Why are traditional knives so popular in certain parts of the country?

I am on the third and final Conan collection of Robert E Howard stories. His stories were written in a different time, and from a different perspective. I take no offense from his writings, but feel that his racial beliefs are backwards. Doesn't make the Conan stories any less entertaining.

In regards to the possiblity of a book, if you are going to publish the memoirs of a man, do so in entirety. If you are going to publish a book about knives only, then edit as you see fit.
 
I've wondered the same thing myself. Back in time the majority of knife companies were in the Northeast but knife collecting just was never a big deal in the Northeast--it seemed to be always more popular in the Southeast.

The question is--are slipjoints still popular today in the Southeast or, as is the case in many areas, are the tacticals taking over?
 
pickupman said:
I've wondered the same thing myself. Back in time the majority of knife companies were in the Northeast but knife collecting just was never a big deal in the Northeast--it seemed to be always more popular in the Southeast.

The question is--are slipjoints still popular today in the Southeast or, as is the case in many areas, are the tacticals taking over?
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Maybe I'm diggin in the wrong spot for the acorn, but most of the gun companies were always headquartered in the Northeast, but most states up there ain't exactly firearms friendly. New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey...

Yet in the southeast like S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Georga, its not hard to get a CCW.

I think of the south as maybe the last holdout of old time morals and traditions, like manners and hunting. Older guys like me sitting on a bench in front of the courthouse or in the park, whittling and swapping pocket knives with our friends. Also its a much more rural kind of area. I think of the south as a place where carrying a pocket knife of some kind is still something a man does if he has pants on. While in the northeast, like Boston for instance, they are so restrictive that even the normal 91mm size sak is illeagal. And don't even think of getting cought with a firearm.

I guess it all comes down to a totally different culture and tradition. If the tactical is part of the south and is replacing the traditional pocket knife, then at least their carrying something.
 
The last time I was in court this summer it dawned on me that I still had my stockman in my pocket as I talked to the judge, prosecuting attorney and the trooper standing beside me. I doubt they would have raised an eyebrow if I had cleaned my nails with it while waiting my turn at the bench. Oh, and I got the ticket(s) dismissed based upon my reputation in the community and lack of driving offense record. Try that in Bahston without being the mayor or senator!

I agree, a lot of it is regional. I am in southwest Tennessee. Cheap tacticals are faddish here, but many of us old timers still carry Old Timers.... er...traditional slipjoints and fixed blades. Yes, in spite of laws to the contrary, I can wear a fixed blade hunting knife in public without a problem. As long as I don't brandish, threaten or use it as a weapon instead of a tool.

Codger
 
Yosemite Sam said:
I live in Oregon which has a big knifemaking tradition of its own (Kershaw, CRKT, others), but there doesn't seem to be a huge interest around here. A couple of big-ish knife shows, but the knife tables at gun shows are minimal, and there are very few retail outlets in the area.

-- Sam
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Sam, check this out -- you may already have encountered these folks.

http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/

My dad lives up there, goes to all the shows. Quite a few custom makers up that way.
 
jackknife said:
Maybe I'm diggin in the wrong spot for the acorn, but most of the gun companies were always headquartered in the Northeast, but most states up there ain't exactly firearms friendly. New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey...

Yet in the southeast like S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Georga, its not hard to get a CCW.

I think of the south as maybe the last holdout of old time morals and traditions, like manners and hunting. Older guys like me sitting on a bench in front of the courthouse or in the park, whittling and swapping pocket knives with our friends. Also its a much more rural kind of area. I think of the south as a place where carrying a pocket knife of some kind is still something a man does if he has pants on. While in the northeast, like Boston for instance, they are so restrictive that even the normal 91mm size sak is illeagal. And don't even think of getting cought with a firearm.

I guess it all comes down to a totally different culture and tradition. If the tactical is part of the south and is replacing the traditional pocket knife, then at least their carrying something.
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Yes, 100% correct on the guns too. I guess the Northeast just got too urbanized too quickly. Just kind of strange when most of the knife factories were up there and many had factory outlet stores attached that carrying a knife never caught on in that area, at least it never achieved the importance that it had in other areas.
 
bob bowie said:
Gosh, interesting question.

