Review Modern Slip Joint Knives: Wasp and Proper (and Lionsteels))

I am getting Lionsteel Otnat in several months and look forward to see their M390.
M390 on the knives I have now is quite easy to touch up with diamond stones.
 
Per "Lastly, the regrind is not consistent and even." Are you disappointed with the custom grind? Was it worth it? You can see it in the pictures, does it effect sharpening? Thx.
 
I was not that disappointed.
It wasn't really custom regrind but for a mass order I believe.
Maybe it was intended to be little thick for non knife savvy customers.

Resetting the edge bevel was little tricky.
The original angle was around 20 degree, and I went down to 15 on Edge Pro.
There were places I had to remove more materials than the rest.
This issue is quite common for production knives.
If you stay with the original angle, it would probably be much easier.

I will have a custom reground Lionsteel in the future and plan to compare them.
 
miso2 said:
I do not have experienced with 12C27, but it looks like a nice rounded steel.
Interesting that it is also used for ice skate blades.
It must be tough with good edge retention.

TRM Atlas is a knife I am looking into, too.
Reasonably thin blade stock and ground thin.
Click to expand...
Manly runs its 12C27 at 60HRC, a tad higher than Opinel (57-59) and Mora (56-58) run theirs. Sandvik says on its website, “12C27 is Sandvik's most well-rounded knife steel with excellent edge performance allowing razor sharpness, high hardness, exceptional toughness and good corrosion resistance. Continuous improvement over a period of 45 years has evolved it into the high performing steel grade it is today. The composition is tighter, the purity level is much higher and the fine carbide microstructure of today is far from how Sandvik 12C27 knife steel of the sixties looked. With a hardness range of 54-61 HRC, high toughness, scary sharpness and good corrosion resistance, Sandvik 12C27 is the recommended grade for hunting knives, pocket knives, camping knives, high-end chef's knives and tactical knives.”
 
I'll throw my two cents in here for my RUIKE L11B slip joint. 12C27 blade steel with G10 slabs and s.s. liners and adjustable pivot with a pocket clip. Drop point style blade. Excellent fit and finish, excellent pull and lock up. Near mirror finish on the blade and just an extremely well designed and executed slip joint folder. Inexpensive to boot. keepem sharp

PS has a glass breaker and tweezers and they both work well.
 
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Very enjoyable write-up! I love my fixed blades and locking folders, but I've decided I need a nice Case sodbuster now.
 
longbow said:
I'll throw my two cents in here for my RUIKE L11B slip joint. 12C27 blade steel with G10 slabs and s.s. liners and adjustable pivot with a pocket clip. Drop point style blade. Excellent fit and finish, excellent pull and lock up. Near mirror finish on the blade and just an extremely well designed and executed slip joint folder. Inexpensive to boot. keepem sharp

PS has a glass breaker and tweezers and they both work well.
Click to expand...

I've got a Boker Tech-Tool 1, which I believe manufactured by Ruike and similar to their in-house model.
It is a very nicely built knife for the price ($35).
SAK-like pull and walk&talk.
Above all, the deeply ground blade with a thin edge!
I like it better than Case Sod Buster Jr.
Will write a review and comparisons to other slip joint knives I own.

TechTool_Proper_Case.jpg
 
Looks like the red G10 versions will be discontinued in 2020.
Grab one now if you like red scales.
 
I took a hair off the stop at the base of the blade of my Wasp so it closes a little more, just a few strokes on a 220 grit DMT were sufficient.
 
Modern_slippy2.jpg



Now I have four modern slip joint knives, Lionsteel Bolus Otnat (REK regrind), Shuffler (hand sanded), Benchmade Proper (Krein regrind), and Manly Wasp.
They are all great knives and great slicers.
I would like to highlight their similarities and differences for fun.


The specs
Code: 
                       Otnat regrind               Proper regrind                        

