should I buy a slipjoint?

neetones

neetones

Joined
Apr 30, 2001
Messages
701
Well, my collecting is in fever-pitch mode. I have traded through many many regular production folders, a mammoth-ivory CRK mnandi, a small sebenza, and I am currently stocked with a number of high-quality productions including a microtech LCC, AL Mar SERE 2000, Kershaw Bump, and some very handy Spydercos.

But I find myself wanting something truly special, something beautiful and unique but sturdy and capable. I am thinking of buying a custom, and willing to spend around $300...

I have been enamored with Ray Cover's folders for some time, ever since seeing a pearl-handled slipjoint for sale here. I am now considering buying one if I find the right one for me, but my question is basically...should I get a slipjoint?

I own various SAK's, and am familiar with the mechanism, but I don't know how comfortable I feel using a knife that doesn't really lock up. I know Ray makes lockbacks as well, so that's a consideration, but how do all of you slipjoint users feel about the fact that the blades don't lock up?

And does anyone have any more pics of Ray's work?

Nitin
 
Ray Cover Sr.'s slipjoints are as positive as you can get. They also happen to be faultlessly made knives. I have three already, and another is on the way.

If all you have are the ones that you list, then prepare to be astounded with something that is "completely different". You'll love it. And if its a pearl, then you'll love it even more.

Cheers
Rod

rcoverx3-600.jpg
 
As long as you don't do something foolish like stabbing with it, a slipjoint is really pretty safe. I've used them all my life and have never had one close on me. Go for it. Those Ray Cover knives are beautiful.

James
 
Personally I think the need for a lock on knives is a little overblown (of course that may be due to the fact that I grew up with slipjoints.

When you use a knife to cut you put pressure on the edge of the blade and it is not going to fold up on you unless you are using the spine of the blade to cut or if you strike the spine of the blade or put pressure on it.

Folks who carry a knife for self defense have other needs, but my chances of being in a position where I need a knife for defense are nill. (I'll either talk funny, run fast or use a .45.) :D
 
All of the Ray Cover slipjoints I have handled and the one I owned are probably safer than many of the locking folders out there. Ray put fairly strong back springs in all that I am familiar with. You will never regret getting one and they are very easy to sell and recover your money if you ever get tired of it.
 
Bastid said:
Personally I think the need for a lock on knives is a little overblown (of course that may be due to the fact that I grew up with slipjoints.

When you use a knife to cut you put pressure on the edge of the blade and it is not going to fold up on you unless you are using the spine of the blade to cut or if you strike the spine of the blade or put pressure on it.

Folks who carry a knife for self defense have other needs, but my chances of being in a position where I need a knife for defense are nill. (I'll either talk funny, run fast or use a .45.) :D
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Very well said.

I always feel a little old when someone asks about the issue of using a knife that does not lock. When I was growning up pocket knives had no locks, you just had to know how to use them right. There were all kinds of knives that me, my dad, and my friends carried that had names like Barlow, stockman, trapper, whittler, sunfish, peanut, and none locked. But then cars did not have seatbelts either, and the gov't was not protecting us weather we wanted them to or not.

Nitin, go get yourself some traditional slipjoint pocket knives and be prepared to enjoy a really handy knife for the real world.
 
Thanks for all of the replies folks, I think i'll get one soon...just have to find one that's just right.

jackknife- Germantown!? I grew up in Rockville/Gaithersburg, my whole family's still there.

How's the weather? :)

Nitin
 
I love my slip joints. With that said I'd suggest you go pick one up at a local store and see if you like them too before shelling out some doe for a custom.
 
I would also suggest getting one or more production models-you can see which patterns/steels you like, and sell off the rest.
 
well, I went ahead and shelled it out...I'm awaiting a lightly carried Ray Cover MOP slipjoint...i'll report back when I get it.

Nitin
 
Hey there Nitin-

Weathers been d--- cold. About high 30's with snow fluries. I'm about ready to move my retirement to warmer climes. Don't tell me how it's out there, I'm already jellous.
 
>"... but I don't know how comfortable I feel using a knife that doesn't really lock up."

===========================

As my Grandad would have said, :rolleyes:

;)
 
I have a couple of custom slipjoints on order. Each of the makers also makes locking folders, etc, but there is just something about them that appeals to me. Not that I don't always also carry the odd spyderco or other single-bladed locking knife, but the look and feel of a good slipjoint is just something else. And I don't particularly care about the lock--If I need a locking knife for something heavy, why, I'll just pull one out of my pocket.
 
well...thanks for the encouragement everyone. I should have a lightly carried MOP - Canoe - Ray Cover Slipjoint in my hands tomorrow.

!!!

Nitin
 
Rod Neep said:
Ray Cover Sr.'s slipjoints are as positive as you can get. They also happen to be faultlessly made knives. I have three already, and another is on the way.

If all you have are the ones that you list, then prepare to be astounded with something that is "completely different". You'll love it. And if its a pearl, then you'll love it even more.

Cheers
Rod

rcoverx3-600.jpg
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Rod, can you tell me more about the top one? Its fantastic! What handle material for starters.
 
neetones said:
well...thanks for the encouragement everyone. I should have a lightly carried MOP - Canoe - Ray Cover Slipjoint in my hands tomorrow.
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Be sure to let us know what you think. Ray's work is a fantastic - quality & value.

Going back to your original post, I can relate 100%. For several years I did the HD tactical thing and while I loved the knives I'd always be mad when the time came for it to actually perform well cutting something.

Then I started carrying a slip for those times when I really needed some performance. With time I've gotten to the point where I (almost) only carry slipjoints during work and many evenings. When I'm really working around the house I'll usualy toss a tactical in my pocket or a neck knife but I always have a small folder as well.

When you get your knife from Ray, sit down with it and one of your favorite tacticals and compare the amount of precision that goes into the slip, I think you'll be amazed.
 
fasteddie said:
I miss the Chris Farley avatar. :p
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Yeah, me too. Maybe I need to dig him out again. Getting a little tired of the doctor...
 
After looking at Danbo`s Avatar I see why all his posts have a larger audience !. Back to slip joints, if you buy or own a slip joint there is never an anticipation that the blade locks, so it is used with that in mind. When a lock fails, such as a liner lock the usual out come is not good, because the anticipaion is it will lock and protect. This is not true in all cases and with all makers. Buyer be guarded using any knife other than a fixed blade as a locking knife. If you purchase a slip joint you should have steel choices. Why spend 500 + dollars on an ATS - 34 blade that will not give you the cutting ability of D-2, 3V, 60V etc. and then leave it in a drawer. Many makers choose ATS-34 over all others because it polishes very well and the shrinkage is a known quanity. It takes a master to be able to let you pick the steel and they make the knife. In the world of factory knives, Queen gives you some choices, with D-2 , and ATS-34 in some Schatt and Morgan pieces. they actually do a very creditable job on the ATS, better than some hand mades. The BG-42 they use on the Dan Burke line is very good. Case offers a fine job on their Case /Bose collectables in the ATS and it to exceedes some custom makers knives.
My opinion only

Be well
Floyd
 
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