Why have locking single-blade folders replace stockman/barlow/pen style knives?

[22-rimfire]

......As for being entangled in machinery, I spent the last half of my working life before I retired, as a machinist. Worked with milling machines, lathes, drill presses, surface grinders, and punch presses. Some of the machines would take fingers off in the blink of an eye. I never saw or heard of someone becoming entangled, but I did see one man loose a thumb to a fly cutter on a Bridgeport mill, and another young man Amputate his right index finger with a Buck 110 that he was leaning on. He was told twice to knock it off by a supervisor, but just after lunch, he did it agains and the lock let go. He'd said "It's a Buck knife, it'll take it." Well he was wrong. It was a case of misplaced trust in a locking mechanism. As far as machinery goes, were short sleeve shirts, no rings, bracelets or wrist watches. Proper prior planning prevents piss poor performance.

The places people get entangled with machinery is usually around V belts and gears and more than anything not paying attention. I got my fingers stuck in the pulley of a V belt on a machine a long time ago because on that particular machine the belt would slip (and machine slow down) and I would just slap it with my hand to nudge it to run properly. Piece work ya know... Did that one too many times and got a bit too comfortable doing that when I should have either replaced the belt or got maintenance to replace it. The knife wouldn't have made a lot of difference in this case unless it was a worst case situation and I was totally alone. Anyway if a knife was to be used, a one hand opener would have been the ticket since my other hand was stuck in the machine pulley. Memories....

 

[Danke42]

So the traditional folks have stated the 60s was turning point for a traditional vs. modern knife. Barlow vs. pocket clip, stockman vs. one hand opener, peanut vs. flipper.

What other items from the past half century of progress do you denigrate? Computers, cell phones? Advances in transport speed and safety? Is your clothing all cotton and wool with maybe an animal skin or two thrown in for special occasions?

Was fire and the wheel a mistake too?

 

[Hickory n steel]

I keep hearing people say that modern folders are better because of their steels and one hand opening capability.
Nobody has said that traditional folders are better ( and no it's not because the moderns are better ),they're simply more convenient.

Until recently I didn't really care about traditionals, but I've come to realize that they all cut stuff . If only use your knife to cut stuff ( that's all knives are meant for ), then It really doesn't matter.
Just carry what you like.
I think I'm gonna go back to my buck 482 for a while .

 

[Sosa]

Truth be told, most of us just don't want to admit to ourselves that the $6 knife will meet the vast majority, if not all, of our knife needs.] Sure some of us have the time to appreciate the whimsy. On the job or in the field where seconds matter we have other options. And searching for the right tool can throw a big wrench in things.

 

[kershawguy13]

Here at least is an honest post addressing the gorilla in the room. I'm willing to bet that the majority of the 'modern' folders are sold with the weapon aspect in mind. Most won't admit it, but it's there. They will spout off on how it can take more abuse, or how it is more convent to open if you're up on a ladder, or some other stuff. But when you boil it all down and examine whats left in the pot, it's the weapon aspect of it that sell s the 'modern' knife. You can open it in flash, and stab through whatever you need. That's okay, I believe in being armed and able to protect myself or my family. That's one reason I uprooted myself from Maryland to Texas, and could live in a state that issued me a CCW.. Just be honest about it.

But I'd like to know where you can't carry a gun that you can carry any knife that amounts to much? Airport? I don't think so. Court house? No way. Last time we flew, the better half forgot the little Victorinox classic in her makeup kit, and TDSA rooted it out and it went in the bin. My 34 3/4 inch Irish blackthorn walking stick didn't even gets a second glance. You want to carry a knife as a weapon, that's okay, it's a free country. It's just a bit silly to justify it with some of the reasons put forth.

I really doubt people are buying 3" modern knives for this "weapon aspect" traditional guys love to talk about. Maybe something like a Spyderco Civilian, but otherwise I don't see it.

 

[leghog]

So the traditional folks have stated the 60s was turning point for a traditional vs. modern knife.

Way after the 60s.

 

[leghog]

On the job or in the field where seconds matter we have other options.

So rare it's an anomaly. Aron Ralston amputated his arm with a dulled cheap multitool. He dulled it carving his grave marker. Yeah it can be done, but it's no optimal. Better to have the right tool for the job at hand.

 

[sgbeskin]

A lot of older guys, that I see, down here in rural south Mississippi and Louisiana are beginning to carry modern knives. I know my father in law is one of them. He is a farmer and a rancher. He is also 75 years old. He just bought a Benchmade griptilian, back a few months ago. I asked him the other day how he likes it. He said he loves it!!! I am 46 years old and I grew up with mainly slipjoints. I bought a griptilian over Christmas, I don't see myself going back to slipjoints because of the convenience of the modern. I don't even consider a weapon aspect to it. It's just handy being able to get to it with one hand and put it away. But like I said, I'm beginning to see more and more of those pocket clips on the 70 years and up crowd.

 

[sodak]

There are many good points in this thread, on both sides.

The danger, as I see it, is a polarizing "us vs them" attitude. Personally, I love modern steels and folders. But I like them 3 inches or less, otherwise, they're just too big in the pocket and uncomfortable.

Having said that, here's a pic of my top drawer in my office (yes, I work from home). It's a tool/junk/knife drawer. Gotta love having choices with stockmans and SAK's.

It's ok to like both...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/sodak_photos/IMG_2349_zpswaxx3rer.jpg

 

[kamagong]

I have and use both types.

This was my first nice knife. I carried it a long time and am still very fond it.

