Two Jack Knives, Four Weeks *Terminated*

[Mayonardo]

Giving credit where it is due I have to thank Pàdruig for this idea. His most interesting thread on carrying a 97 for a month is well worth keeping up with. It’s good to have a project so I’ve come up with one of my own similar to his.

I have a #86 Oil Field Jack still in its tube and a nice Eureka Jack on the way. My project will be to use one of these jack knives for two weeks, then switch to the other for two weeks and see how they compare and how my perception of them changes.

These two are both jack knives but oh so different. Should be fun

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

I'll be watching.

 

[cudgee]

I'll be watching.

So will i.

 

[hornetguy]

I will be interested to see your take on it... I had an 86 oilfield in micarta that I just couldn't warm up to, so I moved it along. I do like, and carry my 92 Eureka's, though. Curious to see how you rate the differences. Good idea...

 

[JohnDF]

I'll be curious too.
I like the Clip blade on the Oil field.
I like the overall design/look of the Eureka.
But of course, in the end, I sent them both down the road.

 

[mrknife]

theyre both very nice as single blades!

 

[abcdef]

My eyes will be glued.

 

[Mayonardo]

I really like the coping blade on the Eureka. I’d leave it as-is. Maybe the 86? I will keep that in mind.

 

[paulhilborn]

I'll be tuning in I enjoyed Dylan's thread as well.

 

[Mayonardo]

The Eureka Jack has not arrived yet however I expect it today or tomorrow. So to begin here are some photos of the oil field Jack. The first thing I noticed taking it from the tube is that it seems massive. Thicker, heavier, just a bunch bigger than my usual carry knives.

For those of you not familiar with this particular pattern I’ve included some general shots of the knife and its blades.

The The main clip blade which as you can see has a bit of a recurve. It’s not much but it’s there and I think it will be OK since I typically use a sharp maker for keeping my blades sharp. I’m wondering if great eastern typically puts a recurve on their main clip blades used on larger knives.

here is the 86 next to my 29 which is my usual carry knife. It is not only somewhat larger but it is also significantly heavier.

The only thing I’ve noticed at this point when using the 86 blades is that the portion of the closed blade that protrudes from the handle (Can’t remember what it’s called) interferes a bit with one’s grip. The angles tend to be rather sharp and that is, at this point anyway distracting.

Today is our daughters birthday so I’ll be packing it around see what kind of use I can get from it during the day and report back later.

 

[Pàdruig]

I will be following this with interest as well - it will be fun to experience your journey with you.

I have a number of examples of both of your chosen patterns. Out of the two, I prefer the 86 - it is a big solid jack that has the best blade combo one could ask for (a big clip main and a sizable coping blade). I have always enjoyed the aesthetics of the 92 but in use, it hasn't grabbed me quite yet.

Regardless, both are very fine patterns and it will be interesting to read your notes comparing the two.

 

[Mayonardo]

I will be following this with interest as well - it will be fun to experience your journey with you.

I have a number of examples of both of your chosen patterns. Out of the two, I prefer the 86 - it is a big solid jack that has the best blade combo one could ask for (a big clip main and a sizable coping blade). I have always enjoyed the aesthetics of the 92 but in use, it hasn't grabbed me quite yet.

Regardless, both are very fine patterns and it will be interesting to read your notes comparing the two.

I was discussing this with my daughter who reminded me that with my upcoming chemo infusion sessions and the recovery time between, I’m not going to have the time or, perhaps inclination, to keep up with a long term project like this. She is right. As much as I want to do this, I will have to call a halt to my project. Perhaps I can think up something that better fits my life these days. Thanks for all your encouragement. I will read and post now and then.

 

[sbh06]

I will be interested to see your take on it... I had an 86 oilfield in micarta that I just couldn't warm up to, so I moved it along. I do like, and carry my 92 Eureka's, though. Curious to see how you rate the differences. Good idea...

My experience was the opposite. Didn’t warm up to the 92 but have loved the 86. Having options to choose from is what makes this hobby nice...something for everyone.

Sorry you weren’t able to take this on long term Mayonardo ...maybe something a little shorter with both in pocket each day could be an alternative to consider.

 

[Old Engineer]

I was discussing this with my daughter who reminded me that with my upcoming chemo infusion sessions and the recovery time between, I’m not going to have the time or, perhaps inclination, to keep up with a long term project like this. She is right. As much as I want to do this, I will have to call a halt to my project. Perhaps I can think up something that better fits my life these days. Thanks for all your encouragement. I will read and post now and then.

Sorry to hear that . I was looking forward to your observations . Take care my friend .

