Gentleman's/Traditional/Classy Folder Recommendation

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KrabbyKakes

Joined
Jun 22, 2013
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261
I have recently stopped carrying my Griptillian for a more civilized knife, my grandfathers old Case Trapper. All of the stares I got using the Grip made me not want to take it out with me. The trapper gets a lot less looks but the two handed opening is a pain. Don't get me wrong, I love the knife, but sometimes I wish it had a thumb stud for easy opening. My search has found three knives that I really like, but there are some problems which each of them. I'll start of with the cheapest.

1. Case Trapperlock - The thing that bothers me the most about this knife is the aesthetics. I never really paid attention to how a trapper looks until now, and it is really bothering me. The blade doesn't line up with the back of the handle and it gives the knife an ugly, broken look to it. If Case changed the design to a straight back, I would buy one of these in an instant.

2. Mcusta Katana - This one isn't exactly going to fly under the radar of most people but I love the way it looks. But, for $130, I would rather have the ugly Trapperlock for half the price. Unless there is a reason why this destroys the other two for edc.

3. Custom Knife - Alan Davis recently posted a folder in the for sale section of the forum http://http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1117567-Carbon-Fiber-amp-Nichols-Damascus-Wharny-(sold)
I fell in love with the design, but the materials were too premium. I am not sure of the original price, but I think it was $395. Does anyone know of a maker that would make a simpler version like this? No Damascus or carbon fiber, just a simple steel like 440C or 52100 and a micarta handle. My budget is $150 which is SUPER LOW for a custom folder, but I recently saw a beefy friction folder in 1084 sell for $120. If someone can do this, please please please put their name down in the post.

It took me awhile to save up enough money for a new, quality knife so all of y'alls help is appreciated!
 
Nah, not a fan of the stockman look. In my opinion, the narrow blades of a stockman don't cut too well. There are some very cool knives on that site though...
 
I suggest you just get a smaller version of what you are comfortable with. Spyderco makes a lot of folders.

Sounds like you won't be happy with a traditional. My favorite traditionals are made by Great Eastern Cutlery in many patterns and the Trapper pattern is my favorite.
 
Hard to sift out your actual requirements, but for a low-profile one-hand opening knife, I happen to be fond of the Emerson Mini A100. That's just me. However, there are a bunch of Spyderco knives that would fit that profile, the Delica would be at the top of my list. That said, the Spyderco Memory is also a wonderful knife and doesn't (to me) look at all tacticool or threatening. Moreover, all of them can be opened "two handed" without making anyone uncomfortable. Opening my ZT0777 with two hands is annoying, to say nothing of trying to open my Leek with two hands (in that case, the second hand is just there to catch the blade as it opens).

Do not underestimate the Leek. Excellent knife. I have two. And a couple of Delicas, plus a handful of traditional slippies, all of which require a two hand opening. This is another reason I carry two dedicated knifes, one traditional one modern. Different platforms for different needs.
 
I really dont think you can get a custom done for $150 but if anyone can do it Alan can! His prices are very fair but you would need to contact him but I am sure you would have to wait awhile for it unless he already has something made he can sell you. I think for your price range an Al Mar lockback like the Eagle or Hawk would meet your needs. They have thumb studs and you would have to decide which one you would want but they look classy for a lockback. Good Luck! Kevin :thumbup:
 
You might consider the small single blade lockback.

Current versions include the Buck 501 and GEC 72. The Buck can be done with custom scales and upgraded steels.

While they lack thumb studs, they are very easy to one hand open with a teeny bit of practice. Just pinch the blade and the hook the butt end bolster on your thigh or hip to open.

Here's my old Schrade.

Shrade 5OT by Pinnah, on Flickr

I find these knives carry great, don't attract a lot of attention but still deliver locking performance.
 
The Lone Wolf Swale and Trask are classy looking for a folder I think. They're both pretty awesome knives don't think you'll find any bad reviews. I have both and they're great.
 
Thanks for all of the responses guys! I know that my requirements are all over the place. My number 1 and 2 choice are almost polar opposites. And I knew that the custom for $150 probably wasn't going to happen. I have looked at the Spydercos and while they look nice, hole openers aren't really the thing for me. I can never flick em open as fast as a thumb stud. I did some more reading and I really like the Lionsteel Sr2. It is a little out of my price range but I have seen full size versions go for $130 on the exchange. A custom Buck would also be nice though...
 
