I’m 70 y.o. & have a Sears Craftsman pocketknife with a 2” & a 1.5” blade. Have carried it for 50 some years, used it for everything, & took good care of it. It has served me well. Love all the new blades for sure, but still depend on old faithful.

I carry my great grandfathers traditional knife, he got it when he was a young man and when I carry it I feel a sense of responsibility that I'm carrying a part of my heritage with me day by day.

I’m 13 years old, I carry my traditional frost cutlery canoe knife, 1. Because it’s the only pocket knife I have and 2. It was my great grandmothers who passed away and my grandpa got it for me.

How could you have a entire “traditional” knife video with no mention of buck😕

My 82 year old father once told me that when he was a kid, "the old men would sit on the porch with their Shrade Stockmans and other pocket knives and visit while they munched on apples. They'd use their knives to slice off bites of apple and then raise the slice, knife in hand, up to their pie holes. They would tell jokes and talk about everything important and not important. Every man carried a folder in the pocket; they were used daily for all manner of utility." Catharsis. Times were slower and simpler then. Carrying a folder helps connect me to those simpler times.

Keep in mind your grandfather probably never carried a cell phone so he had a free pocket

I fell in love with “gentleman folders” and grandpa slip joint pocket knives when I was 10. I insisted I was old enough at 10 to Carry a knife and my dad agreed. I also started asking for “real tools”. So I could really build things. Every time we went into a flea market I would go right to the grandpa knives, pocket watches, and pocket tools. Why? At that point it’s what I saw and what I knew. I made sticks into pointier sticks, I learned the basics of sharpening, cut string. Etc. Eventually I got a Victorinox multitool. I carried that for years, but I also carried a small folder. It handles with much more precision then a multitool. As an older teen/ young adult I was using my knife for heavier jobs, and it almost closed on my hand. So I got a Buck lock back (did I mention that I’m almost 50?) . I loved that thing and misused it as a hammer, pry bar, etc. But I STILL carried a slip joint. At this point it was usually my sharpest knife because I only cut with it. I am an artist, and I got used to sharpening all of my pencils by hand. You could make a fine point, or a chiseled angled point ... I wouldn’t draw detail work for more than 5 minutes without sharpening. You also would literally scratch out inked lines in places to erase them. For that you need a flat or neatly flat section of a knife ...so it makes contact with the blade parallel to the paper. If you caught the tip you would pierce the paper and ruin it. You would end up scraping off almost powdered paper with the ink on it. Also, I would sharpen this knife briefly a couple tiles a week. Now I carry a CRKT m21-14sf with AUS 8 steel for outdoor work and self defense. But I still carry a “gentleman’s knife”. The Fallkniven laminated cobalt steel. I would say that I choose my best quality knife as my in pocket knife and then something bigger cheaper, and capable of being misused as my clip carry.

You guys should have had a couple old dudes provide the "why" for traditional knives. Firstly the old guys aren't into the speed of deployment.

As a former BSA member, I find that if you loop a length of cord through the lanyard hole, knot it, tuck the knot under your belt, and drop your knife in your pocket, you can always find your knife and you're less likely to drop it.

Case trapper in a leather pouch because not everything needs to be super tactical it just needs to be cut

I love carrying the older knives because it gives me a certain feeling of persevering the way my grandfather carried his knives.

So here’s the thing…when i reach into my pocket for my knife, I don’t want security alarms going off. I’m not a member of Seal Team 6. I’m not about to field dress a deer or defend myself in a hot-blooded bar fight. I want my pocket knife to be discreet and when I take it out, I want people to think…he’s about to peel an apple, or cut some string, or open a box. A traditional pocket knife does these things with utility and a certain timeless and non-threatening style that is at the core of its appeal. My last carry was an opinel #6 in stainless with an olive wood handle.

Why in the god forsaken hell would clean your finger nails with a blade at a freakin classical concert?

the buck 110 I've been carrying for 13 years does everything I need it to do and then some. kinda surprised it wasn't mentioned in this vid.