1) Certain companies develop a cult following, for years it was pretty hard to find Schleper(Eye Brand) out side of Texas. Certain hardware brands were popular mostly to smaller areas. Also one would have to know how hard Case pushed their brand in certain areas.

2) During the 70's Case started to start to sell them selves as a collector knife, rather than tool. Most folks go with what is good and cheap, and could careless about such things as collectiblity.

3) Case quality slipped for many years, and the company has changed hands quite a bit. Many other companies offered way better knives at smaller prices. This probably cost them a few accounts.

Case happly seems to be on the right track now though.
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Do you have any idea why the German Eye Brand was so popular in Texas? Back in time most hardware stores in Texas had a big display of Case knives and in that day and age a lot were CV too. This was before the slippage of Case quality. Did the Texans go to Eye Brand because of Case's problems?
It just seems strange that they would select that brand instead of one of the many American brands that were available back in time.
 
From what I remember, a few of the biggest dealers in that brand were all based out of Texas, so I guess they just pushed them hard down that way. Also, I've heard that Eye Brand's extra heavy construction, and willingness to produce extra large pattrns(4 3/4 Stockman, jumbo jacks, giant Moose patterns, etc....) made them popular.
 
There's one other factor that may play into this with Eye Brand (Carl Schliepper) being so popular down here in Texas. That is the fact that at least my part of Texas is HEAVILY German! A lot of folks down here still speak German at home.

Ron
 
Ron53 said:
There's one other factor that may play into this with Eye Brand (Carl Schliepper) being so popular down here in Texas. That is the fact that at least my part of Texas is HEAVILY German! A lot of folks down here still speak German at home.

Ron
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Good point, Ron, and one that I hadn't thought of. I know the central part of Texas has a lot of Germans---and a lot of great Bock Beer.
 
Ron53 said:
There's one other factor that may play into this with Eye Brand (Carl Schliepper) being so popular down here in Texas. That is the fact that at least my part of Texas is HEAVILY German! A lot of folks down here still speak German at home.

Ron
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Thats sure true!

When I was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, we went up to New Braunfels for Octoberfest.

WOW!

We thought we had landed in Munich! Huge tent beer halls, bratwurst up the kazoo, Ompha bands, and a great time. Hell of a hangover the next day, but great memories. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Octoberfest in Texas? I never would have thought!

Around there some still speak German at home also, like my folks.
 
pickupman said:
The question is--are slipjoints still popular today in the Southeast or, as is the case in many areas, are the tacticals taking over?
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Can't give you a definitive answer, but I do know that when I was at a Bass Pro shop in Myrtle Beach, S.C. recently looking for a Case peanut, the guy working there told me that they can't keep Case knives in stock. That seems like a good sign to me. :)
 
pickupman said:
Do you have any idea why the German Eye Brand was so popular in Texas? Back in time most hardware stores in Texas had a big display of Case knives and in that day and age a lot were CV too. This was before the slippage of Case quality. Did the Texans go to Eye Brand because of Case's problems?
It just seems strange that they would select that brand instead of one of the many American brands that were available back in time.
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Because eye brand is 10 times the quality of case or old timers;)
 
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THE HOLLYWOOD STARLETS DON'T CARRY A FULL SIZE TRAPPER WITH THEM??? What's going on? Lot's of us (men and women) carry a pocket knife here in Kansas City.
 
I do remember long ago when I was a kid, there were more knives wired to boards in the local hardware store, like barlows I remember,don't remember what kind they were .Still have a photografic picture in my mind of them hanging there,just don't remember anyone carrying them. Don't make sense for PA a big knife manufacturing State or Commonwealth, reason people or a big majority of people collect....(CASE) in other states and not where i'm at now...Mike
 
mnblade said:
Can't give you a definitive answer, but I do know that when I was at a Bass Pro shop in Myrtle Beach, S.C. recently looking for a Case peanut, the guy working there told me that they can't keep Case knives in stock. That seems like a good sign to me. :)
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A good sign to me too. Glad to hear it and it may keep Case from going the way of Camillus and Schrade.
 
Was at a gun show on Saturday, wheeling and dealing, and heard from a guy that trappers don't sell in the MD area, but sell very well in the south. Anybody from Dixie concur/disagree?
 
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