What is the appeal of traditional folders?

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300Bucks said:
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. In my knife zone the 110/112 might have a chance. Bright colored Cases might be next. ????

More and more I am -drivin'- out-of-production, out-of-date knives.....it's just destiny.

300Bucks
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Even when that sleek, new, luxurious, hydrogen powered concept car with "auto-drive" and gull-wing doors that's being designed on some guys drafting table right now is commonly bought and seen on the road in the future some day, that Shelby Cobra Super Snake will STILL be one of the original classics and I'll STILL want it.;) (but it will still probably cost more than that fancy, hight-tech concept car.:eek::o)
 
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i like how a traditional pattern can just sort of creep its way back into your pocket. I picked up a barlow (mostly cause it looked cool and i liked the handle shape)

Intellectually i prefer the stockman, it just SEEMS like i would like it better, with the third blade and thinner handle, I even went out and bought a Buck 301.

Yet i seem to find the Barlow in my pocket instead. I dont know why it just seems to work its way in there on its own.

I've never had a modern folder do the same. You can say that the modern folder has a "just in case" factor. If i was attacked i could use this to defend myself "Just in case", but in reality, how many times have you ever found yourself in a situation where that happened? I'm sure a couple people will say they have found themselves in a life or death situation. But I wonder if they 1) actually had time to deploy their modern folder or 2) found themselves being mugged at gunpoint and the knife was no good in that particular situation
 
For me, it's almost a Zen thing.

Traditional pocket-knives are dignified, they bring dignity to the user.
 
One of these days, for the working man, the folding box cutter knives will be the norm. Replaceable razor sharp blades and cheap prices. I'll stick with my trapper and swaybacks!
 
I have two significant memories of encountering other 'knife guys' in my life. The first was about twenty-five years ago, I was with some friends on a local Indian reserve (an island in Northern Ontario) and the clan 'grandfather' was showing us how he cleaned catfish. One quick slice on the underside with a Schrade 8OT and a twist and snap of the head and he pulled the spine and innards clean out, I've never seen anyone do this before or since. I remember that knife well, to see this thing you could tell he used it for just about everything, when he was done he swished it around in the water for a few seconds and spit on his finger and rubbed ashes from the fire onto the main blade. Then he wiped the blade on the edge of his boot and slipped it back into his pocket.
The other encounter was six months ago, the fellow in question had a modern trendy tactical clipped to his pocket at work with grooves in the blade and a flipper, he snapped it out with a flourish to do some shrink wrap cutting and I said "Hey a (fill in brand name here)!" He looked at me and said "yeah, it's duller than crap but it looks cool doesn't it?"
He didn't know how to sharpen the thing. Believe it or not when the knife go so ridiculously dull that he couldn't use it anymore he went and bought a new knife.
The old style slipjoints were trusted companions for life and were generally treated as such by their owners. Slippies represent a way of life to me not just a type of knife.
 
iandh said:
I still like modern folders as exhibitions of man's skill to produce things
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I think you could say the same or more about traditionals. Have you ever really looked at a 3-blade slippie? Observe how they manage to stuff 3 blades so close together in one package, crinking the blades for a snug fit, yet still keeping the blades from rubbing on one another. Now, that's skill in my book!

Glenn
 
I find there is more to pick from in traditionals then there is in modern folders, you have a good assortment of handle material, then a million and one jigging patterns, heaps of attractive sheild inlays, 1 blade, 2 blades, multi blades...the list goes on and on! plus for me its the "granddad" thing. I have all assortments of fancy new knives with locks guys argue over black and blue, but I've never had a slip joint close on my finger even under hand use so it's really just a gimmick to me.

The only time I put a modern folder over traditional is for self defense (i carry something that will flick open and draw in an instant) or single handed use at work.
 
One for me and the things I use a knife for the narrow blade profiles cut more easily.
I get more utility out of having several blades to choose from all packed into a small package.
There are other reasons for my preference that pertain to history, what I was raised with and many more choices.
Personally, I also feel there is much more skill involved making a good slipjoint than in making other types of folders in general.


At the same time a stout one hander also has advantages and there is nothing wrong with having a few of those around. (Just not in this forum ;))
 
glennbad said:
I think you could say the same or more about traditionals. Have you ever really looked at a 3-blade slippie? Observe how they manage to stuff 3 blades so close together in one package, crinking the blades for a snug fit, yet still keeping the blades from rubbing on one another. Now, that's skill in my book!

Glenn
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Definitely impressive. I've done a lot of VERY precision handcraft in my career (aerospace/scientific R&D), and I am certainly impressed.

Bastid said:
One for me and the things I use a knife for the narrow blade profiles cut more easily.
I get more utility out of having several blades to choose from all packed into a small package.
There are other reasons for my preference that pertain to history, what I was raised with and many more choices.
Personally, I also feel there is much more skill involved making a good slipjoint than in making other types of folders in general.


At the same time a stout one hander also has advantages and there is nothing wrong with having a few of those around. (Just not in this forum ;))
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I agree, with most modern folders. Some have convoluted locking mechanisms that are quite the challenge I'd imagine, but I don't like those typically anyways.

I like modern one-handers also, but the utility of a stockman is undeniable.

For the few days I carried my new Case stockman, I loved having the different blades, and I used each for different tasks. Frankly, I can't imagine a better design than a stockman knife.

It doesn't hurt that I carried one in boy scouts.
 
aplehr1 said:
Traditional knives have a "soul" that most modern folders are lacking IMHO.
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black mamba said:
Tradition, beauty, usefulness, and appreciation of hand workmanship.
They do seem to have more soul than futuristic designs and screwed-on G10 handles.
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In a one word answer "soul" seems to get it done.
Plus the very reason the term traditional is used.
Beauty and workmanship...oh yes.
For the collector or historian, the numerous patterns and companys just seem to draw one in wanting to know more.

My interests lie mostly in non-traditionals, but there is just something about traditionals that feels just "right" and "proper".

Traditionals seem to have a warmth, while non-traditionals seem cold.
 
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