EK Australian Bowie

fudo

fudo

Joined
Aug 27, 1999
Messages
4,531
I just completed a deal with LYFSFUN for one of these. The knife was not what I expected at all. I expected a biggish knife similar in size to a Western bowie. What I got was a very pleasant surprise. The knife has a 5 1/2" long 1 1/8" wide spear point blade with a hex shaped double guard and a comfortable 5" long handle. It only took a few minutes to get it really sharp with a sharpmaker 203. This knife really feels good in my hand, and is a useful size and shape.
I have a question though. Due to Blackjack's financial problems I am aware that they used any steel they could buy and I have heard that thier heat treat was anywhere from good to bad, the kindest word I heard was that the heat treat was "suspect" Does anyone know anything about the steel used and/or anything about the heat treat in these Australian Bowies?
By the way, the transaction with Ed was A-ok.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
Anybody have any info at all?

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
As I understand it, Blackjack only went to pot in the last six months sfter they had gone on a spending spree and over extended themselves and went bust. They did make good knives, as did EK. Think on par, or just above Gerber.

Its a nice knife you have got, and should give good service. It will be shear bad luck if you have a duff one, and no difference from buying new from any other manufacturer. Don't let it spoil your enjoyment. If a knife is going to fail, then its most likely to do so within the first few weeks of good use.

Blackjack, catalogue states: 440-c Rc hardness 57-59.
 
Thanks Greenjacket! Blackjack built knives from a number of good designs. The thought of having a knife of good design and construction with a fatal heat-treat flaw disturbs me.

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
Last word, as I understand, Blackjack, when the liquidators were in control, used up the remaining stock of blanks and stuff lying around. Hoping that a buyer could be found and trying to turn this stock into cash. These blanks were of dubious quality and were seen for what they were, but not before some people had been done. So long as you don't have one of these then you are in the clear. Sorry, don't know how to know for sure.

Bit of a downer, isn't it? But I have a few Blckjacks which are fine knives and continue to give outstanding service.
 
I have one that I picked up pretty cheap from Cutlery Shoppe a few years ago (about $40.00 if memory serves). Very comfortable, handy knife. Apparently it's made after a pattern that was made in Australia during WWII. Mine's in pretty good shape. Finish-wise Blackjack/Ek did a decent job on it- but then again, I haven't used it at all so I can't speak of the performance/heat treat of the steel. Pretty damn sharp out of the box however...

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"Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb)
AKTI# A000107
 
Fudo: If you want to check the heat treat, you could get it checked on a Rockwell tester, or take another knife of similar shape and same steel and do a cutting comparison (after sharpening them both, of course!)

If your knife slices manilla rope three times, I'd bet that the heat treat is lousy!!

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"Come What May..."
 
Thanks guys!

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Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
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