The Slip Joint Conundrum...

[jackknife]

A few posts above have mentioned a point I personally agree with - the locking feature is ‘mostly’ redundant for most tasks.

The one handed opening is a useful feature though, for those of us who need to use a knife in situations where one hand is engaged. Kayakers, rafters, mountaineers etc. Even home jobs on occasion.

I woud lean toward those modern features for the adventure sports environment. But for just opening a package or for out in the garden - no discernible difference between a modern knife and a traditional. I will pick up whichever type is in my eyeline!

I guess this is what confuses me about the modern knife; it seems like a lot pf people think if you make the folder bigger and stronger, it will take the place of a much better knife we had way back when. It was called a sheath knife. Now they call them fixed blades, even though they were never broken and needed fixing. The original one hand knife. Take it out and use, put back.

I grew up using slip joint pocket knives for most everything. It it was too small, or we needed more blade, we used a sheath knife. If we were out in the woods and mountains, we had the typical "Official Scout knife" that was a 4ish inch blade with the stacked leather handles on our belt. Or we may have a army-navy store surplus blade like the Camillus MK1or MK2.

I'm mystified by the over built locking folders used over the simple sheath knife. No folder with any whiz bang lock mechanism is going to be near as strong as one solid piece of steel from tip to butt. It I'm going in the boonies or what would classify as an adventure, even at my age, a sheath knife is going to be on my hip. One of my oldest users is a Buck 102. It handles what my pocket knife can't. If that is too little, then I go to a small machete.

 

[Bigfattyt]

My slip joints tend to have thinner grinds, and cut better than my modern folders. Even slicers like my full flat ground Spyderco knives.

I usually carry several traditional, and at least one modern knife (lately I've been carrying Japanese style kwaiken with epoxy hardened wraps and traditional folders.

Variety is the spice of life.


I also like Opinel knives too. I rhino I have about 5 or so.

There are more than a few French makers killing it with slip joint knives.

 

[gaj999]

... Even slicers like my full flat ground Spyderco knives...

It's funny how they keep getting mentioned as having thin slicing blades. I guess in comparison to most of the other modern manufacturers, they do, but I find all but two of their models to be too thick bladed for my tastes. A 2mm blade thickness is about the maximum that I'll tolerate. So many traditionals out there with 1mm or so just cut so much better.

 

[Camillus]

Well said Jack, and some interesting food for thought. I had never considered my small fixed blades as one handed opening knives with extremely tough blade locking mechanisms, but your post has changed that.

I think the one handed operation point is interesting too, because not all of my fixed blade sheaths would meet that criterion, as some of the leather ones have difficult buckles and some kydex ones are hard to draw without one hand on the sheath. Unsurprising, now that I turn my mind to it, and a key to the enduring success of the simple leather pouch.

I do have a couple of small fixed blades from manufacturers on these forums that see a lot of pocket time, and now I think about it, they are providing me that functionality. They also ride well in the pocket.

Thanks for providing an illuminating perspective on why I have these habits.

 

[Pinemoon]

[QUOTE="Eli Chaps, post: 18642837, I know it probably doesn't fit the exact term "traditional" but as I said, I'm currently deeply enamored some old-school French slip joints.
[/QUOTE]

Haven't read every post here, but I have also been enamored with some traditional French knives. I would say to go get one; don't let the fact you are second guessing because it's a slipjoint stop you. Taking chances is how we learn about new things. You may find you love French slipjoints.

As far as safety concerns, one can always carry sheathed fixed blades. I like to carry a combo that includes a slipjoint and small fixed blade.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

I guess this is what confuses me about the modern knife; it seems like a lot pf people think if you make the folder bigger and stronger, it will take the place of a much better knife we had way back when. It was called a sheath knife. Now they call them fixed blades, even though they were never broken and needed fixing. The original one hand knife. Take it out and use, put back.

I grew up using slip joint pocket knives for most everything. It it was too small, or we needed more blade, we used a sheath knife. If we were out in the woods and mountains, we had the typical "Official Scout knife" that was a 4ish inch blade with the stacked leather handles on our belt. Or we may have a army-navy store surplus blade like the Camillus MK1or MK2.

