what classifies a knife as traditional?

[RescueRiley]

Just wondering what criteria is generally accepted, is it design? would say a buck 110 be or another modern production company that still produces older model knives be considered traditional??

 

[macrick]

I would say you are light, generally buck knives are a traditional lot except for strider lot.

 

[Lion]

Interesting question that doesn't have an easy answer. Different people have different definitions of traditional. Lockbacks are traditional. The Queen Mountain Lockback is very similar to a Remington R1303. The Remington was first produced in the 1920s (Can't remember the exact date at the moment. 1923?). The construction of the 110 is a bit untraditional, beefier and a different way of doing the lock, but for me would still qualify.

Some people seem to find locks on folders to be untraditional. I'm curious to see their answers, since I'm not sure why. Things like Walker style liner locks and Axis locks I get, but I don't get traditionally styled lockbacks and linerlocks. Been meaning to post asking about that, but hopefully I'll get some answers here too.

Leo

 

[sunnyd]

Good question.. I would answer that by saying that any knife that is or was produced in the older traditional classic design patterns, lockback or not made for the working hands of man, or woman. Usally made with, but not always, natural scales on the handles.

For example in the slippy department, Trappers, Stockmans, Sowbellies, Hunters, Whittlers, Peanuts, Pen Knives, ect..ect.

In the fixed blade department, Skinners, Bowies, Arkansas Toothpick, ect.

ps{Email Sent BTW}

 

[neeman]

Traditional does not mean only American design and styles.
Although that is what is mainly talked about here.
As an example many of the Scandinavian knives are traditional.

Is there a time limit on the designs?
Anything I saw as a kid 40 years ago is traditional?

Are the Bark River knives traditional?
Most of them have the same constuction as my 35 year old Sheffield Green River.


Anything in full Zytel handles is not?
But delrin scales are ok.
Zytel and Delrin being very similar DuPont compounds!

A lockback in wood is traditional, but the same knife (blade) in with Zytel handles at a 1/3 of the price is not?
I would love to post about my new Fallkniven lockback!

And if traditional on this site means mainly American slippies and some sheath knives, fine by me too.

 

[jackknife]

If your granddaddy recognizes it as something similar to what he had as a young man, it just may be traditional.

 

[neeman]

If your granddaddy recognizes it as something similar to what he had as a young man, it just may be traditional.

Could we use a different Definition?

The only knife my Grandpa carried was when he was issued his bayonet for his Lee Enfield in Flanders during the Great War.
And my other Grandpa only had his tailor's shears!

 

[sunnyd]

Could we use a different Definition?

The only knife my Grandpa carried was when he was issued his bayonet for his Lee Enfield in Flanders during the Great War.
And my other Grandpa only had his tailor's shears!

Neeman,

Id like to go back to your first post and ask the question: Who ever said we were talking about knives made ONLY in the USA??

 

[gpdawg]

i have a western skinner made in boulder,co with leather washer handle,the blade is now 4" and its carbon steel blade has been sharpened so many times it looks like a fillet knife.that's a classic imo.

 

[Bastid]

If your granddaddy recognizes it as something similar to what he had as a young man, it just may be traditional.

That covers it as far I am concerned and were not just talking US grandpa's.

The vast majority of "US" patterns trace back to Sheffield times anyway with a few variations.

As far as modern knives. There are a multitude of place on BF where those are discussed.

The intention of the traditional forums is the discussion of knives that have a history behind them of more than a few years or a couple of decades.

Non US knives that fit the term traditional would be more than welcome here.

 

[Will Power]

Hard one here!

Use of bone, wood and antler may help. Following of patterns established by American&European cutlers from the 19th century is an indication. Workingmens'knife from around the globe is another which implies Traditionals are at heart to be used!

Neeman, you mentioned Fällkniven and Bark River, many of their knives come under this rubric of Traditional. The Fällkniven lockback in bone scales is a knife I admire but don't yet own.And if your Ain Folk from the Great War had to use a bayonet or Tailor's shears, I'm sure they would have had a little pocket-knife from Sheffield or Sölingen about them too!

Last point to consider is aesthetics: Traditionals are pleasing to look at and hold, so beauty is an important factor.Try applying that to the latest Tactical and you'll see what I mean, they tend to have the aesthetics of a screwdriver....

 

[flylock]

"Traditional" may be more of a mindset than a particular style or pattern of knife. I think most of us here know what is and isnt traditional but some knives do blur the lines a bit. There are a lot knives being made that can certainly trace it's roots to a much more traditional piece but looks "space age" due to the use of modern materials such as titanium and carbon fiber and such.

 

[neeman]

Willgoy,

You must have access to a whole range of traditional knives in Finland.
The Lapp knives must be very interesting.

Do you have any?

 

[Will Power]

Oddly enough, no. What is familiar is not always so interesting to me but there are many fine puukko makers. Just never liked the handles too much, rather dangerous when wet.

That said, a recent Marttiini I bought as a fillet knife slices meat supremely and will be in action over the Yuletide food orgy.

I also have a couple of Marttiini folders (suspect they are made in Taiwan and not Rovaniemi)and they are underrated and sneered at (wrongly) in the more Tactical areas.One has very nice curly birch scales and a blade very like a traditional Finnish knife, locks up well and comes with a fine leather sheath for horizontal carry too(my favoured style)

 

[RescueRiley]

would a simple sak be considered traditional....a vic farmer is very similar to the classic scout knife pattern and is one of my all time favorite slipjoints....

 

[Foilist]

I think of a traditional knife as having some combination of these qualities, if not all of them:

-natural handle materials
-patterns and shapes that have been around for several generations
-lack of exotic features

So this would include, SAKs, Bucks, Bark River, etc., as well as the typical ones that we automatically think of.

 

[sunnyd]

would a simple sak be considered traditional....a vic farmer is very similar to the classic scout knife pattern and is one of my all time favorite slipjoints....

I would have to answer that question in the affirmative. Simple little Saks are traditional. Which reminds me, I have been meaning to purchase one of the older vintage models Ive been admiring with the wooden scales and found a great little site. Check out www.sosakonline.com if you like Saks.