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What is the case/argument for traditionals over a modern folder?
- Thread starter cchu518
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I'm really enjoying reading the great responses.
I accumulate and carry knives of all kinds and usually have a slip joint and a more modern folder on me at all times. If the situation allows or dictates I'll also have a fixed blade on my belt, or in my pocket.
My attraction to traditional knives mirrors many others here. My grandad carried them, my dad carried them and I was carrying a knife everyday before there were modern knives. I'm not a big fan of the G10 and similar covers, so most of my modern folders have traditional covers too.
I accumulate and carry knives of all kinds and usually have a slip joint and a more modern folder on me at all times. If the situation allows or dictates I'll also have a fixed blade on my belt, or in my pocket.
My attraction to traditional knives mirrors many others here. My grandad carried them, my dad carried them and I was carrying a knife everyday before there were modern knives. I'm not a big fan of the G10 and similar covers, so most of my modern folders have traditional covers too.
kamagong
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As I mentioned earlier I like both. I think it's important not to lump all modern folders together. I don't like most modern offerings, but the same can be said of slipjoints.
This William Henry Spire on the other hand is a beautiful knife, and better made than any production slipjoint I've seen other than the annual Case/Bose annual collaborations. Smaller than a Charlow, it disappears in the pocket.
- Christian
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I agree. Plenty of modern folders in my drawers, but a peanut will do what i need day to day. And i like the feeling it gives. There are exceptions, of course, but a slipjoint will suffice most of the time.
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I like many here have a nostalgic draw to them. Its what I grew up with. My first knife was a Barlow with bone scales. I recall my granpa telling me as he stropped his stockman on his boot "every gentleman should have a good knife in his pocket at all time. Even in his Sunday go to meetin cloths". This stuck with me like wearing the best cloths you own as "Sunday go to meetin" cloths. Thats why just after I tie my tie on Sundays a slip joint goes in a pocket, every Sunday.
Chris
Chris
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Thanks for all the great opinions! I have this love/hate relationship with knife buying...I had gone through almost a dozen the past few months either as straight purchases or as a trade to learn about knives.
Btw here is my no.9 next to my trackball mouse which most people hate I received it in trade not too long ago and for all its kind of plain jane-ness its super useful. The blade shape is almost identical to the Suncraft Seki pairing knife that I just gave away not too long ago. Super thin blade, perfect for slicing.
As another forum member said they all cut things. The No. 9 does a wonderful job at cutting things and the handle is just superb. While I love my Spyderco's and benchmade's I have been hankering for something with a thin blade that basically disappears in my pocket. Folks have been decrying every type of knife as being non-tactical but to be honest almost any knife in some way shape or form can be tactical. Hoodlums from my days growing up in NYC would put fear and terror into people wielding a razor blade. So that said what kind of damage could a Spyder Delica or Buck 110 do?
Getting away from that I have been looking at Gentlemen's folders although I hate that title. Still I'd like a thin blade and almost pulled the trigger on a Case Trapperlock but the quality control is not so great on those guys and its not a real traditional anyway. On the other side of things I have been hankering for a Ti Framelock lmao. This is where the hate of knife buying comes in. It's so fun to have so many usable pieces of artwork. At the end of the day I'm sure some folks have gone on perfectly with that same traditional for 10,20, 30 years? Makes me rethink is there a need to have anymore Spyderco's or Benchmade's when the ones that I have are going to last a lifetime in use.
I picked up a CRKT Centofante Tribute for my brother not too long ago and he loves it. So many options. I really like the trapper style as well and thanks for educating me as to what the "stockman" etc...etc... style knives were used for. I had presumed that the knife was associated with a different type of work but didn't really know specifically it was a good history lesson for me!
Btw here is my no.9 next to my trackball mouse which most people hate I received it in trade not too long ago and for all its kind of plain jane-ness its super useful. The blade shape is almost identical to the Suncraft Seki pairing knife that I just gave away not too long ago. Super thin blade, perfect for slicing.
