Tactical to Traditional??

xICEMANx

xICEMANx

Joined
Oct 24, 2012
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I've been a member on the forum for a while now and most of the knives I buy/use are your modern "tactical" style folders like ZT, Spyderco, etc. Just recently I've been VERY into traditional knives. It all started with the Northwood's Fremont Jack, then I got the forum knife and well it's becoming somewhat of an addiction as you can all relate too. More than anything, I appreciate the beauty of a traditional and the utility. I found myself asking the question. " do I really need a large Ti framelock for my typical edc tasks"? The answer is no. A traditional or SAK will do what I do no problem. So what is the point of these "tactical" knives really? Self defense? I carry a gun for that. Or if I had to I'd use a small fixed blade over a folder. In the woods I'll choose a fixed blade any day over a folder. I'm sitting here thinking, why carry a large tactical knife? Why not carry a traditional that IMO has much more character and has that "heirloom" type feel to it, plus more utility. I"m seriously considering selling all of my tactical style folders and focusing soley on traditional's and SAk's. I know my wife will thank me, I've ruined countless pairs of jeans with those g10 scales and pocket clips. Thoughts???
 
It's mostly the machismo mindset. Same reason the word "tactical" gets thrown around so loosely. Unless you need to take out a sentinel as part of your everyday routine I can think of no reason why a good Case or GEC won't handle most daily tasks.
 
I picked up two concealed carry models of a tactical folder style from California, and while I like the knife, the edge is way too thick, and it's even better than the original non CC sizes I owned. So, I will keep the few one hand openers I have, and focus on slipjoints and bushcraft fixed blades.
 
Iceman, I agree with the sentiment that a traditional knife can tackle 99% of daily cutting tasks and some certainly have an heirloom quality to them. You are a knife lover though and I don't think you should sell your modern folder collection. I have seen your reviews and YouTube videos so I know you appreciate the functional beauty and efficiency of the modern folding knife. There are a great many modern folders that do not fall into the "tactical" realm and they have a beauty all their own. I have found a middle ground, my collection is almost half traditionals and half modern folders at this point, and I don't really see that changing. As I knife enthusiast I appreciate them all. :D
 
You're coming to realize that whiz-bang "tactical" knives are just a gimmick for 99% of the populace. A Trapper, Stockman or SAK will and has done everything a pocket knife could reasonably be asked to do for well over 100 years. They're non-offensive, practical and have TONS of character.

I have a couple modern folders which were gifts. They're fine knives and I carry them on occasion, but I've never developed an attachment to them like I have my traditionals and SAK's. They're just tools to me. Traditional old fashioned pocket knives give me a very different feeling, sort of a camaraderie and warmth. Over time my knife becomes a part of me and a fondness develops, one born of time and familiarity. It's always there and it's always done what I needed it to do just fine. It ages and takes on character over time as do I - we grow old together in a way.

Welcome to the traditional forum :)
 
PS: eschwebach is right, I'd suggest you wait awhile before selling some of your moderns, especially any favorites. Wait a year or so, if you still feel this way after that then I guess you can use them to finance other knives you're more interested in then. Make sure this isn't a flash in the pan romance. :)
 
eschwebach said:
Iceman, I agree with the sentiment that a traditional knife can tackle 99% of daily cutting tasks and some certainly have an heirloom quality to them. You are a knife lover though and I don't think you should sell your modern folder collection. I have seen your reviews and YouTube videos so I know you appreciate the functional beauty and efficiency of the modern folding knife. There are a great many modern folders that do not fall into the "tactical" realm and they have a beauty all their own. I have found a middle ground, my collection is almost half traditionals and half modern folders at this point, and I don't really see that changing. As I knife enthusiast I appreciate them all. :D
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arizonaranchman said:
PS: eschwebach is right, I'd suggest you wait awhile before selling some of your moderns, especially any favorites. Wait a year or so, if you still feel this way after that then I guess you can use them to finance other knives you're more interested in then. Make sure this isn't a flash in the pan romance. :)
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Your both right. I do enjoy all knives and will keep some of my modern folders. I do have a rule though, if it's not carried or used then it has to go. I just find myself using traditional's and sak's more often these days. I plan on keeping a select few modern folders. I'll probably take your advice and wait before I sell anything, as I don't really need the funds to buy more traditional's right now.
 
I think each have their place in the knife world. I carry Spyderco's alot because for my hands they are easy to deploy and sometimes certain traditional knives are tough to open. I like both but the knives that are hard to open I've started to give away or sell. The GEC 15's are about the best and most amount of pull I look for and would go even less in pull if I came across some I like. I say use whatever works best for you.
 
Sell a few of your least favorite tactical knives and use the money to buy some traditional Knives and go from there. Welcome to the Traditional Forum, great group of people here. :thumbup:
 
You're about a month or two behind me. I also started with the Fremont and in the last month I've sold off a bunch of the modern folders and bought 4 traditionals. I've never really been into the large modern stuff. I often become frustrated because while I would like the design and look of a knife but would feel ridiculous carrying a pocket machete.

