Collectorknives.net #85 SFO?

[pertinux]

Worth the wait...

Spectacular! I don't even want this knife and I'm smitten by these pictures.

I love looking at this one as well:

Got my knife.

Opened the package and found a Buffalo Horn #85 EO Jack.

I had reserved an African Blackwood.

I looked at my invoice.... Buffalo Horn.... Checked my email.... Buffalo Horn.... I must have ordered Buffalo Horn on accident. No more African Blackwood Jacks. How did I do this?

O, Woodrow.

~ P.

 

[Hackerverse]

Wow, gorgeous knives. I am seriously considering. Question for those of you who have one in hand, how comfortable is that handle cutout, if you were to do a long session whittling or something like that, does it cut into the hand? Also how comfortable is it to use the pen blade, does the closed main blade dig in to you? I was looking at a regular #85 without the EZ open, just wondering which would suit me better for edc and occasional 1+ hour carving sessions.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Mike must have seen my post and obvious despair about my folly. He sent me a PM today offering to help me out with a trade. He definitely didn’t have too as it was all my fault. I will post details when it’s all said and done, but it was very nice of him.

I will also post that someone else offered a trade of a liner lock version which was very nice too (as P. knows, I’ve had my heart set on a ebony jack for a while though).

Very good folks in this sub-forum that’s for sure.

 

[KYenglish]

Very cool,

these are so darn tempting!

Mike must have seen my post and obvious despair about my folly. He sent me a PM today offering to help me out with a trade. He definitely didn’t have too as it was all my fault. I will post details when it’s all said and done, but it was very nice of him.

I will also post that someone else offered a trade of a liner lock version which was very nice too (as P. knows, I’ve had my heart set on a ebony jack for a while though).

Very good folks in this sub-forum that’s for sure.

 

[pertinux]

Mike must have seen my post and obvious despair about my folly.

I believe it was perceptible even to those without online access.

Here's hoping for a good outcome....

~ P.

 

[tomsch]

I received my ivory bone yesterday and so far it looks like a winner! Pull on the main blade is perfect. Coping blade pull is a little stiff but that should work in a little. Of course it needs some sharpening since close to butter knife dull. Not a big deal since I reprofile all my knives anyway.

 

[Modoc ED]

Mike must have seen my post and obvious despair about my folly. He sent me a PM today offering to help me out with a trade. He definitely didn’t have too as it was all my fault. I will post details when it’s all said and done, but it was very nice of him. That's good!! Mike is a stand-up, fair, honest dealer. If he sees he can help you out in any way he will.

I will also post that someone else offered a trade of a liner lock version which was very nice too (as P. knows, I’ve had my heart set on a ebony jack for a while though). I think you must know it but African Blackwood is not ebony. Mike does have a good selection of Ebony covered jack knives in stock though. Give his site another look-through.

Very good folks in this sub-forum that’s for sure.

Gotta say though - Buffalo Horn makes for attractive covers. Have you thought about keeping the one with Buffalo Horn and buying the one Mike is offering as a trade?

 

[burnside]

Apparently I ordered the Antique Yellow #85 Jack last night in my half sleep. It was kind of a pleasant half-surprise this morning when I saw the paypal receipt in my email. I'm glad I got one before they all got sold!

I have never been that interested in or attracted to any of the #85's nor the big spear blade they come with. I have a feeling I am going to be very pleased with this one despite any previous doubts I might have had about this pattern. It's good to switch it up once in a while!

 

[ddml]

After getting to know the knife for a full day, I feel ready to comment a bit.
The fit and finish is excellent. The knife came sharp, crisp half stops, walks and talks with authority. Pull on main, 6. Pull on coping, 8. The pulls are very deeply struck. Absolutely no wobble anywhere. There are very faint gaps that I can only really detect if I hold the open knife at a light source - not an issue at all, and not something I would even think about if I wasn't on a knife forum. The blades are both centered.

There are light machining mark on the shield; again, not an issue for a user. Both blades are slightly underbladed - not something I care about at all. Tangs are a little sharp but pocket time should take care of that.

The blades have a nice satin (glazed?) finish. Patina already started on mine after a single apple eating session with the kiddos.

The African blackwood has some brown streaks going through it. Feels very oily. It is pretty awesome.

I absolutely love the blade shape of the spear main. Is there a term for this particular pregnant-ish looking spear?

I think I would have rather the bolsters were not pinched but that's a personal thing, obviously. Would have been cool for a wrap-around spring for the secondary, but I'm just riffing now.

All said, this is an amazing knife. Really pleased with it.

