Spycraft Knives’ wharncliffe gives you an undercover edge.
Spycraft Knives is a new player in the game and offers some cloak-and-dagger in its design. As the company’s name suggests, its SK-4 Sentinel is designed with input from ex-SpecOps personnel and is designed for carry on your person or gear.
It’s a ringed knife with a handle shape that feels good in the hand and feels heavy in the hand. Its wharncliffe-shaped blade is a great all-around style, and the angled false edge slims the tip a little. It’s definitely a stout knife, but above all, it must cut. So, let’s run it through the basics.
Light-Duty Testing
Cardboard did curl, but the author didn’t chalk that up to issues with the knife’s hollow grind. Instead, it was more a factor of the knife’s thickness binding on cuts through the stiffer material.
Up first I tested the edge out of the box with paper slices. The SK-4 sliced fairly quickly with its factory edge and produced a clean cut on all but one attempt. I had a tear, but I put that on operator error as I caught the sharpening notch. Overall, the edge seems to have a medium grit finish designed for heavier work.
I moved on to single-walled cardboard with the Sentinel producing nice, clean cuts with plenty of curling. This was thanks to the knife’s hollow grind in its thick blade steel. It’s possible to get a bit of binding in certain materials with the blade, but it’s possible to push through it. Here, the edge was aggressive, and I had to make sure to keep my fingers clear and had a few close calls with shaving skin.
Through leather, the Sentinel was particularly aggressive, the author reports. Both cutting and skiving the hide were audible. Skiving was especially impressive, with the knife producing thin, uniform slices.
On to 8-ounce leather, the SK-4 was really aggressive. Slicing, I got a crunching sound with every cut and found the thumb notch helped keep the cuts evenly spaced. When I switched to skiving, the knife was still talking to me with every cut. Honestly, I didn’t feel any resistance when I was attacking the leather.
Heavy-Duty Testing
The knife had some nice attributes when challenging tougher materials, such as this pine. The author was able to exert more force when creating curly cues thanks to a smartly placed thumb notch on the spine.
Pinewood was the SK-4’s next task and some whittling. I had to use a steeper angle because of the grind, but the knife produced very uniform curly cues for a fire stick. The contoured handles gave me plenty of control while making the longest cuts and thickest curly cues.
I batoned the SK-4 into seasoned Hackberry wood. The first hit buried the blade, then I banged on the tip till the wood split. I tried holding the knife by the ring to give my hand room once the tip was buried. It worked, but I felt a lot of shock in my hand. Once the larger chunk of Hackberry was split, the SK-4 quickly split the thinner pieces. I found no noticeable damage to the edge, though it had a few wood smears to oil out.
The SK-4 was up to the tasks of splitting seasoned hackberry, however, it did leave the author with a sore hand when he tried to hold on to the ring while batoning.
Time for my favorite medium, sisal rope. The SK-4 crunched its way to 146 cuts before the edge started to slide. Nicely done. What was especially nice was that I found no hot spots on my hand from the handle. Overall, the wharncliffe blade aggressively zipped through the rope.
Overall Take
The SK-4 is a lot of knife in a smaller package. It has good edge retention with a comfortable handle. I am not a big fan of ringed knives, and I would like thinner steel used to keep weight down.
Stuart Kerr just can’t help meddling in the affairs of dragons with his custom straight razors.
Priced out of the custom straight razor market, Stuart Kerr figured he’d make his own. A lucky plunge for anyone who appreciates quirky and unique takes on the ol’ cut throat.
The Australian Knifemakers Guild member’s Cu Mai Dragon is a grand example of his deft and distinctive style. Kerr crafted a 2.56-inch blade from Baker Forge & Tool Tsunami Chevron Copper San Mai and offset it with a FatCarbon Dark Matter Purple Marble carbon-fiber handle. Striking enough as it is, but memorable thanks to the dragon scale on the spine and tang.
However, the proprietor of Boxer Custom Razors is darkly playful in much of his work.
“The concept of the dragon motif evolved from a couple of non-folding razors I made years back that were based on human bones. I was asked to design a razor with a handle that looked like a human spine,” the Queensland, Australia, resident said. “This inspired me to push the artistic envelope further and eventually evolved into the Dragon Tail and Dragon Spine razors.”
