preaching to the choir

BJE

BJE

Basic Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
3,079
I know this has been said before, but I can't believe how much more I like the traditional knives than the modern versions. They just feel right, cut better, carry better, look better IMHO. They make you proud to own it because you like it, not because an online review said its lock could hold 2,000 pounds or because it could kill zombies without breaking a sweat. I found that I have traded or sold away FAR fewer slippies and classic fixed blades than anything else. It was easy to get caught up in all the hype of the tactical knives, but it is even easier to live without them. I still think they have their place as a valuable tool, just not in my pocket. Has anyone else made the switch either way. I started out with slip-joints and I have switched back and forth a couple times over the years, but never got very deep into the traditionals because they are not talked about on the other forums as often, until last year when the bug bit me. I just always assumed Case knives were for collectors only the way SMKW markets them, not for actual use. I am glad I was wrong:).
 
I can Relate.

I carried Traditional Folders most my life with a Fixed Blade here and there.
Then the age of the Multi-Tool and Tactical Knives came and I took to those like a Duck to Water and Parked my Stockmans in a Drawer.

About two years ago I started to carry a Stockman with my Tactical, now I'm to a point where I'll carry two traditional knives most of the time and if I want something that locks, I'll carry a Fixed Blade also. These never fail and close on my fingers.

And what has happened to my Tactical Knives, they spend most of the time parked in a drawer or a Truck Glovebox.

BTW no matter what else I carry with me in a Days Time, I also have a Case Frame on me too.
 
As a youngster all we knew were slipjoints and later fixed blade knives.

During my adult years I was introduced to and carried tactical knives as they suited my profession.

Since retiring from law enforcement four years ago the transition back to slipjoints was a natural and effortless evolution requiring no particular thought process or set of decisions. It just felt (and continues to feel) right.

It's much easier for me to have a sense of kinship with my traditional knives and I find them much more relaxing to both admire and employ. After all, it was my much beloved grandfather who gave me my first slipjoints and kindled my passion for such knives.

I wouldn't hesitate to carry or use my more "tactical" knives if the need arose, but barring that, I'm happy to have a slipjoint or two in my pockets for everyday use and carry.
 
Slip joints and sheath knives were all we had around when I was a kid. Never saw a locking blade knife till the James Dean effect hit high gear and every guy with a leather jacket and ducktail haircut had to have a switchblade. The Senator Kefauver had his way and they went bye-bye. Not that they were worth a d--m for cutting anything.

My friends and me all had our scout knives, and other kinds of slippys were around, used by the older men in our lives. Almost 100% a man carried a pocket knife, it was some kind of slip joint like a 2 blade jack, stockman, peanut or whatever. If a pocket knife was not up to the job, we were told that's what our sheath knives were for.

Then in 1963 Buck came out with the 110 and things changed. Durring the 60's the lockblade became more popular, I don't know why. It seemed like a heck of a heavy weight to lug around for just one blade. I guess I was one of the odd ones who never liked the Buck folding hunter. A scout knife or a stockman seemed to make more sense. But I noticed that in the army, just about everyone had a Buck pouch on thier hip, exept in the engineers. Most of my fellow engineers were blue collar tradesmen type and carried a variety of slip joints and issue scout knives, and TL-29's in those piggy back sheaths with the linesmen pliers.

To this day as an old fart, I just can't see limiting myself to a knife with one blade if I have a choice. I worship at the alter of form following funtion, and sometimes I have an extreme pragmatic outlook. To me a slip joint is just the ultimate in a practical effective cutting tool for the pocket. If I need something sturdier, then thats what the laminated blade mora in the glovebox is for.
 
I am a "tactical knife" type of guy if you mean easy opening with a pocket clip! I have tried to start carrying slipjoints for a few months now (SAK Electrician mostly) in addition to the clip folder in my pocket or neck knife. Most of the time I just do not use them. Tried carrying my Case Sowbelly a couple of times last week but it just was too big for a backup blade (felt too heavy in my pocket). Carried my damascus Case Stockman this weekend but never used it. I like the idea of the multiple types of blades that slip joints allow and will continue carrying the SAK, and on and off the other slipjoints but I am afraid that I am a pocket clip kind of guy.

I am still trying to find a good steel wharncliffe whittler with 2 different small blades that can be sold to Canada though, I have the Case but the steel has not impressed me (420 SS).
 
I'll admit , I like both types of knives and I carry both at different times.

