How to rank the great slipjoint makers

I agree with Blues! I would like to see the results of your venture, A.G!
I embarked on a similar project a few years ago, by asking several top makers to make a Harness Jack for me. It is like pulling teeth, because making a punch takes extra time for research and development.
But some beauties have shown up in my mailbox. So far, Tony Bose, Terry Davis, Gene Shadley, Bill Ruple, and Ken Erickson have made some great ones.
 
+1, I have one of the Waynorth-designed Harness Jacks. It sees lots of pocket time because of it's gorgeous goldenroot scales, 1095 steel which is taking on a nice blue patina from use, and solid S&M construction.

I would look really hard at any knives you designed and had produced, A.G. They would be a welcome addition to our knife community.

BTW, who is the maker on your Premium Scout? I purchased one in brown bone and carried it to 2 week-long camps this summer. It is very well built, useful in the kitchen/dining hall, and the 154CM steel on the main blade takes a fine edge and keeps it.
 
waynorth said:
I agree with Blues! I would like to see the results of your venture, A.G!
I embarked on a similar project a few years ago, by asking several top makers to make a Harness Jack for me. It is like pulling teeth, because making a punch takes extra time for research and development.
But some beauties have shown up in my mailbox. So far, Tony Bose, Terry Davis, Gene Shadley, Bill Ruple, and Ken Erickson have made some great ones.
Click to expand...

My plan is somewhat different, I am having each maker do a different design.

Where can I see your Jack knives?
 
RobbW said:
+1, I have one of the Waynorth-designed Harness Jacks. It sees lots of pocket time because of it's gorgeous goldenroot scales, 1095 steel which is taking on a nice blue patina from use, and solid S&M construction.

I would look really hard at any knives you designed and had produced, A.G. They would be a welcome addition to our knife community.

BTW, who is the maker on your Premium Scout? I purchased one in brown bone and carried it to 2 week-long camps this summer. It is very well built, useful in the kitchen/dining hall, and the 154CM steel on the main blade takes a fine edge and keeps it.
Click to expand...

Sad to say, Cammilus made the Scout for me., all I did was lengthen the bolsters and demand 154CM for the main blade, the replaceent will be a new design altogether.
 
A. G. Russell said:
Sad to say, Cammilus made the Scout for me., all I did was lengthen the bolsters and demand 154CM for the main blade, the replaceent will be a new design altogether.
Click to expand...

A.G. thanks for the kind reply, and sorry to have gone off the topic of your original post. As someone newer to traditional knives, I'm proud to own a Camillus-made knife. I'd been wanting to pick one up for a long time now and yours is exceptional.

And to get things back on topic, I lookforward to your designing knives and having the best makers build them. It's great to have each maker specialize in a certain pattern. Maybe that economy of scale can make them more affordable to many of us. I'm particularly interested in the patterns not often seen, like sowbellies, swaybacks, harness jacks and so forth. I eagerly await to hear what you come up with! :thumbup:
 
Kohai999 said:
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
Click to expand...


I hope that I can prevail on some busy makers to work me into their schedules so that I can complete a collection of about 20 knife designs by about that number of makers. These are lockbacks as well as slipjoints thanks to all of you I already have 5 knives in the works
 
AG, Gray Taylor had an awsome large Orange Blossom at the AKI. He said you sent him the pattern. Take a look at it on his website: www.cgraytaylor.net.

I think he would have to be close to the top of slipjoint makers, in my opinion[/B].
 
When I think of the best of the best in every respect my top are: The Bose family, Chamblin, Shadley, Taylor, Ruple, Kawamura, Rogers.

And if I had to pick ONE of those it would be Kawamura. He's always trying something new, his fit and finish is alien-like, and his knives are still a bargain.

Based on criterion such as value and innovation in design that have me thinking "cool idea" every time I see their work would be:

Ohta
Halfrich
Alsdorf
Erickson
Coats
Davison

And one to watch would be Rick Menefee

When I think of all around great slipjoint makers that don't necessarily meet the above criteria but are of considerable value and workmanship I think (In no particular order):

Zscherny
Hagen
Allen
Moore
Browne
Montell
Preston
Morrow
Warren
Cover
Tomes
Nowland
Davis
Crowder

That's my .02. I've given this a lot of thought over the years and as new makers emerge.
 
Last edited:
I agree Kawamura's knives are flawless and a good bargain. Of the ones you mentioned
Bose, Kawamura, and Taylor's knives are not easy to get your hands on. You do not find dealers that have their knives on hand and if they do not for very long. Taylor also does not stick to the easy knives, he is always trying something different. But unless you go to the AKI you really do not have a chance to see his knives first hand.
 
Omni44 said:
I agree Kawamura's knives are flawless and a good bargain. Of the ones you mentioned
Bose, Kawamura, and Taylor's knives are not easy to get your hands on. You do not find dealers that have their knives on hand and if they do not for very long. Taylor also does not stick to the easy knives, he is always trying something different. But unless you go to the AKI you really do not have a chance to see his knives first hand.
Click to expand...

I need an address for Kawamura, please.

A. G.

agr@agr3.com
 
Omni44 said:
I agree Kawamura's knives are flawless and a good bargain. Of the ones you mentioned
Bose, Kawamura, and Taylor's knives are not easy to get your hands on. You do not find dealers that have their knives on hand and if they do not for very long. Taylor also does not stick to the easy knives, he is always trying something different. But unless you go to the AKI you really do not have a chance to see his knives first hand.
Click to expand...

Maybe that's why Taylor isn't my top pick. For me, attainability is important and I can never imagine having the chance (or money) to own a Taylor. Maybe that's that's my problem but that's also why it's my list. If my criteria was based on craftsmanship and skill level then Taylor would be number one without question. It's all debatable.
 
A.G.

Yes there is a language problem and Ryu has a three year waiting list.

I will wright you both at the same time tonight as an introduction and let you take it from there.
Gus
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top