Anyone carry traditional knives here? - I'm think I'm getting old.

[David Lowry]

Does anyone here carry traditional slipjoints? Something like Case, or Queen or Schatt & Morgan, etc?

I ask because as much as I hate to admit it, I'm really starting to feel like I carry around all these big Spyderco knives and I'm never cutting anything with them that a SAK or a good old stockman cannot handle. In return I'm getting torn up pockets from G10 (which I love) and I'm using maybe the first 1 inch of the blade of every Spydies I have.

I guess if my main goal was go carry primarily for self defense that would be different. I however think that I would get my butt handed to me on a platter if I tried to defend myself with a Spydie.

I know it seems odd for me to ask such a thing on the Spyderco Forums but I trust the opinions and answers of you guys here more than other folks.

Thanks. :)

[markg]

When I was in school (actually still am!) I worked a few jobs. I carried Shrade, Case, Remington, and Buck slipjoints.

Frankly, they were all I needed.

I worked for a long time with a large Buck stockman. Some advantages of that knife, were the fact that I got to have more than one blade. I could use one blade (I seemed to favor the sheepsfoot) and the rest were always sharp.

Remember you father and grandfather build this nation with knives like this... :)

[vampyrewolf]

The big reason I carry spydies is convenience. Having a knife available without putting something else down to free up both hands.

Most of my use is opening packages and food (cooking and consuming), most of which can be done quite well with my slipjoints and kitchen knives (yes, I've got a good collection of slipjoints, some dating back over 50 years). I've got a 3" lambsfoot slipjoint in my fatboy that sees quite a bit of use and the main blade of my vnox cybertool was used yesterday at lunch (roastbeef and oven roasted spuds).

If I was to dump my spydie folders and go to a single slipjoint I'd have to carry a small fixed blade for the same reason I carry spydie folders... convenience and having a hand free.

[cobrajoe]

Ya know, I should look into getting myself a slippie, I'm a younger guy, but my dad carried a schrade most of his life, and I guess it has been impressed upon me a bit.

I've been eyeballin that Case Butterbean for some time now... Though a Cheetah would be fun too :D

[gordonk]

In reality, I could probably handle most of my daily stuff with a SAK or my Dragonfly, if pressed:) Yes, occaisionally I tote a slippie or two - I have several Queens (red bone Canoe), stag handled stockman (I think it's a stockman), a few Cases kicking round plus a couple of Camillus ones. I went on a bit of binge for slippies last year - it was actually a nice change and a lot of fun finding them. Slippies have a culture all their own, I've found.

[yablanowitz]

Let me check my pockets...

Hmmm, Case Texas Jack, Schrade 8OT Stockman and a Zenith cigar pattern penknife (all in carbon steel) mixed in with the Spydies. I guess that means "yes, I do.":D

I've carried a two-blade jack knife more or less continuously since the mid-sixties, even though they ain't tacticool.

[Agent Starling]

I don't even know what a slipjoint is...an SAK??

Meantime, I don't really question my Spyder carry...I just like them, that's all...to each his own, though...whether I use a Spyder or not, knife collecting/using/carrying/whatever is my thing, and God give me the serenity to change the things I can, and God also knows that isn't anything close to my Spyder habit LOLLLLLL!!! :D

Agent Starling :cool:

[JBE]

Funny you should bring this up David...for some reason lately I've been finding myself considering getting an Alox Victorinox for EDC to compliment my Spyderco's.

[Shike]

Seems like my SAK Soldier gets most of the cutting action. My Sebenzas and Millies I carry as SD backup for my carry firearm or in case I need a bigger locking knife in an emergency. My smaller Spydies I bought just cause I liked them a lot, like the Dragonfly and the Kiwi and I do take them for a walk occasionally. I always liked 2 or 3 bladed slip joints for carving stuff and small game hunting. I find myself wishing for an old Hen and Rooster with the nice pearl handles:) but never look for one:o. Might have to change that soon.

