Old man knife?

[puukkoman]

I'm 30, and I carry mainly "traditional" knives. My one-handers sit neglected. There were a few years, in my early 20s, when I was more interested in the newest gadget, the latest super-steel, and I learned a lot about steel types and how to sharpen super-hard blades, but that didn't last long. I grew up with regular ol' pocket knives, and that's where I've come back to.

 

[wouldestous]

early 40s here. and i, well, i just dont like modern knives. never had one, never used one so its not based on any actual experience. i just think modern knives are generally kind of ugly. ymmv.

 

[totallynotalex]

I just turned 22 on Tuesday and traditional knives dominate my accumulation of knives. For me traditional knives take me back to a simpler time, a time that my grandfather is always telling me stories of. In fact I got my first traditional because I wanted to be like my grandfather. I don't post nearly as much as I would like to due to school, but I am thankful for everything you all post and I enjoy reading everything!

 

[Peter Parker]

Old man take a look at my knife
Its a lot like yours were
It means that much to me
That it means that much to you
With tradition lost
Oh what a cost
Give me something that wont get lost
Rollin back to you
Take a look in my eyes
Cause you can see that's true
We both have something to love
Our whole lives through

Thanks Neil Young

I love it:thumbup:!

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I thought all the kids liked things "old skool"?

Ha!

I am 33, and went the whole Strider/tactical folder route. Those knives weren't bad, just not for me. I still have my Sebenzas, my Umnumzaan, a few Benchmades and Spydercos. One day I was looking at the few one handed openers I still had, and looking at some new one hand openers. I realized none tripped my trigger, and I was still excited by all of the slipjoints in my knife roll.

Old man knives? Nope, just well made knives.

 

[TomTerrific]

I can't believe no one has claimed to be older than I - yet. Will be 73 in a couple of months.

There are some really good one handers, but give me a trad any day.

 

[RokBoks]

Sounds like someone who just said something without thinking (which happens to a lot of people haha). I noticed every young person (the teenagers) who gave input just stated their age and left I wouldn't call slip joints old people knives but I understand where the guys comin from cause they could be called old timey or old school compared to the zdp, self opening blades we have now. Myself I'm 18 but after carrying a grip, a para 2 and a manix 2 I ended up with a trapperlock I keep in my back pocket. I had to sell those other newer blades but after months I can't say I miss those fancy g10 knives cause as a civilian who doesn't really work with a knife as a life line I just don't need them. If i do end up needing to pull out my knife quick cause of a big event or accident I don't know how much more help a bigger super steel blade would help than say a trapper. I guess that would make the "wise man knife" a legit tag

 

[Gevonovich]

I love it:thumbup:!

Thanks Peter

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

About to turn 35 soon, usually have a slipjoint with me, and sometimes as a primary knife. Not young, but have added them to my collection since the beginning. In the last 3-4 years have learned to appreciate the diversity and complexity.

If you think about it, a good slipjoint is more complicated than the average one hand opening super-tactical pry-bar knife. It takes a higher level of skill to make a slipjoint of quality I think. So from a technological standpoint they are more complicated

Who's he calling old

All kidding aside, I think it has to do with advertising and marketing, I remember seeing a ad for Benchmade in a backpacking magazine and it said something to the effect - not your grandfather's knife, the ad was right its not like your grandfather's knife, your grandfathers knife can cut more efficiently because of the thin profile. I carried a one hand opening knife for about two years because of a younger friend insisted I give it a try, I always paired it with a traditional and realized I really didn't use the one hand knife very often.

