Differences in Slip Joint Knife Styles?

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Nephron44

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Hey everyone!

So in my search for a decent slip joint traditional folder, I have come across many different styles; trapper, stockman, canoe, toothpick, just to name a few. Can someone help me understand the difference between these types and others, the pros and cons, and what each is best used for? Thanks!
 
Now you're getting into questions that you should really be asking in the traditional forum. Even beyond that, you probably need to do some research on your end to narrow down what you want before asking such a broad questions. There are hundreds of patterns and variations on pattern that exist and even a fairly concise answer to your question would, if it was thorough, pretty easily reach research paper length. Good luck, though.
 
Yeah, I collect traditionals and even I don't know what all of them are. They all cut; that's what knives do. You just have to decide what you want to slice. I don't whittle or do fine work with mine, so I knew I didn't want a small blade and I only wanted a single blade. I wanted to be able to slice an apple in half in one go, so 3" and up is kind of my prerequisite....beyond that it's aesthetics. I like toothpicks, hunters, trapper locks, etc., and not crazy about wharncliff shaped blades. And THEN there's handle material.
One way I learned was going through the GEC catalog and writing down the numbers of the styles that appealed to me (they have blade size and shape listed as well, as well as number of blades - it's part of the numbering system they use). Then haunt the Traditionals for Sale section and wait until a fantastic handle material comes up. I still have a few that I'm waiting patiently for to come up.
Good luck and happy hunting!
 
There are hundreds of different slipjoint patterns, many with an intended specific use, many just to look nice.

If you want to know get yourself a copy of Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values. He goes into great detail describing patterns. Before you know it you'll know a swell center balloon from an orange blossom.
 
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Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

So in my search for a decent slip joint traditional folder, I have come across many different styles; trapper, stockman, canoe, toothpick, just to name a few. Can someone help me understand the difference between these types and others, the pros and cons, and what each is best used for? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Here is a link that might be helpful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade
Knives have differing uses and some combine uses into one knife. A Stockman, for example, combines a good general cutting blade with a sharp point for fine work, a sheepfoot blade originally used for trimming the hoofs of animals (makes a good blade for cutting feet off of squirrels, rabbits, ducks etc, too), and a spey blade originally used for neutering cattle and other livestock. Hence, it is one knife to use on a variety of farm tasks.
 
Definitely a question better asked in the traditionals forum.
More experts on the topic over there, many who don't even bother with the general forum, since they only collect traditionals...
Ask the mods to move it over there, you'll get many more qualify responses from the folks who know best...
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

So in my search for a decent slip joint traditional folder, I have come across many different styles; trapper, stockman, canoe, toothpick, just to name a few. Can someone help me understand the difference between these types and others, the pros and cons, and what each is best used for? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Definitely need to head on over to the Traditional subforum. I'll take a stab at trying to explain the differences, though many here are more knowledgeable than me.

The names of the patterns you mention have to do with either the intended use of the pattern, or what it looks like.

Trapper - obviously this pattern was aimed at use by Trappers, with the blades geared towards working a trapline and gutting/skinning game.
Stockman - this pattern was for working cattle(stock). Clip main blade for general use, sheepsfoot for nicking ears, what have you, and a spey blade useful for castration.
Canoe - the shape of the knife looks like a canoe.
Toothpick - long slender knife so it's sort of like a nickname.

It can get even more complicated with other patterns.
 
marcinek said:
There are hundreds of different slipjoint patterns, many with an intended specific use, many just to look nice.

If you want to know get yourself a copy of Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values. He goes into great detail describing patterns. Before you know it you'll know a swell center balloon from an orange blossom.
Click to expand...

Seahorse from a lobster.
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

So in my search for a decent slip joint traditional folder, I have come across many different styles; trapper, stockman, canoe, toothpick, just to name a few. Can someone help me understand the difference between these types and others, the pros and cons, and what each is best used for? Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is the best advice...
^^^
marcinek said:
....If you want to know get yourself a copy of Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values....
Click to expand...

It has all of the answers to your questions.

