A Few Questions

[MattyLav]

Hey Everyone,
Im new to traditional knives, and the Traditional forum and now i'm starting to see how cool these knives are. So my questions are what makes a traditional knife traditional? And i know about Case and Camillias, But are Kissing Crane and Rough Rider traditional as well?
I apologize if these questions are annoying and Nooby.
Thanks for your time

 

[Rsmith_77]

lol this question has come up before.
and the general consensus is "anything that is made from traditional materials in a manner consistent with pre-modern methods" or you'll know it when you see it

i know thats not a whole lot of help, so how about, a knife that you could see your grandfather or great grandfather pulling out his pocket and using...

 

[MattyLav]

lol this question has come up before.
and the general consensus is "anything that is made from traditional materials in a manner consistent with pre-modern methods" or you'll know it when you see it

i know thats not a whole lot of help, so how about, a knife that you could see your grandfather or great grandfather pulling out his pocket and using...

Thank you, actually that was very helpful

 

[MattyLav]

Oh and im kinda still wondering, is something like the Victornox Classic traditional?

 

[knarfeng]

The Description of the Traditional Forum at the top of the page gives a pretty good definition:
Forum: Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades
Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs

It's the design.
One hand opening, thumb studs, pocket clips, blades with holes in them, these are not traditional designs.

Trappers, stockman patterns, pen knives, jack knives, etc, these are traditional patterns.

The blade alloys may be PM alloys (in customs) or they may be simple carbon steel.
The covers (scales) may be modern materials or bone.

But the pattern (shape of handle and shape of blades) is what marks the knife as traditional.

 

[knarfeng]

The Vic Classic could be categorized as a Lobster design, which is Traditional.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Also, there are exceptions to rules. A Scagle slipjoint can have an ovoid hole instead of a nail nick or long pull and that is traditional. If you see one, though, it will be obvious it is not a modern looking design.

I would also add that many traditional makers use modern materials in classic slip joints, like g10, lightning strike carbon fiber, micarta, etc. The designs are still what I consider "traditional"

Welcome!