All About Pocket Knives

The rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated : I am alive and well. And have come 'round to visit you guys here at AAPK. Hope all are well.

I am working on a project (yes, another project... ) I know you guys think all I do is work on projects and don't do much knife collecting, BUT..... Ok, it is true, I tend to work on a lot of projects... But actually I tried to buy 5 knives today, but the guy had already sold them And much to your surprise, they weren't toenails

I'm trying to take a informal survey and thought you might help me.

Here is my question: I'd love to know what your favorite pattern is...and why (and this project has nothing to do with elephant toenails, per se).

Thanks for your participation. I didn't want to do a poll because I only could have 10 choices and didn't know all the pattern names you'd want to use.

Please one pattern per person.

hey scott, my most favorite pattern is the jack, with all the variations included. (hard to choose)

Favorite patern: Full size Stockman (4" +/- 1/8")

Why: Its the knife I bought my grandfather when I was 16 years old. When he passed away my grandmother gave it back to me. Apparently he liked his old half whittler Case 6208 more because the 8OT was still in the box .

I found the patern facinating as a teen and still love it today.

Chris

It a tie between trappers and stockman. I've always carried a stockman in the 4 inch range sence I was big enough to carry a knife. But when I started trapping I carry a trapper during season. I like the way it layes in my pocket and of course it it's great for skinning. But durring season I miss the sheep's foot. OH don't make me chose ! It's like asking which one of kids is my favorite . John

I have a strong fascination with the Trapper basically because of it's simplicity. I also like it because my Dad used it practically every day and I would watch him sharpen it on occasion with a well worn black Arkansas Surgical Whetrock and finish it of with a leather strop (The same one my Mother would use on me once in a while). Now with those memories you would think I would have an adversion to the connecting pieces but no, I learned years ago, probably about ten years after I got those lessons with the strop that it wasn't all that bad.

My Father was a rancher and was probably one of the best horsemen in Texas and was a member of the RCA (Rodeo Cowboy's Assciation). He taught me an awful lot in the 8 years I got to spend with him and I watched him use that knife many nights gutting and skinning deer for all the hunters we brought back in from their evening's hunt. He used that Spey blade on many a young sheep and goat as well. He also used it on a young colt once when I was five years old and gave me the two objects that turned the colt into a gelding and said "Son if you go plant these over in the field there and water 'em every day, you may just get a Pony soon". I watered those things for a week or so until Mom asked me what I was doing every day with that bucket of water! Well I told her and I believe Mom had a talk with Dad cause it wasn't too long before I got a Shetland Pony and there was no need for me to water that ground anymore.

Anyhow, I am fifty plus years now and can always think back to that Yellow handled Case knife and the smell of leather Dad cut making reins or cinches for the horses or my first deer we took with his 30-30 Winchester and field dressed when I was 7 years old. So, it was a plain 'ole knife, a yellow trapper, my Dad carried with him every day that has caused me to procure a hundred or so for myself. I have made three pretty special Trappers for three pretty special daughters and although they won't have the memories that I have of my Dad, I trust they may show them once in awhile and let others know that there Dad was really crazy about knives for some reason, especially this trapper model!

Thanks for Asking,
Survivor711

great story Survivor711

Single blade barlow, jack knife.. well really any single blade knife 3 to 4 inches closed (pocket friendly)
Why ?? I end up only using one blade all the time on a 2 bladed knife, never saw a need for 2 blades.

BARLOW! I am picky though it must be between 3-3/8 inches and 4 inches though I favor 3-1/2 and 3-7/8 inches. I'll pass on the GEC Barlow even though I'd looked forward to that model a long time - only 3 inches long.

I like a 2 blade with a sheepsfoot as the primary and a pen as a secondary blade. I like the long front bolster because there is so much you can do with it, especially if the blade and bolsters are of pattern welded steel.

Thats a tough question. For years my favorite pattern has been the Texas Toothpick but lately I have became partial to the Whittler. Especially if it has a Wharncliff master blade. I guess I choose the 3 blade whittler for my favorite pattern.

James

The one that is in my pocket!

I like Jacks and Whittlers.......................but I collect Pen Knives. Maybe it's the history of them.

Lately my favorite pattern is the german style copperhead, like the ones made by Boker, Eye, Bulldog etc.

My favorite is the Muskrat...my 2nd is a Muskrat...my third is, you guessed it a Muskrat

My favorite is the stockman pattern,it is my grandfathers favorite and since he got me interested in knives it it now my favorite pattern too.

My favorite pattern is the congress. However I have been doing a little carving with a whittler pattern lately, and the more I carve with it the more I really like it. The whittler has a wharnclif blade on it and it is handy for carving. So now I guess I will have to try and get a couple more of them.

Whittlers for me.

I prefer Jacks, swell and swayback, Bulldog Lil Cottons and Barlows

Well I guess I'd have to say my favorite is the jumbo whittler, just like the overall look and feel of them.

Trappers. These are all Case Classics

This is good stuff y'all, especially the pictures with the pattern. Thanks to all who have responded so far.
I'm going to keep this one for anyone else to vote.

Mine would be the Sowbelly Old Toe.

Why #1 because it is a Stockman, #2 because they are beautiful

Most of my knives are trappers but lately I have become a fan of medium stockmans because of their size and fit in the pocket. Here,s my latest ,a red stag

Whittler will do everything you ask it to do, and feels right in your pocket.

Hi Scott. Good to see ya

Whittler for me please

edit... forgot to mention the reasons it is my favorite.

Lots of different blade configurations available for versitility .
It's a great pocket friendly pattern IMO ... I especially like the 3 1/2" swell center version (feels good in hand too).
Split backspring construction seems to add superior strength to the master bade

Perfect for anything I ever need a pocket knife for

Hey Scott???
Just for laffs, howza bout a 12 blade congress???

That 12 blade is great CCBill! Who was the maker? I have an 8 blade that is very similar to it.

As for a favorite pattern;that is a tough choice.Of late I have been carrying a Spyderco(not sure of the model)I picked up at a flea market for $5 a couple years ago.It was on a table of $1 knives the guy wanted $10 for and for some reason he only wanted $5 for the Spyderco! Go figure.

I used to carry an old IXL 2 blade jack that had the most beautiful set of stag scales that had turned near dark brown and smooth from use.Blades were pitted but full and sharp as a razor.

My Sunday knife is a beautiful little Jason Williams liner lock(his 14th knife)with damascus blades and bolsters,great file work,and fiery pearl scales with little pieces of paua shell inlays all over(even inside!).Bought it from him at a show in Massachusetts.

Too many choices;basically whatever I feel like carrying on any given day.Don't like to carry large knives though;too heavy.