Do you prefer modern style knives or the classics?

R

Rhett

Joined
Jun 17, 1999
Messages
58
When I first started knife collecting, I only bought modern knives like Coldsteel, Spyderco, Benchmade. I wouldn't even look at classic style knives. Now, I find myself more interrested in knives like Marbles, Case, etc. I like classic materials like carbon steel, leather, wood, bone, stag, etc. Anybody feel the same? I think modern knives are cool but theres something about a classic. I would also rather be driving a 1960's Corvette than a 1999 Corvette if they were both in the same condition.
 
I am leaning towards classic styles using modern materials and construction techniques in pocketknives, I think that William Henry is a good example. As far as a working tool goes I will take the best-designed and executed model available, nostalgia be damned.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
I like a little mix of both.
A well made Bowie will never go out of style.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
Yeah....I am moving back to the traditional knives, too.
Love stag multiblades like whittlers, etc.
If you are looking for trad stuff in modern steels, have a look at AG Russell's site. He is offering several old favorites with ATS34 blades. Nice work.

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BrianWE
ICQ #21525343

 
I'm on the side for traditional. I'll be selling off quite a few tacticals or trade for stag hunters, bowies, folders by better
makers.

Win
 
I'm a big fan of the traditionallook, Stag especially. I agree with StJames, William Henry, does a very nice job of combining, traditional with a tactical application. I saw the Wood handle Sebenza, that Chris Reeve carries. Maybe it's not as tough as his regular handles, but it sure pretties it up, IMHO. I also fell in love with Pat Crawfords, Kasper Combat folder, with an oval stag scale on the handle, he didn't have one at the show, but he said he could make one up.

My goal right now is to put together an all Stag display; Bowie, Fighter, Dagger, Hunter, Liner lock, Lock-back, Trapper. Having them all by the same maker would be great, but I'm not sure that's necessary. I'm not in a great hurry, I'm kind of doing my homework now. I'm probably done with production knives. Not that I'm not tempted from time to time, just trying to stay focused. Money is an issue, so I do try to shop wisely.
 
I care about performance. Somebody makes a traditional style piece that performs, I'll give it completely equal assessment versus something more modern. As a result, I respect Bagwell's work although I'm not in that market right now. I applaud Buck's BG42 110s. HI is about as traditional as they come, Kumar possibly excepted. These aren't the only examples.

Jim
 
I like both. Before the modern one-handers, I loved traditional patterns, and I still love them. At the moment I have lots of both, and though I always like to carry at least one 'modern', I often carry some type of traditional knife, like a stockman, or a penknife. I have traditionals in brown and red bone, wood (no stag). This may ruffle some feathers, but I find I use the traditional patterns with synthetic handles, such as delrin. Because I find I sometimes will drop a knife, and do not want to risk breaking a beautiful bone handle.
Jim
 
Classics to the extent practcal.No chrome execpt on the `vette,not a knife.

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Hi!
Knife people all have to love classics, because even if it's made with new materials or "new" design it will stay mans most classic tool.
I think the only real important inventions of the last two centuries related to knives are

1. lock blade folders (19th century, no matter how they are locked

2. controllable crucibles/particle metallurgy, for steel quality control

3. stainless steel, for obvious reason.

Personally, i prefer first quality roller bearing steel or stainless damasteel for blades and a quiet stable natural handle material, mostly stag, ivory or hardwood, for handles. The designs i like most are the old ones from around the world which have been used for centuries and proven to be good. To name a few:
scramasax, schmalsax, viking kitchen and hunting knife, tanto, aikutchi, parang, golok, khukuri, bowie, puukko, tollekniv and so on.

Achim
 
I'm starting to prefer the Classics after handling a Bailey Bradshaw folder belonging to that charming Senator, thanks for the loan!, but as StJames mentioned above the William Henry line is an instant classic. In fact I recently showed it to a friend who is a knife maker and a doctor and when I told him how much it cost he said
`What!, I'm going to have to stop making knives till I get much better!'
He really loved the lines and the obvious quality in the knife.

G2

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My mind is made up,
So don't confuse me with the facts!

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html


 
I started out with Benchmade and Cold Steel too. Now, more and more I'm drawn to the traditional knives. But only fixed blades. Those two handed folders with no lock do nothing for me.

I'm sure glad Marbles is around.
 
JamesY,
Your point is well taken, in a practical sense. For looks and feel, Derlin just doesn't do it for me. It takes me back to my childhood, with my cap pistol and plastic stag handles. I like Real Stag, and if it breaks or splits, shame on me.
 
Let's face it, for most cutting jobs we could pickup a sharp rock and get it done. But I rather look good when doing it.
 
I started with modern folders, but have recently decided that if it has an edge, I like it. Big, small, fixed, folder, single blade, multi blade, new, old, whatever. I like them all for different reasons. They all have their charms and quirks. On any given day I'm likely to have a modern one-handed folder, a small SAK, and a traditional single or multi-bladed slipjoint on me at the same time. How's that doe being decisive?
biggrin.gif


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Kelly

SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice


 
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