The Traditional Slip-Joint for the Modern Knife Guy

[@guycalgary7800]

As i get older I've begun to really appreciate and love traditional knives, they just feel better in the hand to me. Horn or antler handles always catch my eye mixed with old school European craftsmanship. The cost keeps me to maybe one purchase a year or less , but that quality is what i want.

[@acid6urns]

i 100% agree. i have tons of spydercos (which i do still carry as my primary knives) but i’ve recently been obsessed with traditionals and have bought 6 in the last few weeks. i have another one otw right now lol

[@propblast82nd]

When I bought my very first Buck 110 it was a modern folder , not sure if classified as such nowadays ?

[@jeroenvoss6231]

For a moment i thought the number one would be the Toothpick, knowing how much you like them. The Sodbuster is indeed an excellent choice. Thank you Tobias.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I'm trying not to go with my personal bias with this but what I think would have the most appeal to the novice coming from modern folders.

[@Walkingman.45]

My vote goes to RRR (rough Ryder reserve ) over case, due to quality, and over most GEC because of price.

[@JoseGonzalez-yx6vm]

The sodbuster is a great choice, because one can grab the blade to open it, not a nail breaker. The large Barlow, with a medium strength pull a nice choice for a bigger blade, great video, Tobias.

[@occasionalnick1000]

This is a nice thing to think about. I have a Case Copperhead with a single Wharncliffe blade that I would probably recommend. I know you said you'd address Swiss Army Knives in a future video, but I'll throw in a thought for the Swiss Army 1. The knife has very good action and feels very secure when in use. And I love the irony of a SAK with one blade. Thanks for the video.

[@bishop6426]

Hi Tobias: I think your choices are excellent. You just can’t go wrong with a Sodbuster. Since I have large hands, the standard one is perfect for me. I usually carry a modern folder as well as a traditional slipjoint. One could say I swing both ways. 👀🤔

[@SirKaldar]

When I first tried slipjoints (not including SAKs), I bought a Schrade barehead Trapper. I didn't like it much, it was long and the blades were thin, it had a weak pull, there was blade rub, and one cover was lifting near the bolster. I squeezed it in a vice and re-peened the pins to tighten the cover, which worked but I still didn't like it much. Some years later I bought a Hen and Rooster Trapper in red jigged bone. The quality was much nicer, but I still didn't like it because of how long and thin it was. It just didn't feel very sturdy. I didn't think any more about slipjoints for ages after that until about two years when I went antiquing while returning home form a long camping trip. I found an I*XL Barlow with brown saw cut covers (still unsure if they are bone or some kind of plastic). It was in pretty rough shape but I liked it a lot. First thing when I got home I tried to find out as much about it as possible, and buy a new one that I could carry every day. Flash forward to today and I've been EDCing a Rough Ryder Blue Denim Barlow in T10 steel pretty much ever since. It's building up a very messy and ugly patina very slowly, but I like it nonetheless and I suspect that eventually it will look good as more layers of patina build up. I own about a dozen Barlows and about a dozen various other patterns that I've bought to try. I've liked most that I've tried, although I've preferred the Barlow to all of them so far, and I still don't really like the Trapper. I agree with you about the blade shape on the English Barlows, I have an A Wright & Sons one like yours from the video but in Ekki Wood. I'd probably EDC that one if I wasn't living in QLD, Australia so everything in my pockets gets soaked in sweat all summer long. Besides, I've grown attached to the Rough Ryder and I feel less bad about periodically scratching red rust off of it and hosing it in Food Grade Inox than I would with the A Wright.

[@gideonsstuff]

Great video! Very excited to see where this series goes👍

[@kellypeters5756]

I usually recommend the case slimline trapper...slim, light, and doesn't take up much room in the pocket.

[@rc4life315]

About a year ago I made the switch from modern style and I took to the Barlow I guess because I got one as my first knife when I was 10 . I bought 20 Barlow in a month I got other styles of traditional knives to when I take one to work it steals the show even modern guy love them

[@nealjohnson3970]

I've had great luck with Rough Rider. Ever knife is well finished with a very pleasant half-stop.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Hard to argue with Rough Riders! Thanks for watching!

[@deniskozlowski9370]

I agree about the Sodbuster and Barlow but I was shocked you didn't include the toothpick. The Case slimline trapper would also work.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

My love is for the toothpick but I’m not sure a person just entering into the world of truly classic traditional slip joints would find it the easiest to transition to.

[@trynsurviven2440]

The Sod Buster was my first choice when you mentioned a single blade knife.