I spent years in the field as a plumber. As a plumber you don’t want to use the same knife for work as you do for lunch so I’ve carried a traditional as well as a modern knife for a very long time.

both of them are so calm and so gentle. It's really comforting to watch these two guys talking in this video

Love how disconnected these guys are with the traditional knives

i carry a one cause my grandpa gave it to me before he passed away

I’ve tried many different options and combos over the years but I find myself being more drawn to minimalist, old style wood or bone handle folding knives rather than the latest tactic-cool flippers made to quick draw or fidget with. There’s something about getting back to basics and carrying a man’s knife that just works without the flashy looks and action. I have no problem carrying one of those in my pocket or on my hip in a sheath.

I really appreciate these fellows gentleman-like manners. They treat one another and the subject with due respect. And this contrast of knives is cool in general.

For me most of the contemporary knives have very aggressive, military style. They looks like pocket combat knives. I need just an elegant looking cutting tool for everyday carry. That's why I prefer classical pocket knives.

but... but... buck 110. possibly the most famous knife ever produced... and not in this video...?

They're classics and you feel the history. Case makes some of the most beautiful knives today. Just so much history. Also when the blades are out, they all do the work we need them for.

My grandfather always had a case 3 blade pocket knife, he said that one was kept sharp for widdling and fine work, one kept clean for food, one for everyday use

if you never owned a scrade old timer... you never had a grandpa

I hate when people call traditional knived "grandfathers' knives". It's like calling an acoustic guitar a grandpa's guitar.

I carry my grandfathers buck 110 folding hunter because it was passed down from my grandfather to my father and to me and one day onto my son and his son and so on and so forth. I carry that blade because not only does it have meaning to it but it also has value, in my family that is.

I’m gonna be honest, I carry traditional folders because I’m a old school kinda guy for the most part, also I think modern knives are tacky and I don’t like them. I carry a case trapper in a case knife sheath on my right side on my belt

The first knife I ever bought was a case sod buster Jr. From an Ace hardware when I was 12, I rode my bike 2 miles to get it and the reluctant cashier sold it to me for $8. I still have it, and it was a back up utility knife I used in Bosnia, UAE, Saudi, Afcrapistan, and last but least, shit holes of shit holes, Iraqi!!!! It's rusted a few times on me and has been tossed in a bead blaster to remove the rust. Although it's very worn and has lost a little less than half of it's blade profile, it's a beast that has served me well over 30 years and now resides with reverence in a nice wooden box next to my bed with other cherished relics from my past

I carry a traditional pocket knife for whittling. I found that modern knifes are uncomfortable for wood carving.

Man, I miss Ben. His content creation was off the charts!

I grew up on a farm and I have carried a large 3 bladed stockman since I was about 12 years old. The large fits my hand well. The big blade was the utility blade that was used for rough cutting and scraping, scraping battery cables and what ever rough work that had to be done, the next smaller blade was used for cutting the coarser stuff, Not all stuff on a farm is like cutting butter and is pretty rough on an edge. Then you saved the last blade for the delicate work. You have to have a sharp blade at all times. Getting out splinters and other assorted first aid stuff. When you went out without your knife it was like leaving home without your right hand!

I know this comment won't be liked on a knife channel. But the thing is not everyone needs to be tactical ready for war. Most people just need a pocket knife every once in a while.

I carry an opinel its classy and and is cheap. Makes me not afraid to lose it.

I sometimes carry a Case knife like these in addition to my standard pocket clip knife. It’s something that I can fidget with when I’m bored, something to take out and look at, also makes me feel nostalgic, and serves as an extra or back-up just in case. If your out somewhere with a buddy who doesn’t have a knife on them you can gift them and that’s fun sometimes.

I carry my grandfather’s Barlow in pocket for sentimental value.

Hard to beat a good Swiss Army Knife for most daily tasks.