With respect shown to all posters and not trying to be a jerk:
One Negative of this forum that I've noticed since the beginning of my time here, and one that kept me away until I better understood the dynamic is included in the above posts. I would ask that all posters try to refrain from insulting other knife choices. That speaks of snobbery and I don't feel that it belongs here. A knife choice does not make one wise or unwise based solely on type. My BUSSTR from STR (as a single specific example) is thinner than most slipjoints I own at 1/16" thick, is a clipped folder and cuts much better than many of my slipjoints- custom and production. It's full length so I can utilize it more efficiently when doing food prep. I've appreciated it when camping and needing to quickly cut a line in a harsh wind- something that would have taken longer with a modern traditional. Calling clipped knives "one hand opening super-tactical pry-bar knife" in a thread about denigrating slipjoints is kind of ironic to me, but not in a good way. Each to their own of course, but my choices are my choices, and although I have grown thicker skin and grown to love this place, I still feel that non-traditional denigration brings this place down to a level it does not deserve.

Simply saying that in your experience the clipped folders do not meet your criteria for a user is valid, insulting the choices of others is not, in my opinion. I'm not upset by the thread, and am glad for it, but have to occasionally comment when I feel that some are insulting others. They are all knives, and we should respect them all, even if they are not our choice.

For the record, my 6 year old daughter was given a mammoth ivory John Lloyd trapper for her birthday, and does use it for some food/camping tasks, just is too young for EDC. She owns no clipped folders yet, so perhaps she is the youngest in this thread. Trying to teach her the full spectrum of knife love.

 

[Doug Add]

My BUSSTR from STR (as a single specific example) is thinner than most slipjoints I own at 1/16" thick, is a clipped folder and cuts much better than many of my slipjoints- custom and production.

I agree with the sentiment you have expressed in your post Kris, particularly the quoted part. My Kershaw Leek is and does what most consider to be the traditional slip joint ace up the sleeve over modern tactical knives: thin blade with remarkably sharp edge making it a great slicer. Even though at 4" closed it is longer than all but one of my traditionals (Northfield Ben Hogan), its thin profile and light construction make it easier to carry than smaller slip joints.

If something is good it stands on its own, No need to denigrate others in an attempt to falsely elevate by comparison.

 

[akadave2]

About to turn 35 soon, usually have a slipjoint with me, and sometimes as a primary knife. Not young, but have added them to my collection since the beginning. In the last 3-4 years have learned to appreciate the diversity and complexity.






With respect shown to all posters and not trying to be a jerk:
One Negative of this forum that I've noticed since the beginning of my time here, and one that kept me away until I better understood the dynamic is included in the above posts. I would ask that all posters try to refrain from insulting other knife choices. That speaks of snobbery and I don't feel that it belongs here. A knife choice does not make one wise or unwise based solely on type. My BUSSTR from STR (as a single specific example) is thinner than most slipjoints I own at 1/16" thick, is a clipped folder and cuts much better than many of my slipjoints- custom and production. It's full length so I can utilize it more efficiently when doing food prep. I've appreciated it when camping and needing to quickly cut a line in a harsh wind- something that would have taken longer with a modern traditional. Calling clipped knives "one hand opening super-tactical pry-bar knife" in a thread about denigrating slipjoints is kind of ironic to me, but not in a good way. Each to their own of course, but my choices are my choices, and although I have grown thicker skin and grown to love this place, I still feel that non-traditional denigration brings this place down to a level it does not deserve.

Simply saying that in your experience the clipped folders do not meet your criteria for a user is valid, insulting the choices of others is not, in my opinion. I'm not upset by the thread, and am glad for it, but have to occasionally comment when I feel that some are insulting others. They are all knives, and we should respect them all, even if they are not our choice.

For the record, my 6 year old daughter was given a mammoth ivory John Lloyd trapper for her birthday, and does use it for some food/camping tasks, just is too young for EDC. She owns no clipped folders yet, so perhaps she is the youngest in this thread. Trying to teach her the full spectrum of knife love.

Seems to me that the comments here have been quite respectful of knife choices. Most of the comments are tongue-in-cheek and my original post was not intended to dent anyone's feelings.

 

[Thalestin]

Im 30 and basically exclusively use traditional knives. I love them and they will be part of me till I am an old man. I hope to try and pass on my love to the younger generations as well

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Seems to me that the comments here have been quite respectful of knife choices. Most of the comments are tongue-in-cheek and my original post was not intended to dent anyone's feelings.

