Most innovative Modern Knife Feature?

straitshot

straitshot

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Mar 18, 2006
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I made a reasonable search but didn't hit on it, so if there a similar discussion, please direct me.
Lately, I've wondered why my unreasonable pursuit of a "best and favorite knife" (within my cost constraints) takes me in so many different directions. One of my thoughts is that there are endless new developments and combinations to consider. Conversely, tradition is a strong attractant. The evolution of the knife from chipped rock to the latest synthetic ergonomic cad cam locking coated supersteel one-hand folder is mostly to blame, but seems to only borrow from advances in non-knife technology. So I began thinking of modern innovations (within the last century or so) unique to knives and their purposes. The locking folder goes back aways, and it is only a method to make articulation rigid. Most supersteels are created for a different purpose, synthetics are everywhere, etc.

I can think of only one modern innovative feature not derived from non-knife technology that has become a common factor in defining the modern knife.

My vote goes to the Spyderhole. It works, requires no extra parts, is instantly recognizable, and was (as far as I know) an original solution to opening a blade. Am I missing something (or a lot of somethings)?

I will appreciate any thoughts others may have on the subject to further clog my idle mind. Regards, ss.
 
Let see, the last century or so, with regard to folding knives mostly…

1. Stainless steel (George Ibberson & Co., 1914).

2. Pocket clip (Spyderco).

3. Zytel/FRN handles (Gerber).

4. Strong lock-backs (Buck??).

5. Blade hole (Spyderco).

6. Wave (Emerson).
 
I have to agree with the wave. I was thumbing open a Gerber folder before there was a Spyder hole. Yes, it made it more effecient, but the idea was already around. The wave was a quantum leap.
 
Synthetic handle materials and stainless steels contributed quite a bit to knife evolution.
 
"modern innovative feature not derived from non-knife technology that has become a common factor in defining the modern knife."

Well constrained topic! Other posters have already given good answers... I would say laminated steels that have a harder core steel in the center, sandwiched between softer steel.

Not sure if this started from non-knife technology, but I'm thinking the differential hardening in the lamination makes it a unique knife or sword innovation.
 
Clips are nice, but lately they seem to really annoy me (they hit and catch on everything).

The axis lock is the only folder lock that I really like, with lockbacks being a close second, but locking is nothing new.

I'd say that the size and relative strength of folders today has been the biggest achievement. You can now carry a knife that is as strong as a 110 (blasphemy!) without carrying something as heavy as a 110, which theoretically would mean that more people would be comfortable carrying knives, but that would be to understate the effect of the anti-knife mentality. :(
 
straitshot said:
The locking folder goes back aways, and it is only a method to make articulation rigid.

I will appreciate any thoughts others may have on the subject to further clog my idle mind. Regards, ss.
Click to expand...

I disagree with you. The 110 lockback is the basis for all the "modern" inovations. Before the 110 no one thought of a folder as strong. The 110 changed people's perception of what a folder could be. None of the latest makers would be selling hot folders today were it not for Al Buck and his innovation. To dismiss this major inovation as an "only" or a "mere" is incorrect and an injustice IMO.
 
knarfeng said:
I disagree with you. The 110 lockback is the basis for all the "modern" inovations. Before the 110 no one thought of a folder as strong. The 110 changed people's perception of what a folder could be. None of the latest makers would be selling hot folders today were it not for Al Buck and his innovation. To dismiss this major inovation as an "only" or a "mere" is incorrect and an injustice IMO.
Click to expand...
I love the Buck 110, but I have to disagree.
Bali-songs have always been considered strong folders and they have been around long before the Buck 110.
And "switch-blades" (autos) had been around for quite a while too, and were considered plenty strong...they were even carried by paratroopers on D-Day during WWII.
Here's a link to a picture:
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...WII%2Bparatrooper%2Bknife&svnum=10&um=1&hl=en

The germans also had an paratroopers knife:
http://www.germaniainternational.com/images/paragravityknife01.jpg

As for the best inovation:

The pocket-clip without a doubt.
It changed the way everyone carries a knife.
AND it gave birth to the Emerson Wave too.
 
The clip and FRN handles forever..though I'm not allowed to use one of those
Also like to add IKBS and the system RJ Martin uses in the pivot..smooooth
 
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