What makes a Gentleman's Knife?

[steve-in-kville]

Give me examples. Trying to wrap my head around this sub-genre of Traditionals.

 

[Will Power]

For a start, nothing too big and hulking, uncouth

Others will add

 

[kamagong]

It's gotta look like something a gentleman would carry. Think slim, with ivory or nacre covers.

 

[South African]

Lots of shiny bits and bobs and as said slim is the keyword here.

 

[black mamba]

Small, slim and think, "bling."

 

[Peregrin]

Boker calls this a Gent's folder. Thuya burl wood and Damascus, 2 1/2". Slim and it disappears in the pocket.

 

[kamagong]

Boker calls this a Gent's folder. Thuya burl wood and Damascus, 2 1/2". Slim and it disappears in the pocket.

Interesting. Not a knife I expected you to post though Gary.

 

[Peregrin]

Interesting. Not a knife I expected you to post though Gary.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve, Christian. I like Damascus and had a particular reason for getting this one. It fits perfectly in the small pouch in this Mission wallet. Here it's shown about half way out. As long as I have my wallet with me, I have a knife with me.

 

[deskil]

Non-viable link removed.

 

[pmew]

I think this answers the OP perfectly.

http://youtu.be/WnP50pvkFVM

Gary, I hope you and Frank don't mind this. It does contain some *ahem* elegant modern folders as well as traditionals, but it speaks to the OP in my opinion.

Feel free to zap it if you need to.

Paul

 

[CNoyes]

Maybe a gentleman's knife is defined by the character of the man that carries it.

But, I agree, not too large and with blades a gentleman would use, like a file a nail cleaner and small spear and pen blades. Scissors wouldn't be out of place.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

My Great Uncle was a gentleman, and he carried small stockmans or peanuts in a variety of scale and blade materials. Can't go wrong there at all. But realistically, I'd say whatever knife you are proud to carry and at the same time makes you feel "gentlemanly" is a winner.

I have a Spyderco Sage 1 which even though its not a traditional, I think carries and represents me in a gentlemanly way.
Of course, I also think my GEC Farmer Lock does the same thing, so its all about interpretation rather than look.

 

[chuko]

Here is a group shot of some of my Gent's knives, all 3"
Charles

 

[chuko]

These lobsters are all vintage Gent's knives.

 

[supratentorial]

Nice knives, Charles! Some rare treats among those lobster patterns!

 

[mnblade]

For a start, nothing too big and hulking ...

That's the ticket for me. A gent's knife has to ride very comfortable in dress pants while at work or church or a wedding or a funeral. My current go-to gents knife is a Buck 527 that I paid too much for on that big auction site.*

Not my pic, but it looks like this one:

-- Mark

* I bought one of these in high school and used it quite a bit for a year or two before I lost it. It really meant a lot to me and never left my mind. On a whim I bid too much on one and got it. I'm glad I did, though.

 

[Steven65]

My idea of a "Gentlemans" traditional...............

 

[Dadpool]

This is the only knife in my collection that I think of as a gent's knife, my 2002 Schatt & Morgan black mother-of-pearl senator:

 

[stezann]

Well, i'd say that a gentleman knife has to be well finished, poket friendly, not necessarily made with MOP (gentleman's, not pimp's! LOL) or Ivory or engraved, but with whatever first choice material is mandatory.
It's main distintion is that's not a working knife in strict terms, i.e. it has no pruning nor skinning blades, but is equipped for city environments.

 

[kootenay joe]

Charles, lovely group of vintage Gent's knives. The Ulster Orange Blossom Lobster knife is a bit unusual with Stag instead of Pearl. The old Boker Pearl Lobster is also very appealing.
You have some of the finest Gent's type knives in your collection. So do i because mine were previously yours !
kj