Is the "pocketknife" dead?

T

truedge

Joined
Mar 2, 2000
Messages
111
Being relatively new to the forum, I have probably missed some discussion on this topic but views on this issue would be interesting to me so I am asking.

Where the line gets drawn between modern, new, tactical or whatever the appropriate term and the traditional thumbnail open, bone etc. handled pocketknife is a little blurred. When you look at two such different knives as a Reeve Sebenza and a Schatt & Morgan Sowbelly Trapper it is obvious we are talking about two different animals.

I am just wondering, since there is so little discussion about the traditional if it is, for all practical purposes, a dead animal. I really like the course most modern custom makers are taking with the experimentation in materials and design functionality. However, I also have a great fondness for the high quality older style knives as well. A mint Case Bulldog or a lockback Buffalo still gets my eyes to twinkling and reaching for the wallet on occasion.

How about some thoughts on the subject from others?

Thanks,
Mark

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A Patriot's Work Is Never Done--greetings from The Occupied South
 
Mark,
I enjoy collecting, restoring and learning about traditional pocket knives. I also enjoy the priveledge of an occasional visit to Bill Simons shop here in Lakeland, FL. He makes some BEAUTIES!!
I find it much more comfortable to carry the newer, high tech folders with their pocket clips. I also worry less about damaging them than I do with my "classics".
When not carrying one of my small fixed blades, I carry and Emerson Commander. It's a rather large folder and is more comfortable to carry than say a full size trapper. It would also be MUCH more useful in a "sticky" situation
smile.gif

Neil

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Blackwood Knives
More knives in stock! New Talonite models soon!!
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One of my carry knives for the last 20 years is a Slimline trapper single blade[Case #31048]Also carry a Cheetah 6111 1/2 swing guard.No I don't think pocket knives are dead.IMO

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have a"knife"day
 
Neil,
Thanks for the input. I have no argument with what you said. My mind tells me one thing about functionality, but on occasion my heart tells me to slip the 75 year old ivory handled S & M office knife in my pocket and feel "dressed up". Hard to explain.
Mark

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A Patriot's Work Is Never Done--greetings from The Occupied South
 
Hello Mark, from Mark
smile.gif


No, the pocket knife is not dead by a long shot! You may want to check out this similar thread posted here a few weeks ago if you want.

http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum32/HTML/003195.html

I am carring a 3 bld. stockman along with one or two of my tactical style locking blade knives again.


MWD.jpg





[This message has been edited by Mark W Douglas (edited 03-11-2000).]
 
Traditional pocket knives were designed to sell at a relatively low price point. There were exceptions of course. But, most of the knives were standard patterns delivered through hardware and sporting goods stores. And, we all wish we could go back and buy a mountain of them.

The current batch of tactical knives (lousy name) are designed for an entirely different market. They are for people who are willing to pay a little more for enhanced performance. The primary focus has shifted from elegant lines and colorful eyecatching scales to lock strength and the latest magical blade steels.

Marketing dollars are going to reinforce the tactical knife premium, and the discussion in these forums reflects the marketing. Personally, I enjoy all of these knives altough I am a little concerned that the excessive promotion of lock strength could lead to some of these knives getting used in unsafe ways (loading heavy pressure on the back of the folder)
 
I'll bet some of us really give metal detectors a fit.

I don't really like the name "tactical" either. When I buy one that is called that by the salesman or advertiser, I have to overcome the term to buy the knife. Seems like they are trying to appeal to an undercurrent of machismo. I have never bought a folding knife as a weapon, though I do understand and appreciate it's value in many situations. I will choose a baseball bat before a knife--they just have a few carry limitations.
smile.gif


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A Patriot's Work Is Never Done--greetings from The Occupied South
 
Mark,
I also agree about a "dress up" knife! On the rare ocassions that I must get dressed up I like to carry something that I may have the opportunity to show off. A nice old folder is great for this. People that know me often ask to see what knife I'm carrying at the time!!
I also like to be able to hide a PURE "tactical" like my Hawkbill, say upsidedown in the inside pocket of a sport jacket. This is GREAT advertisement for my knives!!
I think that many will admit here at BF, they don't mind showing off a knife no matter what kind it is!! A knife nut is a knife nut!
Neil

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Blackwood Knives
More knives in stock! New Talonite models soon!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Hi
Carry is not an option in here. But when even using a Delica in my own flat scare some people, I often have to use traditonal pocket knives. Recently converted from SAK to Stockman style because I have come to appreciate the usefullness multiblade knives. I might buy a trapper in the future, but now I really love Stockman because I use the sheep foot blade a lot. Pocket knives definitely have more to offer than collecting value.
 
