What is the case/argument for traditionals over a modern folder?

[Peregrin]

Let's keep it to traditional knives folks.

 

[cchu518]

Nice Flieger!

Analog all the way!!! No digital for me...and sadly Im an Application Developer!

 

[evanPGH]

Ah lahk trucks, an' dawgs, an' beeyers, an' fishin,' an'......

Traditional pocket knives, for me, just have a more pleasing aesthetic than modern blacktical partially-serrated zombie slayers. I have a couple one-handers that I use from time to time, if the occasion calls for something that I can abuse without a second thought, but for EDC a traditional does it all (and does it all better, and with more style).

To me, the modern one hand knife, has all the appeal of a crescent wrench or ball peen hammer. Sure, they cut, and they work, but zero appeal in both looks and feel, unless you like black handles and weird blade shapes that have no real world function exempt to stimulate the sales by offering something a bit different. To me, traditional knives have a heritage of offering a functional tool designed for cutting, and including natural materials in the margin. I like the looks of the knife that was designed over 100 years ago when the people were really using it if for a real world job. No matter if it was a cowboy out pushing a heard up the trail, a freight wagon driver, factory worker, carpenter, shepherd in the hills.

The traditional knife is a link with a time past, that you can hold in your hand. It has a history rooted in a job being done, sometimes under harsh conditions. A trapper or even a plain old well worn barlow is a good example.

Carl.

It's a shame that this opinion is shared by so many people as I've heard it before on several occasions.

There are plenty of modern folders that have none of those characteristics, just as there are plenty of traditionals without wildlife etchings on the blade (which I find tacky as all hell). In fact, the vast majority of people who are into modern folders hate all that tacticool crap as much as you guys do, myself included.

As far as stimulating sales goes, how is that any different than Case endlessly offering the same knives with different handle materials?

 

[cchu518]

As far as stimulating sales goes, how is that any different than Case endlessly offering the same knives with different handle materials?

Good point!

Consumerism sucks, yet if we don't buy something and do it quick, we might be putting people out of work. What a Catch-22...

 

[akadave2]

Good point!

Consumerism sucks, yet if we don't buy something and do it quick, we might be putting people out of work. What a Catch-22...

I think we are in a new era of Traditional knife quality. Companies have raised the bar and are closer or better in some ways in making a high end nearly custom Traditional that the average income can afford! Im excited about it! The flipper and one hand folders have been doing it for years now and there are some really well made products out there. Im just so glad it has extended to Traditionals!

 

[Fanglekai]

I like and use both but there's something so comforting about carrying and using a stag or jigged bone handled slipjoint. To me it illustrates the difference between need and want. A slipjoint does all I need. Sometimes I want to carry a modern knife for one reason or another, but the slipjoints handle everything I need to cut in my daily life.

 

[Rich S]

Evan wrote:

"As far as stimulating sales goes, how is that any different than Case endlessly offering the same knives with different handle materials?"

No difference. Case is the "beanie-baby" maker of knives. Every model in every imaginable handle and variation - just to
hope the Case collector has to have every possible variation. Great marketing, but little else.

Rich

 

[Peregrin]

Evan wrote:

"As far as stimulating sales goes, how is that any different than Case endlessly offering the same knives with different handle materials?"

No difference. Case is the "beanie-baby" maker of knives. Every model in every imaginable handle and variation - just to
hope the Case collector has to have every possible variation. Great marketing, but little else.

Rich

Let's get back on topic everyone. If you forgot what the discussion was please read the original post.

 

[Double Ott]

All my folders have been what we now call "Traditional" for the last 50+ years. Except for 3 or 4 SOG folders that I purchased about 10 or 15 years ago. I was looking for a quality folder then and it appeared that SOG was my answer.
Since then, I have gone back to the traditional folders. The SOGs, while a very nice, just sit in my knife drawer now. I have discovered GEC, S&M, Queen and a few Bucks that I like. I have been adding a few vintage, made in the U.S.A Schrades to my collection along with a few Case folders.

Just my thoughts. I just like traditional folders for some reason.

Tom

 

[NeilB]

I like traditional slipjoints. I like the look and feel of a good quality knife. I like the sleekness and the potential for exceptionally high quality workmanship.

On the other hand, I could not and would not attempt to cut off a tree limb hanging over my driveway with my Hen and Rooster Congress. I have done exactly that with my ZT 0561.

