kamagong
Gold Member
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- Jan 13, 2001
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Yeah rightI guess I'll never want to buy another slippie!
I've heard that before.
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What is it about slipjoints?
- Thread starter stu
- Start date
I've heard that before.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 47,125
I guess I'll never want to buy another slippie!
Ah, Marcinek, I see your future clearly before me and it looks like this:
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 47,125
"Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't..."
The beauty of this hobby (disease?) is that there are no bad choices.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
- Messages
- 2,171
Good choice, Stu. There's nothing wrong with liking or even having modern knives. Just a lot of us come full circle and (re)discover that basic, slipjoint patterns fit well in a pocket, can be attractive pocket jewelry that carries well in the pocket, and as they have always been, are excellent cutting tools for everyday life. As others here have mentioned, a pleasant slippie can also be like a worry stone. I too will find myself taking out my knife and just holding and rubbing it. I'll also find my self just slipping my hand in my pocket and handling the knife. Ya have to be a little careful doing that in public though; some people get the wrong idea.
There truly is something to be said for the fact that these patterns have been carried and used for generations by people who used them as an intimate part of their life. Not only are you carrying and using a whole lot of tradition, you are carrying a serious cutting tool that fits neatly in your pocket and has proven it's value by it's existence and continued existence.
I used to carry a Kershaw, Ken Onion, 1550 Blackout. I enjoyed the quick, effortless opening of the assisted opening. It took a razor sharp edge and held it decently, while sharpening back to hair shaving sharp with a few strokes on a fine stone. I usually carried it clipped into either my rear pocket or my right front pocket. I swore by it for a long time. I still have it, but rarely take it out anymore since I've gone back to traditionals.
I found that I got a little more pleasure taking my knife out and feeling the half stops and the walk and talk as I opened it. I also discovered that no matter how sharp my Kershaw was, and it was, for pure cutting and slicing the thinner bladed traditional patterns just seemed to cut much better. After pocketing a traditional for some time then clipping in the Kershaw, the Kershaw seemed like a brick or a big lump. Now I use the Kershaw when working on the car or some other rough stuff I don't want to abuse one of my traditionals for.
If you feel the need for a locking knife, there are still plenty of traditional locking knives, both line locks and full lockbacks. Funny thing is at first when making the transition from the Kershaw to a slippie I kept trying to flick open the blade and then unlock it to close it. Later when I was trying out a liner locking Queen teardrop jack it kept flustering me when I would try to close it and couldn't until I realized I had to unlock it first. Talk about a turnaround.
I've found that for general everyday use by the average person, a small to medium sized traditional is all the knife they need, often doing what the big ones just can't do. Even when going to a little more robust uses, you don't give anything up with a larger traditional folder or better yet, a small to medium traditional fixed blade.
Carry what works best for you, but those traditional knives didn't become a tradition without a reason.
There truly is something to be said for the fact that these patterns have been carried and used for generations by people who used them as an intimate part of their life. Not only are you carrying and using a whole lot of tradition, you are carrying a serious cutting tool that fits neatly in your pocket and has proven it's value by it's existence and continued existence.
I used to carry a Kershaw, Ken Onion, 1550 Blackout. I enjoyed the quick, effortless opening of the assisted opening. It took a razor sharp edge and held it decently, while sharpening back to hair shaving sharp with a few strokes on a fine stone. I usually carried it clipped into either my rear pocket or my right front pocket. I swore by it for a long time. I still have it, but rarely take it out anymore since I've gone back to traditionals.
I found that I got a little more pleasure taking my knife out and feeling the half stops and the walk and talk as I opened it. I also discovered that no matter how sharp my Kershaw was, and it was, for pure cutting and slicing the thinner bladed traditional patterns just seemed to cut much better. After pocketing a traditional for some time then clipping in the Kershaw, the Kershaw seemed like a brick or a big lump. Now I use the Kershaw when working on the car or some other rough stuff I don't want to abuse one of my traditionals for.
If you feel the need for a locking knife, there are still plenty of traditional locking knives, both line locks and full lockbacks. Funny thing is at first when making the transition from the Kershaw to a slippie I kept trying to flick open the blade and then unlock it to close it. Later when I was trying out a liner locking Queen teardrop jack it kept flustering me when I would try to close it and couldn't until I realized I had to unlock it first. Talk about a turnaround.
