I think I am the odd one here

Rsmith_77

Rsmith_77

Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
4,229
As the title of this post says I think I am the odd ball around here. Everyone around these parts seems to prefer the jacknife configuration with two blades both at the same end (aka the peanut). I on the other hand seem to prefer the pen set up with blades on the opposite end ( aka the buck 309 or broker 240).

This is one of those discoveries that came out after carrying the Texas jack for 3 months. I dunno the design seems more elegant to me, and also I don't seem to worry about blade centering near as much without a center liner. To me the equal end style (embodied by my alox saks) go along with this ...at least in my head.

Maybe I should stop checking out jack knives and trappers and start checking out a good moose pattern. I already know I like pen knives :).

Anyone else with me? Or is this a "jack" forum through and through?
 
I carry a slim premium stockman and have for years. But I have one or more of every pattern nearly and occasionally switch up. You might look at the muskrat pattern and see if it is worth a try.

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I like a muskrat ,too. Especially with two different style blades. I like this configuration with blades sharing the same spring. Makes a thin knife
 
You're not the only one that prefers pen style (opposing blades) knives. I just ordered a Case Eisenhower and have a GEC White Owl in transit.
 
You know, funny you should mention this. Just over the past couple days, I've been thinking about the same thing. Carrying my orange Northfield 54 moose (Thanks, John!), it's nice to be able to pull the knife from my pocket and not have to worry about which way it is oriented: there's a main blade ready to use, regardless of which way the knife flips around. It's kinda nice.
The main drawback, in my eyes, is that it's easier to fit a longer blade into a jack configuration, and I prefer to have the blade be as long as the handle will accommodate. That's why I generally gravitate toward single-blades, trappers, barlows, and the like. The moose's frame is the same length as my full size Case trapper, while its main blade is a full 1/4" shorter.

...and a pic of the moose in question:

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I've been a fan of pen knives for a long time even though I carry a peanut everyday







Pretend the #54 isn't in this pick, but the #68 is on the larger end of pens



Pete
 
You will find plenty of posts on the Norfolk, Muskrat, Congress and Half Congress, Half Whittler etc. They and their ilk are all well liked by this forums members.
 
Glad to know I am not all alone.
I am still expecting a visit from the grand high mukbah's goon squad though :D
 
I dig my Jacks but there are just far too many (maybe not enough? ;)) other fantastic patterns out there for me to call myself a dedicated Jack guy. One of the finest knives I own is my GEC Northfield #76 Western Outlaw...

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This thread also reminds me that I need more Whittlers! :)

-Brett
 
By looking at my little family of traditionals I guess I prefer the jackknife pattern but have nothing against a pen-style either. If I found one I liked I'd be all over it.

The only Pen-Style I have is my #79 2-blade with Spear/Coping. I like it alot in fact, but never gave much thought to the fact that it's actually not a jack, I just like the knife! :)

4D443F6D-AF93-4198-A35A-22DEFB5A3E76-4764-00000231C5487F58_zps54e1fcda.jpg
 
Im with Arizonaranchman on this one. The 79 workhorse sleeveboard is my favorite. I also just picked up a half congress this last weekend too that I think I will like very much.
 
You think you're the odd one? I don't really go for jacks or pens. I much prefer single blade slipjoints.

- Christian
 
I am really starting to appreciate my GEC Esquire I recently got. Always been a fan of traditional jack knives, but it got me looking at the White Owl in a different light.
 
One of my favorites is a case cv in delrin. It beats the peanut in pocket, imho, and has a longer main blade. The benefits of the jack that I see are 1) strength, though this is debatable and 2) better blade-to-handle ratio, depending on design.
 
The single spring pen knife has the main characteristic of being slim and light. This has it's own special advantages, such as when dressing up or when lounging around the house in loose fitting shorts (my main use of pens). To achieve this light slimness, you have to give up some blade length and grip comfort for harder tasks.

BokerUSApen_zpsc1d535fb.jpg~original


Since I have knives all over my house, it doesn't cost me anything to carry a pen at home. But when out and about I prefer a larger, thicker, two-spring knife which is more capable of tackling heavier jobs. This is where 3½ - 4" jacks or stockmen work for me.

EurekaEDC_zpsd41f8788.jpg~original


StagMooreMaker.jpg~original
 
The Conductor shown on the left has been an almost constant companion of mine since I got it a couple years ago. It makes the transition from blue jeans to dress pants pretty easily, whereas the other larger knives I carry stay home when I dress up. ;)

 
I love different patterns and carry several different ones as the mood hits. The one that I don't have that I really want would be a Hawbaker Muskrat with a single spring, California Clip and Wharncliff or Coping blade. For me in general it's not about pen vs jack knife but more about what strikes me as "just right".

Chris
 
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