Both versions appear to have been influenced by the classic John Nelson Cooper bowie used in the Iron Mistress and were advertised as being "The Space Age Iron Mistress" The idea was take design cues from several bowie designs though borrowing heavily from Mr. Coopers Iron Mistress, and updating the design with what was then considered to be modern space age materials. The handles were made of kraton which was used on many of the early model BlackJack's. The guards were made of 304 stainless steel. The edge is the company favorite, convex, aka Moran, aka apple seed grind.
Anaconda I
Specs:
Blade Length: 8" Weight: ? oz.
Blade Thickness: ?" Sheath: Leather
Overall Length: 13" Blade Steel: Aus8a
Rc: 57-59
Despite the model number this version was actually introduced after the Anaconda II according to information put out in a booklet by Bill Adams and Joe Dennard. The information in that source is Mike Stewart. I know of two variations of this model. One is the standard version with Kraton handle and the other is a deluxe version in stag. In all there were 3,000 - 4.000 Anaconda I's produced. These were introduced in 1988 with production ending the first time in 1989. Apparently a batch of these were also produced in 1994. At this time I do not have production figures for the Deluxe version. The Anaconda has been put back into production by the current Owner of the BlackJack company.
Below are a few shots of an example of the standard version.
photo courtesy of Tom Carey
photo courtesy of Tom Carey
photo courtesy of Tom Carey
Next is this example of the Stag handled Deluxe model. The sheath is a custom affair made by top notch sheath maker Bob Schrap. At the present time I don't know how many of these were made.
Anaconda II
Specs:
Blade Length: 10" Weight: ?oz.
Blade Thickness: .25" Sheath: Leather
Overall Length: 15 1/2" Blade Steel: Aus8a
Rc: 57-59
This is the big brother to the Anaconda I. As was stated above despite the model number this version was actually introduced before the Anaconda I. This is according to information put out in a booklet by Bill Adams, Joe Dennard, and Mike Stewart. The information in that source is Mike Stewart. I know of two variations of this model. One is the standard version with Kraton handle. At this time I am not aware of any variations. There were about 2500 of these produced with production beginning in 1988 and ending in 1991.
