Past, Present, and Pending: A Slipjoint Check-In

[Scubaroo]

There’s almost always another knife we’re curious about, sometimes after a long stretch of waiting, sometimes because opportunity knocks when we weren’t even looking.

What we collect and/or carry seems to chart a personal timeline.
Our first one usually comes from curiosity or necessity, the latest reflects where our tastes have landed (for now) and the next one often hints at where we think we’re headed. (Even if that changes day to day)

So I figured I’d throw this out to the group:
- What was your first slipjoint?
- What’s your most recent one?
- And which one is next on your radar?

Humble starter, grail piece, or the knife you didn’t plan on buying, let’s see the progression.

 

[BP_]

My first was undoubtedly an SAK (my first “real” slippie I believe was a 71 in orange delrin years ago)

Most recent is a 65-69 Case Jack knife which I am really bonding with quite well. And always Buck knives. Plenty of those.

Not sure what the next one will be just yet. I have been considering a new run 77 in ebony for a user. I have most of what I want/like/carry, so it’s a bit tough. But that one is currently on the radar (not counting fixed blades)

I’ve gotten most of my grail knives I’ve wanted, mostly pure luck and right place right time. May venture into the custom stockman game one day, but they are a bit out of my range right now.





Case photo is from seller. I haven’t taken my own glamour shots yet but wanted to show it.

 

[afishhunter]

My first pocketknife/slipjoint? Nothing "exciting" or "impressive".
In 1960 or 1961, my Uncle, Bob, was home on leave between Vietnam and his next (and last) duty station in Germany.
He gave me his Army issue Camillus(?) Demo Knife.

He also gave me my first sheath knife (also not "exciting" or "impressive"); his Army issue Ontario 499(?) "Jet Pilot Survival Knife". (WHY the Army issued him an Air Force knife I don't know. He was Army Infantry ... a Grunt ... not a heliocopter pilot, or gunner, nor a CIA "Advisor".)

Both are long gone now.
Though I do have a 1975 Army Reserves issue WESTERN "Demo" knife, I got when I managed to join the Reserves.
They did not want it back, when I was given an (unwanted by me) (honorable) "Forever" medical discharge a couple days after being sent to Basic, 3 months after I enlisted. I planned on transferring to regular Army while in Basic, serve 20~30 years, retire at 39 or 49 with full pension ...
Sadly, they kept the M-16 and 1911 A-1 I had been issued and qualified with, prior to going to Basic.

I could not pass the physical for Navy, Air Force, Army (Marine recruiter told me "go to he'll." when I walked in his office.)
Army recruter suggested the Reserves cuz they had their own Dr., (have vision, hearing, pulse, resparation, above ambient temp, you passed) and transfer to Army while in Basic.

Nothing on the radar. Tho a 4" plus stag stockman would be nice, if I could afford one, (mite be more affordable to get Glenn Badd to recover one or 3 of my stockmans) or mebby that 8" closed Rough Ryder anniversary stockman ...

 

[Hickory n steel]

My 1st was a dollar store Victorinox super tinker knockoff that my dad bought me when I was 7.
It was absolute garbage but lasted just long enough for me to develop accident avoiding habits.

I just acquired 4 thanks to the GAW box, but this is the one that's currently in my pocket and being used.

This is the next that I will carry


And this is going to be my next purchase , when they're released here shortly and payment is taken on my preorder.


As for grail pieces, something I've wanted for a long time is a vintage small shadow pattern equal end pen with stag or jigged bone covers and carbon steel blades.
I have no particular make in mind ( shadow pattern pens in stag or bone are kind of hard to come by ), but I know that I want something with nice full blades, no blade kant, and drawn swedges.

For a handful of years now I have most favored small 2 blade knives, often pen configuration.
The 1st traditional knives I coveted though were the Buck 110 and Case sodbuster , but I no longer really care for the sodbuster.
I still love the little 2 blade knives most of all, but am starting to also really love knives around 3.25" , and while I also love 2 blade knives the most I am also starting to like single blade knives just as much.
The smaller straight edge secondary blade is great to have but I have realized that I can live without it sometimes, and that's allowed me to enjoy more variety if enough about the knife speaks to me.

 

[Old Engineer]

The First one that I bought back in 1961and I still have it :

My latest one is actually 2 because they came in the same shipment .

On the Radar is on the way and I do not have photo of it .
1996 NKCA Stag handled whittler by Schlieper
Then after that I am watching for the same model by Winchester also for 1996

Harry

 

[RickHuf]

My first one was probably the old dollar store sak with the Q logo. Man those were junk but they were cheap and useful. Either that or I seem to remember a cheap old shell construction barlow like an imperial.

My most recent is a bow trapper from rosecraft. I had the RR bow trapper and wanted a better one, which the rosecraft certainly is much much nicer!

What is next? The sky is the limit! Maybe a nice custom shop buck 55, but that is a lovkback.

 

[Scubaroo]

I forgot to add my own.

First slipjoint I carried was my grandfathers case whittler. I carried that for a long while until I needed something with a bit larger main blade for EDC. (Food prep)

My most recent was a fantastic example of GEC cougar clawed bone on their 35 frame.

Coming up next is hopefully a Remington 42LB, from the recent run. There were over 1,000 made so hopefully I can find a good example without lock rock or blade play which seems to plague GEC lockbacks.

 

[Mens Abdita]

The first slip joint I ever got was only a few years ago. I very generous friend of mine got me this Fontenille-Pataud Le Chamois in juniper. He thought I would like it since it combined my affinity for knives (predominantly modern folders at that time) and my francophilia. This knife changed my life really, by demonstrating the craftsmanship and wonder of beautifully made slip joint!


And the last knife I got was this beautiful Case Bros congress:


Up next, I have no idea. Hopefully it will be something with a really cool material for its covers. Mammoth? Abalone?

 

[mac0731]

First slippie EVER would be an SAK knock off an uncle bought me as a boy. Maybe around 8-9?

First that I bought for myself when exploring traditionals was a Brother zulu/spear.


Most recent pickups include an SAK bantam, and a couple of Case knives. Made a trade on the back pocket, but it's new to me. And the trapper I'm test driving in the user rotation.


On the Horizon? Who knows. I'm attempting to cut back purchasing but I also lack self control. I wouldn't mind a nice Case 31 or 35 jack if I could find it at the right price. I had one and let it go and have regretted that for a bit.