Pen in front or behind...?

A

avoidspam

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Jul 2, 2011
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I'm hoping for a little insight into people's thinking here. I'm after people's reasoning behind their pen behind or in front preferences.... I'm going to pick GEC's #77 Yankee Jack and their #78 American Jack as an example because, as far as I can see there is very little difference between them besides the pen placement.

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I jumped on the #78 when it came out and honestly thought it would be a massively popular pattern. It did OK but the #77 garnered a lot more interest, in part I'm sure because of the exciting SFO variants which proceeded it (clever GEC!:)). So that got me thinking, maybe it's the pen placement which many saw as a deal breaker with the #78 American Jack but bang on the money with the #77 Yankee jack!

For me I prefer the pen in front, you can open both blades from the same side and when the main is open you have enough handle alongside the pen for your pinkies to get a purchase when doing tricky twisty maneuvers like taking the core from a wedge of apple (a daily pastime for me:). Personally, overall I prefer a single blade but I like how a pen adds heft to a knife and the pen on both the #77 & #78 is nicely tucked away whilst being a useful size.

So, do tell...!

Sam
 
Both aesthetically and traditionally, I prefer the pen in front, it's what I grew up with and am used to using. However placing the pen behind allows the main blade to sit lower in the frame, so the knife is slightly more compact overall, and it avoids those instances where the pen blocks the pull on the main blade.
 
I'm fine with either variant, but I'd say pen in front is actually more useful. I wind up having to change hands to open the pen blade when its behind especially if it has a stoutish pull. This is true even on my peanut.

Besides the difference in pen placement the 78 also has a rounded top bolster, which I thought made it appear a little more stout than the 77. Still a great pattern. From what I've heard a lot of people were turned off by its very strong springs. I had softened the springs on mine a bit and so that wasn't a problem. That very long pen is almost like a full size spear.
 
As usual, changed my mind.

Used to like the Pen in front as I thought it looked better, also heard it was more 'traditional' or authentic but I doubt that. Yes, you can open both blades without turning the knife.

But Everybody likes turning a knife around in their hands anyway! Coon Fingering the worry-stone is no chore and when a knife feel right it's just a delight to turn it around etc. Anyway, I've come round to liking the Master blade being left,nearest to my thumb for cutting work. The rationale, if there is one, being that since I like single blade knives mainly and single-spring patterns then the Master is closest to your thumb. Think about a Stockman, I don't believe they have Sheepfoot in front of the Clip...Their Master is always left. A lot of people are likely to disagree.....

Regards, Will
 
I prefer pen in front on a jack, but the only reason for that is with the pen behind, the pen opens "upside down". Pretty picky, I know :D

- GT
 
Jack Black said:
Both aesthetically and traditionally, I prefer the pen in front, it's what I grew up with and am used to using. However placing the pen behind allows the main blade to sit lower in the frame, so the knife is slightly more compact overall, and it avoids those instances where the pen blocks the pull on the main blade.
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+1. I also share Will's thoughts as well. In the end, it depends on the pattern, except when the pen makes it more difficult to access to the main blade (which I find unbearable).

Fausto
:cool:
 
I find the situation as "six of one, half-dozen of the other" (or however you say it). I am happy with either, although I am with you in preferring 1-blades lately!
 
Agreed Lemmy, I must admit I hadn't appreciated the difference in the bolsters until I looked through the 'give the #77 love' thread just now. The less rounded #77 does look more svelte:)
 
Well said Jack. I do also like certain knives that have a pen in front with a dugout so the main blade doesn't have to sit higher than normal. Such as on this one:

 
Well ... this state of discussion appears from time to time. But good you made a thread, Sam. I´m looking forward on everyone´s opinion.

I have no fave. That being said here. It depends on the construction.

In front of the main blade it depends on the mainblade´s nail nick or long pull. If the secondary blade is relatively high and is making problems to open the main blade then I don´t like it. For example: On the TCs the secondary blade is sitting low and it´s no problem.

On my beloved #66 or The Mighty Queen BD Barlow it´s behind. So the access to the secondary blade is no prob at all.
 
Not such a deal breaker perhaps then. We'll all make little sacrifices if she's a looker:)

I'd be interested to see if there is much difference in main blade height between the #77 and #78...

Andi - I can see that, I like the long pull on a main if the pen is in front too.

Sam
 
avoidspam said:
Ah, thank you Jack! That's the kind of answer I was after:)

Common sense that!
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Thanks Sam, I think my brain is addled by spending the last couple of hours wrapping Xmas presents! :eek: :D

Lemmy Caution said:
Well said Jack. I do also like certain knives that have a pen in front with a dugout so the main blade doesn't have to sit higher than normal. Such as on this one:

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Thanks Lemmy. Yes, that makes a lot of sense and adds a touch of class I think. Did I tell you, that's a great-looking knife? ;)
 
+3 on what Charlie and Jack is saying.

It depends on the knife/pattern/construction however you may call it.
 
Main blade in front. This probably won't make sense, but when I have the knife in my hand peeling some fruit, it feels better to me having the blade on top. Like Jack said, it's just what I grew up with! Some of my customs have the pull on opposite sides, so the blades sit level. But on these, the springs aren't nail breakers!
 
The pen placement, size and how well it tucks into the frame is a major plus for me on the #78. For example, although I think the #85 is a prettier pattern it would have to be a pretty special version for me to bite, simply because the narrower bolster leaves the pen sitting high at the tang. I fiddle and whittle a lot, this would annoy me now!:)

Sam
 
or...

c) Pen in other pocket.


I have big hands. Can't live with traditional sub-4" closed slip joints. Strongly prefer a larger knife and strongly prefer a single blade.

So what to do when I need a pen blade. I reach into my LFP for a butterfly scissor tool and voila....

EDC Pair Open by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
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