What exactly makes a knife traditional?

T

Trapper92

Joined
May 22, 2014
Messages
125
I've though about this for awhile, and forgive me if this has already been answered, but what are the main things that make a knife traditional? Is it only slip joints that can be considered traditional, or are knives like Buck 110s and Case Lockbacks and Russlocks also traditional. Just something I've often pondered but never really had a clear answer on, and I know this is the place to find out what I'm looking for. Thanks guys

Adam
 
The specific ones you mentioned are acknowledged here as traditionals along with the Swiss Army Knife (SAK). I know as far as knives and discussions allowed in this sub-forum they cannot have a thumb stud or hole or a pocket clip. I can't recall the exact definition used here for this sub-forum, but others can chime in with it I'm sure.
 
arizonaranchman said:
The specific ones you mentioned are acknowledged here as traditionals along with the Swiss Army Knife (SAK). I know as far as knives and discussions allowed in this sub-forum they cannot have a thumb stud or hole or a pocket clip. I can't recall the exact definition used here for this sub-forum, but others can chime in with it I'm sure.[/QUOT

Well, I'm new on this forum, but I'm 52. I've toted traditionals. Hell, I'm traditional. No clips. I have some. they're nice, for that purpose. I tote both often. At the same time. No shame. If my right hand or left hand is busy, no matter. A tool is within reach of either.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks ranchman and kenash. Like I said I've always been curious about that. I've carried a 110 for about 8 years. I'm only 22. Grandpa gave me his old SAK for my first knife when I was about 8 years old. Something very special about a kids first knife, especially one his grandpa carried for many years. Still have it too, hangs out in a shell loop in my waders. I was always a one knife guy since I got my 110 up until about March of this year. Always wanted a yella Case Trapper, so I bought one and man it was like a flood after that. I've bought I think 10 or 11 Case knives since then haha. Just something special about a traditional knife, makes life seem just a little bit simpler with one in your pocket. I don't own any modern folders, plan on keeping it that way too. Sorry about the rant, just figured I'd give a little back story being a new member and such. Thanks again guys
 
Actually, it's gets asked and answered every few months. The answer is on the header page of the forum.

From the Traditional Forum header:

Forum: Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades
Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs


It's a matter of the design.
Swiss Army knives have existed for over a hundred years. That counts as a "classic design".
Buck 110 is a lockback. It's in.
Classic liner locks are in. (The kind on a TL-29.)
Modern liner locks are out. (AKA "Walker liner lock.")
Other modern locks are also out.
Pocket clips are out.
 
Thanks knarfeng, sorry for starting a thread that's obviously been done many times. I'm still trying to figure out all the ins and outs of the traditional forum, I'll have to do some better looking around next time. I really appreciate all the help though from everyone. Wonderful sub forum here great bunch of people
 
No worries. It's hard to come up with search terms which will bring up the threads on that particular question.
 
Thanks ranchman! Actually I've been browsing here for some time now, just never really dove in and started posting though. BUT...I was very fortunate to find Carl's stories and have red them all (some 2 or 3 times now) they really are incredible, I can honestly say they've made me take a step back and just take things a little slow in life. Can't argue with that!
 
But what about those weird crossovers like a Case Russlock with a pocket clip? Then there is the Case Trapperlock and Midsize Folding Hunter with clip and thumb stud. Traditional otherwise with same styles and handle materials. I used to sneer at those. But, sometimes wishing I could have a traditional that I could ride high like a clipped knife and open one handed, I did look at them. I even picked up a Russlock with pocket clip.

Granted I still ended up back to my standard carry of the Case Mini-Trapper in one pocket and the SAK Alox Farmer in the other. When I do want to carry a larger blade I can open, albeit slowly, with one hand, I just tuck a SAK NS Trekker in a belt pouch.

But it does sort of toss in a grey area. A Russlock with jigged bone scales is okay, but the same Russlock with a pocket clip suddenly quits being traditional. SAKs with their metal or synthetic scales while looking modern fit in because they are very traditional. A Mora is definitely traditional, but to look at the ones with the stainless blade and synthetic grips, they look anything but. As in most things, there are always those exceptions to the general rules and those darn things that just won't get in that pigeon hole and stay there.

