Stylish Slipjoint?

J

Jockohomo

Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Messages
241
I've got a hankering for a nice American made, traditionally styled slippie for edc. My favourite by far is the GEC Northfield red spiral buffalo horn but, at 4 1/2" closed, it's too big and has a linerlock. The #23 SARPNT is also pretty but still oversize.
Due to the crazy carry laws here I'm limited to a slipjoint with a 3" blade max.
I currently carry a Victorinox Alox Bantam, a Spyderco UKPK and an A.G. Russell Ultimate Pen knife but feel the need for some classy old school steel.
Were that GEC available with a 3" blade, the problem would be solved but I can't find anything that comes near its beauty, including the smaller knives on their site. Also, I really wish blade length was always quoted on websites and not just overall length closed, leads to guesswork I'd rather avoid.
Any ideas?
I'm not too keen on Case as I've had 2 bad ones. No wood scales, preferably buffalo horn, bone or stag in that order.
Price, around $200 tops as the exchange rate is dreadful right now, last year I'd have said up to $400 although I think that's maybe an odd price. Too much for a production piece but not enough for custom?
Steel, high end stainless although carbon is fine, maybe even preferable as love a nice patina.
I don't like Barlows and want it thin, one or two blades max.
Looking forward to your suggestions!:thumbup:
 
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Stylish, American made slipjoints you say? There are plenty out there that fit the bill. Schatt & Morgan and their parent company Queen make my favorite current-production slipjoints. As for blade length, I live in a city where I'm limited to 3" blades too, so I understand your concern there. With slipjoints, you should be fine with anything with a closed length of 3.5" or smaller. You can usually, but not always, get away with slipjoints up to 3.75" closed. FWIW- the blade length on the #73 GEC scouts (the smaller version of the #23 pioneer) is right around 3".

Here are some links to my favorite sites to browse for Schatt & Morgan, Queen and GEC:

http://www.collectorknives.net/schattmorgan.html
http://www.soonerstateknives.com/
http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com/

There are great knives from several different American makers on all three sites- I'm sure you'll find something perfect if you poke around a bit. Good luck!
 
I don't really have anything to add as moonwilson covered it but just wanted say that if your nick is a homage to Devo then :thumbup:. I am wondering whether the GEC #54 jack an option or that still too big? The genuine stag ones are really nice.
 
I recommend that you also take a look at Canal Street Cutlery in addition to the makers already mentioned.

And of course Case is still making fine slipjoints - some models have carbon steel (cro-van) blades.
 
All blades under 3"
All for about $50

Queen Copperhead in D2 single clip blade, very solid blade
The knife is very thin
3 5/8"

A Queen Canoe in D2 as a solid main spear point and thin pen secondary blade, all on a single spring.
Due to the double bolsters and the thick main blade it is not light.
3 5/8"
Available in carbon

Queen 1/2 Congress in D2 is lighter than the Canoe.
A main sheepsfoot and a very thin and pointy pen blade.
Again a single spring.
4"

Mini-Trapper
Clip and spey blades
3 1/2"

The single spring knives are not that much thinner than the Mini-Trapper

http://www.cumberlandknifeworks.com has a very good selection of Queen
 
I'm telling you right now,if you get one of those Case Swayback jacks,the two blader w/ green bone,you will be so impressed on how nice of a great little carry knife they are,seriously,one of the nicest Case knives I've had.
-Vince
 
Hello Jockohomo,

This GEC # 25 is 3 inches in the closed position with Red Buffalo Horn..

1zcmn43.jpg


eu24b4.jpg




Best,

Anthony
 
Have you looked at Shing's work? He is a UK maker. Also, take a look at Mike Alsdorf; he is a custom maker also. You can get some great customs at a reasonable price.
 
All of the above are great choices. You might also want to add Amherst Cutlery to your list. If you look in the Knife Maker's For Sale forum, in the For Sale: Folders subforum, you can see some they have for sale here. You could also just go to their website
http://amherstcutlery.com/ and check them out.
 
I favor GEC, but you would not be disappointed by any of the above suggestions. I just got a GEC #25 Barlow like the one in the post above, and I intend to get another, probably the #73.
 
Jockohomo said:
I've got a hankering for a nice American made, traditionally styled slippie for edc. My favourite by far is the GEC Northfield red spiral buffalo horn but, at 4 1/2" closed, it's too big and has a linerlock. The #23 SARPNT is also pretty but still oversize.
Due to the crazy carry laws here I'm limited to a slipjoint with a 3" blade max.
I currently carry a Victorinox Alox Bantam, a Spyderco UKPK and an A.G. Russell Ultimate Pen knife but feel the need for some classy old school steel.
Were that GEC available with a 3" blade, the problem would be solved but I can't find anything that comes near its beauty, including the smaller knives on their site. Also, I really wish blade length was always quoted on websites and not just overall length closed, leads to guesswork I'd rather avoid.
Any ideas?
I'm not too keen on Case as I've had 2 bad ones. No wood scales, preferably buffalo horn, bone or stag in that order.
Price, around $200 tops as the exchange rate is dreadful right now, last year I'd have said up to $400 although I think that's maybe an odd price. Too much for a production piece but not enough for custom?
Steel, high end stainless although carbon is fine, maybe even preferable as love a nice patina.
I don't like Barlows and want it thin, one or two blades max.
Looking forward to your suggestions!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

"Thin" the man says.
"American traditional style"
"3" blade", would 3 1/4" work?
"High end stainless"

If you can stand a 3 1/4" blade, I got ya covered:

Canal Street Half Moon Trapper with a single blade of 14-4CrMo, Latrobe's version of 154CM:

CSC-115528.JPG
 
Your price range is perfect for "custom collaborations".

A great one is the Queen Dan Burke knives. The English Jack and Doctor's knives in MOP are beautiful, and it's hard to beat BG42 stainless.

If you really have about $400 to spend, I would rethink your attitude toward case and try and pick up one of the Case/Tony Bose collaborations. I do not know if one is available that will fit with the constraints that your carry laws permit, but they are great knives.
 
knarfeng said:
If you can stand a 3 1/4" blade, I got ya covered:

Canal Street Half Moon Trapper with a single blade of 14-4CrMo, Latrobe's version of 154CM:

CSC-115528.JPG
Click to expand...

I didn't interpret this blade-length restriction to be a matter of personal preference, but rather in reaction to the hysteria-induced knife regulations now in place in the UK. So that 1/4" might be a deal breaker.
 
VCM3 said:
I'm telling you right now,if you get one of those Case Swayback jacks,the two blader w/ green bone,you will be so impressed on how nice of a great little carry knife they are,seriously,one of the nicest Case knives I've had.
-Vince
Click to expand...

Quoted for truth. I carry a Bermuda Green Swayback as part of my EDC and it's a fantastic little knife. They just came out with some new versions of it too.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Quoted for truth. I carry a Bermuda Green Swayback as part of my EDC and it's a fantastic little knife. They just came out with some new versions of it too.
Click to expand...

Quoted for double truth. I would have recommended the Swayback right off the bat, but the OP said he wasn't too keen on Case. Case has really upped their game recently, IMO, with the Swayback being a prime example. They're fine knives, very well designed and put together.
 
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