Gents Folders

4 Ranges

4 Ranges

Joined
Apr 5, 2002
Messages
777
I'm very interested in this "genre" of knife.

It really started at work. I opened a box with my small CRKT KFF Pro (with the aluminum handles). I figured "well it's not a black tactical folder, has no serrations, I should be fine."

Of course, it still scared the sheeple.

This is what started me on the search for a good, reliable gents knife. I thought I'd go with the Kershaw Splinter, but I want the knife to be as "tactical" as my afck, chinook, or CRKT KFF's.

I've looked at the large Sebenza with the cocobolo wood inlay, but I've also looked at the custom work that Pat Crawford has done with the KFF. Yes, the price on that one all but dwarfs the price of the Sebenza.

So here's my question:

1) who are your favorite/recommended gents folding knife custom makers? (william henry, crawford, etc.) I'd like to research their work and see what suits me.

2) what are your favorite gents folding knives?
 
There will be many opinions on what constitutes a "gents knife" and there have been several threads on what that might be. One person's "tactical monster" is another man's dainty, "Sunday-go-to-meetings" knife.

Things I look for:

Narrow blade profile - like what you used to find before one-hand opening became the rage. Just look at slipjoint folders, trappers, muskrats, etc. and you didn't need a high blade profile becase the opening was just a nail nick that was very close to the scales. I think you will also find that Spearpoint and Wharncliffe blade shapes tend to be more suited to this narrow blade profile, on one-hand opening knives. I can think of the following as good examples of "modernized gent's folders", some more "tactical"-looking than others.

Robert (Bob) Lum - Stalker and Mini-Stalker and Wharncliffe
Spyderco Kiwi
William Henry Monarch and possibly the Westcliff and the Quest (YMMV)
Chris Reeve Knives Mnandi
Tom Mayo TNT (small)

There are many other custom makers that make narrow-bladed profiles, but the ones I lust after (Kious and Pease) make knives that start at about $1,200 and go up from there. I decided a while ago that my comfort level with this kind of pocket jewelry is about $500 in case I lose it.
 
A really great new gents folder if the Nakamura from Kershaw. It made out of layered VG-10 and 420 HC and has a pretty wooden handle and that brass damascus bolsters (can't remember what it's called). Best of all, my local dealer was selling them for $99. The knife was about the size of a Spyderco Calypso which makes it a nice medium large gents knife by my standards.
 
BenchMade 921 Double Bladed Axis Folder if I am going over 3" for the main blade. The blue scales help a lot and it is a damned fine knife with a great little second blade for picky work.

Spyderco Kiwi w/bone scales if under 3". The Kiwi is a wonderful little knife with cutting power way beyond its size and appearance.

BenchMade 770, a Warren Osborne design, in its initial version with the carbon fiber scales and the very nice file work on almost all oF the non-blade metal parts. They used to even call this one the "Gent's Folder".

Spyderco Salsa in one of its multi-hued forms. This is a user's dream and it is small enough to be legal in a federal building and innocuous enough not to alarm even Quakers.
 
If you can still find a Spydie Lum Chinese folder, that's a really elegant and beautiful knife.

I keep looking at the WH Kestrel too, it's small but gorgeous.
 
Also meant to mention the little Kershaw LFK, less than $16 from New Graham. Good Kershaw quality for my .02.
 
I second the Kershaw LFK. It is a great little knife that is a real user. It won't break the bank or your heart if you lose it either.
 
I think a "gents" knife should have a blade under 3" , natural handle material and bolsters.

For an outright production I love the Spydie Kiwi with jigged bone. From a custom stand point I am a big fan of Scott Sawby and Bill Pease. Scott makes a small version of his Combat/Utilty and it is the best "crossover" design I've found.

I've just recieved a custom I ordered from Don Robinson and would definetly reccommend him to anyone looking for an inexpensive "gents" knife. Mine is an EDC and doesn't fit the "gents" mold. Here is a link to his site:

http://home.earthlink.net/~donwrobinson/id6.html


Win
 
I'd have to agree with WinHeger and Architect. It feels that the 'classic' styled small low-profile pocket knives would be most acceptable to most people these days. The new tactical, plastic handled, rugged, military-looking knives with belt clips and serrated blades though may be better in many cases (for durability anyway), do appear to disturb people more so than the others.
 
Spyderco Kiwi. i just got one of these and it's very elegant, and sheeple-friendly. girls all say, "it looks just like a bird!"

Kershaw Leek. very classy, smooth, thin and elegant. a great gent's knife, even if it is a bit longer than most.

abe m.
 
"I want the knife to be as "tactical" as my afck, chinook, or CRKT KFF's."

My .02: I have not been able to find a gent's knife that is small enough and non-threatening enough in appearance to not scare sheeple in the office while still being as well-designed for SD use as the knives you mention. The necessary attributes are: blade 3" or less; smooth one-hand opening; pocket clip; non-tactical finish (use of wood or micarta or colored coatings); and solid hadle ergonomics, especially something to prevent the index finger from slipping forward onto the blade (Even so I often end up adding some traction grooves for safety on small knives).

A few knives that I've found to meet the middle-ground between gent and defense are:

Spydie micarta Calypso Jr (out of production)
Spydie medium (not baby) Goddard (out of production)
Spydie Herbst (but that's getting a little big, & doesn't offer a lot of protection to the index finger)
Kershaw Splinter (but it has a small thumb-stud so is a little tricky to open quickly)
Kershaw Leek (esp in gold or rainbow TiNi coating)

A couple that might work well but I haven't owned personally are
Spydie CF Delica
BM small darkstar
and the new CRKT Starlight is like a fancy mini-AFCK, however it's getting pretty big and might still scare sheeple. Same for the very nice Lone Wolf Tighe.

Many people like the William Henry knives, however the sub-3" models do not in my opinion have safe enough ergonomics for reliable SD function.
 
How bought a Benchmade 705? It is a nice Gent size, and if you get one of the 705-401 models it looks very nice because of the silver G10(sheeple friendly), yet with G10 it is still as tough as the regular 705 model. I can't reccomend it enough.
 
I am sick to the hind teeth of the 'Sheeple' being frightened. Some of these people are scared of their own shadow. I don't understand why so many people inconvenience themselves to assuage the ridiculous fears of others. I bet you have to put up with other stuff they have like cell phones ringing, B.O, bad breath, irritating habits and voices. Its a good job freedom was won for the US without a drop of blood ever being spilt :rolleyes:

Buy what you want and use it. Its a free country...for now.
 
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