Thread: Jack versus old Jack

Recently I got a secondhand example of Nga's "Jack" knife for no 1 son. It's a Mk 11 I think. Said son has left the knife with me for a while during a Aussie mission.

Since I had to do a mutton today I thought I'd give it a spin. Now my main knife of 43 years is an Robert Uddstrom custom knife that is remarkably similar to the Jack in many ways, it's also D2 steel, the blade shape is of the same family of "modified skinner" and the length is very similar.



I don't do too many muttons these days,so am way out of practise . . . When I was in the Canterbury High Country we'd do 4-6 muttons every fortnight, and up to 30 wethers for dog tucker every week, you get pretty slick doing those sorts of numbers, and become very attached to a knife that works.

Anyhoo the Jack went well, it's edge was as good as I can put on the Uddstrom (bear in mind D2 is an absolute chore, if not a challenge to sharpen, it's very tough and diamond stones are about all I've had much luck with). It held up well, I only had one sheep to do but I'd say it would have easily got through 3-4 before it needed any attention. The shape was better for some things like taking out the ring gear and splitting the brisket, but for some reason I didn't feel it went as well skinning, but there's not much of that on a sheep. About a draw on everything else.

My biggest beef with the Jack is its sheath, I feel it's about 25mm to low, my homemade Uddstrom sheath conversely is 25mm to high! I wouldn't take this Jack hunting in its current sheath, just too much chance of losing it in tough going.


Cheers

Originally Posted by Tentman

Recently I got a secondhand example of Nga's "Jack" knife for no 1 son. It's a Mk 11 I think. Said son has left the knife with me for a while during a Aussie mission.

Since I had to do a mutton today I thought I'd give it a spin. Now my main knife of 43 years is an Robert Uddstrom custom knife that is remarkably similar to the Jack in many ways, it's also D2 steel, the blade shape is of the same family of "modified skinner" and the length is very similar.

Attachment 271647

I don't do too many muttons these days,so am way out of practise . . . When I was in the Canterbury High Country we'd do 4-6 muttons every fortnight, and up to 30 wethers for dog tucker every week, you get pretty slick doing those sorts of numbers, and become very attached to a knife that works.

Anyhoo the Jack went well, it's edge was as good as I can put on the Uddstrom (bear in mind D2 is an absolute chore, if not a challenge to sharpen, it's very tough and diamond stones are about all I've had much luck with). It held up well, I only had one sheep to do but I'd say it would have easily got through 3-4 before it needed any attention. The shape was better for some things like taking out the ring gear and splitting the brisket, but for some reason I didn't feel it went as well skinning, but there's not much of that on a sheep. About a draw on everything else.

My biggest beef with the Jack is its sheath, I feel it's about 25mm to low, my homemade Uddstrom sheath conversely is 25mm to high! I wouldn't take this Jack hunting in its current sheath, just too much chance of losing it in tough going.
Attachment 271648

Cheers

Your beef with the sheath is why I had my og jack drilled for a lanyard when I had vongruff re handle it with some slick custom scales like the latest one being sold.
The lanyard allows you to wrap it around your belt and then through the loop before sheathing it. Despite all this mine grips well in it's sheath and has never escaped un assisted. If your sheath is loose you can soak them in warm water and re mould it.

I can't understand why a deerstalker would want to carry a knife on his belt? While not common, the down side of a having a spill and loosing your knife or having it go through the sheath and into your thigh, means they ride in my day pack. No hurry to get it after a shot either.
A pig hunter I can understand.

PS I do like Nga's blades.

Originally Posted by Dicko

I can't understand why a deerstalker would want to carry a knife on his belt? While not common, the down side of a having a spill and loosing your knife or having it go through the sheath and into your thigh, means they ride in my day pack. No hurry to get it after a shot either.
A pig hunter I can understand.

PS I do like Nga's blades.

Habit for a lot of us.
Used have one on belt all the time shepherding etc.
Now quite often just have in day bag.
Broke a couple of early stainless ones sitting on them on tractors.
Have lost the odd one.
You would think you would find it in a 5 acre paddock reasonably short grass but...

Originally Posted by erniec

Habit for a lot of us.
Used have one on belt all the time shepherding etc.
Now quite often just have in day bag.
Broke a couple of early stainless ones sitting on them on tractors.
Have lost the odd one.
You would think you would find it in a 5 acre paddock reasonably short grass but...

Just drive the quad into the paddock. One of the tyres will find it in 10 seconds flat!

Ernie,
A folder on your belt I understand.


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A knife is a pretty essential tool for a high country shepherd. Also if you were bought up pig hunting like I was a knife on your belt is just "natural".

Not sure about that tentman I don't carry a knife on my belt he'll most of the time I don't wear a belt sometimes I might carry a mouse folder in my pocket always a knife in the vehicle tho

O and if u want more practice hanging up muttons let me know haha

Originally Posted by Padox

Not sure about that tentman I don't carry a knife on my belt he'll most of the time I don't wear a belt sometimes I might carry a mouse folder in my pocket always a knife in the vehicle tho

I'll remember that next time you leave your belt behind "accidently"...

Only when I'm out with u @Joe_90

Haha, I had suspected I was better at gutting than you. That's confirmation as fact.

Originally Posted by Padox

O and if u want more practice hanging up muttons let me know haha

Haha is right!

Originally Posted by Dicko

I can't understand why a deerstalker would want to carry a knife on his belt? While not common, the down side of a having a spill and loosing your knife or having it go through the sheath and into your thigh, means they ride in my day pack. No hurry to get it after a shot either.
A pig hunter I can understand.

PS I do like Nga's blades.

A guy i used to know in South Africa took a slip and ended up with a knife in his kidney, because it was in his pack at the time. Swings and roundabouts!

You still need to have them in a good sheath.


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