Traditional Gentlemen's Knives

That is what I call a French peasant’s knife. We’re all surrounded by American style trappers and jack knives and stockmans. We don’t see foreign knives as much. But there are many regional patterns. It’s an interesting thing to study. We should have a thread on foreign style knives that are different than the ones we see in the US.
 
It is absolutely a French peasant's knife and should have no place in a conversation regarding gents' knives. But the definition is so vague and nebulous that this is the situation in which we now find ourselves.
 
I was into my pre 80 Hen & Roosters this afternoon and took a group shot. I believe any qualify. For myself, a gent's folder uses quality materials, often premium but sometimes embellishments make up the difference and precision tolerances. I think any of these qualify. Just a rough and dirty shot but each one is a work of art. They finished the knife on the inside equal to the outside. The only issue that crops up is the bolsters on some oxidize. If i had to choose, it'd be a toss up between the whittlers and pens, but edge to the whittlers.
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That top row is all gentleman's knives, and the brass and steel cased ones in the center right.
 
I think this Ibberson Sleeveboard Lobster qualifies :)

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That is beautiful! That is the nicest British Gentleman's Knife I've seen. The file work is remarkable. It's also the only one I've seen with a clip point blade. What are the two blades on the back? Is one for cleaning fingernails? Does the other have nail file surface that isn't showing?
 
B1GSHOT said:
That is beautiful! That is the nicest British Gentleman's Knife I've seen. The file work is remarkable. It's also the only one I've seen with a clip point blade. What are the two blades on the back? Is one for cleaning fingernails? Does the other have nail file surface that isn't showing?
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Thank you every much, I think it was made by either Stan Shaw or Ted Osborne at Ibberson's. The front blade is a nail-file, and the rear one is a 'pricker' :) :thumbsup:
 
Let me chuckle when I think of a "gentleman" (what's that? Dorian Gray?) taking his knife from his (jean's?) watch pocket and care of his nails, then opening a bottle of beer during a party, all this the way he was taught at Eaton! 😂

This one never asked for the title of "gentleman knife". Was just absolutely out of reach. 😂😂😂 (Cartailler-Deluc MOP)
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Seeing Jack's Ibberson above reminded me of a small cache of Sheffield pearl handled gentleman's ( and one gentlelady's knife) put away. Upon inspection, only 4 are Sheffield however. The sleaveboard is an H&B made in New Britain, Conn. The equal end Ibberson is marked 27-5 on the liners (to my eyes using a magnifier). It is an impossibly thin knife. The smallest knife is also an Ibberson made by Mr. Stan Shaw in 1977. It was a pattern originally made for Princess Margaret and called a handbag knife. Both Ibberson knives have couned liners and exquisite filework. The lobster is a 3 blade IXL. Wonderful knife and amazing condition for being over 130 years old.
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I have a few knives I think would qualify as gentleman's knives. This one I carried for years. I wore it out. It was a Zippo knife with blade, file, scissors, and bottle opener that doubled as a screwdriver. It had been nicely cover with leather. I wore that out too. But it fits the description. Small enough to carry in a shirt pocket. Things a gentleman needs. When the leather was new it looked pretty luxurious.
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Chief said:
Gents knife should be pointed enough for fingernail duty and classy enough to bring a smile to your face when you get the opportunity to use it / show it off. Teardrop gents in Napanoch bone, I'm smiling.

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Very nice John. I would be smiling too with any knife made by Tony Bose.
Great photo 😎
 
It’s beautiful, but that Wharncliffe blade was designed for skinning small animals. That is a working knife, not a gentleman’s knife.
 
B1GSHOT said:
It’s beautiful, but that Wharncliffe blade was designed for skinning small animals. That is a working knife, not a gentleman’s knife.
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Trust me. A Wharncliffe isn't a good choice for skinning a small animal - or a medium or a large one, for that matter. With the sharp tip and no belly, there is a 99.9% plus probability of poking a hole in the hide or cutting something you don't want to cut. I wouldn't want to use it to unzip the belly, either.
A "spey" blade is a much better choice for unzipping if you don't have a gut hook. You don't want to cut or nick anything in the belly. A Spey blade can be used to peel the critter as well, with a very low probability of puncturing the hide. 😁
 
Blades were designed for purposes. Gentlemen’s knifes are usually pen blades. They aren’t designed for hunting or work. They’re designed for trimming pen tips and grooming.
 
Here is an interesting borderline case you might not expect. This was advertised as a Ladies' Buck Knife. It's very tiny and has a loop to attach to a key chain. The Buck style isn't typical, but they make up for it by making the handles lavender!

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