Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Who is making the best pocket knives these days?

I am looking for a really high quality stockman style pocket knife and wonder what you guys recommend these days. I am currently carrying a Moor Maker but I have decided I want stainless blades because of the humid Kentucky climate. The handle should be stag and the workmanship and operation flawless.
Any suggestions?

Schatt and Morgan with ATS-34 blades...

Case still makes an excellent stainless/stag Stockman. Queen City has some great knives in D2, which is very rust resistant.

BTW, I am a fan of Moore Maker knives. I carry a Trapper pattern.

MOore maker knives-made in Matador TX? Ya'll speak well of these?

Dave

Yes, they are excellent working knives. Good, honest quality in sensible patterns.

Really-I know the guy who helps make these and he is as dishonest as they come. I have been given 2 of these knives and it took about 2 weeks for the blades to turn colors...I'd go with a buck or a case long before I'd ever carry a Moore maker-

Just my personal experience-

Dave

Check out this guy. He makes some very nice folders.

http://www.tadscustomknives.com/

I've also been very happy with Schatt & Morgan, particularly the limited-edition "File and Wire" series. Workmanship has been superb and they take/hold an edge very well. I was a die-hard Case
fan for most of my life (wouldn't own one made 1980 or later...) but the Schatts have won me over. Do some searching on the net and you may find something you really like, for not a huge amount of money! As mentioned above, they offer ATS-34 and D2 tool steel blades, not just generic "whatever" steel.
John

+1 Darn nice looking knives.

He offers a knife for sale every so often over on Bladeforums.com and they last about 5 minutes.
Very nice knifes from what I`ve seen and heard.

Thats funny, I've actually carried and used mine for a long time and that hasn't happened. Just my personal experience.

BTW, the knives aren't made in Texas or by Moore Maker. A large knife company makes them to specification for M/M.

Moore Maker knives are made by Queen Cutlery.

Fred

I have four Moore Maker pocket knives. Very good knives hold a good edge. They are made by Queen using 1095 steel. Also have three Queen pocket knives in D2 steel. These are also very good knives.

I had a spyderco that really impressed me. It was just a wal mart clip on special for 40 dollars but it came razor sharp right out of the box, was made out of stainless steel, and was light as a feather.

A relative new maker is Mike Alsdorf from Missouri. He makes a great knife with incredible workmanship. His knife prices are great now, prices have increased dramatically the lasst couple of years. I purchased two last year at the $170.00 range and currently the same models are selling for $100.00 higher. He was named by blade magazine as the "best value folder maker" recently. Check out his website, currently he has a few available. I have never met Mike nor do I represent him, he makes a great knife that is flawless and I have 5 in my collection. Another great folder maker is Ray Cover, his son Ray jr cover makes folders, fixed blade knives and does some engraving. Ray jr's quality is fine but not up to the quality as his father. The two knife folder makers listed above make incredible folders that will not break the bank and will increase in value due to the quality of workmanship by these two fine makers. At their current price values they can even used and I carry an Alsdorf 440C folder that does a great job and in the past I have not been a great fan of 440C. Mike's 440C knives cut and hold an edge.

http://alsdorfcustomcutlery.com/home/

I buy Schatt & Morgan, Queen, or Case when looking for a traditional pocket knife now. Been eyeing up a Custom, but I just can't justify that kind of money

The yellow handled ones used to be made by Camillus. Queen must be making those knives now too, since I see they're still available on the Moore Maker website. Or they had a huge stockpile.

Thanks for all of the input. I can't personally justify more than $100 for an everyday pocket knife so will look hard at the Queen Stockman of D2 steel. Would really like a Schatt & Morgan STOCKMAN of ATS-134 but none seem to be available.

How do you guys feel about the Schatt & Morgan 420 HC stainless steel blades?

I know that D2 isn't completely stainless but I know it's edge holding qualities and I know it is more stainless than Moore Maker's carbon steel. I am a fan of the Moore Maker and would buy another if stainless were available. Tired of nursing carbon in this day and age.

D2 is so close to stainless it may as well be. I`ve a few D2 blades and have not had a bit of trouble with them, although I do try to keep them clean and dry.
Another "factory" made knife I haven`t seen mentioned that in my opinion are very high quality is the Benchmade. You can get a Mini-Grip from Cabelas with D2 for ~$75 as I recall and the axis lock on them is one of, if not the best, in the industry. They`ve other models at various price points but beware the blue box are USA made and the Red are overseas.

I believe that 420 HC is the the same stainless steel that Buck Knives uses. It is a good blade steel. You certainly won't go wrong with the Queen City Stockman in D2.