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

[TinyDog]

May come across as strange but these are both "Gentlemen's Knives"

 

[Tutone]

The Enzo Piili

 

[Dr Heelhook]

I don't really have a problem with a balisong as a gentlemans knife per se. Whether you could pull it off would depend on the type of balisong and of course how you carry yourself.

 

[Benson X]

For me:

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

You're nuts if you think pearl is a disqualifier. While I agree that pearl has no place on a firearm, MOP along with ivory and tortoise shell are the materials that most often covered gents' knives.

This is a gentleman's knife. Slim and classy, it is unobtrusive even in the lightest of pants.

The line of people who think I'm nuts starts at the corner. Goes down 4 blocks, turns left for 3 more blocks....

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Interestingly enough, there was a time where the only citizens walking around with purpose made weapons in plain sight were the gentleman class, and anyone of gentlemanly wishes would rarely walk the town without a dueling small sword or rapier. So all this talk of "must absolutely never be mistaken for a weapon" talk is amusing from a historical perspective.

Time change. People change. BS is forever. lol

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

I'm off the topic for this thread, but what were the blades that launched the TSA?
They were called 'box cutters' at the time, so I assumed they were razor blade holders, like this:

But lately, I've heard people refer to what I think of as Stanley knives, utility knives, or carpet knives as "box cutters":

Does anybody here know what sort of knives those ******** used on September 11, 2001?

It wasn't the "weapons" if you want to call them that, it was the policy. Policy was to cooperate with hijackers. That policy no longer has any merit, and in fact did not last even through the 4 planes being hijacked. The last plane had the passengers fighting back to prevent the last attack. Unfortunately, that flight ended in a field in Pennsylvania. To my knowledge the few attempted hijackings since 9/11 have been thwarted by the fellow passengers.
But in spite of these facts, the TSA and Homeland Security et al, have enacted draconian measures to "increase security". Like banning such lethal weaponry as nail clippers from being in carry on luggage. I don't know about you, but personally, if I was riding on a plane that got hijacked by some guy brandishing a nail clipper, I deserve to be taken out of the gene pool.

 

[Goose 7279]

I believe the gentlemans knife is also defined by the type of gentleman it will be used around. Older gentleman wouldnt think a locking folder to be very gentlemanly. Where as younger gentleman may find it to be acceptable. All i know is my 77 nf barlow is about as gentlemanly as it gets;-)

 

[cchu518]

 

[JB in SC]

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

Good posting....

I was buying a new MacBook Pro in the local Apple store a year or so ago. The Apple guy flicks out a Kershaw Scallion and slices open the shrink wrap, not an eyebrow was lifted and there were plenty of people around.

 

[cchu518]

I disqualify most of the locking knives that I've seen posted in this thread so far. Most of the ones posted are either brutish or still too "working class" for me to consider a gent's knife.

A gent's knife to me denotes a leisurely state or some form of state that doesn't include doing something like getting one's nails dirty while working under the hood of a car.

Some exceptions would be my mnandi



I would count many but not all William Henry's some Al Mar's etc... I would disqualify many Mcusta's and some moki's. Almost all Benchmade and the like don't count. There has to be a line drawn in the sand.

 

[Lapedog]

I kind of actually think the small 21 looks good in an office setting. I realize it isn't a gentleman's knife per se but to me it is such a handsome little knife. The Kizer Feist too.

 

[PirateSeulb]

I think what defines a Gentlemen's knife is qualities that are difficult to define. It is about a form and function that represents class, sophistication, and/or refinement would be the best way I can describe and much of that criteria is subjective and personal.

 

[Old Gupti]

My idea of a gentleman's knife (in the traditional design) is:
1) single bladed, folding, slipjoint with 90-degree stop
2) blade length 3 inch including the ricasso
3) handle length 3.5 inch
4) blade thickness is 0.1 to 0.12 inch
5) spearpoint
6) full flat grind
7) with nailnick
8) easy to clean and keep clean
9) 55-57 Rockwell
10) stainless
11) light in weight
12) shield on the scale
13) double bolster
14) no lanyard hole
...
xx) a gentleman should be carrying it

~og

 

[bryan123]

My current knives that I would consider to fit this category would be:

Opinel No 6 Bubinga wood handle, Inox mirror blade

SAK Alox Cadet

Spyderco Roadie

1967 reconditioned Camillus Cub Scout knife

Agree? Disagree? and why?

I've been looking into getting another gentleman's folder and I considered the Mnandi but unfortunately its blade length exceeds local limits.

Then I came across the Three Rivers LTC (Legal to carry) Nomad and I think I found my grail gentleman folder. Anyone out there own this knife?

Thanks

 

[jousmit19]

 

[lieferung]

I like that one ^ there.

To me a gentleman folder must be slim and made of smooth sleek materials. You could do G-10 or micarta, but wood or metal is better. It shouldn't have indentations on the handle - it isn't an ergonomic working knife, but an elegant gentlemanly blade. The Enzo posted above is a great example.

 

[josh yu]

every time i find something i like, someone calls it a gentleman's knife. non-threatening, sleek, classy, simple are the adjectives that come to mind.

i love how people are arguing about it though, it's a relatively open ended term. i find it similar to womens' business casual attire, can't really try to draw a line without offending someone

i do like the pictures in this thread though

 

[josh yu]

here are some in my line up

 

[JParanee]

Only one

NEW YORK SPECIAL

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