How far you can actually push slipjoint knife?

afishhunter said:
As others have said, if you don't try to cut with the spine, stab, peg, use as a screwdriver, etcetera, you'll have no problems. The normal cutting action forces the blade open - not closed.
As for "hard use" ... how about building a thatched survival shelter?
Vinnie's Day Off
The knife looks like a "half congress", in the 3.5 inch closed range.

(If you pay attention, you'll learn how to easily fell saplings without chopping or batoning. 🙂)
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I've watched some of the Vinnie's day off videos, and even though I I am a slip joint enthusiast, I still find it entertaining. It should be required viewing for those who think a knife needs a lock that can suspend a Brinks armored car.
 
damib said:
Hello guys,
I am interested in your thoughts or experiences with how far can you really push slipjoint knife without it being dangerous. I have used slipjoints all my life and I really didn't have any dangerous moment.
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I find that that moment you're asking that question or just before asking yourself that question is where you've reached the limits of what you should be doing with a slip joint knife. You hear about people cutting themselves with them all of the time and you have to wonder if maybe handling sharp, pointy things is something they might want to reconsider until they start showing a bit more focus to what they're doing with sharp, pointy things.
 
Locks have been known to fail. Not often, but it does happen once in a while. If you want a knife that you can have faith that it will not fold on you, then use a fixed blade. This what they are for. Any knife that folds in the middle, is already broken, and is relying on a mechanical devise to hold the blade open. Not good.

At least the slip joint can give you two or three different blade shapes, with three different edges in one small pocket size package. A typical stockman pattern is way more versatile than a single blade knife. A TL-29 electrician knife has two blades, one of which is a screw driver/wire stripper.
 
Brawny said:
I've only ever had slipjoints close on me when I was doing something unwise like poking at something. That was as a child, I don't even push point first into things now with locks.
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jackknife said:
Locks have been known to fail. Not often, but it does happen once in a while. If you want a knife that you can have faith that it will not fold on you, then use a fixed blade. This what they are for. Any knife that folds in the middle, is already broken, and is relying on a mechanical devise to hold the blade open. Not good.

At least the slip joint can give you two or three different blade shapes, with three different edges in one small pocket size package. A typical stockman pattern is way more versatile than a single blade knife. A TL-29 electrician knife has two blades, one of which is a screw driver/wire stripper.
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I prefer modern folders to slip joints. Still, I've had a little Ruike S22 on my key ring since sometime over the summer. It is usually secondary to some other knife so it rarely gets used. However, it has been my only knife a few times on quick runs to the local store.

I've warmed up to the idea of carrying an "EDC fixed blade" over the last few years. I almost never have to poke into something hard, and I don't like the idea of prying with a knife, but if you really have to do something that would have tested the strength of a lock; better to do it with a fixed blade. Coincidentally, I've been on the fence with EDC pry tools. A good pocket organizer creates the space but otherwise, it rarely makes the cut.
 
Chronovore said:
I've warmed up to the idea of carrying an "EDC fixed blade" over the last few years.
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Me too. There is unfortunately one thing that keeps me from EDCing fixed blade even though I really like the idea of small neck knives or belt knives. It's that it could look scary to many people and concealment realistically can't be ideal and very small fixed blades are just small for me and my everyday tasks. Even some high end folders can look threatening to some people.

I remember that one of my friends was EDCing some hunting fixed blade in his backpack. He needed to go in some high security government building in my country, and when he handed that hunting knife to police, it looked very funny. Carrying any type of knife isn't illegal here so there was no problem, but just imagine that situation.
 
damib said:
Me too. There is unfortunately one thing that keeps me from EDCing fixed blade even though I really like the idea of small neck knives or belt knives. It's that it could look scary to many people and concealment realistically can't be ideal and very small fixed blades are just small for me and my everyday tasks. Even some high end folders can look threatening to some people.

I remember that one of my friends was EDCing some hunting fixed blade in his backpack. He needed to go in some high security government building in my country, and when he handed that hunting knife to police, it looked very funny. Carrying any type of knife isn't illegal here so there was no problem, but just imagine that situation.
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As annoying as it is, there are many uninformed, ignorant, and easily scared people out there. I find no value in scaring soccer moms at the grocery store or making people uncomfortable in general. So for the same reasons that I keep my carry gun concealed, I keep fixed blades concealed as well. I apply the same rules. If it is on my belt, I have a "cover garment". Coverage does not have to be perfect. It just has to be relatively discreet. I've found that most of the sorts of people who would be frightened by a tool resting inanimately on someone's belt are also not particularly aware of their surroundings.

