What is the difference between good jigging and bad jigging?

[Tyson A Wright]

Occasionally someone will post a picture, and others will comment that the jigging is good, or well done. Sometimes there is a comment to the effect that 'nobody can do the good jigging anymore like in the olden days'. When I look at the pictures, sometimes it does look pretty good to me, and sometimes I'm underwhelmed.

So please educate me: how do you define good jigging vs. bad jigging? What are the quantitative and/or qualitative things you see that make the difference? Are there well-agreed upon standards for this, or is it all a matter of taste?

Thanks,

-Tyson

 

[Pàdruig]

I think you are going to find this to be a rather subjective thing.

There are a lot of different jigging methods and patterns (i.e. peach seed, rogers, sawcut, winterbottom, etc.). There are some that I like better than others and some that I like that other folks may very well not.

What I am looking for in jigged bone is character - if it looks too uniform or even machined in some way, I don't tend to prefer it. An example that comes to mind is the jigged bone that is available from A Wrights out of Sheffield - I dislike it quite a bit.

An example of more character in jigged bone (granted, this is my opinion) is this stuff that I had custom done on a Lambsfoot of mine.

 

[black mamba]

Mostly a matter of taste. I tend to prefer deep, random jigging, that doesn't immediately look like it was done by a machine. Some modern machine cut jigging is pretty good, but if it is, it looks more like hand cut.

Good

Not so good

 

[JohnDF]

I think it's mostly an "eye of the beholder" type of thing.
I like deep jigging that covers most of the handle slab, from bolster to end cap.
I like it to be pretty random, but seems to have a pattern to it when looked at as a whole.

An example... not my knife, but wish it was.

 

[cudgee]

jigged bone that is available from A Wrights out of Sheffield

I purchased one of these, and you are correct, they just look cheap, nearly like plastic. That being said, some people like them.

 

[Jack Black]

I think you are going to find this to be a rather subjective thing.

There are a lot of different jigging methods and patterns (i.e. peach seed, rogers, sawcut, winterbottom, etc.). There are some that I like better than others and some that I like that other folks may very well not.

What I am looking for in jigged bone is character - if it looks too uniform or even machined in some way, I don't tend to prefer it. An example that comes to mind is the jigged bone that is available from A Wrights out of Sheffield - I dislike it quite a bit.

An example of more character in jigged bone (granted, this is my opinion) is this stuff that I had custom done on a Lambsfoot of mine.

I also thought of Wrights Dylan! A shame they can't do the jigging themselves, instead of just buying it in, but you know how they are That's some beautiful bone on your custom My favourite contemporary factory jigging is on two of Charlie's SFO's

 

[Old Engineer]

Good examples black mamba Jeff and Dylan Pàdruig . It is all subjective . Whatever I like is not necessarily what you will like . I just happen to like Jigging like this :










Harry

 

[waynorth]

I agree with Dylan!! His first (Wright) example looks half-hearted at best
(Minimal number of cuts), while his custom handles have a full texture - much better!!
Jigging started out as an attempt to emulate Stag, before it branched into other art forms! Its primary use is to impart good grip on a tool handle. But Human critters are prone to embellishing their beloved tools, with pride!! And if you like what nature offers, Stag is the answer, but not always available. So enhanced Bone (or wood) can fill the bill!
GEC! Not Bad!!
Case Bros. Stag for comparison
Robeson Scouts! Look like Rogers Bone (defunct company!
Joseph Rodgers - older Jigging and Beautiful!!

All subjective!!

 

[waynorth]

Jack Black
Old Engineer
Hey Jack and Harry!!
Great minds think alike!!

 

[Will Power]

It's an important & legitimate question, but one that is impossible to answer definitively. Aesthetics are largely subjective, sometimes conditioned by trend or era but in this instance it is also important to acknowledge the role of the individual pattern. What works well on some knives may look less effective on others.

With Barehead knives a Pickbone style that goes right to the end and has an irregular appearance will enhance the characteristics of the knife. Examples shown of Waynorth Cutlery's SFOs are a very good illustration of this together with the recovering on the Wright knife. Characteristic that I personally like are when the jigging goes right into the bolsters, colouration and evenness of dye will also impact on the effectiveness of jigging itself, so it is an overall thing. Other considerations may include whether or not a particular knife has a shield, the choice of which and inletting quality will also impact on the effectiveness of the jigging . Winterbottom style jigging, often seen on C20th Queen knives with its distinctive rope like waves and colouring look at home on longer models such as Stockman or Congress.

Here's a few I consider as desirable, haven't got any pix to hand of the 'bad' stuff but poor dye, shallow jigging, tyre tread styles or mundane regular looks might qualify...

Here, a GEC SFO Farmer's Jack that achieves a fine aged/pocket worn look.

GEC's Cougar Claw is divisive stuff, some dislike it... I clearly don't share that opinion, like the deeply grooved look and grippy feel.

Very much in favour of Winchester Black Box Bone from the 80s/90s Very dark but with some interesting highlights, random bark like bone. Allegedly from a stash of hoarded Rogers Bone from 50 years before. Could be or could be myth...but the appearance is not in doubt.

CASE's Chestnut Bone, although not going to the bolster, intentionally, looks at home on this Medium Sockman and ages well-another important aspect of good jigging surely?

 

[Will Power]

This works too on a GEC 62. Jigging to the bolster and offset by a very suitable shield.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Good jigging vs bad jigging is a lot like good nudity vs bad nudity.....


I'll know it when I see it (and feel it).

Some things are tough to explain, and also very subjective.

 

[knifeswapper]

So please educate me: how do you define good jigging vs. bad jigging?

Good jigging doesn't give you splinters.

 

[pmek5]

↓ Heck yes (probably won't see this anytime soon)

↓ Yes

↓ Yes

↓ No - too machined or uniform

Of course all very subjective, and that's okay.

 

[abcdef]

Good has that "it" factor.

 

[GE Jr]

I think these knives show some nice (or at least interesting) jigging...

 

[Signalprick]

Culpeppers American Standard is the good stuff!

 

[Will Power]

Good jigging doesn't give you splinters.

Certainly true

A couple of GECs a 25 and a later 82 in Elderberry Bone have arrived with extremely sharp splinters Wears off but it means the jigging is rather light....

 

[Camillus]

Depending on your point of view, this is either extremely good jigging or extremely bad jigging

 

[Chui]

- agree with the general consensus that it's subjective/eye of the beholder. The early examples shown by waynorth are very interesting, and in some measure later ones show how it's all developed, clearly in some cases goes to show how certain jigging styles suits some folders better than others

Personally, prefer a haphazard jigging, when it's regular it just appears more mechanical.

This is an amateur maker and though not wonderful jigging, still suits the character of the knife





This maker, Tozaki, from Japan is renowned for his own jigging





Just suits the knife so well, nice example from Dowell






This Dunlap pair: the Lannys Clip was a custom request to 'pair' up with the other (much older)..........very nice indeed, they don't match but both utterly great folders!





My only Bose. The jigged bone is apparently "AG bone is a bone that AG Russell made in the 50 and 60's, it is no longer available." Really like the way they've used different widths of jigging.