How to rank the great slipjoint makers

Blues said:
Is he offering slipjoints? I don't remember seeing any.
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I have one of Bob's liner locks: an ivory Folding Hunter--along wth 2 of his fixed blades. The quality of the lockup and grinds is impeccable. Really, really nice craftsmanship where the materials mate flawlessly and the liner locks solidly and perfectly. He also knows his way around D2 and heat treats. His D2 keeps an edge longer than any I've ever used.
 
Not to take away from any of Bob's work, because I like lockers also, BUT the title of this thread started by AG is "How to rank the great slipjoint makers"

Jim
 
James Todd said:
Not to take away from any of Bob's work, because I like lockers also, BUT the title of this thread started by AG is "How to rank the great slipjoint makers"

Jim
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Thank you, Jim. :thumbup:

Bob has been a friend of mine for several years (I'm proud to say) though I'm the first to admit that I don't know him nearly as well as A.G. or have that kind of history.

I am very familar with Bob's work (fixed and folders) and the quality of his steel and heat treat, but as Jim said, I was asking about Bob's slipjoints since this thread inquired about the best makers of that style of knife. Not lockbacks nor liner locks and certainly not fixed blades. So, let's please try to stay on topic rather than just throw in votes for makers we happen to like and admire.

(Most of us could be here for a good while if we did that. ;))
 
Sorry Blues, I completely forgot this thread began as a thread about ranking slipjoint makers. :o
 
Robb, I sure appreciate that but no apology is necessary. :cool::thumbup:

Just wanted to try to keep things on track as most of us (myself included) can get caught up in the rush to share and lose sight of the original topic. ;)
 
Based upon personal experience, using MY criteria(f/f, walk-n-talk, patterns, value(directly from maker) and ease of working with maker/getting knives)


1. The Boses(Both)
2. Don Hanson III
2. Bill Ruple
3. Richard Rogers
4. Terry Davis
5. Hiroaki Ohta
6. Rusty Preston
6. Barry Gallagher
6. Al Warren
7. Ken Coats

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
That's an excellent list, STeven. I have firsthand experience with most of those makers and I agree wholeheartedly with their deserving accolades.

My only qualm with these lists is that the names not mentioned (for having never been owned, dealt with, handled or otherwise experienced) might be overlooked despite their workmanship at the same level of excellence otherwise exemplified in the list.

I can think of at least a handful of equal talent to those listed (with perhaps an exception at the very highest rung).

Nonetheless, through perusing various opinions, someone unfamiliar with these makers will at least get an idea of many of the best makers.
 
Blues said:
That's an excellent list, STeven. I have firsthand experience with most of those makers and I agree wholeheartedly with their deserving accolades.

My only qualm with these lists is that the names not mentioned (for having never been owned, dealt with, handled or otherwise experienced) might be overlooked despite their workmanship at the same level of excellence otherwise exemplified in the list.
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Elliott,

First of all, many of these guys have too much work as it is, so it is not like their inclusion or exclusion is hurting their bottom lines...egos maybe.:D;):D

This is MY list...hopefully, just like life experiences and personal preferences, your list will be different enough to include some names that mine did not....and if others play the game too, theirs will be different still...that way, at the end of the day, there is a compilation that everyone can look at...and discuss that....of all the ruminating and opinionating that we do in collector communities, these types of lists are at the top of the list for "taking the temperature", if you will.

Some, by the nature of the exercise will be excluded, in a year, that may change....and I hope it does.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Fair enough, STeven.

If I were to add to the excellent names already included on your list, (without repeating those) I'd propose the following names (based upon my experience with the knives and makers):

Joel Chamblin, Ken Erickson, Don Morrow, Jerry Halfrich, Mike Zscherny, Ray Cover, P.J. Tomes, J.B. Moore and Joe Allen. There is a continuum of ability amongst the various makers listed (and I won't try to put them in any semblance of order) but I feel that they represent some of the best out there when added to the names already mentioned (in terms of both quality and value for the dollar).

If someone can't find the knife of their dreams from amongst that crowd I can't imagine where to find it.

Naturally, this list is not all inclusive since it only augments STeven's list based upon my personal experience.
 
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What did Ryuichi Kawamura do to tick you all off? Surely he ranks among the best.

You can't beat the Boses in my book. Behind them, I put Joel Chamblin, Shadley, Jerry Halfrich, Terry Davis. Once Jerry cranks out some multiblades he'll be right up there. I haven't had the chance to handle knives by a number of the "new guys." I look at quality of design, quality of construction and all the details involved in that. I also look at the quality of the blade geometry, edge thickness and practicality of the knife, even if its one I'll never carry. Its also important to me that the maker be someone who will take the time to chat with me on the phone.

For the most part, I'd rather not compare and rank makers and their work. I'd rather just enjoy the knives.
 
fasteddie said:
1. What did Ryuichi Kawamura do to tick you all off? Surely he ranks among the best.

2. I look at quality of design, quality of construction and all the details involved in that. I also look at the quality of the blade geometry, edge thickness and practicality of the knife, even if its one I'll never carry. Its also important to me that the maker be someone who will take the time to chat with me on the phone.

3. For the most part, I'd rather not compare and rank makers and their work. I'd rather just enjoy the knives.
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1. Never dealt with Kawamura...nor handled his work, nor heard him mentioned too much, so I don't know nothin' about him.

2. Good criteria to look at a maker by.

3. Not ranking or comparing is neither helpful to us, nor to makers who might benefit greatly from your feedback!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Wouldn't that be great though? Sorry to go off OT, I have a Wilderness, and just got a Delta Traveler in trade, they are great. He just seems like a natural to make a slipjoint.
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Rather than apologize, since we've just been through this, why not just keep it on topic? :confused:
 
WOW!! In 35 posts my friends have come up with over 30 names, many of them people I never suspected were making traditional folders, much less World Class folders.

What I want is to have Traditional Knives of my own design made by the finest makers working today. I started with three of the best who were at our great knife event in August. I will place more designs as I find makers who will work with me.

thanks for the help
 
Well, you've sure got a great list of folks to choose from, A.G.

Good luck with that venture. I'm sure we'll all look forward to seeing the results of your efforts down the road.
 
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