I’ve been getting really into Barlows lately. There is something special and prideful about carrying a style that you know is timeless and has been used for centuries.
Barlow is a style of slip joint, not one brand in particular. Rough Ryder and Case make some good ones. Knives I might’ve once considered cheap and not worth while actually have a lot more to offer in their classic ruggedness than I might’ve imagined.
My go-to pocket knife has always been, and will always be, the Buck Knives 110. Superior fit, finish, and quality, and a very good leather carrying case that fits on the belt. Keeps my pockets free, and my knife safe and clean.
As a knife nut, junkie, collector, or whatever you want to call me…..I was first a young kid who was given a cheapo jack knife and was in awe of it. A few years later, I bought my first Buck 110. That one truly got hand rubbed with a tee shirt till my hands hurt. Many years later I suddenly found myself starting to buy and collect a lot of knives. It now is a fun hobby and obsession. And yes, I have a ton of modern folders, but if I had to grab one knife and leave for who knows how long….it would probably be a traditional lockback! There is something about them that says “I’m a good tool and I won’t let you down!” Great episode Aaron!
Growing up I had no other choice, if you wanted a folding knife in your pocket you learned how to use it safely without cutting yourself. Buck changed all that with the 110. But to this day I still carry a traditional folding knife which most enthusiasts would consider too small
Yup, fully agree with point #1. That is why I EDC a Victorinox Compact, a very traditional pocket knife. I’m also partial to a good Stockman, with a blade appropriate for most cutting tasks. Touching up the edge on my pocket carry, and keeping the blade clean, is just as much part of my routine as coffee.
Great episode. There is so much focus, ad nauseam, on the tactical nature of knives, it’s nice to come back to the knife as simply a tool like any other. These are the types of knives that can be gifted or passed down to kids to teach them the utility, safety and responsibility of carrying a pocket knife. Great job Aaron.
Thanks Aaron, great video. Brought back a lot of memories. I still have my Buck 110 which I bought in the late 1960s while working at Woolworth's sporting goods. The blade has been gound down from repeated sharpening and the handles are worn. It has dressed out dozens of game animals over the years. It's retired to a drawer of old knives but with a little TLC, it would be ready for the hunt again.
Have modern folders with assisted opening etc but my Buck 110 finger groove model is my favorite to carry. Brass makes it nice and heavy. Underrated self defense edc. The brass end cap, pommel makes for a great skull crusher. Finger grooves make it anti-slip. Good length for utility, outdoors tasks. Best all around folder my opinion.
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The lack of a thumb stud makes these retro knives look much better (for example Buck 110/112) and they become street legal in more places. From my experience, one-hand openening is a rather exotic use case anyway.
Great video! Nice thing about the Buck 110 is that it’s one-hand openable. Since the brass is so heavy, you can just pinch the blade and a little flick will let gravity open the blade. You can also one-hand close any lock-back folder by pressing the spine against your thigh while you press the lock.
The Buck 110. It feels like a man’s knife. It’s a heavy, handsome, tough American classic that’s right at home in the outdoors. I also added a Kwik thumb stud for one handed opening. The belt holster helps with the weight and also frees up a pocket. It’s all I want or need for a traditional pocket knife.
As a child of the 80’s I grew up with traditional knives . Once I got my hands on a modern folder in the late 90’s I never looked back lol . I collect Traditionals now for the nostalgia. My first modern folder was a Kershaw .
Thanks Aaron for your views on pocket knives. I'm 71 years old and can't remember when I didn't carry a pocket knife exept when they took it from me when flying commercial. Most useful tool I've ever had. Now carry a Delica Spiderco and a small exacto knife.
I have 34 traditional pocket knives, but the Case Kodiac is the only one that gets any pocket time, and that is very rare. I have found the modern folders to be easier to carry and far more convenient with one hand opening and so forth. I do like to pick up the traditionals and play with them from time to time, but I really don’t think I would miss them if they were all suddenly gone.
Where I come from, Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, our knife to have was a Friedrich Herder. Simple, reliable, cheap. From peeling potatoes, pruning to hunting, we did everything with that tool.
I love and currently EDC my 13cm Laguiole (Honoré Durand) knife with a great corkscrew and wicked awl/spike (olive wood handle) that I bought decades ago. It’s also easier to carry here in the SFBA, compared to a fixed blade unfortunately. Great video here and God bless! 🙏
I really like the traditional pocket knives. Clue is in the name, pocket. Goes in my pocket, not bothered about a clip or sheath, not bothered about one hand opening. Got a few different ones, barlows, trappers, probably the one I use the most is an opinel number 9. The next knife I'm going to buy, is for me one of the greatest ever traditional pocket knives, the Buck 110, I'm itching to get one.
I am old enough to have carried what you term "classic " as a primary, so it's taken me a while to understand the current fascination with old school knives. I agree with some of what you said, but I thought the invention of the one hand opener and the pocket clip were Heaven sent to this country boy. I no longer had to hunt in my pocket or wrestle with a sheath snap, then free up both hands to open (thumbstuds were late in coming) or, more importantly, close a lockback without getting cut. I will agree that the traditional handle materials are much more attractive, hence my Civivi Praxis with wood scales. I also agree that a Barlow, Trapper, or Stockman is gorgeous, but my Ritter Hogue RSK1 in bright orange (so I won't lose it) is superior in all ways. I'll get a fixed blade if I need more. BTW, I have several lockbacks in my case because they are so beautiful. It isn't that I don't like old school knives, I just find modern knives better for work.
Great video, I have collected many knives and multitools over the years from Victorinox, Leatherman, Gerber, Kershaw, Buck, Case and many others but there's something reassuring in the simplicity of a traditional pocket knife. One of my favorite is a simple Trapper design. Our grandfather's and fathers could do more with a simple 2 or 3 blade pocket knife than many guys today do with expensive multitools costing in excess of $100. I've carried a pocket knife my whole life and it's almost odd to me when someone doesn't 😮 Gives you a good feeling knowing you have a small edge on you at all times to handle things through out the day. Thanks for posting 👍
Great video i have carried several different ones though out the years .I carried a stockman for a while and was tired of digging iny pocket so i made a leather sheath that had no snap just opened from the top .i made one for my opinel one too.But my favorite for the past 13 years is my huntsman swiss army knife .i put a lanyard on it and use the lanysrd to pull it out of my pocket you can upscale the handles and get an ink pen .I use it the most out of all my knives
Over the last few years I have found myself going to Ebay and buying some of the old American made patterns, by many different companies. Beautiful quality slipjoints. So many brands that are now made overseas or gone. I try my best to support the ones we have left.
