Your 2018 Traditional Knife Of The Year

[glocktenman]

Congratulations on snagging the tortoise shell 78

Thank you sir!

glocktenman

Hey there my glocktenman,
The Swamp Kauri on this Knife I am not sure if GEC stained the wood, or if it was nearer the Bark and naturally stained from the Peat.

Gec did a run some years back with the amazing 57 Wrangler - Oh man what a Knife!
Thank you again Paul for this gorgeous Knife my friend!

That is dark wood. It almost looks like some type of dark micarta - dark brown-maroon? Thanks for the pic. I'm not sure we have any swamp wood like that which would be good for knife handles here in Florida. Plenty of swamp though....and swamp cabbage! LOL

 

[Dschal]

Wow! That 77 is Stun-NING! What wood is that?

Thanks. That’s the Desert Ironwood.

 

[Icky Thump]

It was a toss up for me between the #61 and the #35, both w/ single spring. But, I kinda knew I'd love and carry both.

The one that suprised me was the #13..Irish Congress? I loved the look of the knife, but in all honesty didn't know how practical for use it would be, for me...w/ that long main..love the blade shape, but thought it might be a little long and unruly for my needs..wrong.

Beautifully elegant and practical. And I have to admit wooden covers were of my least favorite.. well. I've fallen head over heels for ebony covers and this knife is to blame..as well as many of you for posting most excellent pics of most excellent knives..

Great thread!

 

[Chief]

Great thread, really enjoyed the stories and pics.

Was a great year for traditional knives and my collection grew more than it should. After six plus years, my name finally came up on Reece's list, the result has to be a strong contender.

It's a fine knife, but unfortunately not knife of the year. "Having isn't nearly as powerful as wanting" ~ an old girl friend.

Being a single clip TC fanatic, getting this prime example of a short run from @gunstockjack is another top contender.

When @waynorth picks you out a pair of fine short run single clip TCs, you have hit the lotto.

Then this beautiful smooth bone ancient makes you rethink spearpoint blades. Hmmm … another stunner.

Love the way it's hafted, slight curve feels so good in hand.

How could this knife not win? One of my favorite patterns by the master in some creamy ivory. Hurts a bit when I declare it "runner-up".

Despite the wonderful knives added this year, like waverave my knife of the year came from the run of single clip GEC 14s. Passed on some, acrylics generally aren't my thing, group shot. Gave some away.

14 TCs deserve mention by themselves.

However ... crowned traditional knife that "Charmed" me in 2018 … drum roll please … the single clip green smooth bone GEC 14 with boot shield.

These boots are made for walkin' ... walked right into first place.

 

[Jack Black]

Great thread, really enjoyed the stories and pics.

Was a great year for traditional knives and my collection grew more than it should. After six plus years, my name finally came up on Reece's list, the result has to be a strong contender.

It's a fine knife, but unfortunately not knife of the year. "Having isn't nearly as powerful as wanting" ~ an old girl friend.

Being a single clip TC fanatic, getting this prime example of a short run from @gunstockjack is another top contender.

When @waynorth picks you out a pair of fine short run single clip TCs, you have hit the lotto.

Then this beautiful smooth bone ancient makes you rethink spearpoint blades. Hmmm … another stunner.

Love the way it's hafted, slight curve feels so good in hand.

How could this knife not win? One of my favorite patterns by the master in some creamy ivory. Hurts a bit when I declare it "runner-up".

Despite the wonderful knives added this year, like waverave my knife of the year came from the run of single clip GEC 14s. Passed on some, acrylics generally aren't my thing, group shot. Gave some away.

14 TCs deserve mention by themselves.

However ... crowned traditional knife that "Charmed" me in 2018 … drum roll please … the single clip green smooth bone GEC 14 with boot shield.

These boots are made for walkin' ... walked right into first place.

Great post John, you had quite a year my friend!

 

[waverave]

Great thread, really enjoyed the stories and pics.

Was a great year for traditional knives and my collection grew more than it should. After six plus years, my name finally came up on Reece's list, the result has to be a strong contender.

It's a fine knife, but unfortunately not knife of the year. "Having isn't nearly as powerful as wanting" ~ an old girl friend.

Being a single clip TC fanatic, getting this prime example of a short run from @gunstockjack is another top contender.

When @waynorth picks you out a pair of fine short run single clip TCs, you have hit the lotto.

Then this beautiful smooth bone ancient makes you rethink spearpoint blades. Hmmm … another stunner.

Love the way it's hafted, slight curve feels so good in hand.

How could this knife not win? One of my favorite patterns by the master in some creamy ivory. Hurts a bit when I declare it "runner-up".

Despite the wonderful knives added this year, like waverave my knife of the year came from the run of single clip GEC 14s. Passed on some, acrylics generally aren't my thing, group shot. Gave some away.

14 TCs deserve mention by themselves.

However ... crowned traditional knife that "Charmed" me in 2018 … drum roll please … the single clip green smooth bone GEC 14 with boot shield.

These boots are made for walkin' ... walked right into first place.

*fist bump*

 

[Old Hunter]

John, you have a way with picture stories - very, very nice! OH

 

[Ratbert]

Several new knives made their way into my eclectic collection in 2018, but no runner-up pics here, as one really stands out.
I was able to get on the books with Manny Saldana and had him build me this Shadow Zulu. It is my first custom that was an order from the maker, allowing me to choose exactly what I wanted.
Gold Westinghouse Micarta over black G10 liners. 3 3/4” closed, CPM154 blade. Pull a solid 6.5 and is perfectly pinchable. Nice heft in the hand.
Easily my 2018 Knife Of The Year!

