Great Eastern Cutlery just posted on their website ( GreatEasternCutlery.NET not .com is the one to follow, FYI) that they’ll be doing the #62 Easy Pocket Congress pattern in 2020!
They’re doing some cool versions! It looks like they’ll be doing one with a banana shield, which is fitting considering the pattern shape. The big surprise to me is that they’re using Unicorn Ivory Acrylic again, considering how much trouble they had with it on the #25s. Of course, there’ll be Jigged Bone and Sambar Stag versions also.
If you’re a fan of the Congress pattern, email your favorite dealer (link to a list of GEC dealers here) and get in on this long awaited run (for some) of the #62 Easy Pocket Congress!
T(oo)L(ong);D(idn’t)R(ead)? Here’s my YouTube review of the #86 Oil Field Jack!
Recently Great Eastern Cutlery began producing its first run of the new #86 pattern. The #86 is a jumbo jack pattern, which basically means it’s an enlarged version of the classic swell end jack shape like that found on a #15 or #77. GEC has named this pattern the Oil Field Jack, and it’s a fitting name. This hefty pocket knife would be right at home in the oil fields.
The jumbo jack is a pattern that has been around for a long time, but isn’t as well known as others. It’s an enlarged swell end jack, usually over 3.75″ closed. The GEC version is 3.875″ closed. They tend to have thicker handles. This is in part due to the more rounded covers, and in part to the fact that they are most often two bladed. The blades can even be ground from thicker stock than a typical jack. For example, according to Charlie Campagna, the #86 tangs are about .1″ wide, whereas a GEC #15’s tangs are about .09″. Interestingly, vintage jumbo jacks tend to have spear point main blades with pen secondaries, but the #86 has a clip point main and slender sheepfoot secondary. All of it comes together in the #86 to make an unusually hefty jack knife that is inspired by, but not a direct copy, of vintage jumbo jacks.
The #86 compared to a #78, #77, and #15 (from right to left)
Great Eastern Cutlery is making the #86 in several iterations. They’re making them under both their Tidioute and Northfield in-house brands, as well as some Special Factory Orders. The Tidioute versions all feature a quite unique, and appropriate to the name, wrench shield. They are being made with Oil Sucker Rod Wood, Natural Canvas Micarta, and Oily Creek Bone. The Northfield version will come in Autumn Gold Jigged Bone, Tortoise Shell Acrylic, and Sambar Stag. There will also be an SFO for Gunstock Jack’s Knives in Bloodwood with Bowtie shield, and for JSR Sports & More in Burnt Chocolate Peach Seed Jigged Bone with Propeller shield. Finally, there will be two more unique (and difficult to get) versions of the #86. First, the traditional knives subforum of BladeForums has ordered their yearly club knife on the #86 frame with a single saber ground sheepfoot blade, African Blackwood handles, and Bomb shield. At this point the only way to purchase that version is through the secondary market, as all have been pre-ordered months in advance. Second, Charlie Campagna is having a Waynorth Cutlery Black Jack produced. It will have a clip point main with more emphasized swedges and a pen secondary, Gabon Ebony Wood handles, and a Banner shield. You still might be able to get one of these by emailing the dealers through whom Charlie sells his SFOs, a list of which you can find at this link. The Waynorth Black Jack will probably be the most sought after of the #86s. With so many exciting versions of the #86 pattern coming soon, everybody should be able to find one they want!
The “jumbo-ness” really shows in the thickness. It’s thicker, due to the rounded covers, than a Case full sized trapper.
The first released Oil Field Jacks seem to be selling quickly, but you should be able to get one in your preferred handle material. This will be a relatively large run in regard to production numbers. However, GEC has been shipping knives to dealers in batches. This practice is both good and bad; good because it allows for more chances to get the knife you want, bad because it causes more scramble and makes the knives seem more scarce. As of this writing, all of the Tidioute versions have been released but if you act quick you should still be able to get at least an Oily Creek Bone model. There are some Natural Canvas Micarta versions still arriving at dealers, and maybe a couple Oil Sucker Rod Wood stragglers. None of the Northfield versions have been released yet, and they can be purchased from any of the GEC dealers (which you can find a list of at this link), so there’s definitely still time to get one. I think both the Sambar Stag and Tortoise Shell Acrylic will look awesome on this jumbo jack pattern; the stag because the big wide handles will give plenty of room to show off the unique character of each piece, and the tortoise because I just like the somewhat bold and garish look of that acrylic style. I’m sure the Autumn Gold Jigged Bone will be nice also, I just don’t get as excited about that particular dye color and jigging as some. I am probably most excited about the Waynorth Cutlery Black Jack (aside from / along with the one I already have). Not only will it be the most similar to vintage jumbo jacks with its long pulls, swedges, and Gabon Ebony Wood handles, it will also have that particular styling that Charlie brings to his SFOs that have made them so popular amongst collectors.
