Recommendation? Looking for a “gentleman’s folder”

[Glenn Goodlett]

Magic 1 is a gent with a twist.

 

[ocnLogan]

Oh, the other Maserin recommendation reminded me of their Starlight model, that I'd completely forgotten about.

It's 3in bladed front flipper (2 7/8in cutting edge), and it is available in carbon fiber, and looks pretty classy. It's also incredibly lightweight (1.72oz). The steel isn't anything fancy though. Just Aus-8.

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 932960 View attachment 932961 I like these.

 

[PirateSeulb]

Oh, the other Maserin recommendation reminded me of their Starlight model, that I'd completely forgotten about.

It's 3in bladed front flipper (2 7/8in cutting edge), and it is available in carbon fiber, and looks pretty classy. It's also incredibly lightweight (1.72oz). The steel isn't anything fancy though. Just Aus-8.

Yeah it was my first gentleman's folder and on mine the HT is excellent. Thinking about selling mine for a few reasons though not sure yet.

 

[JBoone]

Ken

I thought about getting one of these and regret that I did not.
Spyderco gent knife.

Correct me if I am wrong but came sans clip.

 

[DocT]

Co

I thought about getting one of these and regret that I did not.
Spyderco gent knife.

Correct me if I am wrong but came sans clip.

Correct, it has no clip. It came with a slip/pouch. The only issue I had with it was the detent was practically non-existent, but the pouch did mitigate that. It is a beautiful knife in person. Pictures do not do it justice.

 

[DocT]

For $46 more a Spyderco One-Eyed Jack is a truly beautiful knife, and practical, too.

 

[Joe58]

Lionsteel Tre in full Ti, Spyderco G10 Native 5, Small Sebenza or Inkosi. If you can find one, Fantoni Hide. Awesome knife. And the Hinderer XM-18 3”. All depends on your budget. Can’t go wrong with any of those, and all hold a decent resale value too.

Should you decide to forego a pocket clip, track down the older style Lone Wolf City Knife also made by Fantoni. They offer a newer model, but it doesn’t compare to the old style one. It’s a terrific knife and really isn’t a brick in your pocket. It’s a slippie, but I really like mine.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

OK, boys, I think you all need to sit down and take a breather, adults are going to be talking for a bit.

I only say that - as for my money - there have been very few gentlemen's knives offered up so far in this discussion. Call it age, taste, experience, or a different definition of Gentlemen's knives - although I bet more of the following knives will get the nob from the residents on the porch! And speaking of money, for the price range of the OP, You can get 5-6 or more of these for that sum.

If you want Gentlemen's knives defined, here is a old discussion that took on the topic quite well I think. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/what-is-a-gentlemans-knife-to-you.1500666/ Tons of great responses. BF never fails to enlighten and stimulate!

But some of you respond better to visual aids... So without further delay, and to edjumacate the young'uns, I give you true Gentlemen's knives.

AG Russell - Gentleman's Pen knife - I own the Australian pearl model. What could be more gentlemanly than a small 2 bladed slip joint knife? $75 And yes, I violate my own definition of a Gentleman's knife if you read the older discussion. Hey, you live, you grow.. hopefully.

AG Russell Lightn' Bug - Hit me as both classy and stunning the minute I saw it. $75

Boker Plus Mini Kwaiken - Limited release "Tuxedo" edition. Ser. # 0073. About the only one in my collection that nods to the idea of a modern Gentlemen's flipper. I credit it more for the size, classic look and hell it's "Tuxedo" for god's sake. One of the priciest of this group at around $135.

Boker Plus Panatella - Ser. # 0809 6" OAL and classy the whole way. Discontinued model I had a heck of a time finding. Must not have been a huge seller because it only set me back $56. When was the last time you saw a serialized production knife less than even $100? Loved it the minute I opened the box.

CRKT - Northcliffe - Nothing fancy but a classic look and feel. $20

Cudeman Vendetta Stilletto - Long and lean, yet has a grace about it. $20

Kershaw AM-3 A nod and tribute to Al Mar. Close enough to it until I can get a real Al Mar or two. Classic beautiful lines. $27

Kershaw Squaw Creek - With an OAL of 4 5/8" a classy little lock back folder. At $12, who could say no?

Kizer Feist - Will echo what some others have already stated - Although I have to say, mine is not as smooth as others have described theirs. Still an elegant knife. $134 Torn between returning it for service, working it myself, or seeing if time and exercise will cure it.

Northwoods Norfolk - One of my all time favorites - not just because of it's size, and lines - that is my hand it is disappearing in. But mostly because I have this due entirely to BF and it's member Ed J aka TLARbb who drew my name Dec. 2017 in his annual Christmas Give-away. I am still stunned by the generosity of his gift. This is one knife I will keep for the rest of my life.

