78 American Jack

GEC specializes in highly collectable and premium quality usable pocket knives. The company's USA manufactured knives have quickly proven to be a big hit with both collectors and users who seek quality American craftsmanship.
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XX Case XX
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78 American Jack

Post 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)

__________
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espn77
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by espn77 »

Must be trying to copy Remington. Most Remington jack knives have the pen blade in the front. Which is opposite of case.
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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jerryd6818
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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QTCut5
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by QTCut5 »

The single blade version solves the pen blade placement issue entirely.
PC270012.JPG
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XX Case XX
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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::

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big monk
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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 :)
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TwoFlowersLuggage
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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...
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by jerryd6818 »

Never noticed that Monk. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
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This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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philco
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by philco »

Jerry please sell me that teardrop jack so we can still be friends. (I'm consumed by lust.)

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jerryd6818
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by jerryd6818 »

Phil, the cold must have froze up your brain. That's just crazy talk right there.

Still your friend. ::handshake::

Jerry D.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
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This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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singin46
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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!
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biglmbass
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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::
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singin46
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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.
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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biglmbass
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by JACK OF ALL TIRADES »

Those are sweet
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post by RalphAlsip »

KJ, beautiful knives and a nice comparison. ::tu:: ::tu::
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313 Mike
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Re: 78 American Jack

Post 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.
Mike

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