Knife Pattern Collectors

All over the world knife patterns. Different types, size, styles…

We will talk about old traditional and new knife patterns. If you know pattern which nobody really knows, please give world to know!

A-Z index of Knife Pattern Discussions

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  • Ken Spielvogel

    Jan, not sure about your Q's, but the Gunstock is one of my favorite patterns.

  • Jan Carter

    Well Ken, I did what I would do for anyone if I couldnt answer it.  LOL, I asked!  No record of when the first was produced but this G.SAVAGE & SONS is from around 1840 so we at least know the pattern dates back that far

  • Ken Spielvogel

    WOW that is one old Gunstock.- Did you get that at the Dalton Show, wonder where it was made.


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    Heck I forgot about this group. Lots of pattern collectors out there.


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    Miss Jan, you have this site looking good. Where's them Pattern lovers.

  • Jan Carter

    We are getting there Robert.  When I have everything moved over I will do an alphabetical listing with links like I did in the Box

    *****Thank you*****

  • Tobias Gibson

    Okay, folks!  This group has been dormant for too long!  Lets help Ivars kick-start this group!  Let's everybody take a few minutes and invite five or ten of our friends to this group.   Most people either collect by pattern or brand.  It's crazy that a group devoted to pattern collecting only has 30 members!  I can think of at least 50 patterns within my collection alone!  This group needs more members!

    As for the fifty patterns:

    1. Automatics
    2. Balisong
    3. Barlow
    4. Bartender
    5. Bowie
    6. Camp
    7. Canoe
    8. Canittler
    9. Caping
    10. Cheetah
    11. Clasp knife
    12. Coke Bottle
    13. Congress
    14. Copperhead
    15. Cotton Samplers
    16. Doctor
    17. Douk Douk
    18. Easy Open
    19. Elephant Toenail
    20. Farrier
    21. Farmer’s Work Knife (Sodbusters)
    22. Fillet
    23. Fish Knife
    24. Folding Hunter
    25. Grafting
    26. Hawkbills
    27. Hobos
    28. Hunters
    29. Jack Knives
    30. Karambits
    31. Kukris
    32. Linesman
    33. Machete
    34. Marlin Spike
    35. Moose
    36. Mushroom
    37. Muskrats
    38. Navaja Cuchillo
    39. Out the Front
    40. Peanut
    41. Penknives
    42. Picnics
    43. Rope Knives
    44. Stockmans
    45. Sunfish
    46. Toothpicks/Ticklers
    47. Toothpicks –fixed blades
    48. Skinners
    49. Ulu
    50. Whittlers

    And that doesn't even include the variations within the patterns!

  • Lars Ray

    Way to motivate Tobias...and I agree. So I became a Bowie Buddy....I just don't go around declaring that in public. Sort of looses something in translation outside of iKC. 

    Thanks for the rally talk. We needed that!

    I like what you did here in naming the the fifty patterns within your collections. I need this kind of visual. So to remove a sense of semantics, I have created a hierarchy to help me make sure we don't double up on "patterns". This is for a visual assistance only, not intended for a debate:

    Here is the Knives according to Lars Hierarchy:

    Knife

      Fixed Blade / Brand

         Type of Fixed Blade - design intent (Combat, Hunting, Skinning, Butcher/Chef, Dagger, Bowie, etc) Broad categories

             Sub-type of Fixed Blade - frame style (Mini, Extreme, Nessmuk, Sub-Hilt, etc.) Defined categories

                   Feature set (type of steel, type of handle material, blade type, features, etc.) Specific categories

    Knife

      Folder / Brand

          Type of Folder - design intent (Multipurpose, fishing, hunting, etc.) Broad categories

                 Sub-type of Folder - frame style (Automatics, Barlow, Congress, Coke Bottle, etc.) Defined categories

                         Feature set (type of steel, type of handle material, blade type, number of blades, features, etc.) Specific categories

    Under each of these we add Variations. Now we have taken your 50 patterns and tripled the amount of possibilities...if not more!

  • jeff

    here are a few that have a special spot in my collection..the humpback whittlers.i was able to pick up the queen tool steel the other day and the stag is gorgeous..wish the pics were better, but. i try.

  • jeff

    thankyou steve... i have always loved whittlers.. and these little guys are one of my favorite whittler patterns. I dont know why.. something about the shape. just like the look of them.

