The next decade for Traditional Knives...words from the wise desired!

waynorth said:
Let's make the record complete!! GEC has created good old American jobs!!
He (Bill) has taken people with a little mechanical talent off the street and turned them into cutlers!! A dedicated teacher!!
They would have had to apprentice for many years to achieve what they are now achieving!! GEC has added some business to a struggling small Pennsylvania town, and continues to do so!! Foreign-made appropriation of traditional designs hacks away at the foundations of American financial well-being! When we realize that buying local adds to our prosperity and pride, we will all grow!! And traditional knives will keep their value; Because they represent our proud history! Forgetting our history means we must struggle to learn values all over again!!
I hope for the continuing appreciation of traditional knives: I fear the disdain of same!!
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Thank you for saying, so eloquently, that which cannot be said. :thumbsup:
 
Pinemoon said:
the annual median income in the US was just $3,400 in 1955.
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And it only took one worker on the family to support and house a family of 5 (husband, wife, and three kiddies)
Prior to the 1950's the median income was even lower. Families still had one working member, and many more children than "just" three.
My great grandparents had 8 or 9 kids. Their parents and grandparents had 15 or more kids. Only the daddy had a job, Yet everyone was fed, clothed, and housed.

Yes. The median income was lower. However, their buying power over-all was greater than today.

Not so long ago (after 1900 and even after WW II) it took 15 to 25 grand to buy a rather large house. A new car cost under a grand (in the 1900's to the "roaring 20's"). (in 1960, a new full size Buick or Oldsmobile cost under 3 grand. I remember in the late 1960's and early 1970's a new Cadillac Sedan, Coupe or Convertible was under 10 grand. A new Chevy Impala was around 4 grand. In 1973, you could buy a base model Chevy Camaro for around 3 grand, depending on options.)
Today, 25 grand is not a decent down payment on a house, and they'll laugh you out of the car dealership if you try to put 800 or 900 …. or even 3 or 4 grand down on a new car. Both parents have to have a job outside the home for a family of 3 to 5 to survive now days - and many are struggling to make ends meet, even when one or both parents have two or more jobs.

EDIT: I'm not so sure on how "wise" I am. Looking back, I've made some mighty stupid decisions when I was younger. (like most have, I suppose.) :)
 
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People have been forcasting the disappearance of "traditional" knives for years. Chicken Little comes to mind. Helps spur sales in those with deep pockets .

When it comes to fixed blades (this subforum is too pocket knife & GEC obsessed) traditional knives ain't goin anywhere. Go look at the two fixed blades for sale subforums. I see a new fixed blade manufacturer pretty often in there, Bladeforums other areas, the web and Knife mag.

The Buck 110, 112, 300, 500 series are still going strong. They even have a newer model, Alumni, $30 from Buck's site. Bose-Case collaborations are selling strong. Hell CRK now makes a slipjoint, just take off the clip and you can post a picture here.

In custom knives, there's been a resugance of slipjoints. For example, Michael Zieba made his first one last year, in M390, shredded carbon fiber and Ti, but it's a slipjoint. At the local gun show there is a new custom fixed blade maker just often enough to make up for those who don't come back. Custom kitchenware is going stong.
 
Since the OP's question is specifically about collecting over an extended amount of time. For folks 50+ years old (having grown up during the heyday of slipjoint collecting) that feel as if they qualify as a collector: What traditional slipjoint brands did you collect prior to 2000? Mine were Winchester, Remington, Cattaraugus, Schrade, Camillus, Fight'n Rooster, German Bulldog, Eye Brand, Henckels, Kissing Crane, Boker, Hen & Rooster, Queen (including Schatt & Morgan, Mooremaker, Winchester reproductions, and Case Classics), and Case. I'm sure I have forgotten something - but these were off the top of my head.

Now, same folks, what current production traditional slipjoint knives are you collecting?
 
brownshoe said:
People have been forcasting the disappearance of "traditional" knives for years. Chicken Little comes to mind. Helps spur sales in those with deep pockets .

When it comes to fixed blades (this subforum is too pocket knife & GEC obsessed) traditional knives ain't goin anywhere. Go look at the two fixed blades for sale subforums. I see a new fixed blade manufacturer pretty often in there, Bladeforums other areas, the web and Knife mag.

The Buck 110, 112, 300, 500 series are still going strong. They even have a newer model, Alumni, $30 from Buck's site. Bose-Case collaborations are selling strong. Hell CRK now makes a slipjoint, just take off the clip and you can post a picture here.

