Mike Vagnino Zip Slip folder

bpman

Basic Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2001
Messages
189
Greetings,

I wanted to post a quick review of a folder I just bought from MS Mike Vagnino, he calls them his "Zip Slip Folders". You can see pictures of them in the Makers "For sale: Folders" section, I have not a clue in the world how to post a picture here and the photo's there are very good.

First and foremost, it's a heavy duty little sucker that is about 4" overall and truly hefty. It's NOT a lockblade but a slipjoint folder. Having said that, his unique ball bearing pivot system works in such a way that the knife is literally the next BEST thing to being a lockblade. the knife opens with authority and literally SNAPS into the open position. You have to feel and hear it to appreciate the action. the backspring is also unique in that it does not move at all when the blade either opens or closes, it just stays flush with the liners/scales. When closing the blade, it takes some determined effort to get the blade moving, nothing too difficult but enough that it is very unlikely that the blade would close on you by accident. If you just push the blade closed, it stops at about the half point which should make it safer for your fingers if you do it unintentionally as it won't close all the way on its own. However, if you follow the blade home with your hand, you can easily go past this stop point, but it takes a deliberate closing action to do it. I'm guessing that if you are following the blade closed with the back of your hand, you've cleared the edge side from your other fingers.

It is also very sharp, it's got a nice edge to it and should be easy to maintain. The blasted and tumbled finish is done evenly and looks great. It has a unique grind profile, which I like very much.

The pocket clip is a real low rider affair. When the knife is clipped in your pocket, there is no part of the actual knife showing, very slick.

This is quite honestly the best value knife from an ABS Mastersmith that I have ever seen. Take a look at what he is offering them for. Just over $200 for all this? Amazing in my opinion, you'd be crazy not to get one!!

This knife is being relegated to duty carry for me. I trust that I will get years of service out of it. These are users, not display case prizes and that is what I intend to do with it.

Bpman
 
Yep, cool little folders. I have two already, OD G10 and Orange G10. The Orange G10 handled one has been living in my pocket since I got it!

Kind regards,

Jos
 
I think this thread needs a couple of pics:

In-hand pic of the OD G10 ZipSlip :

IMG_3279-MVzipslipInHand.jpg


The Orange G10 ZipSlip with some Swiss goodies :

IMG_3706_f.jpg


Kind regards,

Jos
 
Good for Mike! He's always got some unique design twist happening, over and above his superb fit/finish.
I'd love to have one of those ZipSlips. Thanks for the excellent review.
After looking at the pictures for a while, what stood out was the blade profile (not to slight the handle). Not much you couldn't get done with that blade, indoors, outdoors or out and about. The Zip in the name is interesting, like 'quick cut' or something.
 
Thanks Jos, I appreciate the photo's. You know, the more I handle with this knife, the more I appreciate its features. A bargain is an understatement.
 
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