GEC #68: Why would anyone buy a Pony Jack over a White Owl?

Macchina

Macchina

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As you may tell by my recent post on here, I'm really getting into medium-sized GEC knives.
This post is not negative towards the GEC Pony Jack, I am trying to understand other's views to form my own.
Looking at some of the two-blade versions built on the 68 frame, is there any advantage with going with the Pony Jack (Two springs with two blades on the same side) over a White Owl (Single [split] spring with two blades on opposite sides)? The White owl seems like a slimmer knife for the same amount/type of blades. Is there any reason to go with the Pony jack instead? Is the blade crinked and does that bother some? Does the position of the Pen Blade rub the hand differently when using the main blade?

Pony Jack:
GEML681213RR__83518.1408034669.1280.1280.JPG


White Owl:
GEML682211BBH__51400.1408035069.1280.1280.JPG
 
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Some reasons would be the pony jack ease of both nail nicks being on the same side, the blades are thicker (depends on preference, but the stock being thicker could be better or worse) the blades would have rub in the jack format, but the white owl would. Really it all boils down to is personal preference, but the way I see it is the white owl is a 'Sunday knife' whereas the pony jack is a 'work knife.'
 
The first GEC I ever bought was a white owl. I've never managed to warm to it enough to carry it regularly. I haven't tried a pony jack, but I understand that it's an all steel construction whereas the white owl has brass liners and nickel silver bolsters. Generally, I learned that I prefer a jack pattern.

Paul
 
I think Ryan's distinction between work and sunday knife is right.
the jack design is simpler to make and sturdier, you would have a lot more strength in the pen on a pony jack, because it is a short blade on its own spring. I would expect stronger snap on both blades. A wider handle is more comfortable for many people.
All these advantages to the pony jack can also be seen as complementary advantages to the white owl: finer craftsmanship fitting the two blades together, slim elegant design

I gifted a white own to my father, and found the walk and talk on my particular model to be a bit weak on the main blade, that could be just my example though. I think from the aesthetic point of view, the equal end frame makes less sense on the pony jack, with its blades at just one end, than the white owl.
 
Some of the reasons I'd go for a jack instead of a pen is the handle thickness with the jack being thicker and blade placement/selection/thickness. A pen knife is easier to carry around and use for light tasks, a jack easier to use for longer periods or a little harder. The jack has a liner separating the 2 blades so if one blade gets gunk on it, it is less likely to transfer to the other blade. I know for general carry without a job in hand that I would need a knife, I like carrying a pen. If I know I'll need to cut stuff, I'll either carry a jack or a single blade knife. Luckily, I have plenty of all 3 kinds.

Also, specifically for the #68 models, the jacks are all steel and the blades have long pulls on Tidioute models. You can only get long pulls on Northfield White Owls and they include a bail.
 
yatsunil said:
But it's a very VERY nice bail and is the main reason I'd choose the White Owl over the Pony Jack ;)
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True, and very useful. I only carry one knife with a bail and it doesn't get in the way as much as I thought it would. I don't really use the bail though due to my locality's laws, being the opposite of every other place that has laws on concealment (but that's a discussion for another part of the forum :))
 
While I dislike the extra width of the overall knife, the major advantage (to me) of a jack over a single spring on the same size frame is the longer main blade. If you look at the congress pattern for instance a two bladed "half" Congress has blades considerably shorter than the Congress Jack (like the last Forum knife). I love a good sized blade on a Congress pattern, it's very like a Swayback.
 
Others have stated the pro's and con's of both knives already.
In the end, it's the old story between pen knives and jack knives...a 10% functional difference drowned in a 90% of pure taste :rolleyes:
Oh, and as for my preference: jack knife all the way (and I wish for a single bladed version on the #68 frame).

Fausto
:cool:
 
yatsunil said:
But it's a very VERY nice bail and is the main reason I'd choose the White Owl over the Pony Jack ;)
Click to expand...

Really? I hated the bail on mine and found it got in the way, or I'd close the main blade and catch the tip on the bail. I ended up removing it;



I much prefer it now, but I still rarely carry it. :)

Paul
 
To some, myself included, it's just nice to have the consistency of blade placement when both blades are on the same end. You orient the knife the same way each time and the slightly more thicker handle and blades of the two spring jack give a little more grip and confidence for heavier or longer cutting sessions.

Ryan tagged it in one being a Sunday or dress knife, the other a daily work knife. With a bail you might have the pen tucked on a watch fob or leash and sitting in a vest or jacket pocket. The jack will be sitting deep in a work pants pocket or in the watch pocket of a pair of jeans.

