Let's see your gentleman's folders!

Perhaps it might be helpful if we had a short discussion first, to define our terms. Otherwise, really, this just turns into a "please post pretty pics of any kind of knife" thread.

For me, a gentleman's folder is not a piece of combat hardware. I.e., I'm not thinking "I may have to stab a charging Hun to death with my pen knife" when I'm picking out a gent's folder as I head out the door to attend a cultural event. I'm fine with little tactical folder touches, like locking blades, or perhaps a discrete G10 scale, but skull crushers are right out. Nor am I a fan of the "tanto" tip. That's supposedly to allow mall ninjas to pierce the body armor of 17th century knights without doing significant damage to the tip. Fine. I'm sure there's a niche for that. Perhaps we could have a "Mall Ninja Knives For Killing 17th Century Armored Horsemen" thread. I'd click on that.

Again, this is strictly my opinion here, but I see a gent's folder as something fairly small (3-ish inches for a blade), thin, light, and wicked sharp, using brilliant materials with exquisite fit and finish. Whether traditional or modern, I don't care (that's kind of the point of a thread like this, IMHO, to see what's out there). But, it isn't a hand-filling, hard-use, tactical folder. We already have a category for those knives. We call them "hand-filling, hard-use, tactical folders".

Going strictly by my own interpretations here, my Ripple is a gent's knife. My ZT 0801 is not, regardless of how pretty it is.

I accept that not everyone is going to agree with my interpretions.
 
NeilB said:
Perhaps it might be helpful if we had a short discussion first, to define our terms. Otherwise, really, this just turns into a "please post pretty pics of any kind of knife" thread.

For me, a gentleman's folder is not a piece of combat hardware. I.e., I'm not thinking "I may have to stab a charging Hun to death with my pen knife" when I'm picking out a gent's folder as I head out the door to attend a cultural event. I'm fine with little tactical folder touches, like locking blades, or perhaps a discrete G10 scale, but skull crushers are right out. Nor am I a fan of the "tanto" tip. That's supposedly to allow mall ninjas to pierce the body armor of 17th century knights without doing significant damage to the tip. Fine. I'm sure there's a niche for that. Perhaps we could have a "Mall Ninja Knives For Killing 17th Century Armored Horsemen" thread. I'd click on that.

Again, this is strictly my opinion here, but I see a gent's folder as something fairly small (3-ish inches for a blade), thin, light, and wicked sharp, using brilliant materials with exquisite fit and finish. Whether traditional or modern, I don't care (that's kind of the point of a thread like this, IMHO, to see what's out there). But, it isn't a hand-filling, hard-use, tactical folder. We already have a category for those knives. We call them "hand-filling, hard-use, tactical folders".

Going strictly by my own interpretations here, my Ripple is a gent's knife. My ZT 0801 is not, regardless of how pretty it is.

I accept that not everyone is going to agree with my interpretions.
Click to expand...

"Again, this is strictly my opinion here, but I see a gent's folder as something fairly small (3-ish inches for a blade), thin, light, and wicked sharp, using brilliant materials with exquisite fit and finish."
Click to expand...

I agree.

"I accept that not everyone is going to agree with my interpretations."
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
I agree with these interpretations of a gentleman's folder. The Spyderco Kiwi is a fine gentleman's folder to you and I. The Ripple can also be considered a gentleman's folder, to you and I. Another may say that it isn't a gentleman's folder unless it is a traditional slipjoint. Then another may say that it is not a gentleman's folder unless it uses natural materials in the handle. Still another may say that it is not a gentleman's folder if it has a blade over 2.5". Who's right? There is no definition, that is my point.

Chambelona59, if you want to talk semantics, you never said those words. I never said you did. I said you basically said those words. You did say, "Several of these to me don't meet the definition of "Gentleman's Folder" as far as size.
A knife that measures 8" inches open is a "Gentleman's Folder"??
Correct me if I'm wrong."

If you don't want someone to correct you when you are wrong, either do not ask or do not be wrong.

