Non Traditional Folders

glocktenman

glocktenman

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Jul 20, 2008
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I consider myself a slip joint fella. I've got several and carry one often. However, I also carry one folder that's not a traditional style or slip joint. I carry a Spyderco wave with a lock blade of medium size. The one handed open operation works very well for me at work and it's pretty sturdy when locked open. I have a few other non traditional folders but I don't carry them much anymore.

Do you consider yourself a slip joint person but sometimes carry a non traditional folder? If so, whats the draw to the non traditional folder for you? Work, style, steel, casual use, easy of carry or use?
 
I'm a knife-person. I carry slipjoints more than any other, but I like and have all sorts of knives.
 
jc57 said:
Same.
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X2

There are times I use a clipped on, one hand opening (either a bailey or my zt), like when I know I'll be taking it out alot for short jobs and one hand is easier (holding/stripping wire, cutting rope lots, etc) or when I'll be using it for stuff other than cutting (*gasp*). But typically, day to day, it's slip joint for me. Quite often, I also carry a fixed blade (working in the woods, construction etc$.
 
I don't mind the pocket clip. I also appreciate the lock up and steel. I also was approached by a unfriendly mut on a walk with my girls so I dont mind the easy open feature.

In short, I like them all. :D
 
Non-traditional when I'm on my boat. Moving around with one hand occupied and in emergency. Last year during storm, boat was at dock but straining against ropes and I was having problems keeping my balance, one hand opener was life saver. Other than that not so much.

Alan
 
I EDC a modern folder and rotate out traditionals. The modern one is for the dirty work, the traditionals are worry-stones and letter openers.
 
Total traditional slip joint person here. The only lock blade I own is an Opinel. I've never got into locking or one hand opening knives.
 
Wasn't too long ago I mostly reached for my leatherman or razor blade utility style knife when I had a need for cutting. One day I got a notion to look for my old stag Buck I had since I was a boy. Still haven't found that knife; but I found this place!
Was mostly interested in Buck, but there was all this talk about GEC. That led me here to the porch.
I have developed quite a fascination with quality slipjoints now. There is always one in my pocket now. What can I say? Oldtimey folders just do it for me.
 
I carry an Opinel N°10 more often than any other. I have it loosened to the point where I can flick it open one handed and turn the lock with my thumb. So I get one handed operation in a traditional knife.

But I like my Gerber Harsey Air Ranger II, SAK one handers, fixed blades, and so on. I just find the Opinel to meet my needs the best.

Zieg
 
jackknife said:
Total traditional slip joint person here.
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This is where I'm at as well. I had a Griptilian that Macchina sent me for a while, but I eventually traded it away because it just didn't get used. Great knife, and I'd recommend them to anybody but I prefer natural handle materials and slipjoint mechanics. I recognize that modern knives are functionally superior, but I prefer the aesthetics of slipjoints and I don't ever have a need for one-handed operation.
 
About 90% of my knives are traditionals, pretty much all the rest are Chris Reeve products. For me I like to pair a "modern" knife with my slipjoint on the weekend because of the clip and larger size. Yes, I know that slipjoints come in larger sizes but I prefer them to be small and work friendly...
In short +1 for the above post about liking all types of knives:)
 
While I have all sorts of knives, I mostly carry traditionals. I find the blade shapes more useful for cutting chores. Large one handers are fun, but I find a narrow thin blade to be more useful.
 
All kinds usually at all times. Knut.😎
Neal
I gotta stop posting when I'm tired
 
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Im pretty much all traditional. If i need a one hand opener, a fixed blade or my buck 112 works just fine. Just open the 112 with your thumb as if it has a thumbstud.
 
I like modern steels, the designs and the engineering involved - but I live in the UK. Which pretty much rules out anything like the above. Mostly due to the size and the lock, but It's not just the legality of it (which is important to me) it's the perception here. The UK has a serious problem with knife related violence. When I take a peanut out of my pocket, an SAK, a congress or an older small pattern; it isn't observed with nervous suspicion in the same way as something more modern is - I tried carrying a Spyderco UKPK many years ago and got nothing but grief.

The main point though, is that I like traditional patterns more. I love the look and the feel. The walk and talk of a well made slipjoint and the character of them.

To me, many modern patterns are quite sterile - perfectly engineered, each identical to its sibling. Traditionals have soul.
 
I'm both. I like to carry both a small slip-joint or friction folder and a modern, larger one-hand and locking knife. It also depends a lot on the occasion, when dressing up and moving in a relatively risk-free environment I have a slip-joint.

If I am traveling, which is a lot (in my home country) it depends on where I am. Allways a slippie or friction folder. During summers at summer cottage and when hiking I have a traditional fixed blade, a puukko, with me.
 
I was heavily into modern knives before I came to the traditional side, I just like things with a cutting edge. I have been considering selling all my modern knives though, I hardly use them much anymore and traditionals are just so much better IMO. The only thing that makes me unsure is all of those sweet high performance steels you don't find on traditionals outside of customs. But like pmew has said, traditionals have soul:)
 
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