Slipjoint stuff...

[waynorth]

I spoke to a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University about folders from current Sheffield folder makers. Her area of interest is how traditional skills can be passed on in lieu of the traditional apprenticeship system. She is also a part time knife maker. Her opinion was the knives were not made to precise tolerances and a well know custom maker did not know the type of stainless steel he was using for his blades. Having seen older Sheffield knives by Joseph Rodgers and the newer knives, I have to agree the standards have not been maintained.

Let's be clear here, Shing. Is this researcher talking about a specific custom maker she has researched, or custom makers in general???

 

[KnifeHead]

Charlie, he lost me when he said the unnamed custom knifemaker didn't know what steel went into the knife that he made. A bonified custom knifemaker KNOWS what steel he uses.

 

[waynorth]

I hear you Kerry, and agree with you. His researcher's wording is ambiguous, so I am giving the benefit of the doubt, until I hear further. The statements can mean the researcher is referring to one Sheffield maker.
Any good maker I've ever dealt with knows the steel, the heat treat, and the resulting rockwell hardness! Plus a whole lot more, I might add!