[@decal1751]

My work knife the last several years has been a yellow case sodbuster jr always in my pocket 😂😂😊

[@slick_slicers]

Great video! As you know, I’m a big fan of traditional knives. The two patterns that jumped out at me as good starters were the Barlow and the sodbuster. I have a couple of Shrade sodbusters that cost £7 and £9 respectively, and several Roughriders, including a couple of liner locks and the back lock that were each under £20. In a moment of weakness and ridiculous indulgence, I did buy a GEC sodbuster, but to be fair, it was the annual knife of the British slip joint collectors group on Facebook. I’m not start talking about Barlows as I have more than a few! Suffice to say, they really are my favourite Patton. I do like the granddaddy Barlows, but most of mine are the standard size. Incidentally, When , Kershaw Culpepper Barlow came out, I christened it grandmother Barlow. I was referencing long clocks of old.

[@paddyspotatopeelers2154]

Great topic Tobias 👍☘️

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks Paddy.

[@ThriftyKaniffy]

Nice topic, Tobias. I think this is a good concept for a video and think you should do more in this series. You can't turn enough people on to traditionals. Take care.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I have a few more coming up. I'm glad you like the concept.

[@TimsSchoolOfFish]

Great options! Good stuff as always, Tobias👊🏻

[@bdh3949]

Can't agree more about the sodbuster both Jr and large sizes by various makers. Also for transitional pieces, ie. knives like perhaps a lockback, the entire Rough Rider Classic Carbon yellow synthetic series is an excellent choice for modern knife folks to try somewhat larger sized traditionals (with and without locks). To me they are a good feel, decent quality, excellent value great cutting ability, and quite a few traditional patterns to try.

[@RandysWSG]

Some excellent point. I always recomened a stockman myself

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I’ll be talking multi- bladed knives in an upcoming video. You know the stockman will be among them.

[@bluecow2655]

" one of the things I hear most for the folks in the modern folding world is why do you need so many blades on a single knife" . I've been carrying the same slip-joint for 50 years, Schrade Walden pruner, and have often wondered the same thing. 😉

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

There's a reason why I lean toward the Large toothpick or a Swiss Army Knife. I really only need one cutting blade. If the knife is going to have other "blades" make them some type of other utility blade. I get the need for some people who us s certain types of blade because they perform well for specific chores. But most of us just need a general use blade and we make use with one blade for a variety of chores. For instance, a large toothpick is not the ideal blade for cutting carpet. But if I need to cut carpet with it, I can do it. 99% of the time, I'm using the toothpick to cut slice food or other mundane daily chores. If I was doing a lot of pruning, carpet cutting, scoring drywall, etc. on a daily basis, I'd more likely carry a pruning knife and, while it isn't ideal for cutting meat, I'd make it work. But if I need a screwdriver, or a can opener, or want trim my nails or cut through a two inch tree branch, etc. I'd prefer the tool options I find on Swiss Army knife to either my toothpick or a pruning knife. At some point, it comes down to the right tool for the right job. But for most of us, 99% of daily cutting needs can normally be done with one blade and we normally gravitate towards a blade style that that fits are most common needs best.

[@CountDoucheula]

If I'm carrying a traditional I'm pretty much always carrying a trapper (amongst other things). I never use the spey blade, so I chopped it down into a 1.5" wharncliffe & reprofiled the bevel because I do a lot of whittling. Some of the Rough Rider trappers have a secondary straight pull as well as a nail nick, so opening the blade is not a problem.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I’ll be covering the Trapper and other multi bladed knives in a future video. ( and no, it’s not going to be a cheap shot about the pattern. )

[@skcamerican]

I like your sodbuster recommendation! You can get various sizes, with or without locks, all kinds of covers. I’d also advise visiting a knife shop or a friend with some traditionals, to get a feel for them. I didn’t have those options, so bought a bunch different patterns online before I found my favorites. Yeah, you pick them out with your eye, but your hand has to approve. And sometimes you find knives that didn’t seem appealing turn out to be knives you love. My buddy wanted to get into knives, and came over and tried a bunch and picked out a few to borrow for a while. Then she got into fixed blades, and now when we visit we bring the latest purchases to share and brag on. Lots fun.

[@anthonyrollins9825]

I was and always will be a knife guy , traditional , modern , locking or slipjoint I appreciate and love anything that can cut me ....... have my share of medrn folders and I have begun to notice I like the weird outrageous stuff Midgagrd-Messer carbine and Valhalla have been on my radar ....just man they be expensive.

[@wegomoe]

My first knives were all traditional slip joints. Didn't really start looking at modern folders until Kershaw really got rolling on them. Great video Tobias. Please keep 'em coming.

