What makes a Gentleman's Knife?

Hi.

I'd say a knife that has something that makes everyone say "Interesting, where did you get it?" instead of "You're carrying a knife?!". Be it the handle materials, the design, the colours. Something that wouldn't be frown upon if you take it out of your pocket and layed it on the table in a classy restaurant or private club. Something you could use to open a letter or cut your cigar with in a board meeting.
 
pfrsantos, i think your explanation does not take into account the history of Gent's knives. This term goes back maybe 100 years ?, or at least far enough back in time when a man was expected to carry a pocket knife. A Gent's knife was one carried by men who worked indoors in offices or by any man in his Sunday best attire.
To differentiate from a 'Work' knife, the Gent's is smaller, slim, often multiblade like a Lobster or Senator pattern and usually with fancy handle material like pearl or ivory.
If a lady in the office had a thread hanging down from the hem of her dress, the gentleman in the office could take out his beautiful pearl lobster knife with scissors and heroically snip off the offending thread. "Why, Thank you Mr. Jones, you are such a Gentleman".
I almost remember those times.
kj
 
kootenay joe said:
pfrsantos, i think your explanation does not take into account the history of Gent's knives. This term goes back maybe 100 years ?, or at least far enough back in time when a man was expected to carry a pocket knife. A Gent's knife was one carried by men who worked indoors in offices or by any man in his Sunday best attire.
To differentiate from a 'Work' knife, the Gent's is smaller, slim, often multiblade like a Lobster or Senator pattern and usually with fancy handle material like pearl or ivory.
If a lady in the office had a thread hanging down from the hem of her dress, the gentleman in the office could take out his beautiful pearl lobster knife with scissors and heroically snip off the offending thread. "Why, Thank you Mr. Jones, you are such a Gentleman".
I almost remember those times.
kj
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Thanks for the historical perspective. I always thought of the term "gentleman's knife" as something more generic, a type of knife that was more "refined", not for coarse or heavy work. At the same time, a knife with some particular characteristic that made it unique or stand out among similar knives. That explanations makes sense.

:thumbup:
 
These qualify in my book, although I'm not always a total gentleman:D

Queen in Buffalo Horn/D2, GEC in faux Tortoise/carbon.

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CASE Teardrop: liberating these fruits from a cellophane prison could be noble & gentlemanly...it certainly makes the world a sweeter place:cool:

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This Old Gent, a Remington Sleeveboard sports major credentials: charismatic bone and tip-bolsters:cool:

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I feel like some sort of exotic material is a qualification. Not acrylic or imitation. Premium wood, bone, horn, etc.
 
Depends on what the Gentleman is doing. I carry a large Cattle pattern at the farm and a much smaller one away.


Great Big Honking Cattle Knife. Takes suspenders to carry it! But still a Gents Knife!

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A Baby Cattle (Gents Knife):

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And one for Formal use: Think Small Ya'll:

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Just for size comparison. I think they all qualify as Gents knives:

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All knives above courtesy of Ken Erickson!!!
 
Here are a few more lobsters that were probably carried in vest pockets in their day.
Charles
camilluspearllobster1.jpg


robesonstaglobster1.jpg


remingtonstaglobster1.jpg
 
CNoyes said:
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.
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Agreed. The man carrying the knife, though I have never pictured a gentlemen's folder as a modern. I always picture a traditional Sunday church carry type.

 
I was in the LePuy area of France about 20 years ago. I had a dinner with the local family that had hosted my daughter as she did her grade 11 there. The father sat at the head of the table and that was the only spot in which no knife had been set out. When the meat was served the father took out his Laguiole from his belt sheath, wiped the blade across his pant leg and used it to cut up his supper. He was a rural working man and he used the same knife for everything, every day.
If i understood correctly, it is common there for the man of the house to use his 'EDC' as his table knife. A sign of being master of the house, an old tradition in that area.
So, not really a Gent's knife.
kj
 
A gentleman's knife in my opinion should ride well in a pair of good slacks without being uncomfortable or noticeable. Invisible until needed, but eye catching and non threatening when presented for use. It doesn't have to necessarily be of higher grade materials but that is a plus. Elegant, special. It's pocket jewelry. The one I have for this role was given to me by a woman who loves me very much. I cherish this knife, polish it when it's shine is starting dull, and keep it safe in a small pouch. Those who have seen it, and how I handle it know it is special and is important to me. It's elegance is at home at black tie events. Not too bad for a simple little #22 with bone handles.

 
A clean, undamaged traditional (usually slipjoint) folder with fancy scales. It could be nacre, an exotic wood, stag, or even bone. Plastic scales in a subdued color like Case yellow could pass, but probably not bright primary colors, aluminum or machined composites.

Patina does not detract from a "gentleman's" knife but rust or damage would. A gentleman's knife does not have anything "tactical" such as pocket clips, 3D-machined G10, carbon fiber, Zytel, serrations, a thumbstud, Titanium, or any kind of modern lock (Tri-Ad, Axis, liner lock etc.). A gentleman's knife may have a lockback or be an Opinel, but most are slipjoints. A plain Opinel being too utilitarian wouldn't fit, but if the handle were customized or of exotic wood then it quite likely would. The stamping, engraving, shields, and other branding or decorations should be traditional-looking, not laser etched. Liners are more likely to be brass, and bolsters nickel rather than aluminum.

A gentleman's knife is usually of a traditional and more or less "old-fashioned" aesthetic, but not necessarily. A modern gentleman could carry an aesthetically modern knife like a Case lockback in stainless steel. It would be even more gentlemanly if it were sterling silver. The sterling SAK's are fairly compatible with a modern style.
 
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