Change of taste to a simpler time - am I the only one?

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bradytx

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Jul 9, 2013
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Has anyone experienced a change of tastes in terms of the knives they are drawn too? Over the past few years I have really liked the more modern folders such as the PM2, Emerson Commanders, Buck Vantages, Gerber 06, etc. I find these knives to function very well, but they just seem cold in appearance and personality.

As I'm getting older, I just turned 30, I figured I would purchase a few Case knives. I have really started to love these older traditional knives, they have so much personality, and no two knives are exactly the same. I have found the same change in my tastes of guns; going from black autoloading shotguns to a nice classy 870 American Classic with gold enlays.

I'm currently carrying a Case Large Stockman CV in Amber Bone and absolutely love it. I would say this Case is my favorite knife. Carrying the Large Stockman for lack of better words just makes me feel good; they exude such personality, and make me think back to simpler times.

Has anyone else experienced a change in tastes like this? Or maybe even the opposite of going from traditional to modern Knives.


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I like and carry both (at the same time) for different reasons. I carry some traditional knives out of nostalgia, but they have to have a functional purpose, just like my modern folders.

Modern and traditional, all good. You might want to check out the traditional forum.
 
I post on the traditional forum also, I just wanted to hear from different points of view. Maybe from those that have the opposite expierence and go from traditional to modern folders.
 
I do like traditionals, but have found that so far I seem to prefer friction folders and older designs like the opinel over most traditionals.


I had a case peanut for a few years (won in a giveaway here), and while I liked it, I didn't end up using it much. I typically only carried it to church to be honest. I think I just really dislike having things loose in my pockets. I ended up gifting it to my grandpa, who was bemoaning the fact that you couldn't seem to find anything like his old pocket knife at any stores anymore.

I guess I'm too reliant on the pocket clip. And one hand opening is just oh so nice.

I do prefer wood handles though. That, and most modern tactical folders don't really appeal to me. I guess I'm stuck kind of in the middle somewhere.

Edit: I'm turning 29 this year, but I feel I've had similar preferences for 3-4 years at least.
 
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I am 31 and I also have started to prefer old classic type of knives. :D I have switched my plastics to bone, wood and such and my sneakers to leather shoes. Age doesn't come alone I guess. :P
 
I grew up carring traditional Old Timers and Bucks, then when I went into the Army in the '80's, I bought a Gerber (LST/600), then started the newer and modern knives. Now I buy/carry both, like today I am carring a Case Canoe and Kershaw Knockout. Its great to have so many options!
 
No. Your not the only one.

A while back I got this crazy idea that I wanted a SAK. Not just any SAK so, I bought the real deal that they issued to the troops. Then I was given a cheap import Trapper. I think it is made by a company called Steel Warrior. Next came a used US made Old Timer stockman that I bought in memory of my father. Using it reminds me of simpler times when I was a boy and most every adult male I knew carried a traditional knife.

I am finding that I enjoy traditional pocket knives. The problem is that my nails don't hold up well enough to carry one daily so something with a thumb stud still wins out for EDC. I do sometimes carry a traditional as a dress knife and have a SAK as a back up knife for work.

So, tell me, have any of you noticed a difference in the way people react when you use a traditional folder, compared to something with a liner lock and a thumb stud?
 
Well, you "young-uns" have your views, and that's great. I've been there and back several times, and must admit that a traditional would do the same job as my more "modern" folders.
I do have a AAPK two-bladed Trapper in ram-horn that's really nice, but I never carry it. I will admit a fondness for tiny SAK's that dwell in my watch-pocket.
I've been stuck on Spyderco for a long time, and CRK occasionally jumps in there also. I do like ZT's when they get the weight down enuf so I can carry it without my pants falling down.
I suppose I'm stuck with PM2's and Sage 2's and Sebbies and my Southard AVO...for a while yet, at least, but I'm NOT knocking the traditionals...
Fare thee well!
Don
 
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as you get older, having just turned 30, you'll realize how silly that sounds. Having said that your tastes will always change. What you liked yesterday will be different today will be different tomorrow. It's also good to maintain variety if your collecting. Anyway hang on for the ride, in ten years your going to be a whole different person wondering how you could have been so stupid and in 20 years you'll wonder how you were so smart. It's the ebb and flow.
 
At 35 I love a good traditional (congress being my favorite) in tandem with a modern locking folder, I don't see them as exclusive from one another, and what catches my eye on any particular day can change from day to day.
 
I'm 67. My grandfather gave me my first knife about 60 years ago. I grew up with traditional knives and I still love them. There's a big box of them at home, locked away, and I also frequently carry a stag Case Peanut that I dearly love and find very useful. My favorite traditional brand is also Case. I agree with the nostalgia as well as the overall utility of basic old slipjoints. But I cannot deny loving the evolution of the pocket knife in my lifetime. I remember when the Buck 110 was a revolutionary design that older folks didn't understand and young boys like me lusted for. I remember switchblades coming along and the controversy around them--my dad bought me one that I promptly broke. I recall the appearance of one hand openers, exotic steels, new tech handle materials, ergonomic designs and interesting blade shapes. Every step along the way was good. Every step was an improvement. They're all knives and I love them all.
 
