Yeah guys, the Desert Jack is (as I mentioned earlier in this thread) one of my favorite Busse and kin knives aesthetically. It's lines, shape, temper line, the whole package is just a gorgeous knife to me.
The Swamp never sold them in satin. They all came with a "Desert" tan coating.... Satin with temper line is WAY nicer IMO. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I (of course) stripped mine. I LOVE the temper line and of course I WAY prefer satin blades over coatings.
The Desert Jack was the BEST strip job I have done. All I did was use the chemical stripper and a few minutes with some steel wool by hand and the end result is in the picture. I WISH stripping all of my other Busse and kin knives was so easy. The Desert Jack had what I would describe as a light orange peel dimple texture on the flats and smooth on the flats like a factor finish. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - As opposed to the deep dimples and other rough Busse marks I typically find under CG coatings. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />
The SJTAC (as with most others) was VERY rough under the coating and it has taken a lot of work to get it were it is. You can still see some little dimples in the picture. I have been waiting to upgrade my belt grinder and belts and haven't done much modding lately. Just some sharpening. I look forward to actually finishing my SJTAC some day. But, it is user functional for now anyway. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
But, in the end, I WAY prefer the SJTAC as a user and the way the SJTAC fits/feels in my hand.
I think the Desert Jack's handle is a bit too short in height. It is almost as wide as it is tall. So, it is a slightly rounded square. This allows the handle to twist a bit too much in the hand.
Also, the Desert Jack is more of a fighter in style. I think if I remember correctly, the Desert Jack was a military over-run deal. As a fighter / multi-functional knife, the Desert Jack really is the bomb (I never really say that, but it just seemed to fit).
The Desert Jack can do a lot. But, the SJTAC with a few minor mods really is just quite a bit better user for my uses. To me, the modified SJTAC is awesome!
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