Finding my Sway Back...

13aphomet

13aphomet

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Feb 7, 2012
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Hey guys.. I've been diagnosed with a very contagious disease. The traditional knife bug...
I've picked up a few recently and have decided that my next will be a sway back.
Any suggestions? I did have a #47 Viper a while back, and loved it.. but sold it to acquire something else.
I'm thinking of going with something smaller for a secondary knife. Does anyone know if Case makes the Sway Back Jack with a single CV blade?
I'd like to grab one but can't seem to find one.
What's your favorite sway back design?
 
Case no longer makes their Sway Back Jack in CV - they did have a 2-blade jack version in Chestnut Bone CV, but that has been discontinued. They still make the pattern and are coming out with a couple more this fall in the 1-blade "gent" version, but all in stainless steel. Maybe they will rotate the pattern into a CV version again at some point in the future.
 
Oh really? Well I guess I could live with the stainless version if I have to..
Any other companies make a sway back with a slightly smaller pattern than the Viper..?
 
The Case CV swayback is still available if you look at enough dealers. I bought one NIB a couple of months ago.
 
The Talon looks pretty good. I just watched a video comparing them and given that it IS slightly smaller that might be the one I go for. Good Call.
 
Hey 13....glad I could make a good recommendation. I saw that Apostle knife sharpener guy youtube vid also...good one.

here's a pic of the Case SBJ Cv with the Talon and Viper...I actually prefer the size of the Viper for general carry/use. but go with the talon or case went a gent carry is needed.


 
I love the talon but it is more oriented as a 'primary' carry. I second the recommendation of finding if you can a wharnie talon if you prefer a smaller size. The case swayback is just a touch small for my needs since I only carry slipjoints and prefer some added length and grip.
 
I usually carry a bigger knife as my primary.. i.e. Sebenza, pm2, sage2, endura, etc..
I've been carrying a GEC77 sheepie as my secondary and I love it. So I'm thinking the talon may be just right. Thanks for all the input guys.
Anyone have any special pairings that involve a SBJ?
 
13aphomet said:
I usually carry a bigger knife as my primary.. i.e. Sebenza, pm2, sage2, endura, etc..
I've been carrying a GEC77 sheepie as my secondary and I love it. So I'm thinking the talon may be just right. Thanks for all the input guys.
Anyone have any special pairings that involve a SBJ?
Click to expand...

I like this Sodbuster Jr/Swayback Jack pairing (SBJ^2??), if for no other reason than I love the look of the matching jigged chestnut bone covers, and the almost mirror image shapes of the two knives.

msAG4pXl.jpg


- GT
 
That definitely looks really nice.. After more research I honestly think either the Talon or the SBJ would be great secondary knives.
 
That's a beautiful swayback mrszeontestpilot!!
I really had no idea that traditionals would grab me so hard!! I have so many to get.. first up; TC Barlow, SBJ, #15 Boys knife, Indian River Jack.. okay, so I guess that's first, second, third and fourth!! Haha
 
13aphomet,
I had my Viper in my pocket today. When I want a smaller and slimmer knife,
I carry my Talon with the spear point. If You are looking for a smaller folder
with a wharncliff blade I would look at the Talon.
 
Frank probably got the last one. :)

I don't quite understand why Case dropped that one from their line, but I know that they seem to rotate some patterns out when their popularity has peaked. They dropped the CV SBJ at the same time that they added the CV Sowbelly, so maybe there are only a certain number of knife patterns they want to make in the Chestnut CV at one time.

Case is coming out with new Swayback Gents in both Burnt Amber bone and Deep Canyon Goldenrod bone in the very near future. I got to look at both of those handle materials (as well as several others) in person at a local Case event recently, and they looked very nice. I don't have the single-blade Gent pattern yet. I think I may have to pick one up in one or the other of those two configurations. They are in Case's Tru-Sharp stainless steel, though, not CV. This is not a problem for me because I happen to really like Case's stainless. I like their CV too, but I am not a "one or the other" kind of guy. But if you are a carbon-steel aficionado then they might not be of interest.
 
Last edited:
jc57 said:
Frank probably got the last one. :)

I don't quite understand why Case dropped that one from their line, but I know that they seem to rotate some patterns out when their popularity has peaked. They dropped the CV SBJ at the same time that they added the CV Sowbelly, so maybe there are only a certain number of knife patterns they want to make in the Chestnut CV at one time.

Case is coming out with new Swayback Gents in both Burnt Amber bone and Deep Canyon Goldenrod bone in the very near future. I got to look at both of those handle materials (as well as several others) in person at a local Case event recently, and they looked very nice. I don't have the single-blade Gent pattern yet. I think I may have to pick one up in one or the other of those two configurations. They are in Case's Tru-Sharp stainless steel, though, not CV. This is not a problem for me because I happen to really like Case's stainless. I like their CV too, but I am not a "one or the other" kind of guy. But if you are a carbon-steel aficionado then they might not be of interest.
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% against getting a Tru-sharp version of the SBJ, just 90%! :)
I've never really had problems with rust on my carbon blades and I love how they sharpen and patina.. Since I'm new at this, I just figured I would be able to get either one if I wanted. Damn you Case knives!!
Haha.. The GEC Talon is looking better and better..
 
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