What made you take that extra step into the realm of custom slipjoints?
The ability to get exactly the size, number of blades, blade shape, blade steel, and scale material that I want.
My custom slipjoint experiance ... a friend made me a wonderful D2 custom slipjoint 12 years ago. Although I carry a larger tactical knife too, 99 percent of my cutting chores were done with this slipjoint because it cut the best and didn't freak people out when used. D2 is semi-stainless and after 10 years use, the backspring snapped, it looked a bit rusted, can't complain as got my $100 worth out of it. My friend doesn't make slipjoints any longer, so went in search for a replacement. Bought some factory slipjoints but they weren't anywhere near the quality I was used to so my quest began for a custom that would meet my wants / needs. This slippery slope has resulted in me owning custom slipjoints by Bose, Pena, Davison, Rogers, Brewer, Halfrich, Menefee, Dowell, Lloyd, Oeser, Kramp, et al. Am on the list for several makers, some no longer take orders. Just being on their list does not guarentee a knife as many custom slipjoint makers are part time, not very prolific, with the autonomy to do what they want on thier own schedule. For example, after being on a maker's list for a while, he contacted me and offered a knife in progress in the style I wanted but using Sandvic steel. Not being familiar with that particular steel, I asked for a different steel and was told, "I will build it probably just not right away, I've already got the blade and spring tempered". That was over a year ago and have not been contacted by this maker since. This maker posts new knives for sale so he still makes knives, guess my money is no good since turning down a knife with unknown to me steel, frustrating. Am not whining, just sharing experiance. My photography skills probably scares off a few makers as I can show the even the smallest flaw in a slipjoint. Any maker unafraid to subject their work to the scrutiny of my macro lens and willing to make a knife to my specs, please contact me.
Not in your price range, but if you can swing it, call Enrique Pena and get exactly what you want from arguably the best maker on the planet who is actually taking orders with a fairly short wait. If you want a multiblade slipjoint in your price range, Craig Brewer is your man, about half Pena's price with comparable quality. Craig's work is unmatched for the price, longer wait than Enrique but well worth it, get on his list now before it gets longer. There is one of Craig's lockbacks on the exchange now, Craig made that knife for his own father so you know it is extremely high quality, if it was a little smaller it would be in my collection. If you want a single blade slipjoint in your price range, Todd Davison is the best choice, short wait, great knife, rarely makes multibladed slipjoints. There are others I would recommend but won't due to their extremely long wait. If you see what you want on the secondary market, go for it. In my journey to find a carry custom slipjoint, have recently picked up a couple Lloyds from Vince, much better than any factory knife and Lloyd uses some really nice scale material. You can carry a Lloyd without breaking the bank.
Before finalizing your order, decide exactly what size / blades / scale material you like to carry, harder to do than it sounds. If you get the chance, go to a large knife show with dealers who sell custom slipjoints to look them over as each is slightly different. Even great makers have an occasional dud or a flaw you can't live with, understandable with handmade peened knives. Having the chance to see the finished product before you plunk down your hard earned dollars might help prevent buyer's remorse.
Hope this helps, good luck in your quest.
as their work evolves and demand increases for their knives. Their work is so good, I'm surprised that they haven't increased prices sooner! I have been thinking about ordering a custom Zulu/Tribal Spear or sodbuster. I already have a Laconico folding Nessmuk, it's a beast of a folder. 
