Should I join the cult OR.....

Frankly, I don't think comparing a peanut to a SBJ is appropriate. Yes, they're both small knives, and seem similar on paper, but in the hand, the SBJ is significantly more substantial. It's heavier, the blades are thicker (and flat ground rather than hollow), and at it's widest it's about twice as wide as a peanut. Although the peanut is a tiny knife that fights above its weight class, it is still a tiny knife. The SBJ, while small, can't be considered tiny. The peanut, IMO, feels a bit "dainty". The SBJ fills the hand better and feels much more capable. If you excuse the quick-and-dirty quality of the picture, here's a comparison.

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Here's my opinion. Keep in mind that my feelings are biased towards knives that have both straight and curved blades, so the peanut already has a disadvantage in my eyes. The peanut, while capable, feels more like a "weekend" knife to me. A knife to have on "just in case" you when you don't want to be burdened by the weight of having a knife on you. The SBJ is a much more capable knife. The kind you carry because you know you'll need to be using a knife. For that reason, I recommend the sway back jack.

OTOH, the SBJ is such a nice knife that I fear that if it's your first Case, you'll be spoiled and disappointed in future Cases. I'd almost recommend buying the peanut first just so you can be impressed at how nice the SBJ is. If you do it the other way around, I fear you'd have the same "meh" feeling I did when I got my first peanut (which was after I got my SBJ). It's like buying a Porsche Boxter after having a 911 Turbo.

At least, that's the way I see it. I can't speak for anybody but myself.
 

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Railsplitter said:
After reading this I have to say that a Peanut seems like the better choice. It just seems to fit the circumstances better. I don't really know why, it just does.
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I know what you mean, the Swayback Jack is more of a knife addict's knife while the peanut could be anyone's knife.
 
I'm a SBJ convert, I won one here on the forums from Brutus013 and it's always in my pocket or in my hand. :)
 
Planterz said:
... the SBJ is such a nice knife that I fear that if it's your first Case, you'll be spoiled and disappointed in future Cases. I'd almost recommend buying the peanut first just so you can be impressed at how nice the SBJ is. If you do it the other way around, I fear you'd have the same "meh" feeling I did when I got my first peanut (which was after I got my SBJ). It's like buying a Porsche Boxter after having a 911 Turbo.

At least, that's the way I see it. I can't speak for anybody but myself.
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Different strokes ..., well you all know how the saying goes. This is why there is such a variety of available knives. My experience was just the opposite. I got the sway back first and loved it until the peanut arrived. Still like the sway back, primarily for the wharncliffe blade, but the peanut is in my pocket everyday. I realize that it is too small for those with larger hands, but it works just fine for me.

Like Planterz I can't speak for anybody but myself.
 
Congratulations on the new job!

I agree with those who say that a peanut seems more consistent with your narrative at this point in time.

I also agree that the Chestnut Sway Back Jack just plain has something extra. When the time is right, either soon or later, you'll love owning one.

I look forward to hearing of your decision, and seeing the pictures. :-)

~ P.
 
Congratulations on the Job.

I agree with Planterz. I would choose the SBJ. The more knife, the better, but your work environment may require the delicacy of the peanut.

Mike H.
 
I won't say buy both because of your current situation. I have the SBG, SBJ and peanut. I wouldn't own the peanut if it didn't meet carry restrictions, but I have learned to really like, and how to manipulate, this small piece. It is a worry stone, and an impressive little cutter. My father wants one, I have to find an SS version for him, must be a pilgrimage for his knives to go to through the washer every now and again.

The SBJ is just an overall bigger knife than the peanut, and I really like it, would carry it instead of the peanut.
 