Here are catalog scans that show a few examples of patterns and blade types.


 
For the fraction of the cost of a new knife, you can pick up a book which will explain the basics :thumbup:
 
I know exactly how you feel. When I stumbled into the world of slipjoints I was quite overwhelmed. There's literally hundreds of years of history, so everything that you can possibly think of has been tried. How do you wade through all of that to find the few knives that fit your needs and lifestyle?

The thread that abcdef linked to is a great start. Adding Levine's book is also great advice. I have an addendum.

I see that you are in Wisconsin. April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd there is an awesome knife show in Janesville. It costs maybe $5 to get in. There are many people there that will spend hours talking slipjoints with you. There will be representatives from Queen there, who will have a table set up with every pattern that they make and they'll spend however much time you want explaining the ins and outs of each to you. There are custom makers that attend, several of which frequent these boards. They will spend time answering your questions. These guys do a lot of research into the knives they make, and I found that they are overflowing with knowledge.

I attended the show last year, and despite already owning several dozen slipjoints and having spent countless hours reading up on them I still learned so much in just an afternoon talking to people that make a living on knives.

Definitely read up on the Traditionals subforum. Definitely get yourself a good book. I'd definitely suggest picking out a couple patterns that look interesting and finding Rough Rider's version and buying them. They're good knives and they usually cost under $10 each. Once you have a solid foundation head to the Badger Knife Club show in April and by the end of that you'll have a good understanding of the basics of slipjoints.
 
If you can find a Levine's book on pocketknives, it is something you can use for years. I suggest getting the Levine's Guide to Knives and Their Values, 3rd Edition, (1993) if you are budget minded. It has information on almost all of the patterns as the 4th Edition (1997), and can be bought at an affordable price on Amazon.com.
 
These days which style of slipjoint you carry is largely a matter of personal preference. Get the knife that catches your eye. It'll work for the majority of tasks you encounter. You're already ahead of the game having a knife considering the large number of people who go around without any type of cutting tool whatsoever.
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

So in my search for a decent slip joint traditional folder, I have come across many different styles; trapper, stockman, canoe, toothpick, just to name a few. Can someone help me understand the difference between these types and others, the pros and cons, and what each is best used for? Thanks!
Click to expand...

abcdef said:
A very nice link.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/563972-Knife-Patterns
Click to expand...

In addition to that one, you might also look at this one (A.G. Russell is a BF dealer member)
http://agrussell.com/encyclopedia

It is also important to remember that pattern names are not ironclad requirements. The pattern names were mostly developed as marketing tools by knife companies. And sometimes they have no connection to the usage.
►So, a "whittler" has come to mean a three bladed knife with the main blade at one end and two smaller blades at the other. But the exact blade shapes are not defined and the knife has more uses than just whittling.
►And a Canoe is a knife with a large bolster at each end having a large spear blade at one end and a small spear blade at the other. It's called a "Canoe" because it sort of looks like one.

When looking for a new knife, I don't look at the pattern names. I just look at the knife. I look at
►the closed size (tells me how easily it will carry in the pocket)
►The blade shapes (Different blade shapes are useful for different cutting chores.)
►The blade steel (I have preferences. Most folks do and not everyone has the same ones.)
►the covers (sometimes called "scales" or "handle material") (I like some better than others.)

Come hang out with us in Traditional. Read the threads, and look at the pictures people post.
 
Rough Rider is a great way to check out different patterns without breaking the bank.
Inexpensive knives, but not "cheap" or junk.
There is a Rough Rider and Related thread in the Traditional sub forum. Well worth the time to look at from page 1 to the end.
 
Once you are comfortable with a brand, I would choose based on closed length and number of blades or whether there are two large blades or a large and a smaller. I tend to prefer the two blade slippies in the 4 to 4.25" closed length. To many that is on the large size but I like a handful for using.
 
Hi and welcome :)
Get the book.
Attend the show.
Read the links suggested above.
And, most of all, spend some time on this subforum ;)

Fausto
:cool:
 
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