Gents Knives, Who Carries? Who uses?

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

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Aug 8, 1999
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For a while I have been thinking about getting a real full blown gents knife like those made by Ken Steigerwalt, Joe Pardue, Mike Zscherny, Des Horn etc. In other words a knife with a damascus blade and or bolsters, mother of pearl or mastodon scales, filework, etc. I realize that it would okay to have knife like this for display only, but how many people actually carry and use such fancy gents knives? How well do they hold up?
 
Originally posted by anthony cheeseboro
For a while I have been thinking about getting a real full blown gents knife ...snip...
Click to expand...

I carry a Jeff Hall Model 4 with file work, and wood scales (I like burl). I plan on getting it engraved as soon as the budget builds up. It was my EDC for a wile, and still is when I "dress up"
 
Speaking of Gent's folders and Jeff Hall . . . :)

I own two knives by Jeff Hall, a Model 5 with lots of filework and burl scales, and a Model 4 that is a bit less fancy. I've never had any concerns about using Hall's knives--underneath all the eye candy and excellent action are some sturdy liners. I carry them regularly, and they fit nicely in a William Henry clip case that I wear IWB. My biggest concern was that they might get scratched by keys, or fall out of my pockets, so this method of carry seems to work very well.

I think there are two separate issues here--one is getting used to the idea of having a heavily embellished, expensive knife riding in your pockets on a daily basis; the second is determining what kind of "use" your particular knife is appropriate for, based on its size, liner thickness, lockup, etc.
 
I started to reply to this thread earlier this morning, but then changed my mind since my work EDC isn't quite in the league you described (no damascus).

Bolsters are titanium and the blade is good, old ATS-34:
blacklipfrontside.jpg

However, the liners and spacer are fileworked and the scales are presentation grade black lip pearl and it certainly qualifies as a gents knife. This fine folder was made by A.T. Barr and I've carried it to work each day for the last year, and while it doesn't get used hard, I certainly don't hesitate to use it. The knife's acquired a few scuffs on the bolsters and I've sharpened it a couple of times, but otherwise it's as perfect as the day my wife bought it for me (birthday present).
 
A gents knife is for when you get dressed up and go out. It is classier than a tactical, and looks less menacing. It usually dosen't see much use, but for those of us who feel naked without a knife it's good to have. You can use it to open an envelope, cut a loose thread on a woman's shirt or cut the tip off of a fine cigar.
 
dsvirsky, is there any way you can post a pic of the other side of that sweet folder? Damn, that's some awesome pearl! :eek:
 
I did carry a WH with bone scales, sterling ball/wire bolsters and a saphire thumbstud. That is until I traded it. I now carry a PWE (don't know who he is) slipjoint with thick MOP slabs, damascus blade with extensive filework. This is carried maybe once a month as I no longer have much reason to wear more than jeans anymore. But it is there when its needed.
 
My every day office knife is a small Damascus folder made by Art Washburn. Liners on the backstrap are worked and the handle is also Damascus. It sees a lot of lite use, but I do not lend it out to co-workers :D.
 
dsvirsky, I did not mean to suggest that a knife has to have damascus to be a really fancy gents knife. I have, however, been looking at damascus alot lately because it is so distinctive. You A.T. Barr piece is great. I'ma Barr fan myself in that I own one of his wharncliffes.

Personally, I own two knives that I would consider gents knives. One is an Andre Thornburn with warthog ivory scales and a stamascus blade and the other is a Bailey Bradhsaw piece with a 3V blade and goldlip pearl scales. Both of these are nice, but I want something just a bit fancier and I would prefer a liner lock or lockback for EDC as opposed to a slipjoint like my Bradshaw piece. R.B. Johnson is another maker whose work I really admire.
 
Well, I do own one gents knife with fancy damascus bolsters and blade, very similar to this one (mine has abalone scales while the one pictured is brown lip pearl).
knife973.jpg

(photo borrowed from Bladegallery.com)

This one's never seen any pocket time.
 
I am a knifemaker, so carry at least one of my own folders...usually a single blade Congress with a blade that is not typical...good for paper cutting, envelope and box opening, tooth picking and small enough to be unnoticeable in the pocket...also carry it in a slipcase.

But I'll tell you, if I were not a maker myself, and still working in "Corporate America" where suits and ties were appropriate, I would work with my close friend and knifemaking Mentor, A.T. Barr to build one sweet pearl handled Damascus or Timascus bolstered linerlock that is fully fileworked and "tricked out". It would have either a Stainless Damascus, or an ATS34, or CPM S30V blade. I would carry it in a slipcase rather than loose in my pocket.
It would fit right in to the corporate environment of Mont Blanc pens, Rolex or Tag Heuer watches, navy suits, BMW's or Saab autos
(or in my case an old Jeep Wrangler).

While I really like A.T.'s pieces, other makers I might consider carrying, if I didn't make my own, would be Frank Centofante's, Alan Elishewitz's smaller stuff, W.D. Pease's beautiful knives, Jim Downs'
pretty folders, on and on.....

and I'm supposed to be a knifemaker...sure is easy to appreciate some of the other makers' work....that is why I collect, as well as make, knives.
Go with it Anthony! It feels good to know you have a quality handmade folder in your pocket!
 
Originally posted by Jeff Hall
Charlie and Michael - Send them to me if they ever need a tune-up.
Click to expand...

If it ever needs one, I will - in fact just after I get it engraved (still dreaming - no budget), I'll send it to you for a look-see. It's still the smoothest knife I own, and holds the best edge!
:)
 
I've got a couple of decent factory made knives with pearl and damascus that presently serve as my gent's knives. Right now, though, I'm working on a design for a smallish Bowie that would be appropriate to carry while in a suit and tie. Damascus blade, gold gaurd, engraving, ivory or pearl handles, sterling silver sheath...

Now where am I gonna get the money to have it made?
 
I have several because I spend most of my time in suits and gents and dress knives are less alarming in the circumstances. Some I use, but some are strictly collectors and pristine. That's often a dilemma: to use or not to usel even to carry or not to carry. Increasingly I'm using them, gently, because I can't stand the strain of not playing with them....
 
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