As another forum member said they all cut things. The No. 9 does a wonderful job at cutting things and the handle is just superb. While I love my Spyderco's and benchmade's I have been hankering for something with a thin blade that basically disappears in my pocket. Folks have been decrying every type of knife as being non-tactical but to be honest almost any knife in some way shape or form can be tactical. Hoodlums from my days growing up in NYC would put fear and terror into people wielding a razor blade. So that said what kind of damage could a Spyder Delica or Buck 110 do?
Getting away from that I have been looking at Gentlemen's folders although I hate that title. Still I'd like a thin blade and almost pulled the trigger on a Case Trapperlock but the quality control is not so great on those guys and its not a real traditional anyway. On the other side of things I have been hankering for a Ti Framelock lmao. This is where the hate of knife buying comes in. It's so fun to have so many usable pieces of artwork. At the end of the day I'm sure some folks have gone on perfectly with that same traditional for 10,20, 30 years? Makes me rethink is there a need to have anymore Spyderco's or Benchmade's when the ones that I have are going to last a lifetime in use.
I picked up a CRKT Centofante Tribute for my brother not too long ago and he loves it. So many options. I really like the trapper style as well and thanks for educating me as to what the "stockman" etc...etc... style knives were used for. I had presumed that the knife was associated with a different type of work but didn't really know specifically it was a good history lesson for me!
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silenthunterstudios
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I carry both. Lately, it's been my Charlow and my Umnumzaan for daily rotation. I use the Charlow much more than the Umnumzaan, I even include my new Gossman modified Kephart in the mix. I've gotten rid of all of my one handed openers except for three CRK's, a Strider and three Benchmades.
arizonaranchman
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I agree. The traditional slippie is THE classic pocket knife. It's got character just oozing from it and takes on a personality of it's own over time and with use when EDC'd. The modern tactical/tool of today generally invokes no fondness or admiration. They're just tools to me and that's it. I have a couple of them, but they inspire no special love from me.
Now in the case of my Northfield #55, with it's beautiful jigged bone handles, nickel-silver bolsters, brass liners and it's slowly-greying-with-time classic steel blade I feel a genuine warmth and attachment. It's in my right front pocket every waking moment and when I sleep it's on the nightstand beside my bed. I always know where it is and am very conscious of it - maintaining it like the fine piece of cutlery that it is. It opens my mail every day, it cuts string, opens the dog food bag, slices open a package or box, etc. It's my constant companion and a thing of beauty and has that aura of days long passed, when America was in it's prime and people worked hard with pride in themselves and their families and communities - hard times that required perseverance and character to survive. It was the constant companion of nearly every man of the late 19th and most of the 20th century - quietly performing it's daily tasks and always there when needed. Light and handy and with lots of personality to boot, especially over years of use.
These modern tactical knives are cold and sterile, they possess no personality (to me at least) and really don't inspire me at all. And yes like it or not they do lend a raised eyebrow from some segments of the public who have never had a callous on their hand or gotten their Birkenstocks dirty. To them a knife is a kitchen implement and they cannot fathom why anyone would "need" a knife on their person. They drive Smart Cars and sip Perrier water and are terrified by that mean looking Spyderco clipped to your pocket. They did not build America and never could.
The man with an old-fashioned slippie is prepared for 99% of what you'd need a knife for, knows what he likes and goes through his day with confidence in that little pocket knife. It carries all those little memories that life brings here and there along the way because it was right there with him through it all...
Certain tasks require certain special tools of course, but for a general purpose companion a simple traditional pocket knife is enough for me. If I have a special task at hand then I'll bring or reach for the proper tool for the job, but day in and day out the one thing that's always there is that little companion.
I live in a rural community quite a few miles from the nearest town of any size. I do have a couple fixed blades that are heavy-duty tools that definitely have their purpose. When working around my little ranch property I'll sometimes wear one on my belt as it's a serious duty tool, but the pocket knife is still always there in the pocket no matter what else I may have. I do have a bit of a thing for fixed blades I confess...
Now in the case of my Northfield #55, with it's beautiful jigged bone handles, nickel-silver bolsters, brass liners and it's slowly-greying-with-time classic steel blade I feel a genuine warmth and attachment. It's in my right front pocket every waking moment and when I sleep it's on the nightstand beside my bed. I always know where it is and am very conscious of it - maintaining it like the fine piece of cutlery that it is. It opens my mail every day, it cuts string, opens the dog food bag, slices open a package or box, etc. It's my constant companion and a thing of beauty and has that aura of days long passed, when America was in it's prime and people worked hard with pride in themselves and their families and communities - hard times that required perseverance and character to survive. It was the constant companion of nearly every man of the late 19th and most of the 20th century - quietly performing it's daily tasks and always there when needed. Light and handy and with lots of personality to boot, especially over years of use.
