What is a "Gentleman's Knife" to you?

As a Supreme Court judge once said about a very different subject: "I can't define it but I know it when I see it."

Some of the examples shown here have me raising my eyebrow. I would argue that no sypderco or benchmade could begin to come under this classification. I'm also not that sure about a red cellidor SAK. Or perhaps (almost) any SAK. Carrying tools around is hardly what a gentleman would do, that would be a tradesman's choice. A gentleman would hardly have to open his own wine bottle for example. A small classy pocket knife is about the limit of tool like carry for a gentleman.

I'll freely admit that I'm referencing a standard of 'gentleman' which is close to a century old but nowadays the term refers far more to behaviour than any mode of dress so I think it is appropriate to look at the question as I have.
 
Pomsbz said:
. . .
I would argue that no sypderco or benchmade could begin to come under this classification.
. . .
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Not to be contrary, but here is what I use when I need a gentlemen's knife: the Spyderco Kiwi3 (stock picture, not mine).
C75SS3_M.jpg


It is a very elegant, small slipjoint knife that (I think) fits the OP's criteria, disappears in a pocket, and could be used to snip grapes from a bunch, cut a steak, or for
Yalius said:
cutting free the diamond stickpin that became entangled in Her Grace's bonnet.
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There have been a number of other great suggestions in this thread and some beautiful knifes.

Enjoy
 
Pomsbz said:
As a Supreme Court judge once said about a very different subject: "I can't define it but I know it when I see it."

Some of the examples shown here have me raising my eyebrow. I would argue that no sypderco or benchmade could begin to come under this classification. I'm also not that sure about a red cellidor SAK. Or perhaps (almost) any SAK. Carrying tools around is hardly what a gentleman would do, that would be a tradesman's choice. A gentleman would hardly have to open his own wine bottle for example. A small classy pocket knife is about the limit of tool like carry for a gentleman.

I'll freely admit that I'm referencing a standard of 'gentleman' which is close to a century old but nowadays the term refers far more to behaviour than any mode of dress so I think it is appropriate to look at the question as I have.
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I think a true gentleman does things for himself, and with having traits any man should have he is prepared.
The tools if his sak may not be needed in a formal situation, but a gentleman would not hesitate to use them if the need arises. After all a knife is a tool, and if it's OK for a gentleman to gave then so is a sak.
 
GatorFlash1 said:
I EDC a GB but not when going to functions, etc. It really isn't what I would consider a gent's knife.
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I was kind of tongue in cheek there.

Thinking of going to functions in a tougher neighborhood maybe leaning toward what Bogart says here :
PS: you KNOW he is carrying his GB 1 here . . . right . . . no question.
 
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Oh why not a couple more posts; I'm on a roll
This is what my Dad carried, among others. He wasn't a gentleman but he was a gentleman . . . if you know what I mean. He didn't like me and that's enough for me.

Remember the Groucho quote : I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. :p

I once bought him a mid size SAK similar to a Mechanic on the first Christmas after I got a job that actually paid with actual paychecks. He took it back and exchanged it for a smaller SAK.

 
Great definition OP. While people will have many different views, I think you summed up nicely what an ideal gentleman's knife is. My favorite GK is my William Henry, usually carry it when I am in a suit, and only for light duty. I think my Lionsteel TRE also qualifies, but would probably draw the line at my ZT 0350, which I would consider past the GK standard (but still an amazing knife). These three, along with my Reate Torrent, are my main daily carries. The ZT and Torrent when I am home or working, the WH or Lionsteel when I am in the office.
 
SAK Cadet
Opinel, especially the number 6 in bubinga
Most Case Slipjoint knives
Camillus Cub Scout knife
CRK Mnandi

Basically a knife that your dad or grandfather would have carried. Or a knife that wouldn't scare a liberal when deployed.
 
Smallish knives with expensive fancy materials. Not something i'll put in my pocket when I do farm chores or quad or go hiking.
I consider my MCUSTA Katana as a gentlema, knife, along with some fancy Laguiole and such.

Usually, I received them as presents, I'm more attracted with utilitarian stuff.
 
Mnandi, anything William Henry, rockstead. Especially in the south, case collectibles. To me though I always think of a Lanny's clip. But in general something on the smaller side, pretty and more towards traditional. But not absolute
 
A Gentleman's knife CAN be large. A gentleman's knife should fit the user's hand, be thin and carry deep, along with being elegant (Moku-Ti, Damascus), it should be a slower opening system to not scare the sheeple (like opening a Chris Reeve slowly), Lastly it shouldn't look like it's something that you're going to use in Syria or Iraq or some other country to attack some ISIS member.

Something small: Mnandi
Something large: Something from Ron Best if you have deep pockets...
 
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HowAmI said:
A Gentleman's knife CAN be large. A gentleman's knife should fit the user's hand, be thin and carry deep,
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Ok I can relax then.
Just normal EDC right ?
Rides great with no clip (never goes sideways in the bottom of my pocket), nice and thin.




It's not THAT much bigger than my Dad's EDC . . . though I may be a little biased
.
 
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T.K.C. said:
I think of the Mnandi as THE consummate gentleman's folder.
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Exactly:


This one-off from Millit Knives for New West Cutlery also sees some dress duty, though its a bit larger than I prefer when wearing a suit:


And while I don't necessarily see a small Sebenza as a proper gentlemen's folder, when inlaid they can do in a pinch:


For my purposes, under 3" and a wee bit of filigree (wood, damascus, polished CF, etc...) equals a proper gentlemen's carry, but obviously YMMV.

Regards,
Adam

PS - Sorry about watches, that's my other money-sucking hobby.
 
This vg1 stainless steel Damascus. Made in Japan. Made me feel pretty gentlemanly in a sushi restaurant cutting up food for the baby.
IMG_20170420_144016507_zps8iqncpjm.jpg

Can open close it one hand nicely or use both hands when I'm in character.
IMG_20170420_144105774_HDR_zpsnqqbx1p0.jpg

Doesn't raise any eyebrows.
 
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