All things traditional.

Ben Dover said:
...and the:barf: :barf: analog wrist watch:barf: :barf:

:D Outdoors people like us, i.e. knife and gun enthusiasts, tend to be traditional, but still like technology if it offers better quality.:D
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Ben Dover,

Why the double-barf on the analog wrist watch?

I like digitals also, and have a bunch, but I'm looking right
this moment at one of my Citizen divers watches...it looks great.
Works great too.

But of course it does not beep.;)
 
I despise digital watches. Anything built where you have to read the instruction manual a half dozen times to figure out how to set the stinkin' time correctly is very poor indeed. Analog, pull stem, set time, press stem, done. Can be set in a quarter of the time a digital can be done.

Modern "tactical" style knives will never be traditional. Doesn't matter how popular they are or how many sell today or tommorrow, they will not be a classic nor a traditional. Like todays automobiles. The "classics" are cars and trucks built from the 1930's through the very early 1970's. After that period they are just worn out junk cars, not worthy of preservation. A Spyderco or Benchmade zytel handled one hand opening pocket knife is a fine tool, and I am not going to criticize them nor the folks who choose to own such things, but fifty or one hundred years from now, those knives will NOT be classics nor traditional. Todays plastic stocked shiny stainless and pot metal framed firearms will not be either. They will be worn out and thrown away, replaced by a newer such object, not preserved and handed down generation to generation. Such objects have lost the soul that makes a classic, and have become tools, like a wrench or screwdriver. Something that is used to do a certain task, and then when used up, junked and replaced. There won't be any collections of "tactical" folders from today. Disagree if you will, but I fully believe that I am correct. I'm 41 years old, and IF I make it to 90 years old and see people searching out collections of zytel handled titanium linered one hand opening pocket clipped knives, then I'll be proven wrong and my opinion will change. ;)
 
Phil in Alabama said:
.. Modern "tactical" style knives will never be traditional. Doesn't matter how popular they are or how many sell today or tommorrow, they will not be a classic nor a traditional. Like todays automobiles. The "classics" are cars and trucks built from the 1930's through the very early 1970's. After that period they are just worn out junk cars, not worthy of preservation. A Spyderco or Benchmade zytel handled one hand opening pocket knife is a fine tool, and I am not going to criticize them nor the folks who choose to own such things, but fifty or one hundred years from now, those knives will NOT be classics nor traditional. Todays plastic stocked shiny stainless and pot metal framed firearms will not be either. They will be worn out and thrown away, replaced by a newer such object, not preserved and handed down generation to generation. Such objects have lost the soul that makes a classic, and have become tools, like a wrench or screwdriver. Something that is used to do a certain task, and then when used up, junked and replaced. There won't be any collections of "tactical" folders from today. Disagree if you will, but I fully believe that I am correct. I'm 41 years old, and IF I make it to 90 years old and see people searching out collections of zytel handled titanium linered one hand opening pocket clipped knives, then I'll be proven wrong and my opinion will change. ;)
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Phil in Alabama,
Thank you for a very well thought out and thoughtful post.. Extremely well stated. I write this not just because we merely agree.. But, moreover, because you are absolutely right!
 
stevekt said:
Sunny Delight is clearly modern tactical Orange Juice. :p
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I'm not quite sure I :rolleyes: resemble that remark, however, I do like fresh squeezed orange juice with my farm fresh eggs & bacon breakfast from time to time!.:yawn: :) :cool:
 
Jackknife I think your grandson is a lucky kid....my first knife was an SAK my dad gave me when I was very young. He was then killed when I was nine. My grandpa, who had suffered a stroke of sorts tried to take over and teach me the "old ways" and he did a pretty good job I think. I got my first muskrat from him....carbon steel and you didn't let it rust, etc.

I have always loved knives....I have always carried one (or more) and always gravitated back to traditional. I am an ancient 30 years old but my son came out to the shop while I was shaping the handle on an Opinel (he was looking for a scrap of wood to carve with the SAK he has responsibly carried for two years now) "Dad will you teach me how to make knife handles like that?"

So I think that tradition of loving the old ways will live on in my family. I will own up to owning a couple "modern knives"....but one is only carried for legal self defense.

I teach a very old Eastern European martial art and Survival training classes and am always scouting for "old-style" knives to teach the students with....after all you cant strike a decent spark with modern stainless off an axe head can you?
 
I can only speak for myself,but I have changed my pattern of collecting completely after many years of being on the same path.For the longest I was into tactical everything including guns.I couldn't stand having a shotgun with wood stocks,had to change everything out to black plastic,and sidesaddles,nylon tactical slings.Glocks,H & K,high capacity handguns,Tactical holsters,backpacks,clothing,jackets,boots etc.etc.
I'm 37 years old now,All of a sudden lately,I have little interest in all that stuff.I find myself attracted to slipjoints,lock-backs by Queen,Schatt etc. Fixed blades like stag handles hunters,leather instead of nylon,Firearms with nice blueing,and wood furniture. Handgun interest has diverted to revolvers,Duluth type canvas packs,Carhartt & Filson Jackets/clothing.
I have Kinda turned more into my Dad and Grandfather as far as what interests me.I guess, I'm now interested in what has classic looks,traditional, basic functional attributes.Maybe I'm just getting old?
 
