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

I've carried both. Depending on my needs. My 'duty' knife is an Emerson commander. It has physically circumnavigated the globe with me two times. While I'm on civilian time, I don't like the feeling of carrying one of my weapons when I want the feeling of being home. So, enter the traditional Case stockman.

They each have their uses. Just depends on the individual preferences at the time.

Either way, it's always interesting.
 
link2derek said:
"Older" at 30, that made me laugh... But, no, your not the only one. Many of us return to the roots of slip-joints and more traditional stuff at some point down the line. In fact, there is a sub-forum here dedicated to just such pursuits:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/773-Traditional-Folders-and-Fixed-Blades

But, seriously, how could you not like a couple of knives like these in your pockets?

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Man, I love those Derek!! Is that bottom one the Norfolk whittler? I just checked them out...kind of pricey but I might "need" one. :o
 
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BluegrassBrian said:
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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Sure thing, mate. It's nothing special, but it embodies what I thought was the perfect outdoors/survival knife at the time. To be honest, it's pretty much the same type of fixed blade I enjoy today, except perhaps for the finger grooves. Here are a couple of quick pictures (sorry, it's covered in wax for storage). Blade steel is Bohler N690.

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with all the choices out there - I still like my old case 6111 1/2 L --red bone but then a SAK classic is also there as well as a Kershaw or Spydie so it is dealer's choice and oh yeah - I'm 75! and still looking!
Revvie
 
I'm 26 and I'm not a big fan of old traditionals. I do appreciate them but its before my time. Some of those tradtional like GEC and northwoods are not even users. The majority of people getting those are doing so for collecting and reselling with the occasional user.

Modern knife companies like spyderco and kershaw knives are pretty much all users expect for some of the limited sprint runs and special editions which become peoples safe queens.

Just like when people tell me to act my age not my shoe size. Well I don't want to whip out a tradtional in front of my friends and listen to them say comments like are you my grandpa? I'm a city boy who likes knives but despises survivalist and boy scouts.
 
needler420 said:
The majority of people getting those are doing so for collecting and reselling with the occasional user.
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Interesting statement. Can you substantiate it?

As for myself, I have always liked modern styles but for the last few years the knives I use by far the most are Opinels. They simply do what I need them to do brilliantly and are a pleasure to use. I have also found myself enjoying the patina build up over time.

For me part of it comes down to use. If I ever needed another emergency service or rescue knife it would be straight back to Spyderco.
 
bradytx said:
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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A lot of the folks who regularly post in Traditional started out using modern knives.
 
I'm 45 and have carried some sort of pocket knife almost every day since I was a Cub Scout. At first, traditional patterns (obviously) then a revolving door of various one-handers starting with my first Cold Steel and Spydercos in the early/mid '90s (swapping out for a small pocket knife as necessitated by job or social circumstances). Nowadays, I find that just a small jack or pen more than adequately serves my day-to-day knife needs but I have no problem switching to a large pocket clip model if I feel the need. Heck, I like 'em all about equally - that's why I'm here.;)



P.S. Same goes with firearms - I appreciate and shoot both wood/steel & plastic/steel.
 
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Chris Larrikin said:
Interesting statement. Can you substantiate it?

As for myself, I have always liked modern styles but for the last few years the knives I use by far the most are Opinels. They simply do what I need them to do brilliantly and are a pleasure to use. I have also found myself enjoying the patina build up over time.

For me part of it comes down to use. If I ever needed another emergency service or rescue knife it would be straight back to Spyderco.
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Moderns knives tend to be used more imo while as traditional are more collected.
[video=youtube;0rtIbEVIJ5g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rtIbEVIJ5g[/video]
 
needler420 said:
I'm 26 and I'm not a big fan of old traditionals. I do appreciate them but its before my time. Some of those tradtional like GEC and northwoods are not even users. The majority of people getting those are doing so for collecting and reselling with the occasional user.

Modern knife companies like spyderco and kershaw knives are pretty much all users expect for some of the limited sprint runs and special editions which become peoples safe queens.

Just like when people tell me to act my age not my shoe size. Well I don't want to whip out a tradtional in front of my friends and listen to them say comments like are you my grandpa? I'm a city boy who likes knives but despises survivalist and boy scouts.
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I think you're coming from a flawed presumption. A very large number of traditionals are sold as using knives to people who care about how the tool cuts. Yes, there are always some misguided individual who thinks knives can be collected as an investment, but they are not the rule. Look at the number of young guys who have collected a large number of modern knives.

To me, the traditional knife gives me a large amount of versatility over any single bladed knife. With two or even three blades to choose from, Ihave three different shaped blades to choose for the job. I can even keep three different edges on the blades ranging from surgical sharpness to just sharp enough to shave arm hair, to a rough steep bevel for wire stripping and dirty work that I know is going to mess up a nice edge.

This Northwoods stockman has seen fishing tripos, camping site jobs, box opening, and lots of city use. I to am a city boy, although I do a lot of fishing and woods trips. I find it nice to have a small 4 inch package with three blades, that can handle city or woods use. And is acceptable to be used openly in a lot of places, even here in Washington D.C. and it's suburbs.
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Don't be so quick to knock the boy scouts and survivalists. Anything can happen anywhere. I'll bet in the hours after 9-11 a lot of folks wished they knew more about survival and fist aid, how to make a quick dust filter to breath. An earthquake can make your neighborhood a rubble pile in a few minutes, like in Japan.
 