  Overall length:      168 mm (6.61”)              170 mm (6.69")  
  Closed length:       97 mm (3.82”)               97.8 mm (3.85")   
  Closed width:        29.85 mm (1.175")           30.4 mm (1.197")    
  Blade Length:        73 mm (2.87”)               72 mm (2.83")    
  Blade thickness:     2.54 mm (0.1”)              2.04 mm (0.08")  
  Grind angle:         8.8 inclusive               6.4 inclusive
  BTE at 15 DPS:       0.13 mm (0.005”)            0.23~0.34 mm (0.009~0.014") 
  Edge angle:          Prob. 20 DPS                20 DPS   
  Blade material:      M390                        S30V   
  Blade grind:         Flat                        Flat   
  Blade shape:         Spear point?                Modified Wharncliffe  
  Handle thickness:    13.14 mm (0.52”)            11 mm (0.43")    
  Handle material:     Red linen Micarta           Green canvas Micarta  
  Weight:              67 g (2.36 oz)              57 g (2 oz)   
  Nail nick:           Double                      Single  
  Stops:               One                         One  
  Pull (5 for SAK):    6                           5~6  
  Pinchable:           Yes                         Yes    
  Pocket clip:         No                          No   
  Internal stop pin:   Yes                         Yes  
  Price:               $120 (+regrind fee)         $130 (Reground ver. $200)
Code: 
                       Shuffler                    Wasp

  Overall length:      168 mm (6.61”)              176 mm (6.93”)
  Closed length:       95 mm (3.74”)               101 mm (3.98”)
  Closed width:        24.64 mm (0.97")            30 mm (1.181")
  Blade Length:        74 mm (2.91”)               75 mm (2.95”)
  Blade thickness:     2.54 mm (0.1”)              2.3 mm (0.09”)
  Grind angle:         7.4 inclusive               4.8 inclusive
  BTE at 15 DPS:       0.25 mm (0.01”)             0.23 mm (0.009”)
                        0.64 mm (0.025" original)
  Edge angle:          20 DPS                      15 DPS
  Blade material:      M390                        S90V
  Blade grind:         Flat                        Flat
  Blade shape:         Clip point                  Drop point
  Handle thickness:    11.85 mm (0.47”)            16 mm with clip (0.63”)
  Handle material:     Natural Micarta             Orange G10
  Weight:              60 g (2.12 oz)              78 g (2.75 oz)
  Nail nick:           Double                      Single
  Stops:               One                         Three
  Pull (5 for SAK):    5~6                         7
  Pinchable:           Yes                         Yes
  Pocket clip:         No                          Yes
  Internal stop pin:   Yes                         Yes
  Price:               $120                        $50


Common features I like
First of all, they all sport high alloy stainless/semi-stainless steels.
My impression is that the edge retention is miles better than 1095 or TruSharp.
With diamond stones, I can sharpen them quite easily.

Another aspect I like is the internal stop pin.
Instead of relying on the kick, the blade is prevented from rapping the spring.
No more dents on a blade.
Very nice.
I think all slip joint knives should have this feature.

I also like the Lionsteel's rounded spring.
It reduces my OCD for the "flushness" (and probably the cost).


Common features I do not like
These modern slip joint knives tend to have thick blades ground to thick edges.
The edges of original Otnat and Proper are reported to be as thick as modern tactical knives (like 0.025" or more).
Shuffler came with the edge bevel at 0.02" thick (20~21 DPS sharpening angle) and became to 0.025" at 15 DPS.
It was a terrible slicer for a sub 3" pocket knife, as compared to Case Sod Buster Jr. or GEC #15.
(It is much better than after sanded to 0.01" BTE).
Other popular modern slippies I've looked (other Lionsteel blades, JE, Fox, Viper) also seem to come with thick blades/edges.
Sad.

The only exception I have is Manly Wasp.
The original edge was 0.009" thick at 15 DPS!
The edge sinks into cutting medium easily and smoothly.
It would be a better slicer, if the blade is shorter in height.


[Some comparisons]
Fit and finish: Shuffler = Otnat > Proper > Wasp
The Lionsteel knives are really well built and hair better than Proper. Wasp is much cheaper in price and good for the price.

Action: Shuffler = Otnat > Proper >> Wasp
I am addicted to Shuffler and Otnat. The walk and talk are superb. Proper is fine in this department, but I am not so fond of the rounded tang. I do not go along with the three stop positions of Wasp.

Carry: Shuffler > Proper > Wasp = Otnat
Shuffler is just very slim in all dimensions.

Slicing capability: Otnat > Shuffler = Proper > Wasp
REK regrind is just great. Wasp would be the best slicer without regrind.
 
Nice score!
Not my cup of tea, but the grind looks great.
Hope production modern slippies are ground thin like that (and Wasp).
 
I’d like to see the Real Steel Luna compared to these other modern slipjoints. Blade HQ has the blade listed at .09, I’m curious how thin it is behind the edge.
 
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Yeah, that one looks thin behind the edge.
Does anyone have the measurement?
 
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