenty of traditional folders that sue stainless and carbon quite a bit harder than what dave shows here. Both ATS-34 and D2 blades for companies like queen.
***** Stainless will absolutely rust. Ease of sharpening and edge retention has nothing to do with whether its carbon or stainless. Its about carbide content and hardness. CPM-M4, a carbon steel, is far more difficult to than AEB-L, CPM-154, VG-10, S30V, CTS-BD1, BG42 and 440C, all stainless. S110V has better edge retention than all the steels Dave shows and is a stainless. AEB-L at similar hardness will cut just as long as 1095 and its a stainless. As for the sparks, OK, carbon does that.
LOL! I got my first knife at Boy Scouts as well, but I was around 12 or so I think. From then on I have always had a pocket knife on me, even at school. I also remember taking a slingshot (an old Crosman wrist rocket, not just some toy lol) to school and getting a complement on my aim from a teacher after killing a mouse with it... different days back then.
Not really luck... it was almost 30 years ago. lol Different times back then, different mindsets. Never thought I would be referring to 30 years ago as "back then"... LOL
The older Schrades are worth looking at (especially the Old Timer line), but make sure you don't go and buy a new one. They are all made in China now. I believe the older Old Timer knives were carbon steel, because my grandpa gave me one and it rusted fairly quickly in humid Houston.
Dont you think that it is better to have the pocket knife just in case you loose your belt knife I have been carrying a Case knife on my camping trips and I would feel like striping flakes of my pocket knife would damage the hinge and have it fail over time
What does " striping flakes of my pocket knife " mean?? It takes a lot to wear a good knife out. They aren't going to last forever and are tools and made to use.
It may take a good amount of force to wear a good knife, however, wouldnt using your knife as a steel to start a fire with damage the pivot of the knife and put your knife at risk at failing over time.
Dave's usual stance on that seems to be "if he had to". He has other preferred ways to do it, but he wants his knife to be able to if he had to. It would be a bit destructive to just keep shaving sparks off the back of one's knife with a flint, especially if that person also has lighters, ferro rods, an actual steel striker, magnifying glass, etc. lol So it isn't a question of "Should you...?", it is a question of "Can you...?"
Wanted to share a relevant frugal tip. When searching used items on Amazon the Item will have a grade of what condition it is in, Here is a link to what those grades mean: www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161242
You talking about guys "our age" getting a knife at an early age and learnign how to useit, and respect it gave me a trip down memory lane. When I was s a kid, my dad carried a pocket knife he had gotten from his father. When I was about 8 or 9 he bought me a cheap used folder and told me if I could make it a year without getting in trouble with it, or cutting myself, and took care of it, he would give me grandpas knife. A year later, to the day, he asked to see my knife. He looked it over frowned and put it in his pocket. I just knew I had screwed up somewhere along the line. Then he handed me his knife and smiled. I carried that one for many years. When he passed in '88 I discovered that he still had the one he had bought for me in his jewelry box. I still have both of those knives in that box. I don't carry either of them, because I'm afraid of losing them. But I carry a similar style.
when I was 7, my dad gave me my first folder, and it was a HUGE deal to me. then in '77 when they first came out, he replaced it with my first leatherman. I will never forget the vast uses I had for my folder growing up in Indy on a small farm. great video Sir.
So true about the right of passage of getting your first pocket knife as a kid. It's one of those memories that sticks with you forever. Mine was when I was in the second grade. The first camping trip after joining cub scouts with my dad. It's a small Buck lockback. I still have and cherish that knife, though it's too small for me to really use anymore. It's basically child sized, but I'll never get rid of it, I might pass it down, as it should be. And Dave, it's not just guys of your age and older, I'm only 29, so the tradition still does live on. Excellent video brother.
I know you've said some of this before, but it never gets old to us knife guys. I love that you mentioned that "Scout" pattern of knife, because my first knife was a modern Imperial BSA knife, (a red one) and last year my aunt gave me an old stainless Imperial with jigged bone or an analogue that my grandfather had given her when she first moved out west. I still haven't gotten around to giving it the TLC it needs.... It's very rusty, and I think the old concaved bench stone I have of my grandfather's is responsible for what looks like a convex edge.
