The definition of a "jackknife"

D

double man

Joined
Aug 28, 2008
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70
What exactly is the definition of a jackknife? Is it just a generic term for a pocket knife, or is it a specific pattern? I was asked that question by a co-worker and didn't know the answer.
 
A jackknife is a two-bladed slipjoint with both blades on the same end. The small blade is usually a pen, and the large (master blade) is usually a clip- or spear-point blade.

Sometimes it's used as a general term for slipjoint, but not usually by the members here.
 
Jackknife = Sage on Bladeforums who writes folksy stories and as a result, transports us all to those very times and places he writes about.
 
When I was a kid jackknife was a generic term for all slippies. It wasn't till I got into traditional folders that I learned that there are specific patterns and that jackknives were one of them.
 
RobbW said:
A jackknife is a two-bladed slipjoint with both blades on the same end. The small blade is usually a pen, and the large (master blade) is usually a clip- or spear-point blade.

Sometimes it's used as a general term for slipjoint, but not usually by the members here.
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It also applies to single-blade knives as well. Size is also an indicator. Approximately 3 3/8 inches on up would be a jackknife. Less would be a pen knife. The cutoff blurs quite a bit.

There is no set-in-stone definition. As far as I can tell, there never was. I like to read and do it a lot. I also enjoy fiction from the late 18th century through the mid 20th quite a bit. Love old movies too. The definition of a jackknife varies quite a bit in old books and movies. The best we can do is come up with general guide lines.

Leo
 
From my knowledge, a jack knife is a folding knife with all the blade on one side of the handle. Ex Barlow, Texas Jack, Trapper, Peanut are all considered to be jack knives.

God Bless
 
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