Progression from tactical to slippies?

I hate the word tactical when applied to objects. But I suppose it's easier to say tactical folder than 'usually one-handed opening, usually with a pocket clip, usually locking folding knife.'

Personally, I started with a SAK, moved to modern for many years, and a while back reintroduced the classics, but not to the exclusion of modern. I often carry a peanut or stockman when I don't want to advertise that I have a knife via a clip sticking out of my pocket, for example, but I'm just as likely to select a Spyderco in the morning if I'm in that mood. They're all good.
 
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randomlooker said:
I hate the word tactical when applied to objects.
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Absolutely correct, imho and experience. "Tactical" is in the deployment. A pencil or magazine can be deployed in a tactical fashion. Good observation.

(And now back to our regular programming...)
 
I like my hard use modern knives but traditionals are like a fine woman in that they make my heart beat go a little faster! I also agree with the old school thoughts of the others!
 
stevekt said:
Similar things can be said when applying the word "traditional" to objects.
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Very true...but in the current instance (for good or for bad), for some folks the term "tactical" can carry with it negative connotations whereas the term "traditional" is generally perceived as more benign. Of course, you can make what you will out of any term which is intended to encompass a wide swath.

(By way of example and (unnecessary political correctness), when I was on what most would refer to as a SWAT (Team) our unit was referred to as the Warrant Entry Team and later Special Response Team. The reason? Because certain words (such as weapons and tactics) put incorrect perceptions in some people's minds despite the fact that the team did the same job regardless of what it was called.)
 
Blues said:
Very true...but in the current instance (for good or for bad), for some folks the term "tactical" can carry with it negative connotations whereas the term "traditional" is generally perceived as more benign.
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Yes, I agree. My first knife, early '60's, was a scout/utility type with jigged, black composite scales. I still love that look. I have a very old "traditional " folder, jigged bone, spear point w/ half stops, it opens like a bear trap. It won't be long before I might be too old to open it up.

I look at that, then look at my black handled mini-grip and I just see a knife made for the exact same utilitarian purpose as the older folder. They've just made some refinements over the years. It opens with ease and locks into place for added safety, but I use it for the same purpose as I do the old one. It's hard for me to classify a mini-grip, or a similar knife, as "tactical". I know that term is used in a negative way to describe anything that isn't a slip-joint sometimes.

100 years ago, knife-makers probably didn't have a clue we'd be obsessing over these old bone handled, carbon bladed slipjoints. They were just using the materials and technology available to make a working tool for people of the day. That's how I see knives like the BM grip and similar ones today. Of course, there are 'tactical' knives being made too.
 
Well said, JohnnyR. :thumbup:

My own progression was from pen knives and camper/scout knives in the late fifties, early sixties to various locking designs to one hand openers and back to slipjoints (especially since having left law enforcement where having a knife which could be accessed easily with one hand was advantageous).
 
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After a ten year affair with the modern one-hander I came back to traditional for a few reasons. A thin, flat ground "low end" carbon steel blade that doesn't lock will outcut a thick, hollow ground "super steel" stainless blade that has a 1000lb lock strength. And just what are you doing with a pocket knife that it needs to double as a prybar?

I like the looks of a tradtional knife. Jigged bone looks better to my eye than rough finished G-10. I think it also feels better for any long term work. A sandpaper like grip will raise a hot spot if you do more than a few minutes work. Another plus related to looks is that a slender knife with red bone scales that looks like Grandpa's pocket knife won't raise an eyebrow. A heavy, partially serrated tanto with urban camo that comes out with a flourish is the kind of thing that (right or wrong) gets lawmakers in an uproar.

And I think traditional knives give you more bang for your buck than many modern knives. Wonder steels command a higher price. So does G-10 and wizz bang locks. You could get a really nice traditional for the price of cheaper one hander. YMMV

Frank
 
Well guys, I love the old look and appreciate the modern, I even love those GEC acrylics, but these days I carry what I carried for years when I was in my 20's and 30's. I usually have an alox SAK in my pocket, at least at work. Sometimes, when I need to dress up, a little cadet, or in jeans or canvas/cotton my Scibeer modified climber, it's like a soldier with scissors. My red, faded and scratched Pioneer is just a little museum piece for me now. For me, an alox SAK is hard to beat, you have the thin blade, screwdrivers, etc. and they're very people friendly.

