Finally a slip joint

Ryan Minchew

Ryan Minchew

Joined
Sep 29, 2005
Messages
580
I made 4 slip joints a couple of years ago and never was happy with them. I quit making them until I could figure out how to relieve the liners which I ended up doing with my etcher and how to get a decent looking nail nick. I ended up using fine silver wire to create 3 nail pull studs. I did not put a shield in this knife, but that will be next on the others I have to do. Comments and critiques welcome as always.

cpm-154 hollow ground with swedge
half stop
fine silver studs
416 bolsters
relieved stainless steel liners
mesquite for handle (customers choice, not mine hopefully I will have some done with mammoth by the end of the week)

knives081.jpg

knives109.jpg

knives093.jpg

knives080.jpg

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Looks good, although I'm curious how you relieved the liners using your etcher? Did you make a stencil and use an electro etcher or are you talking about engraving the metal out?
 
rtj1981 said:
Looks good, although I'm curious how you relieved the liners using your etcher? Did you make a stencil and use an electro etcher or are you talking about engraving the metal out?
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I used electrical tape as a resist and cut out a pattern. Here are a couple of samples I did with the rough pattern. When I tested it and it worked I used files and sandpaper to smooth the pattern. This helped create sharp crisp lines instead of the jagged choppy lines in the pictures.

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Nice knife....hate the pull studs and would pass on the knife if I saw it for sale for that reason only.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I really appreciate the comments. Mr. Garsson you bring up an interesting point. What is the general consensus on the the nail pull studs? Like em? Hate em?

Mr. Garsson do you not like them because they are not tradtional, don't fit the knife, just not your cup of tea? I've gotten comments from a couple of guys that it's not tradtional and I'm curious if that holds true for most guys. Thanks again for the comments.
 
I like the fresh clean look.
Also like the pull studs. It's good to vary from the "same old" once in a while.
 
Ryan Minchew said:
I really appreciate the comments. Mr. Garsson you bring up an interesting point. What is the general consensus on the the nail pull studs? Like em? Hate em?

Mr. Garsson do you not like them because they are not tradtional, don't fit the knife, just not your cup of tea? I've gotten comments from a couple of guys that it's not tradtional and I'm curious if that holds true for most guys. Thanks again for the comments.
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I prefer a well shaped cut nail nick or a long pull cut or edm'd nail nick.

I also purchase handmade slipjoint knives, and have pieces from Chuck Gedraitis, Don Hanson, John Howser, Bill Ruple and Al Warren...as opposed to those that simply like to offer opinions.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Nice knife....hate the pull studs and would pass on the knife if I saw it for sale for that reason only.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Yeah, those pull studs are a huge turn off for me. I prefer a nail nick.
 
Kohai999 said:
I prefer a well shaped cut nail nick or a long pull cut or edm'd nail nick.

I also purchase handmade slipjoint knives, and have pieces from Chuck Gedraitis, Don Hanson, John Howser, Bill Ruple and Al Warren...as opposed to those that simply like to offer opinions.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Sorry Steven, I didn't realize one had to own a slipjoint to have an opinion on the appearance of a component of such.

From a function prospective I would prefer (if I owned a slipjoint, thus was allowed an opinion ;)) to have a nail nick as it's less likely to mar the blade finish with one's fingernail.
 
Good looking knife, but I have to say I vote for the nicks also.
It does looks like you did a pretty good job putting the studs on though. - :thumbup:

TA
 
I think you nailed the proportions of the knife, and I like the color of the mesquite, too. The studs wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me, although if I were to choose when ordering, I'd opt for the nail nick. That said, I think it's a neat idea and you executed it well.

James
 
Fubarski I thought I had really made it look bad when I first read that comment ;) Thanks.

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen. Now a question with a little bit of information on why I did the studs. The reason for the studs is they came out of neccesity more than anything. I don't own a mill or have access to one and I have tried cutting the nick with my small drill press, a dremel with various bits, and even tried punching one in with an arbor press. It seems that some guys can pull off the dremel nail nick, mine on the other hand look like I tried to cut it with a dremel. I think it detracts from the knife and it is one of the reasons I haven't messed with slip joints. Would it stop you as a buyer from purchasing the knife if it was a decent looking knife with a hacked at nail nick, or would you rather see something like the stud treatment I attempted?

When I did the studs I really liked the way they looked. I tend to like stuff that might be just a little different than the norm, not out in left field, just a little different. Obviously if the knifemaker is the only one who likes his work he's going to be his biggest collector lol. Again I appreciate the feedback keep it coming.
 
I like the looks of the knife.

I would also prefer the nail nicks, but would not necessarily veto purchasing the knife over the issue.

You might consider leaving them as an option for customers. Some folks (such as myself) like slipjoints that are really tight. And some of those (unlike myself) have weak nails that have trouble opening them. The studs could be an interesting solution for those people.
 
I don't know if this will help. But i have found it very easy to put the nick in with a chisel just be for heat treat. Yes you need the right chisel. and you can make that. And I like your knife,
 
I'll bet those studs are more hygienic than a nail nick.
They're cool and space-aged. I'd like to see you develop that look further the design of these types of knives, and maybe sacrifice some of the traditional artifice with the aim of recreating the style in your own language:thumbup:
necessity is the mother of invention:)
 
First I must compliment you on a good looking knife. The work looks clean and the studs are very interesting. That said, on a traditonal type slipjoint, a nail nick is mandatory for me(screws are a deal breaker as well). I could see the opening studs working better on a more modern style gentleman's folder. And since we are naming the custom's we have as qualification for comment...Dan Burke, Ruple, Chamblin, Shadley, Browne and Davis.;)
 
Nice knife, fit and finish look good.

And I like the studs. Something different, they are not on every other knife out there.

Kelly
 
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