[So-Lo]

I have been bite by that bug also. It started with a carbon peanut, then went into a carbon soddie with the peanut as back up. Now I have two custom Soddies on order, and looking to sell a few Sebbies, to fund more slippies.

All my spydies are stay'in! :cool: I just want a change. They look very nice, and cut great. Think your Caly3 is a slicer... Ha, get your self a CV case Soddie. Sure you will have to touch her up more often than our Super steels, but a few strokes on the UF stones and they are sharp again.

I tear up my pockets in under a month with Tack-ts, so I hear you loud and clear. David I can shoot you a stainless Soddie and a carbon peanut to try if you like? PM your addy and they will be on the way monday.

[Water Bug]

If you're getting old, so are the rest of us. :)

I've been carrying an Imperial Boys Scout pocket knife for many, many, MANY years. It has a blade, awl (and a nice one at that), standard can opener, standard slotted screwdriver, and a Philips head screwdriver, along with a well-worn, metal Boys Scout emblem on the scales.

It is typically THE first knife drawn when any cutting is needed, even if I'm EDCing my :spyder:s, Leatherman tools, and Buck 110. The scales, unfortunately, are crumbling after years of pocket time and no one seems to be able to replace them... but I can't retire the knife. Several years back, I tried replacing it with Victorinox and Wenger SAKs, but always ended up ditching the SAKs in favor of the Imperial.

Today, that Imperial Boy Scout pocket knife with its crumbling scales continues to be my typical "go to" knife, and I have a Victorinox Explorer, in partnership with it, riding in my brief case.

So, you're not old, Dave... you're simply traditional. :) Nothing wrong with that.

[i.v]

I also have a Victorinox Pioneer (same as the Soldier but with a key ring) that never leaves my side.

It makes a lot of sense to carry these I think, but aside from that, you don't owe anyone any explanation. Just carry what you like :)

And by the way, if you don't use big knives like you wanted and if G-10 is eating up your pockets, there are some great Spyderco alternatives. Try some things smaller and thinner in SS and FRN:
Drafonfly
Cricket
Centofante
Spin
All light, thin, great cutters and won't tear up your pocket (double meaning here :D )

[The Deacon]

Well David,

I've been carrying a pocket knife for about 55 years. Make, model, and style has changed over the years but, with the execption of the first "decent" one I ever carried, they've all been single bladed. First of those was a Case XX Whaler - sheepsfooot blade, front bolsters, wood scales. Don't have that anymore, but IIRC the blade was about 2.75" or so. After that came a Buck Squire - bolsters, wood scales, 2.75" blade. Carried that until I discovered Spyderco. Since then most of the Spydercos I've carried more than occasionally have either been of bolster and scales construction or have been customized to at least have wood scales. So, to my mind at least, I'm carrying what I consider to be a "traditional" folder, even when I have a Schempp Persian in my pocket.

I don't think of my knives as weapons, for much the same reason as you. Plus, I have the good fortune to live in an area where almost all violent crime falls into three categories, "bad guy on bad guy", "bad guy on drunk", or "love/friendship gone sour". Sometimes two or more of those overlap. :rolleyes: :D On the other hand I do use my knives for "food prep" while at work or on the go more than ever before. So, at least occasionally, I do find it convenient to have one with a 3"+ blade available.

[GMArthur]

I must be getting old too then David. I always have a Case slip joint in my back pocket. It doesn't matter if I'm carrying a Sypderco, Benchmade, Sebenza, etc. clipped to my front pocket I've found a nice stockman in my back pocket very comforting and practical in crowded non-knife people situations. I received this Case damascus stockman from the wife and kids last Christmas and it hasn't left my back pocket in almost a year.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee262/GMArthur/edc/knifentool_a.jpg

[Raqudu]

Hi, David,

I definitely have a soft spot for slip joints. Lately I tend to have a Victorinox Soldier in my pocket in addition to a :spyder: or two. It's light weight, has a couple of basic tools, and reminds me of my granddad's Camp King. Getting older or just nostalgic, it just feels comforting in my pocket.

