Tom Ploppert is a part-time maker from Cullman, AL. He credits his inspiration behind his knife making passion to Bill Ruple - a master at making slip joint folders. Tom built his first slip joint knife in April 2009. He later took a slip joint making class taught by Bill Ruple and Rusty Preston (another Ruple alum). Tom has certainly been a good student. You can see his passion in his work, and tell it from speaking with him. Tom's fit and finish, and attention to detail is obvious once you hold one of his folders. He's also a humble and personable guy. This knife is brand new, and was acquired directly from Tom at the 2018 Blade Show. It is a large 2-blade Wharncliffe Trapper slip-joint folder. Tom's grinds are clean and symmetrical. The tolerances that he is able to maintain are outstanding! One of the blades is Wharncliffe-shaped, and the other is more traditional Trapper-shaped. Both blades, as well as the springs are CPM 154 stainless steel. The liners are Integral - meaning no seams - much more challenging and time consuming to build. The liners are heat treated and tempered 416 stainless steel. The bolster is also 416 SS, and has been fluted. The scales are two pieces of nicely matched killer stag - great color, depth and texture. Both blades have half stops, lock up tight with no play, and the blade seating of each is dead center between their respective liners. The blades pivot around Aluminum Bronze Bushing. Nice large nail nicks on both blades, with firm, smooth pulls. Tom has definitely mastered walk-and-talk, and this knife is a great example. Comes in a PLOPPERT padded zippered case.
