Who owns a Sway Back Jack?

S

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Jul 14, 2013
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140
Always wanted to own a sway back. Although the handle shape looks uncomfortable for any hard use. Do you like it? Also I appreciate any pics posted of your sway back. Knife porn ftw.
 
This is not the best pic, but here's mine:



I actually have never carried it. I got it and the Small Texas Jack at the same time and ended up carrying the STJ rather than the SBJ. Since then I've taken more of a shine to 3-bladed stockman patterns so I've never put the SBJ into the rotation. Doesn't mean I don't like it or that I won't ever carry it. I just happen to have more knives than I need and that one doesn't get carried that much.
 
I have one and really like it, the handle shape takes a little getting used to, but I find the gentle curve comfortable now.
It's really not what I would call a hard use knife, the construction could probably take some hard work without failing, but it is a small knife, around 3in. Closed I believe, and it has the weakest snap of any of the case I knives I own, the pen blade is especially soft in the spring department.
It really feels like a classy gentlemans folder to me.
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I think of it more as a gents' folder than a hard use knife. Fits nicely in my work khakis pocket and the wharncliffe main doesn't alarm non-knife people. Fit and finish on mine is terrific, nice snap, centered blades, no gaps.

Not a good picture either, sorry...:o

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I had one. Sold it. Regret it. It felt too round in the pocket. Weird complaint but flat knives carry better. Also, the pen seemed small and awkward to use. I'd love a gent (the single blade) if it was in CV - but I'd have to carry a second knife with a blade with some belly.
 
it fits very well in my hand....i have a hard time getting mine open w/o finger nails
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I assume, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that they would be really good at pull cuts, or cuts around a circular object, like in grafting.
 
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I have been carrying these three for the last few weeks. The Opinel is for food, usually in my bag or in my back pocket with my handkerchief. The Barlow is always in my pocket as my main knife, and the swayback jack is used for pull cuts and is a nice gentlemen's knife. If you don't mind carrying 2 knifes, having a main knife in your coin pocket, and a swayback jack in your left pocket gives you the option for different blade shapes and cutting styles.
 
I have one, and like it very much. The knife is very well made (I have the stainless version in Bermuda green bone).
The handle (in size and shape) is very comfortable when you're peeling fruit and such pull cutting tasks, while it's not as comfortable in deep frontal cuts. I have found that it's a matter of size (my Oeser has the same handle shape but it's almost half an inch longer, and it feels very comfortable in my hand even in frontal cuts).
As for pocket carry, it's extremely comfortable and very inobtrusive.
Hope this helps.

Fausto
:cool:
 
I have three of them. I got the chestnut bone version first, then I picked up another in deep canyon chestnut bone, and my last one was one with oak covers. The pattern is mesmerizing in it's design and execution. I find them (and the single blade gent version) to be quite handy and up to most casual pocketknife work. If I know I'm going to be working on something that requires it, I will take a different knife for that task. It occurs to me that I don't have a photo of the three together, so I'll have to post them here separately:

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Ed J
 
Just gave away my cv Chestnut Bone version, but I retain the stainless in Bermuda Green. Very well turned out knives, strong pull&snap on my ones at least.

I like the look of this knife a lot but I do find its shape a bit odd in-hand, for this reason I prefer the GEC Houndstooth which is 'the other way round' i.e. it's like a Saddlehorn. This I find much more comfortable, the Houndstooth offers the best Wharncliffe on a prod.knife in my view. Long and very useful.

Regards, Will
 
I agree with those who said the swayback lends itself well to a role as a gent's knife. Something about its curves...

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- Christian
 
I had a Case swayback jack and a swayback gent, but I let them go in a frenzy for new knives. I need to get another SBJ.
 
medicevans said:
I assume, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that they would be really good at pull cuts, or cuts around a circular object, like in grafting.
Click to expand...

I cut leather every day, IMO you can't beat a straight edge for pull cuts. This is never out of my hand when I need to cut leather. Best cutter I own.

Best regards

Robin
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Like others have said I love the egos on the SBJ they really are better than they look and also like others have said you need a finger nail to open these knives.
 
I don't have the Case version, but I have a swayback from Kerry Hampton. It's very comfortable in the hand, despite the backward curve. Love mine.

KHswayback.jpg
 
I have both the Sway back Gent and the jack version. The jack is CV and is a great knife the gent is a Case Select in Stag and is really nice. Actually the GEC hounds tooth with the Warny blade is very similar ( but wieghs more). Love the pattern, unfortunatly they are normally backups to either my Pemberton or a Peanut. Steven
 
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