Why You Should Consider a Traditional Folder for EDC
Tony Sculimbrene 07.14.14
2. The GEC Huckleberry
This is a knife and a bottle opener together. The end of the bottle opener has a flat head driver. The blade steel is 1095 and the handle, in this case, is jigged bone. The real treat with this knife is the classic GEC fit and finish. Great Eastern Cutlery is a knife company born out of the ashes (and equipment) of the collapse of many of the classic American brands. As these brands were bought and manufacturing shipped overseas, the machines and factories laid dormant. GEC saw all of this capacity and knew some of the skilled workers were still around, so they brought the old machines whirring back to life. The end result is a great story of American manufacturing. I’d be rooting for them even if they didn’t make an amazing knife, but fortunately they do. The fit and finish here is simply superb, and the action on the pivot is great. Oh, and the bottle opener is a one-pull decapitator.
The swayback pattern is an old one. Despite its odd appearance, the upswept blade really fits in the hand nicely. The wharncliffe style blade is an excellent utility blade, and given the thin, hollow grind, it cuts quite well. I’d be a little wary of the normal Case steel, as it is exceptionally soft, but they may have made a few with the Case CV steel and that is actually quite nice.
4. The Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack
This is my favorite traditional knife on the market and one of the nicest production knives I have owned. For the price, you can’t do better. It has tolerances like a Sebenza. And here is the cool thing: the Indian River Jack actually runs high end, modern steel. The current run, sold exclusively through Knives Ship Free, uses CPM154, a powder version of 154CM and a favorite of custom makers. The Indian River Jack also ships with a wonderful pouch that makes the knife easier to carry and protects it (and your phone) from scratches.
5. The Canal Street Cutlery English Barlow
Canal Street Cutlery has a story similar to GEC and like GEC they make excellent knives. Their Barlow is one of the more traditional on the market and it is glorious. Having handled a few in person I can tell you they are superb. And like the Indian River Jack you can get this knife with a very good modern steel (14-4CrMo, a steel similar to 154CM). It is also available in 440C.
Supposing you can’t go cold turkey on the lock and the one handed opening, but you still want the look and feel of a traditional knife, the AG Russell Medium Barlow is pretty hard to beat.
Traditional knives have a lot to offer, and because of the nature of most EDC tasks, the things they lack compared to their modern brethren don’t matter much. There are some superb examples of the form available now and you’d be surprised at just how good they are when it comes to cutting. You know, that task that you bought your knife to do. And think of it this way: they cut well and they can still be posed for Instagram pictures.
