First Slipjoint?

G

GarageBoy

Joined
May 23, 2003
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What should I get as a first slip joint? I'm used to knives with some belly/thickness (not spine thickness, but thickness from spine to the edge, I guess that's the "width") and most slip joints seem to have toothpick slim blades.

What should I go with?
Prefer to have non bone/stag handles. Thanks!
 
You sound like a candidate for a sodbuster!!!

You'll find several threads here on them. The flavor of choice is Case in CV (Chrome Vanadium) but there are other fine sodbusters from Queen, Boker, Eye Brand etc.
 
Second the sodbuster. Wide blade with very good geometry, very comprotable grip, solid construction, and good CV steel.

Can't loose with a Case yella soddie.:thumbup:
 
I have a Canoe. Wide blade, 2 blades and you can get them with wood scales if you like (shown below). Mine is smooth bone. I am surprised how much I like the pattern. Its thin and there are no tangs or sharp edges to snag in the pocket.

4a7b54d27dcaceb5b97373f1fbc6f29b.jpg
 
Good recomendations already,another,for a choice , could be a spearpoint Barlow.I think that'd work,too

Nice thing about a slipjoint though,you can have that blade you're looking for,plus another,like a different size & profile
Picture_001a-1.jpg
 
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Also, how do you clean one of these? Can you just dunk it in water and shake everything out?
 
GarageBoy said:
Also, how do you clean one of these? Can you just dunk it in water and shake everything out?
Click to expand...


Yeah,you can use mild soap & water & then dry it off good & oil it up again.
They get pocket lint inside the trough (thats the slot were the blades go w/closed),some guys use little brushes to keep 'em good,some suggested matches.I take a credit card,put a cloth down,insert the card & wipe the trough out.Just some common sense,that's all.You should see,if you get like an old beat up slipjoint like off ebay,sometimes the crud that's in there is incredible.They always clean up good though,Tuff knives,these pocket knives.Most are good cutters & hard workers,too
Carbon steel blades make for easy re-sharpening
 
Spend some time enjoying this forum...make yourself at home & look around. You will find something you like. There's lots to see & great Folks that will help you along the way.
 
VCM3 said:
Good recomendations already,another,for a choice , could be a spearpoint Barlow.I think that'd work,too

Nice thing about a slipjoint though,you can have that blade you're looking for,plus another,like a different size & profile
Picture_001a-1.jpg
Click to expand...

I new there was something special about that knife as soon as I saw the picture:D Very nice T.B/Case. The ats-34 knives I have, have all held up very well..


Didn't mean to drift off topic here. As far as wondering about different makers, Case, Queen, Moore Maker, and the earlier Schrades are all quality knives at a reasonable price... Custom makers, there are a few folks on here that make beautiful knives. Just depends on what you want to spend.
 
Howdy, GarageBoy :)
For a starter slipjoint, I recommend you get a Case CV yellow-handled knife. The steel is excellent, the quality is high, there are several patterns to choose from, and the purchase price is in the $30-$35 range (read: excellent entry-level knife). In fact, check out this page: http://shepherdhillscutlery.com/DisplayHandlePageFH.asp?MaterialAutoID=78
Break out a ruler or tape measure and compare the lengths of the various knife patterns. I like a slippie with either a 3.5" handle to sit in my pocket or a 2.75" handle to sit in my little change pocket. For blade choices, I'm finding I really like a clip, spey, and wharncliffe blade. Spear blades are also nice.
I also recommend the above-mentioned canoe pattern. Case makes a CV version in their red bone line and their amber bone line. Queen makes several in D2.

Happy hunting!
 
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Another good blade profile (also made by Case) is the Wharncliffe.

It is also a slightly broader blade, but quite versatile, and the blade design is inherently very strong.

They do a Wharncliffe trapper and a couple of other patterns (Seahorse Whittler, etc.) with that blade.

Here's the trapper:
10111.jpg


Here's the Seahorse whittler:
5311.jpg


Here's the Classic whittler (not current production):
cclassic1.jpg


(That one shows off the Wharncliffe profile nicely.)

The Copperhead/Wharncliffe pattern has a narrower/longer Wharncliffe blade.

It's not gonna be as broad as the Canoe blade, but I think it's worth considering.

Having said all of that . . .

I'm personally a big fan of the sodbuster. I have several, both large and small, and it's a lot more knife than it seems at first. As already mentioned, it's a relatively broad blade with great geometry. A very useful and versatile pattern.

 
I have to say first off, that T.B/Case posted there is fabulous!

OK, on topic; For a wide blade, I'd say look at Great Eastern Cutlery, they have close to the widest I have ever seen in a slipjoint. their single blade trappers especially, and you have a choice of good old 1095 or 440SS steels.

2 main reasons I am looking at GEC right now is the wide blade, and last years models are dropping in price to around entry level/Case competitive level...


G.
 
In Queen Cutlery in D2 the following have wider blades availiable in Birds Eye Maple:
Canoe
Copperhead
Gunstock
Mini Hunter Liner Lock
 
You can't go wrorg with a case, Boker, or Queen. They're all great knives, just check out their websites.
 
If you want a nice wide blade in a traditional style of knife then you might want to look at the 72 pattern from Case. This is most often called a Bulldog or Buffalo pattern. This is a large knife, 5 1/2 inches closed but if the size isn't an issue you might feel comfortable as the blade is more of what you are used to. Currently they are out of production but can be found fairly easily. If you stay away from the fancier handle materials you can find them for under $100.00.

ZapSnap_959.png
 
im seeing all kinds of patterns that i'm adding to my mentall list of must haves:D seahorse, that big buffalo clasp, the queen canoe...
IMHO the case soddie yeller handle (or any case) excellent first slippie or schatt & morgan, queen, mooremaker, canal street
i only have a S&M wildcat driller but i love the thing its big but actually carries decently. Heard good things about the rest
good luck
ivan
 
VCM3 said:
Good recomendations already,another,for a choice , could be a spearpoint Barlow.I think that'd work,too

Nice thing about a slipjoint though,you can have that blade you're looking for,plus another,like a different size & profile
Picture_001a-1.jpg
Click to expand...

That bose is beautiful, absolutely beautiful, look at the swedge and the long nail nick... thats damn near a perfect looking main blade!
probably way outta my price range but i can dream:D
ivan
 
How about a classic pattern like the stockman, with a classic steel like CV :D
I got started on a stockman, and I can say, that I didnt go wrong with it.

Peter
 
I would recommend that you look into a Kissing Crane KC-35 Sodbuster. It would be an excellent gateway traditional for yor.
 
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