The perfect slipjoint?

W

Westflorida

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I would like to know who everyone feels makes the finest slipjoint? When I say the finest, I mean the most precise and well made slipjoint. I do not mean just the most well known maker, although it very well could be. After handling all the slipjoints in Atlanta and owning a few customs, my vote goes to Joel Chamblin. I appreciate any responses.

Thanks, Steve
 
I have bought and sold a several custom slipjoints and Tony Bose is the best in my book with his son Reese a close second.

Chamblin is up there and probably in the top 5 give or take, but there is just something about a Bose knife. They have a great quality and feel that is amazing.

I am sure some of my fellow Bose fans will post some pics.

JT
 
I must hesitate from using the word "finest", as I am a dealer and do not want to rank Knifemakers.

Bose (both) and Chamblin are terrific. However, you gents might want to try Bill Ruple’s knives. His work is excellent and Bill is a terrific guy.

When the term “Walks and Talks” is used to describe the action on a slip joint, I tend to use “Runs and Yells” for Bill.

Solid work, impeccable fit and finish and a wide range of styles.

Take care, Neil
 
Even though he's probably going to read this and get a big ole head, I gotta throw Don Hanson into this mix. Few people make as fine a folder as Don.
 
Neil Ostroff said:
...I am a dealer and do not want to rank Knifemakers....
Click to expand...

Well, I'm NOT a dealer and I could never pick one that's "THE finest". It's like asking: of your three children, which one do you love the most? :rolleyes:

However SOME of my "favorites" would be my slipjoints from Ken Steigerwalt, Joe Prince, Claude Montjoy, P.J. Tomes, Rod Olson, Bailey Bradshaw, and Bob Terzuola.

:)
 
Even though is work isn't real artsy as far a file work (dirt catchers) and the like Ray Cover Sr. is my favorite. His blade grinds and precision work is second to none in my opinion ( Even if His unbelievable prices aren't factored in) I have some of his slip-joints in one blade, two blade, and lockblades too. And he makes a nice fixed blade as well. I honestly have seen knives at 3-4 times his price that don't compare...and I'm talking about knives made from the same type of material and general pattern types.
damds.JPG

coverds.JPG
 
My vote goes to Tony Bose. I had the privilege of fondling one of his pearl handled 3 bladed babies and it was a glorious experience. At least 3 others around me were also awestruck. That's not to say there are not other makers as good or better, but the Tony Bose I saw just screamed perfect slipjoint. Part of the appeal was the high quality, thick and matched pearl, which was not Bose's pick but supplied by the owner.
 
If you vote with your wallet, P. J. Tomes got my first vote. A buddy of mine Tim Herman is working with PJ on making some slipjoints and was supposed to have one for me at Blade. Due to family problems he couldn't make it to Blade and had to put the knife on hold. I bought a Tony Bose to ease my pain. ;)
If I hadn't found the Bose, Bill Ruple would have gotten my money.
 
I do make slip joints (thanks Danbo) but Tony Bose is the best!
Ray cover Sr is the best value, he makes a fine folder!

Don Hanson :D
 
I appreciate you recognizing Ray Cover, Sunfishman, I hope to be able to get one of your fine knives someday. I met you briefly in St. Louis in January, and Ray and Jeff were there too. I saw a small colorful pearl folder that I believe you delivered to a customer then, it was awesome!!!
 
Wow a great list of top shelf makers. It is difficult to actually rank any of these folks especially since many are friends, but Tony has be be at the top.

This list would not be complete without a strong mention of Richard Rogers and his exquisite work that easily compares to all mentioned. His multiblades seem to garner Blade Show awards just about each year over the the past 5 or 6 years.

Joe Kious made a capped bolster serpentine Doctor's knife for me last year. His work is also top tier.

My multiblade collection contains work by Bose (Tony and Reese), Chamblin, Rogers, Kious, Bradshaw, Ruple, Davenport, Shadley and Ron Newton I consider all of these folks plus a few others whose work I do not own yet the best.

We also need to add Terry Davis, C. Gray Taylor, Kaj Embertson, T.R. Overeynder and Warren Osborne to our list.
 
Gotta throw in Rick Browne, Ryuichi Kawamura, and Dwayne Dushane (good luck finding one of his for sale!).

I like Shadley's work a lot.

But the best slip joints ever made are being made by Tony Bose. Reese is a very close second. Reese has got to be one of the few knifemakers who can make a 2.75 inch folder and a 14 inch Bowie with equal perfection. I stood with Reese at the cutting competition at Blade, and based on the way he was checking it out, I wouldn't be too surprised if one of these years he wins best folder AND the cutting contest.

But here is the ultimate testimony to the level of their work. Thursday night before Blade, a bunch of lucky folks were sitting around Tony's room examining the 2 dozen knives Reese and Tony brought to the show. Think of it. 24 slip joints... 22 different patterns... 54 blades. All perfect. In the room were mostly collectors, but also there, carefully examining every knife in great detail, and hoping to pick up some tips were two guys who readily admit that Tony is their idol... Ryuichi Kawamura and Bill Ruple. Watching the exchange between those 4 makers was a real treat.
 
stefanschlaegel: thanks for reviving an old post. In '04 I hadn't heard of many of the above makers. It's just in the past year that I've started paying attention to slipjoints. I just picked up a Kawamura that, tho a bit pricey, is an excellent knife. It's great to see what I think is a new awareness of slipjoints. Mike
 
Have gotten into slipjoints, within the last 2 years, out of 20+ for collecting.

I prefer big 3 blade stockman patterns, like the current large Queen, but have been finding it hard to locate makers that will make this pattern, for reasonable($650.00-$900.00) money, faithfully. This is due to lack of time(they are backlogged), lack of skills or whatever.

Got a knife coming from Al Warren in red stag, two blade, wharncliffe/clip trapper, that should be nice, ordered another in pearl. Hopefully, can get him to try this pattern.

Recommendations would be nice, but Bose timeline doesn't work for me, and Chamblin, Shadley and Rogers all make them too small and delicate for my taste.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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