Sod Buster/Clasp Knives

[kootenay joe]

I cannot find a thread in AAPK for Sod Buster style knives so this could be it.
"Sod Buster" is a name invented by Case when they introduced their single blade work knife in 1970 (?). The actual pattern of a wood handled single blade work knife goes back maybe 200 years in Europe and often is referred to as a Clasp knife.
I like these basic work knives, especially those made by Friedr. Herder, C. Schlieper & J.A. Henckels. Standard sizes are 4 5/8" and 3 1/2", but all 3 make a very large 5 7/8" knife as well.
The Friedr. Herder knives have a spade logo which differentiates them from the 9 other Herder cutlery manufacturers, and are quite prized and so often sell for over $100.
I recently saw one of the 5 7/8' Herder's with a BIN of $250 which is far too high. After a few weeks of messages i bought it for less than half the BIN, but still a big expense for me.
This part is entitled "I Did It Again".
After receiving this Jumbo Herder 'Buster i looked through my stack of Buster knives to find a few for pictures and i found: a Jumbo Herder Buster ! I already had one but didn't know i did. I hope this happens to at least a few others here ?
Here are some pictures.
kj

[kootenay joe]

Here are 3 more pictures. The 5 7/8" Schlieper came with a sheath, only one of this size i have seen. It is not common.
The 3 sizes shown: 3 1/2", 4 5/8", 5 7/8"
kj

[stagman]

I always did like the Sod buster pattern,,,specially when they are a lock back...
still sorry I sold that 3 knife set of em,,The Kentucky Bi-Centennial 3 knife set,
1 wood, 1 green corlon, 1 Stag all in a wood display shaped like the state of Kentucky
I really like that Big One on the bottom KJ

Stag
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/stagman

[jmh58]

[Quick Steel]

Included the RR even though it has a lock.

[gsmith7158]

I have always liked Sodbusters and I always would post mine in the EDC thread and never get any comments, good ,bad or indifferent. Well I guess they are kind of plain looking but for an all around working knife you really can't beat them. They are big and strong enough to take care of most any task you might run up on in the day. here are some of my keepers.

And some of my Users

[woodwalker]

Those are nice Greg! I like that orange ish looking one! I bet they do good work.

[gsmith7158]

Those are nice Greg! I like that orange ish looking one! I bet they do good work.

Woodwalker They are indeed work horses. That orangeish one is one of my most cherished ones. It is a 1970 liner lock that my friend Goldpan (Randy Everhart) rehandled in amber smooth bone for me.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Some real nice Sodbuster pics. I only have one, this newer Case Junior 2137SS. Sodbusters are a really neat and old pattern. I will have to get to work getting MORE!!

[kootenay joe]

Here are 5 knives made by Luuters & Co with their reclining lion logo, sizes 3 3/4" to 4 1/4".
I don't know if "Clasp knives" has a size limit; i.e. are the smaller ones at 3 3/4" still in the Clasp knife category ?
For my collection i include all older wood handled single blade work type knives.
kj

[kootenay joe]

Here are 3 old knives all 4 1/4" size which seems to be the most commonly seen size. Top one is a "Bertram/Solingen", i.e. an original Hen & Rooster.
kj

[kootenay joe]

And, a few more. First up at 3 1/2" are 2 Small Sod Busters, a well used Kissing Crane and a rarely seen (in this pattern) "Boker Tree Brand Argentina High Carbon". From after WW II until about 2000, Kissing Crane Sod Busters had a reputation for being great work knives.
The other 2 are also small, 3 1/2" W.D.Herbert & 3" Friedr.Herder (spade logo)
kj

[Paladin]

One of my all time favorite patterns. Love seeing all those great wood handles!