I thought I was the only one doing this. Over the past couple of years I've picked up several gems and most for really good prices. Most have just needed a clean up and a tune to get them back to near new. Great way to get some knives with handle materials that are getting scarce or are no longer available. Have a great day.
The stockman is my idea of a traditional pocketknife. I recently bought a Case 18 pattern. I love to just drop it in my pocket and know I've got three sharp blades on me.
I love the modern knives that are available and the variety that is out there. But I keep finding myself buying traditional slip joint knives more frequently. Aaron, get you a traditional knife in jigged bone. Those are the absolute best knives for any environment. Fancy dinners to out in the back country. Thanks for this video!
One thing you didn't mention was traditional blade shapes. There are a bunch of different shapes for different uses, not just drop point and clip point, but sheepsfoot and spay... even very specialized shapes like hawkbills and fruit knives. There are different patterns too... Barlow, trapper, stockman, congress, elephant toe, etc. And you can get traditional knives in any steel you want from carbon steel all the way up to the super steels. The only reason most of them are carbon steel or 440c is because with an everyday knife, you want to be able to quickly refresh the edge whenever it goes dull. Sharpening super steels can be a chore. One brief quibble... technically traditional knives are usually slip joints. Lockbacks (and liner locks which you didn't mention) are more recent. The Buck 110 is a modern knife, not a traditional one. A Swiss Army Knife is actually an older traditional design than a lockback.
Great video and i love traditional knives, i have quite a few. My favorite is a Case Trapper with bonestag scales and 154CM steel. Unfortunately though in daily use, my traditionals can’t hold a candle to something like a Bugout in ease of carry. It’s really more of a cool factor these days, but i still sometimes carry and use them. I just think technology has outpaced the older designs.
I'm in France, and i have got a Gerber Gator from more than 25 years. I like it for all the things at the garage or in the garden or in the country. But on my table, it is an Opinel number 9 who is doing the job.
I have lots of traditional knifes, trapper knife is my favorite pocket knife, I have the modern knifes and like them for what they are but always have on of my traditional knifes, they are my go to knife most of the time and I love sharping them, it’s very relaxing
I have a lot of modern knives. My brother in law handed me a Buck box he found somehwere the last time I visited him. It turns it held a brand new pre-86 Buck 500, nickel bolsters, Dynawood scales. Very compelling knife.
I use a large stockman edc much of the time. Keep the spay blade very sharp for when you need it. The sheepsfoot is good for heavy cuts and the clip does whatever else. Worth giving it a try.
I love traditionel pocketknives. For carrying them I prefer the once with a laynyardhole. I put a relativly short laynyard one them with a big diamantknot at the end. the knot rides in the watchpocket of my jeans so the knife hangs upright or paralell to my leg in the main frontpocket. This way the knife doesn`t bother me in the pocket and is quick in my hand when needed. Kind of concealed carry. I stitched short peaces of webbing in the frntpockets of my pants without a watchpocket, so the diamant knot can be secured behind the webbing and I can carry the knife in the same manner when I have such pants on. Something to think about. It works really well for me.
I prefer classical pocket knives. Less legal hassles. They become classic because they work. High end specialty steel means harder to sharpen. Classic knives work. Thank you for a great video. 👍
I regularly carry a traditional as a my gents/office knife where I have no need for speedy deployment or hard use. (Although I do miss the pocket clip!) Their design & materials just look good/classy & I also find that they're a lot less threatening for non-knife people. Pull out a nice Case knife at a wedding or business meeting & either no one will notice or you may even attract positive comments. Whip out the 4Max Scout or Microtech OTF and the reaction may not be so welcoming. Sharp blades all.
When I think of a traditional pocket knife it's a two or three bladed slip joint knife. Something like a trapper or stockman or even the venerable barlow.
I love my Opinel No.10 as my edc knife, it’s a very simple but great pocket knife. I collect traditional pocket knives because of their simplicity and beauty. In my collection I have the Otter Mercator KKK (since WW1), the Douk-Douk (extremely simple slipjoint knife), the Higonokami, Case Sodbuster (designwise it’s a German design derived from the Hippekniep), two Opinels, Antonini Old Bear Large (the Italian Opinel) and the Buck 110 (Great American sturdyness connected with great classical design). In Europe we have so many great traditional pocket knives. I miss an anchor knife, a Laguiole, a Barlow and a Spanish Navaja pocket knife. Yet there are too many great knifes. 😅 You should look into these simple traditional pocket knifes.
Great video. When at work (in a office) you can't beat a Case Trapper. Pull it out and nobody thinks much about it. Everybody's dad or grandpa had a similar knife. On the weekends or out in the wilderness also add an old Case 2159 LSSP (similar to a buck 110) that I have customized with new scales. Carry it in a belt sheath. Can't beat old school.
I have 5 or so slip joint knives they’re not my favorite but I got mine because of the traditional look and the history of them and to carry it if I’m going to be in a place or an event where people are more likely to be scared of knives and a small slipjoint knife is probably the least intimidating knife u can get so people don’t call the cops etc. For some other people they would have to carry a slipjoint knife if they are in a country etc that’s actually made carrying a knife with a lock illegal to carry all I can say to that is great job governments u are saving lives everyday it’s not like someone wanting to cause harm doesn’t have a kitchen knife set or anything as for Huckberry I like their clothes etc I actually got their pullover merino wool hoodie after I saw your video with u wearing it a month or two ago and it’s great but of course there’s a but it cost me $138 before taxes and shipping if I paid shipping can’t remember if I’m being nice I can only say the price of everything they sell seems to be at a fairly high premium so I can’t say it’s going to be the 1st place I think of when I need new undies,sox,pants,shirt’s or anything else they sell but I had to splurge on the hoodie it looks and fits great love hoodies love merino wool. Whoops I thought we were just talking slipjoints 🤷♂️ 🤡 😘
There's something about the way old things were designed. It's not just knives, look at anything these days. Modern buildings, modern light posts, modern furniture, and compare it to the old. People used to appreciate the aesthetic quality of things. It is spiritually enriching to surround yourself with beautiful things, especially those that are designed to last and built by people who have a continuity with your culture, as opposed to being mass produced in an overseas factory as a consumable and disposable commodity.
