Hello everyone! Pretty new to BladeForums and JK Knives has caught my eye after looking around a bit. I'm looking to order up one of these two knives and was looking for some feedback on both. They size up pretty similar and was wondering what each might offer. Knife would be used around the house for chores, landscape work, shop work, hunting, outdoors, etc. Thanks.
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The Tool vs Rule #9
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JK Knives
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Click on each link, it will give you the specs of each knife, that might help you out. Otherwise it`s just a personal preference thing. My choice is the Tool, it gives you a bit more handle.
http://www.jkhandmadeknives.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=183453965
http://www.jkhandmadeknives.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=193679226
http://www.jkhandmadeknives.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=183453965
http://www.jkhandmadeknives.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=193679226
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Hmmm both are good choices. I own a Rule #9 that I think is identical to the original. I like the Tool a lot but haven't handled one in person. (I designed the Phoenix, and think it's a great knife too! Ha!).
Buy both and sell one of its not your cup of tea. No shortage of JK lovers here.
Buy both and sell one of its not your cup of tea. No shortage of JK lovers here.
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Welcome BTW -
Either one would be good for what you want to do with them.
I have not used Mykel's Tool design, but it is a great design. The blade is about 1/2 inch longer than the RN9, and as John said, a little more handle.
The RN9 is light and has a slightly more pointed blade profile and also includes a bit of exposed tang on the butt end which might be useful depending on your needs.
One thing to keep in mind, if you want modifications to a design, or even your OWN design, John will help you with those changes or new design and then you can get a knife that is uniquely yours.
For instance, I ordered my RN9 with some modifications, including a full grind to the heel, and rounded spine with torched oak scales. It's nice to have so many options!!
Nice to have you here in the JK Forum!
best
mqqn
Either one would be good for what you want to do with them.
I have not used Mykel's Tool design, but it is a great design. The blade is about 1/2 inch longer than the RN9, and as John said, a little more handle.
The RN9 is light and has a slightly more pointed blade profile and also includes a bit of exposed tang on the butt end which might be useful depending on your needs.
One thing to keep in mind, if you want modifications to a design, or even your OWN design, John will help you with those changes or new design and then you can get a knife that is uniquely yours.
For instance, I ordered my RN9 with some modifications, including a full grind to the heel, and rounded spine with torched oak scales. It's nice to have so many options!!
Nice to have you here in the JK Forum!
best
mqqn
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I like the rule 9 better mainly because the tang has been extended beyond the scale for the thong,my opinion is it makes for a much stronger knife handle.It seems when I look at older knives some of them will have a crack in the scale leading from the thong to tang if the thong is drilled through the tang and scales.As far as blade length goes it's personal preference I like about 4 1/2" and handle length I like 4 1/2" to 4 3/4" but thats just what I like.
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Well, let's see, the Tool or the Rule Number 9?
Hmmm, both great hunks of JK O1, with slight variations between them, but being the designer of the Tool I gotta say it is the better knife for my use and wants.YMMV of course.
I wanted a knife that I could rely on when the chips were down and was good for most camp chores so I asked for a saber grind for the added strength.(slight though it is)
Plus I wanted a 5" blade for defense in case of a bear or cat attack while wandering around in the woods.(hey, it could happen and I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
)
The 5" blade length with rounded spine also lends itself well to splitting rounds of wood for kindling making.
I also wanted an exposed tang and originally had John put a half round notch in it for scrapping a ferro rod, but I found it awkward to use it like that so I ground it flat and just use the jimping for scraping a rod.
I also wanted the handle material to go all the way down into the finger guard area for comfort in a stabbing motion if needed. (or just heavy cutting with my finger crowded into the guard)
Like Andy said, John will tweek a design to suit your wants as some have done by ordering the Tool with a full handle without the exposed tang.But that's the nice thing about getting a custom hand made knife from John...you get it your way.:thumbup:
For food prep the R9 with the full flat grind is probably the better choice, but for all other needs they are close enough that it's a tossup.
Here's some comparison pics.
The Tool is the third down and the R9 is the third up.
You can see the contours of the 2 handles, but John can tweek either to suit your wants.
Go Hawks!!
