Who of you EDC's a GEC large jack?

hank_rearden

hank_rearden

Joined
Jun 7, 2002
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online picture (pertinux' according to the label)
bigjackbs13.jpg


it's 4 1/4 inches long closed with two full-length blades. i like the generous size of the clip blade, and the long pull for both. trouble is, can i carry it around? i have a two-bladed #23 pioneer trapper and at 4 1/2 inches closed, it's too big for the pocket, or the smallest compartment in my belt bag (which up to now, harbors a chestnut bone case peanut.) i haven't settled on a jack at the 3" to 3 5/8" range yet, and my preference has always been towards the big end of the offering.

anyone?
 
Dîd they rename this model? I had one of these, picked up in 2007 or 2008, and GEC called it the Big Jack.

- Christian
 
I have a Big Jack from the earlier release in 2008, and have carried it some. I also find the #23 too big for normal carry, but the Big Jack is OK. Right at the limit, but carries smaller than the Pioneer for sure.

BJopen_zpsdefc23b8.jpg~original
 
I just registered for this forum today so I could crow a little about my new GEC 54 Big Jack that I bought for EDC. I've only had it a week, but so far it's going great!

I put it in an AG Russell black leather pocket slip and it lays in my jeans pocket pretty well. I am considering having a belt pouch made for it tho.

I just got me a new 65 Ben Hogan to carry as well so I've been test driving them both.
 
I've got one of the recent Northfield #54 Big Jacks. It's 4-1/4". I carry it often, usually in a pocket slip.

i-34hZ93T-XL.jpg
 
^
my main reason for wanting one is i want to carry a knife for tough whittling or cutting (something neither my peanut nor my small modern EDC's can do.) i like the tidoute in either jigged bone or micarta. however, those come with a regular nail nick and i want a long pull like the one you have. the #54 is probably a nail buster, just like the #23. when opening my pioneer, i have to concentrate and do it slowly.
 
The #54 is definitely stiff. Mine is probably a 7 to 8 pull but then I haven't cleaned it or worked it very much.
 
I love this cigar frame from GEC! I dont own the jack but I do have a stockman and a furtrapper(moose with clip and wharncliffe) that are the same size. I love the way they feel in hand and dont mind the extra size in my pocket. If you can get away with just one big blade then I would go for the T.K. cuban as it is very pocket friendly for such a big knife.
 
Kiteman72 said:
I just registered for this forum today so I could crow a little about my new GEC 54 Big Jack that I bought for EDC. I've only had it a week, but so far it's going great!

I put it in an AG Russell black leather pocket slip and it lays in my jeans pocket pretty well. I am considering having a belt pouch made for it tho.

I just got me a new 65 Ben Hogan to carry as well so I've been test driving them both.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum Kiteman72.
I like to have a larger knife on me so the 54 Big Jack does look to be a nice pattern.
The Ben Hogan is nice also, I have a spear in ebony and it is a comfortable and capable knife.
 
This one came the other day and I was on fence of whether or not to keep it. I back pocket carry knives 4" and over but this BIG Jack is a beast. I've carried it back pocket in a sheath/slip and this one will be staying with me:thumbup:

I love the look of the long pull but really appreciate the deep nail nicks on the Tidioute as the pull is stout.

TMmVL2.jpg


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Ih02CW.jpg
 
Paul, beautiful knife. I have the Moose version of the #54 and love it. Pull is stout and great snap as it should be on knife this capable. Carries very well for its size IMO.
 
paul's pictures are close to converting me into the tidioute nail nick. i just hope the 54 does carry well. my 23 pioneer with end-cap (online picture) raised eyebrows when i first got it. they said it looked like a folding bayonet (almost as big as one too.)
 
I edc a #42 trapper; it's the same size. Sometimes in a pocket slip, sometimes a belt sheath.
 
rockgolfer said:
I love this cigar frame from GEC! I dont own the jack but I do have a stockman and a furtrapper(moose with clip and wharncliffe) that are the same size. I love the way they feel in hand and dont mind the extra size in my pocket. If you can get away with just one big blade then I would go for the T.K. cuban as it is very pocket friendly for such a big knife.
Click to expand...

Enviable selection there! That chocolate bone Tidioute is marvellous:thumbup:

I particularly like the sound of the TK Cuban as it's single-spring and that can make carrying a big knife more practical for me.

The recent release of 54 Big Jacks and the Moose saw some very good handle choices and some BOSS Stag too. But in the end, it's too much carry for me, I don't like weight in the pocket and belt sheathes for me void the whole point of a pocket-knife.

Some veryfine examples on view in his thread.

Thanks, Will
 
I regularly carry a Northwoods Forest Jack, which is a single blade #54 model in my suit pocket. I don't find it to her too big or heavy, but a two spring/blade model might be another story.
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Thanks Will! I also completely agree with you on the belt sheath, pocket knife issue.

Lets shed a little more light on this with some numbers. I weighed them all and put a tape measure to them. I was surprised at how so little can make such a big difference. From one knife to another 1/8th of an inch can be insignificant but on the same frame, it makes all the difference!

I actually measure the length on all of them at 4 1/16th long.

The Northwoods Forest Jack checks in at 75grams and 7/16ths wide

The T.K. Cuban(with modified blade) is 80grams and 7/16ths wide

The Stockman weighed in at an even 100grams and checks in at 9/16ths

The Furtaker Trapper was 115grams and 9/16ths wide. I will note that all measurements where eyeballed and not calipered.

For fun I am adding the 79 3 spring Workhorse whittler into the conversation. It is made for what the OP wants to do and gives some comparison.

The 79 is 3 3/4" long. weighs in at 108grams(red bone Northfield) and is 9/16ths wide as well.


The main blades are all the same length across the board on the 53's. If you measure the usable section of blade the Cubans all have approximately 2 3/4" of usable edge. The 79's main spear blade has about 2 1/2 inches of usable edge.


Their is also a 54 (same frame but with half stops) whittler that is made but I have never handled that, just giving another option.


Here is an old pic I have of the 53 stockman with the 79 Whittler.


I hope this can help you make a choice

Jeff
 
I personally don't typically enjoy carrying a knife 4" closed or longer in my front pants pockets, and am even reluctant to back pocket carry something that big. In the winter, I suppose I could carry a big knife in a coat pocket quite comfortably. And I just bought some "carpenter jeans" that have a deep tool pocket down the outside of the right leg; I'm thinking of carrying a big folder there on the days I wear those jeans. Funny, I never paid much attention to fashion until I started carrying slipjoints again a year ago! :D

- GT
 
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