Over this past weekend I was doing a lot of work around the house and had to make a trip to the home improvement store. A small modern knife clipped to my pocket was really handy for cutting rope and sheets of plastic while securing things in the car. Or to quickly zip open a box in the store to check the contents. Later on at home I had to break down some boxes. Sometimes it's easier to not fish around your pocket or search for a belt pouch under your jacket....

But at work I usually carry a slippy to cut my lunch or open the mail. They're also more pleasing to the eye... Often the knives I pick up just to admire are traditional styles with natural scales.
 
JPD1998 said:
I'll admit , I like both types of knives and I carry both at different times.

Over this past weekend I was doing a lot of work around the house and had to make a trip to the home improvement store. A small modern knife clipped to my pocket was really handy for cutting rope and sheets of plastic while securing things in the car. Or to quickly zip open a box in the store to check the contents. Later on at home I had to break down some boxes. Sometimes it's easier to not fish around your pocket or search for a belt pouch under your jacket....

But at work I usually carry a slippy to cut my lunch or open the mail. They're also more pleasing to the eye... Often the knives I pick up just to admire are traditional styles with natural scales.
Click to expand...
I aggree, that is why I carry a Bark River PSK in the KSF leather pouch. I keep it behind my wallet with a little lanyard. Ir doesn't stick up above my pocket, but I can have it out and ready faster than any other folder I have carried. It is a great little cutter and pleasing to the eye/hand.
 
BJE said:
I aggree, that is why I carry a Bark River PS in the KSF leather pouch. I keep it behind my wallet with a little lanyard. It doesn't stick up above my pocket, but I can have it out and ready faster than any other folder I have carried. It is a great little cutter and pleasing to the eye/hand.
Click to expand...

Yes that works too... I've been checking out the small BR's for a few years now, I can never find the handle material and mosaic pins that I like in stock anywhere. Also one of our members here ( I think Sunnyd) has a nice pocket sheath for a slippie , I might try that one day too.

Sometimes I carry a small Buck fixed blade ( cheap knife with a hard plastic sheath). The sheath is designed so that it can be secured with a Velcro strap around a belt and then it can hang down into a pocket. The knife snaps into the sheath, but the handle does stick up above the pocket. It's just a real handy set-up, but I think Buck changed the sheath to a Cordura version.
 
I started out with lots of 'tactical' knives and thought they were a good idea for self defense. I've got a couple of old slipjoints that I never really carry. Nowadays I always have a SAK. I was carrying the tinker for a while but now it is the Alox Farmer, and I don't think that's changing for a long, long time. I don't really need a tactical knife for any reason. Sometimes I'll stick one in my back pocket, but usually I just have my farmer.


If I need something for self-defense there's always a handy Glock nearby. Stabbing somebody would be messy and dangerous anyway.
 
Generally, I prefer slipjoints and fixed blades. I really prefer carbon steel and most knives that still have carbon steel are one of these two types. I also have an affinity for antique and used knives, usually also in one of these two categories. I can often find slipjoints and fixed blades I like and will use at least some at a much better price point than a decent quality tactical.

That being said, I do own tacticals and have been impressed with some of the better ones I own or have owned. They are very convenient in a speed access situation, like working on an assembly line or warehouse, but I have carried slipjoints and small fixed blades in speed critical situations also with few problems with access. I guess it is mainly a preference issue for me. I like the way slipjoints and fixed blades look and find them adequate to more than adequate in most situations.
 
"It's all good", as they say.

We've had a lot of threads on here about "traditional" stuff. I tend to go that way whenever possible (lots of cast iron, carbon steel, wool, and leather around my place), but I also believe in using the right tool for the job. This often includes a stainless blade, a one hand opener, a stout fixed blade, or the general utility of a SAK.

I finally had to convince myself that carrying a "traditional" firearm (wherever you'd like to draw that particular line) didn't make as much sense as carrying a stainless and alloy Sig. As an aside, I can't imagine relying on a knife as a self defense weapon. I think most BG's would take it as a dare.

-- Sam
 
Traditionals win hands down in the aesthetics league and in much of the user league too:thumbup: Clips and 1 hand openers do have their uses too though.

BJE you mention a KSF pouch, could you give details or a link please? I'm awaiting delivery of a Bark River PSK and I can't tell you how much I HATE kydex sheathes:barf: Small sheath/fixed knives are really useful items:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top