This is a Sodbuster thread

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tracismith, that's one of the things that keeps drawing me back to simple single blade knives. Simplicity. It has a beauty of it's own.

That word, simplicity, has become the mantra of me and my better half in recent years. Revolvers, lever action rifles, and single bladed knives when I do carry a folding knife these days. I still like a small sak around for the tools that come in handy now and then, but the sodbuster, Opinel, Douk-Douk, Mercator K55, or Eka Big Swede, will do most anything one has to do with a knife in day to day real world life.

I wonder if multible blades on pocket knives are mostly an American thing? I remember when I was in Europe, and on weekends when I didn't have CQ duty or other commitments, I got to travel around and camp out in the country side. In France, the working folks carried a Opinel or laguiole style of knife. In Germany, when it wasn't some sort of small basic model sak, it was a simple single blade knife. A stag handle Puma or Robert Klass, or even a Frederich Herder sodbuster type of knife. A few nice bone handled Boker automatics here and there.

I took a few weeks leave once, and toured northern Spain on a Vespa motorscooter, traveling back roads. Camping out, I shared a campsite a few times with some Basque herdsmen. Interesting bunch, could put away red wine by large quantities. They all had simple single blade knives, 3 1/2 to 5 inches in blade. A few navaja type of knives, with the curving blade made to fit the curving piece of staghorn that was the handle with the spring pinned on the outside of the horn, Okapi style. They also had a penny knife that was sort of like a sodbuster but with no spring, and was a friction folder. Just a blade, copper pivot pin peened over, and a slotted wood handle.

The stockman, trapper, congress, and such seem to be U.S. market stuff.

Anyways, simple is good. The sodbuster is a classic design that goes back to working class roots in eastern europe, where it as a knife for farmers and day laborers.
 
uh...wanna sell it? It would be valuable for me if it was in mint-very good condition. i really don't know anybody else who collects them...although I'm sure someone does. Even so, I've never paid more than $40.00 for one.

Post some pics of your LSS.

I wouldn't call mine mint. As I mentioned, the blade is a little loose. I got it from a sibling who may have used it for knife-throwing practice. The plow on the blade is barely visible. I don't know if that's normal or a sign that someone tried to polish it off. I agree that it's a good, practical design, but I haven't used it much since I bought my Spyderco.
 
I am not a knife collector. Winchester lever guns are my thing but I have had an Eye Brand Sod buster since the mid 50's. It disappeared during our move to our country place so I had to depend on carrying a Leatherman. I came upon a Case display at the lumber yard a few months back and there it was a Sodbuster. That is now my carry knife. Life is much better now but it is not my old wood handled Eye Brand.

I have enjoyed this thread, Thanks

Vernon
 
Not a great picture, but here is my Mooremaker sodbuster. It's a cosmetic second, and that's just fine with me as Mooremaker charges too much for this simple working knife. It's a good knife, I use it as my loaner and for jobs that I don't want to subject my "pretty" knives to.

customcarryrearsightai0.jpg
 
Update the Sodbuster Absolutely not

The one reason I bought this yellow handled knife, that I have been drooling over for to many years, and finaly just bit the bullet and got one in the CV bladed version. (the junior) To put a lock on it and a clip would make it a right handed knife. I am left handed. And the contemporary look of the knife would be ruined any way. I am saying this because someone up there mentioned that this would be a welcomed adition to the knife. I just agree to disagree.

What I really want to know is what do I do with my blade after soaking it in Dr. Pepper and that dark patina is on it. It feels rough to the touch when your finger is rubbed over it. Should I take 1500 grit wet dry sand paper and smooth it out with a paper and oil sanding. Do you have to fix the patina some how so it does not come off. Any input on this would be gratefully appreciated. And I must add, please long live the original Sod Buster shape and make. Please no thumb studs, clips and locks.

I would think a regular lock back on the knife would be a welcome addition but thumb studs and pocket clips would totaly not fit the pattern of this knife beautiful contemporary old fashioned knife. I hope they never do that. But even with all that said though I think even a lock back added would ruien the contompery look and feel of the knife. Simple nail nick knife for me please.

nativecajun
 
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I've come to a bit of a conclusion on thumb studs and clips: they definitely have their place. You can open most blades with a simple pinch, one handed, but sometimes it is nice to have very quick, one handed opening. As for clips, I'm really starting to like them. Don't get me wrong: I still carry my trad knives and SAKs, but I like to use a sheath or lanyard and carabiner to hold them up in the pocket. Having a big freaking knife lying horizontally in your pocket is just not comfortable.
If a clip ruins the aesthetic: so be it. With a single blade trapper in black Micarta, I wouldn't approach it with a clip at all. However, if you've got a wood handle Sodbuster, or better yet, and Opinel, you can mod with a clip all you want. In fact, I'm gonna see if I can do this, maybe with a stainless Op to use as a picnic knife.
But mainly, it just matters whether or not it gets the job done. Case in point: at a junk bin I bought a two-blade Imperial or some such peanut for about $5. Today, I was given a Kershaw Chive for Valentine's Day (my mom rocks.) Totally different knives: but both small and light, as they were designed to be, and both cut well. That's really all that matters in the long run.
 
