BlackJack "Small" select Cocobolo stainless

[UnknownVT]

I bought this at the Blade Show on Friday directly from Ken Warner (editor of the "Knives 'xx" books upto the year 2000) at the BlackJack booth....

... it's a "select" -
well, because I selected it out of a bunch

cocobolo handles - AUS-10 stainless steel
7 1/8" overall length
3 1/8" blade

Ken Warner seemed particularly partial to the Small (but then he had a bunch for sale at a show special) -
when I asked if the AUS-10 stainless steel was comparable to 440C - he said it was way better than that, claiming it was more comparable to BG-42, better than 154 and ATS-34.....

He told me Ed Fowler did a comparison test in Blade magazine (Feb? - anyone have that issue, please?)
the Small was found to be the best at rope cutting - making 181 cuts out of the box and when the edge was restored (Ken recalled it was probably just simple stropping on cardboard as per his recommendation) - on repeated test it managed 179 cuts.

On my much simpler/lazier ad-hoc test it indeed was very sharp/cutting - cutting some corrugated cardboard - same as my previous ad-hoc/unscientific comparison of convexed edges, the Small indeed cut very well - being comparable to the Opinel #8, Victorinox parer and my home convexed EDC SAK - which were the best cutters in that previous ad-hoc "test".

The knife is made in Seki, Japan for BlackJack - Ken Warner said they were very consistent in quality - saying it was nice to open a box and find row after row of the knives being the same. They were indeed very consistent on the samples I went through - it was nice to have the confidence to just pick the "nicest" handle.

The blade face seems to be flat ground with a pretty wide convexed part going as far back as about 3/16" from the edge. Feeling the convex part (pinching just behind the edge and pulling toward the tip) the blade has a nice consistent distal taper.

Overall I'm very pleased with this purchase - perhaps not quite as nice as some of my handmades (but then what did I expect?) - but it feels nice and is very, very sharp and cuts well - that's what a good knife is about.....
and this is a good knife.

........ and at prices of under $80 easily found on the net (or the $75 show special I paid) it is really good value..........

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[Cliff Stamp]

...if the AUS-10 stainless steel was comparable to 440C - he said it was way better than that, claiming it was more comparable to BG-42, better than 154 and ATS-34

AUS are essentially Japanese versions of 440. There are slight differences in composition but note every manufacturer has slightly different melts of the same steel which is why you tend to get tolerances in spec's. BG-42 has significantly more vanadium than AUS-10 which would give it a much higher wear resistance, it also can be hardened much higher. The Small is a nice cutting knife in any regard though.

-Cliff

 

[UnknownVT]

AUS are essentially Japanese versions of 440.
The Small is a nice cutting knife in any regard though.

Thanks Cliff.

Mention should be made of the sheath. I thought mine was a bit loose and kept pinching the leather together just above the guard position to keep the knife snug.

However reading the notes on Knifeware.com about the sheath where they mention a "click" - I then realized there was probably more to the sheath.

Pushing down a bit more/harder, a "click" was felt - this was a notch in the center piece of leather where the guard tip "clicked" into - which makes the knife more secure in the pouch sheath.......

Index to all my Blade Show 2005 Photos

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[UnknownVT]

One of the main attraction of the BlackJack Small for me other than its convexed edge/sharpness and overall good design was that there was a pocket/belt sheath available.

I bought/paid for a pocket sheath at a Blade Show special price from Ken Warner and have received it in the mail today:

The sheath fits in one's back pocket somewhat like a (fat) wallet.

It fits really well on the one pair of jeans I tried. The tightness/friction of the sheath is just right - that it is relatively easy to withdraw the knife - but tight enough to make one feel that the knife is securely sheathed.

Replacing the knife - I find I'm a bit nervous with such a very sharp knife doing it by feel. Nevertheless it is pretty easily done - just take care that the knife blade is correctly positioned in the opening in the sheath - and not somewhere-else (ouch!).
One could look to be sure - but it can be done by feel - with practice........

As a belt sheath it rides high on the belt due to the location of the belt-loop - although it is designed for under the belt carry - there is no reason why it couldn't be carried outside/over the belt if one chooses.

The leather is thick for confidence and good pocket fit.

However it lacks the traditional center layer of leather found on most sheaths - which means there is a possibility of the blade slipping between the leather layers and cutting the stitching that hold the sheath together.

However I think this is in theory only and pretty remote - due to the way the pocket sheath is constructed - I think one would have to deliberately and determinedly try to wedge the leather layers apart to try to cut the stitching. Nonetheless it is a point worth noting.

Here's a nice little handout Ken Warner gives with every knife about maintaining a convexed edge -

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net

 

[fishwatcher]

I know this is an old thread, but since I recently acquired one, and found this post useful, I thought I would bring it up again. Particularly, since I've seen a handful of "recommend a 3" - 4" fixed blade knife" posts.

This is a beautiful knife, priced right, with some great "specs" (AUS-10, Seki-Japan, Cocobolo wood, convexed edge).

While I haven't really put mine to the test, it seems this knife should get a little more attention. I'm seeing it on-line for $50, which is significantly less then the amt UnknownVT reported, when this review was written a few years ago.

Would love to see other's experiences with and reflections on this knife.

 

[UnknownVT]

This is a beautiful knife, priced right, with some great "specs" (AUS-10, Seki-Japan, Cocobolo wood, convexed edge).
I'm seeing it on-line for $50, which is significantly less then the amt UnknownVT reported, when this review was written a few years ago.

Thanks for bumping this thread -

At $50 for the Seki made BlackJack Cocobolo Small - it's an outright bargain.

I consider my cocobolo Small one of the best fixed blades I have.

Even though one can get the Kraton handled version for low as $24 (before shipping) -
there is a reason why the Seki made cocobolo handled version is a better value (at least for me....) please see -

BlackJack Small Comparison

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2007
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent

 

[jaislandboy]

thanx for the review and pix Vincent.....I've often wondered about getting one.... like you said awesome value for the cocobolo Small's price! :thumbup:

 

[UnknownVT]

awesome value for the cocobolo Small's price! :thumbup:

Ken Warner told me he was moving the production of all the BlackJack Performance Blade series to China - this means eventually even the cocobolo Small will be made there.

So the Seki, Japan made cocobolo Smalls are limited to those remaining stocks.

If anyone ever considered a BlackJack Small - now is the time to snap up those Seki made ones.

As Ken Warner said himself - during this transition those Seki made cocobolo Smalls are under-priced - me? I call them a bargain opportunity.

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2007
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent