traditionals making a comeback?

[comoha]

Not as large a chunk of the population works with its hands as much as did previous generations. The knife is still a necessary tool, but not exactly as it once was. What a farmer or rancher needed is not what the urban dweller needs.

There is a lot of truth in this statement. Need necessitates the right tool and most people I am around don't see a need for a great quality knife to be constantly on their person.
It's just like how wristwatch sales are in decline because so many people just use their phone to give them the time.
Gosh, I hate to see a time when slipjoints were phased out of use. I'd better start buying more and stock up.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Around the corner from these cases is one case with some traditional knives. Some Case's, a few scatterings of Rough Rider's and other imports. Not very many. The owner is a pretty nice guy, who really likes knives, and we talk a bit when I'm in there. This subject has come up now and then, and I recall him telling me that for every tradition knife he sells, 10 tacticals will go out the door. The average age of the traditional knife buyer is about 40 or over, and the tactical buyer is from late teens to short of 30. The younger crowd wants every new knife they see in a video game, movie, or knife magazine. I think the younger crowd is not very interested in the esthetics of nice jigged bone or wood, but rather the hype of their video culture. Most of the sales of Case and other traditional knives seem to be the over 40 crowd.

Oddly enough, a huge amount of sak's are sold it 30 something people. I can only wonder if as kids, they were MacGuyver fans.

I worry about the future of the traditional pocket knife, because the culture that spawned them is gone. Very few of the grandpa's are left from that era, and few of the modern dad's are into a life style that they take junior out to the lake for fishing, or hunting.

Jackknife, I always look forward to visiting the aforementioned shop, and he is a good guy. I've asked him what he sells most often, and it is the SAK. SAK's and maybe a Buck 301 are going to be the order of the day for someone looking for "A" knife, probably one that will be abused on the not too distant Appalachian Trail.

Most slipjoints and traditionals cover "one pocket knife" consumer very well. They want simple, low-key and CHEAP. For example, CRKT traditionals might not be as good as a Case slipjoint, but to John Q Public walking in off the street, they are a brand name that is CHEAP.

I think a lot of knife nuts have been turned on to the simple utility and elegance of carrying a slipjoint. As others have said though, I think the passion for slipjoints has been out there, just not dominant to the tacticool IMHO.

 

[338375]

Traditional patterns, as Gus stated, have been popular for a good many years and (knock wood) don't give any indication of going away any time soon.

Though some of the current political and social climate may contribute to a rise in awareness of the type, I think that its success derives (for the most part) from the infinite variety, complexity, utility and beauty of these patterns.

Great craftsmanship (both custom and production) will always be appreciated by the discerning user or collector imho. At least I hope that will always be the case.

Agree with E and Gus. I think its up to us "older guys" to expose the youngens to traditional's whenever possible. I started my son Travis out at an early age.
He is now 13 has his own collection. Nothing but slip joints
I also started him with hopes he would enjoy the good things in life as he gets older. He got started camping, hunting and fishing at a very young age, and really enjoys it. I'm sure when he gets older and has kids, he will pass on the traditions too.... He says its funny, because out of all his friends in school, only one hunts. He hunts with a rifle though and Trav hunts with a bow.
Hardly any of the kids in his school get to even go camping, and thats really sad.

He shows absolutely no interest in "Modern" folders. That may change someday though, and that is fine. Although I doubt it. I've always told him to do what he enjoys, not what others want him to do...

 

[mnblade]

About three years ago I was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and hit the Bass Pro shop there looking to buy a Case knife. They didn't have any of the ones I was looking for. The guy working the knife counter apologized and said, "We just cain't keep these damn things in stock." Hearing that made my day.

I think traditional companies like Case and GEC and Queen need to use the heck out of the internet to market their products. It costs next to nothing to make quickie product videos to post on youtube. Let the faithful do the rest. Likewise, I'd have someone in my marketing PR department getting samples of new models into the hands of knife/outdoors bloggers and reviewers.

 

[DITCH]

I suppose I'm a bit of a 'Prodigal Son' in this regard. When I was younger, I always carried/used a slipjoint folder-SAK, or otherwise. After years of martial arts, I found myself carrying several tactical folders with SD in mind.

I still do train with, and carry such blades, but find a traditional slippie more practical(and sheeple friendly) for normal cutting tasks.

'sides which; traddies are so much prettier.

 

[mblackfu]

i would love to see the tactical/utility knife makers come out with truly traditional design. I carry tactical in my vehicle everyday, but a slip joint is always on my person. you cant do country boy things with a tactical

 

[sgbeskin]

Traditional knives never went away down here, in my part of the deep South. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone that carries a tactical knife down this way. Most people carry a Case trapper, from teenagers on up. Most folks around here call tactical knives "them killin' knives!" Like Bastid said the traditional knives just cut better!!!

 

[bucksforus]

I read Blade, and Knives Illustrated magazines monthly. Most of the article space is the one hand tacticals and tactical/capming type knives. I feel that if more space were given to slip joint traditional knives we would see even more interest stirred up for them. I also think Case and Queen are doing the right thing by offering a lower starting point (selling) to get the younger crowd interested. Rough Riders are making a lot of noise in this area also. I think we need to take the time to teach our children and Grandchildren what it means to have a connection with a knife, moreso than just an object. It's up to us to help spread back the word of the proud ownership of a regular traditional knife.
The interest is growing in demand IMHO because us older generation have more to spend on our collecting hobby, than when the kids were home and had to watch our budget closer. We need to get the next 2 generations of knife buyers interest perked up.
Harold

 

[will62]

I tend to agree that traditionals do cut better. Carried a Buck Prince for years and never felt shortchanged for cutting ability.

