slipjoints vs. locks, what's up with it?

As for strength, slip-joints have a very simple mechanism and are strong enough to last for a very long time with regular use. The springs that hold the blade open and closed are integrated into the entire length of the handle and are usually pinned together.

Pressure from using the knife is spread through the springs to the pins and to the handle liners, so it is very efficient considering we are only mitigating pressure from a single direction. As far as regular pressure goes (from cutting), they are plenty strong.

Lateral pressure is probably going to snap the blades every time. The pins should be strong enough to hold the liners together well.

^That may change however with different patterns. I recently bought a single blade Gunstock pattern and the blade is extremely thick for a slip-joint. It could be considered a slip-joint that could handle lots of harder work.

Sodbusters are also known for being sturdy users. I haven't tried a sunfish yet, but they seem like users too.
 
Last edited:
fella's, slip joints to me are like a comfortable old pair of shoes. they just feel right.
yes i have my share of one hand lock types of all sorts but a slippy is more to the soul for me
 
pholder said:
fella's, slip joints to me are like a comfortable old pair of shoes. they just feel right.
yes i have my share of one hand lock types of all sorts but a slippy is more to the soul for me
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with that. ^

I think that is the main reason for interest in slipjoints these days. Some people just like the looks, feel, and style of them. Also one can get a nice feeling of nostalgia from using an old fashioned knife, perhaps just like the one grandpa once used... right? And I get that it can be handy having multiple blades. :thumbup:

I don't think anyone around here really knocks them.... It just annoys me when people act like "all I need is a simple slipjoint, because all ANY knife should EVER be used for is the most simplest cutting and slicing tasks. Period. Because I say so, and if anyone preffers a knife that I don't like, or do things with a knife that I don't do, then they must be stupid, insecure, and untrained." :rolleyes: ...Oh yeah, and then they will throw out some over used derogatory frases like "overbuilt" and "sharpened prybar"

Some people just like the style of a modern folder. Some like having features like pocket clips, one handed opening, locking blades, thick sturdy tips/blades/overall construction. Why knock them for what they like?

It's like if I were to claim that "cell phones were made for ONE thing ....phone calls! All these fancy new overbuilt phones with their cameras, and texting, and web connections are just silly! RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB! That's why I've used the same phone since 1985. It weighs 7 pounds but it makes calls just fine! And if I want to take a picture I'll bring a camera. Text message? ...send a letter! If you want internet ...stay at home! My grandpa got along just fine for years without internet porn on his phone!!!"

...OK, done ranting. I just wish people would stop putting down knives and their users on this forum, which happens to be dedicated to them.:)
 
Last edited:
i have found that a slipjoint can hold up to things that a locking knife can't take, or close levels. a slip joint to me is just a lock back that's less of a hassle to close, since if it's tight and strong it's not going to close, even if you accidentally start using it backwards before you notice you messed up (i have a symmetrical slippie- most of my knife cuts come from trying to close it blade first). you can wack the back all you want, but you need to actually to push it back to make it close. and why would you push with a knife? unless if your cutting rope then you won't, and unelss if it's thick rope, it's not going to close it backwards.
 
I see nothing wrong with either slipjoints, or locking blades. In fact, I carry one of each everyday. I carry a 3.5inch bladed linerlock, and I carry a SAK rambler. Different blades/tools for different things.

Why are we knife lovers fighting over the two?

Phade said:
I would think tweezers would be the right tool for taking out splinters.
Click to expand...

sometimes a pin or safety pin of some sort works well too...
 
BryFry said:
Nothing wrong with that. ^

I think that is the main reason for interest in slipjoints these days. Some people just like the looks, feel, and style of them. Also one can get a nice feeling of nostalgia from using an old fashioned knife, perhaps just like the one grandpa once used... right? And I get that it can be handy having multiple blades. :thumbup:

I don't think anyone around here really knocks them.... It just annoys me when people act like "all I need is a simple slipjoint, because all ANY knife should EVER be used for is the most simplest cutting and slicing tasks. Period. Because I say so, and if anyone preffers a knife that I don't like, or do things with a knife that I don't do, then they must be stupid, insecure, and untrained." :rolleyes: ...Oh yeah, and then they will throw out some over used derogatory frases like "overbuilt" and "sharpened prybar"

Some people just like the style of a modern folder. Some like having features like pocket clips, one handed opening, locking blades, thick sturdy tips/blades/overall construction. Why knock them for what they like?

It's like if I were to claim that "cell phones were made for ONE thing ....phone calls! All these fancy new overbuilt phones with their cameras, and texting, and web connections are just silly! RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB! That's why I've used the same phone since 1985. It weighs 7 pounds but it makes calls just fine! And if I want to take a picture I'll bring a camera. Text message? ...send a letter! If you want internet ...stay at home! My grandpa got along just fine for years without internet porn on his phone!!!"

...OK, done ranting. I just wish people would stop putting down knives and their users on this forum, which happens to be dedicated to them.:)
Click to expand...

Love it. The cell phone example was spot on!
 