While I'm no mall ninja and can't help but laugh at some of the modern stuff I see, there are a lot of traditionals that don't float my boat, either. I don't see a problem with that. Horses for courses as that one fellow said. There is room for all of us here in this new Golden Age of folding knives.

 

[jerren]

For me it's the craftsmanship in the art. Just look at a fine made traditional, think about all the variables that need to perform in concert to achieve this perfect knife. There are springs that move independently yet align perfectly while maintaining an even pull. Gapless fits utilizing many differing materials.

 

[Bob6794]

I love my more modern one hand opening knives with a solid locking mechanism, in fact it's what I regularly EDC. Though there is something about slipjoints and traditionals (I have SAK's, if I ever get done deciding on which traditional to get I add that to my collection) that just have a unique character to them that I can't help but to love despite me not being able to come up a good practical reason why that is as I love the one hand opening, pocket clips, locking mechanisms, thumbstuds, flippers. Yet I can't let go of a simple slipjoint knife, my guess is because that is what my first knife was and it can't help but bring back all the memories of all the things I built with that first knife when I hold a slipjoint. I have no attachments like that to the more modern folders, I buy them to be an effective tool based on the characteristics of the knife.

On top of that you don't end up with people being scared of the fact you are carrying a knife as most people tend to see a traditional slipjoint as a tool, something that their grandpa would carry. And a modern folder as a weapon thanks to the media. Even if they still see it as threatening, it is still on no where near the level of a modern folder.

 

[HFinn]

I just thought of one thing that has pushed me away from modern folders. I have yet to see and handle a modern folder that has a clip, that is comfortable in hand. Without exception I have found them all uncomfortable. I took the clips off of almost all of those I have owned.

If I found a modern, one hand opening/closing folder that has natural material handle, a reliable lock and the beauty of traditional designs at a reasonable price I could be tempted to buy it.

 

[Jessero]

Yea thanks I found them on ebay, its a novelty type knife, made with garbage steel but its still a collectable for me just to have one with a Gadsden.

FYI Victorinox makes a Tinker and a Classic with it on it, if you want a non-novelty knife. Its all yellow with the snake and says DONT TREAD ON ME.

 

[cchu518]

Nothing novelty about it at all, even grinds, no gaps between the handle material, solid walk and talk and stay and play. Shaved arm hair out of the box and burnt through paper like it was on fire. I can't say this for all of the Kershaws, Benchmades and CRKT's that I have tried out. Spydercos all were sharp out of the box. Made in USA or otherwise this was definitely not a novelty knife but a nice tool for not a lot of money.

I didn't mean to revive this dead thread...but you shouldn't be knocking something until you've tried. I've had two SAK Classics basically blow up on me after a few years of use where the plastic scales basically cracked off on my keychain. I doubt that would happen with this one. 440A not the best of steel, but its been usable so far no complaints at all. Second best $13 I ever spent on a knife.

[video=youtube;OYi4-Pl0AC4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYi4-Pl0AC4&feature=youtu.be[/video]

FYI Victorinox makes a Tinker and a Classic with it on it, if you want a non-novelty knife. Its all yellow with the snake and says DONT TREAD ON ME.

 

[B.F.U]

Quite a few reasons. Simplicity. Style. Looks. Ease of use. Ease of carry. Public perception. Realism. Patriotism. Commonwealth-ism (many good ones made in my home state). Reliability.

I like and carry both, but anybody who claims traditionals don't have some serious advantages is plainly mistaken.

 

[gr8dismal]

With a traditional folder, you never end up mashing the thumb button through the apple you're slicing.

I have spoken.

 

[black mamba]

Craftsmanship, beauty, variety and slicing ability are what does it for me with traditionals.

I still use OHO for some rough use field tasks, but usually just go with a fixed blade if my slipjoint is too small.

 

[sunandsteel]

Craftsmanship, beauty, variety and slicing ability are what does it for me with traditionals.

I still use OHO for some rough use field tasks, but usually just go with a fixed blade if my slipjoint is too small.

Plus they don't seem to scare people off as fast as moderns.

 

[Cutty73]

I carry one of each everyday, both are users for different applications. I however collect slip joints because they are my true love and only have a couple modern folders, mainly for the quick one handed opening when my other hand is unavailable at the moment.