Going from tactical to traditional folders and fixed blades....

[KBA]

I am not an either/or person. I like, use, and carry traditional knives. I like, use, and carry modern knives. I don't know if any of my modern knives qualify as tactical or not - perhaps maybe the Zero Tolerance 0566, though I just consider it to be sturdy.

No need to be all one or all the other unless you really feel that you must.

If you are giving away all of your modern knives to your friends, I'd like you to know that I've always liked you, even though we've never met.

Don't listen to him. He has all the knives he needs. I on the other hand

In all seriousness I did the same. Tactical is only a word given by those who want to be tactical. A knife is a knife. Traditionals imo have the depth of soul and history that just reaches me at a deeper level. I associate more with them and they feel like home. I however have no problem studying modern steel, locks, and materials. Imo modern knives are just ridiculously over priced for the most part which takes away from their soul or depth, but like I said that's just my opinion.

 

[Ramrodmb]

Honestly I really love both. I usually carry a pair, one traditional one modern every day. It is nice to have a quick opening one-hander that locks, especially one with good ergos for serious cutting. And it is nice to have a pretty little old fashioned knife that doesn't freak anyone out for everything else.

Plus, I just like knives. I also like kitchen knives, and daggers, and swords, and sword-like objects ('cause I ain't rich and I really don't need a sword for fighting), and axes even. I don't find that a love of one reduces my love of the others.

Totally agree! Great way to sum it up!

 

[Captain O]

Pssssssst! Would you like to know about a secret "tactical" knife that has other uses? It will cost you about $13.00 + shipping (max). It's called an Old Hickory "Sticker". With a 6" double-edged 1095 Carbon steel blade, it is efficient and can be slid into an $8.00 sheath. The steel takes a mean razor-sharp edge, and you can use it for a number of applications.

I have one, and call it my "bargain-basement bad boy". :thumbup:

 

[abcdef]

Modern knives are very cool, easy to love. Traditionally, pocket knives were practical tools for 99% of tasks. They still are. Tacticool knives were worn on the belt in the old days. Look at my cowboy bowie, or whatever, and bear hunters or Spartans needed them the other 1% of the time. Now people need to hide their cool knives since most social settings are not amenable to belt carry in a sheath or scabbard - thus the pocket brick.

The wise have realized that pocket knives were made the traditional way because form follows function. If thick handled/bladed folders were best for the original purpose of a pocket knife, that is how the peasants, Romans and Swiss would have made them in antiquity. You think those guys knew anything about blades?????

So lonestar, while modern knives are nice, trads rule. You go!!!!

 

[neal70]

You know I didn't think of it last post, but Queen's mountain man lockback is available with a thumb stud, and maybe the #4L also. I wonder if those models, if you can find the good ones, might help some tactical users make a more familiar approach to traditional knives, even though they skirt the border. I've never handled one, as I quite like the nail nick versions. Hunh, might be a worthy gift for a friend, plus you could see if they worked worth a darn.
Thanks, Neal
PS-Lonestar I don't really know you, but for the noble purposes of this thread, please, consider me a friend.

 

[jackknife]

For a very brief few years in the early 1990's, I tried a few of the so called tacticals. I tried to like them but was a dismal failure at it. Overly large handles for pocket carry, the clips caught on seat belts, counter tops, and other things aside from fraying the tops of my jean s pockets.

Then there was the overly thick blade grinds and just one blade to choose from. Just too limited for my taste. On top of that, having just one blade on hand was limiting. On my edc pocket knife I like having two or three blades on hand. The modern thing was not for me. On top of that, the pricing seemed insane to me. Why was a single blade brand X tactical with an injection molded handle costing pennies, most costly than a three blade case or Buck stockman with three blades made right here in the U.S.A.? Yeah, I now, it has better steel. I was in the machine shop production business, and the steel should make up about a dollars worth of price difference.

I grew up with the traditional pocket knife, and going to a tactical was like taking a step backwards in real world utility.

