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

T.L.E. Sharp said:
In a sea of frame locks I actually wish we'd get MORE lockbacks on the market.
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I concur. I am so sick of framelocks and metal handles. I'd like to see more modern folders with wood handles. My Manix 2 looks awesome with desert ironwood scales.
 
On a slightly related note, I prefer single-blade traditionals to multi-blade traditionals. I'm not a huge fan of the thickness that's required to fit more than one blade into a traditional. Plus, for me, one blade is plenty--I don't like having to try to decide whether to use this blade or that.

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Now Adays the traditionals are the novelty. Once you beat on a strong modern knife it's hard going back. Some just beg to be abused.
 
To answer the OPs question I would say it has more to do with practicality than it does being a mall ninja or having a "tactical mindset". For casual edc use a traditional probably does everything you need, but for a working knife that is used constantly a modern folder clipped to your pocket is much more convenient than digging a stockman out of your pocket and using two hands to open it. You also have to realize that most people outside this forum are probably going to only buy and carry one knife so they are probably going to go for something more practical as opposed to a trip down memory lane.

Personally, I typically carry a modern folder of some type as well as a SAK at work. I find the variety of tools on a SAK much more practical than a similar size traditional with just blades. Outside of work I carry a modern folder, a SAK, and a traditional because I like the cool factor of the traditional in addition to the practicality of the other two. If I were only going to carry one knife for some bizarre reason it would be a modern folder because of its all around practicality.

Why do all cars have power steering now days? You're not a race car driver so why are you in such a hurry to make turns? Plus you're missing out on a good workout.
 
It's all personal preference aided and assisted by marketing, knife forums, etc. Carry whatever you want and like and quit worrying about what type of knife is "more popular" or which has "replaced" something in popularity.
 
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Blues Bender said:
That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read on this forum...
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Thanks for your contribution your majesty. show us some pics of your slip joint cutting sacks of cement.
 
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As a horseman working with animals daily, I need to be able to hold an animal with one hand and draw a blade with the other. I can do this with a Buck 110 or 112, a Victorinox Trekker, or most of my fixed blades. I can't do this with a Buck 301 stockman or any number of other traditionals.

Simple as that.

Zieg

Edit: I can swing open and lock Opinels N°10 and 12 with one hand and close them, too. They show up in my pocket regularly, too. It's not a tactical thing, either. I hate the abomination called the "modern tanto point" or "American tanto point" that seems to be a Lynn Thompson inventon. It's really useless in my experience. YMMV, of course.

Edit 2: When I see a large animal vet with a knife, it's almost always a Spyderco.
 
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Why did CDs replace vinyl? Technology marches ever on and most people march right along with it. That's not to say old school doesn't have some advantages but convenience is a powerful motivator and if you're using a knife with high frequency a blade that you can open and close one handed and clip to your pocket is a whole lot more convenient for most.
 
Same as a watch. Wind it up, automatic, quartz battery powered or solar powered? It's still a watch which is a tool just like a knife. Use whatever tool floats your boat.
 
Thanx. Everyone should try one seriously. Before pic
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Today I saw an electrician was using a cheapo lockback to scrape grout out of a wall penetration. His actions were nothing but a novelty:D
 
Blues Bender said:
Today I saw an electrician was using a cheapo lockback to scrape grout out of a wall penetration. His actions were nothing but a novelty:D
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That's why the frost cutlery key chain folder is often sold in buckets 😁
( surprisingly for 1$ not a bad little blade to attach to my fishing bag )
 
Sosa said:
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[/URL][/IMG] Thanks for your contribution your majesty. show us some pics of your slip joint cutting sacks of cement.
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You gotta be kiddin' right? You don't think they opened cement bags before the invention of the one hand knife? Most EO Jack's can be opened one handed, sheaths put blades right where you can always access them a good leather sheath can have a clip and protect a well made tool at the same time adding years to its life. Hell you can beat a bag of cement open with a rock and they're all around places where you'd likely open a bag of cement. Why are you so hostile?

Buy what you like, use what you buy but don't forget slip joints have been around doin' the same jobs most modern knives today do, I personally think they look better doin' it and show a higher degree of craftsmanship in the process. Look at some of the old large folding hunters, many had locking blades any had 4" blades. Lastly it all comes down to preference and most use a combination of both old school and modern in their daily lives, that's why people come here and stay because we like knives.

With 2000 post in 2 years you're a part of the community, you may have come lookin' for an answer but you stayed.
 
It was an inside joke. And I carry a toothpick in my watch pocket.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
You gotta be kiddin' right? You don't think they opened cement bags before the invention of the one hand knife? Most EO Jack's can be opened one handed, sheaths put blades right where you can always access them a good leather sheath can have a clip and protect a well made tool at the same time adding years to its life. Hell you can beat a bag of cement open with a rock and they're all around places where you'd likely open a bag of cement. Why are you so hostile?

Buy what you like, use what you buy but don't forget slip joints have been around doin' the same jobs most modern knives today do, I personally think they look better doin' it and show a higher degree of craftsmanship in the process. Look at some of the old large folding hunters, many had locking blades any had 4" blades. Lastly it all comes down to preference and most use a combination of both old school and modern in their daily lives, that's why people come here and stay because we like knives.

With 2000 post in 2 years you're a part of the community, you may have come lookin' for an answer but you stayed.
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👍 a properly executed pocket clip is an awesome thing, but give me a nice piece of leather any day.
Cows are awesome! Their milk and meat feeds me, and their hide holds my knife and hatchet 😁
 
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