There are a few conveniences I miss from modern folders, namely one handed opening and pocket clips. But if I'm honest, I appreciate the smaller size and traditional design more than those features. I plan to keep my Tenacious for my working in the yard knife and my Spyderco Dice for my modern Ti Framelock folder, but that's about it. I'm riding the fence on selling my beloved Techno right now.

TL;DR: Tacictal knives are and always have been stupid. Traditionals are and always have been beautiful and practical.
 
I can relate to your thoughts. I grew up on slipjoints as most of us here did and then went through the tactical phase when they really first hit the market. Back to traditionals now and in a big way. Sold off most of my one handers but did keep a few and carry one everyday complimented by a traditional or two. I still find them very convenient to use while working as they are easily accessible, even while crouching/squatting/lying. You don't need to choose between one style or the other, just find what works for you.
 
I wouldn't sell your oho, at least not your favorites and most used. There's a time and place where a modern folder is ideal(at least for me). Most of time I carry a modern now is at work. I think a modern is most beifical because I can operate it one handed, it's stainless so there's less maintainace, and I'm hard on my knives at work (a lot at lateral movement and hard pushing and drawing to cut). But long story short, on weekends or days off its usually a sak I do rotate in 2 or 3 gec's. Enjoy your traditionals but don't be hasty.
 
I appreciate the utility of one handed opening and closing and being able to screw a knife apart for a thorough cleaning, but most important is the performance when actually cutting stuff. And that's where the average traditional knife wins by a large margin, due to better cross sectional blade geometry.
 
Doesn't have to be an all one or all the other thing. I usually carry traditional slipjoints from Case, Buck, Victorinox, and others, but I have several modern folders that have their place in my set of tools and I have no intention of getting rid of them.
 
I gave up on "tactical" knives years ago. Used to be really into them, had lots of nice customs from lots of great makers. Frankly decided that, for my needs, they were just way overkill and lacked the classic appeal of slipjoints. I recently tried one again, picked up a Hoback Kwaiback because it was the first modern style folder in years that really interested me, but I never even carried it before selling. Was just way too much knife for me.

These days I tend to carry a Cadet in one pocket with my keys and a classic slip joint in the other (today my forum knife). It's more than enough to suit my needs. I also find a lot more appeal in custom traditionals than I ever did with the tacticals.
 
The thing is for me anyway, that I don't see any advantage to a traditional. The size/weight issue is lost on me, as my pants weigh upwards of 10 pounds, and they all have very deep pockets. The more PC/less intimidating/tacticals be ugly bit is also lost on me as A. I somewhat enjoy antagonizing people. B. I haven't had anyone freak out when I pull out a XL Cold Steel Voyager. C. I prefer the aesthetic of modern, more "evil" looking knives. D. I find that large modern folders suit my needs better than traditionals, one hand deployment, for instance, while not a necessity is a damn nice convenience.

With that being said I carry a traditional along with my other five knives.
 
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ICEMAN, over here. Look at me.

This is serious, and there's only one way to deal with this; go cold turkey.

You've already felt the big difference between the two style of knives, and you need to listen to the inner voice that's trying to talk to you. Listen to the little voice inside. You need to sell all your modern knives and invest the money in the traditionals from Case, GEC, Eye-Brand, and Northwoods. You will thank yourself in the future for doing this. I diagnose this as a Case (pun intended) of your inner soul being starved for the natural feel of things. Some nice jigged bone, or a warm rosewood or cocobolo, or even some nice knurly and well pop corned stag. An added benefit would be some carbon steel that will patina with age, and go gray along with its owner. Think of the emotional satisfaction of watching the ever changing patina of your blades on a nice stag trapper. Or the versatility of a stockman pattern, with three different blades with three different uses and edges. Like carrying three different knives in one compact package. Or even the two blade jack, with the choice of blades for different uses.

And then there's the Barlow. There's a guy named Charlie here who can set you up with a barlow or three that are so beautiful they knock your socks off just looking at them.

And we can't forget the peanuts! The little mighty mites of knifedom. If a trapper is like a old Colt .45 single action army, and the stockman is like a K frame .357, then the peanut is like a J frame .38 snubby. Small, but still capable of doing the job, as a loyal cult following here on the forum will testify to. They fit in a watch pocket and can be used at a church social.

We haven't even got to the never ending variety of patterns. Jacks, stockmen, trappers, mini trappers, copperheads, barrow's, lobsters, muskrats, pens, and more. Variety of patterns and mixing up the materials can keep you busy for years. And in the end you have a collection of knives that are beautiful as well as highly functional.

Do it. You know you want to, and the little voice inside needs to be followed. Trust me.

:D
 
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