Jone Brothers JK-23 Combat/Survival knife

V

Vermonster

Joined
Jun 17, 2000
Messages
262
The knife is a JK-23 Combat/Survival knife. Handmade by the Jones Brothers of Danville Virginia. This knife sports a 9 inch by 1/4 inch ATS-34 Bos treated blade. It has a very nice hand rubbed satin finish with very thick micarta slabs. The handle of the knife has holes through the handle/tang like a Brend or Busse that could be used to lash the knife to stick for extended reach if you so choose.

As impressed as I was the day I received the JK-23 I am even more impressed now. The knife was used to split wood, pine alder and lots of rock maple, it also chopped like a small ax. Along with the small folding saw the knife cut, chopped and split 3 days and 3 nights worth of wood. In other words, A HELL OF A LOT OF WOOD. I don't know about you but I like to have a fire going most of the time while camping. I truly have a good feeling about the durability of this knife. The knife was not sharpened once, not once. By the end of the trip it was still very sharp, not like it was when we started but still shaved hair on my arm. Just plain impressive.

The edge and grind (flat) are perfect for hard use but also lend well to light chores, such as food prep, I sliced many red potatoes for the grill as well as bread, sausage's and sticks for the kids Marshmallows.

The sheath is from Edge Guard and made by Frank Sigman, model EOD2. The fact that the knife came with one of the best kydex sheaths made shows the quality and high standards of the Jones Brothers. The sheath adapted very neatly with paracord to my Survival Sheath Systems shoulder harness that carries a Tomahawk on the opposite side. For Kydex SSS and Edgeguard IMHO are the best out there. The sheath has a very large pouch that can hold a lot of survival gear.

Awesome survival knife.
The Jones Brothers really know how to make knives.
Great job!!
You can check out thier knives as well as this one with a 7 inch blade at: www.customknives.com/jonesbrothers/index.htm

Matt (edited because my spelling $ucks)
 
Great review, and glad you like it! ;) The Jones' really do top notch work. Super tough and sharp knives, with comfortable handles, and awesome sheaths. It doesn't get much better!
 
tknife,
Thank you for this awesome knife!!

You also reminded me to mention the handle very, very comfortable but also have great purchase as the slabs on this knife, unlike the one in pictured on the website, have milled grooves in them. a very nice touch. The handles are also nice and rounded. There is file work done on the spine close to the handle to place your thumb when you choke up on the blade by using the generous coil.

It is obvious a lot of thought went into this design. After using it, I have no doubts it will make an excellent deep woods-extended use tool.

Matt
 
No problem, I'm glad it's getting some good use! That was one of the top all time field knives I've ever owned, and will serve you well.
I've not handled a folder, but if they're made anywhere near as good as the fixed blades, they have to be top notch. They look completely bulletproof, with nice clean lines.
 
Forgive me for dropping a **** in the punchbowl, but I
need to ask: were you initially interested in a 7" blade
model like I was but then talked into a 9" model?

I was first attracted by the 7" bladed model-which appeared
in Tactical Knives. I finally decided to order one but
to no avail. Mr. Jones strongly hinted that I should settle
for the 9" model. So I ordered nothing.

I recognize that custom knife-making is a business, first, but
when your ads, catalog and website all highlight a knife
that subsequently proves to be unavailable, I have to wonder.

I'm sure you got a first rate blade. This is just to let
everyone know that not every poster here is happy with
Jones Knives.
 
Nope. When I originally placed the order, I specifically wanted a 9" blade. I found Barry Jones to be a friendly and knowledgeable guy. He was more than accomadating on the way I wanted the knife. I can't see a maker turning you away from a model that they already make. Maybe there a misunderstanding?
 
gorm,

First off this is not a "Who likes Jone's Brothers Knives and who does not?" thread.

This is MY thread that was started here to let others know that those guys make a very good knife.

My suggestion to you is to contact them in private about this matter and not to try and give them a public blemish.
Oh, and stay the phuck out of my thread if you can't contribute something positive.

Sincerely,

Matt

PS: Please forgive me for dropping a BIGGER $hit in your punchbowl.
 
I have one of their folders. Mine is very similar to the Tigershark linerlock folder shown on their website, but the scales on mine are not grooved. It is an excellent knife IMO.
Jim
 
Vermonster, tknife, & JimM
Thank you both for your comments about us and our work. I am thrilled to hear that kind of thing.

gorm,
I don't recall ever trying to push one blade length versus another with anyone. I merely suggested that I had a couple of the 9" versions already heat treated and that there would be a longer wait for one with a 7" blade. If it came across any other way then you have my sincerest apologies. It is not my intention to ever make anyone upset with us, whether they buy something or not.
 
