Single Blade slippy?

I am a multi-blade guy.
Sure, ANYONE can get by with a single blade.
Never a time you can't. We can all do it.
BUT, I prefer a multi-blade one.
Two blades is all need, however. As much as I try to like the Stockman pattern (the quintessential slipjoint pattern in my eyes), I can't get into having that many blades. If it is a clip,sheepsfoot/spey blade pattern, the spey never gets used. If the spey is replaced with a pen blade, the sheepsfoot never gets used.
Two is all I need, and I prefer a long blade and a short blade.
Canoes, Peanuts, Barlows, Pens, that type of configuration.
Trappers, hunters, copperheads, those just don't do it for me.
Thickness isn't really an issue between two and three blade slippies. My Case medium stockman is just about the same size and width as my Case mini trapper.
A long, all purpose clip blade, and a smaller, detail oriented pen blade is what I look for.
 
All previous opinions have been stated well. I tend to like choices but for the most part a single blade will do. I do love the stockman and cattle knives though even though I typically only use the main and sheepsfoot blade. Maybe that's why the Texas Jack intrigues me with its modified wharncliffe which is sort of between a spear/pen and wharncliffe for its utility. If I had to choose it would be a two blade jack with some sort of spear or clip blade for the main blade and either a sheepsfoot or modified wharncliffe for the secondary blade.
 
2 blades or more. Why do you think Victorinox still uses the slip joint style? Because back springs take up the least amount of space in the handle. Accommodating all sorts of tool/blade variations.
 
I vote for the multi blade. The stockman pattern Buck 301, Case medium size works great for me. It must have to do individual working tasks because I use all three blade types of the stockman. I do plan on getting a Case 3 7/8 amber stockman soon just to try it out; it seems it is not a common size for Case.

Bob
 
texasflyfisher said:
All previous opinions have been stated well. I tend to like choices but for the most part a single blade will do. I do love the stockman and cattle knives though even though I typically only use the main and sheepsfoot blade. Maybe that's why the Texas Jack intrigues me with its modified wharncliffe which is sort of between a spear/pen and wharncliffe for its utility. If I had to choose it would be a two blade jack with some sort of spear or clip blade for the main blade and either a sheepsfoot or modified wharncliffe for the secondary blade.
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I think the Austin contingent of the Traditional subforum is in agreement. This is what I'd go for if I needed or was designing a one knife solution.

Although I do like the multi-blade knives and single blade knives. The Congress is like a little work or art.

An interesting thing about a 4-blade Congress is when you pull it out of your pocket, the blades are always oriented the same way. You don't have to rotate it or check ends to find the blade you want. Unless you do some fancy specialized sharpening on each blade. Does that make sense?
 
I strongly prefer multiblades. Since more than one blade is a major benefit to carrying traditionals. Other than my sod buster all my production traditional slipjoints have at least 2 blades.

On customs. I still prefer multibladed knives, but there are favorite makers of mine or makers who are just getting started who I will take anything from them as long as I can afford it. In some cases I like the work and the person, in other cases I want to support the efforts :D. The result is that I have more customs than a sane person should have that are single bladed :D.

I am carrying a little 83 type pattern whittler today made by Tony Huffman. All three blades have seen good use during the 10 years or so that I have owned it.
 
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Dang, this thread made me just now switch from my single bladed Halfrich "shadow" to my Erickson stockman riding shotgun in my pocket.
(I still think choice is a good thing but multi-blades will always be my first love.)
 
Blues said:
Tom, I think your point has merit while at the same time I think a lot has to do with how slim, light and unobtrusive a single blade slipjoint can be in the pocket.

I especially appreciate them when I'm wearing lighter clothing.
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True and I agree. I also notice that we tend to carry key-ring tools, mini pry bars, multi tools etc. When in the past these did not exist and the pocketknife was the multi-tool of many and pressed into service it was not designed for. I remember my Dad using his for many jobs that would make the modern knife fan cringe :)
 
Rupestris said:
I figure, if you are going to have a spring and no lock, you might as well put another blade at the opposite end, right? ;)
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That's about what I was thinking when I saw the Buck 301 single blade job. Could you call it a 1/3d stockman?:D

I've got a half stockman Hen and Rooster, and it's as slim as a single blade as it only has the single backspring. But I absolutly love having the second blade on hand if I need it.

Maybe I'm just too old fashioned, but a stockman without the sheepsfoot and spey blades just look wrong to me.

Carl.
 