Once I got a modern folder I never went back. I don’t see that they do anything better. I do carry a SAK Cadet in the 5th pocket. That’s as close as I get to a traditional.
I'm kind of an old guy and started out with Stockman knives (3 blades). My favs which I still own are a JA Henkel's Zwilling stag handled knife and Puma bone. I don't pocket carry them any more as they are a bit fat... need to put them in a belt pouch. But both are beauties.
I got what Traditional deal is all about with a kershaw culpepper, before I got that knife I just didn't get it, now I love a well designed slip joint traditional knife. I agree with what you say in this video, and reminded me of my grandpa and the relationship he had with his "Arbolito" boker knife, the constant resharpening made it more personal, he was really attached to that knife and now I get why.
my late grandpa carried a buck till his dieing day and my dad also keeps one handy too. I have several in my collection as well and people do not loose their shit when you remove one or a SAK from your pocket as say you would a cold steel or the like.
Got my first Buck 110 on my tenth birthday in 1976 and there hasn’t been a day since that a 110 hasn’t been on my belt with the exception of one trip I took thru a few stupid blade law states and for that 10-11 stretch a Buck 112 filled the gap. But work, free time, city, suburb or wilderness I have yet to come across anything in the last 47 years that my 110 couldn’t handle.
I’m old school and 70YO. All the edged weapons training I had was two handed opening and there were one hand openable blades then. Maybe things have changed, but a sure thing in a stressful situation might be best?
I carry the Joker Cocker pocket knife on a daily basis. It useful in the office to cut an apple or it helps opening a card box. As Joker knives are usually really sharp out of the box the model Cocker can even be used in a steakhouse to cut the steak in a proper manner when the cutlery there is blunt as usual. So it’s a useful tool to me all day around. Best wishes from Germany.
I got one of the Old Timer Heritage models last year - the Bruin. D2 and a laminated wood handle lockback. It's been a good carry. It still goes on sale for under $20.
I have made several leather scout carry sheaths. I often leave the pocket clips on because they aid in opening, but I don’t like using the clips in my pocket. You are right about traditionals. They have a place that I don’t think will disappear. Thanks 🔪🎸
I got into modern knives several years ago but then veered into traditional knives. They have unique features to them that the modern knives lack. Although I purchase both styles, the old traditional knives are bought a lot more. Rosecraft Blades are turning out some very beautiful traditional knives at an unbelievable price for what you get in fit and finish. Rough Ryder Reserve are well worth it for the price you pay. Hide and Drink makes great stuff...I use their Bic lighter case as slips for some of my smaller knives.
I carry a Victorinox Tinker or a Swiza DO4 more than anything else of my sort of traditional knives. Hide and Drink makes good leather goods of all sorts.
When its time to do alot of cutting such as carving (last one was thinning and shaping an axe handle) or leather work (sheaths, bags, etc) I always reach for a good traditional knife like an opinel/MAM iberica/taramundi/laguiole/etc. Their thin blades cut well, the handle is perfect for all the long stints work as you were saying, and those easy-to-touch up steels are great for keeping sharp where as a supersteel really doesn't keep its shaving sharp edge for much longer in those materials and are more hassle to touch up! If you look at any actual working knife such as for butchers the steels they use emphasize 3 things (4 for US standards): quick touchups and maintenance, cutting performance (thin and slicey), and toughness (and corrosion resistance for US food services). There's just too many hard particles and hard objects you can strike with your edge, blunting or chipping it, for a high wear resistance steel to be practical. If you put 12c27/14c28n up against most super steels in wood carving or working with dirty materials you will find they both dull at about the same rate. This is because the action that's dulling it isn't wear, but hard foreign particles impacting and dulling it thus to me edge stability and toughness are more important in real life use. Super steels do shine in keeping a not shaving but "working sharp" edge though!
My dad recently-passed, as i was going through his stuff in the garage i found an amazing fixed blade -dont know how old it is but it is, cant make out the name.-i dont ever remember him carrying it... It is well used and i will treasure it!
I have a Joker Breton with a pretty green, white and a little bit of red Micarta Handle without Bolsters and a Lockback. It's a awesome little Knife with great cutting Power! It's so much fun to use and also to look on it.
In my upper 60's and carry slip joints and lock backs for everyday use. In general, they do not scare the non-knife people when using them in public. Using an SAK at church, a stockman at a picnic, a Buck 110 on a light hike.... you get the idea.
This was a great video. Such a very important point to having a knife or knives. Thanks for sharing. I love Case knives and have begun a collection of them.
I love my small American made folding Buck knife as well as my Swiss Army knife. I was told never stab the tip into anything like hardwood. Even the best knife will break. Good video, thanks.
I typically carry a traditional pocketknife with more modern folders and/or fixed blades. The traditional folder is my preferred cutting tool for an audience. The sheeple don’t freak out when you use it.
I often tell people that a 3.5 - 4 inch closed stockman is one of the best general EDC knives out there, especially for someone new. The blade variety covers a ton of uses and is good for learning knife skills, the shape and style isn't threatening in an office environment, and in stainless, they're very easy to maintain. But traditional knives that size are often easy to just toss in a pocket or keep in the coin pocket of jeans. And truthfully, barlows and hunters that size are great if you're looking for something slightly more burly for harder work, whether 1 or 2 blade.
I wouldn't consider the Joker to be "traditional". A single blade with a lock isn't traditional. Something like a 3 blade Stockman or 2 blade Trapper or Barlow is more traditional IMHO.
