78 American Jack

[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

[biglmbass]

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

[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

[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

[JACK OF ALL TIRADES]

Those are sweet

[RalphAlsip]

KJ, beautiful knives and a nice comparison.

[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.