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

[Brian.Evans]

I've never met a person that would be tempted to do any of the things you speak of.

Unfortunately, I have met guys like that, Ken. However, I do believe they are in the minority. There will always be immature kids and young men.

I know I can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making any kind of folder. I can especially appreciate making an entire run of a folder and making them to an exceedingly high standard, ala Victorinox.

It doesn't matter to me whether a guy carries a traditional or a modern, as long as they carry a sharp knife and carry it responsibly.

 

[jstrykr74]

One other advantage of the traditional slip joint pocket is, that it is what it is. A knife. A basic cutting tool. It's carried to cut stuff with. There's no lock on most of them, so you won't be tempted to use it for night infiltration missions, zombi killing, or any other video game inspired fantasy. It's just a cutting tool like our fathers and grandfathers used for real work in the real world. I don't recall granddad doing spine whack testing, battoning logs, of fighting off crazed bikers. He just cut stuff.


Carl.

Exactly. For 99% of cutting tasks a traditional not only adequate, but in many cases, superior to many modern folders. The average person doesn't have to puncture a car door or chop down trees on a daily basis. Those that do usually have the proper tools. For normal, everyday tasks like opening an envelope, slicing an apple, taking a price tag off a child's toy, the traditional knife with it's (usually) thinner blade slices so much smoother.

 

[pinnah]

Don't be so sure.

HAHAHAHA!


So... I've been reading the various Puukko related threads lately and thinking a lot about the friction fit dangler style sheaths that allowed for easy regular access while working.


Last night we got our Christmas tree and a young man from the nursery was helping me tie it up on the roof rack of the car. He tied it off, held the working end of the line taut and with a casual and routine ease, produced a one-hand opener that was open instantly. The line was cut and just like that, the knife was gone. I tipped him, wished in a Merry Christmas and asked him what his carry was. He looked surprised and then with pride, show me a Kershaw with some traditional stylings. Still a modern flipper. No zombies were killed in the small exchange.

Looking back earlier this week, I recall having breakfast with my buddy Nate. Nate's a carpenter and a self-professed "Neanderthal". He uses vintage hand tools on the job site anytime he can and maintains the edges on his vintage planes on expensive India stones. At breakfast, he was telling me about a tool for rivenning wood stock. Anyway, you would think his carry would be a traditional, but it's a modern one-hand opener for exactly the same reason that kid was carrying a Kershaw.

Like those who relied (and still do) on puukkos for daily work, these guys open and close their knives 100s of times a day. A fixed blade like the puukko might make sense on the job site, but not really. And you can't just walk into Lowes these days with a puukko hanging off your belt. Just can't.

I dig traditionals. But I don't begrudge anybody for choosing a modern flipper if that's their cup of tea.

 

[JB in SC]

I don't, and like them the same, and have since modern folders came out.

I'm a knife nut(not a traditional nut,lol), and love many types of knives. About the only ones I don't like are the ones that look to tactical, as in black blades, double edges, re-curves, etc...

To many great knives out there for me to like only one type.

Bingo...

 

[garryt]

Until maybe 3 months ago, all my knives were tactical type folders and I admit to still liking and owning them.

However, things changed when I bought my first traditional a few months ago. I can't even remember why I bought it. It was a Buck 371 stockman.
Since then I've been hooked and bought many more, including a couple of Case models. To me, traditional's are just things of beauty. They are lovely to both look at and feel - I end up just fiddling with them for no reason and using them whenever possible. My tactical knives rarely see the light of day now....

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

For me , its how they feel when in use.

I prefer single blades as in most cases I do not like how a multi-blade traditional feels in the hand during use ( unless it has sunken joints ).

There are a few modern folders that have a good feel to them, but there are far many more that don't.

I can't make an argument for anyone else...only for myself. Just personal preference.

I was pretty heavy into modern "tacticals" (hate that word) when I first started. The more I used them , the less I liked them.
( when I open it up to custom folders , then there are some moderns that I like , Les George , Steven Kelly, Mayo )

 

[Alnamvet68]

Until maybe 3 months ago, all my knives were tactical type folders and I admit to still liking and owning them.

However, things changed when I bought my first traditional a few months ago. I can't even remember why I bought it. It was a Buck 371 stockman.
Since then I've been hooked and bought many more, including a couple of Case models. To me, traditional's are just things of beauty. They are lovely to both look at and feel - I end up just fiddling with them for no reason and using them whenever possible. My tactical knives rarely see the light of day now....

This bloke says it all.:thumbup:

 

[Hawk45]

I find value in both types (traditional and modern). I find both to be pleasing to the eye. Sometimes I prefer fast deployment of moderns, yet still enjoy the slower function of a traditional. Diversity is the spice of life and I think to rule either out of your life is doing yourself a disfavor. I know some areas have strict knife laws and only non-locking folders are allowed, but there are both modern and traditionals to fill this role. Traditionals take me back to the days of my grandfather when times were slower and you didn't always feel like life was flying by. I love the traditional materials of carbon steel and natural materials like bone and wood as well. Nothing looks better than a nice patina carbon blade in my book. It gives character that you can't get from stainless. Flip the coin and I love some of the sexy lines of the newer modern folders and the materials they use like micarta, carbon fiber and titanium. I try not to pigeonhole hole myself as there is just too much out there to enjoy. Just my .02