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I've seen the term thrown around with various folding knives. What exactly qualifies a knife as a gent's folder?
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What's a "Gent's Folder"?
- Thread starter Tsuki no Hikari
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A pretty little folder with a focus on aesthetics while, at the same time, being a quality cutter. I would consider most traditional slipjoints to be gent's folders.
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Y'all got the first part right.
The last part is only sometimes true.
A stockman with mother of pearl scales is pretty much a gents knife.
A stockman with Delrin scales is a workin' man's knife.
for that matter, I've seen lots of workin' man's knives with bone scales.
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I don't think there's any textbook definition. For me, a gent's folder is one I can carry easily when I'm dressed up for church or a wedding or funeral - or like I carried back in the bad old days when I worked in an up-tight office environment and had to wear a tie every day. :barf:
The knives in my collection that I consider to be gent's folders are my Buck 526 Executive, a little polished stainless handled lockback, and this Case peanut.
A smaller knife that has a fine quality finish with the bolsters often from an exotic wood with inlays, Mother of Pearl or Abalone.
The finish of the knife is often not suited to hard work.
A knife to be used on formal occasions, to match a formal attire.
The finish of the knife is often not suited to hard work.
A knife to be used on formal occasions, to match a formal attire.
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That seems to be open to interperetation. I have read some posters here on the forum who seem to think that any knife not suitable for hacking through a jungle or prying bricks out of a wall is a "gentleman's knife".
Personally, I consider a gentleman's knife a folder small enough to slip into the pocket of a pair of dress pants without making an unsightly bulge (IMO a closed length not much larger than 3 inches), and with a stylish design and/or exotic handle material (mother of pearl, semi-precious stone, etc.). For example, something like this Case Peanut with Jasper handles or the Case Tiny Muskrat with MOP handles:
Personally, I consider a gentleman's knife a folder small enough to slip into the pocket of a pair of dress pants without making an unsightly bulge (IMO a closed length not much larger than 3 inches), and with a stylish design and/or exotic handle material (mother of pearl, semi-precious stone, etc.). For example, something like this Case Peanut with Jasper handles or the Case Tiny Muskrat with MOP handles:
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To me, a gents folder is a working knife second, and a fashion knife first. It can be $10 or $1000, functional or not - it depends on what its used for, not the inherent characteristics.
It essentially has the same characteristics that a woman's purse has, to garner the occasional compliment and draw some general attention to ones sense of style/fashion, but at the same time not dominate the scene and draw all the attention away from the user in the same manner that pulling out a 6 inch assisted opener with a fully serrated bowie style blade might.
Kind of like a weapon - anything can be one, if you use it the right way.
It essentially has the same characteristics that a woman's purse has, to garner the occasional compliment and draw some general attention to ones sense of style/fashion, but at the same time not dominate the scene and draw all the attention away from the user in the same manner that pulling out a 6 inch assisted opener with a fully serrated bowie style blade might.
Kind of like a weapon - anything can be one, if you use it the right way.
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Gent knives are slimline knives generally a brushed or smooth metal. See specifically Buck Gent model 525-there is a thread concerning the Gent within the last 2 days on the Buck subforum. I have seen several companies that have a gent style knife.
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A gent's folder is a knife carried by a gentleman - presumably within the confines of society, as opposed to out in the wild. There isn't really a firm definition; you have some knives that are distinctly qualifiable as gent's folders (William Henry, Case, etc.), some knives that are distinctly not (larger folders and fixed blades, daggers and fighters, etc.), and a bunch of knives that are maybe-maybe-not. The Sebenza for instance, is elegant, but also rather sizeable and utilitarian. Or the Kershaw spec bump, which looks graceful but also rather mean.
Frankly, I like the idea of a gent's folder being a knife you can wear in woolen dress pants, which typically means it should be light and discreet, but also have a certain class of style that indicates you didn't buy it haphazardly.
This is one of those things that gets argued in circles.
Frankly, I like the idea of a gent's folder being a knife you can wear in woolen dress pants, which typically means it should be light and discreet, but also have a certain class of style that indicates you didn't buy it haphazardly.
This is one of those things that gets argued in circles.
powernoodle
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It is early Spring, and you are at a social gathering on the veranda of a Victorian mansion situated on 700 acres just outside of Charleston, SC. A cool spring breeze is bringing the smell of ribs from the grill. An intoxicating aroma of charcoal and sizzling meat.
