I've never seen, handled or owned a traditional American pattern slipjoint in my life and saw no compelling need to. I grew up using Victorinox folders and when I discovered modern locking folders as a college student, I was hooked. I spent a ton of $$$ on factory and mid-tech knives but what I waited so long to jump on was a CRK Sebenza.
Three weeks ago, I had extra cash lying around and it was enough for a large non-Damascus Sebenza with inlay options. But after figuring out what blade shape and handle I wanted, I asked myself if I would actually carry and use the knife. An honest assessment of my cutting tasks showed me that I didn't need the stoutest supersteel folder out there. I noticed that the knives I EDC'd the most were a Kershaw Wild Turkey lockback and a two-blade Swiss Army Excelsior. I realized that what I really wanted was something I could easily slip into the watch pocket of my jeans. Since I was spending decent coin, it had to be built to last my lifetime and look good. I thought that life's too short to spend good money on ugly stuff so why not get something that oozed a bit of elegance?
This subforum succeeded in pushing me towards traditionals. In two weeks, I have gone from 0 to about 5. I ordered a jigged bone Indian River Jack and a pioneer bone Burnside from Northwoods. I was able to get one of the recent Charlows in red bone. I paid for a 2014 Forum Knife before waynorth had to stop taking orders. Just last night I scored a John Lloyd English Jack from VCM. (Yes, I know it's "pics or it didn't happen" but most of these are still in the mail. I assure you I will post pics once I have them in hand.
) I've also started to ask some makers about lead times for custom slipjoints. I hope to get one in time for Christmas, and another one for my birthday early next year.
How I fell so quickly into this new (albeit utterly enjoyable) rabbit hole is a question I may never get to answer.
Three weeks ago, I had extra cash lying around and it was enough for a large non-Damascus Sebenza with inlay options. But after figuring out what blade shape and handle I wanted, I asked myself if I would actually carry and use the knife. An honest assessment of my cutting tasks showed me that I didn't need the stoutest supersteel folder out there. I noticed that the knives I EDC'd the most were a Kershaw Wild Turkey lockback and a two-blade Swiss Army Excelsior. I realized that what I really wanted was something I could easily slip into the watch pocket of my jeans. Since I was spending decent coin, it had to be built to last my lifetime and look good. I thought that life's too short to spend good money on ugly stuff so why not get something that oozed a bit of elegance?
This subforum succeeded in pushing me towards traditionals. In two weeks, I have gone from 0 to about 5. I ordered a jigged bone Indian River Jack and a pioneer bone Burnside from Northwoods. I was able to get one of the recent Charlows in red bone. I paid for a 2014 Forum Knife before waynorth had to stop taking orders. Just last night I scored a John Lloyd English Jack from VCM. (Yes, I know it's "pics or it didn't happen" but most of these are still in the mail. I assure you I will post pics once I have them in hand.
) I've also started to ask some makers about lead times for custom slipjoints. I hope to get one in time for Christmas, and another one for my birthday early next year. How I fell so quickly into this new (albeit utterly enjoyable) rabbit hole is a question I may never get to answer.
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