Visiting the States - what knife to buy?

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freezergeezer

Joined
Oct 29, 1999
Messages
539
Hello all

My wife & I are visiting the U.S. in September, flying into NYC, driving up to Boston. Then around that area, up to the 1000 islands (hopefully) and stopping in Owego in Nothern NY State to visit friends, then back to NYC for a night before flying home.
So, to the point: having hung out in here for a bit, I have developed a hankering for a traditional slipjoint, and this visit looks like a good excuse to buy one (or 2! :D ) as a souvenir. It needs to be U.K. okay, so a blade edge length of 3" or less. I'm undecided on which pattern just yet, but 3-blade whittlers look nice, particularly as I'd like to try some basic whittling sometime. I'd like to get a knife with bone or antler scales. Maybe a couple of tools, like screwdrivers & a bottle opener in it. Slipjoint EDC is currently an '80's Vic. Economy Huntsman, so anything up to that width I'm happy with.
Now, if you guys would be so kind, what I'd like is some thoughts on patterns, also what makes to look out for up in the North East, and finally, where can I buy one or two? Do hardware stores & the like still carry pocket knives, or is it like the U.K, where getting anything better than a sheeple's idea of a knife means the 'net or going to a specialist shop in the back of beyond? :confused:
Can anyone recommend a retail outlet around there?

That's a lot to ask, I know, but I hope some of you can help.
Best regards
Matt
 
I don't know the area, so I can't recommend a retailer, but I know that if you want some additional tools on your knife (and you still want it to be "American"), you should get a scout pattern. Camillus makes one, so does Case, and I'm sure others. you can see an example on the A.G. Russell site.

A stockman is a great pattern, perfect for whittling. A trapper is great for every utility application you can think of. A canoe is useful and pretty.

Happy hunting!

Peace.
 
If you see any old looking hardware stores, they are always worth a stop for investigating. Also, look for a large home improvment store called Lowe's-- you'll find them near any decent sized city. They always have a lot of knives made by Case. You can also check a Wal-Mart store or K-Mart store, you may find some slip joints in them. Believe it or not, it is sometimes hard to find good slipjoints in the stores today--they sell a lot of Chinese junk instead.

Anyway, good luck on your trip. And in that part of the country you are going to find a ton of cities and villages with names from England, you will feel right at home. Don't forget to bring a jacket with you. That area can be very chilly in September.
 
ACE hardware stores (a big chain) carries Case. I'd suggest a two blade trapper in the handle material you like. I like this pattern and it's pretty "american." If you want carbon steel (as opposed to stainless) I'd suggest buying their yellow handled or amber bone chrome vanadium steel. Queen's are nicer than Case but not readily available.
 
In the Boston area, in the shops around Faneuil Hall, there is a good knife retailer called On the Edge. Not too many slipjoints, though. If you get up to Freeport Maine, there is a great knife retailer called the Freeport knife shop, located across the street from LL Bean, a huge retailer of outdoor goods. Both are worth a stop. The Freeport knife shop has a huge inventory of Victorinox knives and accesories, so if you want to pick up that extra pen or spring, or change your scales, that is the place. They also have a small selection of customs from local makers, very reasonable prices. In addition, they sell a number of old knives--mostly slipjoints. You won't find any amazing bargains--the clerks all know their stuff too well--but they won't rip you off either.

In general, it is not too easy to find a large variety of slipjoints around here. When I was bitten by the slipjoint bug, fellow forumites were kind enough to point me to the online dealersd specializing in such items.

As a frequent visitor to Oxford, allow me to wish you a pleasant visit--as enjoyable as my visits to Oxford always are.
 
Shaldaq is right, this area is the worst part of the country for knives in general and for traditional slipjoints in particular. (OTOH....I happen to have a large invetory of them myself for sale hehe)..........

Stoddard's is America's oldest cutlery store...locations in Copley Place in Boston and the Chestnut Hill Mall in Newton.

Sawyer's Cutlery in Hingham, south of Boston.

Lowes stroes as mentioned have CASE knives.

But the (few remaining) small independent hardware stores in the area generally carry either no knives at all or maybe a few SAK's.

You will have a tough time finding a traditional slipjoint that combines both tools AND good whittling blades....SAK's would come the closest.
 
Hey Knifeaholic--
please enlighten me about the Hingham store--I am unaware of it. What kind of stuff do they carry?

by the way--Stoddards used to have a great selection of customs and productions. However, I understand that the owner retired and the son took over the business--in any event- their production selection has gone down the toilet, in my opinion. They still have some customs and a thin selection of others.
 
knifeaholic said:
Shaldaq is right, this area is the worst part of the country for knives in general and for traditional slipjoints in particular. (OTOH....I happen to have a large invetory of them myself for sale hehe)..........

I agree with that. And isn't it ironic that all the slip joint knife factories-- or at least the majority of them-- Queen, Schrade, Camillus, Case, Cattaraugus, Ulster, Utica Kutmaster, etc. were/are located in N.Y. or PA. yet there isn't much interest in slip joints in that part of the country?
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yeah, and a number of firearm manufacturers are/were up here too.....and we know about how gun-friendly these states are... go figure. Oh well, we really all live up here for the weather-- wait, no, the traffic...

Anyway, not to put our visitor off-- there are many things to see and do in this part of the US, and you can have a lot of fun, and hopefully you will get lucky and pick up a slipjoint or 2....
 
shaldag said:
yeah, and a number of firearm manufacturers are/were up here too.....and we know about how gun-friendly these states are... go figure. Oh well, we really all live up here for the weather-- wait, no, the traffic...

Anyway, not to put our visitor off-- there are many things to see and do in this part of the US, and you can have a lot of fun, and hopefully you will get lucky and pick up a slipjoint or 2....
Click to expand...