I've found that for general everyday use by the average person, a small to medium sized traditional is all the knife they need, often doing what the big ones just can't do. Even when going to a little more robust uses, you don't give anything up with a larger traditional folder or better yet, a small to medium traditional fixed blade.
Carry what works best for you, but those traditional knives didn't become a tradition without a reason.
Wow, that's quite a bit of insight. I apologize, I didn't mean to offend anyone, or say that locking knives are for kids. I've carried tons of locking folders, and everything from my Buck 110 to my BM Mini-Grip never failed me and certainly were useful, and fun to carry. What I was trying to say was that there seems to be some certain quality inherent in the more traditional patterns that makes you realize that you don't actually have to chop down trees and kill bears every day, that sometimes a simpler approach to things is just as effective as going over the top like I was previously.
I do plan on still carrying some of my tactical folders every now and then, they all have their own advantages, and there is a whole lot of history behind some of them. After all, like they say, a knife unused is a knife abused.
Personally, I can't wait for the summer, going fishing and camping, and getting a chance to see just how much I can do without ti-nitride coating and handle materials with names I can hardly pronounce.
I do plan on still carrying some of my tactical folders every now and then, they all have their own advantages, and there is a whole lot of history behind some of them. After all, like they say, a knife unused is a knife abused.
Personally, I can't wait for the summer, going fishing and camping, and getting a chance to see just how much I can do without ti-nitride coating and handle materials with names I can hardly pronounce.
fewpop
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2004
- Messages
- 3,113
This is an interesting discussion, imho.
stu raises an excellent question: "What is it about slipjoints?"
I think the answer lies in the name of this great forum: "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades."
I believe that the word "tradition" is key here. American Heritage Dictionary offers these definitions:
Tradition = "The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication." (Sounds like this forum to me.) :thumbup:
Traditions = "A set of such customs and usages viewed as a coherent body of precedents influencing the present..." (Sounds like the practices of the classic knifemakers we value here.) :thumbup:
Healthy societies typically define a large part of their identity and self-esteem through tradition. By handing down (usually from elders to youth) that which a culture believes is valuable to the well-being of the culture, we preserve, and hopefully increase the odds of, the well-being of our future generations.
So, how does all this verbage relate to slipjoints and the more modern technology expressed in some of the knives that many of us here also carry, use, and enjoy? (Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw...just to name a few.)
Again, imho, one tool is not necessarily better than another; (and once upon a time, even slipjoints were a new concept), but only one class of knives can qualify to be called the "traditionals", which by definition have been "time-tested", and deemed by our esteemed ancestors to have inherent value.
When I carry or hold my departed grandfather's old Dunlap, I feel as though I am still connected to him, and he is not so departed after all.
The newer high-tech and modern tactical deanimators () don't necessarily have less pragmatic value, but they have not qualified yet for "traditional value."
Just my .02.
And thanks to all here who help me feel connected to our traditions.
stu raises an excellent question: "What is it about slipjoints?"
I think the answer lies in the name of this great forum: "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades."
I believe that the word "tradition" is key here. American Heritage Dictionary offers these definitions:
Tradition = "The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication." (Sounds like this forum to me.) :thumbup:
Traditions = "A set of such customs and usages viewed as a coherent body of precedents influencing the present..." (Sounds like the practices of the classic knifemakers we value here.) :thumbup:
Healthy societies typically define a large part of their identity and self-esteem through tradition. By handing down (usually from elders to youth) that which a culture believes is valuable to the well-being of the culture, we preserve, and hopefully increase the odds of, the well-being of our future generations.
So, how does all this verbage relate to slipjoints and the more modern technology expressed in some of the knives that many of us here also carry, use, and enjoy? (Benchmade, Spyderco, Kershaw...just to name a few.)
Again, imho, one tool is not necessarily better than another; (and once upon a time, even slipjoints were a new concept), but only one class of knives can qualify to be called the "traditionals", which by definition have been "time-tested", and deemed by our esteemed ancestors to have inherent value.