Puma IP Armino - Again, smooth, sleek, classic in every way. $60

Zhen - A touch bigger than I normally associate with a gentleman's knife, but I had to have at least one damascus blade in the lineup. $93

 

[DocT]

I would love the Northwoods Norfolk, but the others? Not so much. Boker quality, and some of the others, as well, is hit and miss. They are interesting designs, however.

 

[Owen K.]

I'm a big fan of the Boker Urban Trapper in cocobolo. That would probably be my choice with your criteria. The mini in your case.

I like the Opera from lionsteel, but the versions with the pocket clip are more tactical than they gentlemanly.

If you can stretch your budget a bit the full Ti Lionsteel Tre is quite nice.

EDIT: Somehow I forgot about the Benchmade Valet. It's an axis lock benchmade with gray g10, deep carry clip and m390 steel. That's the one to get.

I vote the Benchmade valet. I would Rite dye the g10 black though.

 

[abbazaba]

When I received the Gent, I took this picture for comparison. Seems relevant to your situation. Chaparral is still my favorite. I bought a Mnandi but haven't carried it. It's a well made knife, but I'm really not in love with anything about it.

Chaparral
Mini Intrepid
Gent
Valet

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

I vote the Benchmade valet. I would Rite dye the g10 black though.

Teal RIT comes out a lovely sort of denim color.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

Dan, thanks for sharing that thread, it makes for a really good read.

I'd add that I almost entirely agree with you on how to define a gentleman's folder - in particular the thinner blade stock. It drives me crazy seeing so many wonderfully designed knives with blades under 3 inches that have a spine thickness of 3mm. There is no need for a thickness over 2.5mm on a gentleman's folder, and in fact anything over 2.5mm and you start to lose functionality for the tasks a gentleman's knife would be used for. I also agree that a gentleman's knife needs some sort of elegance, especially in the materials. Take the Benchmade Valet for example, in my mind the g10 version, while a decent office carry, is not a gentleman's folder but the wood handled version is.

Interestingly enough, however, even though we seem to agree on how to define a gentleman's folder, we seem to disagree on what specific knives fall into that category. I agree with most of the knives you mentioned falling into the category, but I don't understand the Kershaw Al mar or the Mini Kwaiken to be gentleman folders. For the Al mar, I wouldn't consider an assisted opening g10 knife one of good craftsmanship and nice materials, and for the Kwaiken I don't think a 3.3mm thickn blade is thin enough to count as a gentleman's folder. In fact, blade thickness alone is why I hesitate to call the Small Sebenza (even my beloved CF version) a gentleman's folder.

Sidenote - what are your thoughts on the Mnandi. To me it is the perfect embodiment of what a gentleman's folder should be.

 

[Groundhogsniper]

The OP may have already decided but I’ll throw in my suggestion for the Valet.
I’ve been carrying one on the weekends for two years and really like it. I carry a mini grip through the week.
The M390 takes and holds a great edge.

 

[Mrhoades]

I think I’m going with the wood version of the Valet. Definitely going to call customer service for a plain clip though.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Dan, thanks for sharing that thread, it makes for a really good read.

I'd add that I almost entirely agree with you on how to define a gentleman's folder - in particular the thinner blade stock. It drives me crazy seeing so many wonderfully designed knives with blades under 3 inches that have a spine thickness of 3mm. There is no need for a thickness over 2.5mm on a gentleman's folder, and in fact anything over 2.5mm and you start to lose functionality for the tasks a gentleman's knife would be used for. I also agree that a gentleman's knife needs some sort of elegance, especially in the materials. Take the Benchmade Valet for example, in my mind the g10 version, while a decent office carry, is not a gentleman's folder but the wood handled version is.

Interestingly enough, however, even though we seem to agree on how to define a gentleman's folder, we seem to disagree on what specific knives fall into that category. I agree with most of the knives you mentioned falling into the category, but I don't understand the Kershaw Al mar or the Mini Kwaiken to be gentleman folders. For the Al mar, I wouldn't consider an assisted opening g10 knife one of good craftsmanship and nice materials, and for the Kwaiken I don't think a 3.3mm thickn blade is thin enough to count as a gentleman's folder. In fact, blade thickness alone is why I hesitate to call the Small Sebenza (even my beloved CF version) a gentleman's folder.

Sidenote - what are your thoughts on the Mnandi. To me it is the perfect embodiment of what a gentleman's folder should be.