[@beaurex4756]

Brother knives make very nice affordable slipjoints. Great video as always.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

True. But these are normally considered modern slip-joints because of the construction methods ( washers, occasional torque screws instead of pins, etc.). I have a couple Brother knives. Really sweet knives.

[@JustineWiniker]

The peanut is a good start! 🥜

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Good little knife with a stout clip blade! The peanut really can deliver beyond it's size

[@MrPsiman]

Red Hill Cutlery has the custom Halloween SAK's with the black cat on them for 2023 and the new 2023 Alox Cadet Winter Magic is in also and no tax and free shipping on $100 orders. Cellidor Companions for different cities came out today also with custom scales for each city. I got 2 Cadet's. the Case bourbon barrel small congress is very nice that they had custom made for them but more than what I would spend on one. Red Hill Cutlery may be my favorite knife store because they do a lot of unique slip joint knives like the Bear & Sons Barlow in white bone for the Army with the Army Star on the bolster and it's only $29.99

[@Zen_Ali_123]

Nailed it

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks

[@rustleshackleford1553]

Get a Case or an Old timer, always a good place to start.

[@thomaschainey533]

Great video, thanks. 2 knives I EDC minimum. One modern folder with lock & SAK. But I have some old-school slip joint knives I add & I use for whittling and EDC off and on for fun. One is a single blade boy's knife with a chain that has 1095 carb steel spear point blade similar to an SAK. Made by Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC). GEC 3 bladed whittling knife that has 1 small and 2 mini warncliff blades. Also, 1095 carbon steel GEC Stockman and Congress knives that I think are awesome.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

SAKs seem the most common secondary knife among the Modern folder crowd.

[@richardmcginnis5344]

i know it may sound like i'm repeating myself but liner lock and frame lock knives with pocket clips may just be for people who can't handle a traditional knife without it folding closed on their finger or hand, the idea of what is good now a days is a pocket clip a bottle opener somewhere on the thing for a beer and a liner lock the bottle opener should have been a thought years ago, when people did drink all the time and there was a bar on every corner and 3 along the block, 20 years ago i could walk to the package store or liquor store, now its a 10 minute trip in the car and i can't tell you how far the closest bar is cause i quit drinking 22 years ago and don't miss it at all. what i'm trying to say is new isn't always better and most of the time today its worse

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

It is funny in this day when just about everything is pull tabs and twist caps we still want a bottle opener and/or can opener. It is kind of interesting that the "corner bar" is almost a a thing of the past. We definitely don't socialize like we used to.

[@frankmorris4790]

Im a large stockman guy. Locks are like safety's on guns. They work, most of the time... If the wok over powers the hinge, locked of not, then you need a rigid one piece knife I use the Schade PRO HUNTER

[@andrewnawarycz3026]

So the large stockman would be a pump action shotgun then?

[@frankmorris4790]

No Andy a large Stockman is a three bladed slip joint knife. Now the question for me is, are you making a joke or are you really that dull?@@andrewnawarycz3026

[@elliotdryden7560]

I like the S35VN Slip Ryder Elephant Nail Toe Jack Cotton Cattle Buster Bow Canoe Belly Sampler in Stuart of Bute HuntingTartan Micarta. But I tend to under-play my preferences. JK, Tobias. I started out on "Modern Folders" a few years ago with a CJRB Talla and now have more Slip-Joints than anything. 🤪

[@singingtoad]

Thanks for this awesome showcase of modern slipjoints, my personal favorite at the moment is my Sodbuster Jr in carbon steel. 👍Take care and Cheers!

[@viking7560]

Can’t go wrong with a Barlow or Sod buster. A couple others I suggest are single blade slimline trappers or copperheads, not as a better choice but as considerations. The slim profile for both work well with dress or business casual pants and offer a lot of utility.

[@jeffjackson5331]

Good video bud. Wall Drug was a wild place to see back in '83.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks. I've only been at Wall Drug once. I really want to go back. I'm truly addicted to tourist traps!

[@jeffjackson5331]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias you are very welcome! Yeah same here. I bet it has changed alot in the past 40 years. You have a wonderful week bud.

[@joe_a_photo]

Fun vides. I really enjoyed it. Thanks

[@traviswagner3656]

I agree with sod buster with close second Kershaw Culpeper because of upgrade to d2 steel. Most modern folder guys are used to better edge retention than traditional pocket knives 440 or carbon steel

[@acid6urns]

hey, for a modern folder that spyderco is an awesome choice. never regretted buying any of mine, especially my native 5 in magnacut and my xhp wharncliffe pm2

[@hleeky]

i went after the zombie nick knives bc they were fun... and the chocktaws, and the RR bolster locks. One of the qualities I really appreciated was that they could be whimsical and fun.

