What is a gentleman's knife?

[facablade]

Any knife a gentleman uses ?;-)

 

[cbxer55]

Any knife a gentleman uses ?;-)

So if I'm a gent, and prefer to use my Cold Steel Espada XL, that would qualify? WOW! I'll keep that in mind. ;-)

 

[ovidiucotiga]

IMO. a gent's folder should be something that won't scare any non knife-person be it male or female, something you can use in public without that strange feeling that someone is taking distance from you...or looking at you funny...i think you guys know what i mean)

It should not intimidate but stir up admiration, desire.
In defenetly it is an accesory and should have the propper embelisments High quality materials, top noch craftsmanship, classy)
It should be a pleasure to look at and use.
Functional, if you dont use it no one sees it right?
Syze is also a factor...in this case smaller is better slim profile, around 3 inch blade lenght and non of those fancy tacticool features...tahe those in the field...
A locking blade is not a must but not a minus either.

my 2 cents.

 

[Keyman]

I think the BM707 fits the bill.
Top and bottom are mine. The LSCF are scales I did for someone else.
I carry my blue one all the time.

 

[A.l.e.x.]

Hello!

Here is one of my typical gents folders:

What makes it a gents folder in my eyes? Well, to me there are a few combining factors such as overall lenght, blade type etc but in the end it is the overall package that makes me call something gents folder (to me, one I would carry while wearing a suit - and not looking "weird" when taking it out to use).

Here is a small selection of some of my smaller folders (never mind the crappy imgs):

Of these, only the Mnandi would get the "gents folder" tag from me. The overall package of the others would not fit that bill for me.

To return to the original knife - placed next to only the Mnandi and the Alias II - the Bradley seems not to belong there (to me):

Another one of my gents folders:

Again, to me it is about which knife I would be comfortable using while wearing a suit.

Regards,
Alex

 

[Indiana Joe]

In the U.S. I would say a gentleman's knife is something that has more classic lines and it is thinner, more lightweight, made from better materials -- with a more elegant shape. It has a more elegant handle and/or scales. In my mind, the CRK Mnandi is an example and so is the Al Mar Hawk Ultralight.

 

[coldmrk]

Here are a few of mine.....

Don't see this one too often:

The PM2 is just a size reference.

I stay away from assisted/auto knives in this scenario and even if I can flick the knife out its more gent friendly to deploy it slowly...one handed or otherwise.

 

[NeilB]

Totally leave the tacticool for something else, I agree.

Elegance of line is essential. High quality materials are essential. Exquisite workmanship is essential.

Good points about the possible intimidation factor. I'm actually torn here. It's a knife. It should look like a knife. The Al Mar designs, for example, with a swedged false edge give that little frisson of "knife" when I see it. It isn't grampa's sheepsfoot. On the other hand, I think the design can say "knife" without saying "KNIFE!", if you follow me.

There is a sub-niche, I think, for inoffensive knives. I get it. I'm not sure that I, personally, find those appealing. Even the William Henry knives to me say "knife". Of course, WH also makes automatics that are exquisite works of art, and I do not care for automatics.

Pocket clips. I'm torn here. I don't like them aesthetically for a gents knife, but I find the practicality hard to pass by. Let me explain. I have a big key chain with a lot of crap on it: multitools, keys, nail clippers, mini-prybar, flashlight, etc. If my knife sits in the same pocket as my "keys", it gets roughed up (my damascus Wild Turkey will never recover). I cannot keep a knife in my right front pocket without it being clipped, unless it's made of something that is impervious to wallowing around with a bunch of hard-edged steel stuff. Hard to find that in an elegant blade. I know, I should probably get a gent's keychain first.

I begin to understand those little leather pouches some high end knives come with.

Also, I have a damascus Leek. I'm carrying it right this second (clipped, thank you very much). It's an elegant little knife made of lovely materials, though I think the scales could be nicer than bead-blasted stainless steel, though there is a elegant minimalism invoked by that material. Of course, it's ridiculously sharp, small(ish), with a Wharncliffe blade, but has both an assisted open and a frame lock, which you would think should disqualify it as a gent's knife. I think the blade is a bit thick, too. I'll call it a low-end gent's knife. A gesture of homage towards a gent's knife. Perhaps not quite an opera knife, more like a "season tickets to the theater" knife.

