Traditional vs. Non-Traditional

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Bastid said:
Actually those were made by a friend and forum member here. Art Washburn. Art's knives are known for his attention to blade action (or in the case of these 2 walk and talk). He is not known for multiblades, but he nailed these two.

Granted the materials are "a little different".

Thanks guys, I have been waiting for the right thread to post these. ;)
Click to expand...

Bastid,

Those are really spectacular. Is it still a doctor pattern even though it doesn't have a solid butt cap pill crusher? Ah....who cares...they look like doctors to me. :D
 
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Okay here goes the views of a YOUNG pup. :eek:

I believe for it to be "traditional" it has to have traditional shape, materials, and no hanky paky cool and "HARD USA" steel. Goes being in I personally don't like the thought of adding the new to the "OLD" style.

Not saying the new is not good but when I think traditional I think Bone and Stag, but I also really like the Orange G-10 Case uses.

Okay I agree with Elliott I'll tell you when I see it! :p :D
 
I'm just a rookie collector. But, I think the term traditional should include all aspects of the knife, materials and form. When a maker uses hitech modern materials, and a traditional form of knife, I think of the knife as a modern knife, made from modern materials. While the form and action of the knife may be traditional, it's not made of traditional materials and is therefore a modern knife.

I sure do love the looks of some makers modern slipjoints though!!! And, one day I certainly would like to add one or two to my collection.
 
Some said traditional can't have a lock, but lot of us show pictures of a Buck 110 in our stables ??
For me I agree materials are only a small consideration of the "I will know it when I see it." method.
BUT, some material is a whole lot MORE traditional than other material.
Dark stag and good glowing jigged bone will always be the mountain peak. Next comes yellow bone. Stainless or carbon both are both good. Nickle and brass make me "know" even quicker.....300/ch
 
There was an additional point to my starting this thread. For some time I have been wanting a slip joint knife made for some specific purposes. It was to be for hard use, farm work etc. I wanted low maintenance, great edge retention, and I did not want to worry about dropping it, dinging it, scratching it etc. I know, why not just buy one of any number of decent production knives. Because I wanted a custom made knife, I wanted to retain a traditional look, and I wanted to decide what it would be. I have thought about this for quite awhile and finally got the opportunity to have pretty much all I wanted.

I wanted to have some idea of how the wind blew on this topic before sharing. After seeing some of your posts I am fairly comfortable with showing it. Some of you may already have seen it as it was posted the last couple of days in different locations on the internet. Before anyone asks concerning pictures etc. it is my knife and I am the original customer and current owner.

It is not perfect but meets most of my requirements. It will be durable, it is weather proof, it will hold an edge better than most, and if I ding it up or lose it the pain will not be severe. And, in my mind, looks very traditional.

3 3/4" Closed - 2 3/4" Blade
1/2 Stop
Medium Pull
Walks and Talks Dandy

The scale, bolster and cap are one piece of Ti. Heavily bead blasted then stone washed. The checkering is then done to give the appearance of bolsters and caps.

Blade steel and spring are Carpenters CTS-XHP 60Rc. Same treatment as handles.


Traditional or Non-Traditional - I Leave You to Decide


This is not an attempt to promote this knife or design or the maker for resale or any other purposes.

Thank you all for your input.

Brad

TacticalLanny009-1.jpg


TacticalLanny010-1.jpg


TacticalLanny012-1.jpg
 
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Brad, I'd consider that a modern knife based upon a traditional design (or pattern, if you will). Would I lose any sleep over discussing that knife in this forum? Probably not.

So, would I consider it traditional? Not exactly...but the lineage (clasp knife pattern, saber clip) is plain to see imho.
 
Brad,

That's a tough one. The Lanny's Clip is a relatively new pattern conceived by Tony Bose, not a 'traditional' pattern that was made ages ago. (I wonder if the maker got permission to use the pattern, or if it's needed)

On another forum a recent thread was discussing what makes a 'custom' knife. For example, how much CNC work is acceptable, how much hand work, etc, etc. No consensus was reached, but all agreed that the maker should be honest about how the knife was made. I'm afraid this may present the same dilemma - what is 'traditional'?

If we define 'traditional' as "adhering to time-honoured rules, expectations and behaviours", then perhaps this is not traditional. If we say 'traditional' is a slip joint or spring back knife, then certainly this would qualify.

Perhaps it's best to not get all wrapped around the axle searching for a label and just enjoy your new custom knife. This is absolutely custom as it was made as a one-off to your specifications. Maybe you started a new tradition!

