There's just that special something I see in traditional knives...

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Messages
3,989
Yes, I totally understand the advancement of goods, including folding knives. But, even with all the benefits that modern folding knives bring to the table as tools, I just can't get excited about them.
Obviously a lot of that is very likely because of my having grown up in a time where traditional knives still reined. Where machines to make knives were nowhere as advanced as they are today, but still, just something about them overall that draws me to them.
Again, nostalgia likely has me bound to them over the modern. I find the traditional knives to be beautiful, even when they are fairly simple overall in their styling.

Here is a knife that I just purchased this past weekend... I just love that old look that traditional knives have 😁

20220423_132919_(1).jpg20220423_133156_HDR_(1).jpg
 
Last edited:
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Yes, I totally understand the advancement of goods, including folding knives. But, even with all the benefits that modern folding knives bring to the table as tools, I just can't get excited about.
Obviously a lot of that is very likely because of my having grown up in a time where traditional knives still reined. Where machines to make knives were nowhere as advanced as they are today, but still, just something about them overall that draws me to then.
Again, nostalgia likely has me bound to them over the modern. I find the traditional knives to be beautiful, even when they are fairly simple overall in their styling.

Here is a knife that I just purchased this past weekend... I just love that old look that traditional knives have 😁

View attachment 1801415View attachment 1801416
Click to expand...
Beautiful knife. Reminds me of my first one, a scout knife from about five decades ago. Got a Case mini trapper in my pocket now. Some people want to open their knives in a millisecond to defend themselves from the hordes of ninjas just around the corner. I carry a knife to cut things, not people. String, rope, packages, fruit, meat, etc. Just timed myself: took 3.75 seconds to pull my mini trapper out of my left front pocket and open it with my right hand. Plenty fast for me. And the old carbon steel cuts just fine if you keep it sharp.
I understand--at least theoretically--the appeal of the modern knives, but I am happy with my traditionals.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
But, even with all the benefits that modern folding knives bring to the table as tools, I just can't get excited about.
Click to expand...
I don't see any benefit at using modern folding knives as tools. Shapes, geometries, steels make them weapons if you are trained to use them (which is an other story) , not tools.
Prester John said:
Some people want to open their knives in a millisecond to defend themselves from the hordes of ninjas just around the corner. I carry a knife to cut things, not people. String, rope, packages, fruit, meat, etc. Just timed myself: took 3.75 seconds to pull my mini trapper out of my left front pocket and open it with my right hand. Plenty fast for me. And the old carbon steel cuts just fine if you keep it sharp.
Click to expand...
Exactly what i think.

Dan.
 
I totally understand your sentiment on traditional knives and I definitely feel the same. The patterns, the craftsmanship, there’s just something nostalgic and although not primitive just something that reminds you of better times with traditional slipjoints. I collect them and use them. With all that said I collect and use modern folders as well. I think the ingenuity, design, craftsmanship, and use of new modern steels are all very appealing to me as well. But I do not view any of my modern knives as weapons except one of them which was purpose built as one. I view all my knives, traditional and modern as tools. I would use my flashlight as a weapon to blind a potential criminal before I would pull out my knife. But to say modern knives aren’t tools would be a disservice to all the hardworking makers out there who’ve purpose built their knives as tools for hardworking Americans.


1ZeM8Q6.jpg

This is my first actual traditional Slipjoint knives aside from SAK’s. I absolutely love them and they serve me well. When I have kids one day soon I’ve already set aside a few Tascosa lockbacks for when they reach the right age to have their first pocket knife. I think the 83 is the perfect pattern for a kids first pocket knife!
 
kamagong said:
Really? You don't see a scenario where ease of deployment and one-hand opening capability makes for a beneficial tool feature?
Click to expand...
No. I don't see. I think twice, never in a hurry, before using a tool and when it's a cutting tool i take the time to think. That's why i still have all my fingers.
I live in a forest, a rural way of life which could be considered as boring by many but which has let me the time to learn and get experienced enough to don't need a one hand opening knife.

Dan.
 
A small traditional 2 handed folder is all I need 95% of the time, and a modestly sized belt knife takes care of my needs the rest of the time.
Carbon steels and the easy sharpen stainless steels like Buck uses hold an edge just fine for me too.


They cut well, disappear in pocket, they have a smaller secondary blade, they develop a nice patina, and they're great looking.
They have a class and appeal that the other stuff lacks.


I used to have a lot to say about those other knives and why I left them behind, but now I just ignore their existence focusing on the traditional knives I love and all the great things to love about them.
 
dantzk8 said:
No. I don't see. I think twice, never in a hurry, before using a tool and when it's a cutting tool i take the time to think. That's why i still have all my fingers.
I live in a forest, a rural way of life which could be considered as boring by many but which has let me the time to learn and get experienced enough to don't need a one hand opening knife.

Dan.
Click to expand...
Sometimes ones occupation make having to be in a hurry a necessity. My brother has been an ER doc for almost forty years and is the medical director of his local fire department. He trains all of their EMTs and he recommends to them that they carry rescue knife that can be deployed one handed. Apparently being able to use both hands to do different things in an emergency situation can be helpful and save precious time. When he’s not one duty he carries both a modern and a traditional slip joint knife.
 
My traditionals outnumber my moderns by at least 30 to 1, but both have their place. It's just that I miss the aesthetics of a well-built traditional so much, that I rarely carry anything else.
 
I can see an advantage for having a modern type knife sometimes I guess , but I have been retired since 2001 and I have time to open my traditionals . I also prefer the looks of Bone , Horn , and Stag over Metallic handles . Will a current Modern knife be called Modern in 2082 or will it be A Traditional ?????

Harry
 
Stelth said:
I appreciate both modern as well as traditional. You don't have to choose one camp
Click to expand...
I had to choose one, because they're just too different.

For me both highlighted the potential cons of the other and in trying to have both I found that I couldn't really appreciate either to the fullest.


I found myself liking those other ones less and less prompting my interest in traditionals which I then found myself liking more and more, so I dumped those other ones off on my cousin and now I don't miss them one bit at this point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top