  • Tobias Gibson

    We've got six new members today.  Once we hit 60 new members, I'll rummage through my collection ans see what i can cough up for a prize.  Spread the word guys and gals, Spring is in the air and I want to give away another knife!

  • Tobias Gibson

    Jeff, I just saw those whittlers.  You're making me think about collecting another pattern. It's go to be hard "Coping" with the additional anxiety!  (time to duck and cover!)

  • J.J. Smith III

    You may need to duck and cover Tobias, listing whittlers last in your list.
    (And don't start with that alphebitical stuff.) Lol, and just look at the beautiful humpback WHITTLERS that Jeff shared...
  • Tobias Gibson

    Mea Culpa, J.J.  It I listed them by the number in my collection I'm guessing whittlers would be within the top ten, possibly even the top five!  We won't say what pattern would at the bottom  but it begins with the letter "T" and it ends with  the type of music Will Smith  and J. Jazzy Jeff  won a Grammy for!  (Ducking and covering again!)

  • jeff

    lol tobias, every time is see a dogleg,humpback,cigar,or similar whittler i dont already have, i find myself crunching numbers and trying to find excuses to tell the wifey as to why i have to spend my retirement on another knife...i think we need a discussion on excuses-- reasons to tell the wife or husband to help us knife addicts with our anxiety...lol

  • Terry Pitts

     I'm glad to join this group of avid collectors. Although its hard to pick a favorite I probably have more styles of Trappers in my knife collection than any other pattern.

  • Tobias Gibson

    An interesting observation, Terry.   My most collected pattern is probably the four blade camp (Boy Scout) knife.  But that is only because they are easier to find than marlin spikes and big toothpicks!

    Sometimes are most acquired pattern isn't necessarily out favorite pattern!

  • Tobias Gibson

    Wow!  Were up to 45!  that is a 50% jump in members over the last week!  Let's keep it going.  We'll hit 60 in no time!

  • Lars Ray

    OTF's? Please explain - not sure what OTF means. But I do like those little advertising knives being shown. Here's mine from Gerlinger:

  • Ron Cooper

    OTF means Out The Front. That's how the blade is deployed...Out The Front.

  • Tobias Gibson

    From my page "A Pocket Guide to Knives"

    Out The Front:  Any number of knives with a retractable blade that is deployed point first from the front of the knife handle. The blade does not fold into the handle but is retracted and deployed by gravity, a sliding mechanism, or by spring assistance. These include Gravity Knives; Single Action or Automatic OTFs; and Double Action or Sliding OTFs.

    Single Action OTF: A spring assisted knife with a retractable blade that deploys point first from the knife's handle when some type of release such as a button r lever is pressed. The blade must then be manually retracted into the handle by pulling back on the release which follows a channel that is cut into the handle. Also called an Automatic or Auto OTF (see Gravity Knife and Double Action OTF for comparison.

    Double Action OTF: A knife with a retractable blade that deploys point first from the knife's handle. The blade is pushed forward manually using a release mechanism that follows a channel cut in the handle. The blade also manually retracted into the handle by pulling back on the release. The standard box cutter knife is an example of Double Action OTF. Also called a Slider. (see Gravity Knife and Single Action OTF for comparison.

    Gravity Knife: A type of knife where the blade slides out the front. The blade isn't pushed or assisted with a spring but falls freely out the front when pointed toward the ground and you press a release. The release is then pushed to a lock position and the blade locks in the open position. Upon unlocking the release and pointing the blade to the sky or pressing it against a surface will then return the blade to its safe position. See also: Out The Front

    Below, a Korean made copy of the German Parachutist's Gravity Knife

  • tim payne

    What about the dagger pattern?

  • Tobias Gibson

    Tim, i think I'd throw that one under "Kris"   But a Kris is specialized dagger!  Pretty awesome.  I think there is definitely room for traditional and non-traditional fixed blade discussions.  After all I collect two or three patterns after fixed blades!

  • Tobias Gibson

    We are currently at 48!  We need another dozen before I give the details on how you can win a free a knife just by being a member of this fine group!    I'm narrowing down my  decision on just what I will be giving away!    I'm not going to say which pattern as of yet but here is a hint at what I'm leaning toward!

