I recently posted an article outlining 4 things a modern knife enthusiast should know before purchasing their first slipjoint, but that begs the question ‘Why choose a slipjoint in the first place?’. I think this question probably deserves its own full article, and in a way this recent article on Fountain Pens and Traditional Knives goes into depth on one reason. That said, here I want to give you two other good reasons why it’s worth owning, carrying, and using a slip joint knife.
The sad fact is that some places have laws against locking knives. Several nations in Europe and even some localities in the United States ban locking knives. Slipjoints are both legal to carry and seen as less threatening in many places.
Walk & Talk
There’s nothing quite like the “walk and talk” of a good slipjoint. Walk and talk is the sound and feel of the knife opening and closing. Of course, modern knives have their own sounds and action, but there’s something particularly satisfying about the experience of opening and closing a good old fashioned back spring slipjoint.
Why Do YOU Choose to Carry a Slipjoint?
Reach out below to let me know!
Every Day Kara’s Basik Bolt Action Machined EDC Pen Review Video
Great Eastern Cutlery Hunter & Filet Knife Set Video
So you’ve decided to try out a slipjoint knife, but don’t know what to expect. Maybe you’re familiar with modern, one hand opening and locking, knives but want to give a classic pocket knife from Case, Great Eastern Cutlery, or Cooper Cutlery a try. In this article I’ll cover 4 things you should know before you get your first (or next!) slipjoint.
What is a Slipjoint?
First off, what is a slipjoint? A slipjoint is a non locking folding knife. From there, things can vary. There are modern slipjoints, which often have screw construction or even can be opened with one hand, but a traditional slipjoint typically has no pocket clip, is opened with two hands, and is constructed with pins. Slipjoints have enjoyed a resurgence as of late in the knife industry. Why (in my opinion)? Firstly, they are often legal in places that locking knives are not and generally less intimidating to “non knife people”. Secondly, they have a great tactile feel and sound when opening and closing that is just satisfying. Finally, they harbor a historical and authentic feel harkens back to fond memories (real or imagined) like grandpa peeling an apple. Just a note, owner of GEC Bill Howard told me that the correct term for what they make is simply a “pocket knife” and that “slipjoint” is itself a modern term. Whatever you call them and whatever has caused the regrowth of interest in slipjoints, they’re a great addition for any knife enthusiast.
1: Simple Steels Abound
Many traditional slipjoints tend to have simple steels. While modern knives, and also many modern slipjoints, often boast matching modern super steels, traditional slipjoints often have carbon steel blades. You’ll want to wipe your carbon steel blades after use and before closing, in order to lessen the incidence of oxidation. Likewise, it’s good to apply a layer of oil before storing the knife for any amount of time, or even just at the end of the day each time you carry a carbon steel bladed knife. Carbon steel blades require more care than stainless steel, but they also develop a patina which can both be protective against harmful rust and many find to be aesthetically pleasing.
Two similar knives with 1095 steel, one (bottom) with years of patina and polishing and the other (top) unused
2: Pivot Maintenance Matters
Slipjoints rarely have ball bearing pivots, like many modern knives, and most production slipjoints don’t even have washers. For this reason, you’ll want to keep the pivot clear of debris and well oiled. You should check the pivot periodically and clean out any pocket lint or other dirt; I often use a Q-Tip or toothpick. Oiling the pivot will keep it working smoothly and without excess wear; I use simple mineral oil, but any knife oil should work. “Oil the Joints”, as Charlie Campagna’s Waynorth brand knives suggest on their tangs, and your slipjoint should keep its walk and talk for a lifetime.
A modern slipjoint with washers still benefits from regular oiling
3: Natural Material Expectations
Many slipjoints have natural materials for their covers, or handle scales, such as wood, bone, and antler. These materials are not as stable as modern synthetic composites, such as G10 or Micarta, and therefore can sometimes shrink, swell, or even crack. While these are still issues and should be addressed, they’re just a possibility that comes with natural materials. Reputable companies like Great Eastern Cutlery, Case, Cooper Cutlery, Jack Wolf Knives, and RoseCraft Blades understand this and stand behind their products, from my own personal experience working with them. If you have an issue with a natural cover material, send the company an email and let them know you heard from Knife Thoughts that they’ll take good care of you. While issues can be more common, natural materials provide a warmth, uniqueness, and charm that just can’t be had with synthetic materials.
