Tourist Knife Term Meaning

[Arathol]

I'd not complain about a traditional sheath like this for my Mora Number 1. Is that leather or waxed paper? I know both materials are "traditional" for a Puukko.

Its polished leather, made before the time of lacquered paper sheaths.

 

[aji1]

soldier's knife, camp knife, and tourist knife are traditional knife patterns, in my mind. and they're very similar

you basically get an awl, bottle opener, can opener, corkscrew (this is often omitted from soldiers knives I've seen), a smaller pen blade and larger drop point/spear. may get a bail in camp or soldiers knives, but not on my tourist pattern knife

something like that, as a pattern. I have a great German knife of this design, which is certainly no less quality than good present day Case knives (very similar blade steel, generally something along the lines of 420)

as a more general term, what everyone else said, if we mean tourist knife to be synonymous with souvenir knife.

as a pattern, I was under the impression it's very similar to camp knives and soldiers knives

When I think of the "tourist knife", these knives from Hubertus Solingen come to mind. Very similar to what RIP Dequincy Jynxie is describing.

 

[justjed]

Tourist knife has several meanings, because it's a catch-all for any knife bought by someone
not from the area where the purchase was made. Even the definition of tourist makes a difference.

'Knife shaped objects' designed simply to separate travelers from their money is one definition. Gas station knives is another term. Gift shop knives. Generally crap, tho sometimes you get surprised with steel that will actually take, and hold, an edge.

A knife purchased in-country, for longer-term actual use in-country. Probably a locally produced tool, not always, but usually sold by a vendor other than the maker. And whatever the local equivalent of an 'EDC' or 'all-around using-knife' might be, the one most people would find themselves with in that country or region if things went bad. Less flash, more function. Hopefully.

Wealthy tourists who spend a lot of money while in-country, and wish a suitable reminder of their stay, may seek something more in keeping with their social status. Art knives have always been popular. More flash, less function, regardless of cost. And when cost is no object, the true artists have always been there to satisfy the market.

 

[DocJD]

For me , at least two very different meanings .

One would be a travel / touring knife , often a SAK / multi useful for a tourist . Something low profile and legal for the itinerary .

The other is a souvenir / novelty knife made to be sold to tourists . Often meant for display only but some good quality exist for upscale buyers .

 

[RIP Dequincy Jynxie]

When I think of the "tourist knife", these knives from Hubertus Solingen come to mind. Very similar to what RIP Dequincy Jynxie is describing.

View attachment 1480400

Whenever I see my beautiful ebony/nickel tourist/soldier's knife (if I'm lucky I will remember to post pictures), or similar patterned knives, there's one I crave...

well, a few actually:

1. Opening bottles of beer/water/pop
2. Opening cans of hopefully not those mini-weiners you get in a can, the so-called Vienna sausage -none o that for me
3. Opening casks of bourbon/whiskey/brandy/wine

 

[Billy The Hungry]

Similar to a "gas station knife" in the sense it is typically made with low quality materials.

 

[cbach8tw]

The term means to me (modern day meaning) any cheap knife used as a souvenir, bought in gas stations or tourist traps with the location’s name. I found it interesting the comments about how the tourist souvenirs from the 19th century were nice pieces for world travelers, those with money who could travel, and spend to remind them of their adventures. This thread has made me think a little about the term, and has generated some good comments.

 

[RIP Dequincy Jynxie]

now you're talking my language (west coastal USA)

if that's what a tourist knife is, I mean if what we on BF.com call a tourist knife is a cheap-o "gas station" type deal, I don't know...

that's unfortunate, because my "tourist/soldiers/military knife" (that's what the pattern's called, according to Hartkopf) is quite a nice little knife - perhaps this is for the best though, more for me

there are a couple nice threads with discussions of people sharing pictures of their multi-blade/tool, "camp knives," "tourist knives," "soldiers/military knives", etc