Linerless slip joints

I think linerless is ok as long as the handle material can take the pressure of the spring loading placed on the center pin. If you look at a lot of old knives you'll find a good number of them have cracks in the handle material at the center pin. The handle and liner being thin is likely the cause.

One of the first things that Tony asked me to do was...."here, take this spring and see if you can bend it." I just looked at him like he was crazy, and his point was there is a lot of pressure on that center pin if you can't even bend it with your bare hands.

Balance might be a moot point but I always thought that pocket knives really can't be made to be balanced. I will say that single blade linerless pocket knives come as close to having a good center of gravity as you can get. I think if they are made well a linerless knife isn't a bad idea and should be priced accordingly...whatever that means :D
 
Well right now I'm probably doing more linerless than anybody. One reason I like them is because they're lighter. I know some people like to feel a little heft in their knives but I like them light as possible. I like bigger folders too so they'd be real heavy if I put liners and bolsters.

The number one reason I do them though is because I can make them quickly and sell them lower. Also, there will always be people making really beautiful slippies with liners and bolsters and mulitiple blades but honestly, I'm not up to their level. I'll leave that kind of work to the masters.

I just try to do the same with my folders as I've done with my fixed blades.. I make them functional with good fit and finish and priced relatively low.
 
Here is one with silver scales.

IXL-S2.jpg
 
Interesting thread. On older linerless knives, I would think the main issue is the material they used, along with thickness, & yes, I've seen some where cracks were/are showing around the pivot pin.

Having said that, I would think recent yrs of using G-10, G-11, micarta, etc, has improved this type of knife.

As far as a knife design that has stood the test of time, isn't a Sodbuster basically a linerless shadow?

My 2 largest slippies are a Menefee Backpocket Shadow & a P.C. Randall linerless Shadow (Didn't/hasn't named it). Both are customs & are 4 1/8".

Speaking only of the ones I have, the Randall's natural micarta is thick (With a Bos HTed A-2 Wharncliffe, 3 1/8" & 1/8" thick) & it is tough. It's light for its size, but not super light (I believe it's 2.5 oz. at 4 1/8" closed).

Mention about balance is interesting & yes, my Randall's definitely the best balanced.

I am curious as to a linerless's strength. We now know that Shodows are generally considered stronger if used with G-10/micarta. I wonder how the strength is on linerless Shadows using the same material. I will say that my linerless Shadow has so far proved to be very strong.

Interesting stuff.
 
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Some destructive testing has been done on linerless slip joints and they prove to be strong enough for normal use. I think the handle material on a soddie is at least 3/16" thick so they are plenty strong, obviously.

I looked back thru the Traditional forum to see who posted the first custom linerless slip joint. :o
 
I like them, I like to make them.

Some folk will like Dr Pepper and some folk will like Pepsi.:p

TA



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bigal2me said:
I like them, I like to make them.

Some folk will like Dr Pepper and some folk will like Pepsi.:p

TA
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Dr. Pepper and Pepsi? You can't compare those two. It has to be Coke vs Pepsi or Dr. Pepper vs. Mr. Pibb. :p
 
I Love them. Light and when used as a knife should be, they are All you need.
Great LL's folders Ray! :)
 
jason the problem is asthetics the principal of the construction is valid. however they do look cheap. part of this is simply our long association with traddies.if i took a stag handled, mirrow polished trapper in one hand & in the other hand held an endura with black handles & glaze finished blade & backspring & showed these 2 knives to a novice we all know the newbie is going to want to see the trapper 1st. it's a long learning curve to see the light weight & utility of the endura as pretty.
 
I have one of TA Davison's linerless slipjoints and I love the way it disappears in a pair of suit pants. I don't put my slipjoints through heavy use so, for me, the lack of weight makes it the perfect EDC. I don't notice it's there until I need it. In an odd way, the lack of adornment in the handle made me more aware of the shape and grind of the blade. For the first time in my collecting and using, I became aware of the thought and effort that went into designing and making the blade.

