Is it just me?

M

mrszeontestpilot

Joined
Mar 28, 2012
Messages
382
I personally prefer knives that are more on the traditional side, but have some sort of lock. Not because I misuse or abuse my knives, but because I like to have that extra assurance that it's not going to just close on my finger. I've seen people saying that slipjoints are perfectly fine if you know how to use them or whatever, but hey, accidents happen even when you're being careful. Another thing is people will say that a slipjoint is somehow less intimidating to non-knife people than a locking knife is. I don't really believe that. I think if a person is intimidated by a knife, it doesn't matter whether it's a kitchen knife, a slipjoint, or a locking - they're still not going to like it. Sure, some people are going to be a bit more intimidated by some (huge) tactical one-hand opener, etc. But as far as traditional styles go, I would say slipjoints and lockers are on the same page. Now, I'm not talking about bigger blades like the 110, but reasonably sized 'pocket' knives. I've seen lots of slipjoints that I find attractive, but I stay away from them for the simple fact that I'd never really use them, and what's the point in a knife left unused? Perhaps I think too much...
 
Ah, a man prefers what he prefers. No big deal.

In many locales though there is a legal definition between lockers and slippies. And TBH a fixed or locking device is an absolute must for anything that is to be, for lack of a better term, weaponized. Slippies OTOH are tools and that's all they are. Sure you can use them as a weapon but you are taking your fingers in your hands when you do so. :o

Slippies just plain aren't intended for that use. Whether anyone is scared by a locking device is debatable. I doubt many of them are aware enough of knife design to know the difference. For myself only, my pocket knife is a tool and that is all it is. I have no desire to entertain thoughts of me out in the world fighting off gangs of feral zombies armed with my trusty one handed wonder. It just ain't me. They make tools for that and they usually have to be loaded and the owner registered.

Will
 
case russlock! slipjoint and an old school lock...
neat pattern once you get used to it
also alot of the old fishing (toothpick) patterns had the same simple brass liner lock. i'm sure theres more that had them, but i'm drawing a blank:)
gene
 
My favorite patterns are single blade liner locks such as the GEC 73 or Schrade 194OT. Traditional, functional, simple, comfortable, beautiful.
 
I do like extra security of the lock but I treat ALL my knives as they were slipjoints... Man can never be too careful when it comes to sharp objects. I don't jave any locking blade in my top 5 but more I use Case Mini Copperlock higher it climbs ^^
 
DrPenguin said:
Ah, a man prefers what he prefers. No big deal.

In many locales though there is a legal definition between lockers and slippies. And TBH a fixed or locking device is an absolute must for anything that is to be, for lack of a better term, weaponized. Slippies OTOH are tools and that's all they are. Sure you can use them as a weapon but you are taking your fingers in your hands when you do so. :o

Slippies just plain aren't intended for that use. Whether anyone is scared by a locking device is debatable. I doubt many of them are aware enough of knife design to know the difference. For myself only, my pocket knife is a tool and that is all it is. I have no desire to entertain thoughts of me out in the world fighting off gangs of feral zombies armed with my trusty one handed wonder. It just ain't me. They make tools for that and they usually have to be loaded and the owner registered.

Will
Click to expand...

^^ Pretty much, I agree with what Will said. ^^
Generally though, I think of any knife I own as more of a tool more than a weapon. I was pretty fast at getting my old LB7 out with one hand when called for though. ;)
-Bruce
 
I carry a slipjoint and a locking knife every day, and I don't spend any time worrying about what other people think about that.
I use the slipjoint more because I choose to, and I choose to because I am enamored with them. I think if anyone carried a slipjoint, and used it correctly, thy would find them to be great tools.
I also use my one hand opening lock blade a fair amount, like when I need to cut something I am holding that I don't want to put down, but the slippies are my favorite.

That said, if I had to only carry one knife and I was going to be "outside", it would have a lock or be a fixed blade.
 
I dont like my trad knives to lock. Even when I use my opinel, I rarely engage the ring lock.
 
FLymon said:
I carry a slipjoint and a locking knife every day, and I don't spend any time worrying about what other people think about that.
I use the slipjoint more because I choose to, and I choose to because I am enamored with them. I think if anyone carried a slipjoint, and used it correctly, thy would find them to be great tools.
I also use my one hand opening lock blade a fair amount, like when I need to cut something I am holding that I don't want to put down, but the slippies are my favorite.

That said, if I had to only carry one knife and I was going to be "outside", it would have a lock or be a fixed blade.
Click to expand...

This pretty much sums it up for me too, with one difference. Unless I'm somewhere that doesn't allow, I'll also have a small fixed blade on my belt along with the one-hander and slip joint.
 
Well... I use just to carry one or two slipjoints. I have some onehanders. But don´t use them anymore. The mainreason - I don´t like these knives so much. A slippie is always a good tool to use. Using it in public, noone gets scared or whatever. They give a better feel in pocket and in hand - which is more important. I, personally, prefer natural handles (wood, horn, bone, stag). The modern knives usually use any synthetic handle (G10, Micarta and so on). To my daily tasks, I don´t need a more than a sliplock. No linerlock or backlock. For food prep, I don´t need much more than a slippie.