BryFry said:
Nothing wrong with that. ^

I don't think anyone around here really knocks them.... It just annoys me when people act like "all I need is a simple slipjoint, because all ANY knife should EVER be used for is the most simplest cutting and slicing tasks. Period. Because I say so, and if anyone preffers a knife that I don't like, or do things with a knife that I don't do, then they must be stupid, insecure, and untrained." :rolleyes: ...Oh yeah, and then they will throw out some over used derogatory frases like "overbuilt" and "sharpened prybar"
Click to expand...

I get this a lot. :thumbdn: Just seconding your motion Bry:D

BryFry said:
Some people just like the style of a modern folder. Some like having features like pocket clips, one handed opening, locking blades, thick sturdy tips/blades/overall construction. Why knock them for what they like?
Click to expand...

This. :thumbup:

BryFry said:
It's like if I were to claim that "cell phones were made for ONE thing ....phone calls! All these fancy new overbuilt phones with their cameras, and texting, and web connections are just silly! RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB! That's why I've used the same phone since 1985. It weighs 7 pounds but it makes calls just fine! And if I want to take a picture I'll bring a camera. Text message? ...send a letter! If you want internet ...stay at home! My grandpa got along just fine for years without internet porn on his phone!!!"
Click to expand...

In fact I do carry 2 phones because of different features from two networks. In the same way I carry a slicer and a hard use.
 
A slipjoint is a convenient way to carry more blades. A trapper or stockman with each blade sharpened differently or even made with different steel is an easy way to specialize your blades to your needs. The ones Alvin Johnson repaired were a great example of this. One blade was very hard, typically HRc 63 or higher, and very thinly ground, usually full hollow grind that was laid flat on the stone for sharpening, with inclusive edge angles at 10 degrees or less. The other 2 blades were whatever the knife had from the factory.
 
Keep spinewhacking that slippie Xxkid123. Let us know how that works out in the long run. Slipjoints can take a lot of hard use, but so can other folding knives too. It seems like the slipjoint ONLY folks have some kind of issue. I use both and know very well how to use them. My dad never slapped me on the back of the head, some stuff is common sense.

Of course, I've always liked knives. I have a few non-knifenut friends who think any knife is a multi-tool.
 
Last edited:
Both have their place. Different tastes and work related tasks might draw one to a slipjoint or a locking blade. Both have their place in my life. I use the locking knife for hard cutting (sticks, irrigation pipe on the farm), I dont consider my use "hard use" (batoning, prying bricks from one another, stepping on the knife to climb) bordering on abuse sometimes for a folder (my opinion). I use the slipjoint for lighter tasks. Cutting string, opening boxes, cleaning my teeth.
 
Last edited:
BryFry said:
It's like if I were to claim that "cell phones were made for ONE thing ....phone calls! All these fancy new overbuilt phones with their cameras, and texting, and web connections are just silly! RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB! That's why I've used the same phone since 1985. It weighs 7 pounds but it makes calls just fine! And if I want to take a picture I'll bring a camera. Text message? ...send a letter! If you want internet ...stay at home! My grandpa got along just fine for years without internet porn on his phone!!!"
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with your post, EXCEPT for cell phone analogy. Bry, your sig. line describes knives perfectly--pretty much all bladed weapons are by definition archaic, w/ever so slight differences which are, ahem, "modern" amendments like different lock designs, chemical makeup of steels, heat treatments, new clothes, i.e., carbon fiber and micarta scales, & a new blade tip shape or two. All those things are huge deals to all of US, who are knife nuts, but any military historian using a scale of 1-100, w/1 being sticks, rocks, and cavemen, and 100 being "cutting edge," pardon the pun, like lasers and smart bombs, ANY edged weapon which has a steel blade moves it up to maybe a 5, and the "modern knife advancements" get you up to maybe, maybe, a 6.

IMO, the cell phone has to be at least a 60 on that scale, this time applied to information and communications technology instead of weapons, and after you add all the portable texting, cameras, PDA functions, internet, etc., you're up to a 90 on that same scale.

Speaking only for myself, I love, own and carry ALL types of knives at various times (most commonly both a slipjoint & a hard use locker, at the same time) but would love to have a cell phone that only made digital calls, period, w/o ever being out of range of a tower and always with crystal clear reception (and w/o the 7 lb. weight you speak of--me likey the small and portable concept). So in one regard, I'd like for the cell call technology to be MORE advanced, but don't give a rat's rear about all the other modern junk (maybe I'm bitter b/c my job REQUIRES me to have the other stuff, and I ONLY use it for work, and therefore find all of it like an annoying tether that can't be escaped? :D).

Again, though, comletely agree w/you as to the knife gripers and self-declared knife-use "experts".
 
I like the look of Traditional pocket-knives, I like the vast array of patterns and handle choices too, I like using them and having them as a worry stone. I find them efficient and beautiful(some of them). Certain contemporary Traditionals incorporate modern steels/construction or handles(micarta etc)

I too use Modern knives and like their working ability, but I don't like disparaging or throwing contempt at other knife enthusiasts for having different tastes from mine. It would be like entering a restaurant and ridiculing other diners for ordering a different meal from yours! We who like knives should bear in mind that there are people out there who don't want to understand knives and view our interest with hostility and suspicion. My knives suit my tastes & needs, I respect other people's differences and sometimes learn from them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top