I just cam across this thread but felt it worthy of a new post. I am in my thirties and starting to feel the same way about "modern" knives. I feel like selling them and replacing them with traditional pocket knives. The only thing that is stopping me is the "just in case" factor. In other words, if needed I could use the more modern knife for self defense (I think). Since I have not had any training in such things maybe I shouldn't worry about the "just in case" factor.

So back to the show. I just really find this thread very interesting and think it's funny that I am feeling the same way. I'm drawn to the old style pocket knives and the new Ford Mustangs that look like a 1970 Mustang. The new Camaro will look like a 1969 Camaro. Same with the Challenger from Dodge. It will look like an older Challenger.

I guess old is new again.
 
Here is my 2p worth. An old Barlow, for e.g., was not a tactical knife by the definitions provided here. It was not designed to achieve a specific goal or objective. I say it was 'practical', that is, designed to achieve a wide variety of important daily tasks and objectives. However, if one defines the goal as cutting something, then all knives are tactical and the debate is over. What is 'traditional' that is another debate. Plastic has a tradition back to the late 1800s. The use of bone, wood, stag for tools has a tradtion dating back into the mists of time. They are different traditions... like comparing, dare I say, apples and oranges. By the way, essential reading for anyone interested in the history of 'plastic' may be found at the following site. http://www.plastiquarian.com/ Sorry for the rambling... I've had a few glasses of knice Australian Shiraz. One thing that is clear from my reading of this site is that 'celluloid' is often misued in the context of describing knife handles. Now way off topic so signing off. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
 
I'm 33 years old, so I'm not really old or young. I do have an opinion on why some things that are considered "retro" seem to be getting some notice. These objects all (with the exception of the new VW Beetle) seem to have a well thought out design that meets it's owner's requirements with a nice balance of form and function. Tactical folders don't really fit the bill for me because whipping open a blade really quick isn't a task I need accomplished. For that matter, I will not be purchasing a stiletto anytime soon. I do need a sharp blade to cut with from time to time and a Schrade 12OT, or a 194OT can sit in my coat pockets along with a zippo and come in very handy throughout my day.

I do collect older patterns that I don't use - like a Canal Street ring opener or an Edge Brand fixed blade - mostly because the design appeals to me and the craftsmanship and attention to detail is something that I appreciate. So, times change but maybe people don't really. The next generation may have more in common with individuals from two generations ago than with their own parents... I know I do.
 
kevins73cigars said:
.
I do collect older patterns that I don't use - like a Canal Street ring opener or an Edge Brand fixed blade - mostly because the design appeals to me and the craftsmanship and attention to detail is something that I appreciate.
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I have a question. Given the sentiment expressed above, which I whole-heartedly agree with by the way, why buy a modern repro of a ring-turn knife for e.g.? One could buy originals of the same design that meet all the criteria mentioned and also have a 'history' associated with them. No judgement implied, just wondering.
 
about the disposable knives bit brought up at the begginning...

my dad still has his grandfather's knife. the knife is incredibly old, and the scales at one time broke, so he (my great grandfather) took them off and put on new scales himself (he was a carpenter as a hobby). he liked the knife, so when it broke he fixed it. with one of the new tacticals, as said, if it breaks, you just buy a new one. no wonder the landfills are so full...
 
I'm a pretty young guy- something I've made a known fact several times around here. I don't have any of the $100+ folders tactical or modern, in reality I have 1 knife in that price range. Ironically, it is a custom modified Skean Dhub pattern knife, in carbon and wood. Handmade in New Zealand. I EDC a Buck 373 Spartan. It is nothing more than a $15 stockman, my very early knife having a 440 blade and wood scales. I also edc a Vic Spartan. Both knives seem to have a heart that my tactical EDC is void of. That said even my tactical EDC did not, until recently have black plastic handles. I carried one that was solid, metal with handsome wood inlays. The first fixed blade I bought was a Kabar 1226. My first fixed blade, given by my father shortly after I got my hunting license, was a Mora. The largest modification was the addition rubber balloon to protect the wood handle from blood- the knife was to be used in butchering small game critters- primarily squirrels. It is like those advertised by Ragweed as being used by many Swedish youth. I have a number of vintage slipjoints, some in better condition than others. All were inexpensive and have definetely seen better days. But, those have a lot of heart, and history- they are fun to slip into the pocket every now and then. Even my multi tools are by and large traditional. My go-to's are the Leatherman Micra and PST.