You have certainly received some great advice and should be as confused as ever by now. Good luck!

jwh
 
Planterz said:
Frankly, I don't think comparing a peanut to a SBJ is appropriate. Yes, they're both small knives, and seem similar on paper, but in the hand, the SBJ is significantly more substantial. It's heavier, the blades are thicker (and flat ground rather than hollow), and at it's widest it's about twice as wide as a peanut. Although the peanut is a tiny knife that fights above its weight class, it is still a tiny knife. The SBJ, while small, can't be considered tiny. The peanut, IMO, feels a bit "dainty". The SBJ fills the hand better and feels much more capable. If you excuse the quick-and-dirty quality of the picture, here's a comparison.

attachment.php


Here's my opinion. Keep in mind that my feelings are biased towards knives that have both straight and curved blades, so the peanut already has a disadvantage in my eyes. The peanut, while capable, feels more like a "weekend" knife to me. A knife to have on "just in case" you when you don't want to be burdened by the weight of having a knife on you. The SBJ is a much more capable knife. The kind you carry because you know you'll need to be using a knife. For that reason, I recommend the sway back jack.

OTOH, the SBJ is such a nice knife that I fear that if it's your first Case, you'll be spoiled and disappointed in future Cases. I'd almost recommend buying the peanut first just so you can be impressed at how nice the SBJ is. If you do it the other way around, I fear you'd have the same "meh" feeling I did when I got my first peanut (which was after I got my SBJ). It's like buying a Porsche Boxter after having a 911 Turbo.

At least, that's the way I see it. I can't speak for anybody but myself.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the comparison pic Planterz!

Indeed they are very different knives even though they are both small knives.
I think that's why I like them both!

I'm gravitating towards smaller knives and I like clip points and wharnies. When there is a pen blade to accompany those two it's even better.


I have decided to go with the peanut in yeller CV and save up to get the SBJ in chestnut bone! I do like that there is more of it (chestnut bone) on the SBJ to appreciate ;)

funny enough my wife likes the SBJ better. BUT she really did not like that the scales were bone! LOL (she's a vegetarian)... well i kinda am too but it doesn't bother me.

Thanks all for the great advice. I will post pics once I get it!

This is such a great subforum. It feels like I'm back in Texas with all the hospitality.


KG
 
Between the two.... SBJ all the way!!! Simply the BEST traditional knife in my collection.
 
Good choice KG, I hope you enjoy carrying the little guy.

Carrying them and making memories and watching them mature and age alongside of you will mean more than getting the 'perfect' choice up front. Hell the knife I have more carry time with than anything else in my life was just to tide me over till Queen finally came out with the square bolstered serpentine jack in their 1095 Cozy Glen line. Queen split, GEC started up, and that was the end of that. That knife was never made. 6 or so years of carrying the last in that line, the mini trapper, and the bone is worn much smoother, the dark dye is worn off a lot leaving the scales looking like real antique green bone, the blades are dark patina. And it means a lot to me and has a lot of memories in it.

Carry it long enough and first thing you know you'll have one that a real knife guy will just have to handle when you get it out.

Will
 
DrPenguin said:
Carrying them and making memories and watching them mature and age alongside of you will mean more than getting the 'perfect' choice up front.
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Very well said.

6 or so years of carrying the last in that line, the mini trapper, and the bone is worn much smoother, the dark dye is worn off a lot leaving the scales looking like real antique green bone, the blades are dark patina. And it means a lot to me and has a lot of memories in it.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see a picture of this knife!

~ P.
 
Get the peanut I love my sway back jack for dressy occasions but the peanut is by far the better cutter, and the blades are more usefull to me.
 
I have mainly Peanuts in my collection, most of the other patterns are due to SHC specials. At last count I have around 140 peanuts and perhaps 8 tiny toothpicks. When I worked I carried a Kershaw random task to open gasket kits and scrape old gaskets off. I look at a peanut more as a dress knife.
 
Good choice. Nothing says traditional like a yellow peanut. You'll be blown away when you get that SBJ though. :)
 
Congrats on your Peanut purchase! I'm surprised no one has mentioned the A.G. Russell Pinched Peanut. IMO the build quality is better than Case, and while it is significantly more expensive, the "base model" in quince burl has both the clip blade and a wharncliffe as a secondary rather than the usual pen blade. It is dressy enough for even the most formal occasions and perfect for an office environment but it also makes a great casual EDC.
 
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