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

my BM 51 as i had a pocket added on two of my custom suits to fit it. Its light weight, fancy looking and I think very gentlemanly.
 
One of the things I don't understand about some of the comments here: why anyone would shy away from a locking blade. I realize that most traditionals don't lock and if your idea of a gent's knife is a traditional then you won't be carrying a locking knife. Gotcha.

But to disqualify a knife from "gent's" status because it features a lock doesn't jive with my experience at all. I've never had a muggle look askance at a knife because it locked. They look askance because a knife is big, tacticool or aggressive-looking. Perhaps because it opens and closes one-handed "like a switchblade" but not because it locks. As long as you are not flicking it open and closed with one hand, a locking knife wouldn't scare anyone in my experience.

I'm not advocating for locks, mind, but just saying there's no reason to disqualify them if the knife otherwise is "gentlemanly."*

*YMMV
 
SpySmasher said:
One of the things I don't understand about some of the comments here: why anyone would shy away from a locking blade. I realize that most traditionals don't lock and if your idea of a gent's knife is a traditional then you won't be carrying a locking knife. Gotcha.

But to disqualify a knife from "gent's" status because it features a lock doesn't jive with my experience at all. I've never had a muggle look askance at a knife because it locked. They look askance because a knife is big, tacticool or aggressive-looking. Perhaps because it opens and closes one-handed "like a switchblade" but not because it locks. As long as you are not flicking it open and closed with one hand, a locking knife wouldn't scare anyone in my experience.

I'm not advocating for locks, mind, but just saying there's no reason to disqualify them if the knife otherwise is "gentlemanly."*

*YMMV
Click to expand...

People look askance because of the person, in the case of this thread your either are a gentleman or you're not there is more to it than "things".

I could go into a long diatribe about perception but the reality is you don't define what you are others do.
 
IMG_2550.JPG I agree SS.
When going out on the town in a gentlemanly fashion, I usually carry this William Henry. It's very small, thin and light. I think this would check the boxes for gentleman carry, even though it locks.
Joe


SpySmasher said:
One of the things I don't understand about some of the comments here: why anyone would shy away from a locking blade. I realize that most traditionals don't lock and if your idea of a gent's knife is a traditional then you won't be carrying a locking knife. Gotcha.

But to disqualify a knife from "gent's" status because it features a lock doesn't jive with my experience at all. I've never had a muggle look askance at a knife because it locked. They look askance because a knife is big, tacticool or aggressive-looking. Perhaps because it opens and closes one-handed "like a switchblade" but not because it locks. As long as you are not flicking it open and closed with one hand, a locking knife wouldn't scare anyone in my experience.

I'm not advocating for locks, mind, but just saying there's no reason to disqualify them if the knife otherwise is "gentlemanly."*

*YMMV
Click to expand...
 
A penknife.
The SAK as in Execative two blade penknife. The two blade penknife can come with horn or wood scales.
For weekends relaxing then a SAK Huntsman with corkscrew.
For the USA then a Case or canoe style penknife.

Always a slipjoint; just like a Gentleman wears his signet ring on his left hand pinky and does not wear a wedding ring. Pocket watch preferable to a wrist watch.

However, the adventurer, or privateer, Officer even, might have something a bit more dandy/flashy. The Chris Reeve Mandi for example, and an Omega Watch.
 
I have always thought of a gentlemen's knife both as traditional, and as newer folders.
In the traditional: generally slimmer blades fashioned in Pearl or tortoise type materials. Often referred to as Sunday knives. less than 3" inches in length.
In the modern folders: Any blade which is non threatening(subjective to many), once again slimmer Blades/Handles with elegant scale materials which there are plenty more today than the old school traditional's, Blades up to around 3.5 or even a bit longer.... All depends on the overall product.
 
Mobster1983 said:
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.
Click to expand...
I'm just learning about the William Henry line. Beautiful stuff, but out of my league until the lotto pays off. lol
 
BTGuy said:
My go-to gentleman's knife is my Mnandi. Small, no flipper or thumbstud (but can still be opened one handed), and very nice fit and finish. I feel comfortable using it around most people and confident it'll perform the cutting task I use it for. If I'm concerned about carrying an expensive knife I'll bring my Boker FR instead. Not quite as stylish and has a flipper tab, but still slender and capable.

On the bigger side, I love my Boker Exskelibur with carbon fiber handle. Something about a nice front flipper is elegant to me and I do love the way it rides in the pocket. Probably one of the slimmest knives I own and close to one of the best slicers. Was riding in a limo with a few other gentleman where one of them was trying to slice up a lemon for our drinks with some kind of small traditional. It was actually a pretty nice looking knife, but wasn't doing much to slice the lemon. I pulled out my Exskelibur, sliced up the lemon, wiped off the blade, put the knife back in my pocket, and continued my conversation. The gentleman with the traditional knife gave me a quizzical look for a second then joined back into the conversation. Would've liked to get a better look at his traditional and show him my knife, but alas, little time for knife talk on that occasion.
Click to expand...

I own several Boker knives, split between folders and fixed blades. Love them!
 
HSC /// said:
would this qualify as one?

3264921A-5F9B-49E0-BE10-846F8D6D0E32_zpsxqodvhce.jpg
Click to expand...

You're ultimately the Gentleman who must decide. :) Doesn't have to fall in line with any formal definition of a GK. Particularly since there isn't one. But a old beat up Case, or a SAK with cracked scales could fill the bill very well if there was a good story behind it.
"My dad always carried it on his special occasions. It has a lot of miles on it, but I decided I was always going to do the same just to honor him and the way he raised me."
Anyone give you flak about the knife after that. Punch him. Or have your butler do it. :cool:
 
Last edited:
anthony cheeseboro said:
I am a professor, and I will never forget a colleague looking at me with shock at the sight of my Ladybug on my keychain, and he announced "you've got a blade," as I sat down for a meeting. I teach at a state school, and rule for state property is 3" limit. Folks walking around with knives clipped to their pockets are very common on campus, I don't think the 3" rule is followed closely, but it is smart to respect the law. My Manbugs and keychain SAKs or a mini multitool are anybody is going to see me use with rare exceptions. That said, I really want a Benchmade Proper. It looks like an old fashioned knife that would be seen as non-threatening by people who don't wet their pants at the thought of a knife.
Click to expand...

Had a similar response with my on campus job recently. My boss mentioned to a co-worker who was ribbing me, "You really gonna mess with someone with 2 knives in his pocket." lol Boss saw the clips. Less negative, but still a bit of a surprised reaction from certain individuals.
 
View attachment 722915
palonej said:
View attachment 722691 I agree SS.
When going out on the town in a gentlemanly fashion, I usually carry this William Henry. It's very small, thin and light. I think this would check the boxes for gentleman carry, even though it locks.
Joe
Click to expand...
+1 (or 2) on W/H B-7. What's not to like, ZDP-189, pocket clip or clipped sheath, 1.6 oz, internally milled out frame, button lock, 6-4 Ti, etc.?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top