These modern tactical knives are cold and sterile, they possess no personality (to me at least) and really don't inspire me at all. And yes like it or not they do lend a raised eyebrow from some segments of the public who have never had a callous on their hand or gotten their Birkenstocks dirty. To them a knife is a kitchen implement and they cannot fathom why anyone would "need" a knife on their person. They drive Smart Cars and sip Perrier water and are terrified by that mean looking Spyderco clipped to your pocket. They did not build America and never could.
The man with an old-fashioned slippie is prepared for 99% of what you'd need a knife for, knows what he likes and goes through his day with confidence in that little pocket knife. It carries all those little memories that life brings here and there along the way because it was right there with him through it all...
Certain tasks require certain special tools of course, but for a general purpose companion a simple traditional pocket knife is enough for me. If I have a special task at hand then I'll bring or reach for the proper tool for the job, but day in and day out the one thing that's always there is that little companion.
I live in a rural community quite a few miles from the nearest town of any size. I do have a couple fixed blades that are heavy-duty tools that definitely have their purpose. When working around my little ranch property I'll sometimes wear one on my belt as it's a serious duty tool, but the pocket knife is still always there in the pocket no matter what else I may have. I do have a bit of a thing for fixed blades I confess...
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Nice Opinel! Knives don't have to be fancy and high tech to do their jobs well. Some wood, some good steel, and you're good to go.
As you've observed, you probably already own way more knives than you actually need, or would ever wear out in your lifetime. If you're trying to justify to yourself the purchase of another knife, there is no justification other than you want it or the ownership or purchase would give you some enjoyment.
As you've observed, you probably already own way more knives than you actually need, or would ever wear out in your lifetime. If you're trying to justify to yourself the purchase of another knife, there is no justification other than you want it or the ownership or purchase would give you some enjoyment.
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I love knives.
Really, that is about it. I own and collect knives of every sort. Even have a Kukri from JK Knives and/or a Khukuri from HI on my list to buy. I love most well built modern folders. I love most well built traditionals. I love a well built fixed blade. I even love some so-called tactical knives.
I love knives. So - not gonna choose. But I will say that having bought a GEC, I plan to concentrate on building a nice collection of knives from that firm. But I will still buy a modern knife when I see one that appeals to me.
Really, that is about it. I own and collect knives of every sort. Even have a Kukri from JK Knives and/or a Khukuri from HI on my list to buy. I love most well built modern folders. I love most well built traditionals. I love a well built fixed blade. I even love some so-called tactical knives.
I love knives. So - not gonna choose. But I will say that having bought a GEC, I plan to concentrate on building a nice collection of knives from that firm. But I will still buy a modern knife when I see one that appeals to me.
arizonaranchman
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Christian,
That really is a beauty I will say! A FINE piece of quality that is, I can tell just from the pic.
That really is a beauty I will say! A FINE piece of quality that is, I can tell just from the pic.
Well said.
For me it is the attachment I have to history. They just feel right. (I should say, I use modern folders too, but I prefer traditionals)
Modern folders are entirely utilitarian.
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For me ...
* They cut better.
* They carry easier.
* They're more versatile.
* I don't feel like a wannabee poser waving around a huge tactical folder just to trim a string off my daughter's sweater.
YMMV.
-- Mark
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As I mentioned earlier I like both. I think it's important not to lump all modern folders together. I don't like most modern offerings, but the same can be said of slipjoints.
This William Henry Spire on the other hand is a beautiful knife, and better made than any production slipjoint I've seen other than the annual Case/Bose annual collaborations. Smaller than a Charlow, it disappears in the pocket.
- Christian
Beautiful knife, Christian.
My WH is the only knife that I own that I personally find comparable to my GEC Workhorse Whittler. The WH is more elegant, more refined, but the GEC is more versatile and has more heft. I consider both to be equally desirable although in different ways. I just cannot put one over the other. Both are beautiful, functional, and very well built. And both feel great in my hands.
