Traditional Slip joints

[Brian Bentley]

I have seen some discussion lately about traditional slipjoints and the steel used in them.

What is the concensus of seeing Buck make a traditional slipjoint with bone or stag scales and ATS-34 blades.

We are fast loosing options in the industry with respect to standard pocket knives and high quality materials. Most everyone either makes them for show or as mules. Nothing promotes nostalgia and that warm sense of tradition like a good old pocket knife. Why do you think Case knives are so popular. If they ever start using a higher grade of steel again the competition will be in trouble. Buck is the closest to getting there. 420HC is good but it isn't quite ATS-34. You guys have Mr. Bos already !! You're already one up on the competition. Now all you have to do is to start using bone or stag scales and you will surpass the entire industry. The only way to get a premium made knife these days with premium materials is to have it hand made. That can get expensive, I promise.

Thanks,

 

[Mike Kerins]

Brian,
Funny, I've been thinking something along the same line, however, my focus has been CPM S30V steel, which I believe is a couple of steps above ATS-34 for hardness and ease of sharpening. I'd really like to see Buck offer it in some of their main lines such as their 300 and 500 series and 110/112's. I personally think it or some other higher grade steel like ATS-34 or BG-42 would be a great option and well worth the additional cost.
Mike
GO NAVY

 

[cpirtle]

S30v is actually a little harder to sharpen than ATS34 because of its increased abrasion resistance. I know a few custom makers who do not work with it because their customers complain they can't sharpen it when it does go dull and they have to send them back.

I would love to see some higher end SJ's from Buck but it seems they have left than line to pursue the more tactical side of things. I have a ton of old Buck slip joints that have been work horses over the years, having updated ones would be wonderful.

Case is a joke. They have actually released a couple of full production ATS34 lines (separate from the ltd Bose runs), and SRP on them is in excess of $225 across the board. At this point I think Case has sunken to the point where they are strictly out to gouge their loyal (possibly uninformed) customer base.

On a side note, I think I have seen somewhat of an increase in the traditional folder market. The tactical thing was all of the rage for a while and I think some consumers are starting to realize (again) that for every day use nothing cuts quite as well as a small thin blade. I know I went through that realization. I still like the tacticals but regardless of what else I leave home with every day there is a SJ in my pocket and the lions share of my knife money in the past year has gone into them

I think it won't be long before we start seeing more and more production SJ's with higher end steels. Queen just released one in BG42 a few months ago but unfortunately it was a limited run and more $$ than some customs...