Jesse Jarosz Gets Civilized with the Apple Jack

In what seems to be a growing trend, Jesse Jarosz is the latest big name maker to offer his rendition of a slipjoint knife. Dubbed the Apple Jack by a fan, Jarosz’s latest design retains his signature style but functions like something from the golden age of traditional knives. Jarosz is working to produce enough Apple Jacks to meet initial demand, and plans for more versions are already in the works.

Keeping the Apple Jack’s look sleek and subdued was a priority. “The idea was always ‘Plain and Simple.’ I didn’t want to add anything flashy,” Jarosz says. “It’s a lightweight, precision cutting tool.” More accustomed to designing modern locking knives, the most time-consuming step for Jarosz was getting the back spring tuned. The walk and talk needed to be on point. “This was my first time making a slipjoint,” Jarosz tells us. “I’ve been working on the design for a year or so to make sure I got it right.”

Jarosz Knives Apple Jacks

Carbon fiber or silver twill add a touch of class to the straightforward 4” handle. A cutout on the blade is a unique take on the standard nail nick and contributes to the knife’s low weight. Even with a 3.1” blade the Apple Jack is hardly noticeable in pocket – weighing in at a meager 1.5 oz. Jarosz even chose to forgo liners and mill out the interior of the scales. An aggressive, thin grind showcases the AEB-L blade steel’s toughness and edge retention, turning the Apple Jack into a true razor.

The first Apple Jacks were made from twill and carbon fiber, but Jarosz has a dozen colors of G-10 waiting to be used in future batches. Micarta variations are on the docket too. And in the near future, customers will be able get Apple Jacks with a bottle opener in place of the lanyard hole.


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Jarosz’s work with KA-BAR has already resulted in several popular collaborations, and the idea of a production Apple Jack is an appealing one. But Jarosz says ongoing customer enthusiasm will determine the future of this stylish slipjoint. “I wanted to take them to that level people expect from me, but their response will dictate what happens next with the Apple Jack,” he says.

The Apple Jack will be available through Jarosz’s website. He plans to have a batch of the new knives ready on Sunday. The carbon fiber and twill models go for $395, with G-10 and Micarta versions slated to come in at $325.


Knife featured in image: Jarosz Knives Apple Jack