slip joints just dont do it for me....

L

lilBIGfoot

Joined
Oct 23, 2011
Messages
102
In the past few years, i have really gotten into knives. And as any good mother would, i get a knife for any occasion that comes up, unfortunately every knife she gives me is a hardware buck, or schrade old timer. Not knocking these brands, or slipjoints at all, they just dont do it for me.

So my question is, what am i missing. I have 2 opinels that i bought from a gun show 3 years ago, no.7 and no.8, and this is the closest thing to a traditional i can bring myself to carry. And are these technically considered traditional?
 
I would say so.

What kind of knives get your interest instead of those old slip joints? Don't you have a Buck 110, or 112 yet?
 
You may need to give them an honest chance.

Try just carrying one for a day, then two days. I doubt you'll find a problem with not making it through the day. In fact, a slip joint will give you more knife in one package than a modern onehandknife. Take the three bladed stockman. Three different blades, can be sharpened with three different edges, in one pocket size package. I spent 10 years in the army engineers with a Buck stockman, and in that ten years I used it on four different continents, took it to a little war in Southeast Asia, and then raised three kids while using it for everything. I didn't become a knife nut until later in life when the kids were grown and money was a bit easier. But that Buck served me for 25 years and never failed to do what I needed.

Now as a retied old fart, I cary a little Case peanut. But being retired I ha ve way more time now for fishing, woods rambling with my wife of 41 years, canoeing, and home projects. I'm actually more active now than when I was stuck in that machine shop 8 hours a day, yet I fond my little 2 inch bladed pocket knife is perfectly adequate for what I do. You don't need as much knife as you think in the real world. So much of the knife things is hype to sell more knives. I know it my be hard to think of it, but when I was growing up, and man had 'a' pocket knife. That was it, one pocket knife, that he used for everything. Being back then, there was none of the modern one hand whiz bang knives like today, yet we managed to get it done with a slip joint pocket knife. I was the skill of the man holding the knife rather than the glorified tool.

Come on over to the traditional forum and poke around. They're welcoming folks over there.

Carl.
 
The fact that you didn't post this in the Traditionals forum says a little about your mindset.

Don't worry that you don't like slipjoints (or other "traditional" knives). Find what you like, and then learn about those. Over time your tastes will change, but you may never like certain styles. A lot of what your style becomes will be based on experience.

You may want to think about why you prefer certain styles now, and articulate that to your Mom (and others). If they can see you're enthusiastic about specific features odds are they'll look for those when they think to gift you. Still, never turn down a knife; you can always look at them as trade material.

Oh yeah, btw, Opinel are "traditional".
 
Might have to give one of the semi customs a chance. Like a queen or something a lil more high end. I just find them difficult to open. Maybe if i carry one for awhile, and get it broken in it will serve me better, and the constant fear of it closing on my fingers. I absolutely love my opinels, and i occasionally carry my falkniven u2. I carry an izula on my belt, but people are pretty skiddish when i pull that out. Horizontal carry at the buckle, so i get a 'where did that come from!' Look if it ever comes out.
 
US Schrade 340t. Best whittler I've ever owned.

They're not for everyone. I didn't like them much back when I was first interested in one-handed tactical designs, but like many others, I eventually came around and developed a new appreciation for them. Of course, a slipjoint also happened to be my very first knife.

Oh, and don't worry about the blade closing on you. If you're using it properly and responsibly, it never will.
 
I second the 34OT, use one every fall going on 4 years now as a dedicated pumpkin carver in addition to getting edc's off and on. The steel takes on a nice character with use as well.
 
I love slipjoints.

But nobody says you have to! You don't like 'em, you don't like 'em! That's fine. It doesn't make you a bad person.

That's why there are all kinds of subforums here.

(And just tell your mother what knives you like. It may or may not work, but that's all you can do. Or just tell her to buy you socks.)
 
Next time you are at a crowded nice restaurant or other establishment and the need arises to cut something you might be glad to have a traditional pocket knife. It just tends to make people jumpy when you pull out a Strider SMF, OTF auto or other less sheeple friendly knife :)
 
Well with age alot of things change. Slippies are just something i really want to like, but just hasnt happened for me yet, if that makes sense. A few years ago, it was nothing but lowered, obnoxiously loud and fast Hondas, now its suzuki samurais, and tacomas. Not really into the tactiCOOL thing either, and ive learned alot from these forums. New to forums, so im getting used to them. Thanks guys, ill go check out the traditional section.
 
Check out companies like Northwoods, Queen, Case, Great Eastern Cutlery and you may see something you like. Also, check out the Traditional fixed and folders forum here.
 