Alpha Male, out. :rolleyes:
 
Tony8179 said:
I agree with these interpretations of a gentleman's folder. The Spyderco Kiwi is a fine gentleman's folder to you and I. The Ripple can also be considered a gentleman's folder, to you and I. Another may say that it isn't a gentleman's folder unless it is a traditional slipjoint. Then another may say that it is not a gentleman's folder unless it uses natural materials in the handle. Still another may say that it is not a gentleman's folder if it has a blade over 2.5". Who's right? There is no definition, that is my point.
Click to expand...

And my point is that we can certainly define terms to be used within this thread, which no one has done. I, for one, have no real strong feelings about "only natural materials" in the scales or slipjoint vs. lock; maybe someone else does. Or perhaps their feelings about the matter inform their purchases and we get to see their tastes as a knife fancier through the lens of the pics they post. I, for one, am perfectly OK with that.

Fortunately, I believe that everyone here has the option of not participating in a thread if they don't want to, or don't agree with the OP (as well as the option of participating if they don't agree, so long as it's done in a civil manner).

I also believe that other posters have the option of beginning their own thread about what exactly constitutes a gent's knife, imposing their own definition for the length of the thread. If a lot of people agree, it might be a long thread with a lot of pics. If a lot of people disagree (fairly strongly), it might be a long thread with a lot of discussion. Either way, win. IMO.
 
NeilB said:
I see a gent's folder as something fairly small (3-ish inches for a blade), thin, light, and wicked sharp, using brilliant materials with exquisite fit and finish. Whether traditional or modern, I don't care (that's kind of the point of a thread like this, IMHO, to see what's out there). But, it isn't a hand-filling, hard-use, tactical folder.
Click to expand...

Since I started this thread I will chime in... NeilB hit it right on the head with his description of what I was looking for in terms of a gentleman's folder. It does not matter whether it is a traditional slip-joint with natural scales or a modern one hand opener with carbon fiber, I want to see them both. But I agree blade length should be around 3 inches or shorter although there certainly are some that fit the category that are longer.

Ask yourself... If an elderly lady at church asked you to cut a thread off her cardigan, is this a knife you would be comfortable taking out of your pocket to perform the task? A carbon fiber Spyderco Military is a beautiful knife, but that is not one I would whip out in that instance. :D

Now, let's get back to the pics!!!!
 
Tony8179 said:
I agree with these interpretations of a gentleman's folder. The Spyderco Kiwi is a fine gentleman's folder to you and I. The Ripple can also be considered a gentleman's folder, to you and I. Another may say that it isn't a gentleman's folder unless it is a traditional slipjoint. Then another may say that it is not a gentleman's folder unless it uses natural materials in the handle. Still another may say that it is not a gentleman's folder if it has a blade over 2.5". Who's right? There is no definition, that is my point.

Chambelona59, if you want to talk semantics, you never said those words. I never said you did. I said you basically said those words. You did say, "Several of these to me don't meet the definition of "Gentleman's Folder" as far as size.
A knife that measures 8" inches open is a "Gentleman's Folder"??
Correct me if I'm wrong."

If you don't want someone to correct you when you are wrong, either do not ask or do not be wrong.

Alpha Male, out. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Alph', I think we both agree Anthony Weiner should not be Mayor.
But clearly we differ on the subject of so called "Gentleman's Folder's".

If I take a so called Gentleman's Folder to a business meeting, Sunday Church service, to a restaurant or formal dinner gathering at someones home or
hotel, it would not cause anyone to run the other way or gasp, no matter how pretty or dolled up a.k.a. pimped it is with mother of Pearl, gold or silver design/s etc.
I obviously have my opinion/s and you yours.
I have not and do not insist that anyone else taking part in this thread agree with my idea of what a so called Gentleman's Folder should, would or does look like.

