So what started all this

Gunslinger686

Gunslinger686

Joined
Nov 19, 2003
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I know man has been using sharpened objects for thousands of years but I'm talking about the modern era folder . I think it happened somewhere between the Buck 110 and the benchmade afck ,al mar and the Sebenza . I know there where others . Also The impact of the Internet on the knife industry had to be phenomenal . What were some of the game changers for you in the late 80s and mid through 90s ?
 
Usually Spyderco gets a lot of credit in this department for one hand opening and the pocket clip.

For me, a Gerber LST that I had as a teen in the '80s really got me thinking. No clip, but I could flick it open and it was flat, encouraging me to put it into my pocket. It also went right through airport metal detectors back then.
 
I'm too young for it to be a game changer in my time, but I think the Spyderco Worker is pretty unquestionably the knife that really kicked off the revolution.
 
Spyderco definite game changer and big influence on modern knife design . Guess what I'm trying to communicate is to get peoples opinions of knives that have stood the test of time in design , craftsmanship and ingenuity and even knives made today that you think will stand the test of time .
 
RX-79G said:
Usually Spyderco gets a lot of credit in this department for one hand opening and the pocket clip.

For me, a Gerber LST that I had as a teen in the '80s really got me thinking. No clip, but I could flick it open and it was flat, encouraging me to put it into my pocket. It also went right through airport metal detectors back then.
Click to expand...

I'm going to agree with this, I think the original Gerber LST (Light Strong Tough) was introduced in 1980. If it wasn't the first single bladed locking flat knife with a practically indestructible handle, it was a pivotal model that changed the way knives were looked at and used. Not a clunky Swiss Army Knife or Boy Scout knife. It locked but could be easily carried in a pocket unlike the Buck 110 that almost demanded a belt sheath. It was the first wave of the 'black handled knives with stainless blades' that sadly still currently dominates the market. It also featured a drop point blade, an extremely versatile blade shape.

There were other knives like Spyderco with the clip, that were game changers. For me it was the Gerber LST that got me into knives. Later, I discovered Benchmade and Spyderco.

Grizz
 
I had an Okapi 907 way back in '78. One hand opening and closing. Before that it was just an old Boy Scout knife and a cheap Bowie. That knife changed my thinking on what a convenient knife was.
Not a modern folder at all, but put me into a different direction. I got an Eka big swede (still have it) shortly thereafter. No clip but locking and stainless blade.
 
My entire life (51 years) I have seen these Mercators. I think they date back to about the 1860's. Can still buy them today. That's some longevity right there.

MERC_zpsvk6417fh.jpg
 
Gunslinger686 said:
Spyderco definite game changer and big influence on modern knife design . Guess what I'm trying to communicate is to get peoples opinions of knives that have stood the test of time in design , craftsmanship and ingenuity and even knives made today that you think will stand the test of time .
Click to expand...

Gotcha! In that case, I would humbly submit the Benchmade 710, Spyderco Military and Kershaw Blur. All three were game changers when then hit and are definitely modern classics. I suspect that as long as those companies exist those knives will be in their lineups.
 
For me it was the Benchmade 705 circa 1995. For me it was my first modern knife. I haven't looked back since.
 
Black Kershaw folder, got it off the Snap-On truck when around 1984.
Just practiced all the time until I could hold the blade & flick it open.
It was black with stainless... Way cool back then... Then I had several Kershaws (my friends brother owned the Snap-On truck). I got that big hollow handle survival knife, a Special Agent boot knife, a Deerhunter which was an amazing little knife...
Anyway Black Kershaw folding Hunter with stainless clip point blade I think...
 
From what I was just reading, it seems that Bob Terzoula's name comes up a lot. The term "tactical folder" is attributed to him.
 
gdwtvb said:
I'm going to agree with this, I think the original Gerber LST (Light Strong Tough) was introduced in 1980. If it wasn't the first single bladed locking flat knife with a practically indestructible handle, it was a pivotal model that changed the way knives were looked at and used. Not a clunky Swiss Army Knife or Boy Scout knife. It locked but could be easily carried in a pocket unlike the Buck 110 that almost demanded a belt sheath. It was the first wave of the 'black handled knives with stainless blades' that sadly still currently dominates the market. It also featured a drop point blade, an extremely versatile blade shape.

There were other knives like Spyderco with the clip, that were game changers. For me it was the Gerber LST that got me into knives. Later, I discovered Benchmade and Spyderco.

Grizz
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Which is funny, because the one I had was translucent camo, and my dad has been carrying a red handled one around for 20 years.

I would buy another camo one, but they've become collectors' items.
 
Sog tomcat & Al Mar sere were the 2that were so new, advanced, ahead of their time back in 1988-89. Pushed the buck 110 rite off my belt for a good while. They were the first tactical knives in my opinion.
 
Spyderco's clip and spydie-hole got me looking (when I couldn't afford even those) and the Benchmade AFCK (mini in particular) got me to lusting. Naturally I had to track one down later in life... I still think it is the epitome of a stylish small knife. Looking at it now, it was sort of a Hinderer Slicer grind before Rick ever made a knife.

 
Wasn't there a recent thread touching on this subject?

Spyderco's Worker was their first knife and their first Clipit model, according to Spydiewiki. That was in 1981. I didn't become familiar with the brand until 1990, when the Delica and Endura were introduced and I bought one of the early models from a booth at a gun show. Prior to that, I had owned an Al Mar Quicksilver--a quirky one hand opener with a ventilated stainless handle, liner lock and a bail that locked the blade closed. Sal credited Al Mar with introducing him to Japan's cutlery industry to start the manufacture of his designs. Those brands were my first one hand opening folders. I found the feature indispensable in time.

But even earlier (1964, if I remember correctly) was the Buck 110, the knife I still believe was the true first modern folder. I didn't own one until the 50th Anniversary model was introduced but I remember really wanting one of those futuristic knives back in high school.
 
My grandpa gave me an old slipjoint (barlow IIRC) and said, "Every young man should carry a pocket knife". Probably 1984-5.

HS graduation (1988, members only jacket and parachute pants forever!), given a Case pocketknife. My first name brand knife. Lost it/stolen during my college years. /sniffle

I also feel obligated to add I had a cheesy, hallowed handled Rambo knife with a compass on the inside from early/mids 1980s too.
 
RX-79G said:
Usually Spyderco gets a lot of credit in this department for one hand opening and the pocket clip.

For me, a Gerber LST that I had as a teen in the '80s really got me thinking. No clip, but I could flick it open and it was flat, encouraging me to put it into my pocket. It also went right through airport metal detectors back then.
Click to expand...
I fulling agree here,, the spyder hole, and the clip are pretty significant developments by Sal,, cheers to that!
 
Yes, the lack of steel liners on the Gerber LST was huge in the knife world and this.^ That Hole in the blade and the pocket clip set the knife world on fire. Thank you, Sal.
rolf
 
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