The Old and the New - Teardrop Jacks

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lambertiana

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One of my favorite antique patterns is the teardrop. In recent years, a couple makers have finally produced modern versions. So, here is a comparison of the old and the new, side by side:




Left to right:

GEC 85 African blackwood
GEC 85 cocobolo
Queen City Cutlery ebony
Ulster 1876-1941 cocobolo
Southington 1867-1906 cocobolo
H&B 1852-1916 ebony
Globe Cutlery 1900-1920 bone
Ulster 1876-1941 cocobolo

For a period reference, here is a page from the 1886 HSB catalog with an Ulster teardrop with propeller shield


The H&B is the oldest easy-opener that I have, it shows that the pattern dates to at least 1916.
 
Great thread. The Teardrop jack is definitely one of my favorite patterns. Sorry, nothing old in my little family of pocket knives, but I love the #85. Here's mine, an EO in African Blackwood.

 
I am excited for the Case Bose teardrop but still need more production details! Nice!
 
Yeah...big fan of the pattern! I bought a #85 in cocobolo that i very much enjoyed carrying. Well loved and used....the cocobolo darkened quite a bit, but I sold it and regretted it shortly thereafter:

8623762418_3b743cdbbf_c.jpg


Then Purchased an ebony 85:

12255444874_b896d0730c_c.jpg


loved it for the very short time I had it...just missed my Cocobolo 85, so I sought out a new one:

12753988464_30e780264e_c.jpg


This one will not get away! I think that the new 85 along with my ebony calf roper, my ebony white owl, and hopefully soon ebony Charlow will be THE rotation.

Peter
 
Pjake said:
Yeah...big fan of the pattern! I bought a #85 in cocobolo that i very much enjoyed carrying. Well loved and used....the cocobolo darkened quite a bit, but I sold it and regretted it shortly thereafter:

8623762418_3b743cdbbf_c.jpg


Then Purchased an ebony 85:

12255444874_b896d0730c_c.jpg


loved it for the very short time I had it...just missed my Cocobolo 85, so I sought out a new one:

12753988464_30e780264e_c.jpg


This one will not get away! I think that the new 85 along with my ebony calf roper, my ebony white owl, and hopefully soon ebony Charlow will be THE rotation.

Peter
Click to expand...

Beautiful 85 you have there Peter. I've become increasingly partial to wood - cocobolo and African Blackwood in my case, don't currently have anything in Ebony but am interested in try it also. The "warmth" of the wood scales in hand is very pleasant.
 
Lambertiana -my fiend what a great Thread subject! and what a pure Traditional shape if ever there was one!!
Just look at you wonderful line up of knives - looking at your very early 1900's Globe I would have sworn it was a Robeson - wow what a knife!!!

SAK- mate that knife looks wild brother!! awesome!

Guys - excellent photos, heres one I bought my very good friend..

EVERYTHING about this knife is stunning - what a lovely knife...








Heres one I am keeping...







pjake- that shot with that exquisite Fountain pen... a very nice knife with a Fantastic pen!!

Great shots everyone-this thread deserves to be pumped full of these great knives!!!

Please forgive the already used photos - I have yet to find some time to take some new ones!! :o
 
Thank you Duncan! It was a wonderful gift from a fine fellow here in Trads.

I love this knife...the scales are "electric"!
BEJCB2_zps81686196.jpg
 
Duncan, that EZ-Open you gave your mate is astounding! Mind you, I've got No.4 and he can give that stag a run for its money:D:D

Some people might argue that the GEC version is Candle End, but I like the Teardrop/Swell End pattern a lot. Got no oldies more's the pity, but I give special mention to Queen QCCC's version, it's a hefty attractive knife and I have it in Ebony (very cool) Red Winterbottom (deep grooves) and the Greenbone, the latter is user as the fit&finish were not as good as the others.

Another Queen this time in D2 is the Teardrop liner lock, FANTASTIC knife and I'm fortunate enough to have it in all versions: Zebra, BEM, ACSB and WCSB (the latest a new arrival with the help of Jeff!) A frequent carry of mine.

Also lucky enough to have one of Kerry's Teardrops stashed away.....:cool:
 
Wow! I've often overlooked this pattern, mainly due to all the GEC EO fawning and flattery, but I see an increasing fondness for this hand filling pattern.

Some really lovely examples here already.

I love the way your acrylic blue #85 pops with iridescence in those photos SAK Guy. What a great gift Dunc :thumbup: Your collections are as always beautiful with great photography.
 
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