Hmmm, both great hunks of JK O1, with slight variations between them, but being the designer of the Tool I gotta say it is the better knife for my use and wants.YMMV of course.
I wanted a knife that I could rely on when the chips were down and was good for most camp chores so I asked for a saber grind for the added strength.(slight though it is)
Plus I wanted a 5" blade for defense in case of a bear or cat attack while wandering around in the woods.(hey, it could happen and I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
)The 5" blade length with rounded spine also lends itself well to splitting rounds of wood for kindling making.
I also wanted an exposed tang and originally had John put a half round notch in it for scrapping a ferro rod, but I found it awkward to use it like that so I ground it flat and just use the jimping for scraping a rod.
I also wanted the handle material to go all the way down into the finger guard area for comfort in a stabbing motion if needed. (or just heavy cutting with my finger crowded into the guard)
Like Andy said, John will tweek a design to suit your wants as some have done by ordering the Tool with a full handle without the exposed tang.But that's the nice thing about getting a custom hand made knife from John...you get it your way.:thumbup:
For food prep the R9 with the full flat grind is probably the better choice, but for all other needs they are close enough that it's a tossup.
Here's some comparison pics.
The Tool is the third down and the R9 is the third up.
You can see the contours of the 2 handles, but John can tweek either to suit your wants.
Go Hawks!!
Thanks very much for the input everyone! My largest knife I own is similar in measurements to the R9. It has about a 4.25" blade w/ a 4" handle. I guess I'm leaning more towards the Tool at this point simply because I would like something a little bigger. Definitely a larger handle. I do like the extended tang/lanyard hole. If anything it would be good for cracking nuts
As Mykel mentioned, a saber grind for added strength is nice. And maybe a rounded spine. I'll probably go with the size of the Tool and maybe tweak it with a couple features of the R9. Thanks again!
As Mykel mentioned, a saber grind for added strength is nice. And maybe a rounded spine. I'll probably go with the size of the Tool and maybe tweak it with a couple features of the R9. Thanks again!
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Thanks very much for the input everyone! My largest knife I own is similar in measurements to the R9. It has about a 4.25" blade w/ a 4" handle. I guess I'm leaning more towards the Tool at this point simply because I would like something a little bigger. Definitely a larger handle. I do like the extended tang/lanyard hole. If anything it would be good for cracking nuts
Now you are talking like a JK Supporter!! :thumbup:
best
mqqn
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Whatever FrankinTool you end up with, if it's a JK you'll have one heck of a tough knife that'll serve you well.Thanks very much for the input everyone! My largest knife I own is similar in measurements to the R9. It has about a 4.25" blade w/ a 4" handle. I guess I'm leaning more towards the Tool at this point simply because I would like something a little bigger. Definitely a larger handle. I do like the extended tang/lanyard hole. If anything it would be good for cracking nuts
Lookin' forward to what you end up with BTW.
Remember..pics or it didn't happen.
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Some nice info has been presented to the OP so to be helpful I ran all of the data thru my computer for a decision of precision.
The answer is (regular followers of my posts probably know what's coming):
Have John build you a George Leonard Improved Bowie in the shorter Bull Cook Version with all the modifications that you can suggest and then let our panel of experts, chosen from the JK Proud Supporters (non-athletic) make some of their mods to it .Finally the design can be sent to John who will probably call you and tell you to please just choose between a Rule #9 or a Tool. I hope this is all quite clear?
If you would like any further info regarding knife design be sure to have anyone but me help you out.
PS
Sure would have liked to have been at the Gathering, I'll catch the next one!
Brad
The answer is (regular followers of my posts probably know what's coming):
Have John build you a George Leonard Improved Bowie in the shorter Bull Cook Version with all the modifications that you can suggest and then let our panel of experts, chosen from the JK Proud Supporters (non-athletic) make some of their mods to it .Finally the design can be sent to John who will probably call you and tell you to please just choose between a Rule #9 or a Tool. I hope this is all quite clear?
If you would like any further info regarding knife design be sure to have anyone but me help you out.
PS
Sure would have liked to have been at the Gathering, I'll catch the next one!
Brad
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Thank god we had flint and char cloth or there would have been no sausages!
