What is a gentleman's knife?

I think pocket jewelry or slip joints make this category.
I do think that they should aesthetically pleasing and have class or nice materials. Whether that means damascus and mother of pearl or vintage wood grain beauty.

Plastic handles and large tactical knives dont belong here.
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After stirring the pot, I have realized there are two distinct classes of knife that have been discussed. What I will call a gentleman's knife, which is an EDC knife for people who don't get their hands dirty at work, and a Dress Knife. And they overlap.

And these are distinct from a work knife, a hunting knife, a bushcraft knife and .... a multitool.


Thanks for all the help. What I have figured out is that I don't want jigged bone or stag or a bright finish or camo on my gentleman's knife. I have a Boker Trapper Liner with red jigged bone. It is certainly a dress knife, but for me, it doesn't tick all the checkboxes.
 
I have one knife that I would consider for the title of a gentleman's knife: the Civivi Chronic. But in typical Civivi fashion, the knife is a tribute to utilitarian design. Plain as a Honda Civic, but also just as reliable. Kinda boring, and a gentleman should never bore anyone in his presence or life. That is all I have, enjoy the remainder of your Sunday!
 
w/o laboring on "I lost my Dad & have been going thru his knives" this one was on his night table. in a box elsewhere in his room was another new one in it's PKGing w/a post-it note: "my every day walking around knife". he was certainly a gentleman, so maybe this qualifies? it's quite small, 2" blade. I've been carrying it in my pocket occasionally, but haven't had cause to use it yet
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For me, the best option for a gentleman's knife is the kwaiken.
Don't think size and weight matter..
it just doesn't have to be tactical and with an elegant design.
 
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