In Iraq everyone carried a tactical knife and a multi-tool including myself, however I really missed having a Buck 110 like I carried in the first gulf war. Never had much of a problem with sand getting in it, seemed to have more issues with the newer knives and sand.

Traditionals have more character and are more people friendly.

 

[navihawk]

Will, especially something with half stops,where you could clean the joints better.
What kind of knives were/are popular over there, assuming people wanted more than the Kabar?

 

[Blues]

What kind of knives were/are popular over there, assuming people wanted more than the Kabar?

Please take that off-topic discussion to email or PM so as not to sidetrack this thread. Thank you.

 

[Clang!]

.... The average age of the traditional knife buyer is about 40 or over, and the tactical buyer is from late teens to short of 30. The younger crowd wants every new knife they see in a video game, movie, or knife magazine. I think the younger crowd is not very interested in the esthetics of nice jigged bone or wood, but rather the hype of their video culture. Most of the sales of Case and other traditional knives seem to be the over 40 crowd.

Oddly enough, a huge amount of sak's are sold it 30 something people. I can only wonder if as kids, they were MacGuyver fans.

...

I think there will always be a slip joint maker around, but it seems to be going toward the boutique collector segment of the market. Knives from GEC, Queen, and S&M don't seen to appeal to the crown that just wants a knife in their pocket in case something needs to be cut.

You pretty much described my knife/too history. I started out (still carry it most days) with a SAK, and went to some of the "real knife" big folders in my twenties. Found out that the wide blade, bulk, and lack of other implements really took away from their utility. Now I'm in my mid thirties and back to SAKs. I've been eyeballing some of the classic slippies, but I'm having a hard time justifying the cost for what is only going to be a "dress knife" and not an EDC.


Edit: Yes I was a MacGuyver fan

I think we'll see a shift in size more than pattern. Some of the shift will be in response to blade length laws. However, I'd think the shift would be due more to usage.

I know I'll get slated for this, but save the popcorn, it's just MHO...

Not as large a chunk of the population works with its hands as much as did previous generations. The knife is still a necessary tool, but not exactly as it once was. What a farmer or rancher needed is not what the urban dweller needs. .

I agree the blade laws will push some of it, but most of its usage. The current generation has to open battery hatches more often then feed sacks, hence the proliferation of multitools and knives with screwdrivers.

IMHO as the "tacticool" trend wears off, or is outlawed, I think we'll start seeing SAK style implements in what has been traditional forms. Case has already started with their abalone peanut that sports scissors instead of a second blade.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I've been collectin' and usin' knives since I was about 8, a tactical knife back then was a Kabar Quarter Master's knife or an Italian Stilleto.

I've never stopped collectin' traditional patterns but I will admit with the closing of Old Timer and Camillus, there are a lot less to choose from.

 

[ursamajor]

As a kid, I had a Buck 110. Had it for a few years, but it ended up lost in a move. As the years wore on, I started getting into Kershaws and Spydercos as folders.

Then about a year ago, I noticed a 110 on a co worker's waist. So I asked him about it, and took a look. The first thing I noticed was how amazing the hollow grind was on it-never noticed it when I was younger. I then showed him how my grandfather taught me how to open it one handed, as well as reminiscing on how easy it was to sharpen. So I ordered one with a leather sheath online. I now carry this sucker on my belt daily.

Fell in love with this knife, in ways that I could not appreciate as a youngster.

 

[555]

Actually, I have seen them steadily increase in popularity for the last decade (give or take) a year or two and the demand seems to still be growing.

I doubt that a particular pattern will stand out, but that is just my opinion.

IMHO I believe this is the shift in demographics we are seeing.
Be it Cars, Planes, Knives, etc. the population is Graying (Greying in Esav's case ) and these hobbies are graying right along with it.

 

[The_Dave]

I'm 24, and I've been into knives for three or four years now. I started off as a tactical folder guy, then moved on to fixed blades, and now I'm on the hunt for a nice slipjoint.

I still enjoy the feel of a big beefy folder with G10 scales, but I see myself carrying a slim little slipjoint for years and years until I pass it off to the next generation.

 

[kc custom]

The first folders I made were lockbacks (early 80's) and admittedly crude by todays standards. I knew when I made my first slipjoints it felt different- like something more of what I wanted to do. The rest is kind of history. My take is this I was brought up with slipjoints can't ever remember not having one on me. I'm very glad for the slippie people younger than myself and hopefully I will be making them another 20 or so years. I really don't beleive it will go anywhere in my lifetime,and if it did so be it I didn't start making knives for the money, I make them cause I can't help it.
Ken.

 

[Buffalohump]

I've owned nothing but tacticool knives for years but recently a Case/Bose collab caught my eye and now I find myself checking out the traditionals with a keen and lusty eye. I guess after years of carbon fiber, G-10 and titanium I'm eager for a change. I must say there are some fantastic customs to be had for what I can see in the Makers section. Like little jewels these knives... :thumbup:

 

[GIRLYmann]

classic americana legacy slipjoint patterns will always remain long after the bells 'n whistle tactitool types slip into oblivion.

 

[mdsmith]

I think that the rise of crime has a lot to do with the popularity of the tacticals over the slip joint. I think for most people now day self preservation is a major concern, and for many the knife is though of less as a tool and more as a weapon. With this mind set, a tactical makes much more sense. I can serve the role of a weapon much more effectively than a slipjoint, and can serve as a tool just as well. I know that after carrying tacticals for years, I felt a little under equipt with just a slip joint in my pocket. Not that I ever use it to defend myself, but I guess it just provided piece of mind, knowing that it was there.