There's nothing more traditional than a victorinox even the modern ones with the classic red scales still traditional

MUCH better suited for delicate tasks with smaller and thinner blades. Most traditional designs have multiple blades for various purposes. Nice to have a blade for utility tasks and others you can keep sharp. LIGHTER! Easier to sharpen Clips are an added risk... I don't use the clip on a knife because the knife is easier to loose. I've lost some... Put it in the bottom of your pocket with a bunch of crap on top of it. And yes, sentimental and less threatening. Try carving something out of wood or skinning game with that 940 and you will see the advantages of the traditional knife. For most of us strapping manly men today... We can open more boxes of knives and cut cardboard quicker and dream up elaborate plans to shank a terrorist with our fabulous flippy ferocious folders... That's about the end of their practical andvantage. I think the amount of comments mentioning the buck 110, sak, and case knives speaks volumes!

I carry a case medium stockman everyday for years. Nostalgia, functionality in an office setting and remembering my dad and grandpa

I carry the case trapper. It was a birthday gift. My grandpa bought it for me when i was 10. I carry it because after all this time I can't imagine carrying anything else. You really do get attached to it. Plus like you said, it is completely non threaten. I have use my knife all over the place and no one ever said anything to me. Plus when you need a knife it is just there. I have used it for everything from cutting rope to store bags. It is truly like my right hand...

I think they are disconnected as to why people carry traditional pocket knives. Certain style blades are more useful than others depending on what you are doing. Ever try to field dress a rabbit with a katana shaped blade? Now try it with that Case Trapper, its a whole lot easier. Clip point, drop point, sheeps foot, tanto, gut hook, spear point etc. etc. all have a different application same with material type of blade for example stainless and high carbon. If you"re just cleaning under your nails, or opening a box of batteries then it really doesn't matter. But if you're a sailor, hunter/trapper, whittler, warfighter, EMT, mountain climber, diver, so on and so forth, you will realize that certain designs make your life easier. Would a whittler want a huge unwieldy folder to make fine cuts? EMT's need to cut through seat bealts, Mountain Climbers may have to cut through rope and serrated will help. A warfighter/military member may need one for defensive/general purpose i.e. K-Bar fighting knife as the clip point punctures well, good belly for slicing, high carbon steel for field applications as it will help with larger sparks and holds a edge with less maintenance, really thick to take a beating which makes it poor at precision/fine whittling jobs. Diver probably wants to go stainless, serrated for cutting fishing lines/nets they may get caught in or prop gets caught in etc.

I carry one because I absolutely love the oldschool, timeless and classic design of traditionals. And most traditional folders are lightweight, too. Further I wear suits quite often for work so in most cases I carry my small Douk Douk or a Robert Klaas Stockman in my chest or inner pocket plus a Victorinox Tinker for any other tasks I might need small tools for.

I carry my knife that my grandfather gave me when I was 5 or 6. He passed in 2012, so I carry it to remember him.

When I was in the light infantry, I ran out and bought a Gerber LMF, because I thought that was what the epitome of infantry cool was. All I ever used it for was a open MRE's and cut 550 cord. In a profession where weight matters, I ditched the LMF and bought a swiss army knife. It opened my MRE's and cut 550 cord just fine. Now I carry a Case copper lock with the amber bone handle. Case and point (no pun intended) I think most people overestimate what they're needs are when it comes to knives.

I love carrying the old style folding knives. My father, his father....just something about having one in the pocket. I am a fan of Victorinox, Wenger, Barlow and the traditional 3 blade Buck knives. I use small Velcro pouch for some, others just slip in the pocket. When I don't have any knife on me I just don't feel right.

I like the traditional knife because it’s compact, sharpens easily (no high tech steel) and they look great. You can clean a trout or dove or quail and also cut a summer sausage or a steak with a Texas toothpick for instance. What is a tanto blade good for by comparison?

I’ve started caring a beautiful yellow case sodbuster Junior. I keep it in my back pocket. Yes it’s much slower than my other tactical style modern knives but there’s something about the feel of it in my hand and the enjoyment of just opening it up and cutting with it that makes it worthwhile carrying.

Old time pocket knives are tools and were never intended to be used in self defense situations...

