classic slipjoint

mongomondo

mongomondo

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I know it's a weird question, but I'm looking to get a popular slipjoint knife that has similar status to the Delica or Griptilian in the tactical folding knife world. I recently ordered a Case medium stockman and a Peanut, Am I missing out on a commonly agreed upon "must have" slipjoint for new fans?

I read good things about the Sway Back Jack but I don't like the wharncliffe shape. Some of the GEC or Queen stuff look nice as well but they are fairly spendy, is it worth the extra cost over the medium stockman from Case? ($45)
 
It sounds like you are asking for what are classics in slipjoint?
Correct?

A Case bone stockman and the Peanut are classics

A 4" Queen stockman in Amberbone for about $55 with D2 (sharpen it yourself) is also a classic

The trapper is a classic pattern
Folk are very fond of 'yella' delrin as scales
 
I'm not really sure I understand what you mean exactly, but the Stockman and Peanut are about as "must have" as you will find.
I guess the materials used in a production slipjoint knife, and as a result the price would determine weather it is a value knife like a Delica/Grip, or a premium offering like Millie/520.
So I guess if you were wanting to try the GEC brand at the "value" price point, you might look at the Tidioute instead of Northfield/Great Eastern, and buy acrylic instead of Stag.
 
I think what he means,is,like a "staple" of the slipjoints...
So,IMO,that'd be a Sod buster,and or,Barlow.
But he won't stop there :D
-Vince
 
mongomondo said:
I know it's a weird question, but I'm looking to get a popular slipjoint knife that has similar status to the Delica or Griptilian in the tactical folding knife world. I recently ordered a Case medium stockman and a Peanut, Am I missing out on a commonly agreed upon "must have" slipjoint for new fans?
Click to expand...

No, you're not missing out - sounds like you got a couple must-haves. :thumbup: Be careful, though: Like me, in time you might find yourself selling off most of your modern one-hand-openers.

A few others that I'd add to that list:
* A U.S.-made Schrade Old Timer (either a 33OT jack or a 34OT medium stockman).
* A Victorinox alox Soldier.
* A Case trapper with yella handles and CV steel.
 
Are yo looking for something shaped like a Spyderco? How about their UKPK?

If you want something more traditional I'd recommend a Queen D2 Jackknife. They make them in two patterns: Dogleg Jack and Serpentine Jack. The jackknife is a classic pattern with two blades, one large blade (clip or spear point usually) and one small blade (usually a pen). That gives you enough blades that you can handle most situations, and a backup for if you dull one.

I really like Queen's D2 as it is aggressive and holds an edge for a long time. Be forwarned that it will likely come dull and you will need to reprofile it.

Queen's Amber Carved Stag Bone (ACSB) is some of the best scale material I've seen--looks really traditional. You should have plenty of options in that material.
 
VCM3 said:
I think what he means,is,like a "staple" of the slipjoints...
So,IMO,that'd be a Sod buster,and or,Barlow.
But he won't stop there :D
-Vince
Click to expand...

Yeah, I meant staple. I wrote it at 2am and my brain was fried, couldn't come up with the word.

Thanks for the warning about the Queen knife edges, I really don't want to reprofile anything because I suck at sharpening. I think I am going to look into a higher end GEC knife because I'm going to be selling my Benchmades and the beloved Sebenza off, so I should have an influx of cash. Frankly, my Vic Cadet gets the most use so I can't justify keeping around those knives.
 
It's got to be a stockman, a knife with a serious history of work.
 
mongomondo said:
Yeah, I meant staple. I wrote it at 2am and my brain was fried, couldn't come up with the word.

Thanks for the warning about the Queen knife edges, I really don't want to reprofile anything because I suck at sharpening. I think I am going to look into a higher end GEC knife because I'm going to be selling my Benchmades and the beloved Sebenza off, so I should have an influx of cash. Frankly, my Vic Cadet gets the most use so I can't justify keeping around those knives.
Click to expand...


The warning about Queen is about Queen D2. Queen also makes knives in 1095 with a fantastic heat treat. Mine came razor sharp and most folks report the same thing. You can get Canoes, mini-trappers (which are not really all that small, IMHO) and other Queen knives in 1095.