This return to "traditional" knives has also caused me to discover the Rough Rider line of traditional folders. I bought a two-blade Barlow with jigged bone scales for the princely sum of $8.95. It rides in my bag as my pencil sharpener. Inexpensive ($9.00 - $15.00 for most), well-finished, and with a decent (440A) steel which they unashamedly mark on the blade. Chinese made, but definitely not junk. They are worth a look.

[Shike]

GMArthur:

Congrats! That is one beautiful knife.

[Jenner 515]

I carry a DKPK does that count as a traditional slipjoint?

Also in the EDC Rotation.

Case 3-blade Sowbelly,
SAK Soldier
J.A. Henckels 4-blade congress
S&M Wildcat Driller in ATS-34

[Bear Claw Chris Lappe]

No matter what larger folder I carry, I almost always have a Buck 301 Stockman along.

[white cloud]

unless flying i have a sak and tasman salt with me at all times. the saw, scissors and bottle opener are must haves. i reserve the tasman for serious cutting tasks. also the sak is more sheeple friendly.

[RLR]

Can't beat a stockman or trapper in your pocket. And in carbon steel, you can be old school all day long. And yes, I own too many slippies too.

[Manix Guy 2]

Around here slipjoints are very common among the older generation , tastes passed on from Dad's who favored one brand or another . I occasionally buy a Case , or Schatt &Morgan , mostly Muskrats . Bought a Devin Thomas steel early this year and picked up a 6 dot new in box about a month ago . Want to buy a Great eastern sometime . Tim Britton customs really give me goose bumps , love his work . Nice thread Dave . Regards MG2

[wescobts]

I don't even know what a slipjoint is...an SAK??

Meantime, I don't really question my Spyder carry...I just like them, that's all...to each his own, though...whether I use a Spyder or not, knife collecting/using/carrying/whatever is my thing, and God give me the serenity to change the things I can, and God also knows that isn't anything close to my Spyder habit LOLLLLLL!!! :D

Agent Starling :cool:
Me either ? I can only assume that it means that no locking mechanism. :o

[The Deacon]

Me either ? I can only assume that it means that no locking mechanism. :oMight be more accurate to say that the slipjoint is one type of non-locking folder, and the most common type in the US, UK and a few other countries. They can have either a single blade or multiple blades and use a piece of steel which seves as both a spring and backspacer to hold the blade in the closed and open positions, and often in the half open position as well.

"Traditional knives" is a much broader term. Depending on your ancestry, it could be either a folder or a fixed blade. As someone with Italian blood, I might very well consider something like this a "traditional folder". ;) :D

http://paulberetta.com/images/June/blade2008-auto.jpg

No, it's not mine, although I was sorely tempted. :o

[StuntDouble]

Lately I've been carrying at least one slippy with my Spydercos. It's a toss up between my Vic Tinker or Soldier, or my Case Trapper, which has a nice patina after several months of use. Like some of you guys, I find myself using the slippies for most of my cutting tasks, even though the Spyderco maybe be more convenient.

[Agent Starling]

Me either ? I can only assume that it means that no locking mechanism. :o

yeah, I haven't paid that close attention to locks and whatnot, there's a lot of confusing and not very descriptive lock nomenclature out there...me confused.

Agent Starling

[yablanowitz]

If you think lock nomenclature is confusing, wait until you start trying to figure out traditional pattern names. :D

[Left Hand Path]

If you think lock nomenclature is confusing, wait until you start trying to figure out traditional pattern names. :D
No kidding!

Interesting thread, David. I have been thinking about this same topic lately. I carry a SAK all the time, and there are a lot of good things about them (and other traditionals). Despite not having 'super steel', they cut extremely well due to the thin blade/grind. I usually don't need a lot of blade length either in my daily knife use.

I think the big advantage of Spyderco is the convenience of one-hand opening and the clip. Depending on what you are doing or wearing, a clip is a huge advantage for keeping track of the knife. For random daily tasks, I find it convenient to be able to draw a knife and open and close it one-handed. Not always a necessity, but convenient.

