Difference between the GEC #77 and the new #86

[Camillus]

I am interested in the new #86 and was pleased to see if it would have the same bevel on the top of the bolster as the #15. It sounded like a slightly larger 15 which seems good. But then I realised that this has already been done with the #77.

In fact GEC has already stated the #77 is a larger #15: http://www.greateasterncutlery.com/new-77-pattern-jacks-barlows/

So as these two knives are only slightly different in size (the #77 is 3 6/8” vs the #86 is 3 7/8”) is the only difference between them the fact that the #86 is longer by about 1/8”?

 

[Nature Boy]

Will the 86 have half stops?
The only difference between some patterns, like the 55 and 56, is halfstop or not.

 

[Ajd3530]

Might just be me, but it seems like the #86 has alittle more bulge at the back end? Maybe room for a broader blade? Idk though.

 

[traumkommode]

The extra 1/8" of handle will make a noticeable difference compared to the 77. That's also a different clip blade, it's a slight recurve. Think of the main blade on the 98, it'll be more like that.

 

[Buzzbait]

While we’re at it, what’s the difference between the 77 and 78 pattern?

 

[Railsplitter]

While we’re at it, what’s the difference between the 77 and 78 pattern?

The front bolster is square on the 77 and round on the 78.

 

[Buzzbait]

The front bolster is square on the 77 and round on the 78.

Wow. It’s hard to believe the made a separate model number for that small detail.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

I’m really glad people are excited for this one... but it’ll probably be a wallet recovery period for me when these are getting made.

 

[Railsplitter]

Wow. It’s hard to believe the made a separate model number for that small detail.

There could be more to it than that but that's all I can see. I think both have half stops.

 

[jsdistin]

The 77 is not 3 and 6/8ths is more like 3 and 5/8ths the 15 is 3 and 1/2ish the 86 will be 3 and 7/8ths give or take I suppose. I would assume it will be the same as the difference between the 15 and the 77 which is more than what it would seem on paper. The difference between the 77 and 78 is difficult to see but the handle of the 78 is actually 3 and 3/4the while the 77 is 3 and 5/8ths the 78 is fully rounded however. What this results in is the need for more of a tang to get past the fully rounded bolster. This results in a shorter sharpened length despite being a longer closed length. I’ll include example pics soon

 

[paulhilborn]

6/8? or 3/4

 

[traumkommode]

Yes, 78 is a hair longer, has stiffer springs. The bolster contour difference is also there in the 72 vs 73.

 

[jsdistin]

6/8? or 3/4

The OP used 3 and 6/8ths so I followed that precedent, I get it though. It’s much more difficult to photograph these small differences but I think I was able to illustrate it. The buts of the knives are dead up against the paper which is as close to the 0 mark as possible. In the last one the start of the sharpened length on both knives are as close as I could get. The top one of the two is the 78

 

[jsdistin]

FYI every bit of bolster rounding is essentially wasted space as far as the blade length is concerned, aesthetics not withstanding.

 

[Camillus]

6/8? or 3/4

I went with 6/8 because the length doesn’t seem to be consistently reported in the various internet resources, and saying 3/4 would belie that discrepancy.

I just did my own measuring and got:

3 3/4” exactly for a 78
3 11/16” for a 77
3 15/32” for a 15

So the #86 will be 3/16” longer than a #77. And a #77 is 3/16” longer than a #15.

(forgive me mixups I am a decimal guy)

 

[paulhilborn]

The OP used 3 and 6/8ths so I followed that precedent, I get it though. It’s much more difficult to photograph these small differences but I think I was able to illustrate it. The buts of the knives are dead up against the paper which is as close to the 0 mark as possible. In the last one the start of the sharpened length on both knives are as close as I could get. The top one of the two is the 78
View attachment 1048526 View attachment 1048527 View attachment 1048528 View attachment 1048529

My comment wasn't a sarcastic one as it was humorous. You'd get some good hearted ribbing if you yelled out 6/8ths to a carpenter

 

[paulhilborn]

I went with 6/8 because the length doesn’t seem to be consistently reported in the various internet resources, and saying 3/4 would belie that discrepancy.

My comment wasn't a sarcastic one as it was humorous. You'd get some good hearted ribbing if you yelled out 6/8ths to a carpenter hence the wink and smiley face in my post and saying 3/4 vs 6/8 wouldn't belie the difference of an 1/8 anyway, I'm excited for the release.

 

[jsdistin]

My comment wasn't a sarcastic one as it was humorous. You'd get some good hearted ribbing if you yelled out 6/8ths to a carpenter

When I said “I get it” I meant I get the joke not I get that 6/8ths is actually 3/4ths, I wasn’t thinking you were being sarcastic, sorry if it came across that I was offended or annoyed. I also get why Camillus used the fraction he did as there are several different measurements I’ve seen as well for the 77 between the 5/8ths and 3/4ths(6/8ths)

 

[afishhunter]

You'd get some good hearted ribbing if you yelled out 6/8ths to a carpenter

The carpenter would likely send you to fetch his board stretcher, too.

 

[Camillus]

No worries Paul, it was partly me being lazy and not explaining.

Now that we’ve got correct measurements I see how they could be substantive enough to make an appreciable difference. I was just a little thrown initially by the similarity with the style and size of the #77.