I'm 31. My tastes have changed back and forth a bit, but I find each type of knife to have its niche. If I am going out in the woods, I like the more robust modern designs. I don't abuse them anyway, but it's nice to have the margin for error. If I am in polite company, I find something like a slip joint, or Opinel to get fewer funny looks as they look more like "grandpa's knife." They are less threatening, and less "tactical" than something with G10 scales and a coated black blade. They just look less "weapony" to the uninformed.

Either way, if someone enjoys a knife of good quality, good on 'em, wherever that taste may lead.
 
needler420 said:
Moderns knives tend to be used more imo while as traditional are more collected.
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That's a "no" then :)

Traditionals were by necessity designed and made for utility. And they were made in their tens of thousands to millions. They were made by people who knew that you don't need an inch wide blade, a pocket clip and one hand opening to cut something. Their relative simplicity is one of the reasons why so many people use them. It's a very big call to say that companies with very solid reputations don't make users.

There are millions upon millions of people using traditionals, and I can substantiate that based on Victorinox and Opinel alone without even counting any of the others.

Modern knives certainly have a very important role but (to keep it in the spirit of the thread) so many people move from modern/tactical knives to traditionals because they are so useful.

If you haven't already done it I think it would be well worth you picking up an Opinel, sharpening it (it'll probably need it) and using it for a while. It was designed purely as a cutting tool and is recognised as one of the most well designed anythings because it nails it so well. Some people don't like them but they are an excellent example of a purpose-driven knife. Have fun
 
I think I definitely went through a "aggressive tactical" phase with folders,, all blacked out and such. Nowadays my dragonfly in zdp gets the most pocket time. Besides, if I need to keep trouble away my Ruger on the hip does an alright job;)
 
needler420 said:
I'm 26 and I'm not a big fan of old traditionals. I do appreciate them but its before my time. Some of those tradtional like GEC and northwoods are not even users. The majority of people getting those are doing so for collecting and reselling with the occasional user.

Modern knife companies like spyderco and kershaw knives are pretty much all users expect for some of the limited sprint runs and special editions which become peoples safe queens.

Just like when people tell me to act my age not my shoe size. Well I don't want to whip out a tradtional in front of my friends and listen to them say comments like are you my grandpa? I'm a city boy who likes knives but despises survivalist and boy scouts.
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Yes, they are users.
Traditionals have been and they will continue to be popular users, and for good reason. That's all anyone in my family used, and I still see as many of them being used here in the South as I do Moderns.
Some also collect them just as they do with modern knives. Nothing wrong with that, and if the knife world didn't have collectors/users we may not have many American knife companies left.

I wasn't one myself, but why in the world would you "despise" boy scouts ?
 
I like all kinds of knives.
For the past year or so, besides my keychain knife, my most carried is a new version Vic Soldier.
By definition it is a modern folder but Victorinox is a very traditional company.

On work days I use the Soldier for the dirty stuff and also have a food cutting knife for break and lunch.
That is sometimes a GEC 15, Manix2 S110v, Izula, Blur, TL-29, or whatever I feel like at the time.

As long as the blade is sturdy and I can put an edge on it I really don't care if it is a modern or traditional.
All that matters is, "do I like it?"
 
I am 61, have carried a pocket knife every day since I was 8, except after 9-11 and have to pack to checked baggage when flying, usually twice a year.

My first two knives are at home somewhere mom's care, a small case with stag slabs and a Cub Scout knife.

Since college a small SAK (red) has been with me and was upgraded to an executive model when about 40 or so. I lost that knife[emoji29] just a couple years ago.
My first tactical was a Emerson CQC7 (did not know that until 3 years ago) that I purchased as part of a flea market bundle with 2 other SAK multi-tools for $80, back in 2001 or 2002.
I just liked the feel and that blade appeared to be stout and sharp.
When I was removed from my mngmt position and searching for work landing in a construction type setting, then I realized the work the larger blades could assist me daily.
Unfortunately my CQC7 walked away from my other tools at a job site while pulling cable 2 years ago.
Tried several other folders to replace it with a Leatherman CL33 doing well until a CQC-4K was acquired a couple weeks ago. I fits my jean watch pocket and stays with me not my tool bag.
Still, I am fond of any knife that catches my eye, feels good in hand, and if it bites me while handling, then I know it will be mine. I do not handle many expensive blades (+200$) for that reason.
It is and will be about what I like, not what is popular.
At 30 maybe be are now starting to mature[emoji6]
 
It's certainly something that gives one pause, what do we really do with the knives we carry and while the new ones are pretty cool, there's just something about 'vintage' knives that, for me at least, draws me back to a simpler time. My most recent purchase is a very nice small folder by Chambriard, several things I like about this knife, overall flow of the design, down to the plunge line matching the angle of the bolster really adds to the look. The blade is tapered from the bolster to the tip in both directions so it has a nice distal taper the whole length. Bolsters are stainless, blade is a very sharp sandvik razor steel and boy does that get sharp! And the scales on this one has nice grain and a great peppery smell from the juniper wood. The back spring, all hand filed decoration and a wider end with the Le Thier's T embossed into the metal. All in all, a really nice knife!

chambriard_compact_juniper_closed.jpg~original


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Blade is about 2 3/4" with a handle about 3 3/4" long, very pocketable knife too.
G2

Edited to add, if any of you guys or gals would like to try out a nice traditional knife, boy are you in LUCK !!! we are just in the process of getting ready to have our official BladeForums Traditional 2015 knife about to ship from the maker and there are only a very FEW spots left of the total run for this year, if you are of a mind to get one, you will need to HURRY on over to This Thread Here to See and put your order in !!
 
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