Clips and studs

Yes clips have their place. In other peoples pockets. I am a lefty and most are designed for right handers. Plus I am just not a pocket clip person. I much prefer the knife just down in my pocket. Now do not get me wrong on studs. I have a CRKT M16-O3Z (AUS-4 SS blade) and it has this flipper on the back of the spine. Now that makes it truely ambidexterious. The blade and knife in general is a workhorse of a knife. A good 3.5 inch blade. I can be holding a piece of wood that came straight from the tablesaw and left a little tit of a piece of wood that did not get cut all the way off. I do not have to put the wood down. I just reach in my pocket and get out my O3Z and whittle it off. Yes when you do not have that flip out blade you soon know how much you used it. But for the asthetic and clasic value of the sod buster I would not want that set up. And I can tell just by sharpening the sod jr that the steel is a better quality. I am happy with my purchase. Now an automatic conversion would be a interest to me. Seems that would not change the look of the knife to much. And I think it would make a nice auto. But where I live you are not supposed to have one in your posession at all. So I prefer the standard version I suppose.

I just finished blueing the blade via Dr. Pepper style. I have a beautiful even patina on it now. I oiled it down for the night to make sure the corrosion prosess is stopped. I have a razor edge on it. I can not wait to start carring it for every day use. I may miss the flipper on the O3Z but I just love the clasic look of the sod buster. It's so much lighter in the pocket compared to the CRKT also.


Daniel AKA nativecajun
 
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I'll answer some PMs in this reply.

-For a little bit I have conducting an "experiment" , if you will with some other knives.
Those that know, keep it to yourself please, and I have something in mind when I do share.

-Umm, I do not have a yellow handle Case Sodbuster Jr with CV blades or a yellow handle Case Peanut with CV blades.
I "think" I have sorta convinced some folks these simple knives are proven, and are capable of a lot more, than some give these credit for being able to do.

-I do have one yellow handle, Case Barehead, Slimline Trapper, with CV blades, and the patina came naturally ( not forced).
It is put up, as I am as I said conducting an experiment , if you will.

These Simple knives are just that, simple, proven working knives.
Anything added, takes away from Simple.

These Sodbusters, work for left, or right handed folks as they come.
Comfortable in hand when used, and used hard and for a long time.
A clip "can" reduce the comfort, range of use in hand, and limit which hand the knife works best in.

While versions are made with a lock, the absence of a lock means easier to close, safely.

i.e. Feed sack in one hand, get Sodbuster out of pocket and open with the other hand ( yes, one handed) , cut feed sack , and close knife with one hand, drop in pocket, and distribute feed.

Simple and straightforward Case of Open and Shut.

I do the same thing with the Slimline Trapper- the single blade knives, such as Sodbuster, Sodbuster Jr and Slimline Trapper, allows some versatility a multi blade does not.

-Sodbuster Jr fits my hands best, and my pockets best.

-Re: Sharpening.
Eze Lap 600 grit diamond, used dry, stropped on my jeans leg, dry leather ( my belt) back of legal pad (dry, no compound) or newspaper.

These Eze Laps are small :
- credit card size,
-3x1" with the "hook groove" or
- Hone-n-Stone which has a surface area of 3/4" x 2"
(yes I have the Hone-n-Stone with Coarse, Med, Fine, Super Fine, and I find the Fine ( 600 grit ) takes care of 90% of my needs.

Hope that answers those that asked, and thanks for letting me share with others.

Steve
 
Case Baby Lima in CV

I also have a case baby lima. At least that is what I think they call it. It looks like a mini canoe to me.

I loaned it to my daughter and it came back "well lets say in not so prime condition" So I sanded it down (1500 grit wet-dry paper) and oiled it then wiped it clean. It has been in storage for couple of years minamum, and yes it did not rust again. It's patina is very blotchy but it never rusted again.

And it is in storage with one of the keenest edges of any knife I own. That steel is great what ever its scientific compound is.

And I must add, well said about the sod jr above. I did not even think of the clip being uncomfortable. And that is the case with most knives with clips. And even if they are reversable "for my left hand use" most are designed with more room for the stud for a right handed person in liner lock versions which most of them are now days. I have to shop so hard for a knife that is comfortable and of good quality because I am left handed. In other words if I did reverse the clip on a knife it would still be harder for me to open than a right handed person.