:thumbup: :thumbup: For traditional knives :D

Kind regards
Andi
 
About the only times I've felt a need for a lock on a folder lately, is when sharpening or stropping a few of my knives. Since I do most of my maintenance in edge-trailing fashion, on sandpaper or stropping, I've had a few of my knives try to close up on me when doing so. My Opinels tend to do this frequently, if I don't lock the blade when stropping. Even then, I tend to view those events as a 'gentle reminder' to lighten up on pressure. I see it more as a personal technique issue to be 'corrected', rather than a safety issue or a failing with the knife itself. When actually using the knives in typical daily tasks, I've never felt a lock to be a necessity.

Interesting thing, to me, about how people perceive knives. Members of my own family seem to be afraid of any knife I pull out of my pocket, no matter whether it's my cuddly li'l ol' Opinel, or my Schrade 8OT or anything else. I've seen this at dinnertime recently, when using the 8OT to slice a tomato for my sandwich. Got some wide-eyed, sideways glances when doing that. On the other hand, if I were to grab one of the 8" bladed knives from the knife block in the kitchen, to carve a watermelon or whatever, no one bats an eye. Might have something to do with the fact they know those knives in the block on the counter are DULL (and they like 'em that way ;)).
 
I won't deride someone for preferring locking blades, as long as they realize that a folding knife with a lock is still a folding knife. The lock may protect you from a slight misstep, but it can also allow you to develop unsafe knife using habits. I've carried slipjoints so long that I find locks largely superflous.,
 
Personally I like all types of knives. If a knife I like has a lock it's ok, if not that's fine too. If I was worried about a knife folding on me while I was using it I would question how I was using it.
In 40 plus years of carrying a knife everyday I haven't been concerned about a lock yet.
 
Whether there is a locking mechanism on a pocket size knife or not does not matter to me one bit. And honestly, I would be very surprised if the presence of such would make a difference to a casual person and how they felt about it in public. I doubt they could even make the distinction between a knife with a locking mechanism and one without unless the two were side by side. So stay with locking pocket knives if that is your preference.

That said, I have never suffered a cut from a knife that would have been prevented had the knife simply had a locking mechanism. Obviously I'm not saying that it can't or won't happen, but with any level of care, I think the likelihood of a slipjoint accidentally closing on one's fingers is extremely remote.

And finally, as far as using a slipjoint for a weapon--well, if it gets to that, I don't think you will be too worried about it closing on your fingers as you will likely be fighting for your life. Moreover, at homicide scenes where the victim was stabbed to death and put up a fight, it is not unusual to find the subject's blood there too. And from what I have seen, the knife in question was typically a fixed blade knife, perhaps out of the kitchen butcher block or maybe even a pair of scissors. I only mention this to point out that just because someone is using a fixed blade as a weapon, it does not mean that they will not suffer one or more cuts.
 
After years of always carrying a locking folder I just recently started carrying some slipjoints. Can't say I miss the lock much or feel less secure using a slipjoint for ordinary tasks. Knives don't close themselves anymore then they randomly attack other people in my view.
 
I usually carry my SAK and a one hand opener, or a slipjoint and one hand opener. There are very few times that my Case peanut or SAK Vic pioneer can't handle the job. I've found myself going for my Gossman micro Kephart if it comes down to needing a larger knife. I still like my modern designs though. They're not always the most reliable. That lock can fail, just as springs can fail. Without calling out certain knives, some people do not like linerlocks. I haven't had a problem with mine, knock on wood.

I just picked up a GEC 73 single blade folder, slipjoint. I really like it, but have a hard time carrying 1095 daily. Summer is here, it's hot, and fat people sweat. Not sure how I feel about getting a carbon steel blade on a more expensive folder "spotty". My peanut is CV and already has a deep patina after picking it up brand new about a year ago. I did have a 72, my little brother got that, that is his "dress" knife. I really liked that one, but he liked it even more. He's into motorcycles and guitars more than knives, but values the use of a good knife. Even though I got the 73, I might get the lockback 72. Linerlocks are great for one hand openers, I don't like them on traditional knives. Lots of oldies can be found with linerlocks though, whether for the main blade, or for an implement, like on an electrician's knife.

The Case copperlock and mini copperlock are good knives. Buck makes their Prince and Knight lockbacks, with 420HC steel. I had a Cabelas rosewood and imitation buffalo horn handle, but gifted it to a buddy on here. Lots of other variations to check out.
 
Slip joint with a locking mechanism??? It wouldn't be a slip joint anymore...imho. I've never been cut when using a slip joint, The only time
I cut myself is when closing the knife to quick while working and it bites me... That can't be helped by a locking mechanism. I guess I'm just
lucky and cut the right way and don't need a lock back! Who knows... everybody has there own thing. :D


Jason
 
mrszeontestpilot said:
I personally prefer knives that are more on the traditional side, but have some sort of lock. Not because I misuse or abuse my knives, but because I like to have that extra assurance that it's not going to just close on my finger. I've seen people saying that slipjoints are perfectly fine if you know how to use them or whatever, but hey, accidents happen even when you're being careful.
Click to expand...
I felt exactly like you when I picked out my 73L. I have plenty of slippies, but wanted a locker "just in case". But now after carrying, and using my 73, I kind of wish I had gone with the non-lock. The snap on mine is so solid, and like others, I treat all knives like slippies, that the lock seems redundant. All things considered, disengaging it is more annoyance than re-assurance.
~Jim
 
Never carried a lock blade knife. If I think I need a more solid knife, then I'll use a sheath knife. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Carl.
 
I guess I can see using a slipjoint for everyday cutting tasks, but I tend to use my knives for whittling, which requires a bit more (though not a ton) pressure.
 
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