The Slip Joint Conundrum...

gaj999 said:
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.
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As far as building a group of straw men, you may be right but it wasn't intentional.

I'm in a bit of a pickle with knives, I like steels with good edge retention that rules out most traditionals. I do like 1095 but it's not stainless. Queen is gone so that leaves the CK/Lionsteels. I'm not going to do customs. The lack of newer steels means, there's not much in the traditional world I want.

With moderns I can get steel but good cutting geometry is rare. Between my 4 1/4” closed length limit and my wanting a good cutting geometry. There aren't a lot of moderns to choose from.
 
Dean51 said:
As far as building a group of straw men, you may be right but it wasn't intentional.

I'm in a bit of a pickle with knives, I like steels with good edge retention that rules out most traditionals. I do like 1095 but it's not stainless. Queen is gone so that leaves the CK/Lionsteels. I'm not going to do customs. The lack of newer steels means, there's not much in the traditional world I want.

With moderns I can get steel but good cutting geometry is rare. Between my 4 1/4” closed length limit and my wanting a good cutting geometry. There aren't a lot of moderns to choose from.
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So long as it's a tool quality steel properly heat treated, I find blade design/geometry far outweighs which steel which is why I carry traditional slip joints. Form follows function. Plenty of traditional knives with either excellent carbon or stainless steel blades for which the edges can be easily and quickly whipped into shape with a few simply stones.
 
I'm moving one post offline. Keep the images to traditional knives only, please.
Keep the discussion to the OP's original post. If this thread continues to trend in the "Traditional vs modern" direction, it gets closed, especially if it gets heated. This forum is for the discussion of "Traditional" knives.
I for one, and I think most members that post here regularly, have come to the conclusion that there's nothing wrong with carrying whatever knife you want to carry and that can include multiple knives of different classifications. We all love knives. There's a place for most of them on this website. This sub-forum is for traditionals.
 
Eli Chaps said:
But, I've recently been hard bit by the beauty and design of French knives, many of which are slip joints.
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The French cutlers make some great slip joints. You won't be disappointed if you pick up a nice one!
Here's a Laguiole Fontenille Pataud I picked up recently. It's a lock back and is an extraordinary slicer. There's many more out there.
jMspFUT.jpg
 
@peregrine

Gary there was a local french bakery (sadly decided to leave retail and cater only) that carried an extensive line of Laguiole folders. Some really elegant knives.
 
JB in SC said:
@peregrine

Gary there was a local french bakery (sadly decided to leave retail and cater only) that carried an extensive line of Laguiole folders. Some really elegant knives.
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I do love me a French Bakery and one that carries knives would just be the crust on the baguette! Too bad it closed to retail sales.
I took the plunge and got this one on the web, after some through research. I'm totally happy with it.
It doesn't do everything I might need done, but what it does, it does well and with class!
 
leghog said:
So long as it's a tool quality steel properly heat treated, I find blade design/geometry far outweighs which steel which is why I carry traditional slip joints. Form follows function. Plenty of traditional knives with either excellent carbon or stainless steel blades for which the edges can be easily and quickly whipped into shape with a few simply stones.
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I hadn't carried my CV peanut for a while, so I pulled it out and even though it was far from dull, I gave it a few swipes on a stone followed by a strop (actually just a belt) and it was back to the factory edge. It took about 5 minutes. I figure 5 minutes of work each month isn't bad, but there may be some who can't spare the time.

peanut3.jpg
 
UPDATE: Again, thank you all for weighing in and being patient in answering my questions here and in a couple other threads.

So I've been carrying my Buck 389 since I started this thread and have been very pleased. I did have a slight buckle pulling through an apple wedge the other day. Nothing big, but reminded me I was carrying a slip joint and admittedly not one with the heaviest spring. But I've been loving it. My fingers keep feeling for the clipped knife tucked in the corner of my pocket (a decades old habit) but I'm fully reminded of the beauty in simplicity of these knives. Not just the designs, but the steels. I love being able to get a keen edge quickly and the super steel bug is not for me.

