GEC #48J vs. GEC #56 Dog Leg Jack vs. #66 Serpentine Jack

thejamppa

thejamppa

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
2,907
Hello everyone!

I am scraping bit money together. I am looking a jack knife. A small upgrade over my Case small texas jack in Amberbone with CV blades. I turned into my favorite slipjoint maker: Great Eastern Cutlery.

Basicly I am looking good all around knife, jack-of-all trades. Good, comfortable, pocketbale knife Around 3,5" long closed to 4,0" long. #48J is around 3,875" long and #56 is 3,5" long #66 Serpentine jack is 3,5"

GEC has three jack knife pattern: #48J, #56 Dog leg jack and #66 Serpentine jack.

Now I got #48 slimline trapper so I basicly have idea of #48 and its comfortable knife but I have no idea how #48J is, blade thickness and such. My slimline #48 has very thin and mean slicing blade but I am looking bit more sturdier blade for my jack knife.

Any insight and pictures for any or all models is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
I don't know about the 48J but I have a #56 Dogleg and a #66 Serpentine Jack.

The #56 has a beefier handle and provides a slightly better grip. (more to hold onto)

The handle on the #66 is smaller but it's still a great knife.

Niether one has half stops if that is a concern.

If I had to choose between the two and handle material was not an issue, I would go with #66. That's just me though.
 
I haven't a 48j, though I do plan on getting one. Between the other two, I have two Northfield 56's, and a Tidioute 66. My snakewood 56 gets more use, handle feels better in hand than the 66 in ebony. Blade thickness on both main and pen are indistinguishable to me and are of comparable shapes, the 56 main being slightly wider and the 56 pen about 5mm longer. Biggest difference is the flare at the butt end of the handle. That, and the closing snap on the 66 pen is quite weak. I would say that you can't make a poor choice between these two, the 48j is about 7mm longer I believe - 3 7/8 vs the 3 1/2 of these two.
 
DSC00969.jpg

st. paddy slim trapper & sunset yellow western trap
i could find no info on 48j both these are 48s although the blades are totally different.--dennis
 
48 or 66 for me
hve the trapper/jack versions and love both
the dogles doesn't appeal me sorry

Maxx
 
I have a 56 and 66. For general carry and use I prefer the 56 dogleg. The main blade is a bit beefier, and the handle fills my hand better.
P1231213.jpg


P1231214.jpg
 
Last edited:
Dang, that rotten banana bone really appeals to me... Thanks everyone so far... Some #73's are marketed as Jack knives. I got two of them but I have craving for 3rd one... but it seems I am leaning towards #66 snakewood / rotting banana.

Time to save up for # 66 and # 73.
 
I have both and personally I think both are great. I use the serpentine as my EDC. It has been with me every day since I bought it. It's size makes it perfect for my pocket. To the point I don't even know its in there yet the blade is beefy enough to pull it out and use it with confidence.

That and I love the rotten banana. I have been struggling with buying another one to keep pretty. I think when the time is right I'm going to get the yellow rose version.

Here it is brand new.

DSCN1243.jpg
 
That 66 in rotten banana bone is something to behold. It has certainly been growing on me in the last few weeks. - Ed
 
I have a #58 and #73 jack. Of the 3 mentioned, I think I'd get the #66 next. It looks like the main clip blade on the #48 jacks are different than the #48 slim and regular trappers. Not sure if you noticed Jani but there are also #12 jacks...
 
I can only comment on the dogleg. I like it because it's robust enough to carry in jeans and do harder jobs, but small enough to carry when wearing slacks. I like the way the curve fits my hand. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the way that the blade angles away from the handle, oddly enough it's now one of the things I like best about it. YMMV.

100_3123.jpg
 
I hear the 56 will be brought out with a Spear main and Barehead handle. THAT appeals to me....
 
The Northfield version is mooted with Ebony, Burnt Stag and Bone.

But, this doesn't mean it will happen of course....
 
The Dogleg is one of my 2 favorite Traditional patterns. I don't see how anyone could fail to be attracted to it's graceful curves and ergonomically it
gives a most natural fit in the hand. The GEC #56 is one of the best looking Doglegs i've seen (which includes lots of vintage USA ones) but i was a little leary of ordering one because some folks have complained of poor fit and obtuse edge angles. After months of trying to forget about it, i finally decided to go ahead and order one.
Well i picked up my GEC Tidioute Ebony Dogleg Jack yesterday and what a homerun this knife is. Beautiful dark ebony, great fit and finish throughout, smooth blade action and both blades easily shave off arm hairs.
Great pattern. Great knife !
Thanks Mike.
roland
 
Roland, my Northfield Dogleg came nicely sharp too, and the pulls on it are about perfect as well--firm, but smooth, and no half-stops (my favorite).
 
Damn... look at these beautifull knives on this thread!!
That dogleg is one hell of knife....they hit the nail on the head!!
Dennis's two knives...st. paddy slim trapper & sunset yellow western trap = ( in Austin Powers voice ) "wild baby, wild"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top