I'm mystified by the over built locking folders used over the simple sheath knife. No folder with any whiz bang lock mechanism is going to be near as strong as one solid piece of steel from tip to butt. It I'm going in the boonies or what would classify as an adventure, even at my age, a sheath knife is going to be on my hip. One of my oldest users is a Buck 102. It handles what my pocket knife can't. If that is too little, then I go to a small machete.

In many parts of the US, a belt/sheath/fixed knife is going to elicit a stronger response than a pocket clip. They’re a lot more conspicuous than a large folding blade is.

Personally, I love a good fixed blade, but unless I’m camping, I don’t carry it.

 

[jackknife]

In many parts of the US, a belt/sheath/fixed knife is going to elicit a stronger response than a pocket clip. They’re a lot more conspicuous than a large folding blade is.

Personally, I love a good fixed blade, but unless I’m camping, I don’t carry it.

If I'm in a location that a sheathed knife may be a problem, then I'm in an urban or suburban environment and my pocket knife will be enough. If I'm out in the woods or fishing on the river, then a sheathed knifer is not problem. I don't carry or even own large folders that have a pocket clip. My usual pocketknife is a Buck 309 companion, Victorinox executive, Boker 240 penknife, Victorinx bantam. In American suburbia they do all I need.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

If I'm in a location that a sheathed knife may be a problem, then I'm in an urban or suburban environment and my pocket knife will be enough. If I'm out in the woods or fishing on the river, then a sheathed knifer is not problem. I don't carry or even own large folders that have a pocket clip. My usual pocketknife is a Buck 309 companion, Victorinox executive, Boker 240 penknife, Victorinx bantam. In American suburbia they do all I need.

But as the original one handed knife, the fixed blade still has social limitations which you can conquer by putting a folding one-hander in your pocket. Or, I suppose, by using a small, pocketable fixed blade. Just playing devils advocate. I think there’s a legitimate space between slipjoint and sheath knife where a modern folder does fit. Personally, I’m usually fine with a slipjoint.

 

[Eli Chaps]

This has been a great discussion so far all! I've spent the last two days researching, comparing and drooling over a ton of different traditional and slip joint knives. Thank you for the inspiration and I look forward to whatever more may come of this thread. I haven't made a choice yet but I'm narrowing it down.

Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah to all of you.

 

[deltaboy]

Slipjoint knifes need some strong consideration by the under 30 crowd!

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

This has been a great discussion so far all! I've spent the last two days researching, comparing and drooling over a ton of different traditional and slip joint knives. Thank you for the inspiration and I look forward to whatever more may come of this thread. I haven't made a choice yet but I'm narrowing it down.

Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah to all of you.

Check back in with what you end up buying!

 

[Eli Chaps]

Check back in with what you end up buying!

Definitely will. Probably will be after the 1st so I'll be doing some looking. Right now I'm rather opposite ends of the spectrum I'm loving the Case Trapper 11200 in R/W/B Kirinite and then at the other end the Chambriard Compact or Compagnon.

Of course, I'll probably change my mind a dozen times any way.

 

[black mamba]

Well, I have to put my 2¢ in on this, just to support the multi-blade preferring faction of the traditional community. While I have and use all types of knives, my great preference is for 2 and 3 blade knives. You can get different lengths, thicknesses, edge geometry and shapes to satisfy a wide variety of cutting tasks. Just last month I shot a nice doe whitetail, and field dressed her with my Schrade 858OTB stockman.

While I normally use a fixed blade for this, the clip main on the stockman was completely up to the task. From cutting hide and hair to tissue and bone, reaching up into the chest cavity, unsighted, and with the knife covered in blood, it never slipped or even hinted at closing down on me. Slipjoints just WORK, and multi-blades do a wide variety of tasks beautifully.

 

[TrapperMike]

I am a heavy machinery mechanic and I carry a peanut as my knife. It cuts hose and zip ties just fine. Just have to approach the cut a little different. I have never felt out knifed by any one because my knife does exactly what my coworkers modern folders do. It cuts, and sometimes better. With that said i understand if people like other knives better than what I like. Before I got my peanut I would go crazy trying to figure out what my favorite knife was. I was a huge knife nut. 2 years ago today my kids got me a peanut and it instantly became my favorite. I had to adapt of coarse but that was easy. Know life is simpler nut stressing out trying to find the next best knife. I still enjoy seeing what all of you post. Traditional knives are works of art and each one has its own character much like people.