The estate's owner, a very attractive young widow who recently inherited a shipping fortune of almost $800M, is clearly captivated by your charm and good humor. She approaches, accompanied by her twin sister who has returned just this morning from boarding school in Switzerland. After a shy giggle and a bit of conversation, the young widow flings her long, brown hair away from her face and asks if you might slice a lime for her Gin and Tonic. As she does so, you sense the slightest whiff of her scent, which is quickly replaced by that of the grill. You find yourself suddenly hungry, though for what you know not.
You:
a) remove your BK7 from an inside-the-waistband sheath, causing the widow to retract in fear and drop her Gin and Tonic; her security personnel wrestle you to the ground, beat the snot out of you in front of the twins, and remove you from the estate; or,
b) you casually remove a small, finely crafted folder hand-made of exquisite and costly materials. You expertly slice the lime with its razor edge, and place a slice in the widow's drink. As you do so, your hand casually touches hers, precipitating her to blush. But the blush is accompanied by an unblinking stare into your own eyes, and you see her pupils dilate ever so subtly. After an embarrassed pause, she asks if you might accompany her and her sister on a private walking tour of the riding stables. You accept, and begin your stroll as the sun begins to set behind the adjacent hills.
If your answer is b), you were carrying a gent's folder.
The estate's owner, a very attractive young widow who recently inherited a shipping fortune of almost $800M, is clearly captivated by your charm and good humor. She approaches, accompanied by her twin sister who has returned just this morning from boarding school in Switzerland. After a shy giggle and a bit of conversation, the young widow flings her long, brown hair away from her face and asks if you might slice a lime for her Gin and Tonic. As she does so, you sense the slightest whiff of her scent, which is quickly replaced by that of the grill. You find yourself suddenly hungry, though for what you know not.
You:
a) remove your BK7 from an inside-the-waistband sheath, causing the widow to retract in fear and drop her Gin and Tonic; her security personnel wrestle you to the ground, beat the snot out of you in front of the twins, and remove you from the estate; or,
b) you casually remove a small, finely crafted folder hand-made of exquisite and costly materials. You expertly slice the lime with its razor edge, and place a slice in the widow's drink. As you do so, your hand casually touches hers, precipitating her to blush. But the blush is accompanied by an unblinking stare into your own eyes, and you see her pupils dilate ever so subtly. After an embarrassed pause, she asks if you might accompany her and her sister on a private walking tour of the riding stables. You accept, and begin your stroll as the sun begins to set behind the adjacent hills.
If your answer is b), you were carrying a gent's folder.
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I guess that makes sense. After all, delrin was developed to be a hard-use item and the yellow-handle meant to be seen in case it was dropped outdoors. Bone, I would consider as more of a working man's knife, whereas stag is definitely a step up. However, can't go much higher than mother of pearl, unless you're touching into precious metal territory.
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Fantastic. :thumbup: ... although I'll admit I had to pause at the "accompanied by her twin sister." and it was pretty hard to continue, although I'm glad I did.
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Or....
c) you pull out a ZT Boot Dagger and stab the lime until she retracts in fear
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In that particular situation answer b screams new money. The correct answer is which ever knife your gentleman's gentleman produces when you snap your fingers.
Of course there are varying definitions of "gentleman", but in the knife industry it's generally a euphemism for expensive and perhaps a bit flouncy.
a refined design that several non-knive knuts appreciate, usually max 3" blade, often luxurious materials, tactical looks / tanto blades are usually taboo, several classic designs such as a nice laguiole tend to fit the category, and all this doesn't preclude that it can simply be a very good knife as well. Around 70% of my collection are like this.
I think that many Mcustas, esp the Damascus ones can be seen as really good gentlemen knives. Several Klotzlis also come to mind. Or the CR Mnandi. The splendid Spyderco Kiwi. As knife classes flow into each other, I think that with some goodwill a modern compact utility design such as the recent Spyderco Urban wharncliffe can also be regarded as a gentlemen knife.
I think that many Mcustas, esp the Damascus ones can be seen as really good gentlemen knives. Several Klotzlis also come to mind. Or the CR Mnandi. The splendid Spyderco Kiwi. As knife classes flow into each other, I think that with some goodwill a modern compact utility design such as the recent Spyderco Urban wharncliffe can also be regarded as a gentlemen knife.
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See, that's why this is so subjective. I would never even consider the Benchmade 940 to be a "gentlemen's knife". It is IMO much too large and utilitarian looking.
Now, the Benchmade 310 might qualify. It's small enough and the stylish design and decorative pattern cut into the scales could be considered sufficent for a "gentlemen".
But of course YMMV.
pvicenzi
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