Kerr got his start restoring vintage straights, and when he made the jump to crafting them in 2011—aside from know-how—he started somewhat from scratch.
“I had a background in metal fabrication prior to studying to be a mechanical engineer, so I had the tools required to make my first belt grinder out of some plywood and an old pump motor,” he said.
Stuart Kerr and Zeus the boxer.
Requiring an edge meant to split hairs, Kerr’s honing process on his razors is meticulous, to say the least. After the grinding is done, he works his way through whetstones with grits from 1,000 to 16,000. Then it’s a few laps on balsa loaded with chromium oxide.
“Final step is stropping on a kangaroo hide strop,” he said.
A very Australian finish, indeed.
Check Out More Cool Customs:
Cool Custom: Tony Lewis’ Tribute Knife To Steve Dunn
Cool Customs: Rocco Nawrocki’s Knife For Sergeant Bunker
Lightweight Innovation and Pocket-Friendly Precision.
The spring season brings a focused shift toward portability and pocket-ready performance, highlighting a diverse lineup of high-tech folders and streamlined carry options. This month’s selection focuses on the incredible versatility of the modern pocketknife, showcasing the work of veteran masters with nearly four decades of experience alongside award-winning new makers. Whether you are looking for an ultra-premium custom slipjoint to round out a collection or a hard-use MagnaCut automatic for daily carry, our April 2026 roundup proves that the industry’s drive for innovation remains as sharp as ever.
T.R. Overeynder M-30 Dagger
Knife Type: Folding Dagger Blade Length: 3.625” Blade Material: PFS-27 Blade Grind: Flat Blade Finish: Hand-Rubbed Satin Handle: Edwards Black Jade Frame Material: 416 Stainless Overall Length: 8.255” Knife To Know: Engraving By Richard Quecke Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $6,525 overeynderknives.com (SharpByCoop Image)
Vincenzo Fiore Florence Folder
Blade Length: 4” Blade Material: Damasteel Damascus Blade Style: Stilo Blade Finish: Mirror Handle: Integral RWL-34 Overall Length: 9.5” Knife To Know: Custom 17-4 ph Axial Button Lock, SS Micro Ball Bearing System With A Single Race Housing And SSL Washers Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $8,500 fioreknives.com (SharpByCoop Image)
Javi Garcia Phantom Sultan
Knife Type: Lockback Blade Length: 2.75” Blade Material: AEB-L Handle: Elephant ivory, MOP shield Liner: G10 Overall Length: 7” Knife To Know: Knife Features 24k Gold Inlay Screws Maker’s Price For A Similar Knife: $4,000 (Jocelyn Fraiser image)
These slip joint knives overcome the mechanical challenges of the style to qualify as works of art.
The slip joint is the most recognized of any folding knife design. Variations on the theme continue to guide the custom knifemaker and the consumer through a journey of creativity and craftsmanship that is indeed endless.
The latest slip joints are true to this standard and don’t disappoint in looks or legs—easy on the eyes while walking and talking at the same time. They complement their makers’ personalities and demonstrate their skill sets in fit and finish, as well as mechanics. They provide pure inspiration for collectors and buyers alike, setting their own standard of excellence.
Standley Caldwell Five-Blade Cattle Knife
“The five-blade cattle knife is a very difficult build,” Stanley Burzek confesses. Not only are aesthetics at play, but mechanical aspects, such as the blades clearing frame and timed right, not to mention executing multiple grinds. Tackling more complex slip joints has been a natural progression for Stanley. The Texas maker began with single- up to three-blade stockmen but saw the more difficult projects as pushing his craftmanship to the next level. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
A slip joint maker for 18 years, Stanley Buzek of Caldwell, Texas, brought a beautiful five-blade cattle knife to life recently. Featuring a CPM 154 hollow ground blade with 416 stainless integral bolsters and liner, along with stag handle scales, the knife was a particular challenge.
“The five-blade cattle knife is a very difficult build, getting all the blades timed and working properly with everything flush in all positions,” Stanley explained, “and getting the blades to clear inside the frame in such a small area. The multiple offset grinds and the dagger grind of the awl blade make it especially challenging.”