 

[burnside]

After getting to know the knife for a full day, I feel ready to comment a bit.
The fit and finish is excellent. The knife came sharp, crisp half stops, walks and talks with authority. Pull on main, 6. Pull on coping, 8. The pulls are very deeply struck. Absolutely no wobble anywhere. There are very faint gaps that I can only really detect if I hold the open knife at a light source - not an issue at all, and not something I would even think about if I wasn't on a knife forum. There are light machining mark on the shield; again, not an issue for a user. Both blades are slightly underbladed - not something I care about at all. Tangs are a little sharp but pocket time should take care of that.

The blades have a nice satin (glazed?) finish. Patina already started on mine after a single apple eating session with the kiddos.

The African blackwood has some brown streaks going through it. Feels very oily. It is pretty awesome.

I absolutely love the blade shape of the spear main. Is there a term for this particular pregnant-ish looking spear?

I think I would have rather the bolsters were not pinched but that's a personal thing, obviously. Would have been cool for a wrap-around spring for the secondary, but I'm just riffing now.

All said, this is an amazing knife. Really pleased with it.

Thanks for the overview! Because of your write-up, I am now even more excited to receive the #85 Antique Yellow which is on it's way to me now.

When you mention underbladed, what do you mean by that? (Sorry for the newbie question).

 

[ddml]

The spine of the blade is not flush with the backspring when the knife is open.

Imagine: if you were very very tiny, and you were walking along the spine of the blade, you'd have to take a step up to the backspring.

Hope that helps!

EDIT:

quick google search brought up this image from this very board (apologies to original poster):

Underblading is not an issue at all in my book. And the underblading of the 85 is very very slight. Just one of those things.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Gotta say though - Buffalo Horn makes for attractive covers. Have you thought about keeping the one with Buffalo Horn and buying the one Mike is offering as a trade?

I have one of the Canoes with Buffalo Horn and I like the material. The knife I got was very nice, but it's just not what I wanted in this pattern. I've also spent a good bit of my knife funds lately. Though I did buy another knife from Mike (something, I've been eyeing for a bit).

 

[biglmbass]

Regarding the liner lock versions...

Is the tab easy to manipulate when closing the blade? Also, does the tab seem to interfere with a comfortable hold when the blade is open?

 

[ddml]

 

[bonky]

Here's a cellphone pic of the one I received from Mike yesterday:

​

Thanks Mike!


-Russell-

 

[burnside]

Regarding the liner lock versions...

Is the tab easy to manipulate when closing the blade? Also, does the tab seem to interfere with a comfortable hold when the blade is open?

I cannot speak for the #85's liner lock, but I definitely found the liner lock on the #73 very cumbersome when trying to hold the knife for use. This is the main reason that I did not want to buy the single blade version of the #85 (I also prefer jack knives).

 

[akadave2]

Ebony and Ivory! (Ok African Blackwood and Ivory Bone). Wow! these things are nice! Pull on my two are about a 7 for both blades each...and the most glaring feature on either knife?.....Nary an etch to be found on the blades! Very refreshing!

That Blackwood is amazing, seems denser and more oily looking than Ebony.

 

[aadhtbb]

Your photo is the most justice for Ivory Bone I've ever seen. Good Job! Nice African Wood as well:thumbup:

Ebony and Ivory! (Ok African Blackwood and Ivory Bone). Wow! these things are nice! Pull on my two are about a 7 for both blades each...and the most glaring feature on either knife?.....Nary an etch to be found on the blades! Very refreshing!

That Blackwood is amazing, seems denser and more oily looking than Ebony.

 

[TLARbb]

I cannot speak for the #85's liner lock, but I definitely found the liner lock on the #73 very cumbersome when trying to hold the knife for use. This is the main reason that I did not want to buy the single blade version of the #85 (I also prefer jack knives).

As I mentioned in my post earlier, I find the liner lock to be awkward and tedious for me to disengage. However, the tab sits right between my forefinger and my middle finger and is not a problem at all when holding and using the knife normally. The liner lock is well designed, but the pretention on it is pretty strong. It's not the easiest for me to get back flat enough in the "home" position. I'll make do, or make a modification. I really like the knife on the whole.

Early when the 2011 forum knife was being designed and such, I wasn't sure I liked the pattern that much, but after getting that forum knife, the pattern has grown on me. It certainly has plenty of blade. The easy open feature is great and I may get another if I can find some money somewhere before they are all gone. But more 92s are coming.

Ed J

 

[Sonnemann]

The GEC liner lock is nice for what it is--well executed, effective, and relatively ergonomic. I've had a 23 and now a 55 with this feature. I am still unsure whether it's anything but an inconvenience on a smaller pocketknife, but I appreciate the fact that it makes an appearance in the various patterns.

I may get another if I can find some money somewhere before they are all gone. But more 92s are coming.

Ed J

Story of my life...