I have carried larger fixed blades "IWB" or inside the waist band. That is good for a defensive knife but less ideal for a regular utility tool. I often carry a Pinkerton Lancer, which is made for IWB, when traveling to places which violate the natural right to carry a gun.

Coincidentally, a folding knife with a deep-carry clip in my pocket never seems to be an issue. So long as I don't call attention to it, people don't seem to notice. (See above.) Of course, it could just as easily be a pen or something.
 
You can push a slip joint till it closes. That’s how they are designed to work. If you need to stab , jab or pierce something get a fix blade, ice pick, or something designed for that kind of work. Even a locking folder can malfunction if something is out of whack or debris lodged in the wrong place.
 
The last time that I cut myself by accidentally closing a slipjoint was like 1980, I'm 56 now. Stupid kids do stupid things and learn to not be stupid. I have a couple of lockbacks simply because I liked the knives, nothing to do with the locks, and I prefer to use fixed blades for hunting knives because they're easy to clean up afterwards. Just rinse off, wipe dry and done. You should be cautious enough with anything sharp edged to avoid cutting yourself. Just be aware of what you're using, you can stab yourself with a letter opener or a can opener if you're not using any brains.
 
jackknife said:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I've watched some of the Vinnie's day off videos, and even though I I am a slip joint enthusiast, I still find it entertaining. It should be required viewing for those who think a knife needs a lock that can suspend a Brinks armored car.
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Agree. He is one of a rare few that don't be sitting at the kitchen table spewing their b.s. "expert pinion", but is actually out in the field building shelters, splitting firewood, making bows, arrows, clubs, throwing sticks and traps with a slipjoint, proving time and again that finesse and skill beats brute force every time. He even shows how to baton without hitting your knife! 😳😁
(And asks the logical question: "Why beat on your knife?")
 
I’ve carried a slipjoint of some type since 1977 (since the’80s, mostly SAKs), and have never had one close on me. Because the fact that they didn’t lock taught me to be careful with them and use them within their limits. Have I ever cut myself with a slipjoint? Yes, but not due to one closing on me.

Since the late ‘90s, I’ve also carried some type of locking folder. I have had a Triad lock folder close on me; not from lock failure, but due to user error on my part. I tried to unlock it one-handed without thinking (like I’ve safely done with my Spydercos), and it swung shut on my index finger. Had to go to urgent care immediately, and lost 4 months of work (massage therapist) and required physical therapy. As I said, it was my fault. But it did show that even a folder with “The Strongest Lock” can hurt you if you’re not careful during the unlocking and closing phase. It pays to treat any folder like a slipjoint, and the lock as simply an additional safety feature.

Meanwhile, because of their nature and the care I learned in handling slipjoints, I’ve never had a slipjoint close on me.

Jim
 
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IMHO the only two cases to beware with a slip joint is when you pierce something or if the joint loosen too much.

If you consider it like a knife and not a wedge you should be fine.

The only accident that occured to me was with a buck 112. I accidentally unlocked the blade and gravity made it fell on my finger. That's how I learned to treat every folder as if it didn't have a lock.
 
I have had more trouble with locking folders to be honest. I have had them fail or get bad lockup over time (liner locks). A slipjoint on the other hand cannot give you any false confidence, since it cant lock at all. lol Just cut with the sharp side of the blade and youll be fine.
 
Ive used lock knives, slip joints and fixed blades and have given myself cuts with all types. Never anything requiring stitches (well once i should have haha) but enough to remind me to take care using a sharp knife. Each time i was cut it was usually in the kitchen when i was rushing with some food prep or cutting something quickly. All sharp knives can be dangerous if your being sloppy :)
 
Look-up elephant toe knives, they are hard core slipjoints made for real hard use. Supposedly, sailors used them on ropes and would even baton with them.
As for me, the only time I'd really need a locking folder is if I needed to stick somebody with one, and I've never needed one. Everything else I can do with a slipjoint.
 
Well, as a folding knife is designed to fold, I treat them as such. I will not use a folder in a way that it can close on my fingers.
Starting with SAKs when young, you learn how to use it and after some mishaps, you know how far they can be pushed.

However, I like myself an ergonomic knife that I can use for prolonged time without any hotspots.

I also like pocket clips and one hand opening, and would love to see more modern overbuilt slipjoints with those features.
 
I would never, ever rely on any kind of lock to prevent the blade from folding under force. Locks are for preventing *accidental* closures; they are not designed to replace a fixed-blade knife. Just like you should treat every firearm as if it is loaded and ready to fire, you should treat all folding knives as if they have no locking mechanism.

I've had locking knives almost as long as I've had non-locking knives, and I can't think of the last time I was stupid enough to do something with a non-locking knife that would cause it to close on my extremities. Nor have I ever seriously injured myself in the process.
 
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