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Most over-hyped knife vs. the most under-appreciated traditional patterns

If you collect Case knives you've probably heard that the seahorse whittler is being released from the vault.

This led me to think about knife patterns.

Which pattern do you think is the most over-hyped?

Which pattern would you consider the most under-appreciated?

The most over-hyped for me is the Seahorse Whittler.

As for the most under-appreciated I could think of several but for now I'm going with the Grand-daddy Barlow.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ms Data on June 20, 2013 at 15:27

Well said Tobias. I couldn't agree more.

Tobias Gibson said:

I'm not going to bad mouth any specific specific blade but

If it is a fixed blade and

the description begins with the word "Survival" and ends with "Hollow Handle" -- it might be over-hyped.

its made with 420J2 "Tool Steel" -- it might be over-hyped.

if it is titanium coated - it might be over-hyped.

If it's MOLLE compatible -- it might be over-hyped.

If it is a tactical folder

and the description begins with a "Survival" -- it might be over-hyped

if it has a goofy integrated seat-belt cover and glass breaker -- it might be over-hyped

if it is "spring assisted" -- it might be over-hyped

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Permalink Reply by Ms Data on June 20, 2013 at 15:44

Which part surprised you Jan?

Jan Carter said:

This one surprised me LOL

Data (C Thomas) said:

Well, as a fixed blade person I would go with most over-hyped right now as the Buck Hoodlum special edition. Nice collector knife but not worth $600.00. Most under appreciated? Any fixed blade in either D2 or S30V steel, there are several. (It's all about the steel.) Oh - and the buffalo butt knife they keep showing on SMKW Live TV, I love that knife but not for $795.00.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 20, 2013 at 20:22

I am wondering, that to, Data. Knife builders, can ask what ever they want to, but if they are over priced, they won't sell to many. Then there are some that can, command a high price, for one reason or another. There are some knife makers that have a large following, willing to pay, higher prices, for their knives.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on June 20, 2013 at 22:05

Ha, Good list right there! I am very leery of hollow handle knives! not sure that does much good? Rather have a solid knife and keep my matches elsewhere...

Tobias Gibson said:

I'm not going to bad mouth any specific specific blade but

If it is a fixed blade and

the description begins with the word "Survival" and ends with "Hollow Handle" -- it might be over-hyped.

its made with 420J2 "Tool Steel" -- it might be over-hyped.

if it is titanium coated - it might be over-hyped.

If it's MOLLE compatible -- it might be over-hyped.

If it is a tactical folder

and the description begins with a "Survival" -- it might be over-hyped

if it has a goofy integrated seat-belt cover and glass breaker -- it might be over-hyped

if it is "spring assisted" -- it might be over-hyped

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on June 21, 2013 at 3:59

Still considering myself a newcomer to the field I can't comment much on this one. I didn't know that the Seahorse was an old pattern that has just been "released from the vault". I thought it was something new so I've been watching it with curiosity and interest. I love the lines and think it may one day be a part of my very ecletic collection.

As far as Trappers being overhyped, I disagree. Most people say they are the most collected pattern. If so, then this is normal marketing strategy. I do however agree that there are way too many knives with variations being called trappers. A Warncliff blade on a Trapper, in my humble opinion, makes it a separate pattern. Don't agree? Put a set of corscrew, punch, spey, and sheepsfoot blades on a Case Cheetah and see what happens when they call it a Cheetah. I do however, see tons of Sodbusters and their various knockoff names being thrown around.

In my extremely humble and ever being educated opinion, I would like to see more Cotton Samplers, Granddaddy Barlows, Tuxedos, Marlin Spikes and Pipe knives. I don't see as many of these as I do all the others.

I'm sure the more experienced, I refuse to say OLDER, collectors may know of some other patterns that have not be made since Hector was a pup. Can anyone mention a pattern that hasn't been produced in a while?

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 21, 2013 at 9:32

Now for a little under-appreciated. Not a specific knife but two types of steels.

440A Stainless at its equivalent steels are often lambasted as junk steel. But the bottom line is, the bulk of the knives made today are made with a 440a or its equivalent (7CR17MoV, AUS 6, 12C27, 425M) When properly heat reated, these steels reach a respectable HRC, can hold an excellent razor sharp edge, are easily resharpened, and will more than satisfy the average knife user or collector.

