Define Gentleman Folder ?

harronek

harronek

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I often hear the term " Gentleman Folder " , I've even used it myself a few times , but what exactly makes a knife a Gentleman Folder ?

Ken
 
Dimensions and materials.

Dimensions - gentlemens' folders will usually be on the shorter and thinner side.

Materials - gentlemens' folders will usually be produced with fancier materials and finishes such as high polish, filework, nitre blued damascus, mother of pearl, ivory, etc.
 
For me it's a small knife in a non threatening design that can be used in public or in front of coworkers without anyone looking twice at it.

Generally that means slip joint and no pocket clips. I think pocket clips are very tacky in dress clothes.

Currently my gentleman's folder is a Vixtorinox alox Secretary. But I have used a Case mini Trapper and Victorinix alox Bantam in that role as well.

I also think any of the two layer red handled Victorinox make an appropriate gentleman's folder, as do almost anything offered by Case or GEC. A nice looking Barlow would equally as appropriate as the mini Trapper.
 
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What about

One handed opening ?
Lock , or does it have to be slip joint ?
Does blade shape enter into it ?
Weight ?

Ken
 
harronek said:
What about

One handed opening ?
Lock , or does it have to be slip joint ?
Does blade shape enter into it ?
Weight ?

Ken
Click to expand...


There are gentlemen folders that are linerlocks. Also some that are slipjoints, backlocks, etc.
Some might have nail nicks, some might have thumbstuds, opening holes or even flippers.
Probably less tanto, compound grind and dagger grinds on gentlemen folders.
Some gentlemen folders are featherweight. Some gentlemen folders might weigh more than tactical knives with 4 in blades.
 
I tend to think of it as anything that's a little on the fancy side and won't raise any eyebrows if needed to be produced at a wedding reception, cocktail party, business meeting, etc.
 
This......except I think they can even have some length but must be thin.

Mike

asdf12345 said:
Dimensions and materials.

Dimensions - gentlemens' folders will usually be on the shorter and thinner side.

Materials - gentlemens' folders will usually be produced with fancier materials and finishes such as high polish, filework, nitre blued damascus, mother of pearl, ivory, etc.
Click to expand...
 
asdf12345 said:
Dimensions and materials.

Dimensions - gentlemens' folders will usually be on the shorter and thinner side.

Materials - gentlemens' folders will usually be produced with fancier materials and finishes such as high polish, filework, nitre blued damascus, mother of pearl, ivory, etc.
Click to expand...

collim1 said:
For me it's a small knife in a non threatening design that can be used in public or in front of coworkers without anyone looking twice at it.
Click to expand...

JAB said:
I tend to think of it as anything that's a little on the fancy side and won't raise any eyebrows if needed to be produced at a wedding reception, cocktail party, business meeting, etc.
Click to expand...

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

When I picture a gents folder, I think of something along the lines of these two.



harronek said:
What about

One handed opening ?
Lock , or does it have to be slip joint ?
Does blade shape enter into it ?
Weight ?
Click to expand...

I prefer slipjoints, but the lack of a lock isn't required. Look at William Henry. Their knives scream gentleman's knife.
 
"gentleman's folder" = small, pretty, nicer than normal materials that would go with nicer than normal clothing, won't be used for real cutting

Maybe I'm not as much of a gentleman as some people but I carry fairly normal EDC knives when I'm dressed up.
 
It's a state of mind. If you feel like a gentleman when you carry and use a particular folder, that folder is a gentleman's folder TO YOU.
 
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bdmicarta said:
But why does it have to be small?

A gentleman's clothes won't carry a larger knife?
A gentleman doesn't want to scare someone with a larger knife?
A gentleman doesn't want to get his hands dirty cutting anything large?
Click to expand...

You ever try carrying a ZT in a pair of dress pants? Not only does the G10 wear the fabric something fierce, it also prints terribly.
 
kamagong said:
You ever try carrying a ZT in a pair of dress pants? Not only does the G10 wear the fabric something fierce, it also prints terribly.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call a 301 a gentleman folder but a 770CF perhaps.

I've seen some daggers and large fighters in the Custom and Handmade forum that I would dare call gentlemanly.
 
Gentlemen, or rather gentle men(to help drive home the point), don't need large tactical blades. The don't need pocket clips. They don't need one handed opening. Their knives are meer tools for the occasion. It would be a grave day indeed should a lady grow faint from hunger should no fine gentleman supply her fresh slices of the mornings harvest on their afternoon walk.

Really though, in dress attire a knife merely serves as a tool, but should appear appropriate for the occasion. Emersons and cuff links don't mix.

I like fine slipjoints for gentlemens folders. I laugh when I see a 3.5" Benchmade with carbon fibre scales and a titanium clip touted as a gentlemens folder. That's like calling a naked carbon fiber Lamborghini a nice Sunday runabout.
 
As I half expected , the determination of what's a Gentleman Folder seems that it is more personal preference based than a list of essential features .

I'd be interested in seeing some more pics , both Traditional and Modern to see if there is a cross-over between the two different folder types .

Ken
 
1. Under 3.5" closed - gentlemen hire people to cut down trees.
2. Best quality materials - any variation of plastic is probably wrong.
3. "Fancy" - obviously not "common"
4. Slim - it should be un-noticed when wearing trousers.
5. No clips - that's what pockets are for.
6. No "one handed opening gizmo's" - gentlemen have both hands free.
7. Traditional styling - gentlemen are "old school".

A good look at some small, Gentleman's knives: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1303968-Small-Gent-s-knives
 
eisman said:
1. Under 3.5" closed - gentlemen hire people to cut down trees.
2. Best quality materials - any variation of plastic is probably wrong.
3. "Fancy" - obviously not "common"
4. Slim - it should be un-noticed when wearing trousers.
5. No clips - that's what pockets are for.
6. No "one handed opening gizmo's" - gentlemen have both hands free.
7. Traditional styling - gentlemen are "old school".

A good look at some small, Gentleman's knives: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1303968-Small-Gent-s-knives
Click to expand...

A Michael Walker linerlock with a 3 inch blade, micarta scales, a pocket clip and a thumbstud can't be a gentlemen's knife, too?
 
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