traditionals making a comeback?

it's a fact that many non-traditional slipjoint types have acclerated into popularity due to the movies.
thus it would certainly help if there be more knife friendly movies like that splendid traditionalist favorite - "The Edge", which stars Sir Anthony Hopkins.
there are far more positive aspects to be found in a knife,
but the years of over glorifying non-p.c. concepts of the bladeform by the entertaiment industry has unfortunately created an ever growing bad boy perception about the entire purpose of knife carry itself.
hopefully the traditionalist slip joints will survive past this period of hysteria.
 
IMHO Traditionals are classy. Tacticals are "cool." Once I got into my 30s, the "cool" factor stopped being something i'd pay top dollar for and the classy factor began holding more weight.

Carbon fiber and titanium folders with torx screws might be the best tool for many jobs, but they aren't something I plan to pass on to later generations. I just can't picture 100 years from now a kid saying "look at this tactical framelock folding knife my grandfather left me when he died...its bloodgroove and somewhat rough finish really bring back loving memories"
 
Nice to see you here, David. I still have that nice little straight knife in 3v (as I recall) that we did together years ago. Zips through whatever gets in its way! :cool::thumbup:
 
David Schott said:
IMHO Traditionals are classy. Tacticals are "cool." Once I got into my 30s, the "cool" factor stopped being something i'd pay top dollar for and the classy factor began holding more weight.

Carbon fiber and titanium folders with torx screws might be the best tool for many jobs, but they aren't something I plan to pass on to later generations. I just can't picture 100 years from now a kid saying "look at this tactical framelock folding knife my grandfather left me when he died...its bloodgroove and somewhat rough finish really bring back loving memories"
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Very good point; I have to agree. I have some really "cool" knives myself, but the ones I value most are the traditionals.

Another reason that I think the traditionals are gaining interest is that the competition has increased, and the quality standard has been pushed quite high, and all other manufacturers are having to improve along with it. I see it as a good thing.
 
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I tend to think of it as a Tactical backlash. Nothing against modern knives, I have plenty of them. At the age of 53 I've never encountered a Tactical situation. Maybe I'm just lucky but I've never had to defend myself with a knife. My traditional SAK Farmer seems to get me though the day.
 
I think there is hope for traditional knives to continue into the future. I myself am a college student in my early 20s and out of my friends who have knives, most are tactical, but there is still a significant amount that carry traditionals as well as their tactical knives. I think the biggest key to keeping younger people involved with traditional knives is passing them on as gifts. The reason I have always liked knives is my grandfather gave them to me since I was five. I have heard many of my other friends also say this is how they became interested in pocket knives.
 
Interesting thread. I think that the increased interest in traditionals is a broader phenomena than just the knife community. For example: I am an avid fly fisherman and it has been interesting to watch the increase in both interest and the number of craftsmen making bamboo (cane) fly rods over the last decade. And, yes, most of the folks involved in cane are boomers. There is a satisfaction in owning fewer rods, but rods that will survive you, and to leave the "newest and greatest" purchasing pattern behind. I think that there has been a general increase in interest in items that are hand-crafted, timeless and are part of a tradition that has historical roots. I suspect that the current recession also reminds folks that there is real value in purchasing items that are timeless and do not need to be replaced with the next model debuts.

- David
 
Dornblaser said:
Interesting thread. I think that the increased interest in traditionals is a broader phenomena than just the knife community. For example: I am an avid fly fisherman and it has been interesting to watch the increase in both interest and the number of craftsmen making bamboo (cane) fly rods over the last decade. And, yes, most of the folks involved in cane are boomers. There is a satisfaction in owning fewer rods, but rods that will survive you, and to leave the "newest and greatest" purchasing pattern behind. I think that there has been a general increase in interest in items that are hand-crafted, timeless and are part of a tradition that has historical roots. I suspect that the current recession also reminds folks that there is real value in purchasing items that are timeless and do not need to be replaced with the next model debuts.

- David
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I think you're on to something. But I don't know if it's the recession so much as almost every consumer product these days seeming to be doomed to obsolescence the day it's bought. It's comforting to use something that just plain works.
 
Some how holding traditionals in my hand, Looking at the fit and finish
takes my mind to a good place
Seems to slow life down,
even for just a moment,
I will take it
 
I can spend hours idly running my thumb along the scales of my old timers or old case knives. I love my kershaw leek, but "schling" is fun for a minute. Valuable tool, especially when fishing, but it ain't that nice to worry steel.
 
Being an engineer by trade I tend to be attracted to knives that I actually use. The "cool" factor wears off very quickly it seems. When I first got into traditional knives I went through the same routine of buying knives that were beautiful but have bottomed out on a few patterns that are practical and see a lot of use.
 
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