In custom knives, there's been a resugance of slipjoints. For example, Michael Zieba made his first one last year, in M390, shredded carbon fiber and Ti, but it's a slipjoint. At the local gun show there is a new custom fixed blade maker just often enough to make up for those who don't come back. Custom kitchenware is going stong.
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Fair enough but I don't automatically equate slip joint with Traditional. I know, splitting hairs, so I have no issue with folks disagreeing. But to me, when I see "traditional" I don't just think slip joint, I think patterns, materials, etc. No one thing, but a combination. I consider my Congress in Patritotic Kirinite traditional even though the scale material certainly is not.

So knives like Lion Steel and Manly offer, are obviously slip joints and I agree, these type knives will be around a long time primarily to fill the market that requires them.
 
I’m thankful for all you who have added thoughts to this thread over the weekend. Tons of good takes and food for thought.

In the end, I’ll go with the fact that I greatly enjoy the hobby and so does my 7 yr old boy. Still one of the greatest legacies of this pastime is handing down a well worn pocket knife to your son...and it’s looking like he’ll get plenty!

Here are pics of my dad’s knives he passed down to me. The ubiquitous 4” stockman of whatever brand was cheap and available at the moment. Also this custom knife that was out of the norm for him. The aluminum knife was made by a maker in south Mississippi named Cecil McCleod. He was a jack of all trades, but was known for this cast aluminum pocket knife with clip and sheepsfoot blades. The blades were from a huge sawmill blade. I have considered fixing the sheepsfoot blade but I can’t bring myself to fix what had to be a classic overly pissed of moment where my dad pried on something he shouldn’t have. This knife has my favorite clip point shape of all time. All other clips are measured against this shape in my mind. I was in awe of this knife as a kid.

Bottom line, these little hunks of metal have great power to form memories and become symbols of legacy.

Thanks for the insights!








 
Apropos of nothing ...... I can see a scenario where technology enables smaller startups to manufacture slipjoints in the US and make a profit. I'd predict these are modern/classic hybrids in the spirit of those billion plastic-handled Old Timers Schrade cranked out for decades. Technology ALSO continues to make marketing and distribution cheaper and easier than any time in history.

Now, regarding future folks' willingness to buy quality when they're surrounded by cheapie, made-overseas temptations ...... The malls are filled with bargain, glued-together footwear, but there are also a bunch of small American companies selling fantastic boots for $500 or more. So I DO think a marketplace remains for quality goods.

Lastly, and somewhat at odds with what I've already written, I DO think "modern man" prefers a multi-tool of some sort over a knife-only knife. Next up would a cheap, lightweight modern one-blader. Only enlightened cats like us appreciate the form and function of traditional slipjoints.
 
Well - I am over 60, and have probably 100+ traditional knives. I know for a fact I will not run out in my lifetime, no matter whether they stop making them tomorrow or 20 new companies start producing them.

I agree with Knifeswapper that collecting anything as a hobby, compared to consuming a product because of need, is an artifact of having extra disposable income along with the perception that surplus income will continue in the future, so that people are willing to drop $50 to $100 dollars on something that they already have plenty of. I remember quite well the recent recession of just a dozen years ago, and how things got pretty dicey. You could pick up nice knives on the cheap, as people wanted $40 in their pocket more than they wanted a 10-year-old Case knife.

Also, as Mike mentioned, the heyday of the traditional collector was probably a couple of decades ago. The boomers. We are getting close to the echo of the baby boom - when the natural life expectancy of those born during that boom plays out. So we will have a "death boom" coming up, over the next 30 or so years. Meaning a lot of nice older knives that were collected over lifetimes will find their way back into the market as those collections get sold through estate sales, or by the owners as they see their years waning and realize that they need to unwind their piles of stuff.

No real way to know. If we are lucky enough, and economic prosperity continues, and the general social view of knives moderates to where they are not demonized, and if people continue to have any sort of appreciation for decent handmade products, then perhaps things will continue along.

Future is hard to predict. MY future is one where there will be plenty of traditional knives, and I will probably decide to start selling off my collection at precisely the worst time for it, financially, when the market is flooded with other old guys doing the same thing and no young guys or gals interested in them. :)
 
mnblade said:
Apropos of nothing ...... I can see a scenario where technology enables smaller startups to manufacture slipjoints in the US and make a profit. I'd predict these are modern/classic hybrids in the spirit of those billion plastic-handled Old Timers Schrade cranked out for decades. Technology ALSO continues to make marketing and distribution cheaper and easier than any time in history.

