So I'm trying to put together a list of all-star traditional folding knives or at least folding knife designs. I'm not really looking for what people think are the best knifes or some rare custom that a billionaire commissioned. What are the iconic commercial knives from the last say 150 years?
I'm sure Case would have one or two on the list: possibly the Sodbuster, Trapper or Stockman. Opinel would come in from Europe, with production starting 120 or so years ago and continuing until today. The Buck 110 possibly?
What else?
I'm going to stray a bit from the folding criteria and am going to stick more in the traditional camp. Also going to stick to mass produced knives.
In terms of fixed blades, I would name the Marbles Ideal. My understanding is that this was the (or among the) first to bring together this size of blade, stacked leather handles and pommel.
Nice short article here:
http://masterwoodsman.com/2013/classic-camping-knives/
Right along these lines, I would also mention the Ka-Bar fighting/utility knife. This, along side of the Marbles style hunting knife I think redefined the term "bowie knife" from a huge meat processing/fighting knife to the Bowie-style hunting knife.
I would say the Barlow, particularly the Russel Barlow, should be on the list, at least relative to the Barlow's standing in American culture. My understanding is that it was at the Russel company that this pattern got matched up with early mass production.
The Buck 110 definitely needs to be on the list. Yes, there may have been locking folders prior to the 110 and yes, there were big folding hunters before the 110, but I think it's clear that the 110 really set the stage for the broad adoption of locking folders.
Buck 110 by
Pinnah, on Flickr
In the US, I think you safely call the 4 blade "Boy Scout Knife" an iconic knife. Many makers and variants.
I struggle with the plastic scaled Swiss Army Knife. Not because I don't think it's iconic. Not only is the knife an icon but the branding is a global icon. But I struggle with thinking of the snap on plastic scale SAK as a traditional knife. To me (and just to my eyes) it sits uncomfortably on the boundary between traditional and modern.
OK, I'll mention 2 non-traditionals... I think the first Spyderco (the O2?) and first Leatherman were both clearly influential icons, but that's the sum total of the discussion of these that I'm willing to say. If your question is about non-traditionals and pursuing stuff in that vein, I would advocate moving or reposting the question to the general forum.