I appreciate the traditional pocketknife but I believe that there has been a gradual move towards the simplicity of single locking blade, pocket clip knife and the multi-tool. Back in the 1970's, before Spyderco took off, there was already a move towards smaller, single blade lockbacks for everyday use. I began to carry small Case, Buck Al Mar, and Queen lockbacks before I heard of the "tactical knife." Similarly, overtime I came to prefer SAK or Camillus arrmy knives to trappers or stockman patterns becuase the variety of non-knife tools were more useful to me than three or four different blade shapes.
Simply put, the single blade tactical and the multi-tool are more in keeping with contemporary pocketknife needs. The older designs were mean manly for hunting, animal husbandry, or whittling. Most people nowadays use knives for box, rope, and letter cutting or other utility. Also, the whole self defense/machismo factor is important also. Knives, like all other tools, simply reflect the time in which they are made.
 
Traditional pocketknives may not be as popular as they once were but based upon the number of places that I see them being sold along with SAKs they're still the most common knife around. I like stockmans or such as it's not uncommon to dull or blunt an edge if a knife is actually being used once in awhile, so it's nice having another blade available.
 
I don't know what I would do with out my stockman. It is the most useful knife I have.
 
People have tried to get me to buy a set of carving knives, but my little Peanut and my Trapper ain't broke, so what's the problem. I agree with johno, if you counted all the knives sold each year, the traditional knives would seem to be a substantial portion of the sheer numbers (obviously not dollars!!!).

Besides, what do you give that 7 year old kid to whittle his first stick? I don't know about you guys, but it won't be a M-UDT! That would be the second knife they get!
smile.gif
Brandon

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"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about..."
 
While I am presently buying primarily locking folders, I think one of the finest examples of the knifemaker's art is that of the traditional folder. When I finally get the locking folder models and types I really feel I need, I can't wait to start seriously looking at some of the work done by Tony Bose, Dan Burke and a whole host of others. In a word they are just plain elegant (and generally come sheeple approved!). There is just something about how the backsprings and liners become one that facinates me (I also like the contrast when using brass liners).

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It's only a mistake if you fail to learn from it!
 
My Dad works in an office so he needs something non threatening, and he doesn't like locking blades because they take longer to close than a slipjoint. He has always carried a traditional type pocketknife. Usually a stockman , now a trapper that I made for him. I always have a multi tool and what I guess falls into the tactical category on me, even though I don't view it as a weapon. There are a lot of times that I'll carry a pocketknife too. I've found that even though the trapper I like to carry actually has a longer blade than my delica, sheeple never say anything about it and they always have something to say about my delica. And its always good to have a non locking blade to lend to anyone that doesn't know how to close a locking knife. It always amazes me when people don't understand what I mean by push that button the back of the handle while you close the blade. Instead they try and force it and hold it all kinds of odd ways and say "what do you mean?" That always worries me, I'd hate to see someone slice their hand open trying to close my knife.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I'm walking through the ECCKS yesterday, I thought it would be nice to bring home the wife something, it's only fair
wink.gif

My wife once saw a Leg Knife, and thought they were cute. So, I see some, three of them in this dealers case. They were cute. but if I brought home a $650 "cute knife" my wife would have me commited.

Is the "pocketknife" dead?
I don't think so.



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"Will work 4 Knives!"
Homepage: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=254126
 
Heck no, they're not dead. I sell them by the bucketloads.


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for all your knife needs.
 
truedge,
I dont think the line is blurred. Modern pocket knives are just an evolution of the traditional. There really is little difference between my Old Timer and my Leopard Cub. Both are pocket ready. One just has enhancements the other lacks. Cars evolved, and so did people. Why not knives?
 
Hey, I think that if you dont carry a "regular" pocket knife of some sort in your pocket, your not a real "knife" person!

I love all the new "tactical" knives out there, and probably will have one on me if you saw me, but....Ask what's in my pocket and you will find a Hen&Rooster Sowbelly or Pen knife or maybe a S&M Canoe or Congress.

I was just at an NKCA show today at the Cincinnati show and believe me...from what you see selling at these shows the pocket knife is long from dead!!!

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~Keith~
"War to the knife and knife to the hilt"

 
Nice responses folks. Thanks for the input.

Personally, I do see a blurring of the lines between the traditional and modern and I don't think it is a bad thing.

Hal
See I think that the blurring is that evolutionary process you talked about. When Jaques, that notorious Frenchman, put a spring with a stop on it, into the then straight folder, and created the Jack knife, he just advanced the technology some. For the most part I think that most of our makers today are attempting the same thing.

Most of the knife collectors/appreciators or whatever that I know buy a knife for the reason that it appeals to some inner level of aesthetic impulse they can't describe. We can give it names like tactical, covert or some other simpleton image maker terminology that marketers want us to think about when they see their product. When the rubber meets the road and gets to the serious minded it is usually about admiration of a maker or company that puts a mark of quality on what used to be a bare piece of steel.

KDarmy
I hear you about the Cincinnati show and the quantities of traditionals moving. I thought I was through gathering up the traditional and was concentrating on newer stuff. Then just the other day I ran across a dealer friend who asked if I wanted to take some old stock he bought out from another store. He said this stuff won't sell in my shop so I'll give you a deal. A few hundred dollars later I had 21 NIB of the reintroduced Schatt & Morgans.

Nope the traditional ain't dead in my house either. BTW, anybody need a knife?
smile.gif


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A Patriot's Work Is Never Done--greetings from The Occupied South
 
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