What is a gentleman's knife?

Although not a gentleman, this would be my choice even though it opens onehanded to 3 blade lengths.
Cuts like a scalpel and has a great US history. Boring my most accounts but very useful.
The Christy Knife in brass (for formal occasions).
pmsZP32l.jpg
 
My personal view of a gentleman's knife is it shouldn't stick out too much. It is the subtle snobbery of personally knowing you have the best tool. When the knives start getting into the realm of jewelry, I think they enter a different class. The pattern might be a gentleman's knife pattern, but once it becomes flashy, it turns into jewelry. I'm not a fan of Damascus blades either for that reason.
 
GIRLYmann said:
simply put,
a gent's folder is
something that doesn't leave a tell tale and embarrassing bulge
that would make the ladies blush?
it is a refine tool for a fine gent;
use mostly to trim cigars and spread caviar on toast.
it is customarily worn more like jewelry rather than for function per say.
but that was back in the day when most men
practise something called chivalry.
now, even gent's knives are slowly being tacticalized with clips, and quick openings.
i guess, it's inevitable with the way things have progressed.
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All of my gentleman folders that are not between ~60-160 years old in design, have one handed opening as a result of their design (hole, no studs).

Are you saying, by virtue of capability of one handed opening, a knife is no longer "gentlemanly" under your definition? Keep in mind, no "flicking" is needed for a nice, slow, roll-open of a Chapparal. Not criticizing by the way, just wondering - I think you have a good take on it.
 
The Gayle Bradley Air would be my gentleman's knife:

Air™ by Gayle Bradley - Spyderco, Inc.

The Air is meticulously manufactured from premium materials that literally allow it to live up to its name. Its handle is built on a foundation of full-length titanium liners that also support the structure of its Walker LinerLock mechanism. Skeletonized t...
www.spyderco.com www.spyderco.com
 
I think a gentleman’s knife can take several forms, but they are mostly just small and unobtrusive. For many many years, men preferred carrying smaller knives when they were not doing manual labor, simply because they fit in the pocket without bulging and could perform basic daily tasks like cutting a thread on a shirt, cutting a small piece of food, or opening a package. The knives themselves, like wallets or other personal items, were personal choices and didn’t necessarily have to be fancy. They would suit the gentleman’s background and more often than not make a statement about the man, and how he cared for his things or maybe what his personal tastes were like.

I have a Buck 505 Knight that gets dropped into the pocket of my khakis every day I go to the office. I think it’s a good example of a gentleman’s knife. Simple, well executed, and handles most daily tasks.

https://imgur.com/a/X4DpOSv
 
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Vic Cadet. Light and thin enough not to be noticed in daily carry (unlike the Pioneer), useful blade shape and length, plus additional tools as needed. Plain alox scales also don't show much wear unless you choose an anodized model. And it won't "spook the horses."

I know the arguments for a Pioneer: sturdiness, thicker handle, in-line awl and more substantial tools. But in EDC--for me, at least--the Pioneer feels like I dropped a thick anchor into my pocket, this despite the small differences in size.
 
Gentleman's knives are going to vary a bit, but generally be less murdery looking, discreet, not tactical, and not having plastic/nylon handle scales. Price doesn't necessarily mean it's something to wear in a formal setting and some that are well suited for the role aren't expensive at all (like the CRKT CEO). A lot of gentleman's knives are slipjoints (like the Lion Steel Bestman or Benchmade Proper) but not all slipjoints are necessarily good gentleman's knives. The Boker Plus Kwaiken Air gives you a larger and upgraded knife from what the CEO offers, along with a nice clean design. The WE Miscreant 3.0 gives you an even more modern take on the gentleman's knife, with a more tech look to it.
 
I would want something unobtrusive that I could do food beer and wine with. Because I am generally only really dressed up during social occasions.

Scarily I think the gerber fits the bill most effectively.

 
Justin T. said:
I think a gentleman’s knife can take several forms, but they are mostly just small and unobtrusive. For many many years, men preferred carrying smaller knives when they were not doing manual labor, simply because they fit in the pocket without bulging and could perform basic daily tasks like cutting a thread on a shirt, cutting a small piece of food, or opening a package. The knives themselves, like wallets or other personal items, were personal choices and didn’t necessarily have to be fancy. They would suit the gentleman’s background and more often than not make a statement about the man, and how he cared for his things or maybe what his personal tastes were like.

I have a Buck Prince that gets dropped into the pocket of my khakis every day I go to the office. I think it’s a good example of a gentleman’s knife. Simple, well executed, and handles most daily tasks.

https://imgur.com/a/X4DpOSv
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Great looking knife. I’m a big fan of bolsters 👍
 
I think it’s a regional thing. Here in rural Iowa a farmer’s work knife might be an old Buck 110 in a well worn sheath, but when he’s dressed up for a church/wedding/graduation party his knife would more than likely be a fancy 110 with exotic scales, maybe some engraving, and a custom sheath. Odds are he’s a gentleman 7 days a week, but he only dresses like a “gentleman” when he’s not in the fields working his butt off.
I say it’s regional because his idea of a harmless gentleman’s knife would make a big city bank president piss down his leg if that farmer pulled it out to do something as silly as remove a splinter.
 
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