What Makes A Gentleman Folder A Gentlemans Folder?

[HFinn]

I would also be interested in a "gentlemans knife", 3-4 inch blade with bolstered design, modified spear point or drop point, organic material scales, high end materials. One hand opening. So a slightly ungentleman size and shape but still classy. Al Mar Eagle shape but slightly smaller.

[Nauplios]

A one-handed opener is not a gentleman's knife. Period. You can be a gentleman and carry a one-handed, thumb hole or blade-stud knife if you want to, but they are not what is known as a "gentleman's knife." There is a difference. And calling a knife with a 4-inch blade a gentleman's knife, as referenced above--um, no.

[HFinn]

A one-handed opener is not a gentleman's knife. Period. You can be a gentleman and carry a one-handed, thumb hole or blade-stud knife if you want to, but they are not what is known as a "gentleman's knife." There is a difference. And calling a knife with a 4-inch blade a gentleman's knife, as referenced above--um, no.

So a gentlemans knife is something bordering on ridiculously small but nice looking, that can cut thread and sharpen a pencil? An almost useless piece of male jewelry?

[Nauplios]

So a gentlemans knife is something bordering on ridiculously small but nice looking, that can cut thread and sharpen a pencil? An almost useless piece of male jewelry?

Not quite that radical, but yes, it is relatively quite small (almost always under 3 1/2" and pens and peanuts can certainly qualify). They are not to be thought of as a knife that can "do it all", but a competent small one or two blade knife that can handle many/most small tasks. Just like a handkerchief, they would reside on the gentleman at all times, yet be unobtrusive and not bulge out the pocket of nice, thin worsted wool suit pants or slacks.

For larger tasks, gentlemen have larger knives and tools. But those are not what is in the pocket 24/7. I know it sounds funny, but when you think "gentleman's knife", try and imagine that Dos Equis beer actor in the commercials--the "most interesting man in the world". Try to imagine what knife he would have on his person at all times. Surely he is no stranger to all types of knives and blades in his worldly adventures, but try and imagine what he is carrying when he's nicely dressed and has a beautiful woman on both sides of him.

[bullet08]

looking at that most interesting man in the world, he would likely have becker 14 stuck on small of his back. but probably has mnandi in his pocket.

[HFinn]

Surely he is no stranger to all types of knives and blades in his worldly adventures, but try and imagine what he is carrying when he's nicely dressed and has a beautiful woman on both sides of him.

Well that explains it

What I mean is that a "gentlemans knife" can be something other than an upper class, non agressive looking implement that will not scare anyone. But this is just my opinion. What is needed is "class" and that is difficult to pin down. Depends on the individual taste, I quess. There must be a well made, classy folder with a 3-4 inch blade that would fit my taste.

[Nauplios]

I think we're confusing who can call themselves a gentleman with what is/was traditionally know as a "gentleman's knife". Those are two different things. I've always considered "gentleman's knife" as a descriptive category of knife, not that you can't be a gentleman without carrying one.

[BePrepared]

The gentleman carrying the knife

[Sonnydaze]

What makes a gentleman's folder is the gentleman carrying it.

Sir, a gentleman with a Strider Smf is NOT carrying a gentleman's folder.
IMHO

[Bigfatts]

I do not see why being a one handed opener would bar a knife as being a gentleman's knife.

[BePrepared]

Sir, a gentleman with a Strider Smf is NOT carrying a gentleman's folder.
IMHO

semantics my friend... but then, what gentleman would carry a strider

*TOTALLY kidding by the way

[HFinn]

If needed, why can't a gentleman have something like this:


Then in a more peacefull environment he can carry this:

[Robert Carter]

Class, style, high end materials and easily carried. A gentlemens folder should clearly say something about the guy pulling it out his pocket. It should say this man clearly enjoys the finer things in life. You buy one because you can

[Robert Carter]

Check out joe Pardue and Mel Pardue and some of my knives on my Flickr account in my signature line.

[HFinn]

Check out joe Pardue and Mel Pardue and some of my knives on my Flickr account in my signature line.

Now we are talking. This is what I mean.

[apintandafight]

I'd go buy a poutine and an opinel

Edit: oh my, I've found myself in the wrong thread. To the OP, I would say the gentlemans folder has sexy, non-tacticool lines

I think poutine makes a gentleman's folder a gentleman's folder.

[hardheart]

Specifically what exactly is a gentleman's folder? What makes it a gentleman's Folder?
Thanks

as this thread clearly shows, it should
1. be a knife
2. fold
Beyond that, there is absolutely no consensus whatsoever. Just personal opinion which may lead to a very tenuous groupthink confined to one thread on one discussion board.

[Jack Black]

Don't think it needs to be anything longer than something that can sharpen a lady's pencil to mark her dance-card, or perhaps her eyebrow pencil, or to peel or slice a piece of fruit perhaps.

[Mike Anders]

as this thread clearly shows, it should
1. be a knife
2. fold
Beyond that, there is absolutely no consensus whatsoever. Just personal opinion which may lead to a very tenuous groupthink confined to one thread on one discussion board.

Well said.

[HFinn]

I prefer something a bit more traditional, but this might be a modern gent's knife with lock and one hand opening. With fancier scales this is nice. It is small, if that is a must.