What is a gentleman's knife?

Bumping from the past.

Have people's opinions of gentleman's folders changed? My basic definition is something that projects refinement, but is fully functional. Just enough and not too much. Something that can handle tasks if called upon, but will normally spend it's life cutting your lunch or something on the cheeseboard, opening envelopes and sitting in your dress slacks. Nothing too flashy.

I prefer those without a clip, but as long as it doesn't get in the way, I don't mind, like the Benchmade Valet or the Mnandi.
Traditional slip joints can work, but there are so many choices on modern slip joints.

The thing that has changed in my mind is that micarta is now acceptable. There are so many classy micarta options.
 
My impression is that a gentleman’s knife grew out of the original pen knife - a small, one bladed knife for dressing quill pens or pencils. Thin and unobtrusive in the pocket. Something utilitarian that grew into also being elegant pocket jewelry. These men had other tools for other purposes (work, defense, etc), but this was the knife that was always on them for refined tasks in the house or in town, not in the barn, on the trail, or when afield.

My personal take is that any knife with a thumb stud, hole, or pocket clip is not a gentleman’s knife. Quiet opening and closing is a must, but that’s not to say a good snick or snap is out - just that you can open it quietly when desired. Excellent fit and finish is required, and polish isn’t a bad thing. Wood, horn, antler, and bone are good, but not required. Smooth - no rough edges to wear dress clothes.

When I reach for a gentleman’s knife, It’s one of these three.

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I am wondering if jigged bone or antler is still acceptable. Modern trends are to sleeker styles. What brought me to this old thread is that I am considering a Fallkniven gentleman's pocket knife and the stag and jigged bone looked rustic rather than elegant.
 
luethge luethge I like the way you think. What is the third knife. It reminds me that Rolex watches were not originally fashion statements. Just rugged, well made time pieces. Expensive but a cut above the rest.
 
gentleman_edc said:
I am wondering if jigged bone or antler is still acceptable. Modern trends are to sleeker styles. What brought me to this old thread is that I am considering a Fallkniven gentleman's pocket knife and the stag and jigged bone looked rustic rather than elegant.
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Rustic can easily be elegant, and people love any good looking material, especially if you're able to articulate a few of the nice details of it to help people 'see' what we do, even if they still don't actually care or feel any kind of way about it. Really the point of carrying something that's 'nicer' than what you strictly need as a knife is so that you can do that if it seems like the best option conversationally, which it rarely will be.
 
I don't meet many gentlemen these days, so I haven't noticed what knives they were carrying.

I think a gentleman's knife is - two-handed opening, probably a slip joint, attractive, well-made, relatively refined in appearance, and imminently useable. The greatest luxury of my life is free time, so that two seconds to pinch a blade and appreciate a nice knife is worth a lot. The time it takes to cut carefully, to handle properly, to enjoy using a nice knife - that's really valuable.
 
gentleman_edc said:
Bumping from the past.

Have people's opinions of gentleman's folders changed? My basic definition is something that projects refinement, but is fully functional. Just enough and not too much. Something that can handle tasks if called upon, but will normally spend it's life cutting your lunch or something on the cheeseboard, opening envelopes and sitting in your dress slacks. Nothing too flashy.

I prefer those without a clip, but as long as it doesn't get in the way, I don't mind, like the Benchmade Valet or the Mnandi.
Traditional slip joints can work, but there are so many choices on modern slip joints.

The thing that has changed in my mind is that micarta is now acceptable. There are so many classy micarta options.
Click to expand...
We pretty much have the same working definition! Basically something along the lines of a Spydie Gayle Bradley or any Chris Reeve folder. A blade you can easily pair with a nice suit and still look fly as hell. I’ll admit though that it’s a pretty flexible definition, and that there are no hard rules. For instance, can the Benchmade Adamas and Emerson CQC-7 be called gent folders despite the “tactical” styling? Depends who you ask, I suppose.

I think “bushcraft” knives and “fighting” knives are in a similar position.
 
It's hard to put a name to it but I know one when I see it. Here's a few different types that I like.
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Heffeb said:
My idea of a gentleman's knife is a Cold Steel AD-10.
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Black and satin, I agree completely! Not exclusive of other colors of course, but black, white, and satin are to me the epitome of the gent's knife colors, be it fixed or folder. They are simple enough to be understated, yet contrasting enough to be bold. And those colors seem to be able to go well with most gentlemen's attire. But unlike the AD-10, I also think small and unobtrusive are defining characteristics of the gentleman's knife. It can be modern and one handed, or traditional and two handed. The only thing is if it's the latter, I just won't pocket or use it much, except special occasions.
 
Still the same as it was five years ago.

"First a Gentleman's knife is never openable one-handed. A gentleman is never in such a hurry as to need his knife quickly, and his valet is always at hand to hold whatever is necessary to allow both hands to be free.

Second, it would never be a knife that would be used for self-defense. A gentleman would never deign to use more force than good old-fashioned fisticuffs to settle a dispute... and even that would be considered a failing, in that his words could not defuse the situation.


Third, a gentleman's knife would never be a knife without a story. It's only after rescuing the Baroness' favorite hound from a thistle bush, or cutting free the diamond stickpin that became entangled in Her Grace's bonnet, that a dress knife or a pen knife becomes a Gentleman's knife.


Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, a Gentleman's knife is one that does not draw attention. It is always a Gentleman's actions, not his accoutrements, that define him. It should be subtle, understated, refined. A knife that draws attention is... uncouth."
 
I can't accept the 'no one handed opening' criteria in the year 2022, it's just too basic and common a function. There's no reason a gentleman's knife shouldn't be modern, provided it meets the remaining criteria well.

An Mnandi or Miura or even the reliable Chaparral can provide good service as a gentleman's knife, not to mention the host of Peña bolster locking modern traditionals and their peers that also fit the bill.

What's most important is that they're attractive, unobtrusive, and appropriate for your setting. Not flashy or dressed up in every setting, though there are times when a freakishly shiny knife is exactly what it takes to match your setting, and not sized or designed in an embarrassing way.

Yes it is embarrassing, not scary or 'triggering', to parade your iron hog around like some kind of misbehaving two year old doing the helicopter for company. That's the actual key criteria. A gentleman's knife can never be a source of embarrassment, not even if a dongbucket rival is there to show you up or try to mock your stuff.
 
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