Second Case Knife: Swayback Jack or Texas Jack??

[jwren]

I have both and neither gets used too much for food prep. But I do enjoy using both to whittle, mainly with the pen blade.
Both are great knives, but I'd probably go with the Texas Jack if forced to choose. Sometimes the Swayback can feel odd in hand (to me) in different grips while whittling.

 

[zippofan]

Boy, that's a tough choice. I like both knives, but the swayback finds its way to my pocket a little more

 

[wolf-man-12]

I collect the SwayBack Jacks as they just seem to end up in my Mail Box all the time ~~ can' figure out how they get there.!* Oh well.

 

[jwren]

Another thing to consider is if half stops make a difference - some have a preference on this.
The Swayback Jack has half stops and the small Texas Jack does not.

 

[Doug Add]

A rather obvious difference is the main blade selection. Perhaps not so obvious, but seen in the pictures above is the difference in the two pen blades. The Texas jack's pen is more stout than many secondary pens (one of the reasons my 6232 jack is a favorite), while the profile of the swayback's pen lends itself to more precise cuts, and getting to smaller areas than the other, larger pen can.

 

[Cheeseiest1]

Wow Jack Black, thanks for including those pictures- they made me do a little researching and realize that what my grandfather gave me is not in fact a medium stockman (as I always thought) but actually a large stockman. That's an embarrassing mistake.

Jwren- thanks for letting me know about the halfstops, that was something I was not aware of as a difference. Definitely good to know

Doug, thanks for the functional comparsion, appreciate it.

I'm still really torn between these two, I do like the unique look of the swayback but worry about how it will feel in hand (a concern several of you have expressed). Thanks for sharing all the info!

 

[JAlexander]

The swayback jack will almost certainly carry more easily than the Texas jack, but I prefer the blade choices in the Texas jack. The slimline isn't a bad choice, because it really does carry smaller than it seems like it should.

 

[jacktrades_nbk]

Never had a problem cutting a big apple with my peanut, i just twist it after i "circle" around with the clip point blade, even if the point doesn't reach the core. Once is halved, you know..
Any other knife i try to carry, i can feel it in my pocket, only the peanut manages to remain invisible.

 

[Jack Black]

Wow Jack Black, thanks for including those pictures- they made me do a little researching and realize that what my grandfather gave me is not in fact a medium stockman (as I always thought) but actually a large stockman. That's an embarrassing mistake.

Very glad to be of help. Bearing in mind that the Case 'Medium' Stockman' is actually smaller than the Case 'Small' Texas Jack, it's an entirely understandable error

 

[Ken44]

I do like the unique look of the swayback but worry about how it will feel in hand (a concern several of you have expressed).

It feels great in hand. I really like the sway in the handle for fine cutting chores. The way the rear of the handle goes up into the palm gives you a great purchase. Even better than a straight handled knife. I carry one in the watch pocket, and hardly notice it.
I would go with the Chestnut CV.

Next to a Mini Copperlock.

 

[Jack Black]

Guess it should have been chilli, but I made that yesterday, so today it was the very English sausage and mash! Texas Jack did the job just fine

 

[CoffeeCat2112]

Can I come over for lunch? I'll bring knives...

 

[Jack Black]

Can I come over for lunch? I'll bring knives...

Definitely mate :thumbup: Though you're a bit late for lunch (as it's 6.15pm here)!

 

[Hammer67]

I'd go with the Tex Jack. Had a bad experience with QC on a Swayback I bought recently, plus I thought it could stand to be a bit larger. And I'd highly recommend buying a Case in person these days, so you can truly check it out, if possible.

 

[Gevonovich]