No, not to put our visitor off at all. In September--especially later in September--it should be a very pretty ride with the leaves turning colors.
 
bloody hell. I just remembered. If you are willing to go just a bit out of your way--not much really-- there is a knife shop specializing in slipjoints in Rhode Island called cove cutlery. Do a search--they have a website. They some highly recommended. (I have not yet gone there--but I do plan to--someday when I can take a day off). I believe that it would be worth your while.
 
Shaldag;

Sawyer's is just off Rte 3 at the Hingham exit....like the other few cutlery shops in the area, they have limited slipjoints...some Case, maybe Cold Steel.

BTW...do you ever go to the NCCA knife shows? MArlboro MA and East Windsor CT www.ncca.info

And I'll have to look up Cove Cultery...never heard of them.
 
knifeaholic said:
Shaldag;

BTW...do you ever go to the NCCA knife shows? MArlboro MA and East Windsor CT www.ncca.info
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I have been to one, and I thought it was pretty good. (Lots of old slipjoints, really nice ones) I think that there is one this Sunday, but I am travelling then... hope to get to the next one.
 
freezergeezer said:
Hello all

My wife & I are visiting the U.S. in September, flying into NYC, driving up to Boston. Then around that area, up to the 1000 islands (hopefully) and stopping in Owego in Nothern NY State to visit friends, then back to NYC for a night before flying home.
\Matt
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You talking OWEGO or OSWEGO? Owego is on the NY PA border. I live like ten minutes away from there. Oswego is on lake Ontario, and is much further north (I went to college there).

E
 
'Morning all! And thanks for the info. & good wishes.

The Buffoon, it's definitely Owego. I though it was further north, but obviously have been misinformed. ;)

Cove Cutlery looks cool! I wonder if I can persuade the wife to visit RI? It's a shame we won't be there for the ncca meet, but I can imagine what she'd say to that idea! lol

Knifaholic, I understand what you say about SAKs possibly being a better option, and I do own 1 or 2, so I won't be upset if I can't find a traditional knife with tools. But one that's good for whittling is definitely on the wish-list! :)

Freeport sounds great too!! :D

Once again, thanks for the great tips, and please keep them coming - I really have no idea yet exactly where we'll be going other than Boston & Owego, so the more places I know, the more chance I have!
I don't suppose anyone's planning a meet during the week 10th. - 18th. Sept?
 
While we're here, I haven't whittled anything more complex than a tent peg, and that was years ago. I'm having a look around myself, but could anyone recommend a book or website with some basic techniques, and maybe projects to get started?

Pickupman, I hadn't really realised that the main producers were up that end. Somehow I always pictured slipjoints in the U.S. as on a ranch, or sitting on your porch in the Southern States, whittling stuff. I wonder if it's a demographic thing? I understand that the NE States are more urban? Over here we have what may be a similar situation, where townies generally can't understand why anyone would need or want a pocket knife. Mind you, it's gotten so bad here that even in the countryside people look at you askance if you go prepared. :rolleyes:

It seems that knife owner = dangerous madman :eek: in most people's minds. :barf:
 
The classic book on whittling is E.J. Tangerman's "Whittling and Woodcarving (Dover), originally published in 1936. It explains choice of wood, knives, how to make ball in cage, chains, fans, hinges and pivots, chip carving, carving in the round, etc. Available at Amazon.com. I'm a beginner myself, and have found the book very helpful.
 
I grew up in Elmira, which is about 30 minutes west of Owego. If you can swing it, plan a day trip to Bradford, Pa. and go to the Case/Zippo store there. It would be about a 3-3 1/2 hr. trip one way for you, most of it on the interstate. Just about everything Case makes is on display and sale there. I went earlier this year and it was a great daytrip. If you can't get there, there's a shopping mall in the town of Big Flats, 10 min. west of the Elmira exit with a Lowes home center that also carries a pretty good selection of Case knives, often many are on sale at a good discount. I haven't been in that store since early spring , so I can't say what there is to choose from.

Used to have a girlfriend in Owego many years ago, had some good time there, but would have to move this to W&C to talk about the details. :D
 
freezergeezer said:
While we're here, I haven't whittled anything more complex than a tent peg, and that was years ago. I'm having a look around myself, but could anyone recommend a book or website with some basic techniques, and maybe projects to get started?

Pickupman, I hadn't really realised that the main producers were up that end. Somehow I always pictured slipjoints in the U.S. as on a ranch, or sitting on your porch in the Southern States, whittling stuff. I wonder if it's a demographic thing? I understand that the NE States are more urban? Over here we have what may be a similar situation, where townies generally can't understand why anyone would need or want a pocket knife. Mind you, it's gotten so bad here that even in the countryside people look at you askance if you go prepared. :rolleyes:

It seems that knife owner = dangerous madman :eek: in most people's minds. :barf:
Click to expand...
I can't explain it either. Back in time, most of the industry in this country was in the N.E., so, of course, most knife factories were there too. Today, most of the interest in slipjoints, in my opinion, is in the Southern States and the Western States. I guess it is because the N.E. is more urban but it still has a lot of farm country, as you will see when you visit. It just seems for some reason that there is less demand for slip joints in that part of the country than in others. In Tennessee and Kentucky, for example, they take their slip joints seriously.

And it is a growing problem to carry a knife around today without being considered a nut. As usual, a few irresponsible people have to ruin things for everyone.
 
Guys, thanks a lot for all the suggestions. I'm going to print this thread off to take with me (having marked on the map where everything is! :D ). I'm getting really excited about this trip now! Always wanted to visit past NYC, and now I'll pick up a knife or 2 to boot! :cool: My wife says you guys have a LOT to answer for! :D
 
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