New BlackJack Classic knives - are they good?

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precisionshootist

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Mar 1, 2010
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Any opinions or first hand experience with the currently available BlackJack classic line knives? I've been looking at the BlackJack Classic Model 5. I know this company has a checkered past but how about the current lineup?
From what I can tell they are convex ground A2 Tool Steel and appear to be made in USA. Would like to here more informed opinions on these. Can they handle hard use? etc.
 
I believe they're currently being made by Bark River Knife and Tool which has a pretty solid reputation. I'm very happy with the BRKT knives I own so I wouldn't hesitate on a BlackJack.
 
precisionshootist said:
Any opinions or first hand experience with the currently available BlackJack classic line knives? I've been looking at the BlackJack Classic Model 5. I know this company has a checkered past but how about the current lineup?
From what I can tell they are convex ground A2 Tool Steel and appear to be made in USA. Would like to here more informed opinions on these. Can they handle hard use? etc.
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After handling both, I'd take the convex ground tool steel Blackjack knives over the similar knives made by Randall with sabre ground blades made from 440 stainless. That's without taking the insane price difference into account.

I don't think of the Blackjack knives as "hard use" due to the stick tang (it's a 'bolt knife'). If you want hard use, and similar style and quality, look over Bark River's line. The Bravo 1 or 1.5 would probably work, but the Fox River or Magnum Fox River seems to have a blade at more of an angle like the Model 5.

Honestly, call Bark River. Half the times I've called with a technical question Mike Stewart (owner of BRKT) picked up the phone to help. Ask him if he considers the Blackjack line "Hard use".
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I believe they're currently being made by Bark River Knife and Tool which has a pretty solid reputation.
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You are correct on both counts. The Blackjack Classic line is made by Bark River and Bark River has a solid reputation. I wouldn't hesistate to pick up a Model 5. But if I'm going to recommend a hard-use knife in the 5" range, it would have to be the Swamp Rat RatManDu. Nobody makes tougher knives than Jerry Busse. Don't believe me? Ask Mike Stewart. ;)
 
this is a good post.

i have been looking at the new stag i think model 7.
is is a cool looking knife,but you know some blackjacks are cheap like 30 bucks knives.

so how bout the model 7 in stag,would you take it or a brkt like a bravo...thx
 
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. They're both made by the same manufacturer. Just don't get the cheap Blackjack knives. They are NOT made by Bark River.
 
bld522 said:
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. They're both made by the same manufacturer. Just don't get the cheap Blackjack knives. They are NOT made by Bark River.
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The Grunt, for the price, is a phenomenal knife.
 
THE PUNISHER said:
so how bout the model 7 in stag,would you take it or a brkt like a bravo...thx
Click to expand...

The Bravo 1 was designed, and proven, to be able to handle any task that could be expected of a knife (and more in my experience).

If you want a real "hard use knife", get the Bravo 1/1.5/2 in your choice of handle, you won't be disappointed.
 
I really like my Blackjack Model 125. Perfect size camping knife IMO. Stays sharp and easy to sharpen with just a strop. I wouldn't do any batoning with it though.

IMG_0018.jpg
 
Not all BlackJack knives are created equal.

Currently, only the "Classic Blades", "Necker" and "Tac Ops Series" knives are made in the USA.

IIRC, the balance of the line comes from China.


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Big Mike
 
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I feel like this would be an inexpensive way, for me to help, satisfy, my impulse to purchase a Randall. I like A2, and can't justify the price difference between the BRK manufactured Blackjacks, and the real McCoy. They look like quality to my eye.
 
I reviewed a Blackjack 125 (same as the one in Circle10's pic above) on this forum back in 2009 - still using that knife and still have a high opinion of it.
 
Guys, thanks for the replies! I trust the knowledge here so I'm going forward with a model 5 black Micarta. I would like to have a Randall as a user but It seems silly when this knife should be right up there. I also don't understand the grind on Randalls. Looks like the only thing missing on the Blackjack Model 5 would be a high quality hand made leather sheath.

I would like to clarify. When I stated "hard use" I did not mean the current definition. I really meant is the knife a good reliable blade for doing normal knife work for many years?
 
I guess there is such a thing as resale value, of which Randalls are notorious for, still that's one of the few advantages I can find in favor of the Randall. I like O1 as well, but it isn't exactly a super steel, and not expensive in the least bit, I don't understand were the cost comes from. Some kind of special HT ? Not dissing Randall, and don't want to cause a stir. They're beautiful, functional knives by all means.
 
The real deal is nice to have but I just can't bring myself to actually use it. You can buy 3 Model 125's for the price of 1 Randall Bushmaster. The Randall sheaths are nice too but the Sharpshooter sheaths that come with the Blackjacks are great quality.

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The new US ones are as good as the old ones, if not better. Mike Stewart as been involved with all the different Blackjack incarnations over the years, all be it with different backers.
 
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