Actually, single blade knives were out long before stockman, trappers, toothpicks, congressman, and so forth, we’re ever dreamed up. It anything, I would consider them even more traditional. I’m not trying to step on your toes, just trading opinions brother. We are all entitled to our own viewpoints, and I do respect your opinion as well. ✌️
I carry either an old Buck Tri blade or an old Frontier that I received from my Father in law when he passed away that's over 70 years old. They're not as big as what your showing but they do what I want.
Awesome video as always! Just wanted to add a little information concerning the smaller joker knife, the bretón. The name actually refers to a region in northwest France, called the Bretagne (or Brittany in english), bretón being the spanish word for something or someone out of that region. The knife is also designed after the knives traditionally used in that region. I'll probably have to get one for myself, as my Grandmother was born and raised there. ;)
I bought a new case knife last year it was the last one they had in stock. The blade wasnt even close to being lined up. When i was growing up i would have never seen a knife like that for sale. I only bought it because i liked the design of the knife and it worke just fine. I could have bought like at least two Sodbusters for the same price though.
Yeah I been hearing complaints on cases knives with fit and finish which is disappointing. I been looking at getting a traditional slipjoint was thinking about a case for my first one. I like the canoe pattern because I know someone who has one. I Was also recommended a stockman but can't dicide.
With Case , if possible ,try to buy them somewhere that you able to see in person,or from a dealer you trust if you buy online, I think the quality is better post pandemic. Good help was hard to find., so I hear.
My grandfather was born 1902 and carried a two blade Barlow as far back as I can remember. It did everything he needed on the farm . My father's favorite was a three blade Boker stockman that he used on the farm and as an electrician. Funny you think 75° is warm it's going be 107° in S.C. today
What I see a lot nowadays, or is my impression for watching videos, is much people carrying a different knife everyday. Being old and so old school I carry ever the same pocket knife for years, and if I need to substitute it because was lost or whatever, I buy a new wanting improvements but of similar características. And that knife is handy from peeling an orange to self defense. The matter is to develop skills around the design of your choice and this turns your knife much more eficiente. In this sense traditional knives are the best option since they was improved over the time and each geographical area or culture has a preferred shape. I'm with you
I just picked up a buck stockman to add to my edc rotation. So that i have a nice knife that will not freak out to many people in public. Unlike some of my more tactical or modern knives.
I’m a big fan of traditional pocket knives. Like you said, they blend in and are non threatening to the public. Love the Barlow pattern. Böker (Solingen) and Taylor’s Eye Witness (Sheffield) have lots of beautiful options. They are similar to the GEC #14 pattern.
Boker bubinga is my favorite picnic knife and with 440c is so good. For nice occasions case sodbuster Jr with jigged amber bone and gorgeous brass liners fits perfectly in my vest pocket or fifth pants pocket (yes you can get your dress clothes tailored)
One nice thing about traditional slipjoints is that some of them come with more than one blade! Sorry - a bit flippant, but it's a major consideration for people who go in for whittling, say, and it does extend the time between sharpenings. You can keep back one blade for those situations when a fresh scalpel would come in handy. The other thing is that most of them are legally unproblematic, even here in Britain.
I have two traditional gentleman's knives. I have a Petrified fish knives Skalor lockback pocket knife and I have a Case knives black micarta lockback pocket knife.
excellent topic! i enjoyed the discussion and if you like traditionals, keep rocking them! but imo these are really general qualities that most other modern pocket knives can still arguably do better but with a pocket clip and one handed deployment. an ultratech wasn’t designed for general stuff but what about the socom elite, anax, ludt? for value, there’s always cold steel and migauron.
I love traditional pocket knives! My favorite is a slip joint sodbuster style A.G. Russell Rancher. I also have my first pocket knife, a Schrade Old Timer triple blade.
In an age where people carry knives as pocket jewlery instead of as tools - this is important.
I have that tried & trusted Buck 110 I’ve had for the past 50 yrs a graduation gift 🤩
I’ve been getting really into Barlows lately. There is something special and prideful about carrying a style that you know is timeless and has been used for centuries.
Nice I should look into those more!
I've never heard of those. Are they any good?
Barlow is a style of slip joint, not one brand in particular. Rough Ryder and Case make some good ones. Knives I might’ve once considered cheap and not worth while actually have a lot more to offer in their classic ruggedness than I might’ve imagined.
I think I do remember having a Barlow branded pocket knife as a kid... I'd have to look it up to see if I'm remembering that correctly or not though!
Main reason is because they stood time and are affordable
A simple Opinel for example,they are still around
My go-to pocket knife has always been, and will always be, the Buck Knives 110. Superior fit, finish, and quality, and a very good leather carrying case that fits on the belt. Keeps my pockets free, and my knife safe and clean.
same. a lot of aftermarket sheaths are great too, I don't really like the case bucks come with.
Right on .. I upgraded my Buck 110 to the automatic 110 - love it
I find these knifes to be too heavy and bothersome. A Opinel or Higonokami is much lighter.
As a knife nut, junkie, collector, or whatever you want to call me…..I was first a young kid who was given a cheapo jack knife and was in awe of it. A few years later, I bought my first Buck 110. That one truly got hand rubbed with a tee shirt till my hands hurt. Many years later I suddenly found myself starting to buy and collect a lot of knives. It now is a fun hobby and obsession. And yes, I have a ton of modern folders, but if I had to grab one knife and leave for who knows how long….it would probably be a traditional lockback! There is something about them that says “I’m a good tool and I won’t let you down!”
Great episode Aaron!
I just got an Old Timer knife. My grandfather used to rave about that brand. Used it for EVERYTHING. from skinning deer to trimming nails and eating
I like Kershaw, and Schrade . However i have had a few Buck knives which i do like aswell .
Growing up I had no other choice, if you wanted a folding knife in your pocket you learned how to use it safely without cutting yourself. Buck changed all that with the 110. But to this day I still carry a traditional folding knife which most enthusiasts would consider too small
I love the traditional pocket knives I have many of them. My EDC is a Victorinox Huntsman that I’ve carried for several years now.
