polymerhead
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2014
- Messages
- 134
I know plenty of us have a Fremont Jack in the collection, but I haven't really seen a lot of detail about construction and fit/finish, so I thought I'd write up some initial impressions and of course take some photos to share. Please note, these are literally first impressions. The package has been open for 90 minutes as I type this. I got home, opened it up, went to work with sandpaper and ceramic, oiled it up and got the cameral out.
First thing's first - this is a cool knife. It's unique in the world of traditionals; a squared off little bulldog that feels like it could be used to open a soup can if needed. I won't be trying it though.
Feel in the hand is great - it's slick and lean, smallish but not so small that it doesn't fill the hand. It should carry well but also be ready when things need cuttin'.
Fit - Perfectly centered blade. This is impressive, considering the close tolerances of the gap. The metal is slightly proud of the bone all around on the handle, I assume from the polishing process. This leaves some felt edges where there should be none, but no deal breaker.
Finish - By design, it's not as polished as a GEC knife. The shield has some scrapes on it. The blade has a nice grind with good color (pics in a sec) and the polished parts are well polished, but grind marks are still present. No big deal. The bone scales are nice, a deep glossy color that seems to have levels within the surface. I'm not in love with the color but I'm glad I went yellow & not blue, and definitely glad I went yellow bone over green micarta. That's all personal preference though.
Walk & Talk - Maybe the only disappointing part of this knife. It opens with authority, especially as it snaps open from the half stop. It closes hard to the half stop as well. But then all the spine is gone and it slides closed weakly. I hope it gets firmer as it wears in some, but I expected it to snap closed with authority. It does not.
Edge - Non-existent. Maybe a 3 out of 10 on the sharp scale. This is a known "feature" of Northfields/GEC and was expected. I took to sharpening it immediately and it probably needs another hour of work before I'm comfortable with it. No big deal.
On to the photos!
Close-up of the coloration on the blade. Subtle blues/reds. Neat!
And a couple comparison pics with my favorite pocket knife, the GEC 42. A smaller knife, but it doesn't feel any less substantial in the hand. It feels...capable.
Bottom line, I'm not selling this one, and I'm sure it'll find rotation in my pocket. More Fremonts might find their way to me depending on what scales become available.
First thing's first - this is a cool knife. It's unique in the world of traditionals; a squared off little bulldog that feels like it could be used to open a soup can if needed. I won't be trying it though.
Feel in the hand is great - it's slick and lean, smallish but not so small that it doesn't fill the hand. It should carry well but also be ready when things need cuttin'.
Fit - Perfectly centered blade. This is impressive, considering the close tolerances of the gap. The metal is slightly proud of the bone all around on the handle, I assume from the polishing process. This leaves some felt edges where there should be none, but no deal breaker.
Finish - By design, it's not as polished as a GEC knife. The shield has some scrapes on it. The blade has a nice grind with good color (pics in a sec) and the polished parts are well polished, but grind marks are still present. No big deal. The bone scales are nice, a deep glossy color that seems to have levels within the surface. I'm not in love with the color but I'm glad I went yellow & not blue, and definitely glad I went yellow bone over green micarta. That's all personal preference though.
Walk & Talk - Maybe the only disappointing part of this knife. It opens with authority, especially as it snaps open from the half stop. It closes hard to the half stop as well. But then all the spine is gone and it slides closed weakly. I hope it gets firmer as it wears in some, but I expected it to snap closed with authority. It does not.
Edge - Non-existent. Maybe a 3 out of 10 on the sharp scale. This is a known "feature" of Northfields/GEC and was expected. I took to sharpening it immediately and it probably needs another hour of work before I'm comfortable with it. No big deal.
On to the photos!
Close-up of the coloration on the blade. Subtle blues/reds. Neat!
And a couple comparison pics with my favorite pocket knife, the GEC 42. A smaller knife, but it doesn't feel any less substantial in the hand. It feels...capable.
Bottom line, I'm not selling this one, and I'm sure it'll find rotation in my pocket. More Fremonts might find their way to me depending on what scales become available.