 

[Reitwagen]

I want it all. I like multiple blades and I like locking blades. I like the option of one-hand opening, but I think thumb studs are hideous. I want modern blade steel with a bone handle and polished bolsters. Not too big and not too small and not too expensive, either. Call me Goldilocks.

 

[yablanowitz]

PS to my above post ,how many have ever tried to carve or whittle with one of the new one hand wonders that some us really do like.?Or tried to peel an apple

I've actually done a substantial amount of whittling with some of those one hand wonders. Not many of them are suitable, but some work quite well.

 

[Dean51]

The only conundrum I see is whether Eli Chaps can convince himself that slip joints are not unsafe.

This forum seems to be divided into camps. You have a large group that makes up the hard use, whip out and deploy, mall ninja, modern only, steel of the month, ease and speed of opening is more important than geometry, grandpa's knife is unsafe camp.

The traditional pocket knife camp. If grandpa didn't use it it's not a knife. Never mind the fact that grandpa didn't have a choice other than pattern. Ever wonder what grandpa would carry if he came of age in 2018? Steel should be carbon black and splotchy and looking as if it wasn't cared for. If it's stainless it should be easy to sharpen, ignoring the fact the old stainless was not famous for holding an edge. Easy to sharpen and holds a great edge can't be used in the same sentence.

The minimalist camp, if we listen to them, BF might as well shut down.

I'm in the I like knives camp. First and foremost a small knife should cut. I carry two knives one in a sheath and one in the RFP. Of the Five sheath knives a 1095 equal end muskrat is the cutting, slicing king but not the best edge retention. Of the next three a modern slip joint is the best cutting, slicing knife and has the best edge retention. Two moderns fill the 3rd and 4th slot. The worst cutting/slicing knife of the bunch is a GEC #43.
Not all modern knives are bricks.

The RFP knife is a traditional or modern traditional. The Lionsteel barlows get the bulk of the carry but a Camco 551, Queen workhorse or GEC, get carried sometimes just because. I prefer stainless , and sometimes need stainless so carbon steels use is a bit limited for me. Some days a knife doesn't have a lot to do but some days I could dull the old stainless blades 3 times over and that's not acceptable performance to me.

When it comes to knives I mix a little of the old with a little of the new, that way I get the best of both worlds. I grew up with pocket knives aka traditionals but open minded enough to realize not all moderns are bricks. My advice to the OP is the old and new can coexist.

 

[Eli Chaps]

D Dean51 I'm not going to be bashing on modern folders, locking or otherwise, any time soon. I think you can extol the virtues of a traditional folder without condemning modern locking folders. All of them have their place.

Like you, I like knives.

 

[gaj999]

...I'm in the I like knives camp. First and foremost a small knife should cut...

Despite a lurking suspicion that you've built a group of straw men, I have to agree with this. It's why I drifted away from moderns and back to traditional knives. Modern knives have many advantages over traditional knives. Sadly, cutting ability isn't one of them. If more modern knives were designed to cut well, I probably wouldn't be here ... The modern brand best known for it's cutting ability can't come close to competing with a SAK or a $10 laguiole. That's beyond lame.

 

[JohnDF]

My cutting tasks include such things as slicing cheese, opening Big River and Flat Rate boxes, opening clamshell packaging, cutting string, sharpening a pencil, cutting a cardboard lid off a box, and maybe trimming a piece of plastic. I can do all those tasks with stainless and carbon, modern and traditional, small knives and big knives, and I can sharpen just about anything because I'm home most every night and I don't use my knives enough to warrant sharpening several times a day. I'm not sure what others are doing with their knives that demand such specifications as to eliminate a certain style of small/medium folding knife? The debate ends with asking myself, "What do I enjoy carrying the most"? The answer is traditional carbon knives because they exhibit the most character. Carry whatever brings you joy.