When you think of traditional...

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
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Does it just include slippies? I would classify my old Western W36 as a traditional. My Gerber Silver Knight lockback as a traditional. Might even classify my Kershaw Splinter with quince wood scales as a crossover traditional. Maybe even a Mnandi.

But then again, I know some that would classify a Buck 110 as tactical.
 
W36 yes.
Kershaw Splinter or Mnandi although great knives (not even close to "traditional".)

That is why I move those types of non-traditional topic threads out of this particular forum.

There are enough areas at BF for discussion of liner locks, frame locks and tactical knives.
 
No, I don't think of just slippys as traditional knives. Western and Case both made some nice lockbacks over the years, as well as knives like Opinels which have to be regarded as traditional. John Wilkes Booth was found with a folding dagger on his body when he was killed, so do we call that a traditional knife, or maybe a very early tactical? In the old west a folding dagger was carried by some types whose normal work area was around a poker table in a saloon.

Before 1957 and a certain U.S. senitor named Simon Keafauver, switchblades were a leagel knife to carry in this country. At the turn of the 19th to 20th century many a working man like a carpenter, plumber, or whatever, carryed a small button knife made by Schrade, Hammer brand, as well as a couple others. They looked just like a two blade jack knife, but just opend a bit easier to a working man hold something with the other hand. I think a 1910 era Hammer brand switchblade could be classed as a one time traditional.

Since 1963 the Buck folding hunter has probably been in more deer camps and construction sites than any other knife of the 20th century. With the long history now going on 3 generations of users it may have crossed over the line to traditional.

I think sometimes the line for qualifying for traditional can be a little blurred.
 
just my opinion, but i think of traditional as just about anything that came along before the tacticools and/or does not have a pocket clip.. I guess everyone has different ideas of what it is though.
 
It's kind of like pornography. I can't define it but I know it when I see it. ;)
 
Bastid said:
W36 yes.
Kershaw Splinter or Mnandi although great knives (not even close to "traditional".)

That is why I move those types of non-traditional topic threads out of this particular forum.

There are enough areas at BF for discussion of liner locks, frame locks and tactical knives.
Click to expand...

I wasn't referencing anything you did Gus, just a general question, and I understand your POV.
 
I generally think about slip joints, though fixed blades and lock backs get placed into the group aswell. It comes down to handle material, style, feel, and a few other odds and ends. I think that Blues said it best.

For the record, I think that the Mnandi and Splinter are both classy, but modern knives.
 
I thought that's why the title of this sub forum was "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades". There's room for a lot of different knives under that umbrella.

Heck, a Russlock is a "one hand assisted opener, with a liner lock", after all...

-- Sam
 
I think of the Buck 110 as being traditional, and much of what Bark River offers too.
 
Traditional to me is something that takes you back to your roots. Being a younger member; traditional to me could be a buck 110, or a Gerber boot knife. Not saying that is what traditional is, but ones age will come into play when thinking about what "traditional" really is.

Being schooled on knives by my grandad I have a pretty firm grip on older patterns/designs.

Most slippies, fixed blades like Marbles woodcraft, Nesmuk, Kephart, most Randall models, etc are all good examples in my book.

Knives with liner locks, axis locks, and new age neo tactical stuff being brought to light in the 1980's and 1990's is not traditional....... but if you talk to a 18 yo it might be.

None the less I love it here due to what I learn, and the extremely cool pics that are posted almost daily.
 
Well, given the long run of the show-n-tell fixed blade thread, I'd say fixed blades are definitely part of the mix.

Traditional also encompasses some locking knives too. Not only the Russlock, but Old Timers (can't recall the #, but it was a slimline trapper pattern), Queen's teardrop jack, etc.. I consider the Buck 110, Schrade LB7s, and those type traditional.

However, you can't rule out rubber handles as traditional. I have an old Cattaraugus fixed blade with hard rubber handles. Super sharp little rascal too.
Cattaraugus-Fixed.jpg


Notice the old left hand sheath. Fairly common back then.
 
Amos Iron Wolf said:
Well, given the long run of the show-n-tell fixed blade thread, I'd say fixed blades are definitely part of the mix.
Click to expand...

Amos brings up a good point. Moras/Scandis have been around much longer that the Bowie. I'd say scandi knives fit the bill as well!
 
"Traditional" is not a term that can be applied broadly, it changes according to your country or region of origin.

For example, slipjoints are not traditional at all in Argentina. In my mind, a traditional knife is a spear point, flat ground, "verijero" (4"-5" blade), with stag handle and leather sheath for work, silver and gold handle and sheath for Sundays or special occasions. Most old timers here would consider folders "a toy", hell they call my 4" knives "keychain knives".

I guess "traditional" covers anything that has been around for a while, it's easier to say what isn't traditional than what is. :)
 
Franciscomv said:
"Traditional" is not a term that can be applied broadly, it changes according to your country or region of origin.

For example, slipjoints are not traditional at all in Argentina. In my mind, a traditional knife is a spear point, flat ground, "verijero" (4"-5" blade), with stag handle and leather sheath for work, silver and gold handle and sheath for Sundays or special occasions. Most old timers here would consider folders "a toy", hell they call my 4" knives "keychain knives".

I guess "traditional" covers anything that has been around for a while, it's easier to say what isn't traditional than what is. :)
Click to expand...

That's a really good point, Francisco, and one that I often overlook. From now on I think I'm gonna use Blues' definition of traditional; after all, I think it's accurate, and it has the extra benefit of making me laugh.

I had to go look up verijero, but they're the same as the knives I always think of as being criollo or guacho knives. Learn something every day. I'd love to see pictures of your 'keychain knives', if you can manage it.

James
 
I think of trappers and barlows, bowies and green river knives, opinels and okapis, khukuris and bolos, rigging knives and roach bellies, puukkos and jambiyas, kindjals and parangs. Anything that's been around for ever and a day.

Frank
 
Blues said:
It's kind of like pornography. I can't define it but I know it when I see it. ;)
Click to expand...
Yep:thumbup: :thumbup:
It's always going to be subjective as it varies widely from place to place.
Cheers
Mitch
 
As far as blade shape and style goes, there is nothing new - only adapted or updated. Many of the "tactical knives" seen today are modern renditions or adaptations of traditional asian fighting and utility patterns. As examples, the tanto blade shape, the kerambit, and the khukri. The materials and style of presentation may be new, but the basic geometry and design principles are still the same. There is something in the human brain that likes sameness or familiarity - leading us to continually improve on "traditional" or historic designs while keeping the familiar function and profile. True innovation, like some of the modern lock mechanisms and blade materials (ceramics or timascus as examples), is extremely rare. It is entirely possible that we will see tactical versions of blades now seen as traditional in the future. Personally, I'm holding out for the tactical, assisted opening, composite bladed, daddy barlow covert deanimator:D .


Have a good one,
Nathan
 
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