 

[kamagong]

For a very brief few years in the early 1990's, I tried a few of the so called tacticals. I tried to like them but was a dismal failure at it. Overly large handles for pocket carry, the clips caught on seat belts, counter tops, and other things aside from fraying the tops of my jean s pockets.

Then there was the overly thick blade grinds and just one blade to choose from. Just too limited for my taste. On top of that, having just one blade on hand was limiting. On my edc pocket knife I like having two or three blades on hand. The modern thing was not for me. On top of that, the pricing seemed insane to me. Why was a single blade brand X tactical with an injection molded handle costing pennies, most costly than a three blade case or Buck stockman with three blades made right here in the U.S.A.? Yeah, I now, it has better steel. I was in the machine shop production business, and the steel should make up about a dollars worth of price difference.

I grew up with the traditional pocket knife, and going to a tactical was like taking a step backwards in real world utility.

Don't you specialize in single blade knives now Carl?

 

[benzy2]

I certainly started the knife collection with modern knives, some larger and beefy, but mostly 3-3.5" blades with some form of single hand opening (thumbstub, spyderco hole, flipper). That trend wore boring and I bought my first GEC and ever since they have as much or more draw than most modern designs. I like the updated materials (mainly today's best stainless blades) but the old designs win for so many reasons (that everyone here understands). I still enjoy certain modern knives but more of the interest is in traditionals.

 

[jackknife]

Don't you specialize in single blade knives now Carl?

Only because as an aging arthritic septuagenarian I can't deal some days with a springy slip joint. Friction folders are what I'll probably take to the assisted living place when I dotter off into the sunset.



*Edit to add; Don't forget my go-to pocket knife all during the 1970's, 80's, and half of the 90's, was a well used Buck 301 stockman. If I still had good hands, one of those would still be in my pocket. That knife did everything from construction site use, machine shop, small game and fish, and a few deer. It's hard to beat a stockman.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I'm pretty diverse and use a variety of patterns and styles throughout the day. On any given day I'll have a combination of both and will use the most appropriate pattern/style for the task at hand. So in answer to the op, no I don't see a change other than a periodic change just to swap out for another combination of traditional and modern/tactical.

 

[lonestar1979]

I am coming back to Opinels and Victorinox SAK and paring knives,the more I use them the more I like them,even though they swell when exposed to moisture and are harder to open-close.Super easy to sharpen,in couple minutes and cut way better than tacticals,plus they can be used in public places with no problems.

 

[JD Bear]

I carry both most days. On a normal work day, like today, I'll carry three knives. Today I have a Buck 112 on my belt, a Case Texas Jack in my pocket, and a Spyderco Native 5 in my back pocket. I only carry the modern just in case I need it tonight at my night job. I work in a furniture warehouse at night and there's a lot of times I have to keep something steady with one hand and cut plastic and cardboard with the other. It's just safer for me in the end. When I'm not at work, I don't give modern folders a second thought. They have no soul and no warmth to me...

 

[Captain O]

I just ordered a new Queen Barlow Red Stag (pattern #69 1/2) 3 1/2" closed, with D2 steel Clip and Pen blades. I am purchasing more Traditional slip-joint knives (3 to 1).

Yes, I have folding hunter autos and other belt knives, but I love rotating my Traditional pocket knives but my Case CV Yellow Delrin peanut always rides in my right hand sport coat pocket.

Yes, I'll confess... I'm a hopeless addict!

 

[kamagong]

Only because as an aging arthritic septuagenarian I can't deal some days with a springy slip joint. Friction folders are what I'll probably take to the assisted living place when I dotter off into the sunset.

My sympathies Carl. As I am only now beginning middle age, I do not yet have to contend with the bodily aches that the accumulation of years brings. But, this weekend I sprained my wrist roughhousing with my daughter. It's better now, but I had trouble trying to do simple, gross motor skill-type tasks like soaping my back. I can imagine the difficulties fine motor skills like opening a slipjoint might present.