My latest custom slipjoint: integral frame, mammoth ivory

J

Jason Fry

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
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I'm trying to up my game a bit when it comes to slipjoints. This is my first milled integral frame, out of 416 stainless. The blade and spring are AEBL and the covers are mammoth with a pinned shield. OAL is 3 3/8 closed, 5 3/4 open. Be kind, these images on a computer screen are like a 5x magnification lol.
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Nice work, Jason. If I were to suggest anything, simply based upon first impressions, I think a "quieter" more subtle tang stamp would give it a lot more "gravitas". (It also appears like you might fit a bit longer blade in the frame but that can be deceptive.)
The rest is minor details. It's a strong start.

I applaud your effort. :cool: :thumbsup:
 
I agree, blues. I don’t have a separate stamp for slipjoint, just my regular makers mark. It’s pretty large for a tiny blade like that. Agree on the blade length as well.
 
Jason Fry said:
I agree, blues. I don’t have a separate stamp for slipjoint, just my regular makers mark. It’s pretty large for a tiny blade like that. Agree on the blade length as well.
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Glad you didn't think I was being nitpicky.

Ken Erickson and I are, (and became), close friends, while he was getting a foothold in the slipjoint arena...and he and I would spend hours on the phone discussing patterns and various minutiae. Not that I'm any sort of expert, or hold myself out as one, but I think I have a decent eye and like Potter Stewart "know it when I see it".

I think you're off to a flying start.

Your fit on the spring is pretty darn good for such an early effort, and everything squares up pretty nicely as well. I think you've got something going here.
 
Great job! Looking forward to your future creations! BTW really like the profile of your drop point. Only suggestion I would recommend is Ia sharpening notch. I like seeing sharpening notches on the blades I get.
 
Nice job! I agree that a smaller tang stamp would be better. On a personal note- I would leave the shield off of a stunning piece of mammoth like that!!
You did a terrific job with the centering and those nice even swedges- two of the first things I look for.
 
I was on the fence on the shield. It was the smallest I had, but kinda big for the knife. Since I was intentionally trying to grow, and since I’ve only done one other shield, I went for it.

Just to be clear, I’ve made 40 or 50 slip joint over the last 14 years, this is just my first integral frame
 
Jason Fry said:
I was on the fence on the shield. It was the smallest I had, but kinda big for the knife. Since I was intentionally trying to grow, and since I’ve only done one other shield, I went for it.

Just to be clear, I’ve made 40 or 50 slip joint over the last 14 years, this is just my first integral frame
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Integral frame means bolsters machined from same piece as the liners so it’s one piece? I’m not familiar with the terminology but the craftsmanship is amazing.

I was just telling my wife yesterday my dream is to make pocket knives as a hobby. I have no aspirations to this level of the craft. Well done.
 
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