Many people consider it better than the 420HC used by Buck or Case's True-sharp stainless. It is also slightly better than the X50CrMO used in Swiss Army Knives.

On the Carbon Steel side, I always feel that 1095 Carbon is often under appreciated. It is just a flat-out great all around carbon steel. And while Ka-Bar loves to tout Cro-Van, and Case loves to call Cro-Van, CV, you can still have a great carbon steel without adding vanadium. I know the rage is D2 but it is harder to sharpen. Same with 5160 And while Randall touts the superiority of O1 over 1095, I can get a great knife with 1095 steel that will last me a life time for under $100. And better yet, I won't be worried it might get dirty when I use it!

While neither steel is perfect for every type of knife and for every chore, 440A and 1095 are my choices for the best "all around" steels in the knife industry.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 21, 2013 at 11:31

Tobias, you hit the Rail Road Spike on the head. lol In a very simple but very true, statement. A lot of ya'll already know I'm a big fan of Carbon steel. I own knives made with a lot of different carbon steels and the old time 1095 carbon steel stands strong and can compete against all other carbon steels, even those that cost twice it's price. I must say, though, that 5160 spring carbon steel, when forged and tempered to 57-59, can hang with 1095. I also agree about the 440a stainless, I find that the novice knife handler, enjoys it better than D2, for two reasons. First it's easy for them to sharpen and second it takes a good edge and holds it long enough for the little use their gonna give it.

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Permalink Reply by jeff on June 21, 2013 at 13:31

i will have to think about the over - hyped .... lol i was typing muskrat, then i see where you mentioned it....I actually own a limited edition 4 blade muskrat !!! lol .. ok..it was an impulse buy!! lmbo i believe i agree with the barlow as most under appreciated tho...not just grandaddy either..All barlows....very few produced compared to other styles...and it was my first knife i ever owned! i carried it till the slabs fell off..and then kept carrying it till i lost it many years later! oh btw..if you've even been camping for long periods....most under-appreciated..{scouts knife}

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 21, 2013 at 13:58

Yep, Barlows aren't the prettiest knife on the block. Yet the standard 2 blade barlow is:

a good size (3 1/2 - 4 inches) depending on the maker.

comes with a clip master blade and secondary pen blade

and it feels really good in the hand.

The Granddaddy tends to be 5 - 5 1/2 inches long with a nice stout 4 inch clip blade that puts the standard trapper's clip to shame. The tend to be thicker, a good deal longer and more capable of handling larger chores. Yet the knife has a slimmer profile than the trapper so despite being almost an inch longer closed it still feels good in the pocket.

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Permalink Reply by jeff on June 21, 2013 at 14:09

very nice! i believe, out of 250 + knives...i dont have a grandaddy barlow!! i am making this a top priority! lol i will own one soon! thanks tobias I do own several older large jack knives, which i believe are similar, only with a narrow handle...am i correct?

Tobias Gibson said:

Yep, Barlows aren't the prettiest knife on the block. Yet the standard 2 blade barlow is:

a good size (3 1/2 - 4 inches) depending on the maker.

comes with a clip master blade and secondary pen blade

and it feels really good in the hand.

The Granddaddy tends to be 5 - 5 1/2 inches long with a nice stout 4 inch clip blade that puts the standard trapper's clip to shame. The tend to be thicker, a good deal longer and more capable of handling larger chores. Yet the knife has a slimmer profile than the trapper so despite being almost an inch longer closed it still feels good in the pocket.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 22, 2013 at 8:36

Over-hyped: Corleon! It is just swirly plastic with a catchy Jim Frost TM people!

Under-appreciated: Natural or White Smooth Bone!

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on June 22, 2013 at 8:55

The Barlow was once the most popular pocket on the market. That was a very long time ago, they even made a song about it. I remember part of it " You might mess with my Wife,...but don't you dare mess with my Barlow Knife". Well, it went something like that. I guess peoples taste in knives, changes over time. The one thing that stays the same is " Peoples favorite knife choice is always a user friendly pattern. Tobias, I agree with you on that smooth white bone, I love it. It's a poor mans Ivory, I guess.