Compared to some well known knives, the Ontario Rat 1 and Case Trapper.
I got the Oil Sucker Rod Wood #86 Oil Field Jack. This is a knife I knew I had to check out as soon as it was announced. I already really have and enjoy a few other knives with the Oil Sucker Rod Wood covers. The Oil Sucker Rod Wood is reclaimed from the area around Great Eastern Cutlery. An oil sucker rod is part of the oil drilling process and the piece of equipment that pulls the oil up out of the well (you can find a video on the process at this link). Steel rods are used now and have been for a while, but in the early days of the oil industry wooden rods were implemented. One interesting quirk of this handle material is that, because it is reclaimed wood and there’s no record of what wood species was used for the wells from which the wood was reclaimed, one can’t be sure what wood these handles actually are made of. Some, including my dad who’s been in the industry for over 40 years, say that it’s likely Ash. Either way, it has a green hue from the crude oil that soaked into it during its previous life as a working sucker rod. The crude oil in the Titusville region is a particularly bold green color. I remember my dad having a little bottle of crude oil from the Drake Well, the first commercial oil well in the world (by most accounts) that is right outside of Titusville and only a couple miles from GEC, and it was just the same color as the handles on my Oil Field Jack. Finally, the wrench shield hearkens to the hard manual work put in on those early oil wells (not to say that hard manual work isn’t also put in on the modern wells!). All of it seems to reach back and connect the Oil Field Jack to local Pennsylvania history, making it much more than just an extremely well made knife.
Three knives in Oil Sucker Rod Wood. #18 Beagle, #15 2014 Rendezvous Special TC One Arm Barlow, and the #86 Oil Field Jack
Speaking of its build quality, my Oil Field Jack in Oil Sucker Rod Wood is impeccably made. It has smooth transitions between the covers and bolsters. The shield is fitted tightly, which is a feat on such a complicated shape as a double ended wrench. The blades are tight with no blade play. The action is great with nice snap and walk and talk, and about a 6 out of 10 pull (a little stronger than a swiss army knife) on both blades. Both blades are also well centered. In a huge relief to me, as these are the two most irksome and common issues to be found on GEC knives, neither blades came with proud tips or blade rap.
The Oil Field Jack is jumbo compared to other swell end jack knives, but it’s much smaller than some of GEC’s other large patterns. From left to right: #45 Lumberjack, #46 Whaler, #86 Oil Field Jack, #97 Allegheny, #98 Texas Camp Knife
I actually accidentally ordered two of these, and I have to admit that one was sent back. Sometimes you read or hear of someone “accidentally” ordering a knife, and you think “how can you possibly order a knife on accident?”. Well, I emailed two of my favorite dealers about this knife and, I thought, only heard back from one. So when I got a PayPal invoice for this knife, I just paid it. Later, when I got another, I realized that both dealers had emailed back confirming my reservation of this knife and one of their emails had gone to my spam folder! Anyway, the second one I received came with what I considered to be a poorly fit shield. There were noticeable gaps between the shield and wood that had been filled in with glue, which I find to be ugly. It also came with some rust / pitting on the main blade backspring, which was actually a first for me from GEC. Maybe chalk it up to the wet and cold weather. Anyway, as always, Ken at Blue Creek Cutlery provided incredible service and rectified the issue quickly and completely; he even refunded my return shipping, which went above and beyond my expectations!
The example I’m keeping is from Jamie at JSR Sports & More, from whom I’ve also received quality service. Despite one of my examples having some unusual issues, the Oil Field Jack I’m keeping is another great testament to Great Eastern Cutlery’s ability to make an heirloom quality pocket knives that are also ready to be put to real use.