Blues said:
I feel strongly both ways! ;)
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Yeah, Elliott, me too. I ordered one of the Buck 301 single blade jobs. If I am carrying a 3 blade stockman, 99% of the time I use the main blade. So, I am generally comfortable with a single blade knife. Notice that I jumped on that single blade canoe in my Avatar and don't feel upset that it doesn't have the small pen on the other end.

On the other hand, sometimes a choice in blades comes in really handy. A small pen blade can do some things that you can't do with a larger blade and the sheepsfoot excels at trimming and coping. Also, extra blades are handy when cutting work is going on and your primary blade becomes dulled through use or contact with unseen metallic or other blade unfriendly materials.

So most of the time (90+%) I'll be happy with a single blade, but honestly most single blade knives have locks of some kind and are not really slip joints in my mind. I guess that's why I am so enthralled with the Fruitport with the wharne blade. I think it would almost eliminate my need for extra blades on a knife. Except....

... If I am expecting to be doing a lot of work cutting stuff like cardboard or pruning or carpentry, I will definitely want to leave the house with extra blades in my knife.

So, yes, I feel strongly both ways.

My name is Ed and I like single blade slippies....
 
I almost always carry single blades these days. Back in the 70's/80's/90's I thought there was no way I would ever buy a slipjoint with only one blade.

Now days, I really like the light weight, and thinness of a single blade. Its also a good excuse for me to carry 2 slipjoints at all time's:p That seems to go against the light weight reason I gave, but I can't feel a light one in each pocket as much as a heavy one in one pocket.
 
Ken44 said:
Now days, I really like the light weight, and thinness of a single blade. Its also a good excuse for me to carry 2 slipjoints at all time's:p That seems to go against the light weight reason I gave, but I can't feel a light one in each pocket as much as a heavy one in one pocket.
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LOL..that is a knife fan :)
 
I certainly like a single blade. Life without a CASE Slimline Trapper or Queen Utility would be intolerable! The slimness and long handle I find very practical. With GEC for example, their 73 model is more than enough knife with one blade, their multi blade jobs whilst appealing are too bulky for my taste. Same with the 25, the EZ Open is much better than the 2 blade Jacks(the secondary blade is vestigial anyway and hell to open..)

However, would be miserable without my 2 and 3 blade knives as well. With winter circling us, a multi blade knife is always at home in the pocket of a top-coat. I like 'em all me.
 
Ken, you sound like W.C. Fields. "I'd rather have two women of 21 each, than one woman of 42." :D
 
I prefer a single bladed for the most part, but do like the idea of one blade and a tool, such as the harness jack, or Vic bantam.
 
For my one month challenge today I carried my Slimline Trapper. Only one blade there and I felt fine with one having one blade.
 
i just realized that i do not own any single blade slipjoint knives (discounting a few alox SAKs) and i'm ok with that. i do tend to use one blade more than the others but it's nice not to have to.
i don't think i really buy into the weight argument. it's very easy to find multi blade slipjoints anywhere from 2 5/8"- 3 1/2" plus, an extra spring is only adding another 1/8" or there about. i have been wondering the same thing as jacknife... 'why the single blade'? after all... it's only half the fun at best.

keith
 
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jackknife said:
So, opinions gentlemen?

One blade or more?

Carl.
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I prefer two or three blades on a slippie. Buck Cadet - love it. Buck 55 (single-blade lockback) - love it. I don't think I'd care for the 301 single-blade - put a sheepsfoot with it for a two-blade 301 and I'd give that one a try! ;)
 
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I like single blade slippies as well as multiblade knive. I carry this Northwoods regularly.
 
texasflyfisher said:
All previous opinions have been stated well. I tend to like choices but for the most part a single blade will do. I do love the stockman and cattle knives though even though I typically only use the main and sheepsfoot blade. Maybe that's why the Texas Jack intrigues me with its modified wharncliffe which is sort of between a spear/pen and wharncliffe for its utility. If I had to choose it would be a two blade jack with some sort of spear or clip blade for the main blade and either a sheepsfoot or modified wharncliffe for the secondary blade.
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I pretty much agree with Luciano. I like one-bladed slipjoints, and will be fine with them. With multiple blades though, I normally need no more than two, ideally one with belly, and one with a wharnie design. To be quite honest, this is why I've never warmed up to Congress models. All those blades just seem redundant to me.

I've a liking for Texas Jacks, Hawbaker Muskrats, and most recently, a Victorinox Electrician. Got a P38 which can handle the can opening.
 
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