Life is to short to carry knives that don't get you going.


If the knife I'm using doesn't bring a smile to my face I'll find one that does.




Big Mike
 
Maybe he just hasnt found the right one yet. My grandgather was a minimalist. He always said why use a hillips head when a flat head will work. A little blade can do alot. Just keep that in mind.
 
Get Your First Case Knife. - They Are Excellent.
The Knife That Really Got Me Liking Slip Joints Was A Ka-Bar Barlow, And Barlows And Trappers Are Among My Favorite Styles.
Then, I Got My First Case, And It Sold Me Lol.

Anyways, This Being Said....

I Am A Folder Girl - Modern Folders - Spyderco Is My Absolute Favorite. I Would Rather Carry A Folder Than Anything, But I Don't Turn My Nose Up At Slippies Because They Are Good Knives, And I Do Use Them. They Just Don't Over Take My Use Like Folders Do.

Try A Good Swiss Army Knife - It's Still Kind Of "Traditional" But You May Find You Like Them Better Than Other Slip Joints, As They Are Simple, Easy To Use, And Have A Million Different Tools And Uses.

But, Carry Your Favorite Folder, And Pick A Slip Joint You Have And Carry It As Your Secondary Knife. I'm Sure You'll Use It Occasionally And You'll Get Used To It, And May Even Start To Like It. You Don't Have To Carry It As Your Only Knife. Just Ease Yourself Into The World Of Slip Joints.
 
lilBIGfoot said:
Not knocking these brands, or slipjoints at all, they just dont do it for me.
Click to expand...

Perhaps it's a matter of exposure and maybe you just haven't seen anything you like yet. There are all kinds of different patterns and materials to choose from. Take a browse through this thread (great photos) and see if anything grabs ya... http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-Traditional-Knife-quot-are-ya-totin-today

If you're still not interested in slippies afterwards, that's ok too. Different strokes for different folks.

Cheers!
 
Slipjoints aren't for everyone. Luckily, there is no shortage of other choices out there. Just carry and use what you like. That said, I think you'd be surprised at how great slipjoints are for cutting stuff if you give them a chance.
 
You need to carry what you like. You also should find a pattern that just says I'm the one for you and go with it. I've always liked the toothpick but it was either too small or too large then I bought a GEC and it was love. I find the perfect size, width, and blade style. It took me a long while and many knives to find a "favorite" pattern. I also really like soddies.

Sent from Ash forum mobile
 
My first knife was a traditional old timer Stockman. I carried it every where. Then some one stole it, and I never replaced it with another traditional. Fast forward 25years later, and I love traditionals.

I am sad that I did not appreciate the stockman, back when I had it. I need to get another.

For me, a lot of it has to do with nostalgia.

Another point is that the traditionals I tend to by tend to have great blade geometry. They are great slicers, without the overly thick grinds you tend to find on a lot of modern knives.

(GEC's are my favorite production right now). My queen's have been much more thick behind the edge.

I have pretty much stopped carrying modern knives, except occasionally.

They have their place as well in the rotation (for fixed blades, I mostly carry Busse, which are about as far from traditional as you can get).

Traditional knives just tend to get a warmer reception from people as well.
 
I know many that don't care for a slipjoint. Nothing wrong with that, and it's a good thing we have many types to choose from. I would give them more of a try though.

Check out Spyderco's if a modern locking knife is what you want. They have a room here, and have many to choose from in a pretty wide price range.

When you find a model/models you like just print off some copies with a pic and price, (from the place you want it from would help), then just leave it so she can see it. Worth a try:p
 
lilBIGfoot said:
Well with age alot of things change. Slippies are just something i really want to like, but just hasnt happened for me yet, if that makes sense. A few years ago, it was nothing but lowered, obnoxiously loud and fast Hondas, now its suzuki samurais, and tacomas. Not really into the tactiCOOL thing either, and ive learned alot from these forums. New to forums, so im getting used to them. Thanks guys, ill go check out the traditional section.
Click to expand...

Exactly! I don't know how old you are, but your tastes will probably change over time. If your mom is still giving you knives, you probably aren't too "old".

I know that my tastes have changes over time, at one time, I preferred tactical looking folders, but moved out of that stage to really liking traditionals with bone scales. Used to not understand how people could like those.

Your tastes may change over time, but you can't force yourself to carry or use something that you do not find attractive to you at the present. You don't have to use them, but hold onto them. I do think that those knives that your mother gave you will mean much more to you over time than you'll realize.
 
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