Hello my name is ___________, and I have a knife collecting problem.
Do you like driving a 1940's/50's car or a modern high performance vehicle ? Maybe a horse ?
Kinda the same with the knives. I like all of them for different reasons. The time tested historic patterns are great, Old Timer, Case, etc.
Modern knives like the Spyderco's, Kershaw's Benchmade etc are equally exciting but for different reasons I would suppose.
Then again fixed blade drop point hunters with stag scales and Busse Combat or Busse Kin, Becker etc all have qualities that are appealing.
I'm thankful that we have so many choices to collect and use. I'd get quite bored quickly with only having vanilla ice cream.
Do you like driving a 1940's/50's car or a modern high performance vehicle ? Maybe a horse ?
Kinda the same with the knives. I like all of them for different reasons. The time tested historic patterns are great, Old Timer, Case, etc.
Modern knives like the Spyderco's, Kershaw's Benchmade etc are equally exciting but for different reasons I would suppose.
Then again fixed blade drop point hunters with stag scales and Busse Combat or Busse Kin, Becker etc all have qualities that are appealing.
I'm thankful that we have so many choices to collect and use. I'd get quite bored quickly with only having vanilla ice cream.
Locutus D'Borg
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I own both. If you fear the threat of zombies, vampires, or want to impress the other kids at the mall, then definitely go tactical. If you are sensitive to fit, finish, and design, there are both traditionals and moderns to satisfy your senses. And if you just want a functional knife to cut stuff, then it is purely a matter of taste.
arizonaranchman
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Exactly. I feel no attachment to them, but I do have a couple and use them for certain purposes. But my love is for the old classics... they represent history and hold a special place in my heart.
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The bigger internal struggle for me is consumerism. In my day job I deal with CEO's, Investment bankers, etc..etc.. the 1% of earners in America. So for me it's a struggle to try and scale back and simplify my life in the midst of all this consumerism and temptation. It's really crazy being around 1% earners to see what they do in their lives. I.E. my boss and her husband a retired portfolio manager for Merrill Lynch/Blackrock have a condo on a ship called "The World" and a guest condo. All the ship does is well... sail around the world. Nuts!
In finance greed and competition drives market force which in turn pushes the investment community to get savvy with how they invest in the market i.e. dark investment pools, SPACs, REIT's, swaps which have historically gotten America in some hot messes in the past decade.
Kinda makes me feel guilty dropping the hammer on something expensive even though I don't need it. Yet truth be damned, its so enjoyable getting a new knife in the mail! Like with all the knives that I've purchased the first thing I do is check to see if it needs to be touched up and then I run straight to the yard to grab a branch to see if the knife can whittle green wood. In many cases I have hoped for a catastrophic fail, but to date this has not happened. Everything from a $13 CRKT knife to a Benchmade mini-grip has been up to the task. At least in my own life that is about as serious as it gets for me in truth as to how hard I'm going to use a knife. So I have been rethinking why do I need such an overbuilt knife i.e. a Titanium folder to slice a summer peach at my desk. I recently whittled down my knives to a Mini Grip, Spyderco Ambitious and CRKT Drifter all have none of the provenance as that tasty WH above, yet they have all plowed through green wood to fashion a handle for a hiking stick. I am thinking maybe a nice traditional slipjoint, not even a trapper lock will be up to the task. And then I think to myself I'm being an idiot, why should buying a knife be symbolic of greed and consumerism. It's just a knife purchase and around and around we go again...
This is difficult as well...I love zombie's, Buick Grand Nationals with the chip replaced, Audi A7's, All manners of Porsche's. Yet I drive a V6 Toyota Highlander because it kicks ass. Mankind's imagination is fascinating in what they can come up with to produce.
Hello my name is ___________, and I have a knife collecting problem.
Do you like driving a 1940's/50's car or a modern high performance vehicle ? Maybe a horse ?
Kinda the same with the knives. I like all of them for different reasons. The time tested historic patterns are great, Old Timer, Case, etc.
Modern knives like the Spyderco's, Kershaw's Benchmade etc are equally exciting but for different reasons I would suppose.
