-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Have traditionals become more popular recently?
- Thread starter sogflash
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2011
- Messages
- 2,808
Yes they have. More and more of my modern knife buddies' have gravitated towards traditional knives. There are several instances of members who were more so in the general discussion thread of Bladeforums who have settled here in the porch such as Comeuppance recently. You'll see traditional knives all over instagram and facebook now in people's recent gear "dumps".
The collectability, build quality, unique nostalgia that comes with a well worn traditional knife all come into play.
Quality recognises quality.
I myself came here after moving to NYC last year with the notion of trying to carry a pocket knife. Locking knives were a bit risky other than at work so I settled on slipjoints. I had long since tired of the cutting performance of modern knives and the razor thin edge and primary grind of slipjoints interested me greatly.
The collectability, build quality, unique nostalgia that comes with a well worn traditional knife all come into play.
Quality recognises quality.
I myself came here after moving to NYC last year with the notion of trying to carry a pocket knife. Locking knives were a bit risky other than at work so I settled on slipjoints. I had long since tired of the cutting performance of modern knives and the razor thin edge and primary grind of slipjoints interested me greatly.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2013
- Messages
- 2,807
Traditional knives are cool, and there's a general traditional trend among knife enthusiasts nowadays: we're getting sick of "tactical" things. I can sympathize with this; I've always hated knives that try too hard to be tactical without bringing the performance to back it up. In my mind, such knives exist to separate Call of Duty fans from their money. Also, being Canadian, a traditional knife is a lot easier for me to carry since it's not going to scare as many people and is less likely to be interpreted as a "weapon" and get me thrown in the local penn.
I'm young. Traditional knives hold no nostalgia for me. I just like them, and I intend to buy more. I've got a reasonable collection of them now, so I really should start spending more time in this subforum.
Unfortunately, with winter rolling in, I'm less likely to carry anything that has a nail nick; would really rather not have to remove my gloves to open a knife. Perhaps I'll get some more small traditional fixed blades.
I'm young. Traditional knives hold no nostalgia for me. I just like them, and I intend to buy more. I've got a reasonable collection of them now, so I really should start spending more time in this subforum.
Unfortunately, with winter rolling in, I'm less likely to carry anything that has a nail nick; would really rather not have to remove my gloves to open a knife. Perhaps I'll get some more small traditional fixed blades.
Last edited:
meako
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 9,914
Its an interesting thought.
I don't think trad knives ever really went away but they do seem more popular than even 10 years ago when I first started collecting and making a pest of myself round here.
From around 1960 people began to dispense with "old fashioned" stuff in all aspects of life. My dad was busy ripping out Victorian house fittings and fireplaces to be replaced with beautiful new modern plastic modular stuff.Wheres that gone now? oh yeah, you get it from retro stores and junk shops.Kind of the same with knife factories. Look at some of the attempts at modern knives from the 70s and 80s when they tried to compete with the OS manufacturers by creating new lines but perhaps letting the old ones fall away and then went belly up.Way of the world? Ironically it seems to be happening in reverse now.The modern monsters are pumping out old school knives in response to trends being set by smaller onshore firms who have a relationship with customers at grass roots level. Quality is dictated by cost.Anyway seems to me people are are more inclined to olden day quality if that ever existed in more than our collective imagination.
Hands up if you'd rather your kids had leg operated scooters or those new fangled hover board burn the house down and get no exercise boards.Scooters for me.
Traditionals all the way.:thumbup:
I don't think trad knives ever really went away but they do seem more popular than even 10 years ago when I first started collecting and making a pest of myself round here.
From around 1960 people began to dispense with "old fashioned" stuff in all aspects of life. My dad was busy ripping out Victorian house fittings and fireplaces to be replaced with beautiful new modern plastic modular stuff.Wheres that gone now? oh yeah, you get it from retro stores and junk shops.Kind of the same with knife factories. Look at some of the attempts at modern knives from the 70s and 80s when they tried to compete with the OS manufacturers by creating new lines but perhaps letting the old ones fall away and then went belly up.Way of the world? Ironically it seems to be happening in reverse now.The modern monsters are pumping out old school knives in response to trends being set by smaller onshore firms who have a relationship with customers at grass roots level. Quality is dictated by cost.Anyway seems to me people are are more inclined to olden day quality if that ever existed in more than our collective imagination.
Hands up if you'd rather your kids had leg operated scooters or those new fangled hover board burn the house down and get no exercise boards.Scooters for me.
Traditionals all the way.:thumbup:
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2013
- Messages
- 5,713
What can I say..... "Paw Paw was right."
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2013
- Messages
- 8,331
I work in NYC too. I've gotten a traditional through the metal detector of the Nasdaq stock exchange. I don't believe that would happen with any of my moderns. So I really appreciate traditionals for their ease of pocket carry and practicality. They look great and carry awesome. Enough said!