Tackling the cattleman works right into the increasingly difficult projects Stanley has pitted himself against—even if it was a daunting proposition. “The five-blade was just a natural progression from the single-blade trapper, two-blade, three-bladed Stockman, and so on, to push myself to the next level of knifemaking,” he confided. “Actually, the hardest part was just getting over my fear of screwing it up and getting started on the build. It is an intimidating knife to build, having to pack so much into such a small area that you can paralyze yourself with the fear of getting started.”
Buzek got the pattern for the five-blade from Tim Robertson. He drew inspiration from the work of Tony Bose, whom he credits with bringing the pattern back. He has also seen photos of Reese Bose’s take on the pattern.
“I have received help from many great makers through the years,” Stanley reflected. “Bill Ruple and Rusty Preston were a huge help, and the South Texas Slip Joint School that I went to back in 2011 really increased my knowledge in how slip joints actually work. Right now, a lot of credit goes to Tim Robertson for pushing me and helping me with problems and us bouncing ideas off each other.”
Buzek makes all his slip joints with integral liners and bolsters accompanied by jeweling on the interior. He prefers slanted bolsters while gravitating toward natural handle materials such as jigged bone, mammoth and stag. “I think the single-blade slip joint will be the most popular for a long time for ease of carry and ease of build in the custom world,” he predicted. “Multi-blades, though not as popular, will push makers to step outside their comfort zone and show collectors and the general public alike the technicality and perfection and precision at which some of these pieces are made and will help makers improve their overall methods.”
Ted Friesenhahn Two-Blade Trapper
Like most custom makers, the most challenging aspect of the slip joint for Friesenhahn is getting the rise and fall of the blade correct. Add in embellishments, like the delicate vine filework down the center of his trapper’s handle, and the project becomes a taxing undertaking. (SharpByCoop image)
When Ted Friesenhahn took up the task of making his two-bladed trapper, he chose to make the second blade a “simmy” skinner. “This is the most popular slip joint, especially in Texas,” said the resident of Seguin, who has been a toolmaker since the age of 18. “I’ve worked in several different tool shops and have had the pleasure of teaching mill classes at hammer-ins.”
For his trapper, Ted chose a hollow ground blade of CPM 154 with a 416 stainless steel frame and bolster and a jigged bone handle. He added, “All of my knives have integral liners, and in this knife, the center is left standing. I have had this idea in my head for a while before I finally did it. I wanted something different and to be able to embellish it, so I chose to do vine filework.”
The most difficult aspect of the slip joint for Friesenhahn is common to most custom knifemakers—getting the rise and fall of the blade correct and flushed at closed, half stop, and open positions. “Of course, the walk and talk are key after all that fit and finish,” he said. “My first knife was an Old Timer Stockman that I had when I was growing up in the country. I have always carried a pocketknife, so like most makers and knife enthusiasts in this area, I had heard of Bill Ruple.
Ted Friesenhahn in his shop.
“Many years ago now, Johnny Stout and [ABS master smith and BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame® member] Harvey Dean put on a hammer-in at Johnny’s shop in New Braunfels, Texas, where I first met Bill Ruple,” Ted continued. “He was teaching the slip joint classes, and he had a jig he came up with to measure the rise and fall of the blade and spring. It came to be called the Ruple jig … I still use this jig on every knife I build.”
Interestingly, Friesenhahn sees variations on patterns as emerging in popularity. “The current direction is in patterns being turned into different patterns,” he said, “in multi-blades like the stockman lockback whittler and sowbelly whittler. There seems to be a craze with the whittler, and of course, I have one of these variations in the works.”
Bill Burke Single-Blade Trapper
“This knife came about as a class demo for slip joint folders that I taught at Jim Poor’s Flatland Forge in Tuscola, Texas,” said Bill Burke of his single blade trapper, with a 3-inch stainless damascus blade and blacklip mother-of-pearl handle scale. (SharpByCoop image)
Master smith Bill Burke of Boise, Idaho, recently produced a handsome single-blade trapper with a hollow ground 3-inch blade of stainless damascus steel, blacklip mother-of-pearl handle scales, and 416 stainless integral bolster and liner.