That is why my first thumb stud knife was a benchmade. With the axcis lock the thumb clearance is exactly the same on both sides. Well my son has that knife now. That is why I own the CRKT with the flipper on the spine. Did not want to pay for the over priced benchmades when half the cost is goiing for the name and that little butterfly symbol anyway.

I will carry this little sodbuster jr now. I would sure like a better explanation of how you would open the thing with one hand. I mean my jr is very stiff to open or close. I have oiled it and tried to work it sitting down instead of just twidling my thumbs. It is a little better now but I sure cannot see how one would open it with one hand.
 
Grace and Smith

TOO FUNNY



Love those sod busters
__________________
I just an ole sinner saved by Grace and protected by Smith & Wesson.
 
I've been carrying more modern style knives for a few years. Fast opening, all sorts of locks, pockets clips...air holes in the handle(why?). I've been wanting something simpler for a while now though, just the kind of guy I am. I read this thread a week or so ago and decided a Sodbuster might be for me. Well, I went out and bought a Case Sodbuster Jr. today, yellow handles and CV blade. It just feels right. :D
 
Carl Schlieper 99-YS

Greetings Gentlemen, I have been net-surfing for about an hour and I think I have found a forum that may help me to identify my "sodbuster. It is very similar to the pics on this page. It is a two blade Carl Schlieper model 99YS. The secondary blade is a saw-tooth. Its length open is 8.5 inches and it has a yellow handle. It has three "eyes", two on the brandmark and one at the base of the blade. The brand mark is enclosed in a "rectangle" with rounded ends which is different from the brand marks I have seen on the newer knives. The brand mark says "Hammer Forged, Carl Schlieper, Solingen Germany. I am curious to know anything about it.
Thanks, Donald
 
Donald-
Go over to bladeforums.com and look for the "bernard levine" section. They specialize in that type of question.
 
I paid 21.50 for my sodbuster jr and I love it for Dress carry it rides well and doesn't cause any concerns when presented for use. As some one said that is a FARM Knife like Grandpa carried.

Great Thread
 
New Sodbuster owner

And I've got a few questions for ya'll.

first of all, I just want to say that for the past year or so I've toted around a Kershaw Cyclone as my EDC, and loved it. However, I've been perusing the threads here for the past week or so, and have repeatedly come back to this thread. I never thought I'd own something like a Sodbuster, but not even an hour ago I picked up one of the $18 black handle/stainless models from Lowes.

I already love it. The feel is great, the looks are great, and the quality is quite evident. I can definitely see holding on to this little guy for quite awhile.

Anyway, getting to my questions. I noticed that when opening the knife, when the blade gets to about 3/4 of the way open, there is a slight feeling and sound of grittyness as it finishes it's travel. A very small amount of material came out from between the blade and the metal (brass?) liner of the knife itself. As I open and close it now, it seems to have gone away, but I was wondering if this is normal or if I should be trying to figure out how to open this thing up and clean it out. The stuff looked kinda like lint, but it might have been congealed grease or oil or something that just normally works it way out. I dunno.

Other than that, what kind of every-day care should I give it? I read the care and maintenance instructions on Case's site, but they didn't really touch upon daily maintenance (if any).

And finally, a question about steels. I know this particular knife is Stainless - 2137, to be exact. I guess I'm curious as to the advantages/disadvantages of Stainless over CV, and vice-versa. Did I make a mistake going for the Stainless version? Can I still create a patina on the blade if I want to?

Thanks for the help, folks. I'm really looking forward to getting to know this new addition to the family. Luckily I've got a birthday party/bonfire later tonight, so I'll have lots of packages to open and sticks to whittle for roasting marshmallows. :)
 
I carry the large Sod Buster in black. Comfortable to carry and to use, also it can be opened (and closed)one handed if necessary. I bought this one to replace an Eye Brand wooden handled one that I owned for nearly 50 years which disappeared in our final move to our rural property. When I am out working or on the tractor I also have a Leatherman on my belt.

To answer the question of opening one handed (which the Sod Buster was designed to do) I pinch the blade between thumb and fore finger, hook the end of the handle against the seam of my jeans and pull it open. Quick and easy also it gets easier as the knife wears in.

Vernon
 
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Well I feel right at home in this thread I bought My sod buster right out of boot camp in 1971,My drill instructor made us a believer in a external knife that was solid and workable ,well when I hit the PX every one of the Buck lock blades were sold(Grrrrr) so I bought the sod buster it has been on My hip ever since wore out 4 sheaths and it rests there with My lineman scissors which are as much a part of what I carry everyday as some peoples car keys,I feel naked without it,the knife has been in two fights and saves My hide both times it has stripped wire ,cut fire wood,trimmed finger nails and even pulled nails ,been used as a hammer a couple of times ,and I hope to pass it down to My son who is a Marine ,like the old TV add "It takes a licking ---and keeps on ticking"
 
New Owner

And I've got a few questions for ya'll.

first of all, I just want to say that for the past year or so I've toted around a Kershaw Cyclone as my EDC, and loved it. However, I've been perusing the threads here for the past week or so, and have repeatedly come back to this thread. I never thought I'd own something like a Sodbuster, but not even an hour ago I picked up one of the $18 black handle/stainless models from Lowes.

