Story by Joshua Swanagon, Photos by Jim Cooper (SharpByCoop Photography)
Although there are many iconic classic designs that have evolved throughout history or defined entire cultures, I believe that there are none that have the power to take us back to our childhood quite like a good slipjoint.
Like a good song or a pleasing smell, the sight of a good slipjoint resurrects memories of dad or grandpa, sitting on the porch slicing off a piece of apple or whittling away, while quietly pondering the events of the day.
For many, a small slipjoint – like a Case or Old Timer – was our first knife. We may not have completely understood all we needed to know about knife safety yet, but the significance of owning a good knife was not lost on us. It was a coming of age. A time when our parents affirmed that we were finally responsible enough to cut our own apple or sit on the porch on a beautiful summer day and whittle our own cares away – even when we weren’t.
As with any knife that takes us back to our youth, it is always a pleasure to enjoy the exquisite detail that goes into a fine custom blade. These custom slipjoints are a perfect example of the amazing possibilities when skilled artisans put their hands to task. Our fathers would be proud to carry any one of these, as would their fathers and their fathers before them.
Stay sharp and keep it real. K&G
Model: Dress Slipjoint FolderBlade Material: CPM-154Blade Length: 3.5 inchesOverall Length: 7.5 inchesHandle Material: Pearl with Abalone HoundstoothFrame Material: 416 Stainless SteelBolster: 416 Stainless Steel InterframeNotes: Scrimshaw – Alice CarterFacebook: @Burt-Flanagan-custom-knives-1525510327724310Instagram: @BurtFlanagan
Model: 5 Blade SowbellyBlade Material: Tyre Feather DamascusBlade Length: MultipleOverall Length: 3.75 inchesHandle Material: Mammoth IvoryLiner Material: 410 Stainless SteelBolster: Chris Marks Wasp Nest DamascusFacebook: @SwensonKnivesInstagram: @SwensonKnives
Model: Dress Slipjoint FolderBlade Material: Feather DamascusBlade Length: 3.25 inchesOverall Length: 7.75 inchesHandle Material: Mammoth IvoryBolster: 416 Stainless Steel Integral liner/bolsterNotes: Scrimshaw – Alice CarterWebsite: www.SBuzekKnives.comFacebook: @Stanley.BuzekInstagram: @SBuzekKnives
Model: Medium Double Blade TrapperBlade Material: CPM-154Blade Length: 3 inchesOverall Length: 7 inchesHandle Material: Mammoth IvoryFrame Material: 410 Stainless SteelBolster: 416 Stainless Steel InterframeWebsite: www.SchorschKnives.comInstagram: @Schorsch_Knives
Model: Double TrapperBlade Material: River of Fire DamascusBlade Length: 4 inchesOverall Length: 9.5 inchesHandle Material: Mammoth IvoryLiner Material: 410 Stainless SteelBolster: 416 Stainless Steel InterframeNotes: Scrimshaw – Alice Carter, 24k Gold and Copper FlowersFacebook: @CrouchCustomKnivesInstagram: @Bubba_Crouch_Custom_Knives
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Joshua Swanagon has studied survival in both urban and wilderness environments in Colorado and Michigan for most of his life, while also adding experience in harsher terrains abroad. He utilizes his experience and years of diverse martial arts and combatives training and real world application as a self-defense/combatives instructor, published freelance writer and Field Editor for various magazines in the fields of knives, survival, self-defense and tactical subject matters. Joshua also brings with him his years of experience as Editor of, and Subject Matter Expert for, Knives Illustrated Magazine.
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