Of course, when I get home it's a different story. I can clip on a Benchmade, a Spyderco, or stick an old style slip-joint in my pocket. At the end of the day, it's not really which knife, but the fact you've got one in your pocket and you were able, willing and ready to use it for any chore necessary. :)
 
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Greetings you all:)

I have been a hardcore Spyderco collector/user for years.
Exclusively the fully serrated models.
And I still like them.
However since I heard about the upcoming knife laws over here I started to look out to something different.
So I read the stories of this forum and out of curiosity I bought myself a G10 handled Peanut.
And the funny thing is that that little bugger really grows on you.
Most of the time it's the only knife I carry together with my ever present SAK.
Not even one Spydie.
Everytime I open the little bugger I say to myself: "Now that's a real pocket knife"
Now I'm looking to other traditionals as well.
I have a red boned Swayback on the way and maybe my next one will be a Barlow. Looks like a solid one:)
Yup.... funny how things can go ;)
 
spydutch said:
Greetings you all:)

So I read the stories of this forum and out of curiosity I bought myself a G10 handled Peanut.
And the funny thing is that that little bugger really grows on you.
Most of the time it's the only knife I carry together with my ever present SAK.
Not even one Spydie.
Everytime I open the little bugger I say to myself: "Now that's a real pocket knife"
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You do realize dutch, that you are now a member of the cult of the peanut. I have to inform you that the 4th law of the cult is that your second peanut must be a yellow CV one.

We'll be watching.:D
 
As I get older, I miss my youth, my dad, and my grandpa. Every man in my family carried a stockman or trapper for as long as I can remember. I have the old timer my dad was carrying when he died and I too have come full circle. From "high speed" knives and "hard use" back to my trappers and stockman. I love the fact that we have the choices and for some, they fit, just not for me anymore. Every time I pull out my case xx cv mini trapper, I think of dad and grandpa and the memories just flow. I'm reminded of Proverbs where it says," train up a child in ways that are right and when he is old he will not depart from them".....Jim
 
I don't know, man. My birthday's December 29. Last one was when I turned 60. It was the damnedest thing. When I went to bed on Dec 28 I was in love with my Glock and my Sebs & Spydercos. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't wait to grab my Case Trapper and my wife's wheel gun :eek:.

Seriously, I have seen a change for me from larger tactical type FBs and folders to slippies and more traditional FBs. Nowadays, I usually carry a Spyderco UKPK and a 4" Green River model FB from Twin Blades in Statesboro, GA. If I'm working around my dogs, I'll grab one of my CV Case Trappers and use the spey blade a lot. And yes, I do really like her S&W, but I still pack my Glock when we go out. 14 beats 5 in my book any day.
 
I've come full circle. I started with slippies and moved to tacticals and have come full circle back to slippies. They are awesome and beautiful!
 
I have carried both through the years, and still do. But more and more I tend to carry a slipjoint or my beloved Opinel. Aside from the advantages of a thin carbon steel blade, there is another important advantage to a soldier carrying a slipjoint. Knives draw attention. A dangerous looking modern folder tends to get you looked at in a different way. When I draw my blue jigged bone Case stockman for whatever chore, it sometimes also draws attention. "Wow, that's beautiful" or with the Opinel, "I've never seen anything like that before, can I look at it." It's a relief when compared to.... "Hey soldier, do you know the regulation on knives?"

No thanks, I'll fly low. ;)
 
SPC_rex said:
I have carried both through the years, and still do. But more and more I tend to carry a slipjoint or my beloved Opinel. Aside from the advantages of a thin carbon steel blade, there is another important advantage to a soldier carrying a slipjoint. Knives draw attention. A dangerous looking modern folder tends to get you looked at in a different way. When I draw my blue jigged bone Case stockman for whatever chore, it sometimes also draws attention. "Wow, that's beautiful" or with the Opinel, "I've never seen anything like that before, can I look at it." It's a relief when compared to.... "Hey soldier, do you know the regulation on knives?"

No thanks, I'll fly low. ;)
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Yes, that's one of the great advantages of a traditional knife; it's not threatening in appearence. I was a box lunch social at my chruch a few years ago, and I took out my bone stag peanut to cut something, and one of the little old chuch ladies remarked what a pretty little pocket knife it was. Some time back I loaned my yellow handle peanut to a young fella outside of an IKEA who was trying to cut off a length of twine from the roll they keep outside but somebody had made off with the sissors they kept there. He looked at it funny, and told me his grandfather had carried a knife just like that. I get that one a lot. The grandfather thing. I guess thats not a bad thing.

Flying low can be good.:thumbup:
 
I carry both traditionals and tacticals to work everyday. 99% of the time my Opinel, Soddie or Stockman is doing the lion's share of the work but there are those times when I am up on a ladder or working on/holding something w/one hand and need to cut w/the other. That is when the modern one-hand designs really shine. I will admit to keeping a low profile at work as well. There are no unreasonable carry laws where I live nor are there any restrictions in my workplace and I don't want to be responsible for the implementation of any.:eek: If I need to get by w/just a slippie fine-love 'em but since I have accumulated a fair number of modern folders over the years I darn well gonna use them too. A knife is a terrible thing to waste.:)
 
I like both. But im starting to favor "traditional" style. Id love a ZT 0350, but I cant help but think wtf do I need that thing for, I have like 10000 fixed blades!

So Im starting to look at slippies, and iv found that they are really nice. I also love the Buck 110 though :)

In the end, I guess my endura handles everything, but I want MORE KNIVES! :D

Also liking slippies doesnt mean I dont want a CalyIII, it just means that my wallet will empty faster.
 
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