However, I no longer carry it much. As my work attire consists primarily of business casual, the heavy weight of the knife combined with the thin material of dress slacks doesn't give the clip much purchase. It has since been replaced with slipjoints like this, which work much better for my needs.

On weddings and other such occasions, slipjoints are even more suitable. I had this in my pocket this past weekend as I watched my cousin get hitched.

 

[Coastiekevink]

I didn't read all 11 pages on this thread, but I think a lot of people don't like things "in" their pocket and like the clips, one blade that's fast to open, etc. At work I always carry a clip knife, but any other time I carry a 4 blade congress and others like that. People always ask about knives in their "go" bag...I would always take a traditional 2-4 blade knife. You actually have multiple knives in one package. If one gets dull you have three more. And for daily chores it doesn't have to be tactical.


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[KnivesShipFree]

From my perspective, I can assure you that modern, locking, single blade folders have not replaced traditional slip joint folders. Some individuals certainly have a preference one way or another. Others carry both as mentioned previously. I hear from many of you with equally compelling reasons for why you prefer one or the other. Each style's attributes make it more ideal for certain uses. That said, there is significant crossover with each knives' possible use.

"whipping it out" may not only mean to flip or flick it open. It may simply mean to take it out. I've certainly heard other phrases like "whip out your money".

Personally, I love how easy a modern folder is to open. I am often holding the item I want to use the knife on. I also enjoy anything vintage or traditional. I enjoy that I often think of days gone by that I was not a part of. My Great Great Grandfather was a Cooper smith (barrel maker) near Water Town, Mn. I imagine him in a heavy canvas apron with a traditional folder. I don't actually know what knife he had. I can picture it though.

These are in my pocket these days. As you can see, the blades and capabilities are similar. Depends on my mood. If I'm honest, I find my self using the modern more.

 

[22-rimfire]

But the handles on most moderns are so boring.

I like both by the way. Love the Northwoods Madison Barlow. Just today I purchased my very first Benchmade knife. It's a Mini-Barrage which is an assisted opening knife in 154CM steel. I like it so far. For whatever reasons, I just never paid much attention to Benchmade products. This changes that and I'll see how it goes.

 

[stabman]

But like I said, I'm beginning to see more and more of those pocket clips on the 70 years and up crowd.

My dad will be 70 later this year.
He always carries a one-hand opening knife with a pocket clip.
Spyderco Native 5 is his main carry knife for work.
I have more slip-joint knives than he does.

 

[22-rimfire]

The Native 5 is a good one. Yep. He (or you) have good taste. I still like a nice slipjoint however. I must since I carry a SAK almost every single day even in my jammies around the house in the evenings.

 

[stabman]

The Native 5 is a good one. Yep. He (or you) have good taste. I still like a nice slipjoint however. I must since I carry a SAK almost every single day even in my jammies around the house in the evenings.

I did the research on the knife, but it was definitely his choice.
Sal was kind enough to answer his questions regarding lock design and capabilities.

I like a good slip-joint too.
My Case Trapper has developed a nice patina from use, and is about as traditional a design as can be found. :thumbup:
And when I was working the election one year, the elderly guy I was working with really liked my Swisschamp; it made a great conversation piece, and it was great for cutting down all the signs after the voting was all done.

 

[22-rimfire]

I was so tempted to buy a Case Peanut the other day at Bass Pro (BP) (grand opening). Yes, an honest to goodness knife called a peanut. I resisted the urge. But yeah, I really like the trappers and jack knives in general.

I was amazed at the number of people at BP. Cops directing traffic. Parking lot full. People parking in fields. They were running a shuttle service from a facility down the road. It was definitely Axx and elbows in there. But fun.

 

[stabman]

I was so tempted to buy a Case Peanut the other day at Bass Pro (BP) (grand opening). Yes, an honest to goodness knife called a peanut. I resisted the urge. But yeah, I really like the trappers and jack knives in general.

I had been thinking of the Case Peanut, but luckily I saw it in person.
Just a tad too small for me.
Great for not freaking out anyone anywhere though, and wouldn't be a bad choice to stick in an Altoids tin survival kit.

 

[SAK Guy]

I'm in line with jackknife's point...

99.9% of daily stuff here on the farm gets done with a SAK or (on occasion) a traditional slippie/lock blade. For that small, uncertain .1% like going to a rough part of town or a night time run to an often deserted convenience store, a big folder (purpose bought) rides along unobtrusively in the tool pocket of my overalls.

To the shadowy non BF members hanging around, bent on mischief, the Vaquero's potential cutting power is probably more impressive than the dependable versatility of my Vic Pioneer-X or the rich history of my Old Timer stockman which is exactly why I bought it. Otherwise, it rests in a drawer.

 

[ThePeacent]

I'm in line with jackknife's point...

99.9% of daily stuff here on the farm gets done with a SAK or (on occasion) a traditional slippie/lock blade. For that small, uncertain .1% like going to a rough part of town or a night time run to an often deserted convenience store, a big folder (purpose bought) rides along unobtrusively in the tool pocket of my overalls.

To the shadowy non BF members hanging around, bent on mischief, the Vaquero's potential cutting power is probably more impressive than the dependable versatility of my Vic Pioneer-X or the rich history of my Old Timer stockman which is exactly why I bought it. Otherwise, it rests in a drawer.

Just the same for me.

A minimum of two blades, a "normal", sheeple friendly, routinely used blade for almost everything, everywhere
Usually packing more than one "tool", like a SAK

And the additional carry for that .1% that may happen, be it an emergency, a life saving situation or plain self preservation and confidence build-up.

Not everyone can/wants to carry a gun. Of course, YMMV!