Traditional folder knives - I don’t get it

I remember when . . .as a young Boy Scout in the 1960s the only choices anyone had was an up]swetp or clip point fixed blade "hunting" knife or a "traditional" folder. Every man had a small folder in his pocket. I still have a Camilus Boy Scout folder and it seems rickety by today's standards ('course its now 55 years old or so). The Fixed blades I had back then were an Olsen 4 1/2 inch with faux-stag handle, and a surplus USMC fighting knife (wish I still had that one).

I do remember when the Buck folding Hunter came out in 1969 or '70. What a change from the pocket knives then generally available . . .hefty and it locked! I also remember what a sea-change it was when custom knife makers began to create drop-point fixed blades and folders. What a difference from the up-swept skinners and clip point Bowe profiles we were all used to.
 
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I’ll be 47 this year. Had a thing for knives all my life. Wanted to be like my dad and uncles I suppose. I started sharpening knives around 8 or 9 years old and could make most of them shave by age 10 or 11. In 1988 my dad bought he and I matching Boker 3 blade knives. I thought that was the greatest until it closed on my hand a few too many times. But for me there was a huge trade off for even the best lock blades of the time. When Buck lites came out it changed everything. Then the perfection of the pocket clip on large folders. And in the years since when I was able to afford Chris Reeve it unfortunately displaced the desire for anything else entirely. It does take 3 in my rotation to fully compensate for the ole 1988 Boker.. I suppose that in itself is pretty absurd but it is what it is. Can’t see myself going back
 
VorpelSword said:
I do remember when the Buck folding Hunter came out in 19690r "70. What a change from the pocket knives then generally available . . .hefty and it locked!
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Big heavy lockback folding hunters were not a new thing, though - maybe just a re-introduction of something that had gone out of fashion for a while? Here are a couple of beauties from the 1912 Sears catalog:

27-E26642-00-B7-41-C3-A230-3-E26-C53-C5314.jpg


C0-D0-BF45-A60-A-48-B3-B113-CE4-AF73-DC4-C2.jpg
 
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hank_rearden said:
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.
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Not many folders have Stepped Bolsters, it's a different look, probably not for everyone ;) But I liked the difference of that compared to all the other styles of bolsters.

Primble_rounded_spines by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
I have traditionals that I carry on clipped slip sheaths on a regular basis. I like using them in the right setting, if delicate work is required. That said though, I won't use them if the work involved might end up with the knife getting dirty or gunked up, mainly because I can't service and take them apart to clean properly if it does come to that.
 
gooeytek said:
I have traditionals that I carry on clipped slip sheaths on a regular basis. I like using them in the right setting, if delicate work is required. That said though, I won't use them if the work involved might end up with the knife getting dirty or gunked up, mainly because I can't service and take them apart to clean properly if it does come to that.
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All I ever do to clean my knives is forget they're in my pocket and then run them through the washing machine. Cool part is I always find them after the clothes are in the dryer about 30 seconds. :cool:

They're nice and clean after that process.🎯
 
This thread got me wound up and interested in a Buck 303. Lo and behold, found this in the cache of knives my father had. Looks to be well carried and loved. I'm thinking it is at least 40 years old.

EDIT: Thanks to guidance/info from Rufus1949 Rufus1949 I was able to determine it was made between 1967-72, so 50+ years old.

Buck_01.jpg
 
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Gary W. Graley said:
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
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That seahorse looks nice.
I might have to get one, though I need another knife like I need another hole in my head.

I have and like traditional slipjoints, I just don't use or carry them.
More due that I'm afraid they will slip out of my pocket and be gone.
 
Thanks, that was a beauty of a Seahorse for sure, I miss that as I do all the ones I've owned over the years, in fact, I have a nice Seahorse inbound right now with USA and the flag on the bone scales :) should arrive tomorrow I hope.

As to falling out, you can always get someone...like me lol...to make a nice slip sheath, here's an example of one I made recently;

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Very supple milled veggie tan leather dyed burgundy and used red thread to hand stitch it up.

G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Thanks, that was a beauty of a Seahorse for sure, I miss that as I do all the ones I've owned over the years, in fact, I have a nice Seahorse inbound right now with USA and the flag on the bone scales :) should arrive tomorrow I hope.

As to falling out, you can always get someone...like me lol...to make a nice slip sheath, here's an example of one I made recently;

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Very supple milled veggie tan leather dyed burgundy and used red thread to hand stitch it up.

G2
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I'm looking at the seahorse right now... can't decide what handle I like.
I'm thinking the chocolate richlite ... idk.

I do like the sheaths nice job !
You may have to pm me a idea on the price !
 
Gary W. Graley said:
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
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Nice Opinel's and Case Knife ~
 
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elasmonut said:
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"
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I believe there was always a choice, even with the olden day traditional knives. There were the basic knives that were made acceptable for average use, but not made to impress the owner or anyone else that may see or handle them.
Then, from that basic point on, the choices would incrementally cost more, and one would get some extra bells and whistles for that extra cost.
Same thing with fixed blade knives and swords.
Back during the 1800's heyday of the Bowie Knife in America, some were indeed very utilitarian, but they also made some that were in fact beautiful works of art, something that a wealthy person could obtain and use as a form of displaying his status, (status symbol).
 
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LLRJ17 said:
This thread got me wound up and interested in a Buck 303. Lo and behold, found this in the cache of knives my father had. Looks to be well carried and loved. I'm thinking it is at least 40 years old.

EDIT: Thanks to guidance/info from Rufus1949 Rufus1949 I was able to determine it was made between 1967-72, so 50+ years old.

View attachment 1856356
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That’s awesome! I wish I could come across an old 303 in similar condition 😍
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
I believe there was always a choice, even with the olden day traditional knives. There were the basic knives that were made acceptable for average use, but not made to impress the owner or anyone else that may see or handle them.
Then, from that basic point on, the choices would incrementally cost more, and one would get some extra bells and whistles for that extra cost.
Same thing with fixed blade knives and swords.
Back during the 1800's heyday of the Bowie Knife in America, some were indeed very utilitarian, but they also made some that were in fact beautiful works of art, something that a wealthy person could obtain and use as a form of displaying his status, (status symbol).
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Of course there has always been artistic embelleishment and expression in cutlery and weapons, I suppose I was more refferring to designs or patterns.
 
There are good looking and ugly knives of all types. Sometimes people buy purely for utility, though many of us here also buy for looks (and many non-knife people too, thus the cheaper but more aggressive looking knives)
Even the term Traditional includes so many variants that it is hard to define. I have seen the description traditional as something people would recognise as a normal knife 60 years ago but then you have variation between countries, new materials / methods being used on old style knives (Carbon Fibre, torx screws etc.)

Same with modern.
 
K KVT , do you have any interest in this thread anymore or can people stop taking your bait?

Do you find any of the information and opinions given changing your mind at all? Maybe you just enjoy cringing at the pictures people are posting? 🙃
 
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