Ray

[terryl308]

KJ, Only got one and it has been used a bunch! I've had it since the mid 70's and is a 5 dot Case XX. It was my "go to" knife for quite a few years of farming and ranching. I have retired it while it still has part of the blade left. Terry

[kootenay joe]

terry, your small Case Sod Buster has certainly done it's time as a work knife ! Just as these basic knives are meant to do.
Here is a nice one: 5" made in Germany for an American outfitter in 1960's i believe but please correct if you know otherwise. Most of the tang marking is hidden under bolster but it looks like the top part of the "Fan" logo used by Carl Schlieper.
kj

[Paladin]

terry, your small Case Sod Buster has certainly done it's time as a work knife ! Just as these basic knives are meant to do.
Here is a nice one: 5" made in Germany for an American outfitter in 1960's i believe but please correct if you know otherwise. Most of the tang marking is hidden under bolster but it looks like the top part of the "Fan" logo used by Carl Schlieper.
kj

KJ,
This is a very interesting knife from an Eye Brand or Schlieper point of view. Being a Fan Brand, it was likely intended for Canadian or maybe even South African customers. The fit on the handles isn't great and the wood isn't typical of the Eye Brand sodbusters. The frame has a slight "swell center" to it and brass bolsters those aren't usual to a Schlieper Sodbuster. If the blade was a replacement, it was done very well. That is some of the best carbon steel ever and if you show it to a hone, I'll bet it'll get sharp all by itself.
Thanks for posting.

Ray

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Ray. The Schlieper Fan logo was used on knives exported to the Far East (Singapore was the distribution center for much European wares) and to South America. Norm Thompson was a guide outfitter name from the Pacific Northwest USA. I have owned another of these so i am sure it is all original.
What i am not sure about is the logo which i can only see about the top third of. It might not be Fan Brand (Schlieper) but the tail of a peacock if this was ever a logo.
The handle is 1/8" longer than the large Schlieper Sod Buster and has a center swell which as you point out, Schlieper does not have. The blade does match in profile and nail nick size & placement with the blade of a '3 eye', Eye Brand large Sod Buster.
All i can say for sure is: made in Germany ("Solingen/Made in Germany" on back tang) and for a USA business.
It is a heck of a nice knife with perfect in hand feel (thanks to center swell).
Maybe someone knows of another logo that would match what can be seen here ?
kj

[terryl308]

Kj, Nice sod buster with the Thompson Outfitter etch or stamp. I went fishing in Otter Lake, Sask. Canada back in the early 70's with a Guide and Outfitter by the name of "Thompson Camps", don't know if it is the same as your knife or not. He had several float planes and was a great fishing guide. He did hunting trips also. Nice walnut on your knife handle! I have a cup with his logo on it I will send along. Terry

[kootenay joe]

Terry, Wikipedia says that Norm THompson outfitters was started in 1949 as a catalog sales company byNorm Thompson. It operated mostly in the Portland area until 2016 when they moved to Massachusetts. They advertised in Field & Stream magazine with items for the adventurous outdoorsman.
It does not mention Thompson hunting or fishing camps but they could have been the owners of the camp you mention.
To quote: "I have a cup with his logo on it I will send along. Terry"
That is a generous offer my friend but maybe it is i who should be sending the knife to you ?
kj

[terryl308]

KJ, I think we are talking about two different Thompsons? Oh well, Nice sod buster anyway. Terry

[danno50]

Ken, definitely two different Thompsons. The fellow at Otter Lake is Gary Thompson. He has sold the camp, which is now run by Adventure Destinations International? I am pretty sure Gary Thompson never had any knives made with his logo on them.

[dlr110]

I came across this thread that doesn't appear to have been used in a couple of years.

Besides the one blade Barlow, I love the Sod Buster pattern, to me it is simplicity perfected. One strong durable skinner blade placed in a contoured handle that comfortable fits most any hand. To me it is THE basic folding knife and right for almost any function.

Please jump in with your views and pic's from your collection.

I have many Sod Busters in different brands, here are a few from my collection.
The first pic is my latest ones.

[Doc B]

Nice group, David!!!

[jmh58]

Nice group, David!!!

John

[jmh58]