“This knife came about as a class demo for slip joint folders that I taught at Jim Poor’s Flatland Forge in Tuscola, Texas,” said Bill. “The pattern for the class was the ever-popular large single-blade trapper. I added my personal preferences of filework and bolster fluting to this knife, as well as incorporating a piece of Jim Poor’s waterfall pattern damascus into the blade. The only guide I had was a pattern drawn on a piece of paper and e-mailed to me by Luke Swenson.”
Burke has found the most challenging aspect of the slip joint to be mechanical, sharing that observation with other makers. “The most difficult part of any slip joint, at least for me, is getting the timing right so that the spring is level with the frame/liners in all three positions, closed, half stop and open, while also keeping the end of the spring even with the end of the tang in the closed position,” he commented.
“I made my first slip joint folder in about 2001,” Burke continued. “It was a large trapper like this knife. I traced a friend’s knife on a piece of paper and used calipers to measure the dimensions of the tang. This knife was made because I had carried a slip joint pocketknife with me since I was about 5 years old. I can remember sharpening a pencil for a first grade teacher with my pocketknife.
“Over the years, I continued to make slip joints, and they did get better,” he observed. “But I always struggled with the spring timing. Fast-forward 16 years, and a friend of mine from Australia, [journeyman smith] Bruce Barnett, and I went to visit the maestro of the South Texas Slip Joint Cartel, Bill Ruple. We were at Bill’s shop for four days making slip joints. While there, Bill taught me the proper use of the Ruple jig, that little contraption he had put together to make timing of a slip joint something of a science instead of a swag. This little bit of knowledge changed my slip joints from being functional to well-working tools that I am proud of. Bill Ruple and Luke Swenson continue to motivate me to make better slip joint knives.”
As a master smith and forger of knives, Burke sometimes takes on that dimension completing the slip joint. “The only challenge is forging the steel, whether damascus, carbon or stainless, which is not commonly forged,” he advised. “Most people who do forge do not actually forge folder blades but instead forge the steel and then stock remove the blade from the forged steel. There are some who will forge damascus folder blades to get a specific pattern of damascus to follow the curve of the blade shape. This can be seen in the knives made by Owen Wood, Tim Foster, [master smith] Mike Quesenberry and a few others.
“I have forged san mai and damascus folder blades to shape when circumstances made it necessary but do not commonly do so,” Burke concluded. “The challenge making a slip joint knife from forged materials in my opinion is no different than doing stock removal with the possible exception of san mai blades and springs where careful attention has to be paid to ensure the hard core of blade and spring line up precisely so the components stay in alignment, keeping the spring from wandering off to one side of the blade. If this happens and is not corrected, eventually the bolsters will be forced apart and the spring will continue to wear on one side of the blade making the knife useless.”
Bubba Crouch Single-Blade Trapper
Bubba Crouch points to the influence of Slip Joint Cartel icon Bill Ruple in his career. More than anything, Ruple taught him to “make the next knife better than the last one.” Crouch’s pearl-handled trapper demonstrates that the knifemaker has taken this lesson to heart. The natural scale presented concerns in chipping, shattering, and even burning. (SharpByCoop image)
Bubba Crouch has been making knives in Pleasanton, Texas, since 2001 and lives just down the road from his friend and mentor Bill Ruple. While Ruple is the leader of the South Texas Slip Joint Cartel, Crouch is a founding member and revels in the lively exchange of ideas and the friendly banter that it provides.
Ruple’s influence is pervasive among slip joint makers, and Crouch is no different. “Bill taught me everything I know about knives,” commented Bubba. “I guess the most important thing he has taught me is to make the next knife better than the last one. That is hard to do!”
Recently, Crouch completed and sold the featured single-blade trapper to a resident of Philadelphia. His available knives sold out in two days during the last 10-day Las Vegas show, and the demand for his work is on the rise. This particular trapper features a 3¾-inch hollow-ground blade of CPM 154 stainless steel, an integral 416 stainless steel frame, and handle scales of pearl with an abalone arrowhead inlay.
“I do all 416 integrals,” Bubba noted. “So, I mill my liners instead of spot welding or soldering, and I have had a lot more luck keeping them flat and even. That makes a better knife, I think, and the integral frame prevents issues with warping and that type of thing.”