Is it different than my other slipjoints? Very much so, but I enjoy that variety.
 
Shadow patterns in general have developed a fantastic following in the past couple of years. I prefer the versions with a "birds eye" look. In other words, more than just a pin at the pivot.

I don't see shadows with liners and pivot bushing as "cheap" looking at all. Many are darn right classy, IMO.

At first glance linerless slippies seem like a natural progression from shadow patterns. However, I don't care for the smaller linerless knives and I do agree with the idea that they tend to look "cheap". I do believe it is a valid design, though--I'm not questioning strength/longevity.

The linerless slippies that are really appealing to me are the larger, more utilitarian designs.
 
I like `em with and without liners. Sometimes i'm in the bare essentials mood, aka linerless, and sometimes I like ivory with liners. Sometimes I feel like a knut, sometimes I don't. :D

This is an interesting thread, :thumbup: but keep in mind that the OP indicated (I think) the intent to focus the discussion on the aesthetics of a linerless, rather than the functionality or the durability. Of course one could, I suppose, argue that a non-durable or non-functional knife was implicitly not very aesthetically pleasing as well. ;)

For sure if the knifemakers we know and respect around these parts endorse linerless folders, then I have no hesitation to deploy the design, and have, but I also like the way linerless look and feel on a Spartan day in May. :)
 
fewpop said:
I like `em with and without liners. Sometimes i'm in the bare essentials mood, aka linerless, and sometimes I like ivory with liners. Sometimes I feel like a knut, sometimes I don't. :D

This is an interesting thread, :thumbup: but keep in mind that the OP indicated (I think) the intent to focus the discussion on the aesthetics of a linerless, rather than the functionality or the durability. Of course one could, I suppose, argue that a non-durable or non-functional knife was implicitly not very aesthetically pleasing as well. ;)

For sure if the knifemakers we know and respect around these parts endorse linerless folders, then I have no hesitation to deploy the design, and have, but I also like the way linerless look and feel on a Spartan day in May. :)
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I agree with this,well said.

It is an interesting thread . With that all said,I'd like to add...
IMO,I think people ordering custom made slipjoints are not opting out of liners for the pricing,rather just to have a different specimen,they just want to own / try one.Alsao,I feel a maker could just as easily sell a liner version folder for a higher,adjusted price,as the lesser cost linerless,again,because that's what the custom hand - made knife buyer wanted.
The weight difference is very slight,too.
There certainly are some production linerless folders avail,for less cost,than a hand made.
I would also add,I know of at least one maker,Jerry Halfrich,I'm sure others would agree,they swear by carbon fiber,as one of the best materials for the linerless folder.
 
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Purely from an aesthetic viewpoint, I would like linerless slippies better with a larger front pin or "bird's eye" look. From my perspective it is the small front pin (prevalent on many) that makes linerless slippies look "cheap".
 
Durwood said:
Purely from an aesthetic viewpoint, I would like linerless slippies better with a larger front pin or "bird's eye" look. From my perspective it is the small front pin (prevalent on many) that makes linerless slippies look "cheap".
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I agree with this,too :thumbup:
-Vince
 
Durwood said:
Purely from an aesthetic viewpoint, I would like linerless slippies better with a larger front pin or "bird's eye" look. From my perspective it is the small front pin (prevalent on many) that makes linerless slippies look "cheap".
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+1 :thumbup:

Vince, you make some real good points also about price-point and "different specimen" choices.

Here's one of my favorite examples of the "birds eye" look on a linerless Menefee trapper:
IMG_1941.jpg
 
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I'm digging the pics of both the old and new knives in this thread. It is amazing to me how much of a difference the birdseye pivot makes to the overall look of shadow patterns. I have some with and without and I very much prefer them "with."



How about continuing to post pics of old or new linerless knives? I would love to contribute but I don't have any :o

That could certainly change though....birdseye pivot with some canvas micarta or carbon fiber? I could be talked in to that I think.... :)
 
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