Who is buying these old-timey knives that don't even lock?

[Rhinoknives1]

Well, there is some part of me that stopped maturing at 12. Hang on now, I'm going to have to do some reading.....

I use my work pants if there’s nothing else around to Strop on. The inside of a old leather loaded with Green Chrome compound if I am not in my shop where I use a finishing belt on the 2”x72” machine. I’ve actually never met Jerry, he’s a national treasure that does stop his blades on his palm. Seen it it a video.. His blades are beyond beautiful!

 

[Motega]

A few replies suggested that I don't appreciate ANYTHING that's not latest and greatest. My first love is bowhunting with longbows and recurve. I was the first member of BHA in NJ, and one of the first hundred members. Nuff said.

 

[Triton]

The only problem is there is less and less people who know safe knife usage. Heck in my area I've heard even the Scouts are talking about removing knives from the program.

Sadly as an organization the Boy Scouts seem to have completely lost their way in many different ways

 

[Babyboomer]

I've carried this style knife since I was in Cub Scouts over 55 years ago, mostly a SAK Spartan or Tourist. I only got into locking knives about 3 years ago. I'd be lost without my SAK. The lockers I carry when I'm in the mood, but the SAK is always there too.

 

[herisson]

[A few replies suggested that I don't appreciate ANYTHING that's not latest and greatest. My first love is bowhunting with longbows and recurve. I was the first member of BHA in NJ, and one of the first hundred members. Nuff said.]
That's how your OP came off. You should have conveyed some of that background, no ? I can relate to both your background and being sometimes a bit brash. No foul, no harm.

 

[strategy9]

GEC, Case, Green River, Schatt & Morgan, SAK's, and a whole box of those hideous little made in china "hooker boot" knives as you called them, "oh the horror! Who would do such a thing?"
(I have the $100+ GEC "hooker boot" too, {more adequately called the #28 French Kate})

(along with an old timey 100 year old straight razor from New Jersey, which I actually still shave with)

To each their own man... Do you, whatever makes you happy, long bows and all, and I'ma do me, including old timey knives...
fuhgetaboutit...

 

[herisson]

Cool razor ! What's those scales ? Alligator celluloïd ?

 

[jackknife]

A few replies suggested that I don't appreciate ANYTHING that's not latest and greatest. My first love is bowhunting with longbows and recurve. I was the first member of BHA in NJ, and one of the first hundred members. Nuff said.

Well, that's how you came off. What would your reaction be if I posted that I can't see why anyone would bother carrying one of those over priced and over hyped knives with only one blade and can be opened with one hand? If you sound like a troll, you'll be taken for a troll.

 

[craytab]

Funny thread topic for a knife nerd forum.

Haven't read the posts yet, was the OP trolling?

Why not actually read the thread and comment on the topic?

 

[22-rimfire]

All the way from the second page.

I started losing interest in modern folders when I was all of 38. I didn't believe that just spending more and more on knives would get me more satisfaction, and I decided that I wanted to explore alternatives to the go-to option for mid-tech, mid-price folding knives. Slipjoints are a different niche, although I'm still hanging on to some of the modern touches.

I am still interested in both, modern and traditional. But the fact that I carry a Vic SAK everyday certainly is telling as to both my preferences and normal use. My knife interest blossomed after going to gun shows in the 80's and 90's as well as knife shows including Blade. Change is slow for me. I was more interested in buying collector grade guns during that time than many knives.

I have always liked knives. BUT I really didn't begin to explore modern knives to any great extent until joining Blade Forum (BF) in 2005. (That corresponds to when I got DSL internet service.) The only modern knives I purchased to that point were Gerber knives from big box stores or home centers. I had a few switch blades from the 90's, but they were a novelty and curiosity for me. I am not interested in "auto" knives at this point that I don't even look at them in knife stores or online other than those pictured here on BF. Basically it's a "why bother" thing for me as I know I won't carry them.

Most of my exposure to modern knives started with SOG stuff in the 2005-2008 time frame. I purchased a number of "first's" during that time frame before almost entirely loosing interest in SOG by about 2010. Flippers intrigued me, purchased a couple and continue to be interested in them. AO knives interested me at first and I have a couple. One by Benchmade is probably my favorite but I don't carry it anymore and not interested in buying anything more.

That takes me to a growing interest in slip joints and those damn knives that don't have locks. Perfectly comfortable with them unless they have a very weak spring. I started with them as a kid and will always look at them fondly. I honestly don't carry a slip joint much other than my SAKs. But I own enough to provide me with many size and quality options should I want to carry them more.

