Help choosing slipjoint custom maker...

Colinz

Colinz

Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
1,015
Time to look at my day-to-day knife needs after buying some nice tactical folders and fixed blades... :)

I´ve been checking out some pictures of Bose slipjoints but the price is a bit steep for me right now. Otherwise I really like the looks of them. I don´t want a Case/Bose. So I was wondering if anyone here can point me in the right direction for a two-bladede "slipjoint-type" custom folder?

Pricelimit: $400-$500

When I say "slipjoint-type" folder I mean something like THIS or THIS or THIS (the "King Size Pocket Buddy" over HERE would have been perfect) or maybe THIS.

I guess I´m a sucker for the Trapper model :D This one seems to be in my price range but I don´t know anything about the maker. Anyone here own a knife from Sterling knives, or for that matter any of the other makers above?

I´m really not looking for a lot of scrimshaw, damascus, filework and such fancy stuff. I just want a very good slipjoint (probably a Trapper model) with a handle made out of wood or stag. The longer blade should be between 2-3 inches. Both blades should be about the same length.

Any help from you readers out there is very appreciated.

/Colinz
 
Don Hanson III makes some of the nicest slipjoints ever. Don likes to use damascus, but will use O1 or L6 for the blades too.
 
Going by strength of reputation, I can't imagine you would be disappointed in any knife you obtain from Moore, Dushane, or Huffman. Run a search on the forums for those names, and you'll see what I mean. Going on strength of ownership, I can't imagine you would be disappointed in any knife you obtain from Bill Ruple. I love his work. As for Sterling, sorry, I know nothing.
 
Danbo,

Thanks for mentioning another maker. I can´t find his site though. Do you have a link or maybe some pictures of some "ordinary" slipjoints? (I only found pictures on real collector knives)

loodieboy,

Thanks for the reassuring comment. I´ve done a bit of research but I´ll do some more.

Anyone else have any comments? :)

/Colinz
 
All those knives look great to me and I do not think you would be anything less than thrilled with them. In addition to the names mentioned. More of my favorites are Bose, Richard Rogers, Joel Chamblin, Terry Davis and Gene Shadley.

Shoot me (edited to add) I forgot Bailey! (edited).
 
I own a Tony Huffman Wharncliffe Whittler I just acquired about 3 weeks ago. I know you are looking for a trapper but feel you are interested in quality of workmanship.
I have a few slipjoints, and when I got my Huffman knife I did not realize there was so much difference between a production slipjoint, and a custom. Huffman's work is perfection at least in the grinds, liners, blade edges,scales, and bolster work, etc. I have quite a few custom gents, and tactical knives, and this is my first custom slipjoint but I am really impressed with Huffman's workmanship in this slipjoint.
All of those mentioned above make very nice customs, and come highly recommmended, and I just want to let you know of my personal experience with a Tony Huffman knife.

Larry
 
Bastid,

A Bose lies ahead in the future. Need to get out of school first... This first one will be a small gift to myself because I got my masters degree last semester. :D

Daniel,

Thanks for the links. I seem to be a bit biased towards the Ruple and Morrow knives.

LarryLuana,

I checked out Huffmans site. I did find a very nice Trapper. The filework looks awesome, although I might have to settle without it because it probably will bust my limit.

Thanks to everyone for your help. This really saved me some time and helped me decide who I should contact. I´ll tell you all who I decided to order my Trapper slipjoint from soon.

/Colinz :)
 
Congratulations on the Masters Degree!
 
I forgot one link:

http://knifeart.com/multiblade.html

J.B. Moore also makes some nice ones as well as Richard Rogers. You will not be disappointed by a Morrow or a Ruple. Ruple's work is underpriced for the work that he does. Another maker to consider is PJ Tomes- very clean and reasonable, especially for a Mastersmith!

Congrats on the Master's degree and may it bring you many knives in your future!

Daniel
 
You might want to check out Jonathan Watts. He's the grandson of Wally Watts.
I bought a dogleg trapper from him at the Blade Show and am very pleased with it. Real good work for a young fella.
 
You guys are good. I would not mind owning a knife from each maker in this thread.
 
I really appreciate your help here. I´ve been in contact with a couple of makers in this thread and have also received answer from one. :)

I´ll see what happens during this week. I think I might push my money limit a bit. Love the filework on some folders... ;)

One thing with slipjoints seems to be that there are few good makers that have closed their order books or have a waiting period over a year. I´ve only found two makers where this was the case. This is really a relief compared to the "tactical knife" market.

/Colinz
 
Originally posted by Bastid
You guys are good. I would not mind owning a knife from each maker in this thread.
Click to expand...
lol. Who're you kidding Bastid? You probably already own them all. :D
 
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