Why do slipjoints cost more?

Can you explain this?

"Let's not also forget that adding things like a half stop that has a flush back spring is also more work."
 
A half stop is where the blade stops half open, at a right angle.
To have the back spring flush when open, closed, & half open is a difficult thing.
Far more so than blade centring is on a modern style.
 
Modern construction technology has a strong focus on being quick, easy and repeatable. Modern folders can much more easily take advantage of those traits than slipjoints. I realize customs in both worlds require an impressive level of dedication, but nifty innovations like screws just have to make things easier. Even I can screw or unscrew something with moderate competence, and I don't even know how to begin setting a pin.
 
Because they are just flat out better, thats why !









:p Just kidding, as I like modern designs as well, and carry both.

It takes much more skill to execute a well made slip joint.
 
mtangent said:
I have been told by a maker who makes both kinds, slip joints are harder to get right.
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A while back I asked this question and got this response. Someone even posted a pic of a makers "junk" parts. Parts that were made but didn't fit right so he had to chuck them. It was a box of back springs that had a lot of labor in them and were just tossed because they didn't fit perfectly. I think a slipjoint is probably pretty easy to slap together but they're very hard to get right.
 
I've wondered this myself and it has always kept me away from getting into them.

I suppose that once you hit a form factor of parts of X (small) size, things get harder to do or at least harder to do right.

It does seem with slippies that there is less of an entry level market for reasonably good quality products compared to folders.
 
pnsxyr said:
I've wondered this myself and it has always kept me away from getting into them.

I suppose that once you hit a form factor of parts of X (small) size, things get harder to do or at least harder to do right.

It does seem with slippies that there is less of an entry level market for reasonably good quality products compared to folders.
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I would disagree personally. You can get most of Case's models for $30 to $60, something from great eastern cutlery will start at about $60 and then go up to $150 or so for the really fancy models. Then there schatt and morgan, queen, and NorthWoods which participate in a couple different price ranges. Not to mention the market for vintage knives.

I'm fifteen, while I think modern knives mostly dominate my age group, they aren't dead. Most of my friends carry a traditional accompanying a modern folder. I started the day with a BenchMade 3550 and a GEC toms choice Barlow, now I'm carrying a GEC teardrop in ebony I received today as a gift...from another teenager that does just what I do.

Your milage may vary. :)
Kirby
 
9blades said:
I would disagree personally. You can get most of Case's models for $30 to $60, something from great eastern cutlery will start at about $60 and then go up to $150 or so for the really fancy models. Then there schatt and morgan, queen, and NorthWoods which participate in a couple different price ranges. Not to mention the market for vintage knives.
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Your point is well appreciated, but I agree with him in regards to new custom makers. There are fewer customs to be found in the entry level market (for customs) than there are custom modern folders in the lower tiers of custom pricing. For many of the reasons listed above - once you are skilled enough to be making high quality custom slippies, you are probably not new to the game...

Speaking personally, with the very high quality of modern slipjoint manufacturers like GEC, Canal, Queen... etc. and wide variety of available handle materials, pattern, and other details - I have not been able to justify the leap to custom land. Though one day, I'd like to send a wad of cash to Ken Erickson for something amazing and mine alone...
 
liamstrain said:
Your point is well appreciated, but I agree with him in regards to new custom makers. There are fewer customs to be found in the entry level market (for customs) than there are custom modern folders in the lower tiers of custom pricing. For many of the reasons listed above - once you are skilled enough to be making high quality custom slippies, you are probably not new to the game...

Speaking personally, with the very high quality of modern slipjoint manufacturers like GEC, Canal, Queen... etc. and wide variety of available handle materials, pattern, and other details - I have not been able to justify the leap to custom land. Though one day, I'd like to send a wad of cash to Ken Erickson for something amazing and mine alone...
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I agree in that regard - guess I got a bit hung up on the production side of things. :o I'm right there with you wanting an Erickson by the way, beautiful knives!
 
Not all slip-joints cost more...Swiss Army Knives are pretty inexpensive. ;)
No screws either...but they do have screwdrivers. :)
 
9blades said:
I would disagree personally. You can get most of Case's models for $30 to $60, something from great eastern cutlery will start at about $60 and then go up to $150 or so for the really fancy models. Then there schatt and morgan, queen, and NorthWoods which participate in a couple different price ranges. Not to mention the market for vintage knives.

I'm fifteen, while I think modern knives mostly dominate my age group, they aren't dead. Most of my friends carry a traditional accompanying a modern folder. I started the day with a BenchMade 3550 and a GEC toms choice Barlow, now I'm carrying a GEC teardrop in ebony I received today as a gift...from another teenager that does just what I do.

Your milage may vary. :)
Kirby
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Good point and advice, Kirby.
Its also good to hear some of our young are liking different types of knives.

liamstrain said:
Your point is well appreciated, but I agree with him in regards to new custom makers. There are fewer customs to be found in the entry level market (for customs) than there are custom modern folders in the lower tiers of custom pricing.
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Many of the traditional makers start at $250 to $275 for a micarta shawdow pattern with shield. Add $50 for a bolster, $25 for bone(or more for some other materials). The problem is most in this range have a very long waiting list.

I don't think thats anymore than what a maker of custom modern knives would charge.
I paid $260 shipped for the Hampton in my avatar, and $250 for my Menefee Sway Back in micarta with a shield.

But, as I said, the main problem is the long waiting list for makers that are making a great knife at a great price.
So, you do make a very good point about there being fewer of them.
If they were more makers making them at this price point I guess there wouldn't be such a long wait on these at good prices.
 
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