My Tacticals are on the shelf for a while.

USAFSP

USAFSP

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
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I was in Lowes a week ago and just had to look in the Case display, just because.... So I decided to give it a try. I bought one of those cool little Hunter patterns. It is a 61165, which may mean something to some of you guys. I was on the Case website that said the 6 was for the type of handles. This one is blue jigged bone. The 1 was for the number of blades, and the rest of the numbers are for the design. After a week I have made a few observations. I find myself turning to this knife faster than I did to my tacticals in public. It sharpens very easily, and actually holds an edge pretty good. I think I am gonna kick it old school and stay with slipjoints for a while. One question kind of sits in my mind though. How do they keep the prices down? Even the $40.00 I spent on this knife seems a bit low for the performance and fit and finish it has. The pretty blue bone handles, and overall asthetics really were worth the purchase.
 
I am finding the same thing. Maybe the tacticals we like has abetted a craze that has helped raise prices of them unnecessarily high? My recently gotten slipjoints are a joy to behold and use, surprisingly affordable in real stag and other natural scale materials, some untouchable if put onto a tactical knife. Although I'll still have my tacticals on me regardless, I would not take a tactical out in public to use, but these slipjoints I do. Therefore, they are seeing use a whole lot more.
 
Slips are so stinkin' addictive ! :D

I started with them years ago, but. . . .like most. . . .my taste in blade ware and carry habits changed (never disregarding the inexpensive slip that always rests on the desk).

Over the last year or so. . . .I've found that my interest in slips began to swell. . .again. Depending on the task at hand and where I'm going. . . dictates what I shove in my pocket. Anymore, seems that slips are slipping into my pocket more frequently. :D

As already mentioned here. . . .and probably several key reasons for my change. . . .slips sharpen very easily and hold a dayum nice edge. They are also low profile, rest comfortably in the pocket, and have a huge cutting capability. . .for such a small package ! :)

I really salivate over single blade slips ! :eek:
 
Even though I may have a $500.00 tactical folder in my right front pocket, I tend to use the little Case congress pattern slipjoint I always have in my left pocket. I would guess it goes like this;

slipjoint......99% of my knife use
tactical.......01% of my kniofe use

A well made slipjoint is a thing of beauty. :) :) :)
 
I think it is just the nature of the beast of collecting and appreciation of what it really takes to make a nice slip and the performace that they offer.

At the same time most of us non-operators encounter cutting tasks that are best done with a slim profiled blade that offers more exacting control.

Now don't get me wrong, I still love my Carsons, Lochsa and 2BK (2 Bastid knife) and always will, but a slippie offers me more versatility in a smaller package.

Now a confession from a wack job of a collector.
My Blade Show purchases will be M.S. daggers, (commissioned years ago.)
(Now there is a utilitarian knife since I am always in need of a dagger :)).
slipjoints and if they are ready a Brend 25th anniversary. (Walter gave me a chance to sign up for one of the ones he will be making a while back.)
 
GigOne said:
Slips are so stinkin' addictive ! :D

As already mentioned here. . . .and probably several key reasons for my change. . . .slips sharpen very easily and hold a dayum nice edge. They are also low profile, rest comfortably in the pocket, and have a huge cutting capability. . .for such a small package ! :)

I really salivate over single blade slips ! :eek:
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more! ..... time to show these again. And at around $250 to $325 they are great value custom knives.... and.... the sheeple don't find them frightening.

rcoverx4-600.jpg
 
Great Thread! I think that the failry recent craze over Tactical things, especially knives, will eventually slow down and people will go back to buying and using what suits their daily needs best. I still have hundreds of slipjoint knives I have collected over the last 30 something years, and although I have sold off quite a few in order to fund more expensive (ie Tactical) purchases, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for my Case/Buck/Schrade pocketknives. They just always remind me of a simpler time...



But at the same time, I do not hesitate to use whichever "Tactical" folder I may have on me at any given time. Just easier in and out of the pocket, quick open, make the cut, and back in pocket. Usually goes completely unnoticed by the sheeple!
 
I gave up on custom tacticals a while back because I was not happy with the locks being produced.

I started carrying slipjoints again for cutting efficiency and then went down the [long] road of custom slip joints and 80's era Winchesters.

The mind boggling thing about slipjoints is that there are about 400,000 varieties! After a while tacticals all start to look the same, not so with the slips.

In the last year I have purchased one tactical folder and it was because I have been wanting a custom tactical lockback for ages and finally had the chance to get one.

The vast majority of knife money has been spent on the classic stuff.

When you're ready to try out a custom look to Gary Crowder or Ray Cover as an excellent starting point (you may never feel the need to look anywhere else). The dollar value of a nice traditional folder from these guys puts some custom tacticals to shame.

Here's my newest piece from Gary: (the bolster transition is smooth as glass, that's a reflection :))

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Man this is a great thread! I can't believe how may of you guys I have known since I have started on the BFC years ago, have gotten into slipjoints, or returned into collecting them. I have 4 Case's now, and am gonna buy a bunch more that I have been looking at. I am addicted to slipjoints now.
 
Rod Neep said:
I couldn't agree more! ..... time to show these again. And at around $250 to $325 they are great value custom knives.... and.... the sheeple don't find them frightening.

rcoverx4-600.jpg
Click to expand...


Postin' that pic. . . . .is sooooo not right. :p :D

Everything in my body increased. . . .including cholesterol. :D
 
I look at it that there is a pride of ownership in the really fine slips that is absent in tacs. My AGR Scout cost a hundred-dollar bill, but I am actually pleased just to carry it. My S&M Barlow cost the same as my Spyderco Mouse, and which one do you think has me smiling to carry? :)
 
Rod, I read the threads about "If you only had one knife...." with amusement. But, after looking at your fine Cover knives, I think the one with the stag scales and engraved bolster could be that for me. What an excellent piece of cutlery!
 
I have several slips, and have been adding Queen d2s pretty regularly.

A favorite is an old AG Russell Cataraugus muskrat in ats 34

Enjoy your new turn in the hobby.


I'll trade you a bunch of slips for your SNg :D


Thomas Zinn
 
If my SNG wasn't an anniversay present I would. I am gonna get a custom slip very soon.
 
If you like a good working knife that rides well in the pocket b/c of its smooth scales might I recommend a Case Sodbuster. You can put an unbelievable edge on this steel.

It also retails for around $25 at Lowes.
 
I am finding myself doing the same, these days it's a Case Trapper, while my Benchmades sit in the cabinet.
 
Another good affordable slip is the Bulldog brand. They have a carbon steel that takes a wicked edge and takes on a discoloration (patina) with use. Mine was dull when I got it, but sharpened up fairly quick.
 
I went to a show this weekend and was floored by the quality level Case put out many years ago. These slips were big and solid with great materials, almost hand-made looking.

Some of the ones I own and like presently are Moore Maker and Eye Brand. Mooremaker has high degree of fit and finish while Eye Brand is what i would call rough hewn, yet solid and operates exceptionally well. I got both in stag as I got into sort of a stag kick for a while there. Setting them out and seeing the various colors, tones and texture is pleasing.
 
I understand what you gentlemen are saying. I was given a Queen model #11 single blade trapper in D2. You want to talk about a cutting machine! I'm currently trying to decide if I want to get a Queen Copperhead folder or if I should just wait for the upcming Bark River Knife & Tool slipjoint. The BRK&T sounds like it will be one heck of a nice little knife. :D
 
Easyrider said:
...Bark River Knife & Tool slipjoint...
Click to expand...

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Any info available on the web about this knife?
 
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