Budget slipjoints?

FlamingMoe

FlamingMoe

Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Messages
35
Hey guys! As some of you may know I'm pretty new to the knife world, and I thought I'd give a good ol' traditional knife a try seeing as many people around here love them. Problem is, most of the one's I've looked at are $50+, and I really don't want to spend that much on a knife that may see little use or I may end up hating. So does anyone have any suggestions for good $20-$30 slipjoints for someone who doesn't have much traditional experience?
 
Swiss Army Knives can't be beat for quality. Try an 'Excelsior' or a 'Solo Alox' if you want something more full size. Both are traditional style knives as opposed to multitools. A Case Sodbuster is a good starter traditional, it was my first when I started carrying a pocket knife. You can get an Opinel, sizes 6-8 are good for carry, they slice like a light saber and are tremendous value. All of these will come in budget and to be frank, all are good enough that you don't really need anything more. :)
 
The modest, indomitable Case Peanut can be had for around $36 new in good old yeller Delrin, and it's a fantastic knife. Several years on from getting into traditionals, it remains one of my all-time favorite knives.

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all you need to know is .... eBay. I have around 100 USA made Case pocket knives - all are mint used condition. I can say with darn few exceptions I never pay more than $35 (including shipping) for any of them on eBay (try to keep it closer to $30) ... if I pay over $35, I really want it bad (which isn't that often). You have to put in some time hunting around for the patterns you like and be prepared to lose a few to those with the computer sniping programs, but you will win more than you lose on eBay.

One tip I learned that made the whole eBay thing much more fun ... set your eBay search criteria (on the left panel of the screen) to the dollar range you're interested in, I use $1 - $30 ... that way it weeds out all the multitudes of new knife dealers that are listing their knives at or often above retail. It gets frustrating unless you use this search feature to narrow it down - otherwise you waste way too much time scrolling past full retail knives.

Here's a starting point ... if you're looking for a stockman or canoe, or whatever pattern, just type that in the search box to make it more specific: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=1&rt=nc&_udlo=1&_udhi=30
 
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The Case Mini Trapper in yellow Derlin or orange synthetic can be had for $40. In black, burgundy, sunflower or purple synthetic you can find them for $36. It is an awesome knife. Great feel, half stops, decent size.

The Case Mini Copperlock in Terra Cota can also be had for $40. It's a back lock but it is also a great design and is very good bridge from moderns to traditional patterns.
 
Eli Chaps said:
The Case Mini Trapper in yellow Derlin or orange synthetic can be had for $40. In black, burgundy, sunflower or purple synthetic you can find them for $36. It is an awesome knife. Great feel, half stops, decent size.

The Case Mini Copperlock in Terra Cota can also be had for $40. It's a back lock but it is also a great design and is very good bridge from moderns to traditional patterns.
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This! I have many slipjoints and one of my absolute favorites is a yellow handle Case mini trapper in CV steel.
I also just picked up a Rough Rider trapper and I’m pretty impressed with it.
 
Elgatodeacero said:
each step in quality... Rough Rider to Case to Great Eastern Cutlery is a substantial step up in quality.
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I'm not so sure about that.
Admittedly, I do not own a lot of Case knives, and so far as I am aware, I have never seen a GEC (or their related brands) in person, so I cannot comment on the GEC products.

Most of my knives are a Rough Rider.
I can honestly say that of the patterns I have in both Case and Rough Rider, the fit and finish of the Rough Rider is every bit as good as the Case.
I can also say the Rough Rider has a more consistant blade pull, (one blade does not have a noticably heavier or lighter pull than the others) and, for the most part, the Rough Riders have a more even grind/edge bevel on all the blades.

Rough Rider does not have the same "collectability" as Case (or GEC) but I really don't care about "collectability".
All my knives are users, not a "Safe Queen". Good thing, too, since I don't own a safe. :)
 
since most dealers of Case and GEC allow 14 day returns, you have no risk if you dont fall in love with it. Send it back.

I just feel its unfair to slip joints to base your experience on Rough Riders alone.
 
It would be helpful to know what pattern. I can easily find an older, gently used, knife in almost any pattern for $50. It just takes a little looking, but if you have an idea of what you want I'd bet a lot of folks here could help you find a good knife in you price range.
 
specgrade said:
Comparing Case to Rough Ryder is like comparing Beretta to Taurus, imo. ALMOST the same....almost.
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If memory serves, when the US military made the "oops" of dropping the 1911 A-1 in favor of the Beretta, the Beretta was prone to cracking the slides.
I've never heard of Taurus having that propensity.

I'm not saying Case (or Beretta) are bad.
But why spend x dollars extra for the name?
 
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