Not really a traditional, but maybe a CRK mnandi? Its around the cost of the Alan Davis, but its got thumb nicks so it looks more traditional, but you can use one hand to open/close it.
 
Some food for thought. Not a criticism in any way and motivated by two stories.

Modern road cyclists have their gear changers located on the brake levers. When racing, this allows the gears to be changes quickly. The traditional location for gear shifters on a touring bike is at the end of the handle bar. It takes perhaps a second longer to move the hand into the right position. Tourers will argue, they're not racing so what's the rush? Related back to you're situation, if you're not using this knife for self-defense, do you need fast 1 hand opening? Or could you live with a slower version of 1 hand opening?

Second story. I have a friend at work. He carries a tiny Chive. I carry a uch bigger Opinel 9. He scares more people with his Chive than I do with my large Opinel. Why? It's the sound and the speed of deployment of the Chive. SWI-CLICK!!!!

I one hand open my Opinels and traditional lock backs all the time. All that's needed is a pinchae blade. Fast openers are fun and have their place. In offices though, I find slower opening knives to be more people friendly. This is a part of what you've four with your case.

A pinchable lock back will be accepted more like your Case. Just 2 hand open it when deploying near people

Last last comment... The bucks are sort of Blingy in an 80s Trans Am sort of way. I think the GEC lock backs look older and more genteel. For office friendly, I would give the 72 (or 73?) a very close look.
 
I simply do not understand the "scaring" folks part. I have never heard a comment, or seen any sort of negative reaction to any knife I have carried. Is this a real occurrence, or something blown way out of proportion?
 
Mike Morris makes very nice friction folders within your budget. That would give you a custom knife and come in well under your $150 mark
 
liliysdad said:
I simply do not understand the "scaring" folks part. I have never heard a comment, or seen any sort of negative reaction to any knife I have carried. Is this a real occurrence, or something blown way out of proportion?
Click to expand...

Very real in my experience.

I grew up and continue to spend a lot of time in rural areas. But I live in suburbia now and work in an office setting. It's very real and one reason (among many) that I prefer to carry traditionals.
 
It is my opinion in general that too much is made of the assisted opening knives in terms of their practicality unless you carry the knife for self defense. Yeah, they're fun, but the feature is un-necessary for me. The one-hand feature is nice, but not necessary.

A knife that I just purchased to try out might be a consideration... KaBar Dozier folding hunter in AUS8 (Taiwan made). It is a very practical knife in a fairly good steel for everyday use, one hand opening (not fast), and a reversible clip and all for $20-$25. This one has grabbed my attention. This is along the same lines as Pinnah's suggestion of the above (#8) with the Schrade picture and sort of like the Spyderco Native without the hole. The Native is a pretty nice knife.
 
pinnah said:
Very real in my experience.

I grew up and continue to spend a lot of time in rural areas. But I live in suburbia now and work in an office setting. It's very real and one reason (among many) that I prefer to carry traditionals.
Click to expand...

I still find the idea foreign, but apparently its real. I suppose a further extension of my confusion is, why does anyone care what others think about what they carry? I see many posts about the Delica, for example, and I think that knife is entirely too small for anything but opening snuff cans and cleaning fingernails. I typically carry a Rock Lobster or Military, and have a Sodbuster of some sort as a secondary for mundane stuff. Even if the masses didn't like it, I don't think I would care one way or another.
 
22-rimfire said:
It is my opinion in general that too much is made of the assisted opening knives in terms of their practicality unless you carry the knife for self defense. Yeah, they're fun, but the feature is un-necessary for me. The one-hand feature is nice, but not necessary.
Click to expand...

i guess people like what they like. i agree about the assisted opening and the need for it in everyday normal life. if i had problems with my hands with movement and joints than i could see it might help in that respect, but even than, i would look for a fixed blade. maybe people are wowed by the fast flicking motion or just like playing around, but again i have no need for it and it's just another extra something to go wrong on a knife. the simpler the better for me.
 
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