Which are the classic knives?

[kkokkolis]

MTO isn't a blades forum but love for blades intersects love for multitools, so I might get an answer here.
Opinels and Victorinox SAKs are available here for many years, before I was born. So they are known as classical knives. But other knives are less known in my country, although very common in other places and times. I knew the basic designs, such as Bowie, Kuhkri etc but I learned the last couple of years about other classic knives that are in fact far more important functionally and historically than modern tactical knives. I know a few but obviously not all. So, I'm going to ask, which are those classical knives? Let's start with folders. We have:
1. Victorinox & Wenger Swiss Soldier's and Officer's knives
2. Mercator German K55K knives
3. Ocapi German (now South African) knives
4. Cognet Douk Douk French knives
5. Opinel French knives
6. Laguiole French knives
7. Buck 110 American knife
8. Camillus Demo knives

I know there is also Italian, Scandinavian, Japanese, British and further Anerican tradition on folders. Can you fill the list?

[Gareth]

The traditional Spanish Navaja has to take a place on that list I'd say.

[kkokkolis]

Yes. Navaja is the long Arab/Spanish stiletto that inspired Laguiole but I don't know any traditional brand of it? Can you provide one?

[enki_ck]

Higonokami for the Japanese ones.

Balisong for the Philippines.

First thought of the British blades was the BAK, stainless handles and that big marlin spike.

I'll update if I remember more.   

[RamoN]

I think that there are more classic style and models than brands, but there are lots of ways to view that.

For the japanese i would also add a tanto, there isnt a specific classic brand or more apropiately maker (there are better or worse) for it but it is the japanese knife.

For my country i would say the facon is the classic knife, also there isnt a specific classic brand, there are several variations of it with different blade shapes all with a specific function.

If you would consider it for this list the machete is a classic. You could go with a collins and that would be a classic brand. There are other machete big brands like corneta, etc.

[Etherealicer]

For Switzerland the Swiss Dagger (its longer cousin is the Swiss Degen). They were made popular by the Swiss mercenaries (Reislaeufer).

[abd1959]

The Mora from Sweden and the Khukuri from Nepal.

[microbe]

Italian Resolza - Pattadesa knives

[Gareth]

For Switzerland the Swiss Dagger (its longer cousin is the Swiss Degen). They were made popular by the Swiss mercenaries (Reislaeufer).

(Image removed from quote.)

What I would think of as a basilard derivative.

[Gareth]

Yes. Navaja is the long Arab/Spanish stiletto that inspired Laguiole but I don't know any traditional brand of it? Can you provide one?

The basic design rather predates any single brand I believe, and pretty much any Spanish knife manufacturer will have several styles and sizes on their books.

[Steinar]

The classic Mora knife is sorely missing from the list as far as I can tell. (And pleeeeease don't call it a puukko, it's not the same thing! Puukkos are classics in their own right.)

[Gareth]

Going with a National theme I'd put forward the Scottish Dirk, descended from the ballock dagger, and the sgian dubh.  As a historical note the sgian dubh wasn't traditionally worn tucked into the top of the sock, that's a more modern concept.  No, sgian dubh translates as 'black knife' where black doesn't describe it's colour, but rather it's purpose.  It was concealed somewhere on your person and used as a last resort weapon.

[jerseydevil]

Gareth, can you legally carry a sgian dubh in public if you're in Highland dress?  Just wondering what the UK knife laws say about that.

[Gareth]

Gareth, can you legally carry a sgian dubh in public if you're in Highland dress?  Just wondering what the UK knife laws say about that.

Yes you can.  It's one of the named exceptions to the Law, these being "work", "religion" and "national dress". 

[Zed]

Nepal kukri 

[jerseydevil]

Gareth, can you legally carry a sgian dubh in public if you're in Highland dress?  Just wondering what the UK knife laws say about that.

Yes you can.  It's one of the named exceptions to the Law, these being "work", "religion" and "national dress". 

Ah good deal.    I suppose a basket-hilt claymore and a targe would be pushing it though.... 

[Gareth]

Gareth, can you legally carry a sgian dubh in public if you're in Highland dress?  Just wondering what the UK knife laws say about that.

Yes you can.  It's one of the named exceptions to the Law, these being "work", "religion" and "national dress". 

Ah good deal.    I suppose a basket-hilt claymore and a targe would be pushing it though.... 

Well......the law doesn't place a limit on the size of the blade, so...

[kkokkolis]

In Greece, the Cretan knives are classics. Called Machera, as in ancient times.

They are long and slim, some times Damascus and their handle (usually bone) is characteristic. They date from 18th century, although today's makers are 20th century. Skalidakis for example from 1938:
http://www.cretanknives.gr/

[Etherealicer]

For Switzerland the Swiss Dagger (its longer cousin is the Swiss Degen). They were made popular by the Swiss mercenaries (Reislaeufer).

(Image removed from quote.)

What I would think of as a basilard derivative.

Yes, most likely. I think the basilard is less strict in the design (you can see some with hardly any guard), while the Swiss Dagger all look alike.

[Chako]

I will have to put forth the Russell Canadian Belt Knife.

[nate j]

For the US:

One could argue for Bowie knife, but the problem is that the term has become so twisted and expansive that it is essentially meaningless.

I'll agree with heavy-bolstered lockbacks, as typified by the Buck 110.

There are also a number of slip-joint designs (probably too many to list) that I think of classically American, such as stockman, canoe, moose, Eisenhower, pen, etc.

[bmot]

For Indonesia or South-East Asia, the Kris?

[/size]The kris or keris is a prized asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia,Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, although many have straight blades as well.
[/size]

[/size]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris

[Crow]

Northern Finland, Sweden, Norway has Laplander knives called Leuku. They are big work knives, that sometimes take place of axe. Ones that carry Leuku usually carry one smaller knife for food and hunting.

[Gareth]

For Indonesia or South-East Asia, the Kris?


(Image removed from quote.)

[/size]The kris or keris is a prized asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia,Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, although many have straight blades as well.
[/size]

[/size]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris

I have a Kris that my Grandfather brought back from Indonesia, some time in the 60's?  I'll have to take some shots.

[nate j]

I can't believe I forgot the Ulu.   

[nmpops]

What about the American Classics such as the BARLOW, the STOCKMAN and the JACK KNIFE ??

[sir_mike]

Without a doubt one has to be the Barlow as mentioned earlier! 

[Philby]

The Corsican Vendetta.