The biggest challenge in creating this trapper came with working in pearl, a natural material that presents concerns in chipping, shattering, and even burning. When working with the pearl, Bubba uses a thin liner material glued to the surface to stabilize it, and with the final grind, he removes the liner material while shaping the pearl to fit the handle space.
Bubba Crouch at his grinds a blade.
“If you look at the pearl on some knives, you can see a yellow edge from the heat sometimes,” he said. “I fit the pearl in the handle and then remove it, shaping it to the bolster to avoid the heat before putting it back in. When I’m sanding the pearl, I wet sand, and when I drill, I squirt water on it after starting the hole.”
The abalone inlay gives Bubba’s trapper a distinctive flair, and the process of inserting it is relatively simple. “I have a pantograph machine and use templates to cut the abalone and cut the pocket for it in the pearl,” he said. “You’ve got to be careful and don’t want to pop it in and out too many times. I drill a hole through the pocket that is pretty small and comes out the liner to test fit.”
Crouch enjoys building what he likes, and for now, that is the single- and two-blade slip joint. Multi-blades don’t have great appeal. “My clientele is the everyday carry guy,” he concluded. “So, I build those knives. I don’t see the slip joint market getting soft. It’s traditional and will stay stable. It’s what your grandpa and your dad carried, and as long as there are memories like that, there will always be a market for the slip joint.”
Demand doesn’t seem to waver with the slip joint, and today’s makers are eager to oblige the marketplace.
The thumb stud is reliable, time-tested and add dynamic dash to these customer folders.
Aside from the good ol’ nail nick, thumb studs are among the most enduring opening systems for folding knives. Why not? Typically ambidextrous, easy to manipulate and lightning fast, the reliable deployment feature has a lot going for it. Not to mention, on these custom knives, they add equal parts dash and traditional appeal.
Michael Raymond: Ziura folder
Forty-nine 24k gold inlays set into a 6-4 titanium frame elevate Michael Raymond’s Ziura folder. The swedge-ground Bohler M390 blade measures 3.53 inches with an 8.08-inch overall length. (SharpByCoop image)
David Beaver: Shogun Horizon Folder
Vintage red linen Micarta scales and a hollow-ground Damasteel Baldur on Damacore blade highlight David Beaver’s Shogun Horizon folder. Blade and overall lengths: 3.75 and 8.5 inches. The maker’s price for similar knife is $1,800. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Cody Hofsommer: Mammoth Ivory Folder
Mammoth ivory scales and mosaic damascus bolsters define a sole-authorship flat-ground folder by Cody Hofsommer. The 1080/15n20 mosaic Damascus blade measures 3.375 inches with an 8-inch overall length. (SharpByCoop image)
Kirby Lambert: Augustus Mini Folder
A hollow-ground Damacore blade and mammoth ivory scales distinguish the Augustus Mini folder by Kirby Lambert. Bolsters are titanium and 2IRC damascus. Blade and overall lengths: 3.25 and 8 inches. (SharpByCoop image)
Brian Milinski: Paratrooper Elegante Linerlock
Nitre blued Rietveld damascus and fossilized walrus tusk scales characterize Brian Milinski’s Paratrooper Elegante linerlock. Joe Mason engraved and inlaid the matching bolsters. Blade and overall lengths: 3.25 and 7.75 inches. The maker’s price for a similar knife is $3,400. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
KC Gray: Titanium Folder
A 3.5-inch SM100 blade paired with vintage Micarta scales defines this 8-inch dress locking folder by Tucson maker KC Gray. The titanium frame includes marble carbon-fiber pivot collars and a black anodized clip. (SharpByCoop image)
Sean Alonzo: Ani
Sean Alonzo’s Ani 3.2 linerlock features armadillo carapace, warthog ivory, and a hollow-ground Yggdrasil Damasteel blade. Blade and overall lengths: 3.2 and 7.8 inches. Maker’s price for a similar knife $5,500. (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Explore the new GiantMouse ACE Atelier, with PVD-coated Elmax steel and a scale designed to develop a unique patina over time.
