"Gentleman's" Knives!

No one talked about Manly. Small comment - my friend is handling Manly Buffalo horn with blade D2 - very sharp and interesting lock in rear part. There is no any clip. Good made and cheaper then Spyderco military.
 
I carry a traditional folder for my "gentleman's" knife needs. For example here is a GEC #42 that I carry often:





There are lots of other traditional options. If you're interested, check out the Traditional Knives sub-forum.
 
I still have a lot of questions about just what amounts to a gentlemen's knife. I don't think I've ever understood the definition.
 
Knives that go well with a suit jacket and cuff links ;)
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Alright I've looked through my collection of knives, and because everyone has a different interpretation of what a gentlemen's knife is, I've deiced to wing it.

First on the list is the Buck 110. That's the fanciest knife I've got.


Next is the Spyderco Meadowlark. No way of flipping that thing open like it's big brother.


It's hard to go wrong with a Victorinox Tinker.


Or a Classic SD.


Or an Executive if you can find one.


And then there's this one, just for fun.
 
I assume you want a locking knife, so I will recommend a spyderco Bradley air. Top notch blade steel and lightweight and non-threatening for work. Also from spyderco would be any member of the sage series. Good quality and you can choose your favorite lock!
 
The last time I wore dress pants I carried a Spyderco Para2. I don't carry a smaller knife just because I'm not wearing jeans. My dress points are all dark so I will only carry knives with dark handles. If I'm wearing Khakis then I'll carry any of my knives, but I don't own any that are orange.
 
ATwistedStaple said:
I'm not sure I'd call any I've the above a real "gentleman's knife." I generally think of traditionals or something like a Shun Higo. If you need something larger maybe have a look at some of the Mcustas.
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+1 on a Mcusta folder. I have their "gentlemans" model with Damascus blade, similar to the poster's knife, and it goes well with formal and upscale events. Very sharp, and easily trims a cigar.
 
A gentlemen's knife is a quality traditional jackknife like this Northfield UN-X-LD model #78 American Jack in primitive bone.
It is beautiful, timeless, has two blades of different sizes for increased utility, and costs about $130.

AmJackPrimOpen_zpsd8384c7e.jpg~original
 
I have the cash to buy a Mnandi, which I really do like...or even a custom $1000+ knife at the moment but I just wouldn't feel good about it. At this time in my life I'm not looking to invest $200 or more in any one or multiple knives lol. I just want to "waste" a completely marginal (~$150 or preferably less) amount of my salary on a new toy that should last forever and give me a little pleasure when I use it. Yeah I don't know the definition of "gentleman's" knife either, hence all of my quotation marks. I guess what I really want is a smaller folder, maybe a 2.5ish inch blade that has a pocket clip and is both ~less~ "aggressive" looking and more fancypretty! Form above function. When I bought my military I wanted a large utility blade. Utility meaning that by genius design it was optimally crafted so that I could carry it around almost anywhere seamlessly and that it excelled in almost every knife application. In the kitchen, on the trail, on the boat, at work, at home, in the car, and for knife fighting! Function far before form, it has been stellar and I certainly don't miss that $115 dollars! Although it's a bit sad that I remember exactly what I payed years ago lol. Now my life has changed and carrying it everywhere is no longer seamless, time for a new toy that is less utilitarian and more friendly in appearance. I'm digging a couple of those Mcustas.

Yeah, I bought a Mcusta mc-71d. What an awesome knife, thanks guys.
 
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I don't know where you guys live, but in NYC none of these big one handers would qualify as a Gent's knife. We wouldn't need a giant knife to do something as a gentlemen would pay someone else to do it.


Not to sound like a snob, but I'm thinking of a Gent's knife in the historical sense not I'm a rich snot from NYC . I'm thinking like a little loveless or centofante lockback style. It doesn't even have to be pricey it could be a CRKT tribute but that's what I think of when I hear gent's knife. Something small maybe fancy used for very light chores.
 
I carry a Kershaw Kurai for my "gentleman's" knife. It's small and fancy looking and WE'LL below your price range. I like to carry a nicer knife as my EDC but for a couple hours every Sunday and at weddings I didn't see the reason to spend much money. Most people think it looks much more valuable than the $22 I spent on it.
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I have this on my bucket list in term's of Gent's knives:
Kizer Ki4419A2
kizer-ki4419a3-large.jpg


I would also like to end up with a Spyderco Air at some point as well as a Fantoni and a GEC #66 slim calf roper, Northwoods Norfolk (I had the Presidential which was supposed to be their "ultimate" knife) but it was too much slipjoint and too pretty to carry, lmao. Right now I carry a Rough Rider half whittler and I love it, I have a really hard time kicking this little knife out of my pocket despite having other stuff.



My big issue is
 
Take a look at the Benchmade 470 Emissary. One's in my pocket now. Small-ish, scary sharp, wicked fast, good in an office setting.
 
Charlie_K said:
I still have a lot of questions about just what amounts to a gentlemen's knife. I don't think I've ever understood the definition.
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I always assumed it meant about the same thing as "business attire." Here's another smaller option I classify as business-attire friendly - a Northwoods Norfolk Whittler in Elephant Ivory:



And, if I must have a larger blade handy, then I'll pair it up with something like the #42 I mentioned above or perhaps a GEC #73:





Makes me feel "gentlemanly" at least...
 
link2derek said:
I always assumed it meant about the same thing as "business attire." Here's another smaller option I classify as business-attire friendly - a Northwoods Norfolk Whittler in Elephant Ivory:



And, if I must have a larger blade handy, then I'll pair it up with something like the #42 I mentioned above or perhaps a GEC #73:





Makes me feel "gentlemanly" at least...
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Love the business attire analogy
 
That Norfolk is all business and all gentlemanly! That big boy next to the Norfolk is like the armed bodyguard/driver of the Executive lol.
 
I can see many of the replies missed the "gentleman's" part. A ZT? Really? The choice should be small, discrete, light, and classy, not necessarily in that order. Things that come to my mind are the classic Buck 303 or similar. If you want to stay with a pocket clip you can't go wrong with a CRKT Ripple. I recommend the smaller version (2.6-2.75") all steel version. Black is fine, but the bronze or blue really stand out and will get many an admiring look. Not to mention that its a silky smooth (a-la $400 semi custom due to the captive ball bearings) flipper and WELL under your price point. Swedged top edge, like a Sebenza, shaving sharp hollow ground blade out of the box and a miniscule 2.2oz to carry. I just bought 2, one to use, and one just to keep its so damn pretty.
 
LenZ32 said:
I can see many of the replies missed the "gentleman's" part. A ZT? Really? The choice should be small, discrete, light, and classy, not necessarily in that order. Things that come to my mind are the classic Buck 303 or similar. If you want to stay with a pocket clip you can't go wrong with a CRKT Ripple. I recommend the smaller version (2.6-2.75") all steel version. Black is fine, but the bronze or blue really stand out and will get many an admiring look. Not to mention that its a silky smooth (a-la $400 semi custom due to the captive ball bearings) flipper and WELL under your price point. Swedged top edge, like a Sebenza, shaving sharp hollow ground blade out of the box and a miniscule 2.2oz to carry. I just bought 2, one to use, and one just to keep its so damn pretty.
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He wasn't recommending the ZT, he was just showing how large the Kershaw Kurai was in comparison to the ZT.
 
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