I've been pouring through designs and sooooo many of them talked to me! I really dig the canoe pattern. I like the size, the feel and the two blades on opposite ends. But man, I love the medium Stockman for it's diversity. And the Barlow and the teardrop and the Lionsteel offerings and...

Now, I'm a long, long fan of back locks. They are my absolute favorite folding knife style going back to old Buck 110's and Schrade Old Timers to modern Spyderco's. For so long I've been buying and trying all these different knives trying to find something to scratch that itch. I even had a back and forth with Sal Glesser about purging the finger choil and looking to the 110 for inspiration. I carried a little Buck MiniBuck for years in the military. I tied 550 cord to it and secure it to my belt loop.

So, when I saw the Case Copperlock and Mini Copperlock, I was hooked. I've been looking at various offerings by various makers and am downright giddy. Why didn't I come back to these brands years ago???

Tonight I ordered a Case amber bone Mini Copperlock and I am very excited for it to get here. I know this thread started as a slip joint discussion and I ended up with a locking knife but rest assured, slip joints will be forthcoming. I'm over my concerns about them.

Someone along the way said something about discovering the freedom of these knives. Yes. That is exactly correct.

So more to come as time goes on. I've loved checking out what you all have going here in this little corner and look forward to participating in the future. :)
 
Eli Chaps Eli Chaps
If you'd like to give a bit bigger slippie a try, I'd suggest a Rough Rider Trapper. I have 2 really like them both. One has no bolsters or end caps which I've learned makes it a "shadow" pattern. Its noticeably lighter than my other trappers. The reasons I suggest RR are, 1: low cost but high quality, in case the pattern isn't one for you your not out much. IMO they hold their own quality wise with Case or Buck. 2: both of mine have good springs, very positive on opening and closing. They resist accidentally closing fairly well, while still being fairly easy to open and close. 3: they have half stops on both blades, which in MY opinion is what makes it more resistant to accidental closing. It takes more force to cam over the blade.And I think a positive stop in the middle of the action gives someone not used to a slipjoint a bit better chance of it stopping altogether before it closes on you.
 
Misplaced Hillbilly said:
Eli Chaps Eli Chaps
If you'd like to give a bit bigger slippie a try, I'd suggest a Rough Rider Trapper. I have 2 really like them both. One has no bolsters or end caps which I've learned makes it a "shadow" pattern. Its noticeably lighter than my other trappers. The reasons I suggest RR are, 1: low cost but high quality, in case the pattern isn't one for you your not out much. IMO they hold their own quality wise with Case or Buck. 2: both of mine have good springs, very positive on opening and closing. They resist accidentally closing fairly well, while still being fairly easy to open and close. 3: they have half stops on both blades, which in MY opinion is what makes it more resistant to accidental closing. It takes more force to cam over the blade.And I think a positive stop in the middle of the action gives someone not used to a slipjoint a bit better chance of it stopping altogether before it closes on you.
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Thank you for the input!
 
There has definitely been some convincing arguments as to why one would carry a slipjoint however, unless I glossed over it, I don't think anyone has mentioned that a good reason to carry a slipjoint would be the way a slipjoint looks and/or is constructed. A slipjoint is very much seen as a gentleman's folder by society and most knife nuts at large. I know that when I carry a slipjoint, no one is really bothered because they are very inoffensive knives.

For instance, the blade shape and design is most of the time far less aggressive than that of a modern folder. Now a point can be made for clip points but by and large blade shape and grind don't look too tactical. In addition, I don't think I've ever run into anyone that minds me opening a slipjoint in front of them because it is a gradual and graceful process, unlike modern folders which are deployed lightning fast with authority. It also helps that most older workers remember seeing their grandfathers carry these elegant tools for majority of the past century so it is something they are used to.

All in all, I carry slipjoints to work or more formal gatherings and modern folders for when I'm out and about and just don't care what people think. Also, OP, I know a good bit about french folders as Traditional, European knives are what originally convinced me to give old time blades a try. In my opinion, France leaves the rest of Europe absolutely knackered when it comes to wooden, traditional knives.
 
