Building the collection... What would you consider the iconic knives in US culture?

[johnwitwer]

As far as "iconic" goes, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a knife more embedded in American culture as a SAK. Leathermans were extremely predominant as well.

 

[A Justice]

I understand what you're wanting to do OP, I'm not sure everybody else does - it's basically what you said about being knives that the masses would recognize, but certain qualifiers (like the rules on Bladeforums, you're a knifemaker if you make knives, but these qualifiers exclude or include you - same thing, it's a recognizable knife to the masses, but they have to qualify as iconic and qualify for an "iconic collection"). Some of the previous replies are concentrating on today (Spyderco and Benchmade??), but to build this collection you have to account for history, and the knives that knife enthusiasts see as iconic are almost never what the core market sees as iconic - the people that use knives like stag handles and 440c much more than we do - and they don't see the SPydero Military as a benchmark model.

I would say some of the lists are pretty close.

Buck 110
Case Trapper- Probably several Case models are more recognizable than any other model by any other maker. Hawkbill, Sharks Tooth, Peanut, Toothpick
Case Peanut
Ka-Bar
Fairbarn Sykes Dagger
SAK
Schrade Uncle Henry Stockman
Bowie Knife (Not sure what brand or model though)
Marbles Ideal - The Fixed blade stag handled hunting knife that others were crediting Buck with



I'm going to give you some others to consider - these models aren't quite as timeless (although they are timeless), and all had a time when they enjoyed immense popularity. It's an expansion, and would constitute a more complete collection - however, you'll never complete this type of collection because there is always a knife that was only a little less popular than the last one, and there's always another knife coming up that will surpass the last in the future.

Busse TGLB - Became renown whe the Walking Dead came to fame
Russell Canadian Belt Knife - Knives of Alaska makes a model called the Xtreme Yukon #1, the type is very popular with hunters and trappers
HI Kuhkri - THe Ghurkas are world renowned, and are most associated with their knife. With the 2 major wars last decade, they're as popular as ever
Randall Model 1- Randall Made Knives were the iconic premium knife brand for decades, and are still widely known today
Loveless Drop Point- Loveless played a major role in moving toward the modern market, and was widely known among average people
Chris Reeve Sebenza- It is becoming a status symbol that is reaching across the barrier of knife collecting only - it's becoming a status symbol
William Henry - Much the same with Chris Reeve knives, William Henry is crossing over as a high end EDC company
Nessmuk
Opinel - It's still a very popular model
Mora
Japanese Tanto
A Bayonet for the M4

 

[crom]

The black bake lite handled bucks. The 110 and its legion of copies. Scout pattern, jack knife, and Italian stiletto.

 

[flatblackcapo]

One of these Schrade Walden paratrooper autos. They are pretty low quality but many Americans would recognize this model.

 

[mmarkh]

Make sure you have all the different locking mechanisms represented

 

[gytheran]

I understand what you're wanting to do OP, I'm not sure everybody else does - it's basically what you said about being knives that the masses would recognize, but certain qualifiers (like the rules on Bladeforums, you're a knifemaker if you make knives, but these qualifiers exclude or include you - same thing, it's a recognizable knife to the masses, but they have to qualify as iconic and qualify for an "iconic collection"). Some of the previous replies are concentrating on today (Spyderco and Benchmade??), but to build this collection you have to account for history, and the knives that knife enthusiasts see as iconic are almost never what the core market sees as iconic - the people that use knives like stag handles and 440c much more than we do - and they don't see the SPydero Military as a benchmark model.

I would say some of the lists are pretty close.

Buck 110
Case Trapper- Probably several Case models are more recognizable than any other model by any other maker. Hawkbill, Sharks Tooth, Peanut, Toothpick
Case Peanut
Ka-Bar
Fairbarn Sykes Dagger
SAK
Schrade Uncle Henry Stockman
Bowie Knife (Not sure what brand or model though)
Marbles Ideal - The Fixed blade stag handled hunting knife that others were crediting Buck with



I'm going to give you some others to consider - these models aren't quite as timeless (although they are timeless), and all had a time when they enjoyed immense popularity. It's an expansion, and would constitute a more complete collection - however, you'll never complete this type of collection because there is always a knife that was only a little less popular than the last one, and there's always another knife coming up that will surpass the last in the future.