 

[ebidis]

I don't have a lot of knives that fit this roll, nor do I want to invest heavily in them. What I generally use if I'm dressing up is:
CRKT Ripple
Kershaw Leek
Or one of several traditional slippies.

 

[knifemaniac23]

I use a Victorinox Swiss Army Climber II Pocket Knife, great for the light use and the things described above, but if I want a nice folder I would go with the ambitious because of the low price point and exceptional edge, but it is still a petite knife for an EDC.

 

[sideways]

A gentleman's knife is a knife used by a gentleman as he goes about his gentlemanly routine. It is very hard for me to define it beyond that. Functionally a gentleman would typically be concerned with tools that excel at light utility use and food prep I guess. A gentleman does not need to battle battle orcs with his pocketknife since naturally he already carries a saber. That means stuff like excessive blade thickness, jimping, as well as bulky opening and locking features are unnecessary.

 

[mtangent]

Pocket clips. I'm torn here. I don't like them aesthetically for a gents knife, but I find the practicality hard to pass by. Let me explain. I have a big key chain with a lot of crap on it: multitools, keys, nail clippers, mini-prybar, flashlight, etc. If my knife sits in the same pocket as my "keys", it gets roughed up (my damascus Wild Turkey will never recover). I cannot keep a knife in my right front pocket without it being clipped, unless it's made of something that is impervious to wallowing around with a bunch of hard-edged steel stuff. Hard to find that in an elegant blade. I know, I should probably get a gent's keychain first.

.

In days gone by, gentlemen didn't have to deal with such practicalities. The world can change, so definition of "gentleman" can change too.
I think a gentleman's knife is more for socialising, less for doing. It is to make a statement. That statement must be totally different to a soldiers statement, or a labourers statement, or a hunter's statement.

 

[NeilB]

I think a gentleman's knife is more for socialising, less for doing. It is to make a statement. That statement must be totally different to a soldiers statement, or a labourers statement, or a hunter's statement.

I think that's an interesting point. The knife as a reflection of what we are doing or what we like doing or where we are in life or maybe our roots as a person.

 

[NeverMore1701]

Were I to attempt to define my idea of a "gentleman's knife" in one word, it would be "sleek".

 

[bdmicarta]

In my mind a gentleman's knife would be somewhat elegant. I would say satin silver blade, not black or gray. Scales should be a polished scale material such as micarta, G10, metal, carbon fiber, bone, wood, not FRN or rough G10. Overall style should be relatively simple. In my mind pocket clips and thumb studs are acceptable because I don't carry knives without them.

I work in an office but I don't go to outside business meetings often. The most recent instances when I went to meetings I was carrying a Bradley Alias I one time, a CRKT Delegate (with white bone) another time, and a Blue Paramilitary 2 another time.

Here is the LE Benchmade 690 that I bought for Sunday carry- carbon fiber bolsters and ivory micarta scales. I couldn't bring myself to carry it because it was a limited edition so I traded it.

I bought this A.G. Russell lockback for Sunday carry. It is a fairly big knife and has bone scales so overall it is a little bit heavy. Just dropping it in the pocket of my dress slacks it was too heavy for me so I never carried it.

This CRKT Delegate is a pretty good gentleman's folder. It has a pocket clip and thumb stud, and is assisted opening, but it is relatively small and has bone scales so it looks elegant. (Barely larger than a Kershaw Leek)

 

[jon_slider]

Thanks for starting this conversation, I have tried to highlight some of the categories that might be included in the definition of a Gentlemans knife, and have posted your answers into the form, followed by my personal opinions.

> So, my person definition of a gent's knife is

1. length:
a folder of about 3" (a bit more might be tolerable, and a bit less is perfectly fine),

2. blade style:
generally a slim blade
I'm OK with a drop point or a clip point or a Wharncliffe but not a tanto of any sort, nor a gut-hook nor a "skull crusher"

3. construction materials:
made with exceptionally attractive materials (some people demand all natural, some of us are perfectly OK with a well executed carbon fiber or G10).
damascus

4. opening style:
Personally, I think autos are out. I'm OK with assisted opening knives and some people aren't.