The GiantMouse ACE Atelier has always been defined by its surroundings. Named for the art-deco Atelier Bar located within the Grand Hotel in Nuremberg, Germany, the design was originally conceived as a more compact and refined sibling to the ACE Grand. While the initial versions of the Atelier emphasized lightweight carry and contoured ergonomics, this newest iteration moves in a different direction, prioritizing weight, tactile feedback and a sense of permanence.
The shift to solid brass scales transforms the character of the knife. By utilizing a flat, slab-sided profile, the Atelier gains a grounded presence that feels substantial in the hand. Brass is a material that rewards the user over time; it is not a static finish. Instead, the surface will naturally darken and develop a unique patina through regular carry, essentially recording the history of its use. This added heft provides a satisfying balance to the compact frame, offering the feel of a full-sized tool in a pocket-friendly footprint.
Performance remains at the forefront with a 2.875-inch blade crafted from PVD-coated Elmax steel. This premium alloy ensures excellent edge retention and toughness, while the dark coating provides a muted, low-profile contrast to the warm, evolving tones of the brass handle. It is a design for those who value restraint. Rather than relying on aggressive styling or unnecessary flourishes, the Flat Brass Atelier leans on the inherent quality of its materials and a clean silhouette to prove its worth as a daily companion.
These factory slip joint folders prove the design is alive and well.
Those of us who were around long before just about every folding knife had a lock of some sort have fond memories of slip joints. These non-locking folders are still around, but you need to make Google your friend and look—not just in the U.S., but overseas—to root them out. Surprisingly, there are good ones to be had; you just have to do a little digging to find the gems. We’ve done the homework on a nice selection of fresh slip joints for BLADE® readers and present them to you now in these glossy pages.
RoseCraft Savage Creek
The gunstock folder pattern has been around for well over a century and seems to be a rite of passage for most slip joint manufacturers. Up-and-coming RoseCraft Blades has done a nice job of producing many traditional folders, and its Savage Creek Gunstock slip joint is a solid addition to its catalog. This company’s version has a 3.625-inch black Micarta handle with polished steel bolsters and a nickel silver spade escutcheon. The blade is a 2.8-inch swedge-ground D2 steel clip point with a nail nick. The gunstock handle is nicely done with a tastefully curved rise on the inside curve of the handle. MSRP on the RoseCraft Gunstock is $60.
Rosecraft Blades makes an impressive knife for the price. Its gunstock is just a tad over the 3.5-inch standard of the industry and can easily fit in the pocket to handle everyday chores. I tested its blade by cutting some paracord and found its D2 very much to my liking. I also tested it by slicing some thin-skinned leather and was also impressed. This steel has been around for many years; though it’s not true stainless, it has enough chromium content that it rarely rusts. D2 steel is a reliable steel that still finds its way on a lot of custom knives.’
Savage Creek Specs Design: Gunstock Folder Overall Length: 6.4” Blade Style: Clip Point Blade Steel: D2 Blade Length: 2.8” Handle Material: Black Micarta Handle Length: 3.625” Special Features: Spade Shield Weight: 2.7 oz. Country of Manufacture: China Retail Price: $60
GiantMouse Ace Farley V2
The GiantMouse Ace Farley V2 Slip Joint is everything you’d expect in a finely made pocketknife and more. I tested the colorful green canvas Micarta version with a brass bolster, which added a little color to my carry. This version is 6.375 inches fully opened and closes to 3.625 inches—very much in the standard pocketknife realm. The main body of the dark green Micarta is topped by an elliptical-base, flat-finished guard and a simple, reversible pocket clip resides at the base. The 2.75-inch Elmax stainless steel blade is a fully ground drop point with a common curved nail nick. The total weight of the knife is a svelte 2.6 ounces. MSRP is on the knife is $156.
This is a less expensive version of the Ace Farley V2 I tested in an earlier issue of BLADE, but I like the brass and green Micarta combination versus the somewhat staid titanium/carbon-fiber version. And this one is less expensive. This folder is similar in length to the previous RoseCraft, but the handle has much more girth, which offers a plusher grip and a wider blade. I tested this version on a much thicker, quarter-inch synthetic cord and it cut through nicely. It’s amazing the difference a fuller, more comfortable handle makes when slicing through tough material.