As far as pockets and G-10 - have you tried sanding the G-10 smooth under the clip? I think that makes all the difference in the world.

[fret]

Slipjoint=no locking mechanism,eg.: No lockback,linerlock,framelock,etc.(hint)=lock. No lock on a slipjoint. I have always caried a slipjoint along with my Spydies. Mostly Schrade or Buck or Case, something like that in slipjoints. And usually the three blade stockman models. But I like to use my Delica as it is quick to get to, one hand use to open and close and does not (hopefully) scare the people that are not familiar with knives in general. :) Thinking about carrying a slipjoint does not
mean you are old or getting old. It means you are opening your mind to more knives to buy!:eek:

[Muxx]

I often carry a small knife in addition to a larger folder. Sometimes it could be a Jester or Micro Dyad. Other times it could be a traditional slipjoint by Queen, Buck, Case, Shrade, or Camillus. There is something kinda neat about carrying and using these classics.

[cdf]

Are SAKs traditional slipjoints? The genera goes back to the ninteenth century. The knives are pretty rich in tradition. If so Im seldom without a traditional blade an use them about 99% of the time.

Chris

[drf]

I purchased a slip joint for the first time today. I own a few cases that were my grandfathers, but never carry them due to sentimental value. I saw a beautiful Schatt and Morgan at the knife store today and had to have it. I don't see it replacing my spydercos , but I certainly see a place for it on the lineup.

[GMArthur]

I would love to see a Spyderco Golden made traditional slipjoint. By traditional I am talking about a traditional pattern like a stockman or barlow. I would like to see a bit of an upgrade to the materials though. Although considered blasphemy to many slipjoint afis I think a S30V bladed stockman with that great grippy spydie G10 scales or perhaps polished titanium scales and screw through construction would be outstanding. Don't burn me at the stake for requesting the screws please. The only thing I dislike about my case knives are picking pocket lint out of them with a toothpick. Being able to unscrew them to give em a good cleaning would really increase the usefulness to me. Also with the screw construction customization would be through the roof.

I'm not really sure where you would locate the trademark round hole on a knife like that but I'm sure you could cut one out somewhere.

Does anybody out there know of a company making a knife like this anywhere? I can't be the only one waiting for a stockman revitalization.

[Pneumothorax]

I just dont carry traditionals anymore since I like not having to search my pockets for my knife and then use two hands to open it up. Having said that, I do a fair amount of whittling to make walking sticks for fun and there are some nice Case knives that would be better for that - always thinking of some new reason to buy something...

[Simple Man]

I always carry a slippie opposite the E4. In the past there have been a Buck, Case, or Queen small or large Stockman or a variety of SAK's. Currently, it is a Gunmetal Alox Cadet SAK.

[rainbow stalker]

We have a old hardware store in town that is a Case dealer. They don't seem to sell many of the Case knives, so there's always old stock availible if you ask. I recently picked up a Case Scout/ campers knife in the barnboard for $20.00. I seem to carry that with my EDC knife, which I seem to just pick out of the bue any more. I have been carrying my Benchmade 910 styker in D2 steel the past week or so. I'll probably carry My spyderco next week.

[GarageBoy]

NYC makes slipjoints a much better choice than a "tactical"
I've used my Case Stockman in my school lounge (engineering school) and the only comment I've gotten so far is "don't cut yourself"

I wanna see a micarta dyad slipjoint

[wescobts]

I have been thinking about this thread and after all the responses found myself getting a Alox Soldier SAK, love it's extra tools, especially the bottle opener, it will now save the scales of the Native when refreshments come around. :D

[JD Spydo]

If I were to ever go back to the more traditional, hardware store type folder I would probably lean towards the German folders like JA Henckels, Hen & Rooster or even Bulldog. The German high carbon steel really holds an edge with a lot of bite to it.

But to be right honest with everyone I highly doubt if I would step backwards from Spyderco.

Now I do have some Victorinox, Swiss Made blades I might be tempted to use as well. But someone would have to rob me of all my Spyders and Benchmades before I would consider it.