What exactly is a gentleman's folder?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I have come across this term a couple of times.

Gentleman's folder - does it mean that it is non-tactical looking, or just plain "innocent-looking?"

I know some gentleman's folders command tycoon's prices.

It is my impression that they are often sleek-looking and not designed to slice apples but more to cut the edges off prized Havana cigars.

Are gentleman's folders a collector's item as well?
 
Most are non tactical looking, and they are usually smaller knives. Many have an "elegant" look to them.
 
It is my impression that a gent's folder is small, decorated, and easily pocketed. Not a Rancher, or Stockman, but something smaller and a little more eligant.

William Henry Knives instantly come to mind. Small, thin blades, that are painstakingly polished. Premium handle materials, and colorful liners.

So, I agree with you. Not necesarrily apple slicers, but thread trimmers, mail openers, cigar clippers, etc.
 
Golok,
Your line of thinking is correct a"gentlemens folder" is usually
a size scaled down functional but not fierce looking folder.In an
unrelated question are you familiar with Kris cutlery? particullarly
their Keris?. I wonder how authentic and their source.I am not
doubting any of their claims because I really like their stuff.
Could you suggest some other good authenthic source of supply.
Thanks in advance.
 
I believe the original idea of the 'Gentleman's Folder" was to come up with a knife small and elegant enough so that some wall street puke could use it without fear of criticism.
 
Youngcutter:Wall street puke???I'm not a wall street puke but I have a few "gents" that I carry.
Heres a few "Gents knives"
From top- Jim Summers D/A Auto
Bailey Bradshaw
Ralph Turnbull
Kansai
 
A few more "Gents"
From top- Bill Ruple
Larry Chew D/A Auto
Mel Pardue
William Henry
 
GRRR... I am jealous. Couldn't you just get away with posting some ugly pictures?
 
I believe you will get as many definitions for gentleman’s folder as you will for tactical folder. And then you have pieces like that Chew D/A that are both.
 
I don't have anything to compete with those, but here are a few of what I consider to be gentlemen's folders.

1hk_original.jpg

A.G. Russell Original One Hand Knife
3-1/8" blade

850.jpg

Benchmade 850
2.8" blade

330kotm.jpg

Benchmade 330 Knife of the Month for December 2000
2.3" blade

Most people would disallow the following couple as being too large, but I think they look elegant enough to work.

lcc.jpg

Microtech LCC
3.6" blade

710.jpg

Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams customized by Frank Recupero
3.9" blade

--Bob Q
 
From the pics (which are great) I'd say that a "gentleman's " knife
is a knife that has both character and color enough to be displayed in
polite company. Very much unlike the workman's black handled
knife or the wannbe ninja knives prefered by the street thugs or
the hunters knife.
 
A better term for it is Dress Knife; it goes with the tux or suit. The blade is small and SAK-like to avoid a fear factor. The handle is an exercise in color contrast (Day two of any Art Composition class) with at least one handle material being expense. It is like a solid gold pocket watch: you pull it out more to show you have a high-dollar toy than because you need to check the time. Dress knives are not "colorful" enough to be Art knives (would look gaudy, not go with the suit, etc.) but look "better" than rugged "tactical folders." Although, like tac folders they have the conveniences of one hand opening and pocket clip (money clip). Think Emerson gone PC and art deco.

Of course, there are exceptions. See the above photos.
 
"Gentleman's Knife" is a broad category and not formally defined. In general, and this is just generalities, there are exceptions to all of these statements, in general a gent's folder is a smaller knife, generally less than 3" of blade. It tends to more of a sheepsfoot or utility blade, less of a fully-serrated hawksbill, for example. It's set up for in-the-pocket carry rather than sheath or clip, though a lot of 'em have clips. Those with clips are often used as money clips. It tends to be more colorful, less black G10, more wood, pearl, etc. It's likely to be more polished. It often features wonderfully patterened damascus steel. And it may feature other decorative accents such as engraving, filework, or even jewels. The bottom line is that the design is deliberately executed to draw attention away from the sharpness of the blade and to the artistry of the overall knife.

My suggestion? This Ken Largin piece with polished brass handles, rosewood inserts, and a highly polished utility blade.

opera2s.JPG
 
bquinlan, not to argue, but I must disagree with your choices of Gent's folders. The 330 and 850 are indeed dress knives. The 850 can be a fashion accessory and the 330 is a conserative style gent knife. It goes with the suit. As for the others, they are tac folders albeit fanny tac folders at that. For example, can you see a typical exec pull out the LCC to open mail right before a board meeting? You and I would, but we would do the same with a Sifu or a Commander! Not your typical exec are we? Remember, not all tac folders are black and not all gent's knives have color. Also, a knife can be a tac folder AND a gent's knife at the same time. I imagine it is easier to say one carries a gent's knife than a tactical folder in some settings. (Of course, you already know these last few points, I am stating them only to support my argument.)
 
Nifrand,
You illustrate a good point in your reply.What does a person
that carries knives look like.A lot of people would probably be
suprised at what people on Wall St. may carry.I had it happen to me
left work one night had to go to a not so great part of town to pick
up the new issue of tactical knives.Had a couple of young teens high
as a kite that wanted to get in someones face for being in their
neighborhood; so they chose me.I just left work been doing surgery
all day so the skinny guy in scrubs and lab coat looked like a good
target.You should have seen the look on their faces when I came out
with a pair of large Tantos.Ya just never know.
 
Gollnick:great piece.And great "gents knife".The only thing wrong is if you carry that thing in CA.if they catch you with it they will put your #enis on the hood of the car and hit it with a nightstick.It is a no no down here.
Logos:great story.And good for the little guy.
 
nifrand-

Is that William Henry one of those little T-06's? I kick myself for not getting one when they were available.............

Oh, and I hope the "nightstick" story isn't from personal experience. ;)
 
Personally, I think that a Gentleman's Knife is a smaller, slimmer, finely finished knife for the person who cannot (or chooses not to) wear a knife on his/her belt nor does he/she want a large weighty bulge in his pocket but still has a need for carrying a cutting instrument. It can be carried in a shirt pocket, vest pocket or pants pocket and some have a small clip.

Definitely believe that allot of the "traditional folders" are superb "gentleman's knives." The CRK Mnandi is another fine example of a gentleman's knife.
 
Some great answers already, and I certainly agree with Clint. If I pulled out an LCC in front of my MD, I doubt I'd be employed much longer.

As for a "gentlemans" folder, I tend to regard it as a folder that doesn't make people think "psycho" when they look at it. The way I guage it is by simply taking one into work and asking my co-workers what they think of it and seeing what their reactions are. Obviously, I wouldn't do this with an LCC, wheras I would with that beautiful Benchmade 710.

As an example, here's a pic of a Boker Orion/2065/Ti Carbone (name different depending on dealer and country):

bk2065.jpg


This is my usual "gentlemans"/"dress" knife. Small (7"OAL, 2.75" drop-point blade), very pretty finish to the Ti blade, it's never had a bad reaction. Guys go "That looks cool", girls go "That's quite pretty for a knife", although for the finishing touch I'd have preferred wood to carbon fibre for the scales, but it goes well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top