Modern Gentleman's/Traditional Folder Suggestions

If it's got a lock, got a quick open device, made of obviously synthetic materials, matte finish, etc, then it's not something a Gentleman would carry. It's common.

If it's conservative, a little old fashioned, uses the highest quality natural materials, is built to exceptional standards of fit and finish, is small, slim, and unnoticeable when worn in the pocket of a pair of slacks then it probably qualifies. It doesn't have to be custom made, but more often than not, it is. Abraham Lincoln was a Gentleman (he used a 6 blade Congress pattern). Dwight Eisenhower was a Gentleman (there's a penknife pattern named after him).

"Gentleman", like "grail", "unicorn", and "hero", are words that have lost a lot of meaning in this day and age. These terms denote something rare and of high value, and they are diminished when standards are not held up. Everyone's life is cheapened when that happens.
 
eisman said:
If it's got a lock, got a quick open device, made of obviously synthetic materials, matte finish, etc, then it's not something a Gentleman would carry. It's common.

If it's conservative, a little old fashioned, uses the highest quality natural materials, is built to exceptional standards of fit and finish, is small, slim, and unnoticeable when worn in the pocket of a pair of slacks then it probably qualifies. It doesn't have to be custom made, but more often than not, it is. Abraham Lincoln was a Gentleman (he used a 6 blade Congress pattern). Dwight Eisenhower was a Gentleman (there's a penknife pattern named after him).

"Gentleman", like "grail", "unicorn", and "hero", are words that have lost a lot of meaning in this day and age. These terms denote something rare and of high value, and they are diminished when standards are not held up. Everyone's life is cheapened when that happens.
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My definition of a gentleman's knife is a knife meant to be a tool instead of an accessory or defense weapon. Something that my father and grandfather (both tobacco farmers by the way) would have used. Something that is semi-low profile and wouldn't be frowned upon taking it out in public or a professional setting. I don't think the word "gentleman" has lost its meaning, I just think the meaning adapts with the times. I don't see anything wrong with incorporating new materials and superior blade steels and creating a modern twist on a traditional gentleman's knife. I don't believe using new materials lessens the standards or quality, it's just materials that wasn't readily available back in the day. I see where you're coming from though.
 
Here's one for your consideration that I'll never part with. Viper ez open M390 blade and carbon fiber scales. The knife has stainless liners and a detent system instead of a slip joint so it uses stand offs.
8xrjvh7.jpg
 
Spikediesel said:
Here's one for your consideration that I'll never part with. Viper ez open M390 blade and carbon fiber scales. The knife has stainless liners and a detent system instead of a slip joint so it uses stand offs.
8xrjvh7.jpg
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That's an awesome blade. Definitely be looking into that. Thanks!
 
Moki Serapis MOP down to the Moki Ezo Redfox or Fishowl(s).
Spyderco Jess Horn, though the latest iteration needs dressier scales.
 
(Recycled pic)

I haven’t had this long but I got it to carry to public events, meetings, school events, church, etc.

In my opinion these GEC knives offer a high level of quality using traditional materials.

It’s a dapper little knife!

*edit* I understand this is not quite what you were describing in the OP, but the high level of quality, fit, and finish makes these knives feel modern in craftsmanship with tight tolerances.

DB055703-D7C9-41E2-BE0C-CC1B8E1D64C0.jpeg
 
This one! The MOKI 443 I'm repeating myself here - as fine a production knife as I have ever handled - incredible fit and finish. What a beauty. A bit under 3" - VG-10 steel - lockback - comes with a nice holster.

Ray

EXQUISITE
 
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eisman said:
If it's got a lock, got a quick open device, made of obviously synthetic materials, matte finish, etc, then it's not something a Gentleman would carry. It's common.

If it's conservative, a little old fashioned, uses the highest quality natural materials, is built to exceptional standards of fit and finish, is small, slim, and unnoticeable when worn in the pocket of a pair of slacks then it probably qualifies. It doesn't have to be custom made, but more often than not, it is. Abraham Lincoln was a Gentleman (he used a 6 blade Congress pattern). Dwight Eisenhower was a Gentleman (there's a penknife pattern named after him).

"Gentleman", like "grail", "unicorn", and "hero", are words that have lost a lot of meaning in this day and age. These terms denote something rare and of high value, and they are diminished when standards are not held up. Everyone's life is cheapened when that happens.
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Your argument might be slightly more convincing if your examples of gentlemen had an option to carry outside of what you rigidly try to define as a gentleman's knife. Of course since modern folders hadn't been invented then, they hardly had any chance at all.