 

[Fodderwing]

Several new knives made their way into my eclectic collection in 2018, but no runner-up pics here, as one really stands out.
I was able to get on the books with Manny Saldana and had him build me this Shadow Zulu. It is my first custom that was an order from the maker, allowing me to choose exactly what I wanted.
Gold Westinghouse Micarta over black G10 liners. 3 3/4” closed, CPM154 blade. Pull a solid 6.5 and is perfectly pinchable. Nice heft in the hand.
Easily my 2018 Knife Of The Year!

View attachment 1034870 View attachment 1034871

That is a beautiful piece of cutlery. I love Westinghouse micarta and that rich yellow exudes class. Very nice.

 

[JohnDF]

Great thread, really enjoyed the stories and pics.

Was a great year for traditional knives and my collection grew more than it should. After six plus years, my name finally came up on Reece's list, the result has to be a strong contender.

It's a fine knife, but unfortunately not knife of the year. "Having isn't nearly as powerful as wanting" ~ an old girl friend.

Being a single clip TC fanatic, getting this prime example of a short run from @gunstockjack is another top contender.

When @waynorth picks you out a pair of fine short run single clip TCs, you have hit the lotto.

Then this beautiful smooth bone ancient makes you rethink spearpoint blades. Hmmm … another stunner.

Love the way it's hafted, slight curve feels so good in hand.

How could this knife not win? One of my favorite patterns by the master in some creamy ivory. Hurts a bit when I declare it "runner-up".

Despite the wonderful knives added this year, like waverave my knife of the year came from the run of single clip GEC 14s. Passed on some, acrylics generally aren't my thing, group shot. Gave some away.

14 TCs deserve mention by themselves.

However ... crowned traditional knife that "Charmed" me in 2018 … drum roll please … the single clip green smooth bone GEC 14 with boot shield.

These boots are made for walkin' ... walked right into first place.

Quality post and quality knives. I like your 2018 winner as well.

 

[joeradza]

Several new knives made their way into my eclectic collection in 2018, but no runner-up pics here, as one really stands out.
I was able to get on the books with Manny Saldana and had him build me this Shadow Zulu. It is my first custom that was an order from the maker, allowing me to choose exactly what I wanted.
Gold Westinghouse Micarta over black G10 liners. 3 3/4” closed, CPM154 blade. Pull a solid 6.5 and is perfectly pinchable. Nice heft in the hand.
Easily my 2018 Knife Of The Year!

View attachment 1034870 View attachment 1034871

Not only beautiful, but beautifully made. Manuel is an artist.

 

[JB in SC]

Chief the green bone with the boot shield was definitely the "sleeper" of the 14 run

 

[Ratbert]

That is a beautiful piece of cutlery. I love Westinghouse micarta and that rich yellow exudes class. Very nice.

Thanks! I too, love the way the Westy turned out on this one. @Signalprick said it looked like melted butterscotch, a good description!

Not only beautiful, but beautifully made. Manuel is an artist.

Indeed he is! You and I discussed this build a little and you affirmed for me how happy I would be with Manny’s work, and you were right! He is starting to build some multi-blades now, so good things are on the horizon.

 

[Anothername]

My 78 is my knife of the year been in my pocket every day sense Jan 20.

 

[Old Hunter]

Anothername, very nice knife - do tell, what is that style of bone jigging called? It’s very eye catching. OH

 

[Anothername]

It’s listed as there “Golden Brown jigged bone” I would call it almost a checkered jigging. Maybe someone els here has more info

 

[Camillus]

I am too lazy to look it up but I think on a gunstock it is called ‘checkering’ and logically it would be called the same if used on a knife.

 

[glocktenman]

It looks like it laid on a diamond mesh grill! Mine is the same but it's just jigging.

 

[glocktenman]

It was a toss up for me between the #61 and the #35, both w/ single spring. But, I kinda knew I'd love and carry both.

The one that suprised me was the #13..Irish Congress? I loved the look of the knife, but in all honesty didn't know how practical for use it would be, for me...w/ that long main..love the blade shape, but thought it might be a little long and unruly for my needs..wrong.

Beautifully elegant and practical. And I have to admit wooden covers were of my least favorite.. well. I've fallen head over heels for ebony covers and this knife is to blame..as well as many of you for posting most excellent pics of most excellent knives..

Great thread!

A few years ago the trads forum area created a 13 congress jack with white covers. I got to check it out on a pass around and it surprised me. When I first looked at it, I thought the blade was a bit too long but it was a super knife for everything I needed, looked classy, and sat in my pocket well. I saw one the other day in the exchange used but someone had already purchased it. It is an excellent knife.

 

[Icky Thump]

A few years ago the trads forum area created a 13 congress jack with white covers. I got to check it out on a pass around it it surprised me. When I first looked at it, I thought the blade was a bit too long but it was a super knife for everything I needed, looked classy, and sat in my pocket well. I saw one the other day in the exchange used but someone had already purchased it. It is an excellent knife.

The Forum #13 was the one that started it for me. Received in a trade and was very impressed when in hand. Searched for one to carry, as I didnt want to carry the FK, and that led to me finding the ebony as well as one in stag..I agree, great knife I wouldn't have truly appreciated if i hadn't one in hand/pocket.

I've been charmed by this pattern, for sure.

The "Piano Keys"

Stag

I particularly like the extended spring on the secondary.