[@SigogglinJack]

I thought for sure you were going to recommend a toothpick. 😊

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Definitely my favorite but I’m not sure it’s the one that would sell traditional knives to the modern folder crowd.

[@rustleshackleford1553]

Whe i think Barlow, I'm thinking either spear or drop point.

[@bruce5648]

I carry the case large Stockman

[@GenWivern2]

From what I've seen of modern folders there seems to have been a process of convergent evolution going on, and now pretty much all of them are optimised for cutting cardboard. So, for someone coming over from that world in search of enlightenment, best give them something with a wide blade and a flat grind to start with. The sodbuster is clearly the front runner and rightly so, but perhaps you could make an argument for the rope knife or a big sheepsfoot, given the popularity of knives like the QSP Penguin. For me, a little blade for carving silly faces into acorns is a priority, so I don't go much on single bladed patterns. 🙂

[@ataleph1]

I made the switch but through the lockbacks and opinels. Barlows directly is too harsh 😂

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

My next video on this topic might be right up your alley.

[@thomasmcdonald4425]

I just purchased my first slip joint, a RoseCraft French Broad Jack, and I love it. Many channels I watch have featured Jack Wolf knives, and while I find them impressive, they are too rich for my blood. The half stop/walk n talk impressed me, and this RoseCraft gives me a similar experience I believe, and it’s great. I’m looking at either the RR Apta or the Brothers VG10 options next, however the list of interest of course always grows exponentially 😅.I don’t have finger nails so I need something I can pinch. I’m concerned about the sodbuster not having a half stop for safety, but might not be too big of a deal. I’m also partial to wharncliff blade which the French Jack has, but variety is good too, spear point would be my second choice, but a clip point is cool too, oh heck, I like ‘‘em all 😅. It’s a sickness as I’m sure you know. Love what I’ve seen of your collection by the way, especially the RR special series collections.

[@StrogKILR]

I have the RR Apta with the wharncliffe blade, and I really like it.

[@hdrider2071]

I own 2 brothers with vg 10 and both are excellent.

[@traditionallarry5378]

Hey Tobias I’m #1 today

[@EdwinDekker71]

Excellent suggestions. The RR wharncliffe work knife has been my edc for a while, does a great job. I'm not a fan of modern folders, my most up2date one is a sog flash 2 :)

[@mattis_taschenmesser1208]

If someone switches from modern folding knives to traditional ones, they will be very surprised that a $30 Case Sodbuster cuts through the same material as a $600 CR Sebenza. He will ask himself why not like this. :) Good thoughts on an interesting topic. As always on your channel.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

😂 Ain’t that the truth!

[@MoonChild0678]

Good informative video... this a video im looking for because im that guy coming from modern to recently got interested in a traditional slipjoint. I know someone who has there grandfather's old case canoe knife which ive handled a half dozen times and feels comfortable in the hand and i also like the blade shapes, but i cant seem to decide if i want to get somthing like that or a sak. Sak has many tool options which i like, and they to are comfortable in the hand. I have not handled any other slipjoints except a trapper and sak but that case canoe i have handled more so then once and im thinking go with what ive handled.? Thanks for the review.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

This is also good advice. Go with what you know or what you have handled and like.

[@davidkurle5418]

Awesome suggestions! The sod buster jr. would definitely be my number one pick, the blade shape is just so versatile. I would also suggest any of the RRR or Rosecraft knives. Even though they are very traditional patterns, to me some of their blade shapes have a more modern look and finish to them, which may be a nice gateway for the modern knife guy looking to get into slipjoints. Great video, buddy!

[@jimmyj4811]

Good video. You did not mention the Coke Bottle.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I thought about the large Coke Bottles and I agree that are an excellent choice. But they are not as readily available as a Daddy Barlow which is very similar.

[@checkmatekingtwothisiswhit7685]

Slimline Trapper?

[@tecnotrog1]

R/R barlow knife 🦉

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Good choice

[@RyanHamley-cl6en]

Buck 250

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I like the 250. It looks pretty cool. I think it sort of sits on the fence between the modern slipjoints and the truly traditional slip joints. I t would make a good transitional piece.

[@rockets4kids]

Modern slip joints make no sense to me except for the people who need a non-locking knife for legal reasons.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I think knife laws are the exact reason you see many of the modern slip joints. Heck, Spyderco comes right out and says it for the UKPK, and the Chicago. While I’m not big on the modern slip joints I’m glad to see the knife industry evolving to stay relevant.