 

[jackknife]

If the OP doesn't like slip joints, I wonder how he'd deal with Japanese Higonokami's, Sardinian Resolza's, and Opinel number 5's? Not even a backspacing!

Friction folders are very good EDC cutters. They slice and dice with the best of them.

 

[herisson]

Yes, I was fascinamated by those slipjopints since I was a kid. And those German stag handled fixed blade Scout knives, too (with a sawback, sometime). But that's irrelevant here. Kind of a Curse of the Snake. When I grew older, I was attracted to the Locking Knife Sect. But I didn't really earn what I expected. So, today, I'm a raving supporter of (drum roll....) : Friction Folders ! I like some jest to alleviate the ambiance, but it's true. As a pocket knife, I worship the friction folder.

 

[strategy9]

Cool razor ! What's those scales ? Alligator celluloïd ?

They are pretty cool... celluloid for sure, but Not 100% sure if they're supposed to be alligator, snake skin, or corn on the cob? Lol

They are my favorite though, good comfy w/ much better grip compared to the smooth ones of the era...

 

[herisson]

It doesn't only look grippy, it is, too ? Very nice. I kept my straight razors' handles to very low key black plastic (all Bökers) because I don't shave that often (but when I do, I like to enjoy it !).

 

[strategy9]

It doesn't only look grippy, it is, too ? Very nice. I kept my straight razors' handles to very low key black plastic (all Bökers) because I don't shave that often (but when I do, I like to enjoy it !).

I don't shave often either, when I do it is usually just cleaning up the edges and neck line around my beard, but also when I do, there are not many better feelings in the world to me then a clean and sharp, freshly stropped slab of carbon steel from yesteryear... (and not many more satisfying sounds then that distinct "ting" off a shave ready blade against the strop).
I own probably 30+ of various brands, and a few have some fancier scales, most are very basic, but as it stands only 7 are in my actual rotation as active users; the electric cutlery (pictured), and a small peter hahn are by far my 2 current favorites...

 

[herisson]

Thanks, cool information ! I thought I was a goof, somehow !

 

[jackknife]

So, today, I'm a raving supporter of (drum roll....) : Friction Folders ! I like some jest to alleviate the ambiance, but it's true. As a pocket knife, I worship the friction folder.

I wonder if its a product of a certain mentality. The worship of friction folders I mean.

I noticed that after age 50 or so, that I wasn't even bothering with the lock on my Opinels. Finding out that the Opinel didn't even have the lick until 1955, I experimented with taking the locking ring off and using the thing like an old time friction folder. It was great! Kind of like a liberating discovery that, like a slip joint, the dynamic forces on the blade while cutting will keep it open just fine. BUT...like a slip joint, you can't be stupid with it, and it won't ever snap closed on you. My first Higonokami was a similarly liberating experience. I started to use friction folders as EDC pocket knifes, and they always worked. I even now have a little Opinel number 5 that I use as a watch pocket knife and it opens packages, cuts twine, trims off stray branches of the homestead shrubbery, and even slices a bit of cheese or an apple in the evening.

Between my Sardinian Resolza, Japanese Higonokami, Opinel number 5, and a Morris friction folder, they do 99.9% of my cutting needs out and about. If I go fishing or woods rambling, a fixed blade is on my hip.

 

[herisson]

Probably the product of an age when you're less hurried, do more thinking than acting and more sitting than running But the fact is, everytime I use a friction folder I feel urged to concentrate on what I'm doing. No hasty cutting or random movements. I still like a friction folder to have a Piemont lever. Your grip acts as the lock and it alerts you when the blade wants to close. Downside is the big levers are really annoying in the pocket (Svord Peasant ! Very safe but a pain in the pocket...). For example, of these two, I prefer the upper one. As a watch pocket knife.

 

[afishhunter]

Yeah, who still hunts with a bolt action rifle and a double barrel shotgun?

Not me. I use a .54 caliber traditional side lock percussion muzzleloader or a compound bow.
I don't ambush the critters from the tree tops, either.

Don't own a shotgun anymore, but my last one was a Stevens 12 guage side by side.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

Not me. I use a .54 caliber traditional side lock percussion muzzleloader or a compound bow.
I don't ambush the critters from the tree tops, either.

Don't own a shotgun anymore, but my last one was a Stevens 12 guage side by side.

Good times!