  • Tobias Gibson

    Okay we need 12 more members.  Once that happens I'll post the rules on how some lucky iKC member can win a knife.   What knife you ask?  Well maybe you didn't ask but you should've!   I'll be giving away an Ocoee River Vagabond in Jigged Blue Bone!   The knife is pretty much new in the box with the nylon sheath.  The normal price ranges from $20-$25.     I'll probably toss in a couple other knives from my collection just to thin the herd a bit but I'm not sure what else will be included!   But first we need to hit the magic number of 60 (Sixty) members in Knife Pattern Collectors.  So If you're not a member come join.  If you are a member then invite a friend!  

    Here's are some pics of the knife up for grabs!

  • Max McGruder

    Nice color and a handy dandy knife!
  • Tobias Gibson

    It will be a hard knife to part with but it is for a good cause!

  • Tobias Gibson

    Jan, can you take a look at the way some of the discussions are showing up in the A-Z list?  I'm just seeing who commented but not what was said.

  • Jan Carter

    Tobias in the A-Z index if I click any of the topics it takes me there.  Is there a specific one your not seeing?

  • Tobias Gibson

    I see something similar to image below at the beginning of Fish Knives and Barlows.   Maybe some other pages as well.  I can't see away to display the content in the entry.

  • Jan Carter

    OH ok, those discussions were moved from outside the group to within the group.  The only way to move them is to physically copy and paste.  Sometimes it will show that way but if you refresh your screen it should bring up the actual conversation

  • Michael Squier

    hi, just added my name so you get to your quota and can have the knife givaway. Besides I needed a place to chat about small bowies.

  • Tobias Gibson

    Great to have you aboard, Michael.  I'm betting there will be a lot of debate on what constitutes a Small Bowie!  I want to be part of that discussion!   When I here the word Bowie, I always imagine the Classic Western Bowie.   I think between you and I we just might be able to define some other classes of Bowies!

    And before anyone takes offense -- like many folks, when it comes to fixed blades, I try to fit a name to the various styles so that I can classify them in my mind. My classifications are for my sanity not to challenge another persons classification system!

    As such, when it comes to Bowie Knives I think it needs a full cross guard, even better is it an s shaped quillion.  But in reality, we don't even know if Jim Bowie's knife had such a cross guard!

    I think we could talk for hours on what makes a Bowie a Bowie!  But in the end, what makes a Bowie Knife a Bowie Knife is someone, anyone, has decided to call a particular knife a Bowie Knife

    For instance I call the he knife below my Appalachian Bowie.  It has a 7 1/2 inch blade with an over all length of nearly 13 inches. It also has a full cross guard.  I'd consider that a small bowie knife.  What say you Michael?

  • Michael Squier

    Tobias, thanks for starting things off, it may be best if we had a separate thread for small Bowie discussion but ill let someone whos been here longer start that. So far we are in agreement, but there will always be some exception. My oringinal thinking for small bowie is the turn of the century sheffield style bowies with around 7" blades. By that time the classic clip point had become what most people think of as a Bowie with a full cross guard so in my thinking a small Bowie knife is under 8" blade, clip point with cross guard and not too odd a grip. Your small Bowie fits the simple definition to me, nice knife. I almost added slab style scales but the full stag grip like yours was seen on the big Bowies way back too. 

    To me this knife says small Bowie. 

  • Tobias Gibson

    Easy enough, Michael.  I just started it using your description of a small bowie!

  • Jans Test file

    Tobias,

    Here I am on my members view file.  Sure enough in your view you cannot see those comments and if I refresh they show up but drop back off before they can be read.  I will try to fix that tomorrow

    Jan

  • Tobias Gibson

    Thanks Jan.  I'm primarily worried about entering the same thing twice!  Nine more members is all we need!

  • tim payne

    *Keen Edge Cutlery Co. 3-1/2" 2-bld Serpentine Jack. Smooth Brown Bone. Long Pull. Both blades tang stamped "Keen Edge Cutl. Co.", Nickel Silver Shield. Nickel Silver bolsters/brass liners/pins.

  • Tobias Gibson

    That's a nice looker, Tim.  Looks like it has a long history!

  • tim payne

    thank you much tobias.  like em all, old ones & new ones.

