I was recently gifted a stag handled Case that has to be one of the worst examples of knife making I've ever seen. The fit and finish is terrible, the blades rub each other badly and the grind lines look like a kid has been scraping the knife blade on a concrete block. I can't send it back because it is engraved for my recent retirement. It's a shame really, of course I'm grateful for the sentiment but I wish I could look at the knife and not see such a trainwreck.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I located an older Shrade (1984) that will get me by. Made a list of brands and models I like from what’s been discussed here. Giving it to my wife as a Christmas list for her or my adult children. A useful gift that won’t break the bank. Will save me the effort of expressing fake joy about ill fitting cloths, tools I don’t need or other random stuff.
For a production slip joint, Great Eastern Cutlery makes a nice knife.
Yes they do and would be my first choice. Probably followed by something from Buck as a second choice.
And that would also be my suggestion. I toured their factory and have several of their knives although I've lost or given away more.
GECs are the nicest factory made slip joints I've ever saw. I have a handful and they are all excellent.
The big issue with them at this point is beating the collectors to them when they come out. They only do a few runs of a couple different patterns a year. You might wait a couple years for a stockman to be made then you have to get on a early reserve list to get one. Or pay about double the price on the 2nd hand market.
Find an old Schrade. The carbon steel blade will be patenaed (not shiny). Razor sharpness easily.
You could do that but there are tens of thousands of brand new USA made Schrade knives and associated brands churning through the secondary market every year.
"Maybe we're all happy."
"Go to the sporting goods store. From the files, obtain form 4473. These will contain descriptions of weapons and lists of private ownership."
Saw one of these in my local gun shop recently. I’m not a “pocket knife guy” but I’m a sucker for sheephorn on a knife….I bought one.😊
Pretty nice knife for the money. Locks up tight, very sharp stainless blade at 58-60 RC, very nice looking genuine sheephorn scales, 6.6”(3”blade)….$25.99
I handle knives all day for my job and I wouldn't buy a case unless you can personally inspect it first. They're still good looking but the blades wobble and the handles have gaps and it can be disappointing.
The good ones are still good. Just more rare.
Buck is ok. Benchmade and Spyderco are excellent. Muela is very good.
Experience has taught me to stick with a lock-blade, which is what I have carried for many decades. Benchmade is very hard to beat.
I've only owned a couple of Benchmade knives but never felt one fit my hand very well. I have since given them all away, the soldier who received my AFO was very happy with it but then grunts aren't all that hard to please.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein
Experience has taught me to stick with a lock-blade, which is what I have carried for many decades. Benchmade is very hard to beat.
I've only owned a couple of Benchmade knives but never felt one fit my hand very well. I have since given them all away, the soldier who received my AFO was very happy with it but then grunts aren't all that hard to please.
Check out the Hogue knives.
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
Carried a pocket knife forever. Recently lost one Ive had for years. Looking for a decent quality replacement. I like the three blade medium stockman style with rounded ends (3 1/4”- 3 1/2” closed). Like blades that aren’t difficult to sharpen and hold an edge fairly well. Used to stick with Uncle Henry but haven’t tried a Taylor (China) one. Anyone likeminded have suggestions or experience they care to share?
For traditional factory slipjoint style as suggested by your original post:
For USA made GEC is the ticket as discussed above. Check out "Tidioute Cutlery", they are GEC made. Great bargain for a quality knife.
That said, LionSteel knives in Italy is making probably the baddest ass classic folders in M390 for a super price...just awesome...
Also, if looking for something a little different:
Pena X series Trapper - the best take on a modern slippie out there!
And, my favorite slip joint of all time: Manly Wasp S90V...simple spectacular!
You can no more tell someone how to do something you've never done, than you can come back from somewhere you've never been...
Those Pena X series knives are great knives. Not inexpensive, but really nice. That Manly is a heck of a lot of knife for the money. Along the same lines is the Civivi Elementum series.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.