Recommendation? Modern slipjoint options?

ktataragasi

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May 26, 2019
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Hello everyone. I am very much considering getting one of the Lionsteel Dom slims. The blade shape and simplified appearance of the slim models just grabs me.

My question is, is there something else I should be looking at? Different models/ brands? And if so what makes that one stand out?

Thank you all for your input.
 
I have a Dom with ebony scales. I like it quite a bit, currently waiting for the caplifter Barlow to come out. I have seen some say that their blades don't hold up well to torture tests, but I don't torture my knives much.
 
Guess I should add: if you're looking for other modern traditionals, there are some Boker options that you might look at. A little more old-school in their appearance, N690 blades in a few models. Beyond that you can look at some customs. Albers Cutlery looks to be very popular, but he's a one-man shop and you'll have to be all over a drop to land one. Tinus Stone is another one to look at on IG. Anything else I'm thinking of will be customs that are anywhere from $500 - $900, again assuming you can land one.
 
I have two of the lion steel shufflers, a lion steel warhorse, and the viper bladeforums knife. They are all sweet. The M390 is fantastic steel and all are well made and functional. I have been eyeballing the lion steel slims as well. You can not go wrong with the Maniago modern traditionals.
 
Thank you all. We'll I think I'm convinced already (didn't take much). Now I just need to decide on the handle material.

Does anyone have pictures of the ones you have?
 
I'll have pics of the micarta if you can wait a few days. I ordered a micarta slim shuffler today.
 
I had one of the Doms and it was a fine knife that I enjoyed quite a lot. However, I feel like the Viper Swayback and Sowbelly are on a higher level in terms of action and fit and finish. No exposed tangs and more interesting patterns (for my taste). I ended up selling my Dom after I received the first Viper.

The Dom is a nice piece but I would suggest one of the Vipers too. I'm sure you would enjoy either of them. Or maybe both is the correct answer...? :)
 
I'll have pics of the micarta if you can wait a few days. I ordered a micarta slim shuffler today.

I can wait! I'm leaning heavily towards the micarta Dom as well so it will be good to get your initial impressions.

I had one of the Doms and it was a fine knife that I enjoyed quite a lot. However, I feel like the Viper Swayback and Sowbelly are on a higher level in terms of action and fit and finish. No exposed tangs and more interesting patterns (for my taste). I ended up selling my Dom after I received the first Viper.

The Dom is a nice piece but I would suggest one of the Vipers too. I'm sure you would enjoy either of them. Or maybe both is the correct answer...? :)

Hmmm interesting. I think for me the swayback would be the one to...... sway my opinion.... sorry for the poor pun. What is the action like?

For me the Dom caught my eye the moment it came out but I wasn't ready to spend that on a traditional knife pattern.
 
I'm still waiting for the Fox Recoil to be released... :cool:
I had several Lionsteel Barlows, but ended up selling all of them.
They were good knives but left me a little cold, so I never really carried them.
I think it was the screwed-on bolsters I didn't like. I think I prefer the adjustable pivot that Fox and Viper offer.
Also, the huge exposed tang (when closed) is something I didn't care for either. Like i said, great knife, just not for me.
 
Where do I see this fox recoil? When I did a google search I just got mountain bikes.
 
The Recoil looks good. Sunken joints ( :thumbsup: ), great size. I've never been a huge fan of the gunstock pattern. Doesn't mean I won't buy one eventually given as I am to whimsy :) I'm looking forward to the LionSteel Jack that CK has in development. I could easily see buying a couple of those. I have a LionSteel Bolus and its an excellent pocket knife.

I agree with you, John, about the exposed tangs. I don't particularly care for them on some GEC's, like the 86's. I recently aquired a couple of AGR medium Barlows and that's the only thing I don't like about their design. The rest of knife is so good, especially the design of the spear (old AGR knew what he was doing) that I'm going to attempt to overlook the big tang.

I ordered the slim Shuffler despite the tang. A shadow Barlow is such a contradiction it appealed to my sense of whimsy :) Plus I'm curious about a 3 3/4" "Barlow" that weighs the same as a Spyderco Dragonfly.

The quality on the LionSteel I have is second to none. The Viper forum knife is close, but the blade on mine is ever so slightly proud.

I think the "modern traditionals" are an interesting variation of some fine old designs.
 
I can wait! I'm leaning heavily towards the micarta Dom as well so it will be good to get your initial impressions.



Hmmm interesting. I think for me the swayback would be the one to...... sway my opinion.... sorry for the poor pun. What is the action like?

For me the Dom caught my eye the moment it came out but I wasn't ready to spend that on a traditional knife pattern.

I would say that the action is a bit snappier and both of my examples definitely have a stronger pull than my Lionsteel did. The Lionsteel had a weaker pull and felt a bit less precise at the half stop point.

For my taste, the Vipers just seem to have a nicer action but the Lionsteel certainly wasn’t bad. If you prefer a slightly weaker pull though, I’d pick the Lionsteel.
 
somniloquist Best avatar of 2021 to date. TPB forever!

Knife content: Italy

Thank you sir! My wife is from Halifax and I only started understanding some of the TPB jokes after we connected. Pepperoni? Shopping carts at the Sobeys? Zesty Mordant? A Bluenoser understands...

But yes, funny show and that picture still makes me chuckle when I see it.
 
Thanks, gunstocks are not my thing but a fine looking knife in any case.

Personally I'm still waiting on the Lionsteel Jack, it's been a long wait...

I put myself down for notify on the Jack, was pretty happy I didn't go sure when the caplifter Barlow showed up. But thinking about how long we've been waiting on the Jack makes me sad to think about how long I'll be waiting on that Barlow. I wonder if Lionsteel's overall production ground to a halt, or if they're just not working on these models for some reason.
 
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