Trapper, is your handle referring to a Trapper version of a Winchester 92 or 92 clone? I have a little LSI Puma 92 Trapper in .357 mag that I love and cherish. I'd let a lot of other things go before that I think. I just hope I never have to.
 
Trapper92 said:
Thanks ranchman and kenash. Like I said I've always been curious about that. I've carried a 110 for about 8 years. I'm only 22. Grandpa gave me his old SAK for my first knife when I was about 8 years old. Something very special about a kids first knife, especially one his grandpa carried for many years. Still have it too, hangs out in a shell loop in my waders. I was always a one knife guy since I got my 110 up until about March of this year. Always wanted a yella Case Trapper, so I bought one and man it was like a flood after that. I've bought I think 10 or 11 Case knives since then haha. Just something special about a traditional knife, makes life seem just a little bit simpler with one in your pocket. I don't own any modern folders, plan on keeping it that way too. Sorry about the rant, just figured I'd give a little back story being a new member and such. Thanks again guys
Click to expand...

Thanks for the "back story", Trapper92. I really enjoy getting a little history about how forumites ended up here, what their "knife goals" are, how their interest has "escalated" ;), and so on. Welcome to the traditional subforum!

-GT
 
knarfeng said:
No worries. It's hard to come up with search terms which will bring up the threads on that particular question.
Click to expand...

You can say that again, Frank! I consider myself reasonably computer literate for an old geezer, but I've yet to conduct what I'd consider a successful search on BladeForums. I suppose I should check if the FAQ gives helpful hints on searching.

-GT
 
Trapper92 said:
Thanks ranchman and kenash. Like I said I've always been curious about that. I've carried a 110 for about 8 years. I'm only 22. Grandpa gave me his old SAK for my first knife when I was about 8 years old. Something very special about a kids first knife, especially one his grandpa carried for many years. Still have it too, hangs out in a shell loop in my waders. I was always a one knife guy since I got my 110 up until about March of this year. Always wanted a yella Case Trapper, so I bought one and man it was like a flood after that. I've bought I think 10 or 11 Case knives since then haha. Just something special about a traditional knife, makes life seem just a little bit simpler with one in your pocket. I don't own any modern folders, plan on keeping it that way too. Sorry about the rant, just figured I'd give a little back story being a new member and such. Thanks again guys
Click to expand...

Awesome story, man. I came into knives a similar way but the knife given to me was by my father and it was a Spyderco C02 Hunter. It's funny to think that maybe if dad had handed be a 110 I would be in the same position as you. You shouldn't completely dismiss modern folders, i used to do the same for traditional knives until i gave in and started carrying one. It got used maybe once in the 2 years i carried it. I fondled that knife constantly, though. The fit and finish, smooth lines, beautiful curvature of each blade, it's a work of art. I bite my nails excessively so it's almost impossible for me to open most traditionals but they are growing on me more and more each time i handle one. I just spent like 5 hours restoring a Schrade Old Timer i found in the woods. Gave it to my mom but nonetheless, it was still quite some fun to take an old rusty piece of metal and wood and turn it into an almost new, shiny, sharper than a razor, tool.

I don't own any at the moment and can never find the motivation to pull the trigger on one when i can get something more modern. Perhaps some day I'll frequent the Traditional Folders forum instead of just lurking and looking at the knives i want but would probably never buy.

-Church
 
Amos Iron Wolf said:
But what about those weird crossovers like a Case Russlock with a pocket clip? Then there is the Case Trapperlock and Midsize Folding Hunter with clip and thumb stud. Traditional otherwise with same styles and handle materials. I used to sneer at those. But, sometimes wishing I could have a traditional that I could ride high like a clipped knife and open one handed, I did look at them. I even picked up a Russlock with pocket clip.

Granted I still ended up back to my standard carry of the Case Mini-Trapper in one pocket and the SAK Alox Farmer in the other. When I do want to carry a larger blade I can open, albeit slowly, with one hand, I just tuck a SAK NS Trekker in a belt pouch.