Busse TGLB - Became renown whe the Walking Dead came to fame
Russell Canadian Belt Knife - Knives of Alaska makes a model called the Xtreme Yukon #1, the type is very popular with hunters and trappers
HI Kuhkri - THe Ghurkas are world renowned, and are most associated with their knife. With the 2 major wars last decade, they're as popular as ever
Randall Model 1- Randall Made Knives were the iconic premium knife brand for decades, and are still widely known today
Loveless Drop Point- Loveless played a major role in moving toward the modern market, and was widely known among average people
Chris Reeve Sebenza- It is becoming a status symbol that is reaching across the barrier of knife collecting only - it's becoming a status symbol
William Henry - Much the same with Chris Reeve knives, William Henry is crossing over as a high end EDC company
Nessmuk
Opinel - It's still a very popular model
Mora
Japanese Tanto
A Bayonet for the M4

Yep, you get my meaning.

And I also agree with some of the other list as well. I would be willing to bet that in other countries (especially in Europe), the Mora and Opinel would be on the list. They're just not as widely known here.

Here's another potential... what about a J. Marttiini filet knife?

 

[Quapukulu]

The only Spyderco I have seen in American movies is probably the Civilian. it was used in the 2004 Marvel Punisher movie, apparently Russian mercenaries like the Civilian. Even my roommate who has seen my knives asked me," iIs that the harpy or the civilian?"

 

[marcinek]

Here's another potential... what about a J. Marttiini filet knife?

Would "the masses" recognize it as a filet knife? Maybe. As a J. Marttiini filet knife? Nope.

I think you are projecting our interest in knives onto the masses.

If you put a pile of knives in front of Bob Randomguy, the "hits" you will most likely get from him are "Swiss Army knife," "pocket knife," "Rambo knife," "ninja sword," "switchblade," "machete," and whatever kitchen knives and cutlery are in the pile. Maybe some other stuff...Bowie knife, "Buck" knife, etc

If the Rambo knife is an original Lile or a 15 buck Pakistani really wont make any difference.

So...I guess it's all about whether you want the collection to include examples of knives "the masses" will recognize or good examples of the knives "the masses" will recognize. (And how do you come up with a good example of the gas station knives most people are familiar with?)

 

[gytheran]

If you put a pile of knives in front of Bob Randomguy...

The J. Marttiini is not projecting anything. It is a knife that's been part of my life for nearly thirty years and was a question, not a statement of fact. This is a discussion... a sort of back and forth of ideas.

I don't really think you understand the premise here or are just upset I asked you questions about your "iconic" US knife. Its pretty easy to understand the group of people I'm targeting and if you look through this thread, there are many people who get it. I have also tried to explain it over and over again. Where is the misunderstanding? Do you not understand there is a much larger group of knife enthusiasts outside the knife community online that is not well versed on the brands and knives WE deal with on a constant basis here? This is an exercise in coming up with a few easily-recognizable knives or knife designs for the casual knife enthusiast... not some random schmuck off the street. There are many types of knives, as have been listed here, that fit the bill. Even the Stiletto you suggested would be recognizable, but why would it have to be a cheap version of it? It's 'OK' if you don't agree with the idea... but please don't troll with the likes of "Ginsu" or "Gas Station Knives."



The purpose of this is not about making a collection solely from the knives on this list. I already have a collection of quality knives(of many kinds...). This is suppose to be a lighthearted discussion about easily recognizable knives or knife designs embedded in US culture. Adding some of these knives that are easily recognizable to lesser knife enthusiasts than ourselves creates a sort of connection, involvement, and interest with those people when showing off "The Collection." This discussion is purely meant for fun and is suppose to incite memories of knives we grew up with or distinctly remember before the time of the great 'Internet Knife Community.'