Great points. I can actually comment on the Mnandi since I was able to hold that and a Small Sebenza last Saturday for the very first time at a local retailer. As well as a Shirogrov! Ya, that's what I needed, more expensive grail knives.... I think the Mnandi fits the bill for a gentleman's knife very well. I can see one in my future if the planets align just right. And I agree with the Sebenza not really fitting in the category. Too thick and heavy and perhaps too light on refinement, if that makes any sense. Still, I hope I can eventually include one in my collection as well. But I would classify it as an EDC, that I would never EDC because of the price. lol

I also agree with you on the BM Valet as far as the look of it is concerned. The overall size I think is pushing it a tad bit, at least for me. BTW, I see they are coming out with a Ti version as well. With regards to the Kershaw AM 3 , and the Kwaiken, those two are riding the grey area for me as true Gentlemen's knives. For the AM-3, I agree, the choice of materials should DQ it in the classic sense. I disagree about assisted opening being a large disqualifying aspect. In fact I didn't even remember it being a flipper until you brought it up and I checked my DB. I just remembered the thumb stud. But I digress, I think the lines of the knife and the overall look of it more than fits the bill. The fact that it is G10 and not ebony or blackwood is a detraction, but not enough to eliminate it from the category. The amount of money one has in their pocket is no determination of whether they are a gentleman or not. A good part of my post was to show there are Gentleman's knives in the low end of the market as well as the mid and high end. Many a gentlemen I knew growing up had a Case or similar small pocket knife with them at all times, often with nothing more than either stag, or those yellow delrin scales. It fit the bill as a Gentleman's knife for them because the knife fit the gentleman, and fit the category because of size, usefulness, and freedom from any intimidating factors what-so-ever. It would get pulled out when needed in a simple matter-of-fact way, get used, and quickly returned to it's pocket residence. It, like the gentleman who owned it, had no intention of calling attention to themselves.

As for the Kwaiken, personally, the blade thickness is not enough to DQ it for me. It is however much longer than I would generally consider appropriate as a gentleman's knife. For me, because the overall knife is very slim, it counterbalances the length. I have a ReaL Steel Metamorph that is very similar in shape, long and slender, and a front flipper. I like the knife, though I'm not sold on it's front flip concept. What eliminates it as a Gentleman's knife for me is the color / appearance. Knife is a gorgeous bright blue anodized aluminum. That is what sold me on it. I love the look. But far too attention grabbing in my mind the make the cut as a GK.

As to the issue of Boker knives overall, I hear a lot of people with issues, but for me, I have had very few bad experiences with any of my Bokers. I first got drawn to their fixed blade hunting knives. I have several now (7) and love them. Only ever had an issue with one with poor (uneven) grinds, and they sent me a replacement under warranty immediately. They have always given me great service. As for the folders, I currently have 4 and again, none have given me any problems or any quality issues. I will also say, that I once received a Boker folder by mistake. It was not the knife I ordered at all, or one that I would have ever ordered. It was a real One of the "tactikool" versions foisted on the young and gullible. Knife had a chisel grind! Nothing says cheap more than "only going to take time to grind one side of the blade" IMO. Since I didn't order it, I don't count that as a bad experience for me in my Boker purchases. My Bokers have all been fine. Maybe, I've been lucky, maybe more realistic, or maybe I am just attracted to buying the stuff they do right. Who knows. I have knives from all 4 of the Boker brands, Solingen, Arbolito, Magnum, and Plus so I've sampled all of their production lines.

I think overall, the final determination is in the mind of the user. If the knife fits enough of the categories people put forth in that old discussion, I think it will qualify as a gentleman's knife. But the real truth is unless you are a gentleman to begin with, the concept and ability to see a knife that fits the bill will escape you. As famous fisherman Buck Perry often said, "people don't know they don't know". Personally, I don't really need pocket jewelry, and I really can't afford it if I did. Still I can drool over the likes of these, and know they are the category.

 

[Eagle Scout]

One gent's definition...

Represents elegance and craftsmanship using the best materials available for his price, demonstrating an appreciation and understanding of quality as well as value of responsible financial decision making.

Appropriate to carry under his most formal attire. Of equal refinement to the watch worn by the gentleman.

Well-mannered and civilized in it's design to be a comfortable conversation piece, in all social settings.

Substantial enough as not to question the capability of the tool, or the gentleman who carries it.

 

[22-rimfire]

The folder I carry as a gentleman's folder with a clip is the Spyderco Kiwi 4. Clipless knives include a number of slippies as well as the Fox Elite Gentleman's knife (thin liner lock manual) similar to those pictured above branded Lionsteel.

Just read that the Spyderco Kiwi 4 has been discontinued. It always seemed expensive for what you get. But I still like it a lot.

 

[benlineberry]

I'm new here, but for "office carry", I like the Spyderco Delica 4 with a damascus blade. Thin, light, under $200, and classy (sort of.)