Are there any 'modern' advancements that would make traditionals better

Fish30114

Fish30114

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I have been renewing my interest in traditional knives recently. This got me to wondering, are there 'modern' features that could be utilized in newly made traditionals that would enhance them? I.E. what would a slipjoint do if it had bearings in the pivot? And is it just 'wrong' to put a framelock on an otherwise traditional barlow say? I have bought quite a few customs in my day, and I have to say, my personal choice of materials, and bearings in my folders are two things I find very enjoyable.

I realize this may be blasphemy here in this forum--if so just let me know--no offense intended.
 
Imo, the advancements to traditionals has been an ongoing thing. I mean, frame locks, thumb studs, and anything else one has seen added onto folding knives, have been advancements added to the basic traditional knife ideas of the past. So, the way I see it, model T Ford, right up to the latest Mercedes Benz, are all a continuation in advancement of the automobile. So, though I like more hands on, and less machine/computer work, more natural material, less synthetics, more old style function, less new function advancements.... the new stuff is all basically just advancing old stuff. For nostalgic reasons, I prefer the older less advanced knives, but they really are all related :-)
 
Yes. You could make traditionals better by giving them locks, one handed opening, and pocket clips. :rolleyes: Carbon fiber scales would be good too.
 
Don't see bearings as much help because it's more pressure from the backspring making the blade not swing freely. They'd just add more pockets for dirt to collect, in my estimation anyway.

But then again, it depends how far from traditional you swing. If you just keep the basic idea, you can get pretty modern with it, and bearings could be more than useless. One that came to mind is this one by Alan Davis: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...w-Custom-EDC-by-Alan-Davis!-What-do-you-think

I wouldn't call that knife a traditional, but it has an influence from such knives for sure. Doing something like that (plus frame lock plus bearings) might be what you're looking for. And it'd be pretty cool.
 
I think too much messing with the stew can change the taste.

I'm not against some modernization, and there has been materials developed that are far superior to what our grandfathers had available. Handle materials in modern synthetics can be a good thing for someone who just wants a rugged using knife. My old Buck 301 with the saw cut delrin scales stood up to over two decades of use. And certainly the yellow handles we love so dearly are more durable than the jigged bone that has the edge in beauty. But for those of us who like the antigue or old time stuff, dose want to change the recipe? The whole point of driving a restored car is the feel and flavor of the era. If we add all the modern technology, then eventually we end up with a 1952 Chevy that drives like a 2013 Toyota. It just looks like the old one, with no feel or flavor of the 50's.

I would say, that with the sole exception of scale material, I wouldn't want the modern stuff going too far into the old style stuff. Using a slip joint makes you appreciate how grandpa did the job without a lock that would hold the weight of the Titanic. Or having carbon steel that you actually have to take care of, like wiping it down when done and putting a little oil on it now and then. Too much modern materials actually loose something I call character. Quirks, that make it interesting.
 
A knife with pivot bearings is no longer a "traditional" knife, imo. And whether bearings represent a real 'advancement' or not is a matter of opinion. In decades of using knives, I can't say that I have ever felt that any of my folding knives were suffering any functionality by lacking pivot bearings.

As far as locks go, liner locks and lockback designs can be found on folding knives going back quite some time.
 
Personally, I want a modern folder with an Opinel-style blade, but in a nifty PM steel for absolutely optimal cutting performance. I'd be perfectly fine if it was a slipjoint, but give it one-hand opening and a pocket clip and I'd be quite content.
 
boker--01bo730.jpg


The Boker Urban Trapper is the first thing that comes to mind after reading your description but as you can see it kinda just looks like any other modern folder.
 
I find Spyderco's Slipit line a fascinating modification to the slip joint. Unfortunately for me, Spyderco does not seem interested in making traditional looking knives; but I think a jack with this mechanism in some nice shaved carbon fiber (or your choice of handle) would be brilliant. Opening would probably be two handed, but closing would be one handed.
 
marcinek said:
Yes. You could make traditionals better by giving them locks, one handed opening, and pocket clips. :rolleyes: Carbon fiber scales would be good too.
Click to expand...

It may seem a small detail, but one thing I like about traditionals over "modern" is just this--I don't need to worry about changing a pocket clip, tightening any pivots, or passing the knife up if the thumb studs or opening hole aren't right. Traditionals allow me to get a quality... well, traditional... feel that can emphasize beauty, functionality and convenience, all with an absolute minimum of fuss. What's not to love?

Carbon fiber scales on a traditional... go on and write a horror movie why don'tcha? ;)
 
I like the way you put it Jackknife, 'Character' I do also like the 'quirks' such as having to care for your steel etc. And my actual favorite handle materials are the various burled woods and Sambar stag. I also agree that all knives are related and are progressions of what came before. I'm still very fond of the memories I have of my granddad carrying a Barlow, and my Pop's often having a stockman in one of his pockets, despite him being an exec with IBM.
 
While your theory and idea is good, Fish, I think 'traditionals' or 'slip joints' are always going to remain a separate category in the knife world.

If you want frame lock, stud opening and bearings you just buy a, as you say, "modern," tactical design. That's why the two distinct categories exist.
 
Fish30114 said:
I have been renewing my interest in traditional knives recently. This got me to wondering, are there 'modern' features that could be utilized in newly made traditionals that would enhance them? I.E. what would a slipjoint do if it had bearings in the pivot? And is it just 'wrong' to put a framelock on an otherwise traditional barlow say? I have bought quite a few customs in my day, and I have to say, my personal choice of materials, and bearings in my folders are two things I find very enjoyable.

I realize this may be blasphemy here in this forum--if so just let me know--no offense intended.
Click to expand...

Any such changes would simply render the knife a "non-traditional" piece. The key to this entire thing is that traditional pocketknives are "traditional" by the manner in which they are made, and the materials which they are made from. Switching to new mechanical features such as bearings, fasteners, pivot bolts, etc would not result in a traditional knife in any sense of the word. I think GEC and CSC, Case, and others are about as modernized as it will get.
 
I had a big long explanation typed out then I red Rev's post above. Nuff said.

:)
 
I love lots of things about traditionals.

I love the materials, the memories, the "gestalt", whatever.

But I think I love the most the whole idea that years ago guys bought decent tools (knives) at gas stations and dime stores and that most all guys dropped one in their pocket and carried it. The steel was carbon and it had been worked with for so long that even inexpensive knives had a decent steel and could be kept like a razor.

Carrying a knife was not a big deal.

If a change kept that whole concept and made the slipjoints cheaper and more ubiquitous. And if it didn't change them to be "flashy" or mall ninja like, I could deal with it.

I'd love a nice, sturdy, workhorse Barlow with a screw pivot I could adjust blade play out with.

I would still want the more strictly traditional craft knives as well, of course.

Right now I own one, just one, modern.

I could see a work knife hybrid. I'd still want it to walk and talk like a traditional.
 
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