Also, anyone who has a definition of a gentleman's folder that would exclude the CRK Mnandi simply makes me laugh, as they're obviously struggling to inflict a definition that is entirely arbitrary and personal to them onto the rest of us.
 
This is a current interest of mine too. Here are a few I found.
DLd1kOL.jpg

CRKT has a few gent-sized models
AKqSecm.jpg

Maserin Gourmet 380
nSfQj9w.jpg

Enzo Piili 85

Also look at Cuchilleria Joker. They have many gent's models.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Also, anyone who has a definition of a gentleman's folder that would exclude the CRK Mnandi simply makes me laugh, as they're obviously struggling to inflict a definition that is entirely arbitrary and personal to them onto the rest of us.
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Can't argue with that - Mnandis define the genre perfectly - just in this case, quite a bit more $$s than the OP is intending to spend.

Ray
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Your argument might be slightly more convincing if your examples of gentlemen had an option to carry outside of what you rigidly try to define as a gentleman's knife. Of course since modern folders hadn't been invented then, they hardly had any chance at all.

Also, anyone who has a definition of a gentleman's folder that would exclude the CRK Mnandi simply makes me laugh, as they're obviously struggling to inflict a definition that is entirely arbitrary and personal to them onto the rest of us.
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Let's picture the scene:
A gentleman wearing trousers
At a public event... some type of reception
One of the women setting up streamers needs a package opened calls across the room "anyone have a knife?"
The Gentleman quickly approaches, "Let me get this for you"
He pulls out a discrete but beautiful smaller knife
No threatening flipping going on here, a non-threatening 2-handed deployment occurs
This elegant little tool quickly and effortlessly slices through the box that needed open
Back in the pocket it goes
The woman smiles, making deep eye contact and says "Thanks, can you get the other end and help me get this up?"

I always considered a gentleman's knife to be smaller, likely wood, likely to be opened with two hands or slowly with 1 hand. It should look like it fits in with business casual dress or a suit and looks normal sitting next the fountain pen also being carried. Bead-blasted metal, G-10 and maybe even micarta are not going to make the cut. Of course you know what they say about opinions.
 
Oh, EnZo has a few folders that may appeal to you, OP. The Birk 75 is very much a modern folder, but is available in curly birch, carbon fiber or desert ironwood and is quite handsome. The PK70 is a a modern slipjoint, that uses a nail nick for opening, but has a nice pocket clip.
 
^^^
A well dressed man in a hat sporting a silver cane, a pen knife, a fountain pen, a pocket watch, a deck of cards, and perhaps a Derringer. That brings Bat Masterson to mind.
 
eisman said:
This subject keeps coming up, and I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but nothing I've seen posted or recommended in this thread constitutes what I would consider a "gentleman's" knife.
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eisman said:
If it's got a lock, got a quick open device, made of obviously synthetic materials, matte finish, etc, then it's not something a Gentleman would carry. It's common.

If it's conservative, a little old fashioned, uses the highest quality natural materials, is built to exceptional standards of fit and finish, is small, slim, and unnoticeable when worn in the pocket of a pair of slacks then it probably qualifies. It doesn't have to be custom made, but more often than not, it is. Abraham Lincoln was a Gentleman (he used a 6 blade Congress pattern). Dwight Eisenhower was a Gentleman (there's a penknife pattern named after him).

"Gentleman", like "grail", "unicorn", and "hero", are words that have lost a lot of meaning in this day and age. These terms denote something rare and of high value, and they are diminished when standards are not held up. Everyone's life is cheapened when that happens.
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You've confused "standards" with "ephemera," thank God, or we'd all be forced to behave, eat, dress, and speak like Abraham Lincoln, Lord Byron, Cato the Elder, or whichever historical personage you arbitrarily chose.

This thread is about "Modern Gentleman's Knives" (not about "people from history I happen to like") which is a well understood and accepted style of knife and within the context of knife design those words have a very specific meaning. It's perfectly fine not to like Modern Gentleman's Knives but they're just a design style. It's patently ridiculous to imply that their existence somehow represents a diminished standard of behavior. Frankly, that's just dumb.
 
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marchone said:
This is a current interest of mine too. Here are a few I found.
DLd1kOL.jpg

CRKT has a few gent-sized models
AKqSecm.jpg

Maserin Gourmet 380
nSfQj9w.jpg

Enzo Piili 85

Also look at Cuchilleria Joker. They have many gent's models.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestions! Great looking blades.
 
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