Blackjack Simba

CPR

CPR

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 8, 1999
Messages
514
I have the opportunity to buy one of these. I've been told the knife is like new in the box. I have no idea what it looks like or it's value. I do know that Blackjack knives have been sought after in the past. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
 
Blackjack has an interesting history; you can run a search on Blackjack here at BF and have enough reading material for the summer. The general feeling seems to be that Blackjack had good knives when their product was manufactured in Japan. In the later years (early to mid-90s) the company started having financial problems and started putting out inferior product. There have even been some accusations that the company claimed they were using one steel when, in fact, they were using another. I take it that this was at the very end when the company was doing anything possible to stay in business. Along the way, Blackjack bought Ek Knives. I've been told that the Ek Eks are much more collectible than the Blackjack Eks. Former Blackjack employees have posted here and in other forums defending Blackjack, but direct questions about specific accusations have gone unanswered as far as I can tell.
An interesting side note -- the former president of Blackjack, Mike Stewart, ended up over at Marble's and helped resurrect that company's knife line. Unfortunately, I've lately seen several posts about quality-control problems at Marbles.

Don't get me wrong -- I don't want to come across as a Blackjack-basher. I own several of their pieces. It just seems like they might have gotten themselves into a tight spot and did whatever they had to to try and pull through. Unsuccessfully, as it turns out.

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"I can't believe you stabbed me with this cheap piece of mail-order sh*t"
James Caan in 'Eraser'
 
kirch,

Thanks for the response. I went ahead and bought the knife for $25, so I guess it can't be too bad for that price. It is like new, except for the sheath, which the previous owner apparently modified by cutting off the belt loop (if it had one).
Does anyone stock sheaths for the Simba without me having to send it in for fitting?

I'm also curious as to the steel used on this knife and if I can expect the edge to chip under normal use.

Thanks again for the information.

Chris
 
Wow Chris, You got a good deal. Steel on these is a little soft. Given the price you paid if you want to turn it into a user go ahead it will be a little easier to resharpen. Not such a bad thing. Stick to softer vegetation should be fine. But, these are very collectable. Big market on Ebay. Keep it new and it could fetch four times what you paid.
 
Chris,
Averageguy has it pegged to a tee.

You did get a good deal.

I have a Simba that I used when a bunch of trees fell in my yard. (Opal came all the way to Atlanta). The edge rolled in several areas (rough use). Although the knife has great balance for chopping the steel is too soft. So the advice to use it on light vegitation is very sound.

Just retrieved the knife to take another look. I used it for several hours to lop limbs off of hardwood tree trunks. It was late and as much as I love chain saws and stump grinders, I do not use them in darkness. Not only did the edge roll (big time) there must be over 100 small chips in the blade from chopping wood. It is a shame, this design would make a great chopper with a better blade.

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 05-30-2001).]
 
I'll treble your money, if you want to sell. (Please respond before reading the folder special put out by Blade)
smile.gif


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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Talk about falling in a pile of Sh** and coming out smelling like a rose! That's a steal my friend.


Regards,

Tom Carey
 
A buddy of mine told me about this knife that he noticed at the local Goodwill store (go figure). When I went in to buy it the lady told me that they had about twenty Blackjack knives and this was the last one they had. Apparently the most expensive one was $50. I wish I had found out about them sooner!

Chris
 
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