Congratulations!


I already love it. The feel is great, the looks are great, and the quality is quite evident. I can definitely see holding on to this little guy for quite awhile.

Hardly surprising. It's a lot more knife than it seems at first.


Anyway, getting to my questions. I noticed that when opening the knife, when the blade gets to about 3/4 of the way open, there is a slight feeling and sound of grittyness as it finishes it's travel. A very small amount of material came out from between the blade and the metal (brass?) liner of the knife itself. As I open and close it now, it seems to have gone away, but I was wondering if this is normal or if I should be trying to figure out how to open this thing up and clean it out. The stuff looked kinda like lint, but it might have been congealed grease or oil or something that just normally works it way out. I dunno.

If the crud has worked its way out and the action is clean, I wouldn't worry about it. I would not try to open it up.


Other than that, what kind of every-day care should I give it? I read the care and maintenance instructions on Case's site, but they didn't really touch upon daily maintenance (if any).

Just keep it clean. If any lint or other crud gets inside, just blow it out. If need be, you can use a Q-tip to get down inside the handle slot. Heck, you can even use dish soap and hot running water if you need to. If soap is involved, make sure it's rinsed clean. If you need to wash out the pivot, you can -- after drying -- add a drop of oil to the pivot. A light machine oil will do. I've used mineral oil, and that seems to work fine. Shucks, I've even used cooking oil. Wipe dry.


And finally, a question about steels. I know this particular knife is Stainless - 2137, to be exact. I guess I'm curious as to the advantages/disadvantages of Stainless over CV, and vice-versa. Did I make a mistake going for the Stainless version? Can I still create a patina on the blade if I want to?

The "2137" is the model number, indicating that it's a small, stainless sod buster. The type of stainless . . . I don't really know. They have a trade name for it (Tru-Sharp), but that doesn't really say what it is. It doesn't rust under normal use (can't say how it would do in salt water), and it takes and holds a good edge.

It's not a "super steel" but it is a good stainless. It will hack up a whole salad without making anything taste funny.

The Tru-Sharp stainless does not take a patina. The CV stuff will. (The CV steel is a high-carbon steel, non-stainless. It will rust if not kept clean. The blade will darken over time, or you can induce the patina yourself.)

They do still make the yellow/CV Sod Buster Jr. They have discontinued the large one in CV. They still make the large one in stainless.

Here's a comparison of the large and small yellow/CV sodbusters from my [post=4574279]earlier post in this thread[/post].

2008_0322-Knife030.jpg

You will find, if you get the large one as well, that it does very well in the kitchen. I make it a habit to use mine at every excuse for kitchen work. Cut up the ham for my dinner tonight with one.

BTW, both the large and small sodbusters make excellent steak knives. Better than the cutlery provided in steak houses. - :D


 
Will purchase a Sod Buster Jr.

After reading all the posts I decided that I need to go get a Sod Buster Jr. for "formal wear". The large one fits just find in my jeans but "prints" through in lighter trousers. The lumber yard that I buy from has a Case display so I will check there first then Lowes as a last resort.

Vernon
 
I joined this forum because of this topic.

I have been collecting knives since about 1972. Except for SAKs I haven't bought a slipjoint since probably 1983. I have dozens of knives from Buck, Gerber, Case, Spyderco, Al Mar, Strider, Benchmade, Emerson etc. Until recently I never really thought about buying anything other than a locking blade.

The idea of multibladed slipjoints still eludes me (seems redundant). Then I discovered the enthusiasm for the Sodbuster so I figured I'd pick one up and see why they have such a following. I wasn't able to find a full size one so right now I have a JR. I'm not into the patina thing so mine is SS. It really is a cool little knife. The full size is still on my list and I will get one soon.

There is a lot of bang for the buck in these knives and as I've read elsewhere the simplicity is a very attractive attribute. I still like my high-tech folders but something about these inexpensive workhorses also appeals to me.
 
Welcome

Stelth, welcome to The High Road.

And welcome to sodbusters.

If you look around, you will find examples of this design all the way from your basic $10 knife to those costing over $100.

It happens that there are even some current production locking sodbusters.

Here are a few from a recent search:

Böker Locking Sodbuster (Argentina) -- under $20
BOK01BO020.jpg

Moore Maker Locking Sodbuster (USA) -- about $50
3102lbcomp.jpg

Eye Brand Locking Sodbuster (Germany) -- about $100
EB-99DSL.jpg

 
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