Like most people, you must have stumbled upon the old stuff in the basement to find grandpa's old pocket knife. Instead of shoving it away, we recommend you actually pick it up and place the manual pocket knife in your pocket. It is sure to give you different experience.
Manual or traditional pocket knives are making a comeback. If you can't test out whether this type of pocket knife is for, we have compiled a list of reasons why you should be thinking of getting a manual pocket knife this season.
Simplicity
A traditional pocket knife is bereft of many components that a spring assisted knife has. This is because manual folding knives have to be opened by two hands swiping the need for springs, coils or other moving parts under the rug.
Most of these pocket knives don't even have a liner lock. They just have a folding blade that needs to be manually brought out. The handles aren't modern or high tech. They are simple but classic wooden or micarta handles with one or two shiny metallic bolsters.
The handles of these pocket knives are straight with no curvatures of abrasive G10 materials to make them flashy or ergonomic. But the simplicity of the design of manual pocket knives is what makes them-and you by default- stand out in the market inundated with spring assisted pocket knives.
When you take this pocket knife out to clip a nail or to open a letter, you won't get raised eyebrows because of the classic design of these manual folders which look chic rather than lethal.
Durability
The lack of working parts gives these traditional pocket knives an edge over the spring assisted pocket knives and switchblades. The less the number of bits and bobs inside a folding knife, the more reliable it becomes for long term use.
There is a reason you can still carry your grandpa's knife after all these years. It is because it still works like it did 20 years ago. A spring assisted pocket knife is bound to show up with some faulty part or another at some point within a few months of regular opening.
When you buy a manual pocket knife, you should be assured that it will last you for a lifetime if you have the blade sharpened from time to time. True, you will feel some friction in opening the manual folding knife, but hands are always more trusted than any compressed spring.
Everyday Carry ( EDC)
No locks, no clips, no thumb studs or flippers. These manual pocket knives have a smooth surface and most of them are built just to sit in your pocket. That doesn't mean that these manual folders can't be your everyday carry (EDC) knives. In Fact these pocket knives make ideal EDC knives just because of their in-built strength.
The built in sturdiness comes from durability of the handles which are high end compared to most modern spring assisted knife handles. The shiny metal or wood design lends weight and finesse to your manual pocket knife. No matter where you are, you are certain that your pocket knife will come in handy whenever you desire it.
A typical taper knife-which is the most popular manual pocket knife design, is made keeping functionality in mind. You get two blades in this pocket knife, a spade and another sharp blade to come in handy during all sorts of tweaking, threshing, wire cutting and slicing.
Most modern knife enthusiasts are preferring compact in-pocket knives over big folders anyways-something that they can carry to their offices or place of work without drawing gaping mouths. The non-lethal look of the manual pocket knives will appeal to them.
Nostalgia
The thing about traditional pocket knives is that they last long-far too long that a generation can surpass their existence. These types of pocket knives were the first folding knives to be developed. Hence they carry the weight of history.
Your father and grandfather carried them as their first knives. These manual pocket knives have the aura of the classic age of knives when it was fashionable to carry one by a gentleman. Carrying these pocket knives will give you that same gravitas-something one can never achieve with a spring assisted knife, that feels like a mass factory produced weapon.
Another thing about carrying a manual pocket knife is the aesthetics and old timeness of these types of knives. Regardless of functionality, these knives check the box of fulfilling an age old tradition that will make most knife enthusiasts want to volunteer for such a thing.
Self Defense
Manual pocket knives are not just all style but no substance. These folding knives are all about functionality. Since they make for classic everyday knives, by default these knives can become a self defense weapon.
Most people would argue a pocket knife that can only be opened with the help of two hands could hardly be considered as an efficient self defense knife because of its slow deployment. But they can't be too wrong.
A manual pocket knife would have a much stronger thrusting action once it is fully opened. With more practice, you can actually pull the pocket knife out single handedly as well.
Now you know what gifts these manual pocket knives have to offer. Get yourself one and add a must-have pocket knife to your collection.