I would say they are more popular than when I got into the knife world. We have always primarily purveyed traditional knives, but 6-7 years ago they moved very slowly next to fixed blades, but now they are, arguably, hot at times.
I wonder if the modern "hipster" movement isn't part of the increase in popularity. Hipsters like quality, nostalgia and just cool things. Traditionals fit that very, very well.
I wonder if the modern "hipster" movement isn't part of the increase in popularity. Hipsters like quality, nostalgia and just cool things. Traditionals fit that very, very well.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2011
- Messages
- 2,808
I agree with the modern "hipster" movement Derrick. Largely attributed to that in my opinion. I've generally found that the same guys who enjoy some Alden Indys, Horween Shell Cordovan or filson have a traditional in their wheelhouse somewhere
I've even gotten my tattoo artist in Bushwick to start collecting GEC's and she loves them for wood carving.
SVTFreak
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2011
- Messages
- 5,494
I agree with the modern "hipster" movement Derrick. Largely attributed to that in my opinion. I've generally found that the same guys who enjoy some Alden Indys, Horween Shell Cordovan or filson have a traditional in their wheelhouse somewhere
I respectfully disagree. Hipsters generally are (I'm sorry for bringing politics into this, but please, it's only an observational link, and not any sort of degrade) more left leaning people who generally don't like what they view as weapons. People who use things like you list (myself included, love my Fislon oil cloth stuff for its intended use, outdoors!) have always carried and used knives. Many (and I can include myself in that also) started down the tacticool road not even realizing it and now that it's gone so obsurdely far that way, woke up and realized "I don't like this....crap". A correction back to center happened or is happening. Finding places to get good quality useful (face it, tactical stuff isn't as useful for what many of us use our knives for) blades is becoming easier.
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2012
- Messages
- 8,799
Yes, they have become more popular. Though it may be due to the recovery in the economy and jobs market more than anything else. There were some good deals to be found there for a few years. People weren't spending money on things like collectible pocket knives. Now they are. Prices are on the rise too.
It's a relatively small market, so it doesn't take much of an upsurge in demand to impact supply. It used to be you could wait until new GEC models came out and take a look at pics of them first but now you pretty much have to put a reserve order in before they even decide on the handle color if you want to get one new from a dealer.
Even Rough Riders in certain models and handle materials are becoming harder to find and prices are going up a little. Case dealers have raised prices recently though that may be seasonal. I remember not long ago a Victorinox Alox Cadet could be found for about $21 plus shipping. Now around $30 from the same dealers.
Plus I think a lot of the generation of young men who were coming of age during the recession years who were thinking more about how to function after the collapse of society have realized that scenario is not that likely, and are finding in their work environments that a smaller, "friendly looking" pocket knife is less of a hassle to use without comment and is a better choice.
It's a relatively small market, so it doesn't take much of an upsurge in demand to impact supply. It used to be you could wait until new GEC models came out and take a look at pics of them first but now you pretty much have to put a reserve order in before they even decide on the handle color if you want to get one new from a dealer.
Even Rough Riders in certain models and handle materials are becoming harder to find and prices are going up a little. Case dealers have raised prices recently though that may be seasonal. I remember not long ago a Victorinox Alox Cadet could be found for about $21 plus shipping. Now around $30 from the same dealers.
Plus I think a lot of the generation of young men who were coming of age during the recession years who were thinking more about how to function after the collapse of society have realized that scenario is not that likely, and are finding in their work environments that a smaller, "friendly looking" pocket knife is less of a hassle to use without comment and is a better choice.
- Joined
- May 9, 2010
- Messages
- 10,151
traditional knives (slipjoints) were my first knives as a kid. As I was growing up, i moved on to liner locks, and balisongs, automatics and what not. I live in nyc and work in one of the biggest hospitals; one day I took out a cheapo liner lock to open something and the Doctor said that's a gravity knife! (jokingly because of the swift deploy) I have switched back to traditionals and enjoy them very much. In fact all 20 or so of my last knife purchases were traditionals. I have a little anxiety carrying my nicer ones, but I do carry them.
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,021
I am guilty of this. I used to be all General Discussion and at one point had a good 15 ZTs and Spydercos. Now, I have sold everything off such that I have two H1 steel spydercos I use while on the water, and everything else is traditional.
Well, everything except my small Sebenza 21.
I love the natural materials found more in traditional knives. I like that even the production knives have a degree of human input and variance to them where as the modern folders typically just come out of CNC machines.
Well, everything except my small Sebenza 21.
I love the natural materials found more in traditional knives. I like that even the production knives have a degree of human input and variance to them where as the modern folders typically just come out of CNC machines.
