Traditional folder knives - I don’t get it

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

For some, there will always be people who like a more traditional approach. Two examples from other interests. In photography, something I did professionally for over 40 years, there are still a few film cameras around and there will be for the foreseeable future a few who will hang on to film from both young and old enthusiasts. Yes both film and digital cameras take quality images but digital has all but buried film usage and cell phones are crushing point and shoot digital cameras. On the other hand for me in the kitchen years ago I bought the latest and best modern food processor with all sorts of blades to make chopping and slicing more convenient and faster. Well I discovered traditional handmade custom Japanese kitchen knives soon after and never used the food processor for any slicing, I prefer cutting by hand. My point is there will always be diversity in our choice of knives but market trends are what they are, maybe in some markets people like a traditional knife in their pocket and in others like to wear a belt pouch, I just see in my ripe old age of 69 the modern folder is becoming the dominate style going forward. Fixed blades I think is a different story.

That's a great comparison you make there, Sir.
The digital camera vs the good ole 35mm film camera
I still remember in Jr. High School making a pin-hole camera out of a coffee can... I didn't pay much attention to learning much in Photography Class, but I remember such things as being fun

 

[Alone]

The Buck Saunter, the Kizer Pinch, the Medford Gentle Jack, the Kershaw Culpepper, the Pena X, and countless Bokers, GECs, Tidioutes, Cases, Laguioles, Northfields, and Vipers. (*just to name just a few)

"Nostalgia" or not, trust me, "traditional" folders aren't going anywhere for a very, VERY long time.


If anything, the steels, build quality, and materials will just keep getting better and better...and we'll all be the luckier for it.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Some of those you mention are probably better described as traditional inspired hybrids, like the China made Kizer Pinch, US Medford Gentleman Jack, and the China made Kershaw Culpepper.

Also, Gec, Northfield, and Tidioute are all the same company... GEC. They are just different catagory/brands that GEC sells their knives under.

As far as I know, the US traditional knife companies are Gec, Case, Buck, Bear & Son, and Utica... Maybe a couple more I have missed. I know some of these firms make knives for other firms with whatever logos they want on them, but the source is usually these I have listed.
The Queen name is trying to make a comeback in the USA, but thus far so few in numbers produced, that they are closer to small custom shop than a true quantity producing manufacturer.
There are a few more here and there in that same category as Queen, so little in production numbers that they are more like little custom shops, rather than actual manufacturers that make a real dent in putting out numbers.

Again, we shall see

 

[evergreensSequoiaseucalyptusandOaks]

~ eRased my thoughts on the subject ~

 

[DocJD]

If by traditional , we mean a folder with no lock ,( or even just no reliable lock) and opening with a nail nick ...I have issues with functionality not aesthetics .

I'm past 70yo , so I grew up with "traditional " everything . Most stuff has been improved over time . Including folders , IMO .

Most of my modern folders wave open ; easily, almost automatically , and very fast .

Most have the Tri-ad lock that allows these folders to be safely used for almost anything a fixed blade can accomplish , within reason .

I don't mind traditional knives for others . Some are very attractive and many folks can use them for what they need cut .

I just like a folder that is as close to fixed in function as possible .

Personal preference . YMMV and that's fine by me !

PS : I do sometimes carry a RangerGrip SAK (I have a 2 different models) , but they have a pretty sturdy liner lock with a button release . I don't know if they qualify or not ?

 

[cut it out]

I love both styles so carry both kind daily.

 

[Pee Dee Knives]

I think that Lionsteel makes some pretty good looking “traditional” styled folders but with modern materials; M390, titanium, micarta.

I bought one for situations were flipping out my preferred carry of an XM-24 or similar knife would raise more than eyebrows. My dad thinks I’m going to accidentally stab someone with a big knife, so I just fish out my Lionsteel Warhorse and use that.

