Received my Bulldog brand congress & my 3 Colt brand knives today...

PocketKnifeJimmy said:
I don't feel my observations have been unfair, and I share such observations about any and all brands when I see them (anybody that has read my threads in the past, knows that is a fact). As for the Colt's jigging marks, they are in the valleys, not it's peaks, so carrying will do little to those lines I mention. I have actually said much good about these imports... but any and all that sticks out for me, good or bad, I share with folks here. And, obviously, what I notice, others won't, or won't care about... I leave that up to them to decide :)

Btw, sometimes observations are just that... not a flaw, but maybe a difference between two makers or specimens. A flaw, or what I personally consider one, will be labled as such. My comparison between the jigging done by Queen and the Colt knife, was factual. Nowhere did I call the Colt jigging a flaw, though I consider Queen's better executed, for sure :)
Click to expand...

Ever think about a career in the Diplomatic Corps? ;) Your even handed, diplomatic responses are always a pleasure to see.
 
Here's a Colt Signature Series hunter.

You can see tool marks on this one too, but it's still very nicely made.




 
JPD1998 said:
Here's a Colt Signature Series hunter.

You can see tool marks on this one too, but it's still very nicely made.




Click to expand...

Very handsome knife... and yes, great close up photos showing the lines I discussed earlier. I don't know if "old school" jigging machines would leave these lines behind. This may be a thing that more modern jigging methods do, but it's just a guess, I simply don't know. Maybe somebody in the cutlery business will read these posts and clarify if this can be common with any jigging machinery, or more specific of only more modern jigging machines :)
 
That would be interesting. I haven't the foggiest idea of how jigging modern or otherwise is achieved.
 
I like that black&white stagbone more their amber, something different. Might have to get one if they do a pattern I use.

My experience of Colt knives: extremely good fit&finish, gap free no play and excellent snap.I just don't like their overdressed appearance, too much in the way of bolster ornamentation makes it too garish for my taste. This is of course subjective, I certainly cannot fault their quality.

Regards, Will
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-7OTcCRcjM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This video has floated around for quite a while. It shows how pocket knives are made in the Case knife factory. It shows some bone being jigged and then dyed afterwards. My understanding is that the jigging is done pretty much old school. But, with Colt and Rough Rider being done overseas, there is a chance that things are done differently, including their jigging... but I imagine we may never know. Wish we could pick someones brain about it ;)
 
Fascinating video, I hadn't seen that. Thanks Jimmy. Too bad they won't let one volunteer to sweep up the floor at GEC for a couple of days. I'd love to do it! I was surprised to see the extent of mechanization in the Case factory. I suspect that one of the reasons for the low price of the RR and Colt knives, aside from the obvious; cheaper labor, is that China may have invested heavily in more modern CAD etc. machinery. As you have observed, it certainly isn't cheap materials.
-Greg
 
Last edited:
I guess GEC actually allows visitors to watch production of their knives... but I have not made a trip to take advantage of that. GEC makes them much more old school than Case (I like both those makers products). My favorite is Queen, and they too are like GEC... old school production :)
Case has gone pretty modern in many respects, but are still hands on enough to cause some feel of craftsmanship (and human errors that go along with that). Now Victorinox, makers of the Swiss Army Knives, they really went all out in their robotic/computer making of knives. I like them for what they are.... well made little knives that represent the precision that man made machines can accomplish. And we know that the Swiss have been known for precision for a long time :) Rough Rider and Colt are likely being done at the same factory/factories in China, and it would be great to see SMKW put out a video of some of that production as it's done over there.... but, I ain't holding my breath on that happening any time soon ;)
 
Last edited:
Being that we mentioned Gec above... I will say that one of my favorite little touches I like about the few I have... they pin their shields to the handle scales. I have a recent Doctor's pattern knife made by Queen that also is pinned, and I've read Queen may revert to pinning of all shields. Now, let's see if we can convince the Case and Rough Riders/Colt firms to do the same :) The German made Bulldog knife I recently received, has a pinned in shield, and just overall seems to be old world craftsmanship... I have a soft spot for that :)
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Being that we mentioned Gec above... I will say that one of my favorite little touches I like about the few I have... they pin their shields to the handle scales. I have a recent Doctor's pattern knife made by Queen that also is pinned, and I've read Queen may revert to pinning of all shields. Now, let's see if we can convince the Case and Rough Riders/Colt firms to do the same :) The German made Bulldog knife I recently received, has a pinned in shield, and just overall seems to be old world craftsmanship... I have a soft spot for that :)
Click to expand...

I agree, The first thing I look for is a pinned shield on a knife. I've had glued shields fall off of brand new knives....and not cheap knives.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
Very handsome knife... and yes, great close up photos showing the lines I discussed earlier. I don't know if "old school" jigging machines would leave these lines behind. This may be a thing that more modern jigging methods do, but it's just a guess, I simply don't know. Maybe somebody in the cutlery business will read these posts and clarify if this can be common with any jigging machinery, or more specific of only more modern jigging machines :)
Click to expand...

I really like the Signature series - thanks for the great closeups of the jigging. I've been looking at low priced Barlows, and I like theirs the best.
 
Thanks for the another great post again Jimmy! I definitely use my peanut regularly and the 440a holds up fairly well to Tru-sharp. I touch mine up once every few weeks. What's nice is if I bother to gently feather the blade over my fine stone for a bit of a polish it gets razor sharp and holds until the next time I touch it up. Regular use is for opening mail, a cardboard box or two, stray thread, bread and cheese, piece of rope, boxes so very light use in general. I like to maintain a really sharp edge on it though since its in my pocket and I reach for it so the little Colt peanut so often!
 
You've inspired me to drop a Bulldog in my pocket today Jimmy :thumbup:
I have the same Congress as Pete in ram's horn, as well as two others in stag, a Peanut and a Stockman. The Peanut will accompany me to church, the Congress later in my LFP. I love the way Olbertz does stag.

I have looked at those Colt knives a number of times and most likely will pick at least one or two up in the future. I have been happy with my offshore knives for the most part, the AG Russells are the cream of the crop, especially the curved regular jack and the current reverse Congress muskrat. A CRKT stockman and a trusty RR camp pattern are decent too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top