Joining the Wharncliffe Cult--Did I do right?

S

SubSpace

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May 26, 2011
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630
Okay--I'm not a multiple knife guy, really. I've been carrying my Vic Classic/Case Peanut combo since December and it's done me just fine. Before that it was the Vic Classic/Vic Bantam for years and years. Point is, I stick with what works.

But this forum has intrigued me in the form of the Case Swayback Jack. I love the look of this knife, and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. And so, after a couple weeks of deliberation (I take my time, but I get there eventually) I ordered one. Since I have no Case retailer near me, I had to order online unseen.

I went with the Chestnut option (hoping for CV blades...the website did not specify, but I definitely got the Chestnut bone handle). A very helpful video on youtube showed it to be about the size of a Vic Cadet, which I own. My question for those who own one is this: is it small enough to go unnoticed?

I like small knives. I work in an office environment and do not want people to notice a knife in my pocket. Is the Swayback Jack small enough to not be conspicuous in business casual attire? Or will it be relegated to weekend duty? I hope not, because like I said, I really am a one knife at a time kind of guy (ubiquitous Vic Classic aside). I'm hoping I really like the Swayback Jack.
 
If you bought the chestnut bone version you will have CV blades. As for your other question, I believe you will find the knife to be perfect for your office environment. You have made a great choice; here's hoping that your specific knife lives up to its reputation (I am pretty certain it will). I have one of these and I feel like I got more for my money than any other knife I have ever bought. - Ed J

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You've made a wise decision... I really like the Swayback Jack! It's one
of the best patterns I've got. Does about everything a man needs...
Congrats... You'll enjoy it for sure!


Jason
 
I think you're going to like it a lot. It's small enough to be unobtrusive yet still plenty big for most tasks. It's my favorite choice when wearing dress pants.
 
I believe your choice represents one of the best patterns Case is currently offering (not including Case / Bose collabs). Case just seems to do the Chestnut bone / CV swaybacks so right....

Jason
 
it can go unnoticed for sure. It's in a neat little package. To me it feels more "dense" than a similarly sized swiss army knife, but it's certainly no heavyweight. And the main wharncliffe blade is impeccable in CV. I thinned out the edge recently and the steel is a pleasure to work with and then get sharp again.

Edit: How long have they been making the SBJ? My tang stamp looks quite a bit different than the one posted above. The Case XX is underlined much more straight, and has only one little x underneath.
 
SubSpace said:
I went with the Chestnut option (hoping for CV blades...the website did not specify, but I definitely got the Chestnut bone handle).
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It's CV. There's other chestnut Cases that are in SS, but these are smooth bone, and I don't believe the SBJ is available in smooth chestnut (yet).
 
goodeyesniper said:
Edit: How long have they been making the SBJ? My tang stamp looks quite a bit different than the one posted above. The Case XX is underlined much more straight, and has only one little x underneath.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what year they started, but from your description I think yours is an '09. Case changes the stamp every decade and starts with 10 X's or dots. One is removed each year until reaching 1 in the ninth year. The knife in Ed's pic looks like it was made in 2010.
 
dannyp said:
I'm not sure what year they started, but from your description I think yours is an '09. Case changes the stamp every decade and starts with 10 X's or dots. One is removed each year until reaching 1 in the ninth year. The knife in Ed's pic looks like it was made in 2010.
Click to expand...

ah, good info. It had me wondering, because it seemed like such a big difference, and I didn't think the SBJ had been around that long. But working backwards then starting it over fresh makes sense.
 
Thanks for the encouraging words. As much as I love the Peanut and will sing its praises all day long, the knife I grew up carrying was a swiss army knife. I just found that I really didn't use anything but the blades, and once I discovered the joy of CV, well--

The swayback jack looks like it will be about swiss army size (again, it's just what I'm used to) and I am very glad to hear it's as unobtrusive as the one or two layer Vics I've had. My one caveat about the Peanut is that I can't tell you how many times it's bitten my thumb when opening. The blades are sometimes difficult to grasp due to their size and if you're not careful, they can get you...

I'll post my impressions of the swayback after I've had a chance to carry it for a few days.

Thanks again.

Andrew
 
You've made a great choice. Though a bit too small for me I guarantee you wont be dissapointed.
 
I think it's the perfect pocket knife for the office, aside from the fact that I think the swayback is the most aesthetically pleasing traditional pattern. I can't seem to maintain carbon blades, but the pattern is a winner.

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Nathan
 
I agree. This is by far my favorite pattern, not just from Case but from any maker. I continue to buy other knives/patterns but my Case SBJ seems to beat them all in pocket and use time.
 
On top of what everyone else has said, the SBJ is one of the classiest looking designs ever made, IMHO. No one could ever mistake it for a weapon. It'll fit nice in a pants pocket, cut like a laser, and look good while doing it. Enjoy!
 
wintermute said:
On top of what everyone else has said, the SBJ is one of the classiest looking designs ever made, IMHO. No one could ever mistake it for a weapon. It'll fit nice in a pants pocket, cut like a laser, and look good while doing it. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Agreed. Great knife. But this is very true...it is an unintimidating knife because it looks classy and gentlemanly. You are more likely to get praise than fear.
 
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