Things you just live with and get used to.

[kamagong]

Those of us of a certain age have probably gone almost our entire lives being accustomed to the 'norm' (dare I say?) of opening a traditional knife with two hands. We grew up doing it that way and watching our Dads and maybe our Granddads doing it that way.

This is why it is a royal PITA when people use the term "traditional" to refer specifically to slipjoints. Traditional is an umbrella term that covers slipjoints. It is not a synonym.

There's nothing strange about opening a knife with one hand. But then again, this is the type of traditional knife that I watched my elders using as I was growing up.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Opening with two hands is the norm, not something I would say that I have to live with. One hand openers can be convenient, but I don't like them as well.

Exactly.

 

[Hickory n steel]

This is why it is a royal PITA when people use the term "traditional" to refer specifically to slipjoints. Traditional is an umbrella term that covers slipjoints. It is not a synonym.

There's nothing strange about opening a knife with one hand. But then again, this is the type of traditional knife that I watched my elders using as I was growing up.

Yes that's true.
The majority of traditional folders carried are two handed folders though, so that's probably why it's what's thought of most when someone says traditional.

 

[kamagong]

That may be, but what about puukkos, khukuris, and bowies? They're all traditional too.

 

[Hickory n steel]

That may be, but what about puukkos, khukuris, and bowies? They're all traditional too.

Yes there are many traditional fixed blades, and this is after all the traditional folders and fixed blades subforum we all affectionatly know as the porch.

 

[Will Power]

The fact that most of my carbon bladed knives don't really hold an edge for very long..

And now there's nobody offering D2 on pocket-knives (except custom)

 

[TheChunk91]

That may be, but what about puukkos, khukuris, and bowies? They're all traditional too.

Yes those are traditional too, but the OP did specifically say traditional folders.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

This is why it is a royal PITA when people use the term "traditional" to refer specifically to slipjoints. Traditional is an umbrella term that covers slipjoints. It is not a synonym.

There's nothing strange about opening a knife with one hand. But then again, this is the type of traditional knife that I watched my elders using as I was growing up.

I get that. 'Traditional' is context-sensitive, depending on what tradition one comes from. Hence my 'traditional' reference to slipjoints, which were entirely so in my history and that of my family and friends.

My previous reference to one-handers feeling WEIRD was tongue-in-cheek; therefore the smiley I included at the end of that statement. Though even today, especially in public and in family settings, I'm still in the habit of quietly opening any folder, one-handers included, with two hands, if only to minimize drawing attention from others nearby whom aren't accustomed to something other than a simple 'traditional' slipjoint. In that context, any one-hander being flicked open would seem anything but traditional in the eyes of most of the folks around me.

 

[RayseM]

Though even today, especially in public and in family settings, I'm still in the habit of quietly opening any folder, one-handers included, with two hands, if only to minimize drawing attention from others nearby whom aren't accustomed to something other than a simple 'traditional' slipjoint. In that context, any one-hander being flicked open would seem anything but traditional in the eyes of most of the folks around me.

I'm inclined to do the same thing. Something about a blade flick among the uninitiated opens eyeballs as well as the blade.

Ray

 

[Hickory n steel]

I'm inclined to do the same thing. Something about a blade flick among the uninitiated opens eyeballs as well as the blade.

Ray

The blade flick is something I just plain don't like, I don't need my knife's blade move open with any sort of speed

Oh another thing I live with is the color red, I have come to accept that one of my least favorite colors is just a classic color for traditional steel toolboxes and traditional folding knives.
Both my favorite toolboxes and some of my most favorite traditional users in my knife rotation happen to be red.
I'd have it differently if I had the choice, but it effects nothing and the color is growing on me a bit. ( I still don't wear red T-shirts )

 

[JohnDF]

I live with the fact that there is no good brick and mortar shops around me. I can purchase "moderns" from three places within 10 miles of me, but not "traditionals. If I'm lucky they might have a few Case knives tucked in the display case. So, I have to buy my knives from internet dealers and hope they are to my liking when they arrive. That's the reason I mostly buy GEC knives, because other brands can be hit or miss on quality. But I'd still like to be able to handle the knives to see if they'll fit my needs/wants.

