Question about weight

CL01

CL01

Joined
Apr 19, 2007
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3,396
This might seem an odd question, so please excuse me for it, lol.

I've only had 1 custom slippie, a Ty Montell Trapper. However, it had Ti bolsters & spacers, so it was very light. My next best slippie, & I still have it, is an '03 Case/Bose Collaboration Dogleg Jack. It's pretty heavy & I believe has ATS-34 steel blades & bolsters (I think the springs & spacers are another type of SS).

Now, I've had & have quite a few different production made slippies & I recall my Case mini Trapper in CV was of decent weight, so my question is:
Are the customs (Other than ones with Ti) heavier, lighter, or basically the same as their production counterparts? Is my Case/Bose of typical weight for its type of knife?

Odd question, I know, but it's the one thing I really miss on the Montell Trapper, although as a user, the Case/Bose is heavier duty, IMHO, & a work horse of a knife.

Thoughts, please? Obviously, I'm trying to ask this question to some of the "fortunate" members here who have many customs & production knives to compare.

Thank you in advance.
 
CL01 said:
so my question is:
Are the customs (Other than ones with Ti) heavier, lighter, or basically the same as their production counterparts?
Click to expand...

I don't think there's a rule of thumb that always applies here though I will say that I believe, generally speaking, that the best makers come in lighter than the production counterparts.

It really boils down to the individual (custom) maker and whether he tends to make them on the stout side or svelte depending greatly on his skill (and possibly taste).

I've come to really appreciate the makers that can put all you need and could possibly want into a particular pattern and still make it feel light and well balanced (as compared to a little pocket anchor).

The best makers imho are those that can pare away all that is not essential leaving only what is.
 
When we get to the nix of it any added metal is weight. Slipjoint frames have 2 major
purposes, 1- to act as a handle when the knife is open, and 2 to protect the blade (blades) when the knife is closed. After those two necessities we can go from linerless
shadows, to bareheads, to just about anything for a canvas. I'm sure years ago when
knives had more of a utilitarian use those pretty handles didn't mean as much and yet
its kind fo classy what they did back then or for that matter the way we dress them up
now- often to replicate it.
Ken.
 
So, the Case/Bose Collaboration, as an example, is definitely heavier than its custom counterpart, right?

I should've kept that Montell, lol, it was surprisingly light for its size.

Thank you for the info.
 
CL01 said:
So, the Case/Bose Collaboration, as an example, is definitely heavier than its custom counterpart, right?

I should've kept that Montell, lol, it was surprisingly light for its size.

Thank you for the info.
Click to expand...

I would caution that it's not quite so straightforward.

That said, my Case-Bose dogleg weighs 3.5 oz.

My Joel Chamblin custom of the same pattern weighs 3 3/8 oz.

Only 1/8 oz. difference. However, as you can imagine, much as I love the collaboration (which is one of my favorites), there is still a significant difference in the fit and finish, radiusing of the scales etc.
(The Case-Bose being near custom quality imho despite that.)

On the other hand, my Ken Coats "Texas Jack" weighs 3 3/8 oz.

My two Case Texas Jacks from the 80's and 90's weigh 3 1/4 and 3 1/8 oz respectively...so they are lighter than the custom...

...Yet, the fit, finish, feel in the hand, balance and workmanship of the Coats knife is leagues beyond the Case production model.

I guess the point being that weight is only one factor in judging the quality of a knife.
 
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Thank you Blues, I appreciate it. I do understand the difference in feeling (F&F,the little things, etc) of a custom. Although I've only had one custom slippie, I've had & have quite a few customs (FBs, folders, etc).

However, you did answer the main question since my only comparison was 1 custom & it addmittedly had "options" on it (Ti, file work, etc).

Thanks for putting up with my odd questions, too.
 
I have a very small Imperial pen knife with zytel (IIRC) scales, no spacers and 2 small, thin stainless blades. The thing literally disappears in the pocket. It is light enough that I once forgot that it was in a pair of pants, washed them, wore and washed them a couple more times, and remembered it was there when I felt it pulling something else from my pocket. (I'm glad it was a stainless knife- I leaving it wet didn't damage it whatsoever).
 
mp510 said:
I have a very small Imperial pen knife with zytel (IIRC) scales, no spacers and 2 small, thin stainless blades. The thing literally disappears in the pocket. It is light enough that I once forgot that it was in a pair of pants, washed them, wore and washed them a couple more times, and remembered it was there when I felt it pulling something else from my pocket. (I'm glad it was a stainless knife- I leaving it wet didn't damage it whatsoever).
Click to expand...

I have one of those, I got it from my GrandFather. I still have it & believe it's made in Ireland. Very light, thin knife, with thin, but sharp little blades.
 
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