My conversation here and elsewhere is simply to address the definitions of traditional. I am analytical minded and get heartburn when I am suppose to agree with someone that declares something because of an opinion or feeling one way or the other. Even if I actually agree with them down deep, I like to see a standard that can be used as a measuring stick. For example, in the sticky post we picture the Levine's guide that is littered with knives that would not meet most peoples criteria of a traditional if we put actual opinions to the written word. For example, a Schrade wire jack. No backspring - no slabs, etc. Does that disqualify it? Penny knives - most criteria would exclude them - but they may be the oldest form of folding knife to exist. Many times I play devils advocate just to figure out where the boundaries actually lay, as opposed to what this person or that person feel. I personally wouldn't have a problem with saying a "traditional folder" needs to have a backspring that is fixed at two points rendering it an actual "spring". But now we have to remove discussion of MANY other knives typically considered traditional. With each aspect we casually exclude, do we not need to actually define the mechanical aspect that include/excludes a certain model? I mean Levine has a Spyderco Q in his book, Penny knives of several variations, foldover knives, etc. etc. Does he get to define them? Who picks which knife in his book we will further quantify a traditional. When do we hold elections to determine who's opinions we make into rules this year. I guess what I am saying is that definitions are great; but definitions that are actually detailed enough that everyone reads them the same are even better. Having mods make the judgement calls are how we handle these issues, and I am the first one to support that. Having other individuals form an opinion and then act like I must be logically handicapped or less experienced if I don't agree, doesn't sit so well.
No, it was complete humor - this the little winker at the end. As I have said before, everyone is welcome to their opinion. And none carries any more weight than the other as far as I am concerned. We are all just people here because we love knives. Some of us handle them every day; some of us less frequent. But in the end, there are few that consider them more than an interest at some level or another. And even less that consider ourselves any kind of expert above / beyond the rest here.
But, in the end, it is a conversation between friends. Which should be viewed as friends trying to make their point. Many times I don't even believe my own point - thus asking me to believe everyone else's just makes my head hurt.
