For those always asking about pocketable knives have you ever considered a slipjoint?

cchu518

cchu518

Joined
Mar 6, 2013
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The reason why I ask is that I recently converted from EDC'ing small folders to a slipjoint. All morning I kept saying to myself I feel naked I forget my knife, I forget my knife. Turns out that I threw it into my work pants and forgot about it. I only realized this when I reached into my pants to grab it when I needed to cut open a package.

Anyhow its pretty nuts how one can get converted so quickly once they get over the fact that the slipjoint doesn't lock or have a crazy steel (some do) or has some slick opening mechanism. It does have one or two things going for it though. It's so pocketable and compact that you can easily forget that its in your pants, and the blade is so thin, it's like walking around with a scalpel. The blades on these slipjoints are great slicers in line with the way an Opinel slices.

Just wanted to put that you there for those looking for something that they can easily carry around. They are fairly affordable in the secondary market, even some of the USA made ones. Give one a try, it might surprise you! What's neat is the whole package on this one is about a .5 inch thick, it literally disappears in your pocket. I'm currently researching Case Peanuts as well as the Buck line of 3XX series of slipjoints for my next purchase. The only issue is the one that I have is made so well, its been really pleasurable EDC'ing it the past three weeks. I would like to pick up a minty USA one though. I haven't really touched my Spyderco or BM or even the CRKT I have sitting in my utility drawer since discovering that thin blades work great for light EDC use.

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I like slipjoints, but I prefer the more modern one-hand opening type. I have grown to prefer knives that I can quickly take out, open, use, close and put away. It seems like more companies are starting to make these.
 
You forgot one of the biggest perks. With the exception of the few nut jobs that are likely to freak out over a set of fingernail clippers, most people are a lot more comfortable around slip joints and you can go about using them in peace.
 
It's not strictly your everyday slip-joint, but I fell in love with this one:

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It's just that my co-workers take a few steps back when I open her:

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:D But then, it might not be her- but just because I'm considered ill tempered and not entirely, if at all, predictable... :p
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I like slipjoints, but I prefer the more modern one-hand opening type. I have grown to prefer knives that I can quickly take out, open, use, close and put away. It seems like more companies are starting to make these.
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I used to think that and after using a slippy for a while, it's just not something I need. I use my knife more than a dozen times a day at work and I haven't been slowed down in the slightest.

OP you should check out Alox SAKs. They pack even more punch into the same small package. :D
 
SCWillson said:
That's sweet looking! What is it?
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It's Navaja- traditional Spanish knife (primarily utility and fighting knives). This one is made by Miguel Nieto- very good F&F, excellently ballanced and can be gotten for 20-30$ (steel is his own blend AN.58- some say in composition close to 440C, but of better quality).

CJZ- pardon my ignorance, but what is the sodbuster in your photo? Looks very nice, and seems to be about the size I'd like...
 
Shotgun said:
I used to think that and after using a slippy for a while, it's just not something I need. I use my knife more than a dozen times a day at work and I haven't been slowed down in the slightest.
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I don't think it would slow me down too much, but part of my preference is that I'd rather not have patients see me using a knife. My employers are quite happy to let me carry one and are often glad I have it, but I don't want to lose the privilege because of patient complaints.
 
Christopher W said:
No matter what other knife I am carrying, I always have a Victorinox Swiss Army knife on me.
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+ 1. I always have a Swiss Army knife in a pocket no matter what other larger clip knife I'm packing. I usually always have a small Leatherman P4 in a pocket also.
 
I like a knife that clips to the pocket. It stays in place. I do have a couple of slipjoints, my father's and a SAK, but I don't use them much because a Ladybug takes care of all that little stuff around the house.
 
I carry a yellow case trapper, from time to time.
but pocket clips and fast deployment usually take it.
there really is something that makes you feel good though, when using a traditional style knife for cutting chores.
 
When I put a slipjoint in my front pocket, it always turns horizontal and I find that more annoying than a larger knife that is vertical in my pocket.
 
Working in NYC I don't feel comfortable at all having a knife clipped to my pocket. Maybe that's the difference. I feel safer having a slippie squirreled away. But more importantly I did like that I didn't even know that I had it in my pocket today.
 
I used to carry a Case Trapper. Until my mid teens, i had never SEEN anything other than slip joints, fixed blades, and lockbacks. When i came into contact with my first framelock, it was love at first sight. I've never looked back.

I still love the Trapper, but carrying it seems like a downgrade to me
 
cchu518 said:
What's neat is the whole package on this one is about a .5 inch thick, it literally disappears in your pocket.
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That would be a pretty serious problem. Of course, that's why I carry my slippies (mostly Victorinox) in a belt sheath now. I still carry a one hand opening/closing "tactical" folder though.
 
I've actually been wanting to carry a slip joint for quite some time now. But where I live it is required that the knife be showing for it to be legal to carry. And a belt sheath isn't really a choice for me, just too much attention drawn to my waist.. anywho that is one sexy navaja.
 
Wow I think i am at the exact same stage as you cchu518. In the past couple months I've come to realize that a small slip joint will handle 95% of what you throw at it on a daily basis. On top of the pocket and sheeple friendliness of them, they are much more attractive to the eye and hand than a soulless plastic knife.

I'm in the 518 area too btw. Work in albany and moved to stephentown about a year ago.
 
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