Yup, fully agree with point #1. That is why I EDC a Victorinox Compact, a very traditional pocket knife. I’m also partial to a good Stockman, with a blade appropriate for most cutting tasks. Touching up the edge on my pocket carry, and keeping the blade clean, is just as much part of my routine as coffee.
Great episode. There is so much focus, ad nauseam, on the tactical nature of knives, it’s nice to come back to the knife as simply a tool like any other. These are the types of knives that can be gifted or passed down to kids to teach them the utility, safety and responsibility of carrying a pocket knife. Great job Aaron.
I was thinking the same thing on all of your points! Wow
Yes my friend , the right of passage !!! A participation of two , with Dad , Granddad , or a favorite Uncle !!!
Those Jokers are beautiful.
Thanks Aaron, great video. Brought back a lot of memories. I still have my Buck 110 which I bought in the late 1960s while working at Woolworth's sporting goods. The blade has been gound down from repeated sharpening and the handles are worn. It has dressed out dozens of game animals over the years. It's retired to a drawer of old knives but with a little TLC, it would be ready for the hunt again.
Traditional pocket knives screams Case trapper model or Buck 110 . Grew up with both and still carry one or both… great video and well stated
Stockman is great
Have modern folders with assisted opening etc but my Buck 110 finger groove model is my favorite to carry. Brass makes it nice and heavy. Underrated self defense edc. The brass end cap, pommel makes for a great skull crusher. Finger grooves make it anti-slip. Good length for utility, outdoors tasks. Best all around folder my opinion.
The lack of a thumb stud makes these retro knives look much better (for example Buck 110/112) and they become street legal in more places. From my experience, one-hand openening is a rather exotic use case anyway.
Great video!
Nice thing about the Buck 110 is that it’s one-hand openable. Since the brass is so heavy, you can just pinch the blade and a little flick will let gravity open the blade.
You can also one-hand close any lock-back folder by pressing the spine against your thigh while you press the lock.
The Buck 110. It feels like a man’s knife. It’s a heavy, handsome, tough American classic that’s right at home in the outdoors. I also added a Kwik thumb stud for one handed opening. The belt holster helps with the weight and also frees up a pocket. It’s all I want or need for a traditional pocket knife.
As a child of the 80’s I grew up with traditional knives . Once I got my hands on a modern folder in the late 90’s I never looked back lol . I collect Traditionals now for the nostalgia. My first modern folder was a Kershaw .
Traditional is code for things that work.
Hahah for real!
Thanks Aaron for your views on pocket knives. I'm 71 years old and can't remember when I didn't carry a pocket knife exept when they took it from me when flying commercial. Most useful tool I've ever had. Now carry a Delica Spiderco and a small exacto knife.
My traditional pocket knife is my 130 year old George Wolstenholme stockman, still as good as new and on it's 4th generation of family owner.
That is awesome!! Great history behind that.
I always keep a Case Trapper in the console of my truck and a Buck 110 on my hip on my hunting trips. Nothing processes deer like a Buck 110.
I have 34 traditional pocket knives, but the Case Kodiac is the only one that gets any pocket time, and that is very rare. I have found the modern folders to be easier to carry and far more convenient with one hand opening and so forth. I do like to pick up the traditionals and play with them from time to time, but I really don’t think I would miss them if they were all suddenly gone.
I don’t like wood Handles but I really like bone. They are all so unique.
Where I come from, Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, our knife to have was a Friedrich Herder. Simple, reliable, cheap. From peeling potatoes, pruning to hunting, we did everything with that tool.
Taking your knives to outdoors is one of the best tests imo... what ever works there will work everywhere...
And traditional slipjoint pocket knives have proven capable in the outdoors by skilled men for centuries.
i still enjoy occasionally carrying my old schrade lb7. thank u sir
Got my LB-7 at 12yrs old. At 52 now its still going strong. May have to carry it this week.
I love and currently EDC my 13cm Laguiole (Honoré Durand) knife with a great corkscrew and wicked awl/spike (olive wood handle) that I bought decades ago. It’s also easier to carry here in the SFBA, compared to a fixed blade unfortunately. Great video here and God bless! 🙏
I really like the traditional pocket knives. Clue is in the name, pocket. Goes in my pocket, not bothered about a clip or sheath, not bothered about one hand opening. Got a few different ones, barlows, trappers, probably the one I use the most is an opinel number 9. The next knife I'm going to buy, is for me one of the greatest ever traditional pocket knives, the Buck 110, I'm itching to get one.
I am old enough to have carried what you term "classic " as a primary, so it's taken me a while to understand the current fascination with old school knives. I agree with some of what you said, but I thought the invention of the one hand opener and the pocket clip were Heaven sent to this country boy. I no longer had to hunt in my pocket or wrestle with a sheath snap, then free up both hands to open (thumbstuds were late in coming) or, more importantly, close a lockback without getting cut. I will agree that the traditional handle materials are much more attractive, hence my Civivi Praxis with wood scales. I also agree that a Barlow, Trapper, or Stockman is gorgeous, but my Ritter Hogue RSK1 in bright orange (so I won't lose it) is superior in all ways. I'll get a fixed blade if I need more. BTW, I have several lockbacks in my case because they are so beautiful. It isn't that I don't like old school knives, I just find modern knives better for work.
Great video, I have collected many knives and multitools over the years from Victorinox, Leatherman, Gerber, Kershaw, Buck, Case and many others but there's something reassuring in the simplicity of a traditional pocket knife. One of my favorite is a simple Trapper design. Our grandfather's and fathers could do more with a simple 2 or 3 blade pocket knife than many guys today do with expensive multitools costing in excess of $100. I've carried a pocket knife my whole life and it's almost odd to me when someone doesn't 😮 Gives you a good feeling knowing you have a small edge on you at all times to handle things through out the day. Thanks for posting 👍
Great video i have carried several different ones though out the years .I carried a stockman for a while and was tired of digging iny pocket so i made a leather sheath that had no snap just opened from the top .i made one for my opinel one too.But my favorite for the past 13 years is my huntsman swiss army knife .i put a lanyard on it and use the lanysrd to pull it out of my pocket you can upscale the handles and get an ink pen .I use it the most out of all my knives
Over the last few years I have found myself going to Ebay and buying some of the old American made patterns, by many different companies. Beautiful quality slipjoints. So many brands that are now made overseas or gone. I try my best to support the ones we have left.