Dave: By way of introduction I have worked on and restored older pocket knives for close to 40 years now and wanted to pass on a tip. I noticed at one point you opened two blades to the half open position on opposite ends of the same spring. Not always (it depends on the tang design) but in some cases that puts double the pressure on the center of the spring and it will break right where the center rivet is or you will break one of the arms of the spring. When displaying even though you often see it done I don't recommend opening both blades on one spring to half stop and leaving them. Open one fully and then the other I have had many come into the shop for springs over the years that this happened to.
Another page in the doctrine of woodsy knowledge.. I can never repay you for what you teach me, but i can hand it down to the next generation. Thank you brother.
I love those big two bladed folders. Many years ago that type of knife was known as the Rancher pattern so I still refer to them as such. I own two Ranchers. One, my favorite, is a Western that I bought in 1974 when I got out of the Seabees. The second is an even older Schrade/Walden. They get the job done and they do it well no matter what that job is as long as it doesn't involve battoning. When I bought the Western Rancher I also bought a Western hunting knife with a 5 1/2" blade along with a Norlund Hudson Bay hatchet. I had never heard of Nessmuk but it appears that we thought much alike when it comes to cutlery. I knew what I needed so I bought them. I later bought a Victorinox Swiss Army knife with a saw blade and scissors. I gave the Swiss Army knife away but I still have and still use the rest of that lot. I also bought a few more Swiss Army knives. I still have knives that belonged to my grandfather, father and my best friend that passed on two years ago. Some knives are just meant to be kept along with the memories they represent. Sorry for being so long winded but I'm done now.
I watched my father carve a new stock for his 20 gauge using an old case pocket knife.. but not overnight it took him about 3 days.. but it was great to see a natural craftsman fashion a stock from walnut and a pocket knife..
I've carried a sod buster jr for a long time and still love it. Thanks
Thanks again - I'm really enjoying this series with the historical background. I'm looking forward to more.
Really liking these "experimental archaeology" style videos Dave
Since you mentioned it, I was actually handed down a folding knife that was my grandfathers (and no I'm not your age or older, I'm 21) when I first got I thought it was so cool, it is almost razor sharp and looks very rustic. Come to find out my buddy was given the exact same knife by his father, and they are sold at the sporting goods store for about $25. It is a Schrade Uncle Henry. Regardless of its antiquity it is a very reliable, practical and versatile little knife.
Good video that helps put knife use in it's proper perspective. Finally, knives can be used for cutting without being required to split wood! Like the series brother.
Love these old style folders... thanks for sharing Dave!
Nice video Dave. I am really enjoying this new series. I must admit I am quite envious of your knife collection. That "multitool" knife from 1908 is very cool. Keep up the good work!
Jon
I have always known there was an importance to carrying a folding knife. I must admit that until now I did not know how much of a role the folding knife had in our history. Thank you for enlightening us on this subject.
Awesome video Dave. I'm really enjoying this series.
Love this series. Have learned so much from Dave’s videos.
Mornin', Dave! I'm a home schooling Mom in the sticks of E. Texas where we still do many things "the old fashioned way": milk the cow, occasionally plow with mule/horse/donkey, raise/hunt our own meat, etc. I've just found Horace Kephart's books on Amazon but what about that other author you speak about...Nesmit? I'd like to purchase these books for my "students" to read and then start them on some basic survival skills. One never knows when such would come in handy, especially in these days and times.
Another wonderful vid brother.
I must say for a while I fell away from using a pocket or jack knife, opting instead for a Leatherman, now however I am back using a trusty high carbon Opinel!
I've been watching some of these older videos again and its fun to watch your outro evolve in to the one i often say out loud with you today 🤣😂
You are correct about carbon steel. I do believe it is the best steel of choice for a knife. It's hard for sharp edge retention and sharpens easily. I do have some very hard stainless steel blades but they are very hard to sharpen and require a lot of time. I did enjoy your video thanks for taking the time to produce it.
I carry a casexx cv trapper...i use it daily.. i carry a leatherman 200 in the woods, casexx in my pocket and my WC Knives Homesteader on my hip.. tool heavy yes but better to have and not need than need and not have....(love this series) greetings from nc tim
When I was 6, (1960) my Dad gave me a 3 blade stockman. I recently found it and my youngest daughter has it. Anyway those were the days every boy carried a pocket knife, even to school. We were never without our knife.
Making a stock for a rifle with a damn small folding knife is a talent for the ages.
Dave thank you for this excellent videos! I would like to see more archery stuff :) all best!