Nothing wrong with Case at all, I have and use many, but Queen, Schatt & Morgan (in ATS34) and Canal Street (in 14-4 CroMo--it's like ATS34 & 154CM) are a step up. I'd overlook the S&M and Canals in 420. I've found that not adequate for my own needs as daily users.

Seriously, if you're selling BMs and a Sebenza, why don't you spring for an Edge Pro Apex with some of that money? I went down the same path as you about 4 years ago. One day I just didn't want to use my BMs, Spydercos and Sebenza anymore. Nothing at all wrong with them, they just didn't do it for me anymore.

With slipjoints, you can usually find better steels in a particular pattern for a few dollars more.
 
RobbW said:
I really like Queen's D2 as it is aggressive and holds an edge for a long time. Be forwarned that it will likely come dull and you will need to reprofile it.
Click to expand...

mongomondo said:
Thanks for the warning about the Queen knife edges, I really don't want to reprofile anything because I suck at sharpening. I think I am going to look into a higher end GEC knife
Click to expand...

GEC knives are great but are no sharper out of the box than Queen knives.
In fact, the Queen knives I've bought over the past year or so have been sharper out of the box than the GEC's.
But both sharpen up real nicely.
 
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RobbW said:
With slipjoints, you can usually find better steels in a particular pattern
Click to expand...

With Case, I'd definitely recommend their CV steel over their Tru-Sharp steel.
The Tru-Sharp is OK, but the CV is excellent.
 
I would say that a 3 and half inch jackknife is must. Case is making a really good Small Texas Jack in Amber Bone and CV right now. I highly recommend it. The f&f is superb. I don't you won't be disappointed. It has replaced most of my edcs.

God Bless
 
especially the medium stockman or soddie, hell get both shop around and its likely under $70 bucks:thumbup:
or something in bone if ya be 'fraid of the yeller:D
hard to beat the 3 bladed stockman!
ivan
heres mine, the "yeller Trinity"
patina.jpg
 
VCM3 said:
I think what he means,is,like a "staple" of the slipjoints...
So,IMO,that'd be a Sod buster,and or,Barlow.
But he won't stop there :D
-Vince
Click to expand...

For "traditionals", it doesn't get any better than those designs.

I recently inherited my grandfather's Barlow, and knife he carried for a long time somewhere after WWI, and then my own father's Case Barlow from the 70's.

As for the OP.... once he gets in that deep, he is lost. There will be peanuts, copperheads, mini/medium/large stockmans, all manner of hybrids along the way. I have a shoe box full of traditionals and have never regretted one purchase.

Sold my last Eye Brand large soddie a few years ago to buy another knife, and have the Queen D2 with the yellow handles in my sights now. Not only a great knife, but a real bargain in D2.

Robert
 
Any of the "yella" CV Cases are good to have. They're all great- it just depends on what pattern you prefer. Of the yellas, I like the peanut, the sodbuster and the slimline trapper the best.

The Buck 301 (American made, black delrin scales) is another classic slip joint knife. Those have been riding in working mens' pockets for many years now, and continue to serve well.

GEC is definitely worth checking out. You can find a few for around $50 if you shop around. I don't think the company has been around long enough for any of their models to be in the same class as a Delica or a Griptilian though. Those are mass-market, mass produced items. GEC is a boutique operation.
 
As far as patterns go, you can't get much more "classic" than a stockman, trapper, or sodbuster.
Makers: Case, Queen.
 
My order from knifeworks arrived

Case G10 Peanut, Case Chestnut Bone CV Medium Stockman, and a large Sebenza just for kicks to compare the sizes. The backspring on the Peanut is very strong and makes a satisfying snap sound. Fit and finish on both knives are great, I was turned off on traditional slip joints when I bought a Buck 301 stockman that had wobbly and dull blades, but it looks like you get what you pay for with Case.

video10001111.jpg
 
Hi,

An excellent start to your new addiction! They are beauties. Add a Case Barlow and Sodbuster, and you will have the "basic" collection down pat! Then just keep hanging around here. We'll get you hooked on GEC's Queen's, Bokers, and old Camillus and Schrade slippies.

dalee
 
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