How about the Yankee Jack?

J

joker354

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
720
I'm really surprised.that there isn't more talk about the GEC #77 Yankee Jack. There was one nice review by Relee1, but other than that not much. I personally think it is a great offering. I have the Washington Jack, 2014 forum knife and Medium Barlow and they are all special knives. The Yankee Jack doesn't have long pulls, special stamped caps, or a special shield. Heck, it doesn't even have an etch on the blade, it's sterile. But I think that is part of what I like about this pocket knife. It is just a simple, well made pocket knife with a configuration and size well suited to be my EDC workhorse.

On mine the autumn saw-cut bone covers are really nice. Walk and talk, nice. Centering perfect. Both blades were sharp right out of the tube. The main clip blade is ground nice and slicey, just how I like it. And I like the length a little better than the #15s. It makes slicing apples easier.

I really enjoy carrying this one and truly think that if more configurations are produced (spear and sheep's longpulls, single blades) that it will match if not exceed the popularity of the #15 models. I could be wrong, but that's how I feel about the #77 pattern in general.

If you can't get one of the SFO #77s, can't afford secondary prices or have and want to preserve them, I highly recommend giving these a try. Or maybe you all have them and just haven't gotten over how nice all the SFO #77s are...


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That's a great lookin knife Joker:thumbup: I agree that simplicity works and works well on this one. I just had a Fuji apple with my forum knife and I love the look of a long pull but find more times than not the cresent nick works better for my beat up hands. I could be wrong but it looks like the nick is closer to the tip of the blade versus what the long pull is? If so that may be a plus for me:thumbup:

Had to edit as I wanted to say that I like the little bigger frames as well.

Nice write up and pictures;):thumbup:
 
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Hi Paul,
You're right, the nail nick is a little further down than the long pull extends. It does appear easier for me to open as well.


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I will have to agree about this knife; I picked one up in sun brite after I received my 77 Marlow, and am very happy with it. I agree also with the "just right" size of the frame. The secondary pen blade benefits from this additional size, as it is quite a bit longer than most other pens I have used.
I really like the simple acrylic covers, no blade etch, and non ornate shield. It really reminds me of the everyday spirit and utility of my Case yeller peanut, but in an overall more versatile size and form.
This, along with so many of the more recent GECs I've purchased, came surprisingly sharp out of the tube. A quick strop was all I did to mine, and that is good enough for my purposes.
I am REALLY hoping this frame takes off, and we see a selection of configurations like the 15's have seen.
Sheepsfoot and caplifter EO, anyone?
B.
 
Great-looking knife, which seems to have been overshadowed somewhat by the 77 SFOs. That's a very nice 77 collection Joker :thumbup:
 
Beautiful knives, and a great photo of the group!

I'll ask another question though, why is it that the 77s have all been so warmly received, when the 78 did not? I own only our forum knife, but aside from a few subtle variations the two patterns appear very similar.
 
paulhilborn said:
That a great lookin knife Joker:thumbup: I agree that simplicity works and works well on this one. I just had a Fuji apple with my forum knife and I love the look of a long pull but find more times than not the cresent nick works better for my beat up hands. I could be wrong but it looks like the nick is closer to the tip of the blade versus what the long pull is? If so that maybe a plus for me:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Same thoughts here Paul, I'm going to give one of these a try :)
 
joker, are you a Yankee Jack salesman? :D You should be; your photos and write-up are making that knife look VERY desirable to me! Glad you took the time to bring it to everyone's attention. (All the knives in your group pic are appealing. You've got some really great stag covers in there!)

- GT
 
I love my Yankee Jack. The #77 pattern is just perfect for carry. I have the same in autumn saw cut and it's beautiful IMO.
 
paulhilborn said:
That a great lookin knife Joker:thumbup: I agree that simplicity works and works well on this one. I just had a Fuji apple with my forum knife and I love the look of a long pull but find more times than not the crescent nick works better for my beat up hands. I could be wrong but it looks like the nick is closer to the tip of the blade versus what the long pull is?
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I'd say, "Yes."

