Jack Wolf vs Pena X

[Locutus D'Borg]

I'm attracted to both brands but have not had the opportunity to handle either. They both have knives in the $270 range. Anyone handle them and have an opinion. I am liking the idea of another modern traditional (my modern traditionals are both custom and I love them). I also like the idea of traditionals that have Torx instead of pins, but I'm weird that way.

 

[Dadpool]

I can only speak to the lone Pena X-Series Trapper I've owned, but it was flawless, beautifully executed, and stellar at being what it set out to be. You won't be disappointed in that line.

 

[snuffle]

I don't know about Jack Wolf. I tried carrying a Pena for a while.

I like them a lot - think they're gorgeous with good steel and a lovely design. The top flipper took a little practice, but works well. At the time I was mostly cutting many, many zipties, and it was perfectly fine at that.

But after a couple weeks of carrying it clipped to my pocket, the clip screws developed enough play to allow lateral movement in the clip, and it is pretty obvious it will fail at some point. So I stopped carrying it.

Possible that that one had a problem, but I suspect it is just a matter of the design, and me expecting too much from it. It would not the first time; I end up spending time both in corporate meetings and worksites in the same day, and usable knives that don't freak people out is a balancing act.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I don't know about Jack Wolf. I tried carrying a Pena for a while.

I like them a lot - think they're gorgeous with good steel and a lovely design. The top flipper took a little practice, but works well. At the time I was mostly cutting many, many zipties, and it was perfectly fine at that.

But after a couple weeks of carrying it clipped to my pocket, the clip screws developed enough play to allow lateral movement in the clip, and it is pretty obvious it will fail at some point. So I stopped carrying it.

Possible that that one had a problem, but I suspect it is just a matter of the design, and me expecting too much from it. It would not the first time; I end up spending time both in corporate meetings and worksites in the same day, and usable knives that don't freak people out is a balancing act.

Thanks. Yeah, I'm not a big flipper guy and never tried a front one, so I'm hesitant....

 

[snuffle]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm not a big flipper guy and never tried a front one, so I'm hesitant....

I'm not either, I mostly like autos or folders with thumb studs. But I liked the Pena's front flipper - it looks traditional enough, but also easy to one-hand open when you need to.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I'm not either, I mostly like autos or folders with thumb studs. But I liked the Pena's front flipper - it looks traditional enough, but also easy to one-hand open when you need to.

Yeah, I should try a front flipper.

 

[mbkr]

I end up spending time both in corporate meetings and worksites in the same day, and usable knives that don't freak people out is a balancing act.

I often had a mix of office/field also. When we had a project under construction, I had to be prepared to go out on short notice. I carried a small/medium traditional pocket knife in the office and kept a Schrade 6OT lockback in my field bag.

 

[Hackenslash]

The Penas are nice knives, made by Reate. I have an Apache with Kickstop flipper tab and it’s a wonderful knife.

Jack Wolf doesn’t disclose who makes their knives and based on some photos I’ve seen here on BF, I’d say they’re a distinct lower tier of quality.

Finch offers some interesting modern traditionals at a lower price still.

 

[JupiterPaladin]

I'll go ahead and chime in. The Pena is world's better than what I've seen from Jack Wolf. What Is actually recommend for a modern traditional is to check out Lionsteel and Viper out of Italy. They use the same materials while having IMHO better craftsmanship for half the cost or less.

 

[fishface5]

I have a trivisa slip joint thatis quite a bit nicer than my lionsteel IMHO check them out

 

[craytab]

The Penas are nice knives, made by Reate. I have an Apache with Kickstop flipper tab and it’s a wonderful knife.

Jack Wolf doesn’t disclose who makes their knives and based on some photos I’ve seen here on BF, I’d say they’re a distinct lower tier of quality.

Finch offers some interesting modern traditionals at a lower price still.

I'll go ahead and link to what I think you are talking about. Besides the fit/finish issues, I was shocked that this knife was claimed to be an integral bolster. No way is there enough milling and thick enough scale for me to pay integral bolster type of money for this:

Jack Wolf Knives - Back on Track

Alright, so my Laid Back Jack on olive drab Micarta came in today. Pics first. Here goes.... It's a great looking knife!! I think the wharncliffe swayback jack is one of the best looking and most useful traditional patterns there is, so I think it was astute of Ben to have it as one of...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[Fixall]

I’ve owned both a Peña X Bravo and a Jack Wolf Laid Back Jack.

I still own the Pena X.

I’d say the Peña X was a pretty good step above the Jack Wolf.

 

[Silent H]

Finch offers some interesting modern traditionals at a lower price still.

I think Finch is the more apt comparison to Pena's X-series knives. Both are modern locking knives that draw heavy influence from traditional knives and bridge a gap between traditional and modern tactical.

As others have mentioned, Lionsteel seems to be a better comparison to Jack Wolf, since both use modern materials and construction techniques to build traditional pattern knives.

 

[Hackenslash]

I'll go ahead and chime in. The Pena is world's better than what I've seen from Jack Wolf. What Is actually recommend for a modern traditional is to check out Lionsteel and Viper out of Italy. They use the same materials while having IMHO better craftsmanship for half the cost or less.

Wow, can’t believe I forgot Lionsteel and Viper. Also, Collector Knives does a great job of bringing limited versions of these knives to market.

Another brand jumping into the modern traditional market is James Brand. I’ve been very unimpressed with what I’ve seen come from them. They sure don’t match their price point, in my opinion.

 

[craytab]

Wow, can’t believe I forgot Lionsteel and Viper. Also, Collector Knives does a great job of bringing limited versions of these knives to market.

Another brand jumping into the modern traditional market is James Brand. I’ve been very unimpressed with what I’ve seen come from them. They sure don’t match their price point, in my opinion.

The Vipers have what I would call e real integral Ti bolster, unlike the Jack Wolf.

 

[NG VI]

I don't know about Jack Wolf. I tried carrying a Pena for a while.

I like them a lot - think they're gorgeous with good steel and a lovely design. The top flipper took a little practice, but works well. At the time I was mostly cutting many, many zipties, and it was perfectly fine at that.

But after a couple weeks of carrying it clipped to my pocket, the clip screws developed enough play to allow lateral movement in the clip, and it is pretty obvious it will fail at some point. So I stopped carrying it.

Possible that that one had a problem, but I suspect it is just a matter of the design, and me expecting too much from it. It would not the first time; I end up spending time both in corporate meetings and worksites in the same day, and usable knives that don't freak people out is a balancing act.

You didn't try thread locker?

 

[NG VI]

Wow, can’t believe I forgot Lionsteel and Viper. Also, Collector Knives does a great job of bringing limited versions of these knives to market.

Another brand jumping into the modern traditional market is James Brand. I’ve been very unimpressed with what I’ve seen come from them. They sure don’t match their price point, in my opinion.

Whatever the integral was, it was super vanilla like a T1 or an Old Guard, but if it were a couple hundred less expensive it would be their only must-buy when the budget and things allow, in my eyes. It's still their most fairly priced knife, which is laughable.