Here's one that pushes the boundaries even further. It's a slip joint, but the blade is stellite, the spring is titanium, the scales are titanium with carbon fiber inserts and the blade grind is certainly not traditional. Not a speck of ferromagnetic material in this one! (it's MRI compatible - not a traditional requirement!) And for the record, titanium on stellite doesn't walk & talk very well. (I've got a slip joint on the way with timascus scales - nothing traditional there either!)
DSC_0279-1.jpg
 
Brad and Bill and Gus. I consider your knifes as wery modern slipjoints with traditional influence. And Brad, I to farm a bit and can se why you shose that knife for your work. It will fullfill your expectations. Thanks for showing your knifes.

Bosse
 
Brad congrats on a beautiful knife!! That knife looks bullet proof and should be perfect for your purposes. I know I'd be proud to own it, and it would spend a lot of time in my pocket.
 
I think a slip joint could be accurately described as- traditional pattern/traditional materials;or traditional pattern/non traditional materials.
 
I kinda look at it like this...

Celluloid's, and Natural's such as bone, stag, Ivory, Ebony, pearl, etc...on a traditional pattern qualify for sure.
I also think Micarta has been around just long enough to maybe be considered traditional....10 years ago probably not.

G-10, CF, Ti, and some of the newer stuff being used may be considerd traditional one day, but IMO not at this time.

But thats just my opinion, which doesn't really mean much.
 
Bill,

Thanks for bringing up permissions. I forgot to mention that it is my understanding that intellectual property rights have been observed.


NirreBosse,

I new that if there were any here who did any farming they would appreciate this. This one will get blooded at the farm this weekend.

Brad
 
This is a tough line to draw. for me, my opinion goes along with Ken, Bone,Stag, wood , celluloid, delrin,ivory, bakelite and micarta make for traditional scales. I have seen Remingtons made of solid brass, so maybe a titanium handle might qualify as traditional. Not so much in my eyes though. I think there is traditional and "modern traditional" as stated before me. Are the more modern types going to be traditional after time has passed? Maybe a spyderco would be considered traditional in our next generation. I seem to recall a liner lock several years ago was called a Walker lock after Mickeal Walker, but they were making liner locks years ago and they are considered traditional. I too agree that mid locks and lockbacks, as well as switchblades like press buttons are traditional too. Then there are sheath knives........
 
A traditional knife should have a classic design and be made of traditional materials. Sorry, no stainless steel milled liners, should be nickel silver, brass or iron. A tony bose is a modern knife based upon a traditional design...that's what makes it so neat. For example, in wordworking, if you make a traditional piece, the only thing modern is the tools you make it with and the glue.

However, how many of you guys would buy a custom knife these days made the old school way with brass liners, nickel silver bolsters, 1095 steel and off the shelf dyed bone? It'll still last a lifetime and look good.
 
I would. Although modern customs are made with milled liners and bolsters I think they are traditional.My old Samual Barlow had integral liner/bolsters, so it wouldn't stop me from buying on.They are superb pieces, all of them. With that said, I would like to see more customs with NS bolsters and NS or brass liners, and they probably would make them for you on request.
 
I don't know what I'd call that knife of yours brad, but I like it. You'll have to post some shots of it once it is a bit worn, so we can continue to debate about it.

P.S: The XM is the only knife of late to knock the traditionals out of my pocket (only occasionally though...). Thanks again!
 
What is traditional? Sticky subject

Some say what your Dad carried... Hmm in 20 years that will be Spyderco. Kershaw, etc etc

Some say it is the maker ...Yet Case makes the Slim Lock etc, Schrade made liner locks

Some say the materials... I have seen "tacticals" with ivory, nickel silver and 1095

Some say the pattern .... Is a Micarta handle sodbuster with a BG-42 blade and titanium liners and screwed together construction traditional? Or how about a framelock peanut?

Some say construction methods...did integral bolsters, interframes, and relieved liners exist at the beginning of the century? Is that Sheffield tradition?

I think it boils down to what the community, that is this forum, decides.

I can live with that. When I can't I'll move on
 
well to me like to aothers, the look and lack of a lock come first
I like the classic design of slippies and how the work and are not threatening, my best edc knives
a nice slippie in a great modern steel with ti liners and micarta handle wouls be a dream for sure
until they are simple and clean indesign, have no lock and work they are good to go

love that GTC, amazing!!!
Maxx
 
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