 

[aquaman67]

What about Spyderco's first knife - the Worker?



If you use a pocket clip, this knife is why.

 

[crom]

I knew about the Delica and Endura way before I ever heard of the Worker. It may be iconic to people who are knife guys but that's where it stops I think. Trying to remember how I came across Syyderco is difficult, but around the same time I started noticing the holey blades in a local knife case a good friend of mine had a few of the first models I ever handled, that would have been around 1992 or so, bought my first soon thereafter.

 

[marcinek]

Where is the misunderstanding? Do you not understand there is a much larger group of knife enthusiasts outside the knife community online that is not well versed on the brands and knives WE deal with on a constant basis here? This is an exercise in coming up with a few easily-recognizable knives or knife designs for the casual knife enthusiast...

The misunderstanding of the level of sophistication you are apparently looking for is coming from your parameters. First it was

Ok... I'm looking for the quintessential knives that even non-knife people would recognize...

then it was

My goal was easily identifiable blades to add to the collection for non knife nuts to recognize.

and now its "the casual knife enthusiast" all with "the masses" thrown in every once and a while.

I don't know if "the casual knife enthusiast" who buys his stuff at Cabelas or Wally World is gonna know what a William Henry or Busse is, or is going to know enough about knife history to know/identify a Marbles Ideal or a FS dagger.

They probably know Gerber and probably are crazy for their Bear Grylls stuff. Maybe some of that and a Paraframe. And I'm sure they would be Cold Steel enthusiasts....I have no idea what a "quintessential" CS is.

Again, a Buck 110, a SAK, a Kabar...those might be in "the casual knife enthusiast"'s wheelhouse.

That what you talking about?

 

[WRGreen]

I imagine the 'average' American generalizes about knives but can distinguish between the various cell phone models with reasonable accuracy. Its just not that important to your average 'mercan. To label something 'iconic', I'd wager an 'icon' would be necessary, so in our instant gratification garbage disposal society only the fictional "Rambo" knife would apply, and may only be recognised by the average schmo when in Stallone's hand! A USMC Ka-Bar would be recognised by a certain sub-set, and maybe some Texans, Arkansans and history buffs would recognise some style of Bowie. Most folks just don't care about specific brands and styles of knives and only sub-sets of people will obtain style and brand specific knowledge as it directly affects them personally.

 

[marcinek]

I imagine the 'average' American generalizes about knives but can distinguish between the various cell phone models with reasonable accuracy.

Agreed. But I think the OP is asking about Americans who have more interest in knives than the average American, but less interest in knives than the average BF member.

 

[Lennyo3034]

Does Daryl's Team Gemini count?

 

[gomipile]

I think the Case 3 Finn hunting knife deserves a mention.

 

[gytheran]

Agreed. But I think the OP is asking about Americans who have more interest in knives than the average American, but less interest in knives than the average BF member.

You think?!

It was only spelled out in the very first post. Thanks for trolling the thread.

"These should be identifiable(at least vaguely) by the average knife person(not talking 'us' here)."

 

[WRGreen]

Still hard to decide where to draw a line on the casual interest/knowledge demographic.

 

[CDKJudoka]

Zero Tolerance 0301, because Gibbs (NCIS) carries one. 'MERCA!!

 

[marcinek]

You think?!

It was only spelled out in the very first post. Thanks for trolling the thread.

"These should be identifiable(at least vaguely) by the average knife person(not talking 'us' here)."

My apologies for focusing on the very first sentence in that very first post where you said:

Ok... I'm looking for the quintessential knives that even non-knife people would recognize... in the US.

So, yeah, you meant "Americans who have more interest in knives than the average American, but less interest in knives than the average BF member."

Again, I'll go Gerber Bear Grylls line as the current quintessential product for that crowd.