Ace Farley V2 Green Micarta Specs Design: EDC Pocketknife Overall Length: 6.375” Blade Style: Drop Point Blade Steel: Elmax Blade Length: 2.75” Handle Material: Green Micarta, Brass bolster Handle Length: 3.625” Special Features: Slip joint action w/half stops Weight: 2.6 oz. Country of Manufacture: China Retail Price: $156
Giantmouse ACE Farley V2 Pocket Knife Drop Point ELMAX Stonewashed Blad
White River Knife & Tool entered the market in 2011 and has been a popular choice among fixed-blade users ever since. Finally, the company released its first folding knife—the Trailhead Trapper—and it was worth the wait. My first impression of the knife was that its ample 3.1-inch S35VN stainless steel blade is all business. The knife, designed for White River by Smith & Sons Knife Company, looks like it wants to cut! The brown 4.2-inch natural burlap Micarta handle features an excellent grip, with the burlap variety offering a slightly more substantial grip than the standard smooth Micarta. The weight is 2.5 ounces, and the $258 price tag is worth every penny.
An extra inch or more of handle and blade make huge difference on a folder. There’s more blade to cut with and more handle to grip and manipulate the knife. The White River Trailhead Trapper allowed me to extend the knife’s grip much better, and the longer blade was able to separate and remove whatever I cut more easily—in this case, sausage. With more room added to the equation, every task you tackle with a longer knife is easier.
Trailhead Trapper Specs Design: Classic Trapper Overall Length: 7.5” Blade Style: Clip Point Blade Length: 3.1” Blade Steel: S35VN Handle Material: Natural Burlap Micarta Handle Length: 4.2” Special Features: Half Stop Weight: 2.5 oz. Country of Manufacture: U.S.A. Retail Price: $259
White River Knives Trailhead Trapper Pocket Knife Clip Point CPM S35VN Blade Ri
We don’t get a lot of folding knives designed primarily for self-defense, so it’s good to see one enter the fray. The Böker Coffin Ultem is as purposeful as it is good-looking. The Coffin’s handle is a manageable 4.15 inches long, and you can clip it to the pocket or carry it loose in a pants pocket. The blade is 3.15 inches of premium MagnaCut stainless steel, so between that and the Ultem handle, there is no scrimping on Böker’s part. The Coffin opens the old-fashioned way, via a nail nick and a nice diagonal square texture. The length of the handle enhances the grip. This is a simple, well-made slip joint, especially for its MSRP of $285.
The designers at Böker wisely opted for a long, straight clip point blade for the Coffin to give the user more versatility outside of a pure defensive role. This adds to its usefulness in utility when cord or rope needs cutting and other roles such as meal prep in the field or on the go.
Coffin Ultem Specs Design: Self Defense Overall Length: 7.3” Blade Style: Spear Point Blade Length: 3.15” Blade Steel: MagnaCut Handle Material: Ultem Thermoplastic Handle Length: 4.15” Special Features: See-through Ultem Handle w/ Pocketclip Weight: 1.94 oz. Country of Manufacture: Solingen, Germany Retail Price: $230
Still Alive And Slippin’
Judging from our crop of slip joints, these simpler folders seem to be doing quite well in today’s cutlery market. Just the sheer variety of types and styles is impressive. Want traditional and hard-nosed? The White River Knife & Tool Trailhead Trapper and RoseCraft Blades Savage Creek Gunstock should whet your whistle. For outside the box and downright fancy, the Böker Coffin Ultem and GiantMouse V2 Green Micarta will whet it some more.
These are fat times for slip joint aficionados in the aftermarket as well. If your folder doesn’t come equipped with a pocket clip, there are plenty to be found in all sizes and types from aftermarket suppliers. Similarly, you can find leather and nylon belt sheaths for carrying your folder at the ready outside the pocket as well.
If for no other reason than simpler is better, with less to break and gum up your plans, I’ll leave you with this. A noted old-time knifemaker once left me with a piece of advice as to why he chooses to use a slip joint over any of the multitude of locks available for folding knives today. He simply said, “I know which side of the blade cuts.”