SIG96 said:
There has definitely been some convincing arguments as to why one would carry a slipjoint however, unless I glossed over it, I don't think anyone has mentioned that a good reason to carry a slipjoint would be the way a slipjoint looks and/or is constructed. A slipjoint is very much seen as a gentleman's folder by society and most knife nuts at large. I know that when I carry a slipjoint, no one is really bothered because they are very inoffensive knives.

For instance, the blade shape and design is most of the time far less aggressive than that of a modern folder. Now a point can be made for clip points but by and large blade shape and grind don't look too tactical. In addition, I don't think I've ever run into anyone that minds me opening a slipjoint in front of them because it is a gradual and graceful process, unlike modern folders which are deployed lightning fast with authority. It also helps that most older workers remember seeing their grandfathers carry these elegant tools for majority of the past century so it is something they are used to.

All in all, I carry slipjoints to work or more formal gatherings and modern folders for when I'm out and about and just don't care what people think. Also, OP, I know a good bit about french folders as Traditional, European knives are what originally convinced me to give old time blades a try. In my opinion, France leaves the rest of Europe absolutely knackered when it comes to wooden, traditional knives.
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It's funny because how many times have I seen requests, here (BF) and elsewhere about gentleman's knife recommendations and next to never see these knives offered up? I typically don't engage in those discussions because most of what I would see did not say "gentlemen" to me or it cost ten-gajillion dollars. So when I was looking through all of your great pictures in here and all the offerings out there in the world, I said to myself, why haven't you been recommending these guys!? These are exactly what I envision as gentleman's knives.

As to the French knives, I actually strapped on my Buck 110 Alaskan Guide today because a couple of the beautiful French and one Swedish model I've been ogling are belt sheath knives and I want to see how I feel about toting one around again after so many years of not doing so. I don't know if a large folder such as these would be my every day, every day carry, but I do use my knives and like to carry them, even if it is just time to time.
 
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Peregrin Peregrin Gary, that's an enviable watch there too:cool:

Very glad you like the FP they may a wonderful small locking Lag and non lock too and they slice stuff exceptionally. I'm thinking about another one of their patterns but just at the moment, Cat vet bills, new knives, some house maintenance has left me poorer than the Church Mouse :eek::D I do have a full Piggy Bank of coins though and I reckon it may have 150 Euro in it, not bad....:thumbsup:
 
Will Power said:
Peregrin Peregrin Gary, that's an enviable watch there too:cool:

Very glad you like the FP they may a wonderful small locking Lag and non lock too and they slice stuff exceptionally. I'm thinking about another one of their patterns but just at the moment, Cat vet bills, new knives, some house maintenance has left me poorer than the Church Mouse :eek::D I do have a full Piggy Bank of coins though and I reckon it may have 150 Euro in it, not bad....:thumbsup:
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Thanks Will, I appreciate the nice comments. I wear that watch a lot and have owned it for many years. It just keeps on doing the watch thing well.

I really like the lock back on my FP Laguiole. The placement of the release makes it quick and easy to operate. It's very similar in use to the tail lock that Ron lake came up with. Just makes sense. The fit and finish and file work is just over the top as far as craftsmanship goes. I don't think I own a better example of a fine knife. It's just about perfect for what I do knifewise on the average day.

I can relate to cutting back on knife purchases. Sounds like you are on track to funding another FP!
 
Peregrin said:
Thanks Will, I appreciate the nice comments. I wear that watch a lot and have owned it for many years. It just keeps on doing the watch thing well.

I really like the lock back on my FP Laguiole. The placement of the release makes it quick and easy to operate. It's very similar in use to the tail lock that Ron lake came up with. Just makes sense. The fit and finish and file work is just over the top as far as craftsmanship goes. I don't think I own a better example of a fine knife. It's just about perfect for what I do knifewise on the average day.

I can relate to cutting back on knife purchases. Sounds like you are on track to funding another FP!
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I've seriously been eyeing one of those FP Laguiles the past few weeks. Can I ask how you typically tote it around when you do?
 
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