Ignoring the stamped blade imports from various parts of the world, I have been looking for a good slip joint.
The Queen Cutlery models I have are all D-2 and seem to be really good values at ~$50~$100 a piece. The one Schatt and Morgan "File and Wire" knife I have is very high quality but, breaks the $100 mark so it is realistically at the upper end for most people in an everyday carry knife with change, car keys, etc. The one Northwoods knife I have gives me mixed feelings when I compare it to the Queens because while it is a nice knife, at twice the cost I guess my expectations are much higher or too high.
What tool steel slip joints should I be looking at besides these three brands? How do these three brands compare to each other and similarly priced slip joints? How do you use your slip joint and how has it held up over time?
Finally, what would a custom slip joint offer at three or four times the price over a relatively high quality production model?
TIA,
Sid
p.s. I'm essentially looking for a replacement to or supplement for a Victorinox Spartan for use in an office and farm environment. I live in a rural area and need a knife to do "farm" and "ranching" things. While in town, everything from opening mail, cardboard boxes, plastic packaging, etc to cutting apples and supplementing dull or plastic table knives at restaurants with tough meat or stiff dairy products like really cold cream cheese on a bagel are likely.
The Queen Cutlery models I have are all D-2 and seem to be really good values at ~$50~$100 a piece. The one Schatt and Morgan "File and Wire" knife I have is very high quality but, breaks the $100 mark so it is realistically at the upper end for most people in an everyday carry knife with change, car keys, etc. The one Northwoods knife I have gives me mixed feelings when I compare it to the Queens because while it is a nice knife, at twice the cost I guess my expectations are much higher or too high.
What tool steel slip joints should I be looking at besides these three brands? How do these three brands compare to each other and similarly priced slip joints? How do you use your slip joint and how has it held up over time?
Finally, what would a custom slip joint offer at three or four times the price over a relatively high quality production model?
TIA,
Sid
p.s. I'm essentially looking for a replacement to or supplement for a Victorinox Spartan for use in an office and farm environment. I live in a rural area and need a knife to do "farm" and "ranching" things. While in town, everything from opening mail, cardboard boxes, plastic packaging, etc to cutting apples and supplementing dull or plastic table knives at restaurants with tough meat or stiff dairy products like really cold cream cheese on a bagel are likely.
