Most influential folders

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
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I don't know a lot about the history of folding knives and would like to do some reading on the topic. Meanwhile, since I always learn so much from this forum, I want to put this question out for comment.

What do you think are the most influential folding knives?

Define "influential" any way you want to. It might be a folder that introduced an important new concept/feature or started a clearly identifiable trend. Maybe it had a wide impact on society or was a best seller. It could be a folder that everyone has heard about or something completely obscure. It could be a long-lived design that is still being sold today, or something that only lasted a short time.

I'll do a few to start. I'm looking to learn stuff, so corrections are welcome.

Buck 110 Widespread use of locking mechanism, specifically lockback, in a hard-use folder. Design proven through years of sales with little or no modification required. The B-52 of folders.

Swiss Army Knife The original multiple-use folding pocket tool. Ubiquitous. Widely accepted by non-knife enthusiasts. A knife ambassador and diplomat - maybe appropriate for a Swiss product...:)

Spyderco Worker Modern features such as a pocket clip, lightweight materials, and one-hand opening. Thumbhole.

Your thoughts?
 
the Spyderco police Because it spawned the AFCK.

Most Tactical Folders today owe a lot to the design of the AFCK
 
Sebenza of course, it is not as widely influential as three you mention, those would be my pick for three most influiential, however for knife nut crowd it definitely set new high water mark for production standards and performance. Yes you can gripe about being overprice, but no you can't dispute its high performance.
Also possibly important is Dragonfly and other smaller knives-
Martin
 
Sebenza........YES! It is the daddy to all integral locks that followed. I think the ATCF by Bob T. in the custom realm simply because he is the father of the tactical folder..........plus because I have one coming tomorrow!!:D
 
Michael Walker and Bob Terzuola'a designs and inovations. Obviously the liner-lock which is on 98% of the folder knives out there was his inovation. Bob's use of titanium, G-10, disc-opener, etc. caught on like wild fire.

This is my twist on your question.
 
1. The original Bali-Song Inc. (Pacific Cutlery)butterfly knives. Though few could afford them, they spawned the butterfly craze of the '80's by appearing in many popular movies.
2. The early zytel-handled knives. IFIRC, Gerber was the first to market one. Parker (*icchhh*) also was an early entrant into this area.
 
CRKT M16... it's influential in my own way because that's the knife that got me into the whole knife world ;)
But yes, I have to say that Spydies are influential and they still lead the pack.
 
Gerber LST begining of the ultralites.
Buck Titanium XLT Takedown version, one of the first take apart, built in belt clip, titanium handled production knives.
BM AFCK Perfection in balance and shape, a true definition of form and function.
Bokers little Titanium handled, ceramic bladed folder, I can't remember what it was called and I'm to lazy to go look for the box it came in, but one of the first alternative blade materials.
 
For a recently made knife, I would have to say the Blackjack Folding Mamba. Thumbstud and recurve.
Greg
 
AFCK
CQC7
Sebenza
Endura/delica

Not in any particular order. These are the names that stick out most to me on the forums and in a lot of the reviews. They just keep popping up. There are others but these stand out most.
 
Lets really delve into history then:

The old farriers knives from Sheffield England, the precursor to SAKs
(from the early 1800's)

The military contract electrician knives, among the first knives with a liner lock in fairly large production numbers (at least from WW1 era)

Randall knives, they weren't the first customs, but they were among the first "popular" customs with high demand (at least during periods of war)
 
I think I got all you guys beat. :)

The Italian switchblade.

Why? I believe it was its widespread use as the "bad guy's" knife in movies that helped to bring about its non-acceptance by the general "sheeple" public, and which also helped to have sheeple generally scared by any knife other than a kitchen knife. (Not quite sure why sheeple aren't afraid of kitchen knives. Had a woman stab a guy with what looked like and OTO kitchen knife recently. Did it out on a public highway too! You shoulda seen the mess!)

Anyway, since this knife affected not just the knife knuts of the world but just about all the general population, I'd say it was pretty influential.
 
The "sidelock" also comes to mind here. Brainchild of Bob Cargill of Cripple Creek knives. Cargill came up with the idea and was making knives with the sidelock back in the late '70's. I really doubt that many makers know who introduced it.
Greg
 
Let me define "influential" as a design which successfully lasts in the market for many, many years.

I´d say:

- Buck 110
- Spyderco Police, Military, Endura and Delica
- CRK Sebenza
- BM 710
- Gerber Applegate/Fairbairn
- Emerson Commander

Oh, and probably the Busse folder...as soon as it is released...:rolleyes: ;)
 
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