5. blade locks:
I'm also OK with a locking blade (my personal preference, actually) and others say no, only a slip joint

6. aesthetics:
I'm looking for elegance here, timelessness.
I'm talking about a dressy knife

7. Folder or fixed blade:
Folder only

---
My criteria, open to evolving as my understanding deepens

1. length:
a folder of about 3.5" or less

2. blade style:
spearpoint and pen blade with less than 3" long cutting edge
no wharncliffe with cutting edge longer than 2", no clip point blade with cutting edge longer than 2", no tanto point, no dagger points, no serrations

3. construction materials:
damascus blades, carbon steel blades, mother of pearl handles, stag handles, ivory handles, bone handles
no synthetic grips (especially not with finger grooves), no lanyards (because these are for quick access, a self defense category, or a working mans knife, but not needed by a GentleMan)

4. opening style:
nail nick or long pull
no thumb studs, no thumb holes, no flippers, no autos, no assisted openers, no switch blades

5. blade locks:
No

6. aesthetics:
Qualifies as pocket jewelry due to materials of construction

7. Folder or fixed blade:
Folder only

8. Not designed for self defense, not for fighting, does not make people afraid. A Gentleman's knife should let people that see the knife believe that the person with the knife is a Gentle Person.

Thanks to those that have posted photos of knives, it always helps to see a picture.

The William Henry is a beautiful knife, but the dagger blade shape is scary, and the thumb stud and lock make it a tactical folder, capable of being used for self defense, by my criteria. It is also supplied with a sheath that has a pocket clip, which makes it a quick access single handed opener, all of which are self defense categories, to me. Again, just my opinion.

I agree the Mnandi is a very good looking gentleman's knife, but the liner lock moves it into the tactical category for me, also just my opinion.

Both the Mnandi and William Henry are expensive knives with premium handle materials, but the blade shapes could be considered scary by some. The Henry has a Mokume bolster and Damascus blade, which really dress it up. IF pulling them out at the dinner table in a restaurant, or in front of employees or clients in an office setting, does not scare anyone, then they are Gentle.

Here is a knife I consider a Gentle Man's Folder, my Case Damascus Stag Peanut. My reasons are that the Stag and Damascus materials move the knife into the category of pocket jewelry.

I don't think this Clip Blade with 2.5" cutting edge, qualifies as a Gentle Man's Folder because it might make some people afraid it could be used as a weapon, even without a lock, no thumb stud, and no pocket clip.

OTOH, I consider this Ebony handled Spear Point does qualify as a Gentle Man's knife because it is not likely to cause someone to fear it would used as a weapon, due to the shape of the blade. I also consider Ebony an exotic material, that moves it into the pocket jewelry category.

I guess my bias is whether or not the public would perceive someone with a knife as Gentle, or potentially threatening. If the knife is non threatening, it could be a GentlePerson's knife.

 

[NeilB]

What I generally use if I'm dressing up is:
CRKT Ripple
Kershaw Leek

I'd forgotten about my Ripples, for a moment. I have two. The original Ripple in that gorgeous ultramarine blue, and the new, smaller Ripple 2 in bronze. They are GORGEOUS! Seriously pretty knives. If only I could get the bronze with a damascus blade....

 

[avoidspam]

Plenty of gentlemen over in the Traditional's section....

 

[stvpourciau]

Slipjoint for me, timelessnes in an eggshell.

Probably not wooden handled.

Have a buck canoe in mother of pearl scales and brassy bolsters.

Jigger bone is also nice, have an old Ultica Jack in jig that's not as elegant as it once was but I would still drop in the slacks pocket.

Somehow though the Opinel has a sort of classy look to it to me, I know I said no wood but pffft, it's not pocket jewelry but classy in the most simplistic "rustic" kind of way and looks at home in slacks.

Those are good knives

 

[Punky]

It's not a little knife, but it belongs to a group of gentlemen's folder. SlipJoint, 1.2379 steel (german equivalent of D2). 90mm. blade, 195mm. open knife. Manly production.

It's made for our humble forum (bladeforum.bg) in 90 pieces.

This is not my knife, it belongs to another member, a friend of mine !!!