I've carried a rancher since I was 6; dad said a gentleman wasn't dressed without a knife.

another thing , my favorite cutting tool to carry are children's safety scissors, i purchased a pair at menards for 65 cents, they are not tactical or offensive in any way, they're lime green, they cut really well, really good for cutting out leaves, sticks, and thorn vines from my dogs thick fur, thats why i started to carry them in the first place, My Golden Puppy had a sharp thorn vine stuck to his hind leg and tail, all i had was a Spyderco knife and he just would not hold still, I barley got the vine free with the knife without cutting my self. what I really Needed were non pointed scissors, I carry them every time im around dogs. saved a few dogs from thorn vines since. tactical isn't always practical -- cheers!

My dad has always carries knives and i am just getting into collecting them. I really enjoy the old style knives for reliability and looks. There is nothing that beats a jigged bone handle.

The reason I carry a traditional knife is because have you ever tried to peel an apple with a modern folder it just doesn't work as well

Cadet is the best you can buy it's my edc along with a mix of other large folders. SAK all day!

Utility is the word that they can't seem to find. Two or three blades suitable for all manner of real world everyday uses. If you are going to carry a weapon then carry a weapon, a traditional pocket knife is a tool that you can most always have with you.

I have slip joints and I have automatic’s and one thing I never think about is what people think

My dad always said: "Every man needs to have a good knife." But if I'm honest, the real reason why my grandpa carried a folder was because the mentality was: it's a versatile tool (which it is). Most guys nowadays, carry more based on the "weapon first, tool second" mentality due to the times we live in. I've never seen my grandfather pull out his knife in a self defense situation. I have however, seen it in his hands majority of the time when we were working on the ranch.

I carry a Buck folding knife, affordable and I like the old fashioned look/ feel 😎

I have carried a traditional pocket knife since I was a kid. I have many traditional pocket knives, they are easy to carry and some even fit into the small pocket of my jeans. I use the pocket knife everyday to cut hay bale string or open packages. Thanks for the video fellas keep up the great work

I carry a 1950s Kamp King in my left pocket. I carry it because it’s fun to play with and since it’s scout pattern (knife, caplifter screwdriver, can opener, awl) I fits the niche of multi tool and knife. I can open a box and I can pop open your beer around the campfire.

I really enjoy the knife banter series. The hosts really compliment each other. And Ben makes it rain!

17 minutes and absolutely no good look at any knife, traditional or otherwise, and zero information. Just rambling on and glimpses of some kind of knives

I have one actually. I bought it kind of broken for about 2€ and restored it. Now I carry this little boy everyday and everywhere in my right pocket. I personally use it to some light knife tasks, sawing some little sticks (it has a "saw" on the back) and I open bottles when no lighters around.

I frequently carry an Opinel. Mainly for nostalgia and you hit it on the head when you talked about how it's not threatening. When I was doing my MBA I actually took it out in class to cut up an apple. Still got looks, but not because they thought it was scary...just odd lol

Video starts at 2:40

I got my first pocket knife in 1962 for my 8th birthday. It was a Boker boy scout model. I have never been without a knife in my pocket since then. (I'm pushing 70). For me, the transition from traditional "grandpa" knives to more modern features happened during my Army years (early 70s) when I acquired a Buck Model 110 at the PX. Not a pocket knife, but Army regs at the time did not prohibit us from carrying the 110 on our belts. What really caught my attention was the locking blade. Much safer, especially for heavy use situations. Buck lead the way with lock blade pocket knives like the 501 Squire, which I carried for many years. It had the lock but also a smooth, traditional finish which made it comfortable to carry in my front pocket. By this time I was working white collar and when I did pull it out to open mail, cut string, etc. nobody got nervous. Since then, I have had a wide assortment of pocket knives, but always with some kind of lock. I came to appreciate the one hand openers and forward assist mechanisms. (I lived in Oregon when the Court of Appeals threw out all criminal restrictions against anything that could be construed as a "switch blade", which meant I could carry those knives in my front pocket without worrying about concealed weapons charges. It's no coincidence the Bench Made is an Oregon corporation.) However, I have never been a fan of clips on pocket knives. They only contribute to pocket congestion. Whenever I get a new pocket knife, the clip is always removed and tossed aside. Possibly the defining difference between us Boomers grandpas and the upstart Gen X/Millennial knife enthusiasts.

i've always carried a case stockman tool and it has served me well ranch, simi wireing, etc .