The Oil Field Jack with pin and tube.
I really like GEC’s Oil Field Jack on the #86 Jumbo Jack frame. It feels really ergonomic in the hand with the thick, rounded handle. The classic clip point blade shape offers a usable tip for penetrating tasks, but also provides a very practical amount of both straight edge and belly for push and pull cuts. The slender sheepfoot secondary will work great for smaller cutting tasks like opening mail, cutting strings, etc. The Oil Field Jack’s heft makes it feel like a knife that would be a great every day carry user, but that would also be more than capable as a work knife. I also really enjoy the extra touch of the wrench shield. I think all of these Oil Field Jacks are going to look great, but the history and local authenticity of the Oil Sucker Rod Wood made me choose it over the others… So far! If you need a Jumbo Jack in your life, I definitely suggest trying one of GEC’s new #86 Oil Field Jacks!
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The holidays are rapidly approaching, and that means it’s time to get gifts. So before they sneak up on you unawares, here are 5 slipjoints worthy of being gifted to your friends, family, and loved ones. I have done my best to include options across a range of prices and styles, and ones that are available to purchase. Giving knives as gifts always brings me joy because it allows me to share my enthusiasm for these pieces of practical art with others, and I hope this article helps you do the same!
Slipjoints are non-locking folding pocket knives. They most often use a backspring to hold the blade closed within the handle and in the open position, but there are other mechanisms that can be used (all the examples on this list use a backspring). Slipjoints are most often associated with traditional knives, but more and more modern knife companies are introducing slipjoint models. With the rapid increase in their popularity, a slipjoint knife can make a great gift for anyone who appreciates a good pocket knife.
Rough Ryder Barlow
A lineup of some Rough Ryders.
Rough Ryder is a brand owned by Smoky Mountain Knife Works. They’re made in China, but consistently provide quality well above their price point. They also come with a warranty backed by, and fulfilled through, Smoky Mountain Knife Works (from whom I have always had good service and positive warranty experiences). A Rough Ryder makes a great using slipjoint, being that they come at such an affordable price point, but they can sometimes be really aesthetically pleasing as well. Although there are A LOT of options when it comes to Rough Ryder knives (you can find the whole brand catalogue at this link), I would suggest a tried and true classic Barlow in smooth natural bone. You can get them from SMKW at this link for $10 plus shipping. I suggest this model in particular because it is a classic pattern that many recognize, because it is shieldless (Rough Ryder doesn’t pin their shields, and I try to avoid glued shields), and because I’ve been impressed with their quality. However, Rough Ryder offers a multitude of different series, handle materials, etc. so if the barlow doesn’t fit your taste I’m sure you’ll be able to find something that does!
Victorinox Alox Cadet
The Cadet’s larger brother, the Farmer.
The Victorinox Alox Cadet is a knife that packs a lot of utility into a small (and slim!) package. It features a full sized blade, nail file, bottle opener, can opener, wire stripper, large screwdriver, and small screwdriver all in just two layers. With only two backsprings and the thin yet tough Alox (aluminum) handles, the Cadet is slim enough to slip into a watch/coin pocket or purse and can even be carried on a keychain with the included splitring. Aside from all the utility provided by the tools, it’s just plain well made. Victorinox has an incredible level of consistency and quality control, so that you know when you buy one of their knives you’ll be getting a highly functional and well made knife. You can get Victorinox knives from lots of dealers, but GPKnives has the red version at this link and the silver version at this link both for about $35.
Case Trapper
The classic Case Trapper
The Case Trapper is a classic. It’s a knife that has been carried and used by countless people, from ranchers to wall street brokers. The Trapper pattern is a quintessentially American knife, and Case’s version is as well known and recognizable as a Trapper gets. The full sized version is big enough, especially with the two full sized blades, to be able to tackle all your every day cutting needs but still easy enough to carry on a daily basis. Like most Case knives, it is made in the USA. It comes in a staggering variety of handle materials, colors, and finishes. However, the most widespread and (usually) cheapest version is the yellow synthetic, and the one I’d recommend in general as a gift because it has character in simplicity. You can buy the Case Trapper at a lot of knife dealers, but you can find lots of different version at KnifeWorks at this link. You can find the stainless steel yellow synthetic version at this link, and the carbon steel yellow synthetic version at this link both for about $45.