Harry

 

[Modoc ED]

I was discussing this with my daughter who reminded me that with my upcoming chemo infusion sessions and the recovery time between, I’m not going to have the time or, perhaps inclination, to keep up with a long term project like this. She is right. As much as I want to do this, I will have to call a halt to my project. Perhaps I can think up something that better fits my life these days. Thanks for all your encouragement. I will read and post now and then.

Sorry to hear this. I have experience with the Cancer Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon (closest to our place) and cancer specialists in Portland, Oregon. They are very lenient about what Chemo patients can bring to sessions. Feel them out and see what they might have to say about your bringing a knife to your sessions for use as a worry stone and peace of mind. Of course you wouldn't open it or use it - just roll it in your hand, etc.. You might be surprised at what they'll allow.

 

[Mayonardo]

Sorry to hear this. I have experience with the Cancer Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon (closest to our place) and cancer specialists in Portland, Oregon. They are very lenient about what Chemo patients can bring to sessions. Feel them out and see what they might have to say about your bringing a knife to your sessions for use as a worry stone and peace of mind. Of course you wouldn't open it or use it - just roll it in your hand, etc.. You might be surprised at what they'll allow.

Thank you, sir, for that tip. I’m going up next week, so I will ask. Probably be ok. It’s the week or so afterward that kicks my behind.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

Mayonardo
I was looking forward to following along and seeing how your opinions would develop on each knife. I like my Oilfield jack quite a bit and carried it today actually even though I had to busy a day to snap a pic for the relevant threads. Though I tend to like larger knives in general. No worries about canceling the long term project and updates, your well being is much more important. Ed has a good suggestion I think, sometimes just fidgeting with a closed knife in hand we get used to its feel and heft. Sometimes when I'm driving on a long drive I will have a slipjoint in my hand just basically holding it. With a good classical music station also on it gives my mind kind of an anchor. I know that doesn't compare really to chemo and the associated stresses, but a good knife has always been a comfort to me. So even just holding one as a focus for the subconscious to ponder seems to melt stress, at least for me. Even without an update on the knives drop in when your feeling up to it and give us an update on how your doing from time to time

 

[cudgee]

Mayonardo
I was looking forward to following along and seeing how your opinions would develop on each knife. I like my Oilfield jack quite a bit and carried it today actually even though I had to busy a day to snap a pic for the relevant threads. Though I tend to like larger knives in general. No worries about canceling the long term project and updates, your well being is much more important. Ed has a good suggestion I think, sometimes just fidgeting with a closed knife in hand we get used to its feel and heft. Sometimes when I'm driving on a long drive I will have a slipjoint in my hand just basically holding it. With a good classical music station also on it gives my mind kind of an anchor. I know that doesn't compare really to chemo and the associated stresses, but a good knife has always been a comfort to me. So even just holding one as a focus for the subconscious to ponder seems to melt stress, at least for me. Even without an update on the knives drop in when your feeling up to it and give us an update on how your doing from time to time

Well put.

 

[Mayonardo]

Mayonardo
I was looking forward to following along and seeing how your opinions would develop on each knife. I like my Oilfield jack quite a bit and carried it today actually even though I had to busy a day to snap a pic for the relevant threads. Though I tend to like larger knives in general. No worries about canceling the long term project and updates, your well being is much more important. Ed has a good suggestion I think, sometimes just fidgeting with a closed knife in hand we get used to its feel and heft. Sometimes when I'm driving on a long drive I will have a slipjoint in my hand just basically holding it. With a good classical music station also on it gives my mind kind of an anchor. I know that doesn't compare really to chemo and the associated stresses, but a good knife has always been a comfort to me. So even just holding one as a focus for the subconscious to ponder seems to melt stress, at least for me. Even without an update on the knives drop in when your feeling up to it and give us an update on how your doing from time to time

Very well put indeed. I too keep a knife in hand frequently seeing what my touch reveals about it. It can be a comfort.
I will be hanging out in the porch as much as I am able. I have my good days and my bad days. The conversations here have always been a way for me to connect with good folks and a good hobby. Don’t see anyone these days (Covid and cancer don’t play well together) so my daily trips to the porch are an uplift for sure.

 

[cudgee]

Very well put indeed. I too keep a knife in hand frequently seeing what my touch reveals about it. It can be a comfort.
I will be hanging out in the porch as much as I am able. I have my good days and my bad days. The conversations here have always been a way for me to connect with good folks and a good hobby. Don’t see anyone these days (Covid and cancer don’t play well together) so my daily trips to the porch are an uplift for sure.

.