Traditional Gentlemen's Knives

W. Green of Sheffield :thumbsup:

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But maybe this one meets the definition because it has lots of gadgets.. A large blade, a small pen knife blade, a screw driver bottle opener, a can opener, a cork screw, and a leather punch for making extra holes in your belt when you lose weight (lol, fat chance). I went to a Pendleton outlet store and bought three shirts, and they sold me this knife for half off. But it is a very nice pocket knife and I get asked frequently where I got it.


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The Swiss Army knife is definitely the modern equivalent of a gentleman's knife. Particularly the ones with everyday tools like that, rather than woodworking or electrical work tools.
 
Well, if SAKs with small blades, finger tools, bottle tools, and/ or scissors count... I guess I have a few that might count as a modern Gent's knife. If they don't, I'll remove the image if OP requests.
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Personally, I think the Cadet is pushing it a bit. Even though the Bantam is the same frame size as the Cadet, it feels smaller due to the thinness. The Classic SD is just a little too small for my hands/ fingers and is a bit fumbly. I don't like fumbly sharps, too easy to cut/ stab myself. Also have a couple small Pen knives in bone and stag, even more fumbly for me. Not sure if those would count.

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For me it will most likely be a traditional penknife. An older Sheffield model or a GEC 33 conductor.
Possibly a mini toothpick or a peanut, capable and discreet, a smaller opinel with fancier wood and polished blade; any simple, discreet, usefull and nice looking knife really. Even the Case XX smaller sodbuster could work, with the right covers.
 
tongueriver said:
Some of my Gentleman's knives are larger than the OP's definitions and some of them have bone covers. This one may or may not have genuine tortoise (which is not tortoise at all, ever; it is turtle). A number of us have looked it over and it isn't yet decided for sure. But it is dang sure Gentlemanly.
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Fabulous example of craftsmanship, rare to have its 'case' in such nice condition too. I'd put my neck out, like a Tortoise, and say it's very likely Tortoiseshell given the level of work on the knife. It is cut, sliced, very thinly as scales which is impressive, but like MOP pretty fragile material. These more costly scales, Tortoiseshell, MOP, Ivory would have featured on more expensive, intricate knives not intended for 'hard use' but rather pocket display. The owner enjoying showing off a beautiful pocket knife with say many small blades or implements that would be at home in a jacket or waistcoat pocket. Very Gent-like. One of the end bolsters of your Shadow knife appears to have lost a piece of shell, a common fate, is there evidence of gold leaf on the liners? This was used to enhance the aspect of the shell, another expensive feature.

Worth remembering that Tortoiseshell was liked in the c19th early c 20th (as was Turtle soup...) for ornamental purposes, small boxes, inlay on cosmetic items and jewellery, letter openers etc. even as frames for reading glasses. It makes for a very beautiful item but at the cost of nearly driving species of Turtle into extinction. However, tastes and fashions change, for a time Aluminium was regarded as a rare and desirable material-due I suppose to novelty and the cost of extraction- and knives with stamped or cast scales of that metal may well have featured for a short while as an exclusive item. Certainly was used for commemorative knives or celebrations of exhibitions et al. Interestingly, American English seems to make no distinction between Turtle, whereas British English has Tortoise (land going) Turtle (sea going) Terrapin (fresh water) Where did Turtle Wax get its name? From polishing Tortoiseshells....

Here's a contemporary knife using the modern material acrylic, still attractive and a lot better for the Turtles...shown with a German box made of Horn c.17th century.

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Outside of my (too many) SAK’s I think the 62 is the only knife that I’d have that would qualify. This is my “church knife”. Small, discreet, classy /gentlemanly, and perfect for small tasks like opening packages or cutting loose threads.

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