I wanted to share my thoughts on the Blackjack model 5, 1-7 and 14. All knives are made from convex ground A2 tool steel, and came hair flinging sharp from the factory. They all come with similar leather sheaths, which I don't like because I don't like leather sheaths, but don't let that stop you if you're into leather. I prefer kydex, and will be making sheaths for these guys once I get my workshop set up again. The lack of kydex sheaths is the only reason I haven't tested these knives yet.
The Model 14, sometimes called the HALO Attack, is the strongest and heaviest. It has a 7" blade, similarly shaped to the 1-7, but the similarity ends at the handle. The 14's handguard is a rectangular block, and it has a mortised tang, meaning that the back of the tang is exposed, but the rest is inside of a solid piece of micarta. The model 14's handle is shorter than the 1-7, and feels smaller around. If I wanted a strong, traditional looking fixed blade I would get a model 14. I actually returned mine, because the handle wasn't big enough and it didn't balance right for me, but I intend to try a model 13 (same thing with a 5.5" blade) in the future.
The model 1-7 has a 7" blade and a green canvas micarta "saber style" handle. Saber handle means that the tang is hidden, and there is no exposed bolt on the butt of the handle, which I think looks terrible. The guard is a nicely machined, curved piece of metal that suits the knife very well. It is also very functional, it stops the user's hand from sliding up onto the blade while being small enough that it doesn't get in the way when held using the choil at the base of the blade for finer work. My overall opinion is that it feels extremely light for a 7" bladed knife, and although slightly blade heavy is very fast in my hand.
The model 5 is the same as the 1-7, only with a 5.5" blade. Mine has a black micarta handle. It balances better, and is long enough for anything I'll ever do with it. As soon as I make a sheath, I'll be testing this one out as a candidate to replace my Bravo 1 and stay in my day hike backpack. My overall opinion is that the model 5 is a model 1-7 with more neutral balance, that is to say that it is perfect.
I especially like the saber styled handles of the 5 and 1-7 because there is no exposed steel tang to rust from sweat. It also makes for a lighter knife.
Sorry for the disorganized, rambling lack of organization in my post, I really just wanted to share some pictures and thoughts on these knives. I believe these to be very underestimated, little known knives as I don't hear about them often. A convex ground, tool steel Randall clone is a good value at $150. These are beautiful, lightweight, razor sharp knives based on classic designs.
Here's the models 5 and 1-7 together:
I don't have any other pictures of the model 14, but here's the mortised tang of the model 14 next to the saber styled hidden tang of the 1-7:
The Model 14, sometimes called the HALO Attack, is the strongest and heaviest. It has a 7" blade, similarly shaped to the 1-7, but the similarity ends at the handle. The 14's handguard is a rectangular block, and it has a mortised tang, meaning that the back of the tang is exposed, but the rest is inside of a solid piece of micarta. The model 14's handle is shorter than the 1-7, and feels smaller around. If I wanted a strong, traditional looking fixed blade I would get a model 14. I actually returned mine, because the handle wasn't big enough and it didn't balance right for me, but I intend to try a model 13 (same thing with a 5.5" blade) in the future.
The model 1-7 has a 7" blade and a green canvas micarta "saber style" handle. Saber handle means that the tang is hidden, and there is no exposed bolt on the butt of the handle, which I think looks terrible. The guard is a nicely machined, curved piece of metal that suits the knife very well. It is also very functional, it stops the user's hand from sliding up onto the blade while being small enough that it doesn't get in the way when held using the choil at the base of the blade for finer work. My overall opinion is that it feels extremely light for a 7" bladed knife, and although slightly blade heavy is very fast in my hand.
The model 5 is the same as the 1-7, only with a 5.5" blade. Mine has a black micarta handle. It balances better, and is long enough for anything I'll ever do with it. As soon as I make a sheath, I'll be testing this one out as a candidate to replace my Bravo 1 and stay in my day hike backpack. My overall opinion is that the model 5 is a model 1-7 with more neutral balance, that is to say that it is perfect.
I especially like the saber styled handles of the 5 and 1-7 because there is no exposed steel tang to rust from sweat. It also makes for a lighter knife.
Sorry for the disorganized, rambling lack of organization in my post, I really just wanted to share some pictures and thoughts on these knives. I believe these to be very underestimated, little known knives as I don't hear about them often. A convex ground, tool steel Randall clone is a good value at $150. These are beautiful, lightweight, razor sharp knives based on classic designs.
Here's the models 5 and 1-7 together:
I don't have any other pictures of the model 14, but here's the mortised tang of the model 14 next to the saber styled hidden tang of the 1-7:
