- the result of a successful collaboration
The modern grandfather knife, or something like that, is what I called this knife when it was presented here on the blog the other day. I'm, of course, referring to this slip joint from the now very established brand QSP.
The model has been named Jumping Jack, and here I intend to give a description of it so you can decide whether it is something for you or not.
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| QSP Jumping Jack |
Jumping Jack is a lot of things at the same time, and you have to start by deciding whether you like slip joints or not, as the knife lacks a lock in the true sense. In addition, it is a so-called "modern traditional" which means that it is not exactly the same as, say, an old Case from the fifties. The appearance is certainly found here, but the materials and manufacturing technology are modern. Specifically, this means that the construction is screwed instead of riveted, as an example.
If some of you think you recognise the design language from elsewhere, I can attest that you are right. This is a collaboration between QSP and Spencer Marquardt, who is usually involved with Finch Knives.
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| Jumping Jack, a really nice slip joint |
Short version: QSP Jumping Jack, a "modern traditional" and an essence of what such a knife can be. The design language is classic, but the performance is modern
Blade
The blade shape is a bit special. A combination of older times and Finch Knives, because the blade is wider towards the front than towards the base. Otherwise, this is a hybrid but where everything breathes a classic Spey blade. Something that was traditionally used to castrate animals. Hence, the steep tip, you simply don't want to poke holes in the wrong place. But the history is older, and the blade shape is good for precise cuts, and therefore it was also used in fly fishing contexts. Hence the name, it is named after the river Spey in Scotland.
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| Jumping Jack has a 70mm long Spey blade made of 14C28N |
So far, it's classic, but some details are more modern. It's about things like the finish, a nice shiny satin, but mainly about the material. Here, stainless steel is used in the form of Sandvik 14C28N. A Swedish steel that was developed together with Kershaw Knives to be a better version of 12C28N.
As a steel, it is very all-round and one of my favourites when it comes to so-called mid-range steels. It has balanced properties and can handle most things. However, it is not extreme, so it does not hold its sharpness as well as a "super steel". It is also not as shock-resistant as the best in its class. But none of those properties is necessary in a small pocket knife. So here it is, an excellent choice.
The total length of the blade is 70 mm, and the thickness is 3 mm. The height of the blade varies between 19 mm and 16 mm.
The blade is, as it should be, completely flat-ground. It starts with a stock thickness of three millimetres that tapers down to a thickness of 0.4-0.5 mm behind the edge. The greater thickness is measured towards the tip.
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| The marking is discreet, and the Finch logo is found on the back of the blade |
Speaking of tips, this one is unusually strong. Partly because the blade is very tall precisely in front, over the "hump". It is also first here that the blade starts to taper. This means that the tip works great for many small tasks, including puncturing thinner plastic and tape, etc.
But then this was a slip joint, so you shouldn't do stupid things like try to stab the blade into something; the risk of hurting yourself is then considerable. If you use the tip with a little discernment, it works great, though. Maybe it is a little too wide for my taste, as I like them to, among other things, pick metal chips out of fingers and hands. Yes, that is a common task for my pocket knives; I am a knife thrower after all.
The blade, however, is otherwise extremely practical. That is the advantage of old blade types; they are tried and tested. This blade does not seem to have much of a curve, but the one that is there allows you to perform draw cuts against cutting boards, for example.
The straight edge works great for cutting anything that fits. By that I mean that it is a fairly small knife. The total edge length is around 63 mm. But if you stick to that, most things will be cut effectively. Especially since the knife is unusually sturdy for a slip joint.
Handle
Jumping Jack has a classically designed handle. Without a doubt, a nod to older times. It has a small "waist" at the front, which then widens to become a little rounder at the back. A curvy thing this. Incidentally, this also applies to the slightly arched sides.
The sides are both glued and screwed in place with two small T6. The frame and bolsters themselves are held in place by the adjustable pivot screw and a screw in the rear bolster. The size of the pivot screw is a notch up with a T8a. The fact that it is adjustable is significant for a modern traditional. An older knife would, of course, have been riveted.
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| The handle is curvy with a steel bolster, frame and back spring |
The material of the sides in this case is black and white resin plastic. Stylish but perhaps not the most exclusive. At the same time, it feels like a flirtation with the Cellidor plastic of the fifties. But if you want more exclusive sides, Jumping Jack is available in wood, blued bone and not least abalone. You know that green pearlescent material that comes from a special species of mussel.
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| The finish is excellent, making the frame and back spring feel like one piece. |
Despite being small, this knife is built around a steel frame of a full two millimetres. The bolsters and the back spring are in the same material; this is a solid construction. You can tell by the feel when you hold the knife.
That brings us to grips. The length of the handle is 90 mm, and all of it is available surface for the fingers. The thickness amounts to 12 mm, and the height is a maximum of 21 mm. But with the rounded ends, it still becomes a three-finger knife for me, a good one, but not all fingers can fit.
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| A good grip, but it is a small knife, and of course, it gives a smaller handle |
Walk and Talk
Instead of discussing "opening methods and locks" as I usually do, this is instead about concepts like walk and talk and stay and play. They are significantly more tied to this type of knife.