Now, regarding future folks' willingness to buy quality when they're surrounded by cheapie, made-overseas temptations ...... The malls are filled with bargain, glued-together footwear, but there are also a bunch of small American companies selling fantastic boots for $500 or more. So I DO think a marketplace remains for quality goods.

Lastly, and somewhat at odds with what I've already written, I DO think "modern man" prefers a multi-tool of some sort over a knife-only knife. Next up would a cheap, lightweight modern one-blader. Only enlightened cats like us appreciate the form and function of traditional slipjoints.
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Been called several things but I think “enlightened cat” has got to be one of the best. Thanks Odeimage.jpg
 
Quite an interesting thread to say the least. One of the better ones that I've seen in a while. Lots to think about here.
 
knifeswapper said:
Since the OP's question is specifically about collecting over an extended amount of time. For folks 50+ years old (having grown up during the heyday of slipjoint collecting) that feel as if they qualify as a collector: What traditional slipjoint brands did you collect prior to 2000? Mine were Winchester, Remington, Cattaraugus, Schrade, Camillus, Fight'n Rooster, German Bulldog, Eye Brand, Henckels, Kissing Crane, Boker, Hen & Rooster, Queen (including Schatt & Morgan, Mooremaker, Winchester reproductions, and Case Classics), and Case. I'm sure I have forgotten something - but these were off the top of my head.

Now, same folks, what current production traditional slipjoint knives are you collecting?
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Still collecting those same brands!!:D I still have several of each!! And I buy one whenever the price and condition are right!!:)
Where would we be without our traditions??:eek: Our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof!!:rolleyes:;)
 
I see the traditional knives going strong as long as people desire to have a traditional pattern and the price does not get too past reasonable ( that is a subjective thing for each person and disposable income ). There is still something thrilling of finding a classic pattern in jigged bone or other materials. That to me will not change. I am glad to see more slip joints being offered by a few companies as the classic patterns are still cool, and some with modern materials. Sort of a hybrid of classic lines and good materials, and yet still good to collect and even use. If prices go too high where only collectors can afford them, and not use them, then I think it gets out of reach of people who can support the hobby in the long run. The market will lose a good target audience. You out price the hobbyist. IMHO a good price point for a traditional is 75.00 to 150.00. I believe GEC has found that niche in the market.
 
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I’ve been enjoying this thread since it started and thought I would add some observations. First, I think all the comments etc. are well thought out and go to the many (unpredictable) scenarios that could occur in the next 10 years.

First (and just simply) odds favor at least significant, if not radical change. I retired a couple years ago and when I look back on the decades I’ve been on this planet, I have to consider not only the unpredictable changes I’ve experienced, but what one may have experienced during a similar lifespan preceding my “arrival”. Needless to say, I anticipate (a lot) more change. My most often used saying …”nothing is forever”.

I’ve spent a lifetime as an artist/designer/manufacturer. I spent nearly 3 decades in one venture making limited edition; craftsman level products items that appealed to those who like to either collect or engage directly in their hobby/interest. During my tenure I watched the steady rise of the Chinese/Asian Manufacturing. Just my opinion, but I’ve been dismayed by the number of famous makers who have entered into overseas agreements to produce cheap knives with their names on them with cheap labor. Now, small focused shops run by real craftsman are emerging in China and that is slowly becoming a new force to be reckoned with on the higher end. Where will that go? Personally, I would rather see our domestic manufacturers compete at higher price points directly with smaller, skilled craftsman shops than the flood of cheap stuff.

I’ve always believed that if you have an uncompromising commitment to your craft and customer satisfaction, you will have a better than even chance of succeeding. Several self imposed rules have always guided my ventures: The customer is always right, never assume you know more than the customer, under promise & over deliver and last, beware the dangers of complacency…

…. It’s been said many times on the forum, but I think GEC is doing the right things for all the mentioned reasons on this thread/forum – and I think that is terrific. It is definitely my type of place. Of course, the “nothing is forever” dynamic will eventually force some kind of change and I will not even attempt to ponder what that will be. However, they have been around nearly a decade and a half and that could extend as long or even more. People seem to be convinced Case has a good chance of enduring and I agree…so why not GEC? GEC definitely fills a craftsmanship/price point niche that Case does not. The strong appeal to those who appreciate good craftsmanship at an affordable price point (before sellouts of the most popular!) should endure under the right conditions and continued leadership.

Sorry for being long winded -Just some thoughts…
 
^^ good points southriv southriv

One thing that has certainly helped the cause of "niche collecting" is the internet, perhaps more than any other factor.
Without it, there's a good chance the world of Traditionals would have dried up long ago.
I can't help but see the irony.
 
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