Modern Gentleman's/Traditional Folder Suggestions

[GMox677]

These little Boker Boy Scouts are on the small side but they are awesome little lockbacks for the watch pocket. Made in Solingen, Germany with N690 blade steel.

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Great looking blades. Always been a fan of boker.

 

[GMox677]

These Lion Steel Barlows are nice. Titanium and M390 available with Clip or Spear blade and a few other handle materials. Handles can be replaced with custom scales if the mood should strike you. Reasonably priced too.

Sold exclusively by a Bladeforum supporting dealer:
https://www.collectorknives.net/product-category/lion-steel-knives/lion-steel-ck01/


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Great looking Barlow!

 

[Pilsner]

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.

A good response to a fairly preposterous post. It is worth noting that long before Plymouth Rock had been landed upon, we here in England coined the word ‘gentleman’. I don’t believe anybody carried a knife made in the as yet unfounded United States of America. It wasn’t even an imperialist colony back then.

 

[22-rimfire]

Here's one that is under $100 that you might like. I like it. Fox Elite.

 

[Lapedog]

I was hoping around $200 dollars and unn
der. Nothing in the custom knife range.

I’m pretty sure you will love the Lionsteel modern traditional stuff. Knives like roundhead are ideal examples.

Or if you’re a super fly guy check out the Suwannee River Sodbuster.

Also when you say modern traditional I don’t know if modern versions of the higonokami are of interest but there are several of those.

 

[SharpieB]

I’m pretty sure you will love the Lionsteel modern traditional stuff. Knives like roundhead are ideal examples.

The Lionsteel M390 traditional-ish knives all look amazing.

I really dislike the Gentlemen Knife term in any case. For me, a knife that I can pull out in public and not have anyone freak out should fit the bill. It should look classy and not tactical and not be assisted or automatic. Likely no lock either.

Personally a Lionsteel Roundhead, a Case or similar or maybe something like a Spyderco Urban slipjoint would be perfect.

 

[22-rimfire]

The LionSteel traditionals are very well made with modern steels. Don't own one yet. Just keep putting off the purchase ad I really don't need one.

Tend to agree with the your Gentleman's knife SharpieB. Most traditionals fit the bill for the most part.

 

[22-rimfire]

Some people equate "gentleman's knife" with fancy and usually expensive. Doesn't have to be so. Guess like everything else, it depends on your value system and depth of your wallet. I have always like the Spyderco Kiwi 4. Believe it's discontinued now.

For you 110 fans, sorry, it doesn't fit my conceptual view of a gentleman's knife even though it's a slippie.

 

[22-rimfire]

These little Boker Boy Scouts are on the small side but they are awesome little lockbacks for the watch pocket. Made in Solingen, Germany with N690 blade steel.

View attachment 1016241
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I like the C-Tek handles. Will have to look into one of these.

 

[The Zieg]

Great looking Barlow!

BTW, hello from a fellow (now former Charlottean). East Meck alum.

Zieg

 

[GMox677]

The Lionsteel M390 traditional-ish knives all look amazing.

I really dislike the Gentlemen Knife term in any case. For me, a knife that I can pull out in public and not have anyone freak out should fit the bill. It should look classy and not tactical and not be assisted or automatic. Likely no lock either.

Personally a Lionsteel Roundhead, a Case or similar or maybe something like a Spyderco Urban slipjoint would be perfect.

Yes traditional folders with M390 steel is something that definitely has my interest. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[GMox677]

I’m pretty sure you will love the Lionsteel modern traditional stuff. Knives like roundhead are ideal examples.

Or if you’re a super fly guy check out the Suwannee River Sodbuster.

Also when you say modern traditional I don’t know if modern versions of the higonokami are of interest but there are several of those.

Never heard of Suwannee River Knives but looking at their website they have some awesome knives! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[GMox677]

Here's one that is under $100 that you might like. I like it. Fox Elite.
View attachment 1016554

Great looking blade. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

My idea of modern Gentleman's knives, at least of the ones I own. If it's tati-cool, it ain't here. lol

Boker Plus Panatela Love this little guy.

Boker Exskelibur 1 Front flipper.

Boker Plus Kwaiken Mini Tuxedo

Kershaw AM-3 Affordable tribute to Al Mar

Kershaw Amplitude 3.25

Kershaw Leek

Kizer Feist Another classy front flipper

Kizer Sliver

Lionsteel Roundhead & Shuffler. Stereo classy

Puma Armino

AG Russell Light'n Bug

Real Steel G5 Metamorph Front flipper, sleek and elegant.

Zhen Damascus folder

 

[GMox677]

My idea of modern Gentleman's knives, at least of the ones I own. If it's tati-cool, it ain't here. lol

Boker Plus Panatela Love this little guy.

Boker Exskelibur 1 Front flipper.

Boker Plus Kwaiken Mini Tuxedo

Kershaw AM-3 Affordable tribute to Al Mar

Kershaw Amplitude 3.25

Kershaw Leek

Kizer Feist Another classy front flipper

Kizer Sliver

Lionsteel Roundhead & Shuffler. Stereo classy

Puma Armino

AG Russell Light'n Bug

Real Steel G5 Metamorph Front flipper, sleek and elegant.

Zhen Damascus folder

Great choices! Never heard of some of these before. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[brownshoe]

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.

Gentlemen should not be rare or expensive. That's a decidedly British concept based upon their caste system that supported their ruling class. In the US, in school, I was taught that every one should strive to be a Christian American gentleman by treating yourself and others with respect and decency. A gentleman abides by societal norms that are just, but fights injustice. A pauper and a king can both be a gentleman as well as the revolutionary. Being a gentleman is a matter of attitude and action.

A gentleman's knife is a marketing term. Personally if you are looking for a traditional pattern gentleman's knife, I'd suggest the Tony Bose designed knives from Case. They come in reasonably priced regular production versions or expensive annual releases. I like the Tribal Lock and Tribal Spear in ebony

 

[jaseman]

n I think "gentleman's knife", I think of something I can wear with a suit, a tux, to a wedding, in a boardroom, and pull out without raising an eyebrow from the average person. Blade shape should be non threatening looking, and the scales should have the look of either simple elegance or a craftsmans hand. Materials are less important than the overal look, but also can't be overlooked.

It's like an old Jag, a pearl handled .38, a sport coat and Levi's, or hardwood floors. Always looks good, and goes with anything.

Just a few modern takes of what I'd call a gentleman's knife:

Mcusta MC-146

Lionsteel Mini Titanium Bolster

Al Mar Hawk

Acrilan S4

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 1019662 View attachment 1019663 I second the LionSteel selections.