Thanks, nice, tight, information that provides insight into the past, always appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
I know it’s an old video but Thanks for the mention on the bear and sons been looking for a carbon steel folder. I just ordered their carbon steel trapper 4th Gen can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Case still makes high carbon steel knives, and several models come this way. They call it CV steel, and this is what you have o look up on the Case website. They've always used CV steel in their high carbon knives and still do.
My Savage 1899 30-30 that my Great Grandfather gave me. It has a hand carved stock that he carved after a horse rolled over the rifle after falling down on it. It sure is a neat old gun.
“I don’t usually buy knives and keep them on the shelves, I use them if I can!” Love it!!! No expensive safe queens!!! Buy them use them!!!
Love these "Woodcraft on a Budget" videos keep them coming!
I have that exact Case Hunter as well. LOVE IT for processing game. Both blades are flat ground and omfg sharp.
Dave, I have a Camillus folder from the 70's that's just like the Case you carry in your pocket. It was my father's. He gave it to me at my Eagle Scout Court of Honor nearly 20 years ago now. Despite nearly forty years of hard use it's still as tight as ever. It's not high carbon steel, but that's OK. While, on anything other than a dive knife or a fillet knife, I definitely want high carbon steel on my fixed blades, I don't mind stainless on everyday use pocket knives that so often end up being neglected a bit more than they should be (despite our best intentions).
Just wanted to let you know your videos are awesome very informative. But as for high-carbon stainless steel blade steel provided by case try the yellow handled line it's cheaper then their bone handled line eggcetera and still made today with carbon steel yes the older knives are better but this is a modern-day option still available I've been a case collector for over 30 years. Thanks again for the great videos keep it up. God bless
It was a big day when you got that first pocketknife. I still have that old 3 blade Case in my collection.
I love these history nuggets. Reminds me back in the 60's & 70's I was a knife junkie, I can relate to Dave's view that stainless steel is not good, because back then they were absolute junk, they couldn't be sharpened and they wouldn't hold an edge, they dulled if you just looked at them wrong! Today I prefer the modern stainless super steels. They are extremely rust resistant, they get shaving sharp fairly easy and hold a working edge for mountains of use, and they will throw huge showers of sparks from a ferro rod. The bad side is they are expensive and not as tough. But I will say if you like non stainless knives I suggest you use "Slip 2000" gun oil on your knife (no acid) it is a synthetic, it is claimed to be nontoxic, and it will protect your blade from rusting for months and months if you coat your blade and let it soak in for an hour or so. It has never failed on anything that needed oil. Hope this didn't sound like a commercial just sharing what I know. Do I talk too much?
great presentation. i lately prefer the historic canadian trapper knife. what are your thought on that type of blade if you've encountered them?
you can get something like the penny knife today for under $20. opinel france makes some great carbon steel penny knifes that even have an ingeniously simple locking mechanism.
Awesome video Dave!
That Case you took from your pocket is a stunner
Hey Dave, in case you didn't know Case still makes carbon steel knives, just look for their models in CV steel.
Great video BTW, really enjoying the series.
I know my 2010ish CV stockman has a nice patina on the blades. Does anyone know if the CV steel can produce a spark with flint?
It is high carbon so yea try it out
great presentations, you have a great wealth of information and skill. That combined with a great personality made me think more in depth and search your videos, thanks, you do great --RR
Excellent series Dave. I love your information. Two questions: Would it be possible for you to go into more detail on steel types? Specifically, which type sharpen best, create a spark etc... I get confused as to all of the different numbers and how they relate to quality and hardness. Kind of a steel for dummies as it were. Second, what is/was the preferred type of sharpening method for these guys at the turn of the century? Did they have a system? Or one stop sharpening. Thanks in advance for your reply.
You can get the Case trapper in High Carbon steel. They advertise it as Chrome Vanadium. I love trapper knives.
I have an old opinel number 4 with the locking collar. Still the best pocket knife i own.
The "best" knife to use in an "emergency" or "survival" situation is the one(s) you have with you.
Not the high dollar 3 or 4 pound "Bushcraft" chopper you left at home because (a) it is too heavy to lug around all day, and gets in the way when you try to sit, etc., and (b) you didn't expect to "need" it on a weekend getaway on a well traveled marked trail in a popular, over-crowded state or federal recreational area.
Of course it also helps to have the knowledge and skills necessary to use finesse, rather than brute force. 😊
A 4 blade "scout knife" (or a comparable SAK with saw amd scissors, like the Huntsman/Field Master) is an indisensable item when in the woods, or as part of the EDC carry.