Then again fixed blade drop point hunters with stag scales and Busse Combat or Busse Kin, Becker etc all have qualities that are appealing.
I'm thankful that we have so many choices to collect and use. I'd get quite bored quickly with only having vanilla ice cream.
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Today, 01:16 PM #37 Locutus D'Borg's Avatar Locutus D'Borg Locutus D'Borg is online now
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I own both. If you fear the threat of zombies, vampires, or want to impress the other kids at the mall, then definitely go tactical. If you are sensitive to fit, finish, and design, there are both traditionals and moderns to satisfy your senses. And if you just want a functional knife to cut stuff, then it is purely a matter of taste.
My Knife Collection. Click on the 1st photo and use arrows within the photos to navigate. http://s1292.photobuck
In finance greed and competition drives market force which in turn pushes the investment community to get savvy with how they invest in the market i.e. dark investment pools, SPACs, REIT's, swaps which have historically gotten America in some hot messes in the past decade.
Kinda makes me feel guilty dropping the hammer on something expensive even though I don't need it. Yet truth be damned, its so enjoyable getting a new knife in the mail! Like with all the knives that I've purchased the first thing I do is check to see if it needs to be touched up and then I run straight to the yard to grab a branch to see if the knife can whittle green wood. In many cases I have hoped for a catastrophic fail, but to date this has not happened. Everything from a $13 CRKT knife to a Benchmade mini-grip has been up to the task. At least in my own life that is about as serious as it gets for me in truth as to how hard I'm going to use a knife. So I have been rethinking why do I need such an overbuilt knife i.e. a Titanium folder to slice a summer peach at my desk. I recently whittled down my knives to a Mini Grip, Spyderco Ambitious and CRKT Drifter all have none of the provenance as that tasty WH above, yet they have all plowed through green wood to fashion a handle for a hiking stick. I am thinking maybe a nice traditional slipjoint, not even a trapper lock will be up to the task. And then I think to myself I'm being an idiot, why should buying a knife be symbolic of greed and consumerism. It's just a knife purchase and around and around we go again...
This is difficult as well...I love zombie's, Buick Grand Nationals with the chip replaced, Audi A7's, All manners of Porsche's. Yet I drive a V6 Toyota Highlander because it kicks ass. Mankind's imagination is fascinating in what they can come up with to produce.
Hello my name is ___________, and I have a knife collecting problem.
Do you like driving a 1940's/50's car or a modern high performance vehicle ? Maybe a horse ?
Kinda the same with the knives. I like all of them for different reasons. The time tested historic patterns are great, Old Timer, Case, etc.
Modern knives like the Spyderco's, Kershaw's Benchmade etc are equally exciting but for different reasons I would suppose.
Then again fixed blade drop point hunters with stag scales and Busse Combat or Busse Kin, Becker etc all have qualities that are appealing.
I'm thankful that we have so many choices to collect and use. I'd get quite bored quickly with only having vanilla ice cream.
Quick reply to this message Reply Reply With Quote Reply With Quote Multi-Quote This Message
Today, 01:16 PM #37 Locutus D'Borg's Avatar Locutus D'Borg Locutus D'Borg is online now
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I own both. If you fear the threat of zombies, vampires, or want to impress the other kids at the mall, then definitely go tactical. If you are sensitive to fit, finish, and design, there are both traditionals and moderns to satisfy your senses. And if you just want a functional knife to cut stuff, then it is purely a matter of taste.
My Knife Collection. Click on the 1st photo and use arrows within the photos to navigate. http://s1292.photobuck
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I love to read these threads and see peoples' reactions. Collectors have very strong opinions, I guess. Probably I do, too. Very entertaining.
I can't contribute much to the thread. When I see a knife that I like, being modern or traditional is never at the forefront of my mind. Thankfully, I don't have to choose one over the other... (Actually, I particularly like traditional patterns built with modern techniques and materials, such as high-end steels, micarta and screws.)
I can't contribute much to the thread. When I see a knife that I like, being modern or traditional is never at the forefront of my mind. Thankfully, I don't have to choose one over the other... (Actually, I particularly like traditional patterns built with modern techniques and materials, such as high-end steels, micarta and screws.)