For office carry and use, a pen is probably ideal. Trim, slim, and a tad more dressy. For non-office or all around work the jack and similar knives with separate springs and a longer main blade just seems to call.

But, preference certainly plays heavy into it. Perhaps it's a reflection of each person's roots and perspective. I like a nice congress and really appreciate the qualities of a good medium stockman. I'm even fond of canoes and moose (can't really stand a muskrat though). Yet the traditional patterns that I always end up with share the jack pattern that if it has two blades, they both open to the same end and each has a separate spring. In my case it's a mini-trapper, or on occasion a Queen single blade jack with a bit of teardrop or sleeveboard preferred. If I go larger it will be a trapper or even a folding hunter if I want to go really big. But all share the same characteristics of the basic jacknife. Two different blades on one end with a spring for each and a bit more to hold onto.
 
Just remembered another thing specific to the #68s... If you want 440C in a #68, that's only available on the White Owls, and they don't have bails.
 
Sound advice and reactions have been put forward, all useful.:thumbup:

But it's still just mind-control from the Jack Camp :mad: so let's redress the balance completely unobjectively..:D:D

I'm an unashamed follower of the single-spring faction, getting those two blades to run off one spring and nesting in the frame is sheer skill and genius. Thick, bloated heavy knives could be what caused people to turn to moderns! :eek::eek: The Pony has steel liners, OK this could FOR SOME be better and I'm not a big brass fan myself (give me stainless or nickel-silver) The Owl has a blade at each end, where's the problem in turning the knife around?? The Equal End frame suits a single-spring far better than a Jack, clumsy! In hand is superior no doubt.

Then there's other things: Even seen a Pony Jack with these funkster scales?? No I thought not! Pedestrian Pony. :barf: There's also Dead Skunk on the Owl too, part of his hunting regime :cool:

IMG_0427.jpg


Then there's stainless Owls too. The Pony sulks and rusts on the sidelines.

IMG_0774-1.jpg


" You see, there are two kinds of knife in this world my friend: Those with loads of springs and those with a single-spring you dig? I dig"
 
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2Dead said:
Just remembered another thing specific to the #68s... If you want 440C in a #68, that's only available on the White Owls, and they don't have bails.
Click to expand...

willgoy said:
Sound advice and reactions have been put forward, all useful.:thumbup:

But it's still just mind-control from the Jack Camp :mad: so let's redress the balance completely unobjectively..:D:D

I'm an unashamed follower of the single-spring faction, getting those two blades to run off one spring and nesting in the frame is sheer skill and genius. Thick, bloated heavy knives could be what caused people to turn to moderns! :eek::eek: The Pony has steel liners, OK this could FOR SOME be better and I'm not a big brass fan myself (give me stainless or nickel-silver) The Owl has a blade at each end, where's the problem in turning the knife around?? The Equal End frame suits a single-spring far better than a Jack, clumsy! In hand is superior no doubt.

Then there's other things: Even seen a Pony Jack with these funkster scales?? No I thought not! Pedestrian Pony. :barf: There's also Dead Skunk on the Owl too, part of his hunting regime :cool:

IMG_0427.jpg


Then there's stainless Owls too. The Pony sulks and rusts on the sidelines.

IMG_0774-1.jpg


" You see, there are two kinds of knife in this world my friend: Those with loads of springs and those with a single-spring you dig? I dig"
Click to expand...

Two really nice owls there. One in the kryptonite, looks like it was made for the 70s.....and another, a stainless owl in light chestnut jig, just is stunning in it's looks.

Maybe that's the real difference. One is gorgeous to look at, and one is utilitarian. Like choosing a wife. Do you want arm candy, or do you want a faithful companion.
 
Relee1 said:
Like choosing a wife. Do you want arm candy, or do you want a faithful companion.
Click to expand...

[inappropriate comment deleted.]

Maybe I should consider adding an owl to collection. ;) Then again, I hesitate to wonder what the congress patterns with their four blades in my collection suggest. Nah, I already know. It's ah..., the four points of the compass! Yeah, that's it. Sure. :cool:
 
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I agree with Will, the equal end just does not look right to me as a jack, especially with an endcap.
 
Right you are, as usual Jeff! Jacks need a swell end or swell centre/serp. Frankly, I think Barehead suits them as well.

Relee, thanks for your compliments. The Owl can be a tough type too, check this Tidioute Ebony. Simple, hard, unadorned and I think beautiful.:)

IMG_1804.jpg
 
And BTW Will, I'm really jealous of that chestnut bone stainless Owl of yours. I think they made a darker one as well, and I missed out on both of them. The two best Owls they ever made. I believe Trand has one of the darker ones, maybe he'll show it.
 
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