Which is more traditional?

Slip joint definitely, but the lock back goes back 140 years according to the patent on the Mercator. Of course that's the patent in Germany, it could actually be older than that.
 
mnblade said:
Slipjoint. By a country mile.

-- Mark
Click to expand...
^That.

...or perhaps by several country miles. :D

That's not to say locking folders aren't traditional, or there aren't some very old examples. But in terms of numbers, universal recognition and sheer availability, I'm sure many more slipjoints have become the 'traditional' knife in the hands and pockets of many, many more people, over the span of centuries.


David
 
I was just curious. Simply because this: my father and coworkers have carried buck lock backs for 20+ years... Traditional IMHO. Just a quick question... Are all bucks lock backs USA made?
 
n8swag said:
I was just curious. Simply because this: my father and coworkers have carried buck lock backs for 20+ years... Traditional IMHO. (...)
Click to expand...

That sort of touches on what I've usually accepted. If asking only for a universally accepted definition of a traditional knife, then the hard numbers are about the only way to establish that. Winner by volume. On the other hand, in the purely esoterical sense, what's 'traditional' depends entirely on who you ask, and in what context.

There'll come a day, I'm sure, when Spydercos, Benchmades and Sebenzas will likely be viewed as 'traditional' in the hearts of some people. I suspect some are already there. Pretty sure I'll never get there, myself. ;)


David
 
My first knife was a Cub Scout slip joint, about fifty years ago. I didn't get my first lock back until I was about forty, a Benchmade 500. Now I am back to collecting slip joints. I also collect bicycles that were made when I was a pre-teen. I am sure a psychologist would have a field day with that. I'm sure it is my mother's fault.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top