GEC Farm & Field Bullnose
The GEC Bullnose after some refinishing.
Great Eastern Cutlery is making the best factory produced slipjoints on the market right now and because of that they can be expensive and difficult to get. Sometimes GEC knives stay on dealers’ sites/shelves for a while, but many of them are bought up quickly upon release. However, GEC has an in house brand called Farm & Field under which they manufacture working knives. These knives have less exotic materials and slightly less refined finishing than GEC’s other in house brands. Still, they are made by hand at a quality level mostly unmatched in the slipjoint market. The flagship of the Farm & Field brand is the #71 Bullnose. It is GEC’s take on the classic sodbuster pattern; one of the most well known working knives. It might not be the slimmest or sleekest knife, but it is rock solid with great action and timeless styling. Like all GEC knives, the Bullnose is made in the USA. It has a handmade feel that’s difficult to describe, but a joy to behold. GEC makes these often, but hasn’t in about a year so get yours before they run out. They can still be found at a few dealers, but I recommend getting yours at Blue Creek Cutlery. They have both the #71 Bullnose, at this link, and its larger brother the #21 Bullbuster, at this link, in stock now for $55 and $65 respectively.
CollectorKnives LionSteel Dom / Roundhead / Shuffler
The CollectorKnives LionSteel WarHorse.
If the receiver of your gifted slipjoint has more of a modern style, prefers high tech materials, or deserves a little pricier fare, the CollectorKnives LionSteel collaboration modern slipjoint barlows might be a great option. CollectorKnives is a longtime dealer of slipjoints from lots of brands, but recently they introduced their line of modern slipjoint barlows manufactured by LionSteel. These knives have an elongated bolster and the classic shape of a barlow, but they have screw together construction and modern materials. The blades are M390 super steel, the liners and bolsters are titanium, and some of the handle materials include carbon fiber. They are also offered in several more traditional handle materials like ram’s horn, ebony wood, olive wood, and micarta. Some even boast damascus (actually Damasteel, stainless damascus) bolsters and blades. They come in several different options: the Roundhead with a spearpoint blade, the Dom with a sheepfoot blade, the Shuffler with a clip point blade, and the WarHorse with both a clip point and wharncliffe blade. You can find all versions at this link for between $120 and $335.
Knives can make an extremely thoughtful, as well as useful, gift. I know that anytime I give or receive a knife as a gift it feels meaningful. No matter which of these you choose, I think the receiver will be thrilled when they open their gift! Don’t forget to check out my other articles, enter your email to get updates when I post new articles, and follow me on Instagram and YouTube.
In this article we’re looking at a very unusual knife from CRKT, the Snap Lock. This knife was loaned by a friend so huge thanks to them! I’m always excited to get to check out a new knife, especially one with such an interesting design from the mind of Ed Van Hoy.
Not a large knife, not a tiny knife. Pretty EDC friendly, size wise.
The draw and namesake of this knife is its locking and opening mechanism, the Snap Lock. It’s a very unique lock where the blade is kept safely in the line of the handle with posts on the blade that are held in place by the spring pressure of the integral handle. When a lever attached to the blade, where the pivot would normally be, is depressed it presses the handle bars open thereby freeing the posts and unlocking the blade. The blade runs on a pivot that transects the blade vertically, rather than horizontally. You push the blade out horizontally, rather than vertically, with your thumb. Once it reaches the full open position the handle bars fall back down, enclosing the posts and locking the blade in place. It did lock up really solidly with no play, to my surprise, in both the closed and open positions. It’s a locking and opening mechanism that turns basically everything about the typical folding knife on its head, and it definitely makes for a unusual knife.
Surprisingly ergonomic!
That said, I have to admit that it’s not an intuitive or easy to use knife for me. I tended to fumble with the opening, even after cycling it many times in an attempt to create some muscle memory. In the process, it would definitely be possible for your thumb or fingers to slip and get cut on the blade, moreso than on a typical locking folding knife. For that reason, I would recommend the Snap Lock as a novelty rather than a utility/EDC knife. If you’re looking for an every day carry that is easy to use, I wouldn’t recommend this knife as a first option. However, if you appreciate unique mechanisms and want a cool knife to mess with and enjoy, the Snap Lock might be a good option.