I thought I was the only one doing this. Over the past couple of years I've picked up several gems and most for really good prices. Most have just needed a clean up and a tune to get them back to near new. Great way to get some knives with handle materials that are getting scarce or are no longer available. Have a great day.
The stockman is my idea of a traditional pocketknife. I recently bought a Case 18 pattern. I love to just drop it in my pocket and know I've got three sharp blades on me.
With you. Most Case knives come in a wide variety of colours and materials meaning you can get something really personal. Have a great day.
I love the modern knives that are available and the variety that is out there. But I keep finding myself buying traditional slip joint knives more frequently. Aaron, get you a traditional knife in jigged bone. Those are the absolute best knives for any environment. Fancy dinners to out in the back country. Thanks for this video!
Totally agree on of those is on the list!
One thing you didn't mention was traditional blade shapes. There are a bunch of different shapes for different uses, not just drop point and clip point, but sheepsfoot and spay... even very specialized shapes like hawkbills and fruit knives. There are different patterns too... Barlow, trapper, stockman, congress, elephant toe, etc. And you can get traditional knives in any steel you want from carbon steel all the way up to the super steels. The only reason most of them are carbon steel or 440c is because with an everyday knife, you want to be able to quickly refresh the edge whenever it goes dull. Sharpening super steels can be a chore. One brief quibble... technically traditional knives are usually slip joints. Lockbacks (and liner locks which you didn't mention) are more recent. The Buck 110 is a modern knife, not a traditional one. A Swiss Army Knife is actually an older traditional design than a lockback.
I was expecting you would touch on modern tradihtionsls like Lionsteel which have good materials and blade steels.
Great video and i love traditional knives, i have quite a few. My favorite is a Case Trapper with bonestag scales and 154CM steel. Unfortunately though in daily use, my traditionals can’t hold a candle to something like a Bugout in ease of carry. It’s really more of a cool factor these days, but i still sometimes carry and use them. I just think technology has outpaced the older designs.
I'm in France, and i have got a Gerber Gator from more than 25 years. I like it for all the things at the garage or in the garden or in the country. But on my table, it is an Opinel number 9 who is doing the job.
I have lots of traditional knifes, trapper knife is my favorite pocket knife, I have the modern knifes and like them for what they are but always have on of my traditional knifes, they are my go to knife most of the time and I love sharping them, it’s very relaxing
I have a lot of modern knives. My brother in law handed me a Buck box he found somehwere the last time I visited him. It turns it held a brand new pre-86 Buck 500, nickel bolsters, Dynawood scales. Very compelling knife.
I use a large stockman edc much of the time. Keep the spay blade very sharp for when you need it. The sheepsfoot is good for heavy cuts and the clip does whatever else. Worth giving it a try.
As they say, there are two kinds of blades.... pokey-pokey or slicey-slicey. The clip is poke and the other two on the stockman are slice.
Of all my folders from $30.00 to $300.00+. The most comfortable one is my Buck 110.
Thanx for the video my Bladed Brother 👍 ⚔️ ✝️ 🇺🇲
I love traditionel pocketknives. For carrying them I prefer the once with a laynyardhole. I put a relativly short laynyard one them with a big diamantknot at the end. the knot rides in the watchpocket of my jeans so the knife hangs upright or paralell to my leg in the main frontpocket. This way the knife doesn`t bother me in the pocket and is quick in my hand when needed. Kind of concealed carry. I stitched short peaces of webbing in the frntpockets of my pants without a watchpocket, so the diamant knot can be secured behind the webbing and I can carry the knife in the same manner when I have such pants on. Something to think about. It works really well for me.
I prefer classical pocket knives. Less legal hassles. They become classic because they work. High end specialty steel means harder to sharpen. Classic knives work. Thank you for a great video. 👍
While I carry a modern folder clipping to my pocket, there is always a classic slio joint in the other pocket.
Great video. I edc a Case Trapper and Case Sod Buster in CV steel in a Hide and Drink edc wallet. I love my traditional knives and how they patina...
Very nice!
My EDC is a 60’s vintage carbon steel Camillus 67 stockman. Love it.
I regularly carry a traditional as a my gents/office knife where I have no need for speedy deployment or hard use. (Although I do miss the pocket clip!) Their design & materials just look good/classy & I also find that they're a lot less threatening for non-knife people. Pull out a nice Case knife at a wedding or business meeting & either no one will notice or you may even attract positive comments. Whip out the 4Max Scout or Microtech OTF and the reaction may not be so welcoming. Sharp blades all.
When I think of a traditional pocket knife it's a two or three bladed slip joint knife. Something like a trapper or stockman or even the venerable barlow.
I love my Opinel No.10 as my edc knife, it’s a very simple but great pocket knife.
I collect traditional pocket knives because of their simplicity and beauty. In my collection I have the Otter Mercator KKK (since WW1), the Douk-Douk (extremely simple slipjoint knife), the Higonokami, Case Sodbuster (designwise it’s a German design derived from the Hippekniep), two Opinels, Antonini Old Bear Large (the Italian Opinel) and the Buck 110 (Great American sturdyness connected with great classical design).
In Europe we have so many great traditional pocket knives. I miss an anchor knife, a Laguiole, a Barlow and a Spanish Navaja pocket knife.
Yet there are too many great knifes. 😅
You should look into these simple traditional pocket knifes.
Great video. When at work (in a office) you can't beat a Case Trapper. Pull it out and nobody thinks much about it. Everybody's dad or grandpa had a similar knife. On the weekends or out in the wilderness also add an old Case 2159 LSSP (similar to a buck 110) that I have customized with new scales. Carry it in a belt sheath. Can't beat old school.
When I’m in the office I carry a Cold Steel Espada XL. I also carry it on first dates because it’s so classy.
