S&M File&Wire English Jack

D

Durbin

Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
416
Hye y'all,

Been hanging out here in this forum, learning quite a bit the last couple of weeks. I am new to the traditional/slipjoint knife using. For many years I had bought and used tacticals, mostly Spyderco and Benchmade. Bought a year ago, I decided I am a traditionalist, and did not want to have taticals anymore. When I was younger I had a Buck 110, not sure what happened to it, so I bougth another one of those. Carry it most days, and love that knife. But I have figured out that I do not need that much knife most days. Also, there are a lot of times when I do not want that sheath knife on my belt, but something a little smaller in my pants pocket. So I figured, y'know, my granpa, uncles, cousins for years have carried slipjoints of various brands. I figured it was time I come home.

So I have been doing some research, thankyou to those of you who have educated me about handle patterns, knife steel and blade confiuration stuff in the last week or so. I was going to buy case, some thing nostalgic about them, then I discovered that there were other companies similar to case. I am partial to stainless steel, not sure about CV, probably a result of only ever using stainless. After a lot of research I decided to go with Schatt and Morgan' File and Wire series, I love ATS-34 Steel, and these knives look to be built great, excellent fit and finish I hear. I will probably get more. I decided for my first knife to go with the English Jack knife. What a great knife! I am eagerly awaiting it. I ordered one from Cumberland Knives yesterday, and should be here in a couple of days. Thankyou for the help, the search feature helped me out a lot with some detailed educational posts. Anybody have one of the English Jack knives? Got any pics to share? I will try and take some pics and do a review of it when I get it. Thanks y'all

Durbin
 
That particular knife has been a bugbear for me for quite some time. I've been on the verge of buying it several times, and just haven't. I looks like a splendid knife.

Once you receive it and give us a review (with pictures) you just may push me over the edge and make me get one.

The closest thing I have to an English Jack is the Northwoods/Scagel #8. There's been some debate as to whether it's a Grandaddy Barlow or an English Jack. In any case, it's a great hunk of knife.

IMG_0979.jpg
 
I have one of the Deluxe English Jacks. It is a big horse of a knife, but I like it a great deal. I bought a second one as a spare.

smfw.jpg


Third one down.

Rick
 
Rick,

Thanks for the great picture! Thanks for the replies, y'all. I am excited about this knife, wow that is a great looking knife, and from what I hear, it will be a great user too!

Durbin
 
It is quite a nice piece. ATS-34 blades, one of which is a spearpoint (my favorite blade shape), really nice wormgroove bone handles, and fancy bolsters, all in a package that looks tux but works like jeans.
I had one that saw LOTS of pocket time, until it was lost/stolen from a wrecked company vehicle while I was on my way to the hospital in an ambulance.
 
Great choice Durbin, I personally love the File & Wire series...Is this the knife your talking about??

EnglishJackyr2000.jpg
 
Sunburst,


What a great pic! But no, I think that is an earlier series? The one I am getting has a golden-brown bone handle, and the second blade is longer with a spear point. A great knife in either series.
 
The knife in the pic that rbmcmjr posted is the F&W Deluxe English Jack. Came out about two years ago, IIRC. I really, really like that knife.

The knife in the pic sunburst posted IIRC is the F&W English Jack, which - again, IIRC - was an earlier release. Also a winner.
 
I find myself going more and more for the English and swell-end jacks these days. Here's a nice green bone - I just wish I didn't have to rip out a nail to open it. 420HC

Mike
 
i've got the blue dyed bone S&M english jack. super quality.

sees a lot of desk duty. lots of mail and boxes haven't made a dent in the factory edge. little heavy for pocket carry, but i think i'll look into a simple leather belt pouch for it.
 
Does anyone edc an English Jack, or at least ever carry in your pocket at all? I figured it was smaller, thinner and lighter than the Buck 110 I have, which need to be on my belt. It was also smaller than the mt. man, which I was leaning toward, which I may end up with someday as well. These seemed like a knife that would be comfortable in my pants' pocket.

Durbin
 
Grin..Will somebody show me one day how to make a small picture attachment..Or else your gonna think that I keep showing these monster pictures because I like my knives or something...

Sunburst
 
I used to EDC mine, before it walked off. It was indeed lighter than my Buck 110, by a fair bit, but I had trouble with it shifting sideways in my pocket -- it's quite a long knife, and best suited to back pocket carry IMO.
 
IT IS HERE!! YEE HAW! ok, so I am a little excited about this knife. What a knife, by far the finest knife I have ever held. The Fit and Finish on this Schatt & Morgan File & Wire Deluxe English Jack is great. It is tight, beautiful, bolsters are shiny, the bone handle is fantastic, the blades are awesome, the edge is not as sharp as I would like, but not as bad as what a lot of people have complained about in regard to Queen/S&M. I am very pleased and would like to do another from them sometime. I saw a Queen Gunstock in Stag with D2, and I think I will get that . This knife is bigger than I realized, but it is fine in my pocket. Although the smaller gunstock would probably be better for everyday carry, this English Jack will see use. OK, got to get back to work, just taking a small break. After I sharpen it a little, and use it some the next couple of days I will let you know more what I think, hopefully give you a pic.

durbin
 
Those S & M English jacks are beautiful knives. I recently acquired the small Premier English Jack from a good friend on board. Great knife, I will try to post a pic asap. Until then, this is an old Sheffield e.g.
17-05020.jpg
 
Durbin, good to hear you are pleased with your knife:thumbup: You may be right about the Gunstock being a more practical pocket EDC. However, if you like big knives then check S&M Daddy Barlow No.17 2007 series that's a five inch job with 2 blades also their Cokebottle is another behemoth:D
 
Sigh..SK are you ever going to give us a hint on where you find these beauty's...??? :)

Durbin I expect a full picture review of your new beauty..:p

Sunburst
 
Ok so after a few days of carrying this knife, I like it. But I did end up ordering a Queen ACSB Gunstock for something smaller for pocket carry in Khaki pants/ suits. In jeans, something bigger is good, or in a sheath on my belt. Some people find it odd to have a sheath knife on with a suit, so best not to disturb the sheeple. The gunstock will be here tomorrow maybe. I like D2 steel and am looking forward to this.

The English Jack knife is really hard to open, and Bill horn(whom I purchased it from, like him a lot) said that is kind of the way that knife is designed. It has a really strong, hard spring, the half stops, and just kind of built like that. I tear my finernail apart every time I try to open it. So I think While I like the English jack, I will not be using it much. Bill said that this Queen Gunstock will open much easier. So I am excited about that. I also really want a Mountain Man. I think that is my favorite knife. I think I will order a Mountain man from him.

So still like the English Jack, but maybe being new to Slippies, I did not antcipate them being that difficult to open and use. Maybe the S&M are made for collecting? I want to use the knives. Anyway, thanks for listening to my ramble.

durbin
 
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