Three common natural materials found on slipjoint knives (left to right): bone, antler, wood
4: Disassembly Discouragement
One major difference between slipjoints and modern knives is that disassembling slipjoints is generally heavily discouraged. This tends to be true both with pinned (ie traditionally built) knives and even with screw construction slipjoints, like Jack Wolf Knives. Disassembly is a common enjoyment for modern knife enthusiasts (though I personally avoid it) but, due to the way that most slipjoints work using a backspring to hold the blade open and closed, it is usually quite difficult to reassemble them. This is even more true on pinned slipjoints, where disassembly has an actual destructive element. So the best thing to do to keep your slipjoint in good working order is to keep it clean, oiled, and sharp and use it only for cutting (no prying or lateral pressure on the blade).
A traditional construction (top, Old Hickory Folder) and modern construction (American Blade Works Slipjoint) slipjoint, neither of which would I disassemble
Embrace the Slipjoint Experience
Now that you’ve taken in these four points, you’re more than prepared for your first slipjoint! Take the time to appreciate the craftsmanship, the walk and talk, and the history that went into its design. Use it with care and intention and it will bring you a lifetime of enjoyment.
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I recently got a Leatherman ARC, and have found it to be even more useful than I expected. The ARC is certainly geared at least somewhat toward enthusiasts, with its fancy Magnacut blade steel. However, it also seems suited to serious work like might be done in the trades: it has all one hand opening and locking tools, a wide toolset including a saw and file, and solid pliers with wire cutters. However, I’ve found it to be most useful in my role as a father.
It really struck home to me that having a multitool on my person is useful as a dad the other day. My elder son absolutely NEEDED to have a toy fixed right away while I was feeding my younger son, and the one hand opening came in clutch. I also have used the scissors to cleanly cut lots of Pedialyte Popsicles open when my son was sick. The inclusion of both a large and a small phillips/flathead bit has come in handy when my son’s various trains and other toys have run out of batteries. There have been lots of other uses for my ARC related to parenting, but suffice it to say it’s a great tool to have at hand.
I plan to do a thorough review of the ARC once I’ve put it to a good stretch of use and get my thoughts together on it, so make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube at this link!
Olight Oknife Otacle EDC Utility Knife Review Video
One of the classic ways to carry your EDC tools is on your keychain. It makes sense, since you likely carry your keys with you all (or most) of the time anyway. There’s a whole world of keychain sized tools out there; everything from flashlights, to pens, pry bars, and of course knives.
I have carried a full keychain EDC before, but don’t currently. I find that it becomes cumbersome quickly, and isn’t such a great look to have a big tangle of metal clinking and swinging around. Still, I do keep a few things other than keys on my keychain:
Barlow Bearcat Club Copper Coin
Rough Ryder Cross Slipjoint (bone scales removed)
Apple AirTag
I used a simple dangler hook for years, but recently have been using a Nite Ize G-Series clip.
That said, I do have two keychain kits setup currently. One I keep on my backpack (… sometimes) and the other I keep next to my door at home. Do I use them much? No, but it’s fun to put together intentional setups and can be useful to have them around.
Left (black) setup:
Olight iMini 2
Mini Sharpie
Spyderco Manbug Leaf
Nextool Mini Sailor Lite
Right (silver, USA made) setup:
Christy Companion
Maratac Widgy Pry Bar
TEC Accessories PicoPen
MagLite Solitaire LED
ASP Palm Defender
Do you carry a knife or any other EDC tools on your keychain?
Sharpening System in Your Pocket; DMT Credit Card Diamond Stones
This past week one of my Jiu Jitsu training partners asked me to sharpen their knife, but in the bustle of getting ready for the day I forgot to put my knife maintenance kit in my bag. Thankfully, I keep a Coarse-Medium-Fine trio of DMT Credit Card Diamond Sharpeners in a tool pouch in my car. With just those three unobtrusive tools I was able to get his knife respectably sharp in just a few minutes.
I have been using DMT’s Credit Card stones for years, and think they’re some of the most convenient and useful sharpening tools available. They are literally the same dimensions as a credit card, maybe a bit thicker than plastic cards but similar to metal cards, and can actually fit in a wallet. They can be held securely with one hand as you hold the knife with the other – no table needed. Like any bonded sharpening tool they will wear out, the grit is just applied to a metal card rather than throughout like on a traditional stone, but I’ve found them to last remarkably well. Whether on the road, in the outdoors, or just at work you can keep them close by anytime.
Of course, any unguided sharpening stone requires that you learn how to sharpen freehand. While it takes more care and work than a guided angle sharpener or pull through sharpener, I think freehand sharpening makes up for it mainly in the satisfaction it brings. Freehand sharpening can be meditative, bringing you into the process in a fulfilling way. It’s similar to what I described about Fountain Pens and Traditional Knives in this article:
Anyway, these DMT Credit Card stones have served me well and I recommend them if you want a convenient portable freehand sharpening system. If you’d like to get some for yourself, you can find them at the link below (I am not sponsored by DMT and have purchased all the stones I use. The link is an Amazon Affiliate link).
