#78 American Jack

Really loving these Micartas!
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Has anyone modified one of this current run into a clip point yet? I’ve been tempted because I prefer a blade with a little pointier tip, but I’ve held off because the spear looks nice.
 
Archie, I think you'd have to do it on the long pull version, as the Tidioute with simple nail nick doesn't have enough blade past the nick for a proper clip.
 
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I have a Maher & Grosh 3 blader. When you open the clip and spear, it is easy to see they are exactly the same except for the shape of the spine.
You could make a spear look exactly like a factory clip blade, only the swedge plunge on the clip begins at an angle, pointing towards the point, where a spears swedge plunge is square to the spine.
 
Now that I have been living with both of my model 78s, an ebony Northfield and a Tidioute in cocobolo, I have made a few observations.

Fit and finish on both are great but not perfect, there are a couple of things here and there but still a great fit and finish. Both are single bladed versions and both came fairly sharp. Certainly no need for me to sharpen them right away. If you like to pinch open the blades like I do then you might be a little disappointed. No way can I do it on the Northfield with the cut swedge but the Tidiroute it is possible. It is not easy to pinch it but it can be done, using the nail nicks and the Tidioute is easier of the two to open. The Northfield is just a beautiful knife! I have fondled it but I cannot bring myself to using it. People who can use one of these Northfields as an EDC, more power to you. I bought my To dilute so I can EDC that an not feel bad.
As an EDC I think the 78 is a great model, especially the To dilute models with the nail nick farther out in the blade making it easier to open. The slim frame allows it to carry in my front pocket easily but the blade and frame is substantional enough to actually be useful when I comes to cutting up cardboard boxes. The other really nice feature of the handle shape is it's rounded shape. No points to poke your hand. I have a gunstck pattern which is great to look at but it always seems to create a hot spot when using it. Cutting up cardboard boxes is more comfortable with the 78 than a gunstock.
I was not a fan of the spear blade shape but in actual use it seems as handy as a clip point.

Just some of my observations for what it is worth.

When I get home I will add a photo just because I feel like it.
 
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Easyrider said:
If you like to pinch open the blades like I do then you might be a little disappointed. No way can I do it on the Northfield with the cut swedge but the Tidiroute it is possible. It is not easy to pinch it but it can be done, using the nail nicks and the Tidioute is easier of the two to open.
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After I peeled and diced an apple, my NF is very pinchable due to the patina. I find the best place to pinch is the point where the pull meets the swedge.
 
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Archie said:
Has anyone modified one of this current run into a clip point yet? I’ve been tempted because I prefer a blade with a little pointier tip, but I’ve held off because the spear looks nice.
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Black mamba is right, it requires the NF knife, unless you want to loose your nick and maybe do an EO notch...

My plan was to do one, but I haven't bought one of these knives yet. Ebony sure is tempting, but I'm not convinced I want one.
 
Thanks, Ted! It was a little nerve wracking putting a Demel to a hundred dollar knife however it was a fun little project. I used the standard 60 grit sanding wheel. It was already pinchable under most circumstances but when my fat fingers are wet or greasy it's tough. So, I went with a "baby notch" and we'll see how that goes.

My stag example, with the long pull, isn't pinchable at all. I don't think I'll be putting that one in the vise, though. It's so pretty, I can barely bring myself to carry it, let alone grind on it. Someone with more guts than me needs to do so, and mod the blade into a clip while they're at it...now that would be sweet!

~Russell
 
rswanson said:
Thanks, Ted! It was a little nerve wracking putting a Demel to a hundred dollar knife however it was a fun little project. I used the standard 60 grit sanding wheel. It was already pinchable under most circumstances but when my fat fingers are wet or greasy it's tough. So, I went with a "baby notch" and we'll see how that goes.


That's how I felt about my smooth white bone 78 but I bit the bullet and went ahead and did it and I think it turned out all right, I have been trying to get up the nerve to do the same to my jig bone 78 , I had thought to carry it as a user but cannot bring my self to when I already have a 78 in my rotation. I never thought I would keep a knife as a "Safe Queen" but it seems as if I am !!!
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