Do you like modern knives or prefer old classics?

I like em both I carry a mix of traditional slipjoints and locking patterns, and I also carry tacticals for SD, and EDC heavy duty use.
 
I like both "modern" and "updated classic".

For a definiting "updated classic" look at the William Henry line.
 
My EDC is a Kershaw mini task with the speed safe opening but I collect mainly the oldies I like using modern but love the looks of the traditional slipjoint folders and the german and italian autos in stag hmmm are autos modern or traditional lol
 
I prefer the more modern approach. I'd like to see more "modern" slip joints.

Paul
 
I like traditionals the best, stockman, trappers, and old-timey fixed blades especially. But hey, good knives are good knives! CRKTs, Benchmades, Reeves, ect, all make great knives. Wouldn't turn any of them down! I just prefer the more traditional patterns.

Where do Swiss Army knives fall? I really love those :D
 
Traditional, either new or old, doesn't matter.

Guess that fits my feeling of what a knife should be.

However, the newer designs and tacticals are pretty cool, but would drain my son's college fund if I started collecting those to, so I'll stick to older folders.
 
Originally posted by trane fan
I prefer "modern" due to the technological advances in materials, fit/finish and QC that are manifested in the end result. However, one can not dismiss the character encountered within the "old".
Click to expand...
Exactly. :)
 
I have a little different twist on this, I like the old paterns, But I like modern materials. I started back making knives this year. I thought I wanted to make some knives that looked "tactical" The designs I came up with just didn't inspire me enough to put steel to grinder. I looked at the knives I own and what I liked about them and what I disliked. I incorporated what I liked into my designs and found I was drawing old paterns. I realised what I liked about tactical designs was the economy of design and lack of ornamentation. I like tool steel and micarta,Not wild about plain carbon steel and natural handle materials. so my most recent knives have been a Russel green river hunter made of A2 with black micarta, A puukko inspired small utility made from A2 with black micarta, and I am currently working on a Michael Price inspired San Francisco bowie out of D2. I may use some Ironwood I have for the handle on that one.


Drew
 
For folders, I come down squarely in the middle, my three favorites right now are all Spydercos, a Kiwi (well actually 2 Kiwis, one all SS and one with jigged bone scales and am in the process of purchasing one with Malachite scales from Santa Fe Stoneworks), a white linen micarta Jess Horn, and an S30V FRN Native. All are plain edged, the Kiwi is clip-less by design and the Native has had its clip removed, the Horn retains its clip since I carry it clipped to inside breast pocket of a suit jacket or sports coat. To me the Kiwis and the Horn represent the parts of both the traditional and modern knife world that I like, One hand opening, because its very convenient at times not to need two hands to open a knife. Locking blade, because it is safer and inspired more confidence that a slip-joint. Superior steel, because I'm lazy and don't get that much pleasure out of sharpening. These, combined with relatively traditional looks, create an instrument that looks as non threating as a quality pen but performs better than most "pure" traditional designs. The Native probably strays a bit further to the "pure" modern, but still manages to be reasonably innocuous looking. One of these days I'll get an SS version of it, slap on some wood scales, and have what I think will be my ideal large folder.

When it comes to fixed blades, I'm more of a traditionalist, my stag handled Randall Bird and Trout with its leather sheath may be "thirty-something" but it still represents my idea of the perfect small hunter. If faced with a sudden need to replace it, would either get another just like it, or go for another traditional design, most probably a wood or stag handled Loveless style drop point.
 
I like modern knives but they don't grab me like a classic bone handled carbon steel pocket knife. I have nothing against pocket clips, fancy stainless steel and one handed opening(or auto) but the most use and pleasure I ever got out of any knife was an old Case Boyscout knife. Brown jigged bone and carbon steel tools. I know a lot of people shun anything thats not stainless but I really enjoyed using and properly maintaining that knife. It did it all and never had a rust problem. I gave it to my nephew, with his parents permission, and hopefully he'll enjoy it as much as I did.
 
The bottom line for me is I like to always have a modern folder in my pocket in case I only have one hand to open a knife or need to open it quickly. But the modern knife does not get used near as much as the SAK in my other pocket. The utility of a SAK, for me, is unbeatable. I like the history and simplicty of the older pocket knives like the stockmans, trappers, SAK's, ect. For some reason they appeal to me and will always have a place in my pockets. But so will a modern folder. Different tools for different jobs.
 
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