Slipjoint

T

The_Dave

Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
181
Gentlemen,

I know nothing about slipjoints or other traditional folders. I woke up this morning and thought I might like to have a nice traditional slipjoint of some kind.

I could go down to the hardware store and pick out a $20 no-name folder, but I want something a little better.

Since I know zip about slipjoints, can you recommend me a nice production or semi-production slipjoint to pick up? What are the high-quality names out there? Arbitrary price point is <$250.

Thanks
 
Dave,there is certainly a big selection.This question of yours comes along alot & the first replies is always...can you narrow it down ?
Size ? (folders are generally spoken of in closed length)
# of blades ?
ss/carbon bladesteel ??
What is you intended use ?

At $250 there's alot you could acquire
-Vince
 
The_Dave said:
Gentlemen,

I know nothing about slipjoints or other traditional folders. I woke up this morning and thought I might like to have a nice traditional slipjoint of some kind.

I could go down to the hardware store and pick out a $20 no-name folder, but I want something a little better.

Since I know zip about slipjoints, can you recommend me a nice production or semi-production slipjoint to pick up? What are the high-quality names out there? Arbitrary price point is <$250.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Well...if there were only a few good choices this would be an easy question to answer. :)

The range of slip joints available right now is huge. A little more information from you would help us. Do you have any preferences in regards to size, number of blades, blade steel and handle material?

Do you have any specific tasks in mind for this knife?


EDIT: Vince got to it before I did. :)
 
Sorry for the lack of clarity guys!

After doing a bit more research, I think I'm looking for something in the 3.5-4.5" (closed) range as far as length goes...

Intended use would be general EDC/daily carry. Opening boxes, letters, zipties, things that come up in a normal day at work or at home.

It seems that most have some sort of horn or bone scales, which looks great to me. My tastes have been changing over the past few months from the tacticool stuff to the more traditional stuff.

I'd prefer one blade, but two blades would be alright as well. As far as blade steel, I think the carbon blade would be neat to have rather than stainless.

$250 of course is my upper limit, and anything under that which fits the bill would be perfect.

Ultimately I want this to be the knife I carry in my pocket for the next twenty, thirty, or forty years until I give it to a son or grandson. But I want to give it a good workout first :D

Thanks for taking the time!
 
Are you at all interested in custom?

There are almost always some great barely-used customs for sale in the for sale by individual forum for $250 or less.

If you are able to wait a while there are plenty of makers on here that can make you a custom knife for around $250 or maybe a little more. You might not be able to get real fancy, but you can get a great knife.

As far as production goes, Queen/Schatt & Morgan, Case, Canal Street and GEC all make great knives and you can get some really nice ones for right around $100. That might be a better route, if you're like a lot of us you're going to want another one right away.
 
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Dave,
I love these types of questions as it is always fun to help others spend their money!

The great thing about slipjoints is the tremendous variety of patterns available to you.

I have several patterns that I would recommend to you. (Images borrowed from Sheherd Hills)

1. A swell center whittler.
17113.jpg


2. A mini trapper.
7012.jpg



3. A four bladed congress knife.
7350G.jpg


4. A sodbuster (Case, yellow, in CV of course)
032.jpg



The best part is that if you shop around, you could bring all under your roof within your budget!

Have fun!
 
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that narrowed things down a bit dave but still quite a large scope.

i would suggest looking at case's web site. there is a page specific to patterns that might be of interest.
 
Dave , Rob hit on it perfect! If you're looking for something like that,
You should check out a Custom Slip joint! You could get on a Maker's
list or try and find what you want on the forum's! There's
a bunch of great knives floating around here! I'm sure We can find
something you would enjoy and could pass down with no problem!
Good luck!! You'll get more than one! I promise!! lol



Jason
 
I'm really liking the looks of the trapper... In a 4" size with a carbon steel blade that'd be just about perfect! And stag scales, or some kind of bone.

I'd certainly be interested in a custom, but it's not a requirement. Especially if I can find something on the production side that fits my needs.

Also, I find myself nixing anything with lots of markings all over the blade... I'd rather see more of the blade than a brand name.
 
You are in luck!

The full size trapper is just over 4 inches (4 and1/8th)
The Amber Bone in CV might work for you.

pattern number: 6254 CV
 
There are a couple of linerlocks I can recommend highly. Both are between 3-3/4 and 3-7/8" closed.

Queen amber stag bone #06 teardrop, D2 spear blade, around $60
Q06Lmark.jpg


Northfield burnt stag #73 scout, 1095 drop point, around $130
73stagLL.jpg
 
How are the old Case knives? I'm looking at a Case trapper from 1974 that's apparently in mint condition. How is the quality on a Case from the 70's?
 
The_Dave said:
How are the old Case knives? I'm looking at a Case trapper from 1974 that's apparently in mint condition. How is the quality on a Case from the 70's?
Click to expand...

In all likelihood it will be better than anything Case makes today (aside from the Bose collaborations).
 
Dave, I went through what your doing, going from tactical to practical :p a year or so ago.
My first and second purchase was a
Great Eastern Cutlery: #23 Pocket Knife.
I'm not allowed links here, but if you copy and paste the above, I'm sure youll find them no problem.
Mine are 1095 carbon 4.5 in closed, single blade, I can't believe how sharp they get with minimal effort, take a look, you might be pleasantly surprised.
 
I'll recommend the Case/Bose swayback jack. You'll be amazed at the fit and finish and can probably find one in the $60 range. I'm very picky when it comes to knife quality and this one blew me away for the price.
 
Thanks, Rob, it is VERY nice. Knobby, toasty, well-matched swedgy goodness-- a perfect EDC!

dc50 said:
My first and second purchase was a Great Eastern Cutlery: #23 Pocket Knife.
Click to expand...

Dave, the #23 is identical to the #73 I posted, except it's 4-1/2" closed. Here's a couple in bone, around $90.

PioneerLLs2.jpg


P.S. -- Only the Northfield brand has the swedged blade. The Tidioute #23 shown does not have the swedges.
 
Do you want a locking blade or one that simply folds? The Queen knives have D2 steel. It is a great steel, but the knives often require sharpening. If you have a belt sander, this is easy. If not, it is not so easy.
I have a Queen Copperhead that is a nice knife and is comfortable in the pocket. It looks really fine in Zebra. I also have the Teardrop linerlock model in the photo above, and it can be recommended as well. I have the Minihunter linerlock - it looks like the Copperhead, but locks. All my Queens required some time on the 1X30" belt sander.
The Great Eastern model 72 lockback is a nice knife, with a 3 1/16" blade. I have one in red jigged bone, and it comes with a number of different scales - wood, bone, or stag.
 
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