For me personally, a knife can have all the mother of Pearl, gold and/or silver inlay/precious stones etc. all over it, if it's big enough to wake the dead or cause
intrepidation or intimidation at a public gathering it's not what "for me" (not speaking for anyone else) what I consider a Gentleman's Folder.

By all means you have every right to consider this a pretty Gentleman's Folder (and it's a nice looking knife).... I am not saying you can not call it that, or you shouldn't call it that.... but my own personal opinion is I would never carry or take a so called Gentleman's Folder that was beefy no matter how pretty, dolled up or pimped it is to a business meeting, Sunday Church service, to a restaurant or formal dinner gathering at someones home or
hotel, formal public gathering, Lincoln Center, a Broadway show etc.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=8595770#post8595770

As a former military serviceman that has over a half century in age, I cherish the right to have and voice my opinions and cherish the rights of anyone else
to voice theirs, as long as it's not hate speech or stating there's no alternative definition/s other than one.

So I shake your hand and say it's been lively.
Peace out.
 
eschwebach said:
Since I started this thread I will chime in... NeilB hit it right on the head with his description of what I was looking for in terms of a gentleman's folder. It does not matter whether it is a traditional slip-joint with natural scales or a modern one hand opener with carbon fiber, I want to see them both. But I agree blade length should be around 3 inches or shorter although there certainly are some that fit the category that are longer.

Ask yourself... If an elderly lady at church asked you to cut a thread off her cardigan, is this a knife you would be comfortable taking out of your pocket to perform the task? A carbon fiber Spyderco Military is a beautiful knife, but that is not one I would whip out in that instance. :D

Now, let's get back to the pics!!!!
Click to expand...

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

"Ask yourself... If an elderly lady at church asked you to cut a thread off her cardigan, is this a knife you would be comfortable taking out of your pocket to perform the task?"
Click to expand...

I sure as heck wouldn't cut the thread of her cardigan with this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=8594106#post8594106

Or this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=8591644#post8591644

Or this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=11278210#post11278210

But these Gentleman's Folder's I definitely would cut a thread off the elderly church Woman's cardigan with... then show up later at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center to attend a concert with:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=8590644#post8590644

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=8590197#post8590197

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/768998-Pictures-of-what-you-consider-to-be-the-ideal-modern-Gentleman-s-Folder?p=8595913#post8595913
 
I'm glad that this discussion about what constitutes a gentleman's folder is happening because I've really been scratching my head at some of these pictures, particularly these:

ExtremAddiction said:
i-Zg63PKd-L.jpg

ok. what about this one .
i-4xcKXtJ-XL.jpg
Click to expand...
 
In my opinion a gentlemans folder should be "Traditiononal". As the term Gentleman is a somewhat old fashioned concept, I believe the folders should live up to that standard. If it wouldn't belong in your grandfathers pocket at church than it's not a gentlemans folder. Just my opinion. Im posting from my phone otherwise I would've added photos. My EDC/Gentleman Folder is a Buck Solitaire.
 
IMHO, the Cold Steel 6" Hold Out is not a gentleman's folder. The 3" Hold Out just may be one (I haven't actually seen one in the flesh yet). I would say it's more about style than size. If it looks more like pocket jewelry than a tool for committing murder, then it's probably OK.

And a tanto blade pierces the husk and shell of a coconut just as well as the body armor of a mall ninja. Which is a good thing, because discerning gentlemen drink rum & coconut water.

By the way, I consider myself a gentleman, despite the fact that I am not old, nor have I been fashioned.

Sorry, no photos to post. But I expect my Spyderco Des Horn (en route to me) would qualify. Not sure about my ZT 0750 "Talon" (also en route to me).
 
I think we should first determine what a "gentleman" is before we try to determine what a gentleman folder is... ;)
 
XiaolongJackson said:
I'm glad that this discussion about what constitutes a gentleman's folder is happening because I've really been scratching my head at some of these pictures, particularly these:
Click to expand...

Sorry guys couldn't resist posting RAO . Who knows may be it can classify as Gentlemen knife ? Survival Gentlemen knife ? :)
 
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