The Evil Slipjoint

Here's a funny story: way way back, in the dark ages before I discovered the fun of knives and knife collecting, I bought myself a knife. My grandfather was always going on about his SAK, so I picked one up at Target. Now, mind you, this was in my days of real ignorance, when I knew some blades had locks and some didn't, but I didn't understand or really take two seconds to think about the purpose of a lock. I got by just fine with that SAK Spartan, and I still carry it every day.

Even to an ignorant going-into-college kid, it was obvious that pressure on the spine=knife closing, knife closing+fingers=surgery, therefore avoid pressure on the spine.

I think the reason I was ok, or at least a large contributing factor, was the fact that the blades on a SAK are designed for cutting; if you need to pry, or drive a screw, or punch through tough material, there are other tools right there. I think of it as a "right tool for the right job" training device.

Long story short, I don't think there's anything wrong with a slipjoint. I do carry a locking folder as well, because I like it, and very few slipjoints come with a pocket clip and one-hand opening. Also, the lock is a nice safety against accidents. But I don't feel ill-equipped with a slipjoint at all.
 
When I was a lot younger, I had one close on me and cut into my finger pretty bad. Learned my lesson about using the tip to bore and ream holes that lasts to this day. I've read this kind of story from a number of people here, so I know I'm not unique.

Slip joints definitely have to be used with more care than locking knives. Some people are willing and able to make the adjustments they require and some aren't. That's a personal thing, and I wouldn't judge the giftee (and those like him) too harshly because of it. Maybe the best course is if you could find a nice gentleman's lockback for him instead and suggest a swap. He get's a knife to use and enjoy and so do you.
 
Resurrecting an old thread here...

Recently used a slip joint knife to pierce a vent hole into a large bottle of dawn to get the last bit out when it was inverted. The plastic was fairly stout. I made sure to keep the cutting edge engaged and successfully completed the task without issue. I used a drop point blade with a good tip (GEC 23, no lock - there are plenty of pics here on blade forums to see the knife). Afterwards I was wondering what technique other fellas use to make sure they don’t have an accident.

* what blade type would you favor for this piercing task?

* what grip would you maintain while doing this?

*what considerations would you give before doing this task?

of course, I could have used a paring knife in the kitchen’s knife block...;)
 
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I try to anticipate where the blade would travel if it slipped or closed and keep any body parts away from that path.

As for the vent hole in the dish soap bottle, I'd probably opt to make a hole in the side where the plastic is usually thinner.
 
Phydeaux said:
I try to anticipate where the blade would travel if it slipped or closed and keep any body parts away from that path.

As for the vent hole in the dish soap bottle, I'd probably opt to make a hole in the side where the plastic is usually thinner.
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I was thinking the same thing about putting a hole in the side of the bottle where it’s thinner.
Can’t see how a vent hole would help extract the last few drops however.
When faced with the same issue in the past, I always just add a little water to the soap to make it go a little further and to rinse out the stubborn liquid from the bottle.
 
Peter Cho said:
Resurrecting an old thread here...

Recently used a slip joint knife to pierce a vent hole into a large bottle of dawn to get the last bit out when it was inverted. The plastic was fairly stout. I made sure to keep the cutting edge engaged and successfully completed the task without issue. I used a drop point blade with a good tip (GEC 23, no lock - there are plenty of pics here on blade forums to see the knife). Afterwards I was wondering what technique other fellas use to make sure they don’t have an accident.

* what blade type would you favor for this piercing task?

* what grip would you maintain while doing this?

*what considerations would you give before doing this task?

of course, I could have used a paring knife in the kitchen’s knife block...;)
Click to expand...
You probably could have started a new one instead of zombying a 10 year old one
 
Diluting the soap in my house would be unacceptable. Certain persons would have me over a barrel. Even if she couldn’t detect it, the knowledge of such an act would be all it took.

I did cut that hole in the thinner side, not the bottom.
 
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Watch some of the 'Vinnie's Day Off' You Tube videos with him, where Vinnie is building shelters out in the woods using a slipjoint and friction folders.
You could also mention that when using a slipjoint or friction folder as a knife to cut or slice, not as a spear to stab something, the cutting/slicing action forces the blade open; unless the person using it is being stupid even for a moron, and is attempting to cut/slice with the spine.

EDIT
DaRn. I missed the date of first post was ten years ago.
 
If
Peter Cho said:
Resurrecting an old thread here...

Recently used a slip joint knife to pierce a vent hole into a large bottle of dawn to get the last bit out when it was inverted. The plastic was fairly stout. I made sure to keep the cutting edge engaged and successfully completed the task without issue. I used a drop point blade with a good tip (GEC 23, no lock - there are plenty of pics here on blade forums to see the knife). Afterwards I was wondering what technique other fellas use to make sure they don’t have an accident.

* what blade type would you favor for this piercing task?

* what grip would you maintain while doing this?

*what considerations would you give before doing this task?

of course, I could have used a paring knife in the kitchen’s knife block...;)
Click to expand...
If I was to use a slipjoint, I would use my Spyderco UKPK (probably a knife I would have on me 99%of the time). It has a handy choil and jimped spine which prevent the blade from closing when you choke up on it.
I would prefer to use my Recon 1 tanto for such a piercing task though...
 
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