I have carried a 4 blade Scoout or SAK Huntsman (recently an Evo Grip 14) every day for the last 60 years. That includes at school (from 2nd grade) and at church.
I have had it paired with a Stockman or Barlow, just as long. Back in 1968, I added a Buck 110 to my belt. It or an Old Timer 7OT rode on my belt every day until last year, when I switched to a Leatherman Charge+ TII muli tool. Old habits are difficult to break. There have been months where I had both the Leatherman AND the 110 on my belt, along with tow or three multi blade slipjoints in my pocket, and a small (3 inch OAL) forged medeival type neck knife inna sheath hanging from my neck.
Dave great information... I'm 45 years old I been carrying a pocket or jack knife since the third grade. Have a knife in my pocket is a part of me like breading. Dave it would be nice to see some videos in wood carving with a pocket knife... God bless...
Mmm... Breading.
Friend thank you for the spelling observation .... I meant breathing once again thank you...
really enjoy your videos, really thinking about taking the begginer class at pathfinder
Nice looking dog. Great series so far. An original multi-tool - very cool Dave. The current Boy Scout knife is made in China... :-(
Case still makes high carbon knives. My brand new case stockman will throw sparks just as good as my Mora with a flint rock. You just have to make sure it has CV in the model # when ordering.
Dave, what do you use to lubricate the pivots on your jackknives? In past videos you've talked about using vegetable oil on tool blades, but does that work as a lubricant or just as a surface protector?
Great video Dave keep em coming brotha!
Last Christmas I suggested I would like an American made knife to my wife. I gave her some hints and she scored me a Case American Workman. It's stainless steel, but you have a sharp 90 degree edge on the top the spine that can throw sparks off a fire steel like nobody's business.
I have the yellow case trapper in carbon steel that my grandpa gave me back in the 90s still carry that knife with me everyday
that second knife is awesome!!
the first knive you show looks like the opinel knives ;)
great vid
Nice knives. Be careful, though. You should never open two blades half-way that run on the same spring - it puts tremendous strain on the spring and it can actually break the spring in the long run.
I should have been more specific, I guess. It was on one of the Boyscout models (7:20min) where the awl and the knife blade opened on opposing sides - you can see how Dave struggles to fold out the awl, because the spring is under high tension from the half-opened knife blade.
Great video.
Böker still makes great high carbon traditional style knives
Anything before think 1915 would have been convexed ground blades.
Right? And then flat and hollow ground blades didn't start till the 1900's. I'm I right? I think so. I get mixed info when looking into that.
Great video! I own all your books.
Learned alot.
Nice video again...ty!
The 1908 jack knife with all the tools, what is the brand of knife? You found it in a catalog, what was that kind of knife called? I know there are lots of different names for traditional knives: sway back, Canoe, pen, congressman, tear drop, etc. what name was this type of knife called?
I carry a big double-bladed Hunter pattern like that accept mine is made by Western. Excellent knife
Dave,
Thanks for the vids. I was wondering where you bought that shirt? I have been looking for one of those.
How do you test if the blade is high carbon? Sound and looks?
Because I found some old naval folders on an antique sales in my town, or so the seller said. They did look the part and if I were to buy them it would have set me back about $250 or $300. For both. That was too much. But damn those knives were sweet! They had one blade and a rope tool, essentially a huge spike that I feel would have performed good in combat also.
So what I'm getting at is it may be a bit hard to find one good piece at a low price.
Outstanding
dave, would a large stockmans knife be an acceptable substitute in place of a 2 blade jack kfife.
Thanks for the video
My dads first knife was a pocket knife, my first knife was a pocket knife, I can't wait till the day I have a son and give him his first pocket knife. I believe they are the best knife to start anyone one.
I'm 21 and my dad gave me a BUCK pocket knife that he bought with his own money growing up when I was 5, but I wasn't allowed to carry without him there till I was probly 11. I got so mad bc i couldn't carry it in school! lol It sucks that we live in a time that a boy can't carry his knife everywhere IMHO
so, 2 questions. why a carbon steel on a modern folder? I know it can make sparks, but if you have your carbon fixed blade do you NEED a carbon folder? 2nd, why no case or bear or other folders on your website.
hey dave, what brand is that knife with all the attachments? I love it. :)
I carry a big two bladed Western like your big Case. My Western is high carbon blades.
So my Imperial 2 blade wasn't a bad deal at $3? I'm assuming an Opinel is a good modern stand it.
What is the make and name of that original multiblade pocket knife?
