What to expect in a gent's folder?

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
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What qualities, characteristics, materials, finishes, designs, etc. do you expect to see in a gent's folding knife?

In other words, what is it that separates the gent's knife from everything else?
 
Sorry I haven't gotten back to you on the other thing, Dan, I am trying to formulate a way to put it that makes sense.

Gent's folder:

1. Smooth, pocket-friendly contours, all edges exposed, when folded, nicely rounded.
2. Premium handle materials a plus, but not necessary. I prefer stainless steel for a gent's folder. Rust is not gentlemanly.
3. Smallish blades, 3" max or so.
4. I personally prefer a 1 handed operation for a gent's folders, but slipjoints are very hard to operate in this manner, and I would not automatically discount this if I liked the knife.
5. Lightweight and slim is KEY. A good gent's folder should be pocketable and worn with nice pants without creating a tumor-like bulge. Should that not be doable, the William Henry Clip Case or similar should be employed.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Basically what Steven said. A one-handed opening knife about the size and shape of a Senior Stockman does me fine. When I hear "Gentleman's folder" I tend to think of high-end materials, and higher-end fit-and-finish. Be sure, though, that it isn't all tarted up into an "art" folder. That is where some knives get into trouble- too much adornment.
 
For me the one hand opening isn't important. A slipjoint or lockback with nail nick opening is fine. I prefer high end handle materials such as MOP, Abalone and ivory. Like Steven, I would want the blade to be no more than 3", and would want smooth rounded edges and a slim profile. A stainless blade would be a requirement, but would be acceptable.
 
Good points--even if I don't agree with all of them.

Rust is most certainly not gentlemanly, but on the other hand a nice
forged blade is not completley out of place on a Gent's forlder either. It is a little high maintenence, and you don't want those oilstains on your suit pants.


Lightweight and slim are reaally important--but I have VERY nice multiblade slipjoints that do not break p the line of the suit pants, and weigh very little.


I think that premium handle materials are a necessity. Embelishments are fine if not overdone. For example, some of the William Henry pieces are so overembellished that they belong more in a Marseilles house of ill-repute than in the Harvard Faculty Club, if you get my meaning. (sorry if this offends anyone, maybe I've been listening to Steven too much:D ).
 
A small to medium folder that is slim and light weight with high end materials.

No stainless steel for me :barf: ;)

I've been carrying carbon steel pocket knives for 40 years and have never had one rust, turn dark yes but no rust. It's called a nice patina. No oil either, just wiped off the blade after use.
 
I'd agree with the points Steven made, but personally I can go over 3" on a blade.

One thing that's often make or break for me on gent's knives is that the operation of the knife is smooth all around. Opening the blade, releasing the lock and then closing the knife should all be easy to do. You shouldn't need a lot of effort to open the blade. The lockup should be solid. Just because it's a knife not necessarily suited to heavy duty chores doesn't mean it can't have good lockup. Slipjoints may be something of an exception on these counts because the backspring's strength, or lack thereof, will affect both opening and closing. A slipjoint that's too hard to comfortably pull open or that's too weak when opened and doesn't feel secure would be a problem for me.
 
Hmmm......
A gentleman's knife just has to be above and beyond. The scales must be even or overlays nice and smooth. I think they are and should be smaller than the average knife, or at least slimmer. Since they are going to be slimmer, I also think the phosphor bronze washers are an absolute must so that you don't rubbing on the the scales.
I wouldn't recommend using rough materials like canvas micarta.
I also don't think that they need to be particularly fancy, and yes, I prefer stainless. They just need to be crisp and clean.
It's kind of hard to define, kind of like, what is a bowie.
 
A small or smallish folder that looks classy and upscale. Something a gentleman would carry. Discreet in pocket and in hand, designed to wow not to scare.
 
I have all of one such knife in my collection, so I am no expert. But I tend to agree that something slim, compact with first rate materials and elegant lines is what best fits the bill. One hand opening is an absolute non-issue for me. I don't find using two hands to open my knife to be a particular cumbersome chore. No ss for me either (although it wouldn't be a deal-killer).

Mine has a forged 52100 blade, fossil walrus ivory scales and elegant English scroll engraving with gold highlights. Very gentlemanly, IMHO.

orig.jpg


orig.jpg


The pictures don't show how very thin this knife is - it slips into the pen sleeve of my suit pocket and disappears. Very discreet.

Knife by Bailey Bradshaw.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
I have all of one such knife in my collection, so I am no expert. But I tend to agree that something slim, compact with first rate materials and elegant lines is what best fits the bill. One hand opening is an absolute non-issue for me. I don't find using two hands to open my knife to be a particular cumbersome chore. No ss for me either (although it wouldn't be a deal-killer).

Mine has a forged 52100 blade, fossil walrus ivory scales and elegant English scroll engraving with gold highlights. Very gentlemanly, IMHO.

orig.jpg


orig.jpg


The pictures don't show how very thin this knife is - it slips into the pen sleeve of my suit pocket and disappears. Very discreet.

Knife by Bailey Bradshaw.

Roger
Click to expand...


That is a beutiful knife!:thumbup:
 
I think mine fit the slim, nice material, easy one-hand open and EDC criteria:
I like them and I use them and the blades have hairline scratches and the first scratch was the hardest, after that I was fine. :o

Deasert Iron Wood/Citrine tunmb stud
IMG_1637.jpg


Top :
Sterling handle with sterling curled strip inlaid.
Bottom:
Sterling bolster & bale/white topas stud/palm wood

IMG_2940.jpg
 
for me a gents knife is a high quality knife that can be carried discretely and comfortably in dress or suit pants

i prefer

quality materials (stag or ivory)
bolsters
small size: 2.5" to 2.75" ideal
blade material: prefer carbon steel
light weight
no clip
it also must be a useful blade


my current gents knife is a 2.5" stag baily bradshaw gunstock slipjoint


my favorite i have ever owned was a bailey bradshaw mastodon ivory/3v top lock with damsacus bolsters and a damascus toothpick. it is pictured below
 
This piece by Thomas Haslinger while not as thin as the Bailey Bradshaw that Roger now has certainly I think fits the criteria that Steven has created although he might feel it is a bit heavy.

standard


another set of views

standard
 
I agree with everything that Steven said above. I do prefer a pocket clip, though, even on gent's knives; I have a tendency to have unclipped knives fall out of my pocket, and for me, putting a folder in a clip case (or any other kind of case) adds too much thickness to the knife.
 
Ray Cover makes a wonderful knife, I also love the William Henry lineup would seriously like to get the new B15 model with ZDP blade, but have to save up the pennies :)

Here is a Ray Cover that came for a visit a while back;

coverfull_nonoise.jpg


Here is a sad picture :( in the fact that I no longer have them in my collection
any longer, my surround sound stereo was to blame for that! :)
Any one of those would qualify as a gent's knife!

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G2
 
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