Case XX Amber Bone Small Texas Jack

My knife is the CV blade knife and the plus here is that you can get this pattern and handle material in either CV or Tru-Sharp SS. The amber bone has a "peachseed" style jigging pattern that is grippy but has been smoothed enough that it will not tear up your pocket.

Workmanship is very good and this knife, which was a new pattern for me, has really endeared itselft to me. The knife is 3-5/8" closed and is a good pocketable size. The main blade is 2-1/2" from tip to bolster when open and is just about ideal for a light duty EDC. The knife is well built and should handle most cutting chores you will run across. Don['t let the "small" in the product description fool you, this a not a pocket jewel; it is a great size for most folks. Small, kept me from looking at this knife until I actually saw one. It's the same size as Case's medium stockman pattern and their standard canoe pattern.

Once you get the blade open, the ergonomics are great for average sized hands. The nail nick on the main blade (standard stockman style clip) is pretty close to the scale/liner and might give some folks a little trouble getting their thumb nail in the nick. I do not have any problem with it, but it is pretty close, so I thought it worth mentioning.

The secondary blade is small pen blade measuring 1-3/4" from tip to bolster and is a good size for a secondary. The blade shape is more like a modified wharncliffe than a spear, which I think makes it a better blade. It is a nice useful size.

Since this is a new pattern to me (not a new pattern to Case and others), I was a little concerned about the configuration of the knife as all of my other two blade knives have a blade at each end rather than this jack knife configuration. I needn't have worried about that as it is very handy and easy to use. Some folks that are used to the stockman pattern might miss the sheepsfoot blade that this knife doesn't have, but that's the only downside I can think of for this knife, but the blade shape on my knife is a great compromise between the sheepsfoot and a standard pen, so I have not missed a sheepsfoot at all.

This pattern is one of Case's classic patterns and is available in several different handles if you happen to not like the amber bone. They have a new Olive Green with pinched and ringed bolsters (bling really) that is just gorgeous, but only available in SS blades.

Anyway, the bottom line is this is a great pattern for EDC and Case does a great job on this knife. The amber bone is better looking in person than in the catalog. I'm really liking the one I have. - EJ