I have 5 or so slip joint knives they’re not my favorite but I got mine because of the traditional look and the history of them and to carry it if I’m going to be in a place or an event where people are more likely to be scared of knives and a small slipjoint knife is probably the least intimidating knife u can get so people don’t call the cops etc. For some other people they would have to carry a slipjoint knife if they are in a country etc that’s actually made carrying a knife with a lock illegal to carry all I can say to that is great job governments u are saving lives everyday it’s not like someone wanting to cause harm doesn’t have a kitchen knife set or anything as for Huckberry I like their clothes etc I actually got their pullover merino wool hoodie after I saw your video with u wearing it a month or two ago and it’s great but of course there’s a but it cost me $138 before taxes and shipping if I paid shipping can’t remember if I’m being nice I can only say the price of everything they sell seems to be at a fairly high premium so I can’t say it’s going to be the 1st place I think of when I need new undies,sox,pants,shirt’s or anything else they sell but I had to splurge on the hoodie it looks and fits great love hoodies love merino wool. Whoops I thought we were just talking slipjoints 🤷♂️ 🤡 😘
Haha! Thanks for the comments on both 👍
There's something about the way old things were designed. It's not just knives, look at anything these days. Modern buildings, modern light posts, modern furniture, and compare it to the old. People used to appreciate the aesthetic quality of things. It is spiritually enriching to surround yourself with beautiful things, especially those that are designed to last and built by people who have a continuity with your culture, as opposed to being mass produced in an overseas factory as a consumable and disposable commodity.
Once I got a modern folder I never went back. I don’t see that they do anything better. I do carry a SAK Cadet in the 5th pocket. That’s as close as I get to a traditional.
I'm kind of an old guy and started out with Stockman knives (3 blades). My favs which I still own are a JA Henkel's Zwilling stag handled knife and Puma bone. I don't pocket carry them any more as they are a bit fat... need to put them in a belt pouch. But both are beauties.
I got what Traditional deal is all about with a kershaw culpepper, before I got that knife I just didn't get it, now I love a well designed slip joint traditional knife.
I agree with what you say in this video, and reminded me of my grandpa and the relationship he had with his "Arbolito" boker knife, the constant resharpening made it more personal, he was really attached to that knife and now I get why.
my late grandpa carried a buck till his dieing day and my dad also keeps one handy too. I have several in my collection as well and people do not loose their shit when you remove one or a SAK from your pocket as say you would a cold steel or the like.
Got my first Buck 110 on my tenth birthday in 1976 and there hasn’t been a day since that a 110 hasn’t been on my belt with the exception of one trip I took thru a few stupid blade law states and for that 10-11 stretch a Buck 112 filled the gap. But work, free time, city, suburb or wilderness I have yet to come across anything in the last 47 years that my 110 couldn’t handle.
Buck 110 / 112
I’m old school and 70YO. All the edged weapons training I had was two handed opening and there were one hand openable blades then. Maybe things have changed, but a sure thing in a stressful situation might be best?
I carry the Joker Cocker pocket knife on a daily basis. It useful in the office to cut an apple or it helps opening a card box. As Joker knives are usually really sharp out of the box the model Cocker can even be used in a steakhouse to cut the steak in a proper manner when the cutlery there is blunt as usual. So it’s a useful tool to me all day around. Best wishes from Germany.
Awesome!!!
I got one of the Old Timer Heritage models last year - the Bruin. D2 and a laminated wood handle lockback. It's been a good carry. It still goes on sale for under $20.
Yep. That's a good buy. Bought the same one myself. Try to carry a traditional most days and that one sees a surprising amount of time in the pocket.
Just ordered a Joker N77 with the Olive wood. Moving awau from my spyderco addiction, love the traditional knives.
Great Commentary. As a Canadian, I use the Grohman pocket folder from Pictou Nova Scotia.
I have made several leather scout carry sheaths. I often leave the pocket clips on because they aid in opening, but I don’t like using the clips in my pocket. You are right about traditionals. They have a place that I don’t think will disappear. Thanks 🔪🎸
I love my Buck 110. I’m thinking about downsizing to the 112 though these days. We don’t need as big of a knife as we think.
I got into modern knives several years ago but then veered into traditional knives. They have unique features to them that the modern knives lack. Although I purchase both styles, the old traditional knives are bought a lot more. Rosecraft Blades are turning out some very beautiful traditional knives at an unbelievable price for what you get in fit and finish. Rough Ryder Reserve are well worth it for the price you pay. Hide and Drink makes great stuff...I use their Bic lighter case as slips for some of my smaller knives.
Oh nice!! On the bic pouch idea for smaller blades
I want that Holston River Surgeon's knife that Rosecraft designed.
I carry a Victorinox Tinker or a Swiza DO4 more than anything else of my sort of traditional knives. Hide and Drink makes good leather goods of all sorts.
When its time to do alot of cutting such as carving (last one was thinning and shaping an axe handle) or leather work (sheaths, bags, etc) I always reach for a good traditional knife like an opinel/MAM iberica/taramundi/laguiole/etc. Their thin blades cut well, the handle is perfect for all the long stints work as you were saying, and those easy-to-touch up steels are great for keeping sharp where as a supersteel really doesn't keep its shaving sharp edge for much longer in those materials and are more hassle to touch up!
If you look at any actual working knife such as for butchers the steels they use emphasize 3 things (4 for US standards): quick touchups and maintenance, cutting performance (thin and slicey), and toughness (and corrosion resistance for US food services). There's just too many hard particles and hard objects you can strike with your edge, blunting or chipping it, for a high wear resistance steel to be practical. If you put 12c27/14c28n up against most super steels in wood carving or working with dirty materials you will find they both dull at about the same rate. This is because the action that's dulling it isn't wear, but hard foreign particles impacting and dulling it thus to me edge stability and toughness are more important in real life use. Super steels do shine in keeping a not shaving but "working sharp" edge though!
I have a cocker with a bolster and Breton with out a bolster. I haven't been able to find a Breton with a bolster. I carry the Breton every day
My dad recently-passed, as i was going through his stuff in the garage i found an amazing fixed blade -dont know how old it is but it is, cant make out the name.-i dont ever remember him carrying it... It is well used and i will treasure it!
