When did regular old pocket knives become “traditional”?

beezwax said:
Where would something like this old Kershaw lockback live on the Traditional-Modern spectrum? It's not really what comes to mind when I think of either of those categories...

View attachment 1545991
Click to expand...
I used to have one of those. It was a nice knife and felt great in the hand. And HEAVY. But I could never pin down the style either. In the current moment, I sort of see it as 'contemporary' which, in my mind, is trending toward 'modern', but still retaining aspects of 'traditional'.

The one I had was stolen from my house in a burglary, years ago. I'd always hypothetically assumed it was taken by some by some young punk with an eye towards what we might call 'tacti-cool' now, with aggressive-looking aesthetics being the big draw. Most of the knives taken in that burglary could all fit that big, aggressive stereotype, with a Buck 119 and a couple of big, stag-handled A.G. Russell 'Crododile Hunter' style bowies being among the burglar's loot. I don't think any of my smaller knives were touched, including a lot of traditionals.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
I used to have one of those. It was a nice knife and felt great in the hand. And HEAVY. But I could never pin down the style either. In the current moment, I sort of see it as 'contemporary' which, in my mind, is trending toward 'modern', but still retaining aspects of 'traditional'.

The one I had was stolen from my house in a burglary, years ago. I'd always hypothetically assumed it was taken by some by some young punk with an eye towards what we might call 'tacti-cool' now, with aggressive-looking aesthetics being the big draw. Most of the knives taken in that burglary could all fit that big, aggressive stereotype, with a Buck 119 and a couple of big, stag-handled A.G. Russell 'Crododile Hunter' style bowies being among the burglar's loot. I don't think any of my smaller knives were touched, including a lot of traditionals.
Click to expand...
I can't bring myself to "like" your post-- so sorry about the burglary :(
 
Modern knives are better in some ways. Traditional knives are better in some ways. *In some cases* a modern makes a much better work knife while a traditional is always better for after work carry... but that's in my opinion.

That might be why retired guys actually kinda distain a modern sometimes.

You do have those, many on this thread, who will tell you not only why one is better, but also why the other one is greatly inferior.
 
As with just about any comparison of tools, one will be better at one job while another is more suitable for different work. Both have their place.
 
davek14 said:
modern makes a much better work knife while a traditional is always better for after work carry.
Click to expand...
Opposite for me...
I carry a small traditional to work (school) and carry a modern alongside my traditional on the weekends.
I carry the modern as a replacement for a fixed blade, since my state doesn't allow pocket carry of fixed blades.
 
davek14 said:
Modern knives are better in some ways. Traditional knives are better in some ways. *In some cases* a modern makes a much better work knife while a traditional is always better for after work carry... but that's in my opinion.

That might be why retired guys actually kinda distain a modern sometimes.

You do have those, many on this thread, who will tell you not only why one is better, but also why the other one is greatly inferior.
Click to expand...
Retired guys?
I'm not retired, and I've gravitated BACK to traditionals. I carried a Case sodbuster for several years, from my late teens to mid 20's.... I always had some kind of traditional folder in my pocket. It wasn't until I was in my 40's that I started using the moderns. Some of them are pretty handy, for one-hand opening, and cutting stuff.... until that ONE blade dulls. Then, you are pretty much dead in the water until you can re-sharpen.
The multi blade traditional makes more sense as a working knife, in a lot of ways... at least to me. I still have a few moderns, but they seldom get carried anymore.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top