Fed up......

I think when I first came over to hang out here, I said something akin to "I'd like to see G10 on a traditional". If I could, I would give myself an idiot smack. That defeats the whole purpose of the traditional knife. I recently bought a Strider SNG. After Strider removes the God awful looking tiger stripes, I might alternate carrying it with my Sebenza as an EDC. BUT, there will always be a traditional slippie or lockback in my pocket. I just like em a lot. As for using modern materials on traditional knives in regards to liners, bolsters etc, I have to agree with Steven. There is a huge difference, just clarifying what I wrote earlier in this thread, between a scale made from either G10 or even FRN on a traditional, except for delrin, that would be a travesty IMHO. But if the maker can use better steel for liners and bolsters, they should. Especially on a knife with damasucs blade etc.
 
I don't think so. I like the traditional styles, but anything that makes them better is fine with me. I prefer synthetics, such as delrin or micarta. I also prefer brass over SS. For me, the best part about traditionals is their looks, but anything that makes them more durable is fine with me.

I always find it amusing that when a certain style of knife was new, makers were continually looking to improve the product. Once it gets to a certain stage, lots of people want to "freeze" it right there, no more improvements allowed. How far do you carry that? Lots of people think the 1911 is one of the best firearms ever made, but at one time, it was "newfangled".
 
My own opinion is that while a design may be traditional, whether the materials should be traditional is a matter of application. If the knife is for collecting, then collect what you like.

If it is for carry, then micarta scales and stainless bolsters will be more durable and pocket friendly than bone scales and nickel silver bolsters. I hope I'm right because I'm in the process of importing some traditionals intended as carry knives from China as we speak. I'll be out some money if they don't sell.

I wouldn't be interested personally in showing off steel bolstered, micarta scaled knives to a collector but it would make plenty of sense to me to use one as a cutting tool. Case seems to believe this. Their collector knives usually have natural scales and stainless blades. Their knives intended for use often have carbon steel blades and synthetic scales. I think application drives the distinction.
 
Would the knives with the stainless liners need brass or bronze washers? :) I for one wish the g10 scaled Case knives did have the CV steel. I don't see a problem with micarta or g10 on slipjoints.
 
db said:
Would the knives with the stainless liners need brass or bronze washers? :) I for one wish the g10 scaled Case knives did have the CV steel. I don't see a problem with micarta or g10 on slipjoints.
Click to expand...

Forgot about the orange G10 Case knives. Thats okay for a traditional :).
 
I carry both modern (kershaw, gerber, camillus) and traditional (schrade, case, opinel, buck) folders. To me, there is a trade-off between ss and trad. materials like brass and ns. Stainless will definitely hold up better in use, but is a lot harder to bring up to a proper finish after it has become scratched. There is also the variation in color to consider - to me, some handle materials look better beside a yellow brass or patina(d??) nickel-silver (more of a color similar to white gold). What I really like about the softer materials is that the customer can polish them back up to like-new condition fairly easily with a felt wheel on a dremel or just a polishing cloth and compound. My first real knife was a 3" buck folding hunter (similar to a 110), I like that I can take it out and polish the bolsters back up in about 5 minutes with the dremel and some white rouge.

If you want a low-maintenance folder, then get a ss blade, liners, and bolsters with synthetic materials (I include stabilized wood here). If you don't mind doing a little tinkering (or just enjoy the aged look) then some traditional materials will work fine for you. In the end it's all about personal preference and taste.

Have a good one,
Nathan
 
I have been reading this thread over the last couple of days and thinking for once.

Some of my favorite knives have 416 stainless liners and bolsters and I would not have them any other way. There is something about the fit and finish of skilled makers that does not come through in brass. Some with two or more backsprings look like they have one piece of solid steel when you view the knife from the back. Yup, it does add for quite a bit of weight, but I usually tote smaller patterns. For a little larger custom to carry, the thought of TI is very tempting. It certainly works on a couple of fancy ones I have picked up, but that is due to the skill and artistry of the maker more so than the actual titanium.

On the other hand, one of the knives I often carry to work is the ring knife we ordered last year. It works well, a small and light-weight knife, with brass liners as well as some older factory knives that I enjoy using. The ring knife just looks great and functions well for me. I also carry a little knife that was made around 1900 with blade action that rivals regular non-collaboration modern factory slippies actually putting quite a few to shame.

I am not sure that I would have a large interest in a custom from one of my favorite makers with brass liners, but have no problem with some factory patterns in brass.

Just took delivery of an Alsdorf today. He primarily uses N/S from what I have heard. Not my preference, but this knife was a very pleasant surprise not that I want to see folks like Rogers, Chamblin, Ruple, Bose and others stray from stainless, but Mike did a fine job on the knife.
 
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