That's so true wish I still had so of the knife's that was given to me Dave I got the one I buy but not one that was given to me
I remember when ya could carry pocket knifes to school.
Some new case knives are carbon steel. They are classified as cv, which is chromoly vanadium
Check out Great Eastern Cutlery and the Case CV line of traditional folders. Both come with carbon steel blades.
I respect all this jack knives but for me the best is opinel carbon steel
Is Chrome Vanadium carbon or stainless steel?
what is the advantage of carbon steel over stainless?
He mentions it near the end of the video, Hi carbon has the ability to throw sparks off a rock where as stainless is a softer metal.
TheFloridaWaterdog Stainless not inherently softer. That's about heat treatment, not the steel. There are plenty of traditional folders that sue stainless and carbon quite a bit harder than what dave shows here. Both ATS-34 and D2 blades for companies like queen.
***** Stainless will absolutely rust. Ease of sharpening and edge retention has nothing to do with whether its carbon or stainless. Its about carbide content and hardness. CPM-M4, a carbon steel, is far more difficult to than AEB-L, CPM-154, VG-10, S30V, CTS-BD1, BG42 and 440C, all stainless. S110V has better edge retention than all the steels Dave shows and is a stainless. AEB-L at similar hardness will cut just as long as 1095 and its a stainless. As for the sparks, OK, carbon does that.
It will rust all the way through, it just takes more time.
Oh definitely. Were talking sever neglect to get any seriously blade compromising rust levels on most knives.
Making A Friction Clasp Knife From Scratch By Keith H. Burgess. Part One.
Why do you prefer Chase knives?
It's "Case". You've never heard of a Case?
I got my first knife when I was five. I got it at school too.
***** Boy scouts meeting right after school.
LOL! I got my first knife at Boy Scouts as well, but I was around 12 or so I think. From then on I have always had a pocket knife on me, even at school. I also remember taking a slingshot (an old Crosman wrist rocket, not just some toy lol) to school and getting a complement on my aim from a teacher after killing a mouse with it... different days back then.
Not really luck... it was almost 30 years ago. lol Different times back then, different mindsets. Never thought I would be referring to 30 years ago as "back then"... LOL
I remember when I was 11 or 12, (I'm 46) my mother told me "one man never go out with out a pocket knife on his pocket"
What about the original "Swiss Army Knife" ?
swiss army would be modern crossover I know thats not the point but they are handy
How do I recognize a high carbon steel knife in a yard sale?
Look into vintage Schrade knives. With Case you're paying extra for the name.
Schrade are good knives but to say that " you're paying extra for the name" is highly debatable.
The older Schrades are worth looking at (especially the Old Timer line), but make sure you don't go and buy a new one. They are all made in China now. I believe the older Old Timer knives were carbon steel, because my grandpa gave me one and it rusted fairly quickly in humid Houston.
I have learned high carbon knives don't do well in the humidity of my pocket
an old barlow!
Dont you think that it is better to have the pocket knife just in case you loose your belt knife
I have been carrying a Case knife on my camping trips and I would feel like striping flakes of my pocket knife would damage the hinge and have it fail over time
What does " striping flakes of my pocket knife " mean?? It takes a lot to wear a good knife out. They aren't going to last forever and are tools and made to use.
It may take a good amount of force to wear a good knife, however, wouldnt using your knife as a steel to start a fire with damage the pivot of the knife and put your knife at risk at failing over time.
I wouldn't think so. It doesn't take much pressure to strike a ferro rod.
A ferro rod does work but taking a piece of flint and striking the back of the pocket knife seems to be a little iffy to me
Dave's usual stance on that seems to be "if he had to". He has other preferred ways to do it, but he wants his knife to be able to if he had to. It would be a bit destructive to just keep shaving sparks off the back of one's knife with a flint, especially if that person also has lighters, ferro rods, an actual steel striker, magnifying glass, etc. lol
So it isn't a question of "Should you...?", it is a question of "Can you...?"
You didn't really go over the "on a budget" part....
The history was good though.
It won't let me play the video. Anyone else having that problem?
Wanted to share a relevant frugal tip. When searching used items on Amazon the Item will have a grade of what condition it is in, Here is a link to what those grades mean:
www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161242
If you want to up your views have you and a buddy each try to re-enact the "widdle a rifle stock" story,,,
Check out Great Eastern Cutlery and the Case CV line of traditional folders. Both come with carbon steel blades.