The best way to describe a traditional pocket knife or folding knife is to think of the knife that your grandfather used to carry. It was probably a moderately small to medium size, two- or three-bladed knife that he pulled out to peel apples, cut string, or do any assortment of odd jobs. For many men of that generation, it was all they used for hunting, camping, work, or anywhere they had a need for a knife.
Traditional knives are the pocket knives that have been around for the last 100 years or so. They have certain characteristics in general, including traditional handle materials such as wood or bone, a nail nick in the blade to make opening the knife easier, and are held open by springs without an extra lock. It was intended to be carried in the pocket. If a knife has assisted opening, fancy locks, or a pocket clip, it probably isn’t a traditional knife. Popular patterns in traditional pocket knives include the trapper, stockman, peanut, sodbuster, congress, copperhead, canoe, and whittler.
Among the best companies making traditional pocket knives are Case Knives (or Case XX Knives), Buck Knives, Queen Cutlery, Mooremaker, and GEC (Great Eastern Cutlery). Some decent, but cheaper and lesser quality traditionally-styled knives are being manufactured by Rough Rider, Steel Warrior, and Remington.
The stockman, trapper, and sodbuster are still popular for hard-use knives among workers, ranchers, and outdoorsmen. Newer knives are making inroads, but the old knives are still good for the same purposes that they have always been used for, and will always be an excellent choice. They also, as well as such models as the peanut, and copperhead, make great general pocket knives or gentlemen’s knives, for those who prefer to carry a more socially acceptable, but still effective, pocket knife.
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