Hey Guys,

I would like to add a little something to what Mr. Jones said. Every time you bad mouth or "trash talk" a craftsman it is just like taking food off of there table and stealing money out of there pockets. As you can see it was an mis-understanding, try to work things out before you run around spouting off at the mouth. What seems like harmless talk can actually do alot of damage. This is not pointed at Mr. Gorm or anyone else it is just letting everyone realize that you should give the guy the benefit of the doubt before you smearing his or her name. What do you guys think?

Keep It Sharp,

Chris Bowles
www.bowlesknives.com
 
I agree 100% with that statement. One can take these issues up in private. There just is no need for it to come out in public, especially in a thread where one is talking about the positive aspects of a maker and his/her design.
 
I was going to "stay the phuck out of this thread" but you
had to post what you did.

Not once did I disparage Mr. Jones's design. After all, I
wanted to purchase one, didn't I? I consider this model to
be elegant, attractive and above all, a very nice blend of
form and function.

We are not a Cult (or are we?) or a political movement with
strict doctrine that all must adhere to. Custom knifemakers
are not Demi-Gods.

Unfortunately, it has been my experience that my "misunderstanding" is all too common in dealing with Custom knifemakers. You are attracted by a Maker's work when it is highlighted in a magazine
article or in one of the Knife Annuals only to find that,
either the Maker is no longer in business; doesn't want to
make that model any more (or there is a looong wait) or well...
he/she has one but it has chartreuse micarta handles-why not
take that one?

Should I be a good little consumer and settle for something
I don't want? Would you have settled for less?

Well, enough. You will no doubt "misunderstand" this, too.
 
Chris,
Excellent post. You project wisdom that is far beyond your age.


gorm,
What I fail to understand is this. Why now? Why do you bring this up after having contacted us such a long time ago? Why didn't you bring this up with me right after our initial talks? If you have a problem with me you should take it up with me. I am not a difficult person to deal with.

BTW, you can email me at jknives@gamewood.net
or you may call me at (434)793-5282 (10am to 10pm EST) if you would like to discuss this in private.


Vermonster,
My apologies to you for all this mess in your thread.
 
Ok,

Gorm's post was reported to the moderators here.

By Gorm himself! LOL. He wanted to know if his posts could be deleted, because his comments had upset people.

Based on that, and reading his intitial post, I have to think Gorm just didn't understand the custom knifemaking biz, that's all, and misunderstood the Jones Bros reasons for trying to put him onto the 9" blade. I don't think he was trying to stir up the poop.

The Jones Bros explained themselves very well.

Gorm, I sincerely believe that Barry hated to see you wait for a 7" blade when he had a 9" ready to go, that's all. Any of the top custom knifemakers have a long wait for a blade. It's like the difference between eating at McDonald's or a five star restaurant. You're gonna wait awhile for the fine food of the highest quality to be prepared. Or you can get fast food junk right away at the drive-thru.

It's the buyer's choice, but expect a wait for a good blade from a maker whose knives are in high-demand. Based on everything people tell me, the Jones Bros knives are well worth the wait.

Let's all chill here!

Best,

Brian.
 
Barry,
No worries!! You know how I feel about this situation. I am pleased you stopped by.

Brian,
This is the only Jones Bros. knife I own at the moment, but that will change. The knife I have is an outstanding value, I have had knives that cost twice as much that have not performed even close. The fit and finish is impeccable. Very much worth the wait.

Matt
 
Vermonster,

Jones Bros knives are on my list too -- I hope someday I can actually afford all the knives I want! I have a long list of excellent makers on there! Plus, they have the best name in the business! ;)

Best,

Brian.
 
Thanks for handling this Brian. The Jones brothers do indeed have an excellent reputation.

It is rare for an individual to "self report" and that says a lot.

In the end I think everyone acted responsibly.

Ron
 
I can not let a post on the Jones Brothers go by without added my comments.

The easiest way to tell what I think of their knives is to say, it is one of their knives that rides with me on every trip to the woods. With the number of knives I come across in my business that is saying something. I parted with that knife at the Blade Show this year. Only because Jeff Randal wanted to take it to Peru for testing and I could get a replacement. I can assure everyone that if they hear about a sudden lost of rain forest in Peru, that knife is to blame.

As to Phillip and Barry themselves, if in their travels, they found themselves in Charlotte, I would insist they stay at my home. Momma raised these two right!
 
Mr. Hoffman,

Thanks for your comments.

I think it would be excellent to hear from Jeff Randall on how the JK-23 he had in Peru performed in the jungle. Is that info posted anywhere? I checked his site and found only a picture of him holding it.

Matt
 
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