I think penknives are one of those items where the quality hasn't really changed too much if at all imo, as long as you're buying a reputable brand, Case, GEC, Schieper, Boker (German made) etc. You get people on the knife forums who make it out like none of the vintage knives ever had gaps in the liners and the scales always felt flush with the bolsters but that's just as much nonsense if you've ever handled a lot of old knives or just perused antique stores.