  • Tobias Gibson

    guys and gals we're stuck on 55!   We just need to five more!  We can do this!  If oyu haven't invited a friend, please do so.  It shouldn't be that hard to give a knife away!

  • Syd Carr

    Ok, I joined (I think). I NEVER win anything, but you can't win if you don't join, so here I am! How many do you need now?

  • Tobias Gibson

    Holy Cow!  We just hit 60!  I'm verklempt!  Give me a day to compose myself and I'll announce the rules to the contest and what you need to do to enter!  Those who have participated in past contest run by me know it is really easy to enter a contest.  The hard part is over!  You joined the group!

    Someone is going to be winning this knife real soon!

  • Bryan OShaughnessy

    Add me in, too.  I just read the latest post, the explanation of the "stockman" pattern by Tobias, and now I want to be part of this group.  I collect old pocketknives and, to be honest, the stockman is my least favorite pattern.  Probably because I have so many of them that I've gotten jaded.  It seems that it was a very popular pattern in older times.  Now, the popular pattern is anything that wears the word "tactical".  I do have a couple "leather punch" stockmans that I like.  But I've never understood the reason for the sheepfoot blade, or how the spay blade could possibly be useful.  But then, I've never attempted the procedure...

       Any explanation on the sheepfoot?  ---Bryan O

  • Lori Bowers

    That would be a very nice set for camping with the Boy Scouts, plus blue is my favorite color.

  • Syd Carr

    Spey blades were specifically designed to neuter farm animals, hence they were included in the three-bladed knives that became known for the person(s) who favored them; ie, a "stock man". The sheepsfoot blade, as included on 3-bladed stockman knives, was used by that same "stock man" to cut rope. The clip blade was included for it's point, therefore the Stockman 3-bladed knife became a must have all-around tool for ranchers, thereby earning it's name. My favorite frame though is a trapper, but currently my favorite EDC is a 4 1/2", so called "cheap" Miller Bros Re-Issue (probably Frost in origin), Stockman, (really quite a nice knife, I really like it......sorry to the USA-only purists, but it has a "cool factor" going for it...hang where it was made; cool IS cool!). Can't decide if I officially collect specific frames, I like ALL slip joints, & have several I purchased 40+ years ago, so if it's a cool knife (in my mind), then I just have to "collect" it. My goal at this point is to eventually have at least one of each frame. Question: do you consider the Case Russlock as a separate frame? (Another current fave EDC for me....got me a Raspberry Bone Drop Point recently, and a "Rough Black" version too).

  • J.J. Smith III

    The main purpose of a sheepsfoot blade is for cutting and slicing while minimizing the chances of anything accidentally being pierced by the point.

  • Tobias Gibson

    The sheepfoot is also a good blade for scraping and cleaning hoofs -- not to mention cutting of a big "chaw" of tobacco.  Of course you may want to cut the chaw before cleaning the hoof!   LOL.  And as Syd mentioned it has always bee a good rope / strap cutter and a good blade for whittling. You get a long straight cutting surface on a relatively small blade.  Some times this is all you need and some times the last thing you need is a cutting device that is also pointy!

    The spay; as been said is used for castrating farm animals but it is also useful in skinning and scraping and you want to reduce the chance of puncturing the skin.

  • Tobias Gibson

    Syd, i will need to ponder on your Russ-lock question for a while. I've always considered it a unique knife but I now i will need to delve deeper.  Who knows it may be a variation on a theme.  I do have more than one  liner-lock knife that uses a top mounted flange to rotate the blade to open. and that flange is  common among non-locking peasant knives.  The difference is the Russ is a slip joint liner-locking flange opening knife and I'm not aware of another knife with all three devices.   Some so called "tacticals" use a flange on the cutting edge and a torsion spring to flick open the liner locking blade.  Similar principle but built bass-ackward.   All in all a good question!

  • Bob Cowart III

    I collect all types of knives and my favorite of all is the stockman because of its versatility. I'm not real fond of the new tactical type knives though as they usually only have one blade and lack the beauty of the old style knives. However, the knife that is to be givin away in this contest / drawin is a pretty decent knife and has multiple functions. And since I too am a scout master if I was lucky enough to receive this knife. I think that it would have ta go to one of my scouts that comes from a less fortunate family and can't really afford ta buy him a nice scout knife. I know this little knife would make his day !