swayback question

[Triq]

Do any production companies make a swayback with carbon blades and a toe cap like this?

 

[Railsplitter]

Yes, I believe Case makes one in Chestnut Bone CV. (chrome vanadium)

Not sure about the toe cap though.

 

[Planterz]

AFAIK, only the Sway Back Jack in chestnut is available in CV, but has no bottom bolster.

Fight'n Rooster made a sway back jack. It has a bottom bolster and carbon steel blades. You can find them on ebay from time to time. They don't have the pronounced rounded bottom like the Case/Bose does though. And all the ones I can find now have MOP handles (pretty, but not the best for a working knife).

 

[Bastid]

Like Planterz said, all the CV I have seen in chestnut has been "barehead".

 

[yablanowitz]

I've always wondered why they call that configuation "barehead". Shouldn't it be "barebutt"?

 

[zerogee]

I've always wondered why they call that configuation "barehead". Shouldn't it be "barebutt"?

I always thought so -- perhaps the old cutlers were being a tiny bit PC. However, the thick end of a single ended spring is also called the "head" end - and naturally is at the butt of a knife - for a jack anyway. Perhaps the terminology is related.

 

[Triq]

Oh well guess ill just have to suck it up and buy the SBJ in chestnut sans toe cap. I'm not sure why but ever since i went carbon i just wont but a knife without one. Thanks for confirming this for me gentlemen.

 

[zerogee]

I typically much prefer barehead jacks - don't really see the point in the added weight (at most it gives a tiny bit of protection when dropped), and I find more bone much more beautiful than another set of bolsters. I do like very small cap bolsters, but you won't normally see them on modern knives. *shrug*

 

[Triq]

AFAIK, only the Sway Back Jack in chestnut is available in CV, but has no bottom bolster.

Fight'n Rooster made a sway back jack. It has a bottom bolster and carbon steel blades. You can find them on ebay from time to time. They don't have the pronounced rounded bottom like the Case/Bose does though. And all the ones I can find now have MOP handles (pretty, but not the best for a working knife).

I just took a look at one on the bay and it sorta looks like a cross between a congress and a jack.... very strange.

 

[zerogee]

I just took a look at one on the bay and it sorta looks like a cross between a congress and a jack.... very strange.

That's exactly what it is - a congress jack (though the blade is a bit more wharncliffe than sheepsfoot). An unusual pattern, but several of the old companies made versions of it.

 

[yablanowitz]

I always thought so -- perhaps the old cutlers were being a tiny bit PC. However, the thick end of a single ended spring is also called the "head" end - and naturally is at the butt of a knife - for a jack anyway. Perhaps the terminology is related.

Are you suggesting that jack knives have their head up their butt?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one.

 

[knarfeng]

I've always wondered why they call that configuation "barehead". Shouldn't it be "barebutt"?

Because they don't want to be confused with folks who have "plumber's grin" problems.

 

[dannyp]

The one with stag and raindrop damascus has two bolsters. It is a pretty significant price jump from the CV version though. I actually prefer the look of the barehead model myself.

 

[TLARbb]

I typically much prefer barehead jacks - don't really see the point in the added weight (at most it gives a tiny bit of protection when dropped), and I find more bone much more beautiful than another set of bolsters. I do like very small cap bolsters, but you won't normally see them on modern knives. *shrug*

I'm in agreement with zerogee here; I prefer my jacks to have a bare head, but own some with bolsters. You can see by my avatar that I like the barehead configuration. My Texas jack has bolster on the end and I like it too, but that sway back jack with chestnut scales and the bare head (butt?) is really sweet. It's perfect to me.

Ed