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I'm certainly no cowboy but if like me you have some or a good bit of cowboy that lives in you go watch a bunch of westerns, TV shows and movies the older the better and notice what they're using(because they worked)! Yes, yes they still work great today just like a good SA sixgun!
 
When I was a college kid, I preferred cheap beer to Scotch. These days I'd much rather kick back with a nice glass of single malt. Some things just take awhile to learn to appreciate. No need to rush 'em, either.

-- Mark
 
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For me, I was a heavy modern knife user. I had the Sebenza. Great knife. No two ways about it. It all came down to classy looks for me. You just cant beat the look of a gorgeous stag stockman with dark carbon steel blades that are so thin when you look at it you start bleeding. I loved my Sebenza. Had two. Had the alias, Kershaws, Bucks, EKI, Spyderco, Benchmade, etc. And then at the same time I realized I didn't need those heavy duty locks. The 4inch blade with megasteel. I am never far enough away from my tools to use it out. The Stockman just did everything I needed, simpler, and cheaper.

Though I do have to say I still want a Buck Mayo 172 baaaaaadly. Just a great looking knife. I still have some of my old self in me.
 
I love traditional knives for many reasons. I like how they have more character than tactical knives, and for me, are more functional. I also enjoy how they develop more personality as they age. As a few of you may know, I am still a high-school student. But I am by no means interested in the modern things of todays youth. I often sit and wonder about "how things use to be". For me, the biggest reason that I thoroughly enjoy traditional knives is, they remind me of simpler times in America. After all, I have always said I was born in the wrong generation. So, Why do each of you enjoy traditional knives so much?
 
I started out with Traditional Slipjoints as a kid in the late 60s and early 70s,my Grandfather got me started.He toted an old Boker Stockman.By the mid to late 70s I started carrying a Buck 110(still love 110s).In 1980 I joined the Marines and did a 4 year stint.I still carried my 110 alot,but started getting into fixed blades,big ones such as Bowies.Rambo came out when I returned home,for good,and then Fighting Knives Magazine in the late 80s.Well,I bought all kinds of large fixed blades through those years.Then around 1990 I bought the new Spyderco Police folder,which to me was the start of the one hand tactical folder+it had a pocket clip=cool.I've bought all kinds of one handers and tactical fixed blades since then,some are really nice and have gotten much use,some have'nt.But the years are passing and in the last couple I have rediscovered my first love,which is the humble,extremely useful slipjoint,Thanks to Carl and many other members here.After using them again I just find that they cut,carve,and slice better without all the fuss.If you bought one and used it for awhile you might be pleasantly surprised.-Jim
 
DR.BOOM said:
I just can't seem to get into traditionals. I want to like them but I'm just not feeling it. Any good inspirational statements that can help me get more of a liking for them? Thanks in advance.

-justin
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Justin,

Lets go for the pure practicality angle. That way you don't have to worry about any reasoning but pure logic. In my opinion, going to traditionals is justified solely to carry the Stockman pattern.

I was a huge tactical folder guy for many years, buying Kershaws and Benchmades almost exclusively. For some reason, I got a hair to go back to slipjoints, the knives I carried while in boy scouts as a youth.



One thing that drove me nuts carrying a modern folder, was that once you borked the edge on something, you were pretty much had for the rest of the day. Not to mention which, I found myself needing to keep a boxcutter and cable knife on hand, to get all of my jobs done. A single blade doesn't always do what you want it to do... and it can actually be dangerous at times.

The stockman pattern is (IMO) one of the most intelligent knife designs ever concieved.

-The long clip or spear blade is great for general use. Cutting sandwiches, rope/twine, etc.

-The sheepsfoot blade is very useful for opening packages, as the tip has a profile similar to a boxcutter. Try opening one of those nasty plastic clamshells with a MEGA TAC knife, and then try using a boxcutter, and you'll know exactly why I love the Stockman pattern.

-The spey blade has a thin profile with a rounded front cutting edge. It is essentially a folding scalpel.

The best thing is that you can beat the heck out of the edge on one blade, and still have two blades ready to shave with.


