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78 American Jack

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:18 am
by XX Case XX
So I'm looking at the new 78 American Jack. Nice knife. I start to wonder why they would put the small pen blade in front of the large blade. Since the larger, main blade would probably get more use, wouldn't it make more sense to put the small blade on the other side?

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Click on image to enlarge. (Photo from GEC Website)

__________
Mike

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 12:27 am
by espn77
Must be trying to copy Remington. Most Remington jack knives have the pen blade in the front. Which is opposite of case.

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:17 am
by kootenay joe
If you place the master blade in front then you would need to put the nail nick of the secondary blade on the other side.
kj

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:22 am
by jerryd6818
Easier to get the Pen open if it's in front of the main. Besides, it don't get in the way of opening of the main. I prefer the pen be in front. JMO

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 1:40 pm
by QTCut5
The single blade version solves the pen blade placement issue entirely.
PC270012.JPG
~Q~

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:31 pm
by XX Case XX
QTCut5 wrote:The single blade version solves the pen blade placement issue entirely.

PC270012.JPG

~Q~
Yes, I like those!! The single blade looks really clean. Very nice. ::nod:: Man those are good looking knives. ::tu::

_________
Mike

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:05 pm
by big monk
GEC has done this ever so often through the years -- why?? -- who knows?? In 2011 the pattern#85 had the secondary blade behind the main -- then 2012 the secondary blade in front ?? also found an older Robeson like so* browsing the AAPK gallery -- seems to be used a lot on the "EZ-Open" jacks more so than others ?? I think this has been done at random, by different mfg's over the years ( see link)

http://www.jaysknives.com/antiqueknives_3.htm

Monk :)

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:30 pm
by TwoFlowersLuggage
If my job was to put little sharp blades on a pivot all day, I think I would want to change up the order every once in a while too...

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 12:37 am
by jerryd6818
Never noticed that Monk. Thanks for pointing it out.

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 2:27 am
by philco
Jerry please sell me that teardrop jack so we can still be friends. (I'm consumed by lust.)

Yur friend,


Phil

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 4:16 am
by jerryd6818
Phil, the cold must have froze up your brain. That's just crazy talk right there.

Still your friend. ::handshake::

Jerry D.

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:35 am
by kootenay joe
To me it makes no difference which side the secondary blade is on. Both designs work equally well. Plus a little variety is nice.
kj

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:25 am
by singin46
Late but I was able to score these two thanks to Ken and Roger at Maher&Grosh. Should be arriving on Monday, in the mail!
IMG_7966.jpg

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 2:23 pm
by biglmbass
Variety is indeed nice, but I tend to prefer the pen & main blades to open from the same side. That neon blue GEC 85 is a peach, by the way. ::tu::

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 4:15 am
by singin46
I've been pretty busy buying since returning to my first love,,,,pocketknives!
Just got these two in the last couple weeks and have a few more coming in soon as well.
Really liking the #78 pattern! ::tu::
Gary Kifer CutleryClassics SFO and the standard two bladed Tidioute, in smooth cow bone.
IMG_0477.jpg
IMG_0483.jpg

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 3:40 pm
by kootenay joe
Question for GEC experts: what is the difference between the #77 Yankee Jack and the #78 American Jack ? Both have a Spear Point master and long Pen secondary. Depending on the year made, nail nicks can be on same side or both sides. Both are 3 3/4", 2 blade, Regular Jacks.
kj

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 6:42 pm
by biglmbass
kootenay joe wrote:Question for GEC experts: what is the difference between the #77 Yankee Jack and the #78 American Jack ? Both have a Spear Point master and long Pen secondary. Depending on the year made, nail nicks can be on same side or both sides. Both are 3 3/4", 2 blade, Regular Jacks.
kj
The blade stock, at least on the master blade, is slightly thicker on one of them. Scratching my head, trying to remember which one has the thicker blade. Want to say the 77 does, but I'm not where I can check the ones I have. Also as you've probably noticed the top bolster of the 77 pattern is square versus the round bolster of the 78. Additionally the spear blades of each pattern are shaped just a bit differently

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 12:07 am
by kootenay joe
Thanks for this reply. Likely the bolsters are the only difference. The slight variation in blade thickness & profile might be just a knife to knife variation rather than an actual pattern specification ? Need to have at least 10 of each to measure.
kj

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 1:26 am
by kootenay joe
Here is a stag American jack 782217 which i just received from a really nice ebay seller. I think this to be The Perfect Jack knife and so attractive with the round bolsters.
I'm showing it with a stag Yankee Jack 772215 which is close to the same knife but the bolsters have corners. It too is a superb knife.
And then another American Jack, 782217 with the finest most close grained black ebony. I'm sure this is from wood harvested 75 or more years ago. It is the same quality of ebony seen on vintage USA jacks circa WW I.
Both the 78 and 77 are the finest Jack knives, perhaps the best ever made in U.S.A., or on par with best of the vintage USA jacks.
As lovers of traditional style knives we are living at the right time.
kj

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 6:18 am
by JACK OF ALL TIRADES
Those are sweet

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 3:35 pm
by RalphAlsip
KJ, beautiful knives and a nice comparison. ::tu:: ::tu::

Re: 78 American Jack

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 4:37 pm
by 313 Mike
Beautiful knives indeed KJ, very pleasing to the eye! I would be sorely tempted to drop one of those into my pocket and make it a user.