I have always carried a Buck 110. Its big and heavy but it can be used for multiple tasks. Buck offers a lifetime warranty which is a plus. The knife only cost $50. And the blade is stainless steel. It will shower sparks from a ferro rod with its 90 degree spine. But it makes a great edc and its a nice looking knife.

In response to your request for info on why some people carry traditional pocket knives. Being 50 I grew up carrying "traditional" pocket knives and I've never fully made the switch to modern single blade designs. I own several Including some high end blades and for self defense and general purpose cutting (box opening, cutting bailing twine etc.) they can't be beat. Having said that, the traditional multi-blade design gives me options that the single blade knives can't. My favorite traditional design is the three blade stockman. I keep the spey blade sharpened on a very shallow angle and use it strictly for its intended purpose. The sheepfoot blade is sharpened on a slightly greater angle used for general cutting and whittling . Lastly, the clip blade is sharpened at roughly 20 degrees and for the most part is used for cutting food when eating outdoors. It can be argued that I could use a single blade for all these things but it is hard to keep a blade scalpel sharp, as I do my spey blade, when cutting cardboard.

I'm 62 yrs old , I've carried a pocket knife my whole life , case is my brand but I have many knives for different uses . You asked why , in my world a grown man carries a knife , I feel incomplete without one .

The Buck Knife 110 is what I think of when I think about a traditional knife. My dad had one, I just bought one for that reason. Great video, I think a simple belt sheath makes the traditional knives a bit more inviting. Thanks 🙏

Love the Case knife, Boker, Camillus and Hen & Rooster. LOVE the old, traditional knives, and I carry a Case medium stockman daily.

I carry an original Buck 110 in the leather belt sheath from time to time. It's vintage to the 70's and belonged to my deceased great uncle who served in WWII. It has personal value and nostalgia plus I like the rustic southern charm of it. Not to mention it's a TOTAL beast of a knife... like a folding hunter. I love it. I of course do also own tactical folders and fixed blades as well.

I've carried buck, case. Now I carry victranox farmer. I love it. Use the awl more than I ever thought I would

My EDC is a Kershaw khaki locking knife for special occasions and casual dress times I carry the SAK my son got me in Switzerland bought at a shop outside the Victorinox factory. Best son ever. Still have my first SAW bought in Hawaii as a soldier 35 years ago looks rough but still a trooper.

I know I'm late to the party since this video is 8 months old, but I just ran across it and wanted to comment on your question about why carry an "traditional" pocket knife. I've got a few years on your guys being 61. I've carried a pocket knife since I was 8. My wife would tell you I have a knife fetish. My collection is approaching 100 knives and most are folders. About half of those are in my carry rotation. I carry my Case and Victorinox knives for a few reasons. One big consideration for me is how I'm dressed and what my planned activities for the day may be. If I'm wearing a suit or slacks and spending the day in the office, going to the theater or a out for a nice dinner I'll carry one of my smaller "traditional" knives without a clip. If I'm going to be out on a construction project site, working on my farm, hiking, and dressed for outdoor activities I mostly carry one of my Benchmades with the 940 being my favorite. So in short it is situational, but sometimes I'll grab my Case Mini-Trapper or Full Whittler even if I'm wearing jeans and spending time outdoors just because they are cool and almost a work of art.

One of the best places to carry a pocket knife is the watch pocket in your jeans

I carry a Case trapper mainly because of looks and size. It’s not too small that it gets lost in my pocket but not too big that it’s weighing me down. I use the straight blade for cutting food like a block of cheese and I use the pointed blade for things like opening boxes

The Buck 110 and the Case Sodbuster are my two favorite knives in my collection and get the most carry time, I love them both.

