Slipjoints - too old fashioned?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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Back when I first started collecting knives, slipjoint folders were the only knives I knew or had. If it was a folder, it was a slipjoint.
These days, folders are on the cutting edge of technology. I remember holding one, I believe it was by Timberline that I didn't know how to close, until the shop assistant showed me how.
That was when I discovered that I haven't been keeping abreast with developments. It is interesting how folders have developed over the years.
But the "old-fashioned" slipjoints still hold a certain sentimentality for me. Call be an old geezer, some old things have their charm.

:) :)
 
A lot of people collect, own, or use slipjoints simply because they ARE old fashioned. There is a lot of sentimentality there. Check out the Schrade forums sometime, there is a discernable difference in attitude there as opposed to GD.
 
Yep, many of the most popular knives today are designed for the 'tactical' / military wannabe / mall-ninja markets. While Spyderco/Benchmade/others make products with original designs, durable materials, and 'tactical' appeal, they lack a level of class achieved by natural handle materials and traditional designs.

Personally, I'm a sucker for interesting mechanisms and new designs, but the "black plastic" theme has been done to death.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
golok said:
I remember holding one, I believe it was by Timberline that I didn't know how to close, until the shop assistant showed me how. That was when I discovered that I haven't been keeping abreast with developments. It is interesting how folders have developed over the years
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Did it require you to pull foreward on the open blade?

If so it was nothing new, Back in the 50's there was the Tom Mix trick pocket knife that opperated the same way.
 
I personally have a fondness in my heart FOR slipjoints!! I collect Case knives myself AND am a Life Member of the Case Collectors Club.
 
Slipjoint lock knives are still around in great number. I have had a Browning 3-bladed stockman with 440-C steel blades and rosewood handles for over 30 years and it is as good as the day I bought it. Still tightly clicks closed. Good edge retention. Easy to carry. And a good looking alternative to all the "Black" knives.

http://cutlerscove.com/multi-blades/browning-stockman-german.htm

Queen Cutlery Company out of Pennsylvania still sells a bunch of them with great D-2 steel blades.

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/queen/
 
I love slipjoints. I really am not that crazy about a lot of tacticals.

I carry slipjoints a good lot of the time.
 
Here in the UK the only knife you can lagally carry (without a special reason) is a slipjoint with a 3" max. blade.
A SAK, Alox Bantam, is one of my favourites but I do love my Delica, legal or not. Still, who needs the hassle of being caught, London now a nightmare for 'stop and search' by the police thanks to religious fanatics.
So, I finally broke down and bought the Spyderco UKPK. Think slipjoint Paramilitary. Very cool, very modern and I don't even miss the lock.
I love collecting old, traditional slipjoints, especially US brands, but they are just too heavy for pocket carry.
 
A Vincent Black Shadow is an old motorcycle, it was at the forefront of technology back then.

It's a well made bike and today it's still as great a bike as 40 years ago, riding one is an unbelievable experience, does that make me an old geezer?

Even old things are still viable if made well enough, and look like art if designed properly.

This applies to knives, cars, guns and women, well alright not all women.

Some of my best and nicest looking traditional folders are at least 60 years old and I still use 'em 'cause they work as well as anything comparable made today.
 
Slip-joints are what I carry and use everyday. I like the look and feel and the cut very well.
 
Jockohomo said:
Here in the UK the only knife you can lagally carry (without a special reason) is a slipjoint with a 3" max. blade.
A SAK, Alox Bantam, is one of my favourites but I do love my Delica, legal or not. Still, who needs the hassle of being caught, London now a nightmare for 'stop and search' by the police thanks to religious fanatics.
So, I finally broke down and bought the Spyderco UKPK. Think slipjoint Paramilitary. Very cool, very modern and I don't even miss the lock.
I love collecting old, traditional slipjoints, especially US brands, but they are just too heavy for pocket carry.
Click to expand...

Jocko, what's the reasoning behind this law?
 
Slipjoints rock the house! :)

I carry a tactical type folder, clipped to my pocket for quick access(just in case I get attacked by Oompa Loompas), but ALWAYS have a slipjoint in my pocket.
 
Hi DGG. I'm afraid the law was put in place by know nothing politicians keen to be seen to be doing something and fueled by media frenzy.
Of course it has had no effect on knife crime and spoils things for enthusiasts. Ironically, since handguns were banned about 10 years ago, gun crime has steadily risen until it is now many hundred % more than before the ban. This also affected me as I used to be a keen pistol shooter.
 
because they work. They're not quick and for some jobs I want a lock. But those thin, flat ground blades cut like the dickens and they don't freak anyone out. For the average joe, and even for us knife nuts, they work just fine for most day to day chores.

Frank
 
I carry only one. The SAK classic in watch pocket. All the others in my pants are lockers. I don't like the slipjoints anymore. It's too bad someone doesn't make a good lockblade WITH that thin blade.

hint hint.

:)
 
Seeing that I am old, and feeble...with arthritis in my hands...and I can't open an Axis lock any faster than a slipjoint I have decided I to mostly carry a natual handled slipjoint. Believe it or not there was once a time when you would be considered crazy if you tried to use your nice hunting knife to split a piece of wood...and little boys didn't fall asleep dreaming of ninja turtles....and yet somehow we managed to cut things and split wood !

-Regards
 
It's too bad someone doesn't make a good lockblade WITH that thin blade.
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Well, there's Opinel. Those are right up there with SAKs as far as slicing ability. And they lock very securely. Some of the SAK models have locks for the main blades too.

But yeah, there is a gap in the market for thin flat-ground American-styled lockbacks.

-Bob
 
I like their looks, in fact I own two of them, but I am spoiled by one-hand-opener, I'll stick with my trusty Caly Jr.
 
Danbo said:
I carry a tactical type folder, clipped to my pocket for quick access(just in case I get attacked by Oompa Loompas), but ALWAYS have a slipjoint in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Same here.
 
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