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2013
- Messages
- 1,123
I carried traditionals for years before going to a Leatherman tool. Then when Leatherman introduced their modern pocket knives I switched to that. 2.5" Combo blade with assist lever (no spring) to deploy quickly, 2 screwdrivers, caplifter/caribiner. Co-workers became visibly nervous when I took it out. One day I packed a Vic huntsman instead. Much longer blade, and no one batted an eye. I've carried a traditional ever since.
I think the modern folders have this angry, aggressive feel and look about them. They "look dangerous" to a lot of people. But traditional folders I think remind people of their dad, or grandfathers, or uncles. People we look up to and miss. People whose memory provide comfort. We can see the love put into these old patterns and know it was meant to be tool instead of a weapon. To me the traditionals feel like art, not aggression.
I think the modern folders have this angry, aggressive feel and look about them. They "look dangerous" to a lot of people. But traditional folders I think remind people of their dad, or grandfathers, or uncles. People we look up to and miss. People whose memory provide comfort. We can see the love put into these old patterns and know it was meant to be tool instead of a weapon. To me the traditionals feel like art, not aggression.
I'm not sure they have.
The tractor supply store here in Georgetown Texas has a four sided pocket knife display. One side is a very sparse Case display with a few of the Asian made new Schades. Two other sides have garish over done tactical knives of no great name. Who puts saw teeth on the back of a folding knife blade?? The other side of the four side display is all mulitools. Some Leathermans, a lot of no name Asian stuff.
Yes, we have GEC and Case, but they are a drop in the bucket compared to what Camillus and Schrade used to pump out the door when they were alive. Canal Street just went belly up.
In some markets nostalgia does still sell. For all the jacked up big trucks I see here in Texas, I see a startling number of little Fiat 500's and Mini Coopers around. And while the gun shops have racks full of black rifles, I see a large number of cowboy action shooting done on the local ranges. But I see lots and lots of stainless steel pocket clips on pants.
I think the traditional pocket knife is still coming from behind in most markets.
The tractor supply store here in Georgetown Texas has a four sided pocket knife display. One side is a very sparse Case display with a few of the Asian made new Schades. Two other sides have garish over done tactical knives of no great name. Who puts saw teeth on the back of a folding knife blade?? The other side of the four side display is all mulitools. Some Leathermans, a lot of no name Asian stuff.
Yes, we have GEC and Case, but they are a drop in the bucket compared to what Camillus and Schrade used to pump out the door when they were alive. Canal Street just went belly up.
In some markets nostalgia does still sell. For all the jacked up big trucks I see here in Texas, I see a startling number of little Fiat 500's and Mini Coopers around. And while the gun shops have racks full of black rifles, I see a large number of cowboy action shooting done on the local ranges. But I see lots and lots of stainless steel pocket clips on pants.
I think the traditional pocket knife is still coming from behind in most markets.
Chui
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2012
- Messages
- 3,065
I've certainly started being more interested in the last year or so.
Would be interested to learn the age group and demographic - my guess is more mature guys...
In UK I know there's a few more turning this way, but we're always small numbers in the scheme of things anyway, but a lot to do with our knife laws..........easier to collect and carry these than most others
The biggest sector in the folder market, by far, and growing, is the tactical folder - much of that younger guys with money.
There's much to enjoy - the history, old and evolving patterns, as well as the wonderful natural finishes they are able to come in - let alone some of the great characters of the makers themselves, many of whom are quite selfless and share their knowledge.
Would be interested to learn the age group and demographic - my guess is more mature guys...
In UK I know there's a few more turning this way, but we're always small numbers in the scheme of things anyway, but a lot to do with our knife laws..........easier to collect and carry these than most others
The biggest sector in the folder market, by far, and growing, is the tactical folder - much of that younger guys with money.
There's much to enjoy - the history, old and evolving patterns, as well as the wonderful natural finishes they are able to come in - let alone some of the great characters of the makers themselves, many of whom are quite selfless and share their knowledge.
- Joined
- May 3, 2015
- Messages
- 738
I would disagree with this and i think your perception of "left leaning" people might be a bit generalized. I'm a "left leaning" gun/knife owner and i know many others too. Turns out it has nothing to do with politics. I think it's spot on to say that hipsters can appreciate the retro quality of traditional knives.
Henry Beige
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 3,748
Traditionals have certainly become more popular with me, but I would not presume to generalize that to the world at large. I don't really see many traditionals in use, and of course if someone is carrying a slipjoint folder, I won't be aware of it at all unless it comes out.
I see a lot of pocket clips, and multitools on belts. My son's more hipsterish friends will be carrying Opinels, douk-douks and Marttiinis, plus the odd Spyderco, Benchmade or Leek.
I see a lot of pocket clips, and multitools on belts. My son's more hipsterish friends will be carrying Opinels, douk-douks and Marttiinis, plus the odd Spyderco, Benchmade or Leek.