Second Case Knife: Swayback Jack or Texas Jack??

[Cheeseiest1]

Hey everyone! I just posted the other day about my love of the peanut, which is very strong, and how impressed I have been by its ability to meet all my cutting needs. Although it really can do almost everything I ask it to, the one area it is inherently weak is food prep, sometimes its short blade just doesn't have the span to quarter a large apple, cut a wedge of cheese, etc. So I'm thinking I might check out something just a little bit larger (but not too big! I prefer carrying small light knives) and have been looking through some of the threads in the traditional section and really like the looks of both the Case Swayback Jack and the Texas Jack. I haven't been able to find a direct comparison of the two however, and was just wondering what your thoughts are about the strengths/weaknesses of both models. If there are any other models in this general size/price range that you prefer I'd also like to hear about them.

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated! I'm interested in the cutting ability of the blades, potential uses in whittling (something I like to dabble in, that sheepsfoot on the swayback looks like it might be great for that), pocket carry, etc. Thanks!

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I just got a Texas Jack in trade.... It's about the same size as a Medium Stockman. You can quarter an apple with it, but you have to go around. Honestly, I like a full sized Trapper with the long spey blade for quartering apples, but sometimes, I have to make due with the shorter knife (med stockman or texas jack).

Don't know about the Swayback Jack as I don't own one, it's not as big as the trapper though. I'd like the Wharncliffe for food prep, but I'd like a bigger version than they make.

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

While both of your choices are great in their own rights, neither will meet your criteria of easily spanning an apple without going around it (well, maybe the jack would do it; I'd have to go get one and try, but I don't want to spoil my supper ). If you want to stick to Case for a food prep knife, I recommend either a Sodbuster (either Jr or regular) or a slimline trapper. I have both and frequently use them for lunch duty.

 

[Ryanol]

I cut apples all the time with the swayback jack but you do have to work your way around. It's a great knife but is pretty dense and fairly heavy. I think if I was looking for a longer blade and I was coming from a peanut I might look at a small muskrat.

 

[Cheeseiest1]

While both of your choices are great in their own rights, neither will meet your criteria of easily spanning an apple without going around it

I actually meant sometimes with a large apple the peanut doesn't make it to the core from the outside of an apple (which I eat a ton of), I know I'd have to go around an apple with either of these knives.

The sodbuster and muskrat are both larger than I would carry. I have an opinel no. 8, which is awesome for food prep, but too bulky for my taste when it comes to carrying around in the pocket so I'll probably go with something a little smaller. Thanks for the suggestions though! I've always been tempted by the sodbuster but feel like the blade is so similar to the opinel that it's not worth the money given my current college-student-level cash flow.

 

[Cheeseiest1]

While both of your choices are great in their own rights, neither will meet your criteria of easily spanning an apple without going around it

I actually meant sometimes with a large apple the peanut doesn't make it to the core from the outside of an apple (which I eat a ton of), so it doesn't even really work for cutting around. I know I'd have to go around an apple with either of these knives.

I think the sodbuster and muskrat are both larger than I would carry. I have an opinel no. 8, which is awesome for food prep, but too bulky for my taste when it comes to carrying around in the pocket so I'll probably go with something a little smaller. Thanks for the suggestions though! I've always been tempted by the sodbuster but feel like the blade is so similar to the opinel that it's not worth the money given my current college-student-level cash flow.

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

Ah; I see what you mean. Hmm...the blade on a slimline trapper is quite a bit different than an Opinel or Sodbuster. Granted, it's long, but it's slim.

With a barlow:

With a peanut:

 

[catfish579]

commenting on what bw on the slimline, it is a very good knife for food prep and apples. i like to have one on me at my job for when none the cutlery is available. it is much longer than what you seem be looking for though (bout 4 and a quarter inches) but is so slim its hardly noticeable. if is a choice between the two knives youve mentioned id go for the texas jack, is a little bigger so would be better for prep.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Well, if the Trapper, Slimline Trapper, and Muskrat are too big, then the ones you asked about will reach the core of a apple. You just have to cut around. Blade on the Texas Jack is right around 2.5 inches.

 

[Cheeseiest1]

I do like the look of that slimline trapper! Does it carry well? My only concern would be that its so long that if the knife went sideways in your pocket it could really be bothersome.

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

For me, it does carry well, but I carry either a phone or wallet in either of my front pockets, so it stays upright against those.

 

[rockgolfer]

I regularly carry a 4 1/8" knife horizontally in my pocket and it doesnt bother me at all, course everyones different. The GEC slimline trapper is only 3 7/8 so you save 3/8 inch length over the Case. They also have a barn hinge model thats closer to the Case pricepoint. The 55 houndstooth is also a little bigger then the SWB for a little more blade length.



edit: sorry you are looking for a Case, just offering a different opinion. I buy both brands to meet my needs.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Many of the GECs have a bail or lanyard tube..... So you can put a lanyard on it, keeping it vertical or at least making it easy to get out.

 

[TLARbb]

Both of those Case knives you mention are really good. The Texas jack is a tiny bit more versatile I think, but the swayback jack is more appealing visually, at least to me. I have both and like both, so don't have to make a hard brain wrenching decision between them. Another knife you might want to consider is the mini trapper at about 3-1/2" closed. For that matter, a GEC #15 (Barlow or Boy's knife) is a great size as well. Again, I have all of these knives and like each and every one; any one of these would serve your purposes well.

In smaller knives, the peanut and the mini copperhead are way more versatile than their small size would indicate.

Ed J

 

[timberweasel]

Perhaps check out a Case Backpocket? It's a longer knife but has a very thin profile that carries nicely. Works great for food prep! Looks good too!

Just some food for thought...

-Brett

 

[bonusmarple]

I have the swayback and the texas jack in cv. Both are good knives but I rarely use either for food prep. For this I would go with a Opinel #8 in either stainless or carbon. There is alot more blade and that grind slices like no other. Put a little vasoline in the joint and that will keep out juices and other stuff from the food. Personally, I would choose the carbon over the stainless but both are great knives. For about $20 shipped you really should have one anyway

 

[bakerg2g]

I'd go with the Swayback jack. It carries like a small knife, But it
cuts almost like a big knife. It'll get the job done for sure!!! I carry one
almost everyday in my watch pocket, and I don't even know it's there. (Chestnut bone in CV is the way to go...imho)

Jason

 

[jakemex]

I've carried a Case slimline trapper some 35 years. It's a great apple knife. Although, it's long its slim profile closed make it almost imperceptible in pocket. It's also very light.

 

[Doug Add]

If at all possible, get them in your hand to see how they feel to you. I know the swayback jack is a popular one on the forum but the frame design does not feel right in my hand. I like the curved or serpentine portion of the frame to flow with the shape of the palm of my hand, not be opposite it. I had a single blade swayback gent, but did not keep it very long because of this.

Here is an old picture, taken shortly after I obtained the peanut and swayback gent, to illustrate the frame design differences.

 

[Jack Black]

I don't have a Swayback Jack, but I have an Texas Jack and a 'Medium' Stockman, and really like both of them. I'm carrying the Texas Jack today