What exactly is a gentleman's folder?

Like "Tactical Knife," the broad category of gentlemen's folders doesn't have any hard, and fast definition.
To me, I beleive the concept evolved from the 19th century pen knives, fob knives, and cigar trimmers of victorian society. As nowadays, few men trim the tips of quill pens, or wear pocket watches, there's little use for a Gentleman's pocket knife. But then some would argue that true gentlemen are a long extinct specie.
The modern gentleman's knife is usually a dressed up version of a common utility folder. KRCT has a gold decorated version of their K.I.S.S. that's a perfect example. They're usually polished, with brass, or other decorative metal appointments that are chosen more for esthetics than utility.
Which isn't to say they'e useless, just dressy. They're as much jewelry as fine lighters, cigarrette cases, keychains, and money clips. For the comon rigors of upper class everyday life, they're perfectly adequite. It just helps if it matches the contents of your pockets.
I'm working n a design of my own despite the fact that I'm not a knife maker, and don't know that I'll ever get to make it. I'm hoping to find a fine craftsman to sell it to for the price of a copy of it.
Just for refferance, I do wear a pocket watch with a nice little knife attached to the fob.
 
To me a gentleman's knife is more about how the knife is used than what knife is used. Any knife that is used in any situation where everyone present immediately sees the knife as a tool, and nothing more, is a gentleman's knife.

A good example would be any of the classic slipjoints used by Dads and Grandpas for as long as there have been slipjoints, Dads and Grandpas.

There are many fine custom and production knives that fit the bill, appearance-wise and functionally. I think "gentleman's knife" is more about purpose than the actual knife.

All that aside, the CRK Umfaan is my favorite gentleman's knife.

It's all about perception...
 
Perhaps I'm showing my age but to me a true gentleman's knife would be any of the small SAK's like the "Classic" or a Gerber "Silver Knight" for example. It may also include any 2 3/4"-3 1/2" Case, Gerber, H&R, Camillus, Boker, Puma, Buck, Browning, etc. "Jr" stockman, single bladed slip-joint or locker with fancy (pearl) or plain (delrin)scales that rides easily and unobtrusively say in the front pocket of a pair of dress slacks or in a suit or sportcoat pocket. Of course there are many custom and semi-custom knives that fit this catagory to. Plain or fancy they all work. It can be pulled out in mixed company (the knife guys, the knife!)to cut an errant thread or open a small envelope without gasps and cries of "Ohmygod he's got a knife!", which can occur if you whip out your big, black (whatever) "tactical" from your waistband (backpocket, wherever)and "snap" it open with a one-handed flourish. Hey it's a "workaday world" out there and during our comings and goings we have to associate with all kinds of people both friends and strangers. Some like knives and some don't it's just that simple. Just a short time ago you could put this kind of knife into the basket with your pocket stuff at any security check point of any airport in the world and it would be given back to you without a thought, but no more. When we are around our fellow knife enthusiasts or with the guys we can play "mine is bigger and nastier than yours" by showing off the latest addition to our collection but a true "gentleman" never does this in public. Yes there is collector and sentimental value in these knives particularly in a knife that some famous personage or perhaps loved one once carried. Can you belive that the small "fruit" knife once carried by George Wahington has one of the highest values as a collector knife. Poor old George would have a hard time getting through the security check point at the airport in the city named after him with that small knife nowdays. Just my thoughts on the matter. Good Luck Weldonk
 
Basically, a "gentleman's folder" can be about ANY small folder (I would say roughly under 3 inches in length closed).

Because not all gentlemen are wealthy, not all "gentleman's folders" are expensive or elaborate. A simple and plain Case or Camillus Peanut makes a fine "gentleman's folder".

One of my favorite "gentleman folders" is my Case 056L SS: it's a small stainless steel single-blade lock-back with my name engraved on one side and "101st Airborne" on the other side. It's not elegant or fancy, but it's special to me.

Cheers,
Allen.
 
Originally Posted by Young Cutter:

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.

Although the original definitition of "gentilman" referred to in 12th century England was of noble birth or high social station, perhaps the most applicable current definition might be:

"a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior"

Given global travel, regionalized behavior and the ability to effect significant activities over high-bandwith communication sources, "standards" and "correctness" are impossible to define.

As evidenced by Young Cutter's colorful regional bias, one man's Mnandi is another man's Microtech LCC is another man's refined Khukri.

So if you use air travel frequently for you job, and only take carry on luggage, the current gentleman's folder is: No folder at all.

If you work in an office full of administrator's and managers, a SAK still passes as a gentlemen's folder, whereas my Umfaan, Small Sebenza, Navigator, Chive, Klotzli Wharncliffe, Almite Worker, Lum Chinese, do not. Hopefully, when I get my Mammoth Ivory Mnandi, I will be able to test that one out.

A good question and no real good answer for it. How about "Not tested by Cliff Stamp" as a possible Bladeforum definition?
 
To me, a gents knife is something small, somewhat refined, and elegant. The three I have and carry are:
CRK Umfaan (my fav)
Buck 526 (gift from wife)
V-nox Secretary (great little knife)

Others that come to mind are the CRK Mnandi and the smaller William Henry offerings.

Paul
 
All day. . .I'm thinking about Gentleman Knives." Then it dawns on me. . .

I've got (actually a gift given to my daughter) a very very sweet little Gentleman Knife. . . ." Of course, my daughter is a very very sweet "young lady !" :D

Onion. . .engraved. OAL ~ 7". . .blade ~ 3". . . Flipper too ! ;)
 
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