I like your OP, and tried to add my opinion following it. I do feel that we should watch our tongue in cheek comments as well as generalizations as, at least in my case, I was taken aback at similar comments when I first found this forum, and it kept me away as a result. Not everybody understands the same tongue in cheek attitude, which is why I hope for restraint in what can be misconstrued. Sorry for the derailment/rant.

I've just started convincing my brother to keep a slipjoint in his pocket as he tends to loose things, and deep pocket carry is more secure as he is in jeans all day in a carpet/flooring company warehouse. So far he hasn't broken a tip off by lending it to anybody irresponsible, so perhaps there is hope for him at 26. Or at least hope for his knives.

 

[richstag]

I like your OP, and tried to add my opinion following it. I do feel that we should watch our tongue in cheek comments as well as generalizations as, at least in my case, I was taken aback at similar comments when I first found this forum, and it kept me away as a result. Not everybody understands the same tongue in cheek attitude, which is why I hope for restraint in what can be misconstrued. Sorry for the derailment/rant.

I've just started convincing my brother to keep a slipjoint in his pocket as he tends to loose things, and deep pocket carry is more secure as he is in jeans all day in a carpet/flooring company warehouse. So far he hasn't broken a tip off by lending it to anybody irresponsible, so perhaps there is hope for him at 26. Or at least hope for his knives.

One thing about this place that is nice is actually that people are able to make "tongue in cheek comments". That is in my opinion of course.

I like that I can say what I want and other's can say what they like. It never really gets childish and hurt feelings seem to be of the rarest occasion.

I hope you can stick around as is

 

[Thomas Linton]

For most people, lack of experience actually makes it easier to come to firm opinions. They don't know what they don't know.

 

[richstag]

For most people, lack of experience actually makes it easier to come to firm opinions. They don't know what they don't know.

I agree with this 100 percent. Im not going to get sour about someone stating their feelings though. That was my point.

 

[Paradiggum]

Being one that carries both traditional knives and the OHO knives, I think they both have their place. I started carrying a OHO knife for practical work reasons. I worked in a factory at the time and we had machines that popped out rolls of fiberglass. Well sometimes the tape on those rolls wouldn't stick and they'd get rolled up in the machine. The OHO clipped knife was the best tool for the job because you'd have to cut the tape and more often than not your other hand was making sure the giant roll of fiberglass didn't fall on your head. Most traditionals wouldn't have done much good in that situation. So I came to my first Spyderco Delica through practical reasons. It was so much easier to be able to deploy, use and put the knife away with one hand than it was to mess with trying to use something else. They gave us little Stanley utility knives but they were 2 hand open as well. Since this cutting and removing of the fiberglass bail had to be done quickly because another one was coming up right behind it, I found the OHO knife a godsend. Saw another guy use one to do this and after we cleared everything I asked him what he was carrying. I had one before the week was out.
So while I always have my peanut, and might have something like a trapper on me, a Spyderco or Benchmade probably isn't too far away. if it's not already clipped in my pocket. I like to use the right tool for the job.

 

[LKJW]

I'm 34 and down to almost exclusively traditional. Been so for four years or so.

 

[RogueBowie]

25 currently but I've owned slipjoints for over a year and I carry them very often. They are just plain satisfying to use.

 

[WvHiker]

I've had slip joints and the more traditional lockbacks since I was a kid; they were my intro to the knife world. The thing that got me interested in knives were the slipjoints my grandfathers carried; one an Old Timer Stockman (I've had one just like it since I was about 16. I'm on my second one after losing the first, but I've had one of the two for more than 20 years now), the other a Case Canoe. They seemed like "real man knives" to me. I have modern folders, but I almost always still carry a slipjoint. One handers are handy, but a Peanut, Trapper, Stockman, or SAK are almost always the knives that go with me when I leave in the morning.