Opinions on Blackjack Knives

lagarto

lagarto

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
1,438
Does anyone know anything about the new Ken Warner/ Blackjack company. I'm specifically interested in the Anaconda II Bowie Knife. If anyone has any information it's much appreciated.
Thanks.
Lagarto
 
The new Blackjacks I've handled are great cutters. Warner is stressing the ability to cut as the most important feature of the knife. The super short ricasso also helps cutting ability but increases stress build up in this area. As far as fit and finish goes, you get what you pay for...and so do the middlemen.
 
Hi Lagarto...

I have both the Blackjack Warrior and Grunt, and have handled the Quick.

They are excellent quality knives for the money. The handles are some of the most comfortable "rubber" handles out there, and they come Razor sharp out of the box...

Fit and finish are very good, and found no problems with the two models i have and the models I've looked at....

I hear they are also coming with some High Quality Concealex...:)

ttyle

Eric....
 
I just received a Maple handled Small in 1095 steel. The edge is really amazingly sharp and seems to be a good "cutter'. The knife arrived with quite a bit of rust and pitting on the blade, which was upsetting. However, I know that I could have just returned it for a new one. Rather than return it, I spent some time polishing the pits out. The quality and fit and finish is "OK". What I like about the "Small" is the size and shape of the overall blade / handle combo, and very sharp edge. That is why I bought it. Time will tell how my efforts in polishing the 1095 steel will hold up.

I also really like the quailty of the dark colored leather sheath that came with the knife.

I spent a few dollars more for the optional extra pocket sheath, but am not too excited about this one. I will stick with using the belt sheath, which I really like.
 
Lagarto, The Anaconda II Bowie Knife is a very sweet bowie. When they came in I fell in love with them, in fact about a week after they came in was one of my friends birthdays and his girlfriend was looking for him a knife and I talked her into one for him, He loved it. They are big and beefy but balanced very well. They are made so well that when your holding it you just know you can work it hard, it kind of makes you feel like you could win in a gun vs knife fight with this one. (No you can't but it sure feels like it). I really can't say enough about this one, If I was going to buy a bowie right now or any other large knife this one is the one I would buy.
 
I have a Trailguide 2 and feel that it's made well. It takes a mean edge and sharpens easily. I still like the original Trailguide better made with A-2 steel. Still the new Blackjacks are decent knives.
 
Thanks for all the data so far folks, seems like you've had some mixed experiences regarding fit and finish, but everyone seems to think cutting ability is good. I don't yet have a bowie style blade for my collection so the Anaconda II seemed like a good one, glad to hear that at the very least they aren't complete junk. Hopefully I will have one within the next several weeks and will be able to post a mini - review. (Please keep info coming though) Thanks.
Lagarto
 
I must say, if you have never had a convex grind knife, you are missing a cool experience. They are very very sharp. Plus they are very easy to keep sharp. Nothing to it.

Regarding my feedback earlier on this thread, please do not take my experience with rust on the new knife as a real quality issue. The blade is high carbon 1095. Very possilbly it got a bit damp somewhere during shipping to the dealer. I don't think the manufacturer could possibly protect against this. It was purely my decision not to send it back for a replacement. Acutally the polished 1095 steel looks pretty nice, after I was done with it.
 
Jay,
Good point, I have three tops knives, also in 1095 and you're right, I have to keep a close eye on them and make sure I oil them right after use or they quickly develop small rust spots as well. Just dissappointing to hear that it had arrived in that condition, but it does sound like yours was a unique case. Also, I believe the Anaconda is AUS 8 which I believe is a little more rust resistant. I could be wrong though.
Lagarto
 
lagarto said:
Jay,
Good point, I have three tops knives, also in 1095 and you're right, I have to keep a close eye on them and make sure I oil them right after use or they quickly develop small rust spots as well. Just dissappointing to hear that it had arrived in that condition, but it does sound like yours was a unique case. Also, I believe the Anaconda is AUS 8 which I believe is a little more rust resistant. I could be wrong though.
Lagarto
Click to expand...

AUS 8 is "stainless" steel.
 
I am no steel expert by any means. However, I am a bit surprised that Blackjack would use AUS8 on a large knife that has to be tough. From what I have read, AUS8 is somewhat "soft" steel. Can be very sharp, but does not hold an edge particularly well. This this correct? I presume this steel is used for price reasons.

I do like the looks of the Black Jack Trail Guide III. Looks great. However I am also not at all familiar with 52-100 steel.

Also did some research and found out that Blackjack will also be offering, in the future, a Small with leather handle and capped handle end. This I will buy.
 
jayharley said:
I am no steel expert by any means. However, I am a bit surprised that Blackjack would use AUS8 on a large knife that has to be tough. From what I have read, AUS8 is somewhat "soft" steel. Can be very sharp, but does not hold an edge particularly well. This this correct? I presume this steel is used for price reasons. /QUOTE]


My Anaconda (made by the original Blackjack Knives) is also in AUS 8. If you have any interest in Blackjack knives, there is a Blackjack Forum at KnifeForums. AUS8 to have adequate "toughness" was left at a lower RC than would have been practical with a non-"stainless" steel. The heat-treating was reportedly quite good. The convex edge is good blade geometry.
Click to expand...
 
Thomas Linton My Anaconda (made by the original Blackjack Knives) is also in AUS 8. If you have any interest in Blackjack knives said:
Thanks for the info. I have been following the Blackjack Forum, but have never posted on that particular forum.
Click to expand...
 
Well, I just ordered the Anaconda two from our very own NGK, and UPS has already confirmed that it should be delivered on Tuesday. So, Props to NGK, now to see if the knife is all I hope it is. Will post my first impressions in this thread as soon as it arrives.
Lagarto
 
Cold Steel uses AUS8 for allot of their knives, as does CRKT. Personally, I try to avoid the stuff. Going by test reports I have read here, AUS8 goes dull pretty fast. If I can't get 440C or better in a stainless knife, then I would rather have carbon steel. The Anaconda looks nice, but I would rather have it in a carbon steel.

AUS8, 440A, AUS6, etc. is OK for a knife kept strictly for self-defense, though. The idea would be to not use it for utility purposes, so it would always be sharp should it be needed for defense.
 
Yeah, I thought about that too. I have several CRKT's that I use for utility tasks, but I also have a sharpmaker that brings them up to shaving sharp pretty quickly and just ordered an A.G. Russel field sharpener which is supposed to come with diamond rods. Eventually I'll probably get some model of edgepro too.
Lagarto
 
Their are people who argue that buying knives made from high end stainless steels is a waste of money, saying that it is just a matter of sharpening the low end stainless steels more often. I can't argue with that. If you carry a sharpener with you and don't mind using it often, then there is no reason not to buy a knife made from AUS8, AUS6, 420, etc.

But being an absent minded person I am likely to forget to bring along my sharpener on a hunting or camping trip, so I prefer the higher end steels.
 
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