"Gentleman's folder" nonsense.

Q

Quillan

Joined
Dec 15, 2013
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272
I never ceased to be amazed/baffled/depressed/amused at generic stereotyping of anything in this world, much less knives. How easy it is to sit back and casually wave a hand at "things", and casually fart them off with a category-specific generalization.

With that semi-polite grouch out of the way, let's get down to knife talk.

I have 2 knives I would NEVER part with. One is my beloved everyday partner Dragonfly 2 FRN. The other is my Chaparral CF. Both are lightweight, beautifully designed and constructed, with immaculate attention to ergonomics and functionality. Imo, both are masterpieces of design. Both cut and slice like the wrath of God.

So...why is the Chappie labelled as a "gentleman's folder", and the D2 isn't? The question I pose is this.

Is a "gentleman's folder" label defined by discreet size, weight, shape, and high end materials....or is it defined by function?

That Chappie will outcut and outslice almost any folding knife out there, as will my little D2, given their size limits. Thus, they are, by virtue of their abilities, excellent knives. So...whether a gentleman or a rogue...both knives CUT. If the Chappie had scales of FRN, and VG-10 steel, would it be any less gentlemanly? And if my sturdy little D2 had CF scales and S9000VX214 Uber steel, would it then become a gentleman's folder only?
 
Gentleman's Folder should be defined by a combination of small size and shape, high aesthetic appeal, and very high cutting ability. However, I don't see why the D2 couldn't be considered a gentleman's folder aside from having FRN scales.
 
Somewhat subjectively, I feel it is in materials and looks. Not necessarily how I would define them, but I think how most people might. I guess most people don't consider FRN scales, etc, to be particularly gentlemanly, I don't know.

I have a large case folder, two blades, about 4" both, has a leather belt pouch. Pretty big knife but I wouldn't hesitate to call it "gentlemanly" for a second, despite the fact that its size would arguably make it not so.
 
My gentleman's folder (Shoki 480-1) is attractive, small, lightweight, and sits in a suit pocket without being noticed.

More importantly, if it comes out at the office, it is completely unthreatening to the common viewer.
 
That is one downside to larger folders I'd label gentlemanly. They don't fit unobtrusively in a suit pocket. Oh well.
 
Yes the term 'gentleman' is this context is usually associated with high quality, exclusive products and craftsmanship. For most people that would exclude FRN.
 
Indeed. If I go and buy a regular D2 FRN here in Vancouver, it will cost me $69CAN. If I buy the same knife in G-10 (imo, a DUMB choice for such a small knife that is meant to be lightweight), I have to pony up another $30. LOL. I can buy entire knives with G10 scales for less than that. It's all about "whatever people are willing to pay", I guess.

As an aside, I paid $115CAN for my CF Chappie 3 years ago. The latest version, in some "3D" textured titanium scales retails for a whopping $350. I guess gentleman equals "lawyer, doctor, dentist, architect, or unionized longshoreman"....:p
 
Quillan said:
As an aside, I paid $115CAN for my CF Chappie 3 years ago. The latest version, in some "3D" textured titanium scales retails for a whopping $350. I guess gentleman equals "lawyer, doctor, dentist, architect, or unionized longshoreman"....:p
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Serious question, do unionized longshoremen rake in the dough?
 
You pish-posh at labels and genres, write them off as such and such, then you seek the definition of the given label? To answer your question, I wouldn't use an FRN knife as a dress knife which seems to be the common situation for the gentleman's folder-or the office-but I wouldn't hesitate to carry it in any other situation. In the end, who really cares? I went to a wedding in a tux last week, had a cqc-11 in front right pocket, and my z-wear SnG in my back pocket.
 
Every folder I own, by definition, is a gentleman's folder. I am a gentleman! But seriously, I think the definition has been nailed. It's a small pocketable folder that's pretty, and that's it. Doesn't matter how well it performs, just that it's pretty and small.
 
Murdamook said:
You pish-posh at labels and genres, write them off as such and such, then you seek the definition of the given label? To answer your question, I wouldn't use an FRN knife as a dress knife which seems to be the common situation for the gentleman's folder-or the office-but I wouldn't hesitate to carry it in any other situation. In the end, who really cares? I went to a wedding in a tux last week, had a cqc-11 in front right pocket, and my z-wear SnG in my back pocket.
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I think a long slim knife like an Endura that rides pretty low in the pocket could do well even at a wedding. Sure it's FRN and nothing fancy but also unobtrusive and for me in its own way looks good too.
 
The Dragonfly can easily be called a gents folder. I consider anything slim, discreet, and smaller a gents folder. I wouldn't call anything bigger than the Sage a gents folder (no Gayle Bradley), and generally it needs to have a deep carry clip (part of the discreet).

The only material I would disqualify for being a gents folder is grippy G10, especially in black. Something like the Mini SERE carries it decently, but it generally looks too tactical.
 
What else would you call the Camillus 49?

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It's just a term. It specifies knife, and gives the idea what it is about. Just like "combat knife". Nobody really uses combat knives in combat, but it instantly tells what it is about.

Gentleman knife, whether you are gentleman or not, is something "elegant", smooth and classy to have with you in formal occasions for instance.
 
Murdamook said:
You pish-posh at labels and genres, write them off as such and such, then you seek the definition of the given label? To answer your question, I wouldn't use an FRN knife as a dress knife which seems to be the common situation for the gentleman's folder-or the office-but I wouldn't hesitate to carry it in any other situation. In the end, who really cares? I went to a wedding in a tux last week, had a cqc-11 in front right pocket, and my z-wear SnG in my back pocket.
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For me a gentleman's folder is a tradtional folder that is pleasing to the eye, with natural handle materials or a smaller modern knife of more elegant design but still functional.

I think they contrast in other knives, like a tactical, in that they are generally inoffensive to those who are not knife people and yet they are able to recognize the attractivveness of them.
 
My idear of a "gentleman's knife is a small and slim folder with a single blade . With bone or mother of peal or ivory scales . And would fit nicely in to a wast coat pocket . Much like a pocket wotch back in the day .
 
mcrow...AntDog...Cypress

Right on! I suppose that a gentleman only uses his knife to clean his fingernails...in the privacy of his office. I never did like those guys. :) (Sort of a foolish thread that gets recycled over and over...and over)
 
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Take a deep breath. There are no hard and fast definitions on the knife world. In a lot of circles 'any' knife that has a lock as a tactical knife and not a gentleman's knife.

Don't get hamstrung on specific knives meeting specific definitions.

That being said, I would consider a chaparral with the cf laminate more of a gentleman's knife than a dragonfly with frn only because frn looks cheap and a gentleman's knife (in my mind) should look nice. G10 dragonfly would change that.

Still though... Relax.
 
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