Opinions request - Ancient Walrus Slip Joint

[SVanderkolff]

Pretty basis questions here.
I am trying to improve and would love some input.
What do you like?
What don't you like?
What would you like?

Thanks for the help
Steve

 

[joeradza]

Steve, I can only give you my impression from an aesthetic point of view. I have to assume that the fit and finish is up to snuff and the W&T is good. It looks like a conundrum to me. Closed it looks a little chunky, and the handle to blade ratio looks off. But, open it couldn't look better. It's almost as if you managed to copy one of natures purest knives. If you look at the last photo I see a thorn. The truest importance is how it performs both practically and artistically. I can't answer the practical question, but artistically you hit the nail on the head.

 

[RayseM]

I generally like it and would not be critical if you weren't asking.
A few of my humble considerations - My 2¢ as you are asking.

• Handle material is nice but wrong for this knife. The straight line detail is very distracting to the curve of the knife.
• Bolster is too big - just a bit. A 1/4 to a 1/3 smaller in relation to the scales would look better to my eye.
• Bolster does not seem to flush with the scales - looks proud. Might just be the photo.
• A longer nail nick would be preferable.

Otherwise -

• Love the compact size folded or otherwise.
• Very nice knife shape overall.

Keep them coming. :thumbup:

 

[Cory Hess]

I'm with Ray in that overall I like the knife. I wouldn't criticize if it weren't asked for, and if somebody posted up that knife in the Totin' thread I'd probably comment on how nice it looks. Since you've asked for input for improvement...

To my eye that knife looks too chunky. It should be slimmed down quite a bit. It looks like it would be very heavy and bulky in the pocket. What are the dimensions of the knife?

Along the same lines as being too chunky, the blade stock looks really thick. Most slipjoint fans seem to like thin, slicy blades. What thickness stock are you using for your blade?

The satin finish on the bolster looks like it could be taken to a little finer of a finish. Whatever grit you used to obtain that shine, go one step finer. It looks more scratched than satin.

The screws in the covers look a little off. I can't tell in the pictures if the screws are flush or if they sit on top of the covers, but with the smooth ivory they should sit flush. Also, with just two screws on each side they should stay on the center line of the frame. The ones closest to the bolster look good, but the ones towards the butt are off-center. They're probably centered on the cover, but the curve of the frame makes them off-center to the knife. This can be fixed by having a third screw in the middle down towards the spring. I'm guessing you have a hidden pin there. Having that exposed would make the screw placement seem more symmetrical.

As I said earlier I like the knife quite a bit. The covers are just gorgeous. I also like the blade profile. It looks like it'd be extremely useful. The plunglines look nice and clean, at least on my screen. Overall, very nicely done.

 

[AntDog]

Looks great!

Only things that stood out to me is that the bolster is a bit large and needs a finer finish, and in the fourth picture, there are a lot of things that should be lined up and symmetrical that aren't.

 

[Will Power]

Bolster is too big, with a choice material like this, the less bolster the better. I'd then go for a polished finish on the bolster to enhance the scale material.

Use pins not screws. Same reason as above.

Many would like this knife as it is though!

 

[SVanderkolff]

Thanks guys
SO what I am hearing is that my bolster is too big and needs to be finished to a higher grit. Also preferences for a slip joint seem to lean towards the long thin knife profile. the profile on this is copied , or at least started out as, one of the Lake interframes. The blade and back spine on this are .115 of an inch , so just under 1/8", is this still too thick for a slip joint? I also think I need to work on my photography since some of the comments are an inability of viewer to see the details.
Once again thanks for the input. I needed to see if I could figure out why my slip joints were not selling. This gives me some good starting points.

Steve

 

[brownshoe]

A higher polish on the bolster will show more scratches. I just bought a custom with a brushed finish on the bolster, but it went the other direction. Case-Bose knives have a brushed finish on the bolster, but their's a finer grit.

The nail nick could be better, a little larger and more half-moon. That being said, the knife I just bought has a similar nick, it didn't keep me from buying it.

What would keep me from buying this knife are the screws, I like pins. I find the line distracting. I don't like gaps between covers and liners, can't tell if this knife has them, but it looks like it might. I also don't like white covers, too bland.

 

[mrknife]

Looks very big and bulky. is she heavy? Not a fan of the blade shape.

I do like the blade stock, looks very thick, good handle to blade ratio.

 

[Ramrodmb]

Not a bad looking knife at all!
It would be helpful to have some dimensions.

I like the blade shape and use of walrus ivory.
It seems like the blade may be a little thick. I prefer very thin grinds.
I think the nail nick needs work, ie. larger, more typical looking.
I love inclusions or lines in natural materials, however, I really appreciate when they are positioned so they DO NOT go right through a pin (or screw). Right next to it is fine, but I dont like when they look like they radiate from a pin or screw.
Overall it looks great!

 

[Hickory n steel]

I really like it and my only critiques would be a nickle silver bolster,1095 blade if it doesn't already have it, and a lanyard hole.