Received my new GEC Weaver Jack--first impressions

Eric H

Eric H

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Jul 15, 1999
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Just received my new GEC Weaver Jack with the single blade and ebony scales. The quality is excellent, as are the fit and finish. The blade is centered and opens solidly with no play.

I really like it, but there were a few things that surprised me.

First, its a little smaller than I had expected. It's a nice size for edc, but too small to be a work knife.
Second, its very light--lighter than it looks. Not a bad thing really, just surprising.
Third, with the amount of blade that sticks up when its closed, there really isn't a need for an easy open cut out. (I was also surprised to realize there wasn't a nail nick on the blade.)
Fourth, the ebony is a little lighter than I had hoped. I would loved it to be almost black, but I guess that should come with use and age.
Fifth, there isn't a half stop.

Again, I do really like this knife. Out of all of my points above, the only one I would have really liked to have had would be the half stop. I still can't get over the quality of GEC knives. At under $70, this one was a.bargain.
 
Nice looking knives. I really like the looks of the jack, and I like the Ebony. The lighter color gives it some good character. Not a big fan of the blade design though...

The entire package has a look of a knife that was made 100 years ago. Thats a good thing
 
I admit getting a little impulsive and buying one when they were released a week or two ago. I think it was the EO notch on the dogleg frame that sealed it. Jury's still out on if I love it or not. Like Eric stated, it is smaller (and lighter) than I usually like, but well put together. And I think I should have gotten the ebony. I'm thinking my wife would love this one for her gardening business, but she is so tough on the knives I give her...:(
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Here are a few more pics. The other knife is a GEC Yellow Rose single blade liner lock Scout (#73 pattern).

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Thanks for the pictures and words.

I think I might get the 2 bladed Northfield with end cap in bone. Anybody have this version yet?

Eric H, the 56 frame doesn't have a half-stop, it's actually made me change my mind on HS. I don't really need them, the knife action is better without. I've been VERY pleased with my Northfield and Tidioute 56 Doglegs, hence my interest in this variant.
 
I've been eyeballing this pattern also, but I'm not sure if I'm sold yet. The one that really interests me is the 3-blade in stag, but it will be a very thick knife. According to Greg at TSA, the wood-handled 3-blade is about 5/8" thick (which is actually thinner than my 2-blade dogleg in stag).

My main gripe is how high the blade sits, I don't really see a need for that.
 
Will,

You're probably right, this pattern really doesn't 'need' a half stop. That Yellow Rose though--if it didn't have the half stop, I would probably be missing a couple fingers!

Ian--the version that I have (single blade) is a very thin knife--almost too thin. I think adding a blade or two would bring the thickness right about where it should be. (Just my opinion.)
 
I've been on the fence concerning this pattern, too. I'm drawn to the utility of the multi-blade versions, but as I see it, the problem is that you end up with an extremely protuberant uh...'sheepsbill' blade digging into your fingers when using the other blades. I'm usually willing to sacrifice some modern ergonomics for the charm, soul and great cutting ability that a nice traditional EDC brings to the table, but this pattern in a multi-blade looks like it would be mighty uncomfortable.
 
Eric, you mention the exact reason why I have held back from this pattern. The size.

I was really excited when I first saw it, but I didn't realize at that time that it was built on the smaller 56 frame!

In my mind, this pattern would be absolutely perfect at around 4" or maybe even 4 1/2" closed. Like you said, to be a "work knife," and not an "EDC" knife. If they ever pushed the pattern up to 4" I would buy it in an instant. I am waiting for the pruner blade to come out too.:D

Regardless of the size, I still think you have a beautiful knife there. The ebony looks like you could eat it for dessert!:D:thumbup:
 
That Weaver Jack is really nice! Im not too big on how much sticks out when its closed, but open its beautiful.
 
Mine was delivered Saturday. I'm really pleased with it. I'm a fan of somewhat odd blade shapes, so it immediately appealed to me. Love the thin blade, works great for my usual tasks. It's sort of a high-end utility knife. I have heavier blades for heavier work, and this one's got me thinking more seriously about a S&M cotton sampler. The fact that it carries small is a big plus for me, I work in an office and this knife carries small and light. I also prefer a knife without a half-stop, this one has a nice smooth pull all the way open. Grinds are excellent, and the fit and finish are good for a $60 knife. Color me happy.

Dale
 
Ritt said:
Mine was delivered Saturday. I'm really pleased with it. I'm a fan of somewhat odd blade shapes, so it immediately appealed to me. Love the thin blade, works great for my usual tasks. It's sort of a high-end utility knife. I have heavier blades for heavier work, and this one's got me thinking more seriously about a S&M cotton sampler. The fact that it carries small is a big plus for me, I work in an office and this knife carries small and light. I also prefer a knife without a half-stop, this one has a nice smooth pull all the way open. Grinds are excellent, and the fit and finish are good for a $60 knife. Color me happy.

Dale
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It's funny that you say that, the main thing stopping me from getting one of these is that I already have a folding box cutter that I carry at work, and the tip shape almost exactly duplicates it (although this is a lot more purty :))
 
iandh said:
It's funny that you say that, the main thing stopping me from getting one of these is that I already have a folding box cutter that I carry at work, and the tip shape almost exactly duplicates it (although this is a lot more purty :))
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It's true that most of what I do could be accomplished pretty well with a $5 box cutter, but I'm doing what I can to help get our economy out of the dumper:D. I don't have much experience with 1095, I'm interested to see how that tip holds up to use.
 
Yeah, I really like supporting small US companies like GEC. It makes the purchase more enjoyable, even though the knife itself may not necessarily cut any better than a knife from a larger company like Case, or a quality import knife from a company like Kershaw (both of which I own). I work at a small business, so it's neat to think I purchased a knife made by someone just like me, and that I helped to pay their rent.
 
Ritt, I'm sure you'll find the tip of the knife to be strong. GEC's carbon seems harder to me than CASE cv or Böker carbon.

Does anybody have the 2 blade endcapped version? It could be stronger and heftier. Certainly the knife looks elegant and workmanlike open but closed, it looks awkward!
 
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