These videos are awesome

I like victorinox it's quite possible that it's the best thing out there for an everyday person who doesn't work in environments involving physical work with tools

My first Benchmade was a 940-1. I absolutely love it. The action...the axis lock. It just flies out of the pocket. Into action and out of action so damn fast. Best knife ever essentially.

I love the craftsmanship the feel and weight. Traditional pocket knives are beautiful and get a lot admiration from people who appreciate quality and beauty in a stag handle knife .My personal favorites are Boker ,Case , Uncle Henry and Old Timer .

I carry an opinel. I use it for eating. I go out and get a steak, their knives are always crap. So, that is that..... lol

I LOVE case knives People give them crap for rusting easy. IT'S BECAUSE THEY USUALLY USE HIGH CARBON STEEL. IF YOU DON'T OIL IT IT'S GOING TO RUST

My EDC knife is a Buck 110 and i absolutely love it. It's a pure classic. 💪🏻

I carry a Rite Edge Gold Series Alaskan Locking Foldable Knife, and I love it. Perfect for fishing

I carry a cheap little knife that came with an Outdoor Canada magazine subscription, that my Grandpa gave to me. Its very slim, small and non-threatening, and it has an incredibly sharp point. I like carrying it on occasions where a big, "scary" knife isn't appropriate and even though it's a piece of crap I love it.

Buck 110. It’s sturdy, affordable and there’s no shortage of old men that’ve carried the same one for 40 years. You can’t beat that quality for $40

I carry at least two knives daily. My left front pocket gets a traditional folder, usually a stockman by Case or Schrade. Why? Well, three blades means I can do a lot of cutting and still probably have at least one really sharp blade left, plus three different blade shapes have different things they’re ideal for. Plus I’m old.

My dad has a Case XX 4-blade that my grandpa used in the mines, one of the blades looked like a rainbow from being sharpened so much, and despite not having been used for years all the blades were still razor-sharp.

I'm 16 and I've been carrying traditional pocketknives my whole life. I absolutely love them.

I carry a traditional pocket knife for cutting things. It's small. It's just a tool, not for self defense. I don't need to be able to "whip it out".

I rock the Case Mako in a belt pouch. My grandfather got it for me as a gift a number of years ago and it is the best knife I've every had. Perfect size very very well made and I'm confident it will last my whole life with minimal maintenance. Looking forward to passing it on to my son some day.

If it counts I carry around my dad's old swiss army knife with me every day! I appreciate it for the scissors, knife, file, and metal pick. As a forager, the scissors and knife work well to cut plants, and they're also good for stray threads and fingernails!. The knife is great for carving, I love making pipes and simple instruments. I use the file for the previous two things as well as fingernails. Finally, the metal pick is super useful for fine engraving on metal (I'm serious, it's magical), and works great as a punch for almost any material. You can also use it for fingernails or teeth (ew, but I clean it every night I use it). I find myself carrying this EVERYWHERE! Every now and then someone seems to be in need of a knife or a pair of scissors, and having that right on me is so convenient in those moments. I would suggest it to anyone who likes nature and art, as well as anyone who frequently needs scissors, a pick, and a knife.

great eastern cutlery is where it's at!

NEVER carry Grandpas knife, or ANY knife with family value. Always carry a midpriced knife so if Anything happens to it ( gets lost,stolen,broken,ect) then it's No big deal, buy another . Always keep Expensive knives and family heirlooms in a good safe place.

3 blade (Schrade) “old timer” stockman, here. Bone handle, Nice, large clip point. Quite a few decades on it. A bit pitted, now..well used . I’m 73

I used to carry a traditional folder in my back pocket with my wallet when i worked in a grocery store and later at a warehouse. I carried that traditional folder because it was the last thing I'd gotten fron my grandpa before he passed away. So it was my way of carrying him with me. I have since started carrying a spring assisted karambit from snake eye tactical because i no longer cut boxes. Now I cut and strip wire and things like that and I just prefer that blade style.

The smaller loop on the end of gentlemen's pocket knives was intended to attach to a pocket watch chain and was carried in the pocket opposite of your pocket watch.