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I've never had a change in taste as I never stopped loving/buying Traditional knives.
Started buying Modern(clip and one hand opening) knives in 1992 when I got an Endura.
I've been liking both types ever since, but I do use my moderns more often.
 
Ken44 said:
I've never had a change in taste as I never stopped loving/buying Traditional knives.
Started buying Modern(clip and one hand opening) knives in 1992 when I got an Endura.
I've been liking both types ever since, but I do use my moderns more often.
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I am pretty much the same; I have never really seen a knife that I didn't like. I really like modern folders with high tech steel. If I could get a sod buster with M390 I would have it all.
 
I have some traditionals, but I am not too crazy about smaller knives. I'm on a tomahawk/machete kick right now. Condor is another addictive company. I was thinking about a short sword or two, but I am afraid my family might try to have me committed to a mental institution.;)
 
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While I love my Endura a lot, I don't carry it much. Normally I have a small fixed blade on my belt that I made and a case texas jack in my pocket. I think my love of knives extends to all types. And it mostly depends on what I'll be doing that day. But the texas jack is ALWAYS in my pocket ;)
 
sabre cat said:
So, tell me, have any of you noticed a difference in the way people react when you use a traditional folder, compared to something with a liner lock and a thumb stud?
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I've found most people ignore you if you use a traditional knife, even if it is a Buck 110 type in a belt pouch. I think people see a traditional knife as something they remember their parents and grand parents (or even great grand parents) using. They do not see a traditional knife as a "weapon", like they do the modern knives with flippers, assisted opening, the "evil all black military looking 'tactical' knife." Most LEO's do not see a traditional knife as a "weapon", either.
I am a over the road truck driver, I EDC a Buck 110 on my belt, (and a couple slipjoints in my pocket). I've never had a problem, even in places like NYC and DC.
I suppose how you act also plays a roll; I don't go flashing a knife around or act threatening. I do have a full beard, so I am not clean cut. like a banker or attorney.
 
I have only changed very slightly.
In the past I preferred tip down carry but I'm more open to tip up these days.
In the past I thought combination blades were good, now I much prefer plain edge.

I used to buy a lot of custom hunting knives, now I buy more EDC folders. I still like the hunting kinves but I don't have as much interest in buying more.
 
My taste in knives has certainly evolved. I used to be quite narrow minded about what I liked. When I started getting into serious trekking, primitive skills and such I read a lot, tried out some stuff and came to the conclusion that a stout 4-5 inch drop point blade was perfect for me and everything else was designed by idiots. Natural handle materials and leather sheaths were the only options I'd even consider. Although I found SAKs handy (and lived in Switzerland so I had a few), I knew folders were toys.

That was 20-25 years ago, I was a ten year old kid. My parents were very supportive and even paid for a custom knife built just the way I liked it (in my country knives are a big cultural item in families with rural traditions like mine). I still have it and it's still fantastic, but I've learned to embrace variety since then.

I used to like only traditional knives, brands like Puma and Boker, and quite honestly didn't know much about US made knives. Through my traveling and the internet I came in contact with brands like Spyderco (which I hated until I used one of their knives for a few days) and began to enjoy modern folders.

Nowadays, I might carry an Opinel today and ZT tomorrow. It depends on my mood. I've learned that even though a knife might not be the best suited to most of my activities, I can still have a hell of lot of fun with it. For instance, I bought a Microtech Scarab and I can't really say it's a practical knife but I don't regret the purchase one bit.
 
Franciscomv said:
My taste in knives has certainly evolved. I used to be quite narrow minded about what I liked. When I started getting into serious trekking, primitive skills and such I read a lot, tried out some stuff and came to the conclusion that a stout 4-5 inch drop point blade was perfect for me and everything else was designed by idiots. Natural handle materials and leather sheaths were the only options I'd even consider. Although I found SAKs handy (and lived in Switzerland so I had a few), I knew folders were toys.

That was 20-25 years ago, I was a ten year old kid. My parents were very supportive and even paid for a custom knife built just the way I liked it (in my country knives are a big cultural item in families with rural traditions like mine). I still have it and it's still fantastic, but I've learned to embrace variety since then.

I used to like only traditional knives, brands like Puma and Boker, and quite honestly didn't know much about US made knives. Through my traveling and the internet I came in contact with brands like Spyderco (which I hated until I used one of their knives for a few days) and began to enjoy modern folders.

Nowadays, I might carry an Opinel today and ZT tomorrow. It depends on my mood. I've learned that even though a knife might not be the best suited to most of my activities, I can still have a hell of lot of fun with it. For instance, I bought a Microtech Scarab and I can't really say it's a practical knife but I don't regret the purchase one bit.
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Hate to take it off topic (I'm enjoying this thread), but I'd love to see the knife your parents had custom made for you.
 
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