 

[brownshoe]

Thanks Kamagong for the reminder that balis are definitely a traditional folding knife.

To tell the truth I can open most of my traditional lockbacks with one hand. Pretty quickly and easily too if the knife is blade heavy. However many can be readily thumbed open. I'm pretty sure if I can do it today with a 150 yo pattern, they did it "back-in-the-day."

 

[Prester John]

It's me too.

Those of us of a certain age have probably gone almost our entire lives being accustomed to the 'norm' (dare I say?) of opening a traditional knife with two hands. We grew up doing it that way and watching our Dads and maybe our Granddads doing it that way.

The one-handers still feel strange to me when I open them up, especially in public. It just feels WEIRD...

One-handers DO feel weird. Have looked at and handled many but have never bought one. (I was given a cheap OTF switchblade which is fun to play with, but never carry it). Will NEVER buy a knife with a pocket clip. Pocket or sheath for me.

 

[afishhunter]

Those of us of a certain age have probably gone almost our entire lives being accustomed to the 'norm' (dare I say?) of opening a traditional knife with two hands. We grew up doing it that way and watching our Dads and maybe our Granddads doing it that way.

I watched my (maternal) Great-Great Grandmother, (maternal) Great Grandfather, (maternal and paternal). Great Grandmothers, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Father, Uncles, Aunts ... all open their pocket knives with two hands.

As others have said, a one hand opener just feels wierd.
Besides, what's the rush? That whatever you need to cut ain't going nowhere in the second or so it takes to open a slipjoint.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Fine sand. I currently live in eastern North Carolina and in allot of the areas I work the soil consists is very fine sand. In my work I frequently have to crawl around under mobile homes and double wides. Most of the time its very dry and dusty.That sand WILL get into every pocket. It is so fine it will go through denim and regular t-shirts easily. No matter how you carry a knife unless its wrapped in plastic wrap it will get into it. Sheaths to. Not so awesome to later open your knife and it makes that gawd awful "scccrrrriiiiittttchhh" sound Most times I'm so busy I can't clean them well until I get home. Sometimes a quick rinse in a sink is all til later.

 

[Will Power]

Yes, sand and earth are the mortal enemies of slip joint knives

As a keen gardener I know the horror of that situation and have to say an Opinel is one of the best garden knives, no backspring, liners or complex pivot system to get fouled up.

 

[black mamba]

Will, that's exactly what I use mine for, a No. 9.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Yes, sand and earth are the mortal enemies of slip joint knives

As a keen gardener I know the horror of that situation and have to say an Opinel is one of the best garden knives, no backspring, liners or complex pivot system to get fouled up.

Good choice, a Svord would be a good choice as well.

 

[TattooBlade]

Use a quality pocket slip and you won't have to deal with lint. The only thing I had to get use to was all my buddies constantly wanting to check out what I'm carrying each day.

What are some aspects of carrying a traditional folder that you just live with ?

For me the biggest one is pocket lint, especially with my Vics such as the tinker.
There are so many crevasses for it to gather in and checking my knife every single day would get annoying.
I've tried pocket slips and they're just not for me.

Now my tool of choice to deal with the lint is a toothpick, clip one end off then carve it flat on both sides.
This creates the perfect little thing to get the lint out with.

Other than the issues with pocket lint I think traditionals are perfect.[/QUO

 

[Hickory n steel]

Use a quality pocket slip and you won't have to deal with lint. The only thing I had to get use to was all my buddies constantly wanting to check out what I'm carrying each day.

I've tried slips and they just aren't for me.
It's no problem to fish my knife out ,open it with two hands to use it ,then close it and drop it back in my pocket.

having to remove it from a slip after taking it out, put the slip in my pocket while I'm using my knife, then pull the slip out to put my knife back in just to put the whole thing back in my pocket again is a bit much for me.
I understand for a really nice knife and it would be fine on a dressy occasion, for everyday use that's just 3 steps too many.