Was: Slipjoint Renaissance? Now: Imports vs. Domestic

kamagong

kamagong

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It seems to me that slippies are more popular now than at any other time in recent memory. In addition to the old marques like Queen and Case, we have the incredible offerings from new companies like Great Eastern and Canal Street. We have good knives coming from Europe like German Eye Brand and Boker. We even have slipjoints coming from China of all places. It's true that we miss some of the older and now defunct companies, such as Camillus and Schrade, but it seems to me that quality and selection has improved greatly these past few years. The knife companies seem to be listening to us consumers more. Instead of just cramming their designs down our throat, they're actually offering us better knives, with premium steel to match beautiful handles. Even Queen and Case have stepped up their game with their custom collaborations.

It's a good time to be a knifenut.
 
This is true. Not to mention the new knife laws in Europe banning locking knives. That must have a big effect on the demand of slipjoints.
 
An astute observation! Most of the companies you mentioned are indeed paying attention to the hearts and minds of us consumers. I do my part however small, to support and influence them to keep up the good work.
My prejudice lies with home grown knives, and I spend my extra bucks, however meager, to support them.
I'd like to point out, that buying cheap/imported knives is a form of cutting your own throat. It beats down wages and the companies that employ your "neighbor", and adds to the misery a lot of us are facing in today's economic climate.
 
waynorth said:
An astute observation! Most of the companies you mentioned are indeed paying attention to the hearts and minds of us consumers. I do my part however small, to support and influence them to keep up the good work.
My prejudice lies with home grown knives, and I spend my extra bucks, however meager, to support them.
I'd like to point out, that buying cheap/imported knives is a form of cutting your own throat. It beats down wages and the companies that employ your "neighbor", and adds to the misery a lot of us are facing in today's economic climate.
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Never better said...:thumbup::thumbup:
 
I think we are seeing a big revival of American slipjoints such as Queen, Great Eastern, Canal Street, and Case.
 
Waynorth said it!

I also like to reward homegrown companies when they bring out traditional designs in carbon or tool steels. I figure every little bit of positive pressure we can bring to bear in the marketplace will promote good design. I consider that I'm voting with my dollars.

So when Case comes out with Chestnut in CV, or S&M has the occasional 1095, I'm paying attention.
 
We may be seeing an increase in traditional pocket knife sales. With Case actually increasing the offerings in CV, and new companies springing up, it may be happening. I'd love to see the sales figures going back a few years for Case, Queen, and Canal.
 
From what I have seen, I think the renewed interest started gaining momentum about 4 years ago and I think the custom makers had a lot to do with getting it started.

I also think Charlie pegged it.
 
I think that with the hectic lifestyle most of us live and the never ending quest for newer technology, the slip joint allows folks to have a little taste of something from a time when things were much more simple.... Not to mention the fact that after all these years, it is a design that has stood the test of time and still works just as well as it did 100 years ago. PLUS, its a lot of fun to just sit and admire them. Very therapeutic....
 
I think we are living in the greatest time to be a traditional slip joint collector, and yes to your question!
 
I know it has been a year or so since I have developed an interest in slipjoint knives. My interest came from essentially getting bored with tactical folders and started looking at gentlemen folders which lead me to slipjoints.

My problem is that I'm more of a single blade type of guy so the options are limited.

With that said I am VERY happy with my Queen Copperhead and I intend to add more handle variations to my small collection.

Does anyone know of someone who could rehandle my Cocobolo Queen Copperhead?
 
I just received my GEC shipment in the mail today! These are phenomenal american made beauties! I'm happy to see an american company raise the bar to produce a top quality item that we're proud to call "made in america". Hopefully some of the other manufacturers will step up to the plate.
 
The appearance of so many American made knives on the market could have to do with the up swing in new, smaller companies that were put together by people that used to work at the larger companies before they went under. Canal Street, GEC and others are a Phoenix of sorts that rose from the ashes of their previous employers. Are there more new American made knives to be had now than just a few years ago or does the addition of few new companies make it seem that way in this forum. It would seem difficult for the same amount of American knives to be made now as compared to when Camillus and Schrade were producing them. Are we getting better knives as a result of this or just getting what we want to see in a knife? In the long run, and I am hoping there is one, only time will tell. What I see now is the start of a good improvement.
Greg
 
waynorth said:
I'd like to point out, that buying cheap/imported knives is a form of cutting your own throat. It beats down wages and the companies that employ your "neighbor", and adds to the misery a lot of us are facing in today's economic climate.
Click to expand...

This isn't really true. In some ways, it's actually the opposite. Cheap imports increases choices, allowing knife nuts to buy more knives with their money. The increasing competition and quality from abroad has driven American based operations to introduce more models, clean up their acts, and carve out new markets. Or die, which is the way things are supposed to work. If American companies felt they had a stranglehold on the market, they'd have little incentive to change and create new offerings.

It certainly is true that this is a great time to be a knife nut. Probably the best time in history. There are more knives available from a wider variety of sources and prices than ever before. And quality has never been as inexpensive as it is now. The market for knives is stronger than ever all over the world.
 
shecky said:
This isn't really true. In some ways, it's actually the opposite. Cheap imports increases choices, allowing knife nuts to buy more knives with their money. The increasing competition and quality from abroad has driven American based operations to introduce more models, clean up their acts, and carve out new markets. Or die, which is the way things are supposed to work. If American companies felt they had a stranglehold on the market, they'd have little incentive to change and create new offerings.
Click to expand...

Cheap imports increase choices, if you call comparing apples to oranges a choice. Of course, if you think that it's all fruit, then there is no problem.

The real question is what percentage of knife users know the difference between cheap imports and a quality knife. Even as a child, it was easy for me to tell the difference between a real "Swiss Army Knife" (Victorinox) and a South Asian knock-off. Enough so that I spent a considerable percentage of my valuable summer doing lawn work to be able to afford the former. And I believe that there are a lot of folks like me out there.

I have no problem with quality imports. But cheap imports made from inferior materials do not improve the market. They are dangerous--they are likely to break during use and cause injury in a manner that a quality knife would not. They are often the result of dishonest and unsavory business practices. None of these are good for the American knife market. There are many inexpensive knives on the market (and many of those are produced in the US) that will last more than a lifetime with bare minimal care. More models are being produced all the time--not because of competition from cheap imports, but because of a revival of interest in older patterns that have not been seen on the market for a generation or more. And, of course, Bastid is right. A lot of the blame can be laid at the doors of the custom makers. Whether or not we collect handmade knives, we can thank the makers for setting the bar for quality work and sharing their designs. All of us who collect knives, custom and production, owe them a big vote of thanks.


shecky said:
It certainly is true that this is a great time to be a knife nut. Probably the best time in history. There are more knives available from a wider variety of sources and prices than ever before. And quality has never been as inexpensive as it is now. The market for knives is stronger than ever all over the world.
Click to expand...

That is certainly true.
 
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