Basically, you have a pocketknife, a boxcutter, and an x-acto knife all in a package that drops easily into your pocket. How could you not love that.

Buy an inexpensive but quality Stockman, and carry it for a couple weeks. If that doesn't do it for you, nothing will IMO.
 
I wouldn't worry about it. If they don't appeal to you, carry something else. I have both traditionals and non-traditionals and what I carry just depends on which itch is needing to be scratched.
 
I carry traditionals because that is what I grew up with. As a kiddo growing up in the late 50s, early 60s, that's all there was! I took for granted that knives would be well made from select materials, and fit/finsh would be top notch when a "good" knife was purchased.

I still remember how horrified I was when I saw Schrade knives with Delrin handles! Plastic handles on a folder? Not bone or wood? Yikes!

I now carry a large working folder clipped to my pocket everyday as I use it in my work as a contractor. But with that I always carry a small traditional. On the weekends I feel great with my Stockman or Copperhead in my pocket.

Knives that have been screwed together from a pile of pieces like my RAT 1, JYDII comp, Tyrade, Drifter, etc., have a place as heavy duty utility knives. I wouldn't cut shingles or sheetrock with any of my traditionals, but if push came to shove I wouldn't hesitate too long with those. I have never seen or held a tradtional knife that is as strong or heavy duty as a Tyrade or JYDII.

But they don't have the charm or same feeling as a well made traditional knife. To me they are punched or milled pieces that have been assembled, and any parts that stick out are sanded or ground off. Not that much to these knives. But a good traditional means someone took the time to fit and finish all the pieces. They selected the handle materials and fitted them to the knife. On a well made traditional knife I can still spot craftsmanship and can imagine that someone took a bit of pride in their work to make it.

Never got that warm fuzzy from my Tyrade, JYDII, etc., no matter how much I use or carry them. Some are excellent knives, with F/F 100%. They will out work any folder I have ever owned in the last 45 years. But I just grab one of those knives, check the edge, and it's in the pocket. It purely a tool.

Not so for my traditionals. Mini canoe, tiny jack or peanut? I have to think for a second. I smile when I slip one into my pocket. On the weekends, I have the luxury of deciding which traditional to carry as the knife won't be facing use as a pryer, scraper, or heavy slicer. With no need for utility knife, what will it be? One of my stockmans, a Barlow, a Jack of some sort. Weekend knives take a little thinking because I get to carry one I want. Strange as it sounds, I look forward to my weekend selection ritual.

I guess for me, my screwed together knives are great as their intended purpose as a working tool. On that mark, they hit the center ring perfectly and I don't honestly think I will ever wear one out. But those knives have no soul. They are indeed stamped metal pieces screwed together with resinous scales attached. Their simplicity is their genius as in this day of CNC production, little effort is needed as far as F/F is concerned. The pieces arrived, and they are screwed together by people using machines that set the screws perfectly. Sand off a couple of thousandths if needed, and the knife is done. Some are even designed in such a way there are no mating surfaces that would show poor fit!

But on a traditional, there is still a bit of handwork, a bit of finishing needed. We all look at the backsprings for gaps. We check the scales for color, design, and match. We check the pins to make sure they are installed correctly for the desired style. We measure the walk and talk carefully and look closely at the position of the blades when closed. All of these things come together when we buy a traditional. With all these variables, within their own realm each one of these knives are unique.

That gives them each their own distinct character, and we love them more for it. Carrying a nice traditional makes me smile.

Robert
 
Every once in while I feel the 'need' to carry a tactical folding pry bar, I'll admit to that. I will also state that I just don't feel right unless I have a slippie in my pocket. Preferably one with carbon steel blades. It reminds me of the treasured pocket knives from Sheffield I used to have when I was a kid. Used to aggravate me how the darned blades would turn black from use;) now of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Modern folders and slipjoints have the same place in my life as coffee and tea. I love my morning coffee but I just couldn't live without tea. I have some (fewer and fewer all the time) tactical folders that I am very fond of, but couldn't get by without my treasured slipjoints.
 
I think the OP has been given plenty to mull over...he can make his decision and we can all move on.
 
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