Lighters- I don't smoke. However I found that they area handy tool to have around. It's one of those things that you "every man should have". I have had Bic's and I didn't like them. They were plastic and I have a nasty habit of accidently destroying them. I carry a Zippo. No fancy paintjobs, or logos. Mine is brushed chrome. There is something about that lighter that says America, the design has remained much the same for the last 60 years. Yet, they are still made in Bradford PA. Despite them being antiquated technology and crap as some put it, I like mine. Not something I would willingly give up.

With guns, I like wood stocks and blued steel. I shoot a CZ Trainer model. It's almost as traditional as you can get on the .22 bolt gun makret. I like Marlin .39's- what nice guns they are. There is something about the battle rifles from the Second World War that is appealing to me. I don't like inline muzzle loaders. My favorite black powder Rifle is an old Dixie Plains Rifle, that had a peep sight added years ago. That rifle was made in the late 1960's. I hunt with a Traditions. Until this year I hunted with a wood/blue rifle. The new one is platic and nicle, still a side lock. I'm not going to say that I don't like modern stuff too. The "black rifles" are nice- fun to shoot and definetely have applications.
 
jackknife said:
I could be wrong in this, as I know I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandalier, but it seems to me that old traditional stuff is making a comeback all across the board. Why do I think this?
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Nothing but silver and black gets old pretty quick! I have a few Spyderco models in my collection and I'm pretty much done with "tacticals" for a while. I need variety in my life. So many of the knives produced by Benchmade, Kershaw and Spyderco, etc. look nearly the same to me. I avoided tacticals for years then decided to try a few(least mall-ninja looking models available). I must admit that I'm getting bored with the lack of variety in handle shape and material. I've recently gone back to looking at traditional slipjoint knives.
 
smiling-knife said:
I have a question. Given the sentiment expressed above, which I whole-heartedly agree with by the way, why buy a modern repro of a ring-turn knife for e.g.? One could buy originals of the same design that meet all the criteria mentioned and also have a 'history' associated with them. No judgement implied, just wondering.
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Well, I wanted to try out Canal Street and support small business here in NY, so I gave them a try. The ring opener seemed pretty interesting to me (first one I'd ever seen) and it wasn't ridiculously expensive, so I gave them a shot.

I like the quality, I will be a customer again.
 
I too. am guilty of collecting as much 'tactical' cool guy modern stuff as i could as well...and now find myself, semi reverting back to the stuff i liked initially.
Original colt single action army .45 LC vs the doublestack 'wondernine' with tac light and gee-whiz, radioactive night sights and saltspray resistant finishes, or my spyderco military vs. my old Case rosewood trapper w/ serrated spey blade or my victorinox 'tinker'... or my gerber camp axe vs. my atc ranger tomahawk.. or my newer issue load bearing vest, in camoflage nylon, vs. my old favorite, the M1956 canvas load bearing equipment w/ classic H harness instead...
My excuse was, my curiosity. I had to find out what all the hype was. I did, and found out that the old phrase "If it aint broke, dont fix it" still applies. Now dont get me wrong. Alot of the time, this newer, more modern equipment does outperform the old school stuff, but that all sorta depends on the user in a way too. I think the old school stuff, were built by men, that had pride and work ethics. I dont believe that those older gentlemen in the 40's and 50's came to work, with the notion of intentionally making things that wont last as long, as to preserve their jobs in the future.. I think they went to work, with the mindset, that theyre going to design and build the highest quality product they possibly could.
And with this mindset, its no wonder why half the crap you buy today, ends up in the trash bin within the decade, and all the old knives, cars, guns, tools and machines from 4 and 5 decades ago, are still going strong.. There was definitely a different mentality years ago. True, it wasnt good for stimulating the economy, but they sure made some solid stuff back then. I dont think they knew how good they had it to be honest lol.
Ill echo some of the sediments that were in some posts before this one... Just because its old, doesnt necessarily mean its not good. Dont discount that old crap sittin in the garage, or in your junk drawer. They made stuff to last back then. And it may just outlast your new high speed benchmade, or kershaw.
 
I like the traditional folders cause it's what my dad and granddad carried, and the first knife I ever owned as well.

That said, If I expect to be out working amongst folks and expect to need to use a knife, I carry my traditional style knife(knives), but I will always carry a Spydie delica also for two reasons... very heavy or rough nasty cutting work, or in case someone wants to borrow my knife, I hand them the spydie.
 
I alternate between a Benchmade 710/Sequel and a Spyderco Viele 2/Military for my EDC, but I just like all the old patterns. Right now I only have a Queen Mountain Man, Stockman and a Case stockman, but I plan on stocking up on most of the Queen produced traditionals.

I like the modern designs, I really like the feel of G10 on a modern folder, like the Military or 710, but those old designs just have character.
 
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