What is the appeal of traditional folders?

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I use to have a t-shirt (yes just 1) that said
"Harley Davidson.... if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand"
The same thing applies here.:D


Dave
 
Well, here in germany we (normally) don´t have any bone handles. Here are wooden scales more popular, and stag handles... I like every of theese three handle-types.

But I think, anything synthetics would always look the same, but with natural handles that doesn´t happen.

Another thought is, that the acceptment in public is more than at any of the tactical knives... I already heard from older women, that there husband, who died already 15 years ago, also used to carry a Hartkopf knife with wooden handles. Such statements make me some kind of proud. And anyway, why should not work today which already worked for so many years?!

Just my 2 cents...

Greets
Andi
 
There are a few things I have observed that make slip joints or traditional pocket knives appealing:

1. They make us slow down.
You have to decide that you have the time to reach into your pocket (where it belongs, because it's a POCKET KNIFE) and use your other hand to open the thing. This isn't nostalgia, it's taking the time to enjoy using the tool as it's intended and not getting in such a big hurry. I don't have to chase most things I want to cut so this works out pretty good for me. YMMV

2. They are people friendly
Chances are you aren't going to scare anyone with a traditional pocket knife. On the other hand, todays tacticals illicit fear responses in most, non knife nut people. Personally, I don't need to fight anyone off or kill anyone on a daily basis so carrying one is kinda goofy. If you do need to fight/kill regularly, I suggest this video: :rolleyes::D
[youtube]yNX3MyDI8tk[/youtube]

If there is ever a move in this country to ban the carry of knives, I'm going to blame it on the mall ninjas.
 
I like traditional slipjoints for many reasons but probably one of the simplest is it is one of the things that binds me to my dad. He got me my first Buck and Old Timer stockmans as a kid. He carried a Schrade 8OT that I ended up with later in life.

This one is for you Kerry
[youtube]anEuw8F8cpE[/youtube]
 
Well, that's always good for a chuckle or two...but let's please not stray too far off-topic down this road. (It's just too scary! :eek: :rolleyes:)
 
How about this reason... everyone in the traditional forum seems really laid back and mature, so far.

In other knife discussion sections of this site, you can average 1-2 trolls per page or more. It must be something that happens when you mix all that testosterone and tactical knives, and then unleash them upon the internet.




I still like modern folders as exhibitions of man's skill to produce things, but the more I think about it, the more I want a Stockman in my pocket. I think I'm gonna go down to Bass Pro and pick up that Case I cut myself with last night... I already own it by proxy anyways, or at least it owns me.:p
 
KnifeHead said:
1. They make us slow down.
You have to decide that you have the time to reach into your pocket (where it belongs, because it's a POCKET KNIFE) and use your other hand to open the thing. This isn't nostalgia, it's taking the time to enjoy using the tool as it's intended and not getting in such a big hurry. I don't have to chase most things I want to cut so this works out pretty good for me. YMMV
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I find it's faster to get a Traditional out, use it, and get it back in the pocket than dicking around with a clip knife. Especially if the clip is over a rough texture scale such as G-10.
 
Another great thing about traditional patterns is that they dont open up in your pocket and cut you when you reach for them like many one handed openers are capable of doing.
 
REAPER4206969 said:
I find it's faster to get a Traditional out, use it, and get it back in the pocket than dicking around with a clip knife. Especially if the clip is over a rough texture scale such as G-10.
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I think you'll be a minority on this point. I'm a big fan of traditionals (they outnumber my modern knives many times over), but their strength is not in speed of deployment. I've never seen anyone open up a slipjoint as fast as Sal Glesser can whip out his Spyderco Military.

- Christian
 
Paul 883215 said:
"Wow, that thing will do some damage!"

"My Dad carried one of those."

These are two real statements my friends have made to me. Which conversation would you rather have?

Paul
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If you combine both into same sentence, you can have my last encounter with GE # 73 trapper, luckily damage were just flesh would and somewhat blood on my left hand ;) However that is so true.

If you pull out Spyderco Endura with Spyderedge on public place, people scream murder. You pull out Barlow, some old gents may just smile and younger may come to say: Their dad used one of those.

Traditional slipjoint has aura of tool and it looks harmless, unlike most modern folders. I also like that aspect. Knives to me are first and foremost cutting tools and tools for everyday life. And love that my folder's do reflect my state of mind, though I also carry Spyderco's or Benchmades but I hardly ever use 'em in public. My public knives are traditional slipjoints. I simply cannot see anything that I can do with modern locking folder that I could not do with a slipjoint.
 
kamagong said:
I think you'll be a minority on this point. I'm a big fan of traditionals (they outnumber my modern knives many times over), but their strength is not in speed of deployment. I've never seen anyone open up a slipjoint as fast as Sal Glesser can whip out his Spyderco Military.

- Christian
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It's not about speed of opening, but speed of simply reaching into the pocket and then dropping it back in. Not having to fight with a tight pocket clip and rough scales negates the slower blade opening process.

Not to mention the sometimes awkward lock disengagement of some knives. I can't be the only one that has trouble clipping certain knives back on to their pocket.
 
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REAPER4206969 said:
It's not about speed of opening, but speed of simply reaching into the pocket and then dropping it back in. Not having to fight with a tight pocket clip and rough scales negates the slower blade opening process.

Not to mention the sometimes awkward lock disengagement of some knives. I can't be the only one that has trouble clipping certain knives back on to their pocket.
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Good point. The clipped knives I used to have many years ago would tend to get snagged on the clip and get extracted from my pocket.

I guess one "feature" that traditional patterns have over today's modern folder with a clip is that they naturally allow for deep pocket carry. ;)
 
iandh said:
I think I'm gonna go down to Bass Pro and pick up that Case I cut myself with last night... I already own it by proxy anyways, or at least it owns me.:p
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That's exactly the story of this knife I purchased just before leaving middle TN! I love the passionate discussion I see here, and what iandh said! There is a professional atmosphere on this board that's tied into like minded fellowship! A lot of great answers on the appeal of traditional folders!
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My Granddad carried a slip joint. My dad carried a slip joint. I carry a slip joint. Both of my sons carry a slip joint. There's allot to be said for a great tool and a great tradition.
 
iandh said:
I'm not old enough for it to be nostalgia, so it has to be something else... or maybe it could be nostalgia, but just a different kind than most of the older guys here get.
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I find the blade shapes and dimensions used on traditional designs to be more useful at most cutting chores than those of the modern one-hander designs.
 
To the OP; There is just something very special about a classic traditional pocket knife. Comfortable, unassuming, unpretentious, less flash, more about function and versatility.

Look, I'd like to have a 2012 Corvette in my garage, but I'd LOVE to drive a '65 Shelby Cobra Super Snake EVERY DAY!:thumbup::)
 
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Interesting thread read. I understand.

Got me thinking, what IS going to be the traditional knife of someone born in the 80's/90's. Now think about this a second, what would people growing up to young adults today consider to be a old-timers knife. For we few here, it would still be traditional. But for mere mortals what would that be ? In my zone the 110 and its offspring might have a chance, bright scaled Cases would likely be there but then what, box-blades ?????

More and more I am -drivin'- out-of-production, out-of-date knives.....it's just destiny I guess, that goes along with rheumatism..

300Bucks
 
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