When I carry or hold my departed grandfather's old Dunlap, I feel as though I am still connected to him, and he is not so departed after all.
The newer high-tech and modern tactical deanimators (
) don't necessarily have less pragmatic value, but they have not qualified yet for "traditional value."Just my .02.
And thanks to all here who help me feel connected to our traditions.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 47,125
Well said, Ford. Though I no longer have any of the small folders given me by my grandfather (who passed when I was 9), one of my most treasured memories is his giving me my first knife (or two) when I was eight or nine. If only I hadn't lost the actual knives when I was still a kid. (I can still picture them.)
I do still have his pocket watch (which had been given him by his father) and that is (as you have said) why tradition means as much as it does to me.
I do still have his pocket watch (which had been given him by his father) and that is (as you have said) why tradition means as much as it does to me.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2000
- Messages
- 6,684
Not sure if you're referring to my post or not, but, for the record I never maintained that lockbacks are for kids. Hell, I own a numer of great locking knives from Buck, Schrade, Victorinox and Spyderco. My beef (not a "beef," really, I just find them amusing) is with those guys who claim they can't get by with anything less than a $250 black "tactical" serrated, carbon-fiber, tanto-point, fuel-injected prybar with ridged thumbrest and framelock.
By the way, I think there are way more than just 2 "camps" in the "knife community." I mean, how many different subforums are there at bladeforums alone? Different strokes for different folks -- nothing wrong with that.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2004
- Messages
- 153
This is a very interesting thread.
Amos' statements have struck a chord with me, because I really like my newer-styled knives...but gravitate toward the simpler non-locking knives...even though my brain tells me that a lock is probably "safer."
I couldn't put a finger on why I feel this way, but Amos appears to have really hit it outta the park.
It sounds odd, but the knife can be a kind of "companion," something of which you may really come to rely.
There is a comforting quality to the "old timers," which the new knives often don't have.
It isn't quantitative, but qualitative...kind of "gestalt," I guess.
It isn't just the steel, or the shape, or the color, or the construction, or the walk & talk, or the tradition...it is ALL of the above, put together in synergy.
Less can be more, it seems.
I am still thoroughly stunned at the ability of the Opinel and Mora which were recently purchased.
My $21 Soldier has been through hell...without falter.
They are old style, low tech...and simply work.
I am heading down to the Carolinas in a couple of days, and know we will end up near some knife shops. I will be keeping my eyes open for my first Case CV or perhaps a Queen...or, even a Brown Mule.
As for the Case, I have been so busy, I haven't had the chance to decide which model to get...but if I can find a knife shop down there, my hands will tell me which one...
Amos' statements have struck a chord with me, because I really like my newer-styled knives...but gravitate toward the simpler non-locking knives...even though my brain tells me that a lock is probably "safer."
I couldn't put a finger on why I feel this way, but Amos appears to have really hit it outta the park.
It sounds odd, but the knife can be a kind of "companion," something of which you may really come to rely.
There is a comforting quality to the "old timers," which the new knives often don't have.
It isn't quantitative, but qualitative...kind of "gestalt," I guess.
It isn't just the steel, or the shape, or the color, or the construction, or the walk & talk, or the tradition...it is ALL of the above, put together in synergy.
Less can be more, it seems.
I am still thoroughly stunned at the ability of the Opinel and Mora which were recently purchased.
My $21 Soldier has been through hell...without falter.
They are old style, low tech...and simply work.
I am heading down to the Carolinas in a couple of days, and know we will end up near some knife shops. I will be keeping my eyes open for my first Case CV or perhaps a Queen...or, even a Brown Mule.
As for the Case, I have been so busy, I haven't had the chance to decide which model to get...but if I can find a knife shop down there, my hands will tell me which one...
I noticed that Gerber has started making a hybrid double liner lock knife they are calling the "Double Take." It is a bit like the Kershaw double cross but with plain silver anodized aluminum handles with a drop point and a serrated wharncliff blade. The handle is a sort of swell-centered canoe shape. I didn't pick one up, since I haven't had any luck with Gerber in a while, but it may be a good deal for those transitioning from tactical to traditional.