 

[TC]

BF member, forgot what he posts here under, prefer his beer reviews (ha, kidding, dude! maybe), AKB:

 

[bdmicarta]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I cannot stand modern folders, but I never thought to ask or even care why other people like them.

You like what you like, I like what I like. Simple as that.

This is the thing- I carried traditional folders back when that was the thing to do. Then at some point many years ago I switched to modern folders. I don't have a problem with traditional folders and I can see some ways that they have their good points. If that's what a person likes then that's what they like and nothing wrong with that.

 

[hank_rearden]

Suppose we add a little time dimension to visual beauty? How will your sleek, shiny, sharp-angled, futuristic folder look after, say, 10 years of hard use? Compare it to a traditional that's seen similar wear.

 

[Jsega51]

Well K KVT , do you get it now or did you bail on the thread?

 

[Bastler]

I think the convenience and efficiency of modern folders has gotten some people to start carrying a knife who may not have carried one otherwise.

It doesn't seem that the traditional folder is going the way of the dodo for a while, yet. The production volume of Case, Buck and Victorinox are an indication of the continued popularity of what we used to just call a pocketknife. Also, some countries prohibit locking knives or one hand openers.

Life is short, try different things. You don't have to choose just one style of knife.

 

[Boattale]

I'm quite comfortable using a Case Slim Trapper to cut a steak anywhere. My Inkosi would cut the steak just fine, but not be the same social fit.

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

So this isn’t meant as a dig or to stir anything up, this is just my opinion and we all are entitled to some, right?

I just don’t get the appeal of, pretty much all traditional folding knives. Whenever I see a Case knife I cringe just a little.

I’m pretty much a modern folder guy with some fixed blades where necessary. I do own some Victorinox kinives (not talking about those.)

I appreciate some of the history, design, materials and workmanship that go in to some of the traditional folders, but I really dont understand the appeal of the nail nick thing, the bolsters, the sizes and just the whole look of them.

From a utilitarian perspective I guess you could say 2 blades are better than one.

From a concealment perspectiv, we’ll, they do conceal quite well.

Why do they have to be so darn ugly?

I can’t be alone on this.

you are not alone. I often wonder why the GEC blades fetch what they do.

 

[Boattale]

you are not alone. I often wonder why the GEC blades fetch what they do.

Or hinderer or medford or on and on.

 

[hank_rearden]

My "bone" with traditionals today might even be more offensive than the OP: today's traditionals are MOSTLY JUST replicas of pocket knives from before 1965. The quality, finish, and obvious manual input that went into those old knives just can't be found even in those by top makers today.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

There's just something that just takes me back to the 'good old days' with slip joint folders, here's a John Primble folder I had a few years ago;

Primble_hand_bw by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Sharp, sturdy and kinda purdy

Primble_congress_presidents by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Seahorse_2010 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Eureka_open_ by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

or even some French folders;

Opinel_line_setting by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Slim_ by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Chambriard_compagnon1 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr




G2

 

[hank_rearden]

What's with the bolsters on that primble? It's as smooth as a pipe joint. But I like it. Makes me imagine thumping a villain with it.

 

[elasmonut]

Traditional designs, are old patterns used for hundreds of years that were cutting edge tech at the time. They were designed as tools, to cut.
Not pocket jewellery, machining exercices, artistic expressions of a makers skill, or navy seal approved combat essentials.
As much as I love my Sebenza and Lionsteel integrals, my Opinel cuts better, is lighter, easier to sharpen...and no-one thinks its a "weapon"

 

[davek14]

They’re good for using in public, around various wimps of society

Why are you asking me what the problem is with my reason

I don't think you are being entirely accurate as to what I was doing. I was neither asking you what the problem was with your reason, nor pointing it out myself.
I was actually saying that it was a very good reason for Traditionals to be a good thing while mentioning that you did put it rather negatively.

There are people that will overreact to a knife. There always have been and always will be. Not garnering a reaction from those people, or anyone else, is a good thing regardless of your opinion of anybody, no?