RIP
I have a Joker Breton with a pretty green, white and a little bit of red Micarta Handle without Bolsters and a Lockback. It's a awesome little Knife with great cutting Power! It's so much fun to use and also to look on it.
Awesome! Ya I love it
In my upper 60's and carry slip joints and lock backs for everyday use. In general, they do not scare the non-knife people when using them in public. Using an SAK at church, a stockman at a picnic, a Buck 110 on a light hike.... you get the idea.
This was a great video. Such a very important point to having a knife or knives. Thanks for sharing. I love Case knives and have begun a collection of them.
I love my small American made folding Buck knife as well as my Swiss Army knife. I was told never stab the tip into anything like hardwood. Even the best knife will break. Good video, thanks.
I typically carry a traditional pocketknife with more modern folders and/or fixed blades. The traditional folder is my preferred cutting tool for an audience. The sheeple don’t freak out when you use it.
Totally
My idea of traditional pocket knifes generally have multiple blades. Single blade knifes back then were hunting knifes and larger.
Nothing beats the Opinel. The best traditional pocket knife one can buy for little money.
I often tell people that a 3.5 - 4 inch closed stockman is one of the best general EDC knives out there, especially for someone new. The blade variety covers a ton of uses and is good for learning knife skills, the shape and style isn't threatening in an office environment, and in stainless, they're very easy to maintain. But traditional knives that size are often easy to just toss in a pocket or keep in the coin pocket of jeans. And truthfully, barlows and hunters that size are great if you're looking for something slightly more burly for harder work, whether 1 or 2 blade.
I wouldn't consider the Joker to be "traditional". A single blade with a lock isn't traditional. Something like a 3 blade Stockman or 2 blade Trapper or Barlow is more traditional IMHO.
Actually, single blade knives were out long before stockman, trappers, toothpicks, congressman, and so forth, we’re ever dreamed up. It anything, I would consider them even more traditional. I’m not trying to step on your toes, just trading opinions brother. We are all entitled to our own viewpoints, and I do respect your opinion as well. ✌️
I carry either an old Buck Tri blade or an old Frontier that I received from my Father in law when he passed away that's over 70 years old. They're not as big as what your showing but they do what I want.
Awesome video as always! Just wanted to add a little information concerning the smaller joker knife, the bretón. The name actually refers to a region in northwest France, called the Bretagne (or Brittany in english), bretón being the spanish word for something or someone out of that region. The knife is also designed after the knives traditionally used in that region. I'll probably have to get one for myself, as my Grandmother was born and raised there. ;)
I bought a new case knife last year it was the last one they had in stock. The blade wasnt even close to being lined up.
When i was growing up i would have never seen a knife like that for sale. I only bought it because i liked the design of the knife and it worke just fine. I could have bought like at least two Sodbusters for the same price though.
Yeah I been hearing complaints on cases knives with fit and finish which is disappointing. I been looking at getting a traditional slipjoint was thinking about a case for my first one. I like the canoe pattern because I know someone who has one. I Was also recommended a stockman but can't dicide.
With Case , if possible ,try to buy them somewhere that you able to see in person,or from a dealer you trust if you buy online, I think the quality is better post pandemic. Good help was hard to find., so I hear.
Böker Manufaktur Solingen (i.e. made in Germany) has a lot of traditional folders. Usually from around 100$ & upwards.
My grandfather was born 1902 and carried a two blade Barlow as far back as I can remember. It did everything he needed on the farm . My father's favorite was a three blade Boker stockman that he used on the farm and as an electrician. Funny you think 75° is warm it's going be 107° in S.C. today
What I see a lot nowadays, or is my impression for watching videos, is much people carrying a different knife everyday. Being old and so old school I carry ever the same pocket knife for years, and if I need to substitute it because was lost or whatever, I buy a new wanting improvements but of similar características. And that knife is handy from peeling an orange to self defense. The matter is to develop skills around the design of your choice and this turns your knife much more eficiente. In this sense traditional knives are the best option since they was improved over the time and each geographical area or culture has a preferred shape. I'm with you
I just picked up a buck stockman to add to my edc rotation. So that i have a nice knife that will not freak out to many people in public. Unlike some of my more tactical or modern knives.
Thanks for the tip about the screw tumb tuds, about the sheat's i made my own with Leather
I’m a big fan of traditional pocket knives. Like you said, they blend in and are non threatening to the public. Love the Barlow pattern. Böker (Solingen) and Taylor’s Eye Witness (Sheffield) have lots of beautiful options. They are similar to the GEC #14 pattern.
Boker bubinga is my favorite picnic knife and with 440c is so good. For nice occasions case sodbuster Jr with jigged amber bone and gorgeous brass liners fits perfectly in my vest pocket or fifth pants pocket (yes you can get your dress clothes tailored)
Got a jumbo double lockback trapper from moore maker. Use it daily. 1095 is a killer steel for the price. White bone os always classy
One nice thing about traditional slipjoints is that some of them come with more than one blade! Sorry - a bit flippant, but it's a major consideration for people who go in for whittling, say, and it does extend the time between sharpenings. You can keep back one blade for those situations when a fresh scalpel would come in handy. The other thing is that most of them are legally unproblematic, even here in Britain.
I have two traditional gentleman's knives. I have a Petrified fish knives Skalor lockback pocket knife and I have a Case knives black micarta lockback pocket knife.
excellent topic! i enjoyed the discussion and if you like traditionals, keep rocking them! but imo these are really general qualities that most other modern pocket knives can still arguably do better but with a pocket clip and one handed deployment. an ultratech wasn’t designed for general stuff but what about the socom elite, anax, ludt? for value, there’s always cold steel and migauron.
At least one? People should have 20 at least :D Very cool knives and great video!
Absolutely nothing wrong with traditional pocket knives. They’ve worked well for over a hundred years. I have MANY.
Thanks for the updates. Our traditional would be Case & Buck. Cheers GT.!
I love traditional pocket knives! My favorite is a slip joint sodbuster style A.G. Russell Rancher. I also have my first pocket knife, a Schrade Old Timer triple blade.