As per my norm, while I love the looks of a long pull, for actual use I invariably prefer a nail nick-- especially when it's deep and well-placed, as they tend to be. This has been borne out across my small but happy sampling of #15s and #25s with the same blades but different pulls/nicks, and now with the #77s.

pmew said:
I'll ask another question though, why is it that the 77s have all been so warmly received, when the 78 did not? I own only our forum knife, but aside from a few subtle variations the two patterns appear very similar.
Click to expand...

For me?

Compared to a #15 Jack (a mostly-known quantifier, in whatever clothes), the #77 Jack is only yee bigger here and there, leading to a similarly-proportioned, mid-weight knife in a larger size.

Compared to a #77, the #78 is just a yee bigger here and there, but with a little more than one-step-up weight-- it's built tough and sturdy, with a snap to match. It's a hefty handful.

Comparing a #15 to a #78, which was the only "step up" at the time the #78s were released? The #78 is clearly a massive beastie.

Me, I love the #78s, especially in Tidioute clothes-- namely, a well-placed nail nick as per the above, so that I can leverage the blade open. They are snappers. However, given the expanse of cover material, I want(ed) a shield, which the Tidioute models do not have.

... When confronted with so many wonderful (and ongoing!) patterns from which to choose, one must make decisions. I would love to own a #78-- a true workhorse, and I love me some strong pull-- but the #77 comes together for me as a pattern in a way the #78 doesn't, right down to the pen-behind-main.

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Or maybe it's just that mine glows? ;-)

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~ P.
 
I love my 78 and plan on getting a 77 Yankee as soon as the discretionary fund allows it. I have a Washington Jack, but it's too fancy for everyday life around here and I haven't yet had an occasion to carry it. I'm hoping that those sawcut covers are still available when I am able to pick one up, as I'm a big sawcut fan. Beautiful knives all around.
 
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I really like the 77 size. I have one of each of the SFOs (forum, Washington, barlow) but have not checked out the standard production offering yet. Had they done the sawcut bone in a barehead configuration I think I would have grabbed one. A barehead and single blade version, sign me up for sure!
 
I like the 78 too. The only real difference design wise is the top bolster. The slightly squared off top bolster of the 77 is more reminiscent of the 15, while the round top bolster of the 78 makes it almost feel more like a giant 25.
 
pertinux said:
For me?

Compared to a #15 Jack (a mostly-known quantifier, in whatever clothes), the #77 Jack is only yee bigger here and there, leading to a similarly-proportioned, mid-weight knife in a larger size.

Compared to a #77, the #78 is just a yee bigger here and there, but with a little more than one-step-up weight-- it's built tough and sturdy, with a snap to match. It's a hefty handful.

Comparing a #15 to a #78, which was the only "step up" at the time the #78s were released? The #78 is clearly a massive beastie.

Me, I love the #78s, especially in Tidioute clothes-- namely, a well-placed nail nick as per the above, so that I can leverage the blade open. They are snappers. However, given the expanse of cover material, I want(ed) a shield, which the Tidioute models do not have.

... When confronted with so many wonderful (and ongoing!) patterns from which to choose, one must make decisions. I would love to own a #78-- a true workhorse, and I love me some strong pull-- but the #77 comes together for me as a pattern in a way the #78 doesn't, right down to the pen-behind-main.

IMG_5987a.jpg~original


Or maybe it's just that mine glows? ;-)

~ P.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sarah, that explains things a bit better. It reminds me of the change in the 25s, when GEC reduced the width of the secondary blade, the small change made a significant difference to the feel of the knife.

Lemmy Caution said:
I like the 78 too. The only real difference design wise is the top bolster. The slightly squared off top bolster of the 77 is more reminiscent of the 15, while the round top bolster of the 78 makes it almost feel more like a giant 25.
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Does the squaring off reduce the length by a smidgen or two?

Paul
 
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