But it does sort of toss in a grey area. A Russlock with jigged bone scales is okay, but the same Russlock with a pocket clip suddenly quits being traditional. SAKs with their metal or synthetic scales while looking modern fit in because they are very traditional. A Mora is definitely traditional, but to look at the ones with the stainless blade and synthetic grips, they look anything but. As in most things, there are always those exceptions to the general rules and those darn things that just won't get in that pigeon hole and stay there.
Click to expand...

knarfeng said:
Actually, it's gets asked and answered every few months. The answer is on the header page of the forum.

From the Traditional Forum header:

Forum: Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades
Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs


It's a matter of the design.
Swiss Army knives have existed for over a hundred years. That counts as a "classic design".
Buck 110 is a lockback. It's in.
Classic liner locks are in. (The kind on a TL-29.)
Modern liner locks are out. (AKA "Walker liner lock.")
Other modern locks are also out.
Pocket clips are out.
Click to expand...

The materials may be "modern", because figuring out what is "modern" and what is not can be really difficult. (For example, plastics have been used for knife handles for over a hundred years.) Therefore, Gary and I look at the basic design and its features. Granted, the line is somewhat artificial. But it is the line Gary and I enforce. Otherwise, this place might as well close up shop and become part of the General Forum.

And I forgot to add that "modern one-hand opening features are out. (thumb studs and thumb holes)"
 
5K Qs said:
You can say that again, Frank! I consider myself reasonably computer literate for an old geezer, but I've yet to conduct what I'd consider a successful search on BladeForums.
Click to expand...

It's always worth searching the Traditional forum rather than the whole of Bladeforums. Instead of using the search box at the top of the page use the box which appears when you scroll over the words 'Search Forum' just above and to the right of the stickies :thumbup:
 
You know, I've been wondering about that, some kind of "plastic" or man-made materials are considered traditional, while others are not.
I would have thought that only natural materials like bone and wood would really be traditional.
But you are right, you have to draw the line somewhere, and I guess its a case of "I know it when I see it"
 
"Celluloid" is classified as a "plastic". So is rubber.
There were early versions of hard rubber as far back as the 1850's. Celluloid materials were first developed at about the same time. Both were used for knife handles by the early 1900's if not before.

Modern plastics similar to Delrin date from the 1950's.

Stainless steel has been used for pocket knives since the late 1920's.
Proper quench protocol for stainless blade steel became common in the US by the mid 50's to mid 60's. (The Germans developed it in the 1930's.)

All of this puts "modern materials" within the time frame we think of for Traditional Knives.

To look at it from a different angle:
I grew up using traditional patterned pocket knives (1950's and 1960's). I never owned a bone, stag, or wood handled traditional pocket knife until the 21st century. All my knives had plastic handles. Most had stainless steel blades. So it's going to be really hard to argue to me that only natural materials can be used as traditional pocket knife handles or that only carbon steel can be used for the blade.
 
Yep. You have to draw the line somewhere for a forum like this. It's always going to be arbitrary and never perfect. Few things ever are.

As for materials, I have a small Cattaraugus sheath knife from probably the 30s that has a hard rubber handle. IIRC the standard grip on the 1873 Colt SAA was hard rubber. Wood or other natural grips were optional and custom. The Old Timer I carried in the late 70s of course had the delrin scales. The inexpensive pocket knives were found with stamped metal scales among other man made materials.

It can get confusing. A modern, made in China, Colt CT 591 trapper has carbon steel blades, but they are coated in titanium and the scales are G10. A blending of old and new. It's a very nice knife, BTW. In the end, as in various competitions, you have to set some definitions even if somethings get included while others excluded though both may be closer together than far apart.
 
Yep. You have to draw the line somewhere for a forum like this. It's always going to be arbitrary and never perfect. Few things ever are.

As for materials, I have a small Cattaraugus sheath knife from probably the 30s that has a hard rubber handle. IIRC the standard grip on the 1873 Colt SAA was hard rubber. Wood or other natural grips were optional and custom. The Old Timer I carried in the late 70s of course had the delrin scales. The inexpensive pocket knives were found with stamped metal scales among other man made materials.

It can get confusing. A modern, made in China, Colt CT 591 trapper has carbon steel blades, but they are coated in titanium and the scales are G10. A blending of old and new. It's a very nice knife, BTW. In the end, as in various competitions, you have to set some definitions even if somethings get included while others excluded though both may be closer together than far apart.
 
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