Accordingly, this knife is, of course, opened with two hands. For this purpose, there are double-sided nail grooves, which incidentally make the knife completely ambidextrous, but as a nail-biter, I am extremely grateful that it does not have to be used.
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| The knife opens with two hands and has nail notches to help. Jumping Jack also has a solid halfway stop |
On the contrary, it is relatively easy to access the blade as about 7 mm of it protrudes and can be gripped in a pinch. I would rate the resistance itself as a seven, maybe an eight on a ten-point scale. The spring provides good resistance both on the way in and out, and the blade falls into place with a satisfying sound that gives some comfort to those who lack their lock. On the way in, there is a classic ninety-degree blade stop. A safety feature that means the blade on the way in does not cut off a fingertip as easily.
The action is unusually smooth for a slip joint. They certainly haven't gone so far as to have ball bearings, but unlike pure friction against the frame that was common in the past, the Jumping Jack has bronze friction bearings, which explains that detail.
Once out, the blade is solid. There is not a hint of lateral movement. In fact, the knife feels unusually sturdy for being this small. Should any slight play occur, you can always tighten the pivot screw.
There is no up and down movement either. As long as the spring holds the blade in place, that is. It is a slip joint after all. But on the other hand, if you put a lot of pressure on a blade in the wrong direction on a knife of this size, you have still done something wrong.
To Carry
Jumping Jack is a true pocket knife. No question about it. When folded, it measures 89 mm, and all ends are well-rounded and therefore soft. The only thing that could be perceived as sharp is the protruding tang.
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| A sheath can be purchased for the knife, but here we use one with a magnetic clip from another manufacturer |
When the soft shape is then complemented by a nice weight of 90 g, there is not much negative to say about how the knife behaves in a pocket. It simply lies at the bottom. Preferably across if the size of the pocket allows. That is both an advantage and a disadvantage. But to remedy some of the historical problems that arose in connection with this behaviour and which resulted in questions like "how on earth can a knife disappear in a pocket?", the clip was invented. You will not find anything like that here.
That was the disadvantage; the advantage of clipless knives is that they are always more comfortable to work with.*
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| As you can see, the knife fits perfectly in this sheath |
If you don't want to carry the knife loose in a pocket or bag, it's a good idea to buy the leather sheath that QSP has so aptly developed for this purpose. It also protects the knife's hilt from chafing if you also store other things like keys in the same pocket. This is especially true if you choose more exclusive materials like abalone, but even this resin variant can be scratched.
Now I didn't invest in a sheath because I have a couple lying around from another brand that I know are also great for this knife.
To Conclude
For those who like the "modern traditionals" category, the Jumping Jack is not only a good example but also a really good choice. The look is there; what you think of it is, of course, personal, but the knife doesn't really look like everyone else. I see that as a big plus in a knife world where originality is sometimes in short supply. But here Mr Marquardt has managed to distil a classic model, but with a modern twist that at least appealed to my eye.
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| QSP has the nice habit of including a card that tells you the dimensions of the actual model in the box. |
Then QSP has added a dose of what their name actually stands for. Written out, the acronym stands for Quality, Service, Price. I can't comment on the service in this specific case, even though it is generally very good. However, I can say something about the other two parts.
There are some classic quality markers for slip joints that can also be used to assess a modern interpretation of one. The first one, which applies to all knives, is, of course, how the transition between the different materials is made. This is especially true when you have designs that include bolsters. Here we also have double bolsters.
The work is really well done on this knife. It really exudes quality.
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| Jumping Jack, as elegant as an espresso |
Another marker is how much, if any, light shines through the handle if the knife is held up to a light source. It is very difficult to get the spine spring completely tight to the frame. This is especially true of older handmade knives. With modern levels of tolerances, it is easier. On the Jumping Jack, nothing shines through. This, of course, gives the highest rating. Add to that the spring and frame are completely smooth in relation to each other, both with the blade in the extended and retracted position. It is very well made. Especially like the spring in the middle position, the ninety-degree stop, also here at the same height as the frame. A finesse that is only found on very fine slip joints.
Then you have the usual folding knife pitfalls to avoid. These include areas such as how the factory edge is made, whether the blade is centred when the knife is closed, whether there is play in the blade when the knife is open, and so on.
QSP has succeeded on all counts with the Jumping Jack, and it is not hard to see why other brands are starting to use QSP as an OEM manufacturer. This is a damn well-made knife.
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| The QSP Jumping Jack is a truly classic pocket knife, easy to always carry with you. |
So if you appreciate the design language and like QSP as a brand, Jumping Jack is a more than viable alternative. Especially if we mix in the last letter in the name and talk about the price. The recommended price on the website is 75$ and when it reaches European stores, the price is from 99€.
For the invested pennies, you get a real quality knife with a timeless design and well-chosen materials. It is highly recommended!
Specifications:
Length Overall: 159 mm
Length Folded 89 mm
Weight: 90 g
Blade Length: 70 mm
Blade Thickness: 3 mm
Blade Steel: 14C28N
Handle Material: Black and white Resin
Lock: None, Slip joint
Produced by: QSP, made in China
/ J - lockless
* Except knives with completely hidden clips like Lionsteel's ROK, which has a retractable clip.
