Some custom knives are created from scratch. Others arise from the combination of a historic piece and a craftsman’s vision. This imposing BlackJack Anaconda II undoubtedly belongs to the latter category.

The original knife dates from BlackJack Knives’ brief and now highly sought-after Japanese period. Manufactured in Seki between the late 1980s and 1991, the Anaconda II is a spectacular combat knife featuring a 25.5 cm Bowie blade. Its Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel, 5.0 mm thickness and robust construction bear witness to an era when BlackJack produced military knives without making any compromises on weight or dimensions.

In August 2026, the French craftsman La Grotte du Loup completely reimagined this example for Tellknives; the industrial Kraton handle has been replaced by an imposing piece of European deer antler, carefully shaped to form a grip with deep finger indentations.
The massive stainless steel guard is the original one.
The tang runs the full length of the new handle. Its original hole, once intended to accommodate the lower screw for the Kraton scales, now serves as the actual passage for the lanyard.
A brass fitting has been soldered to the pommel to complete and visually enhance this handcrafted assembly.

La Grotte du Loup has also produced a bespoke brown leather sheath. Its traditional construction, all-round stitching and retention strap complement the deer antler perfectly and give the whole piece an appearance more akin to a custom Bowie knife than the standard-issue military knife from which it originated.

Weighing in at an impressive 687 gr, this BlackJack requires an XL-sized hand or larger (!) to be used effectively. It is primarily aimed at collectors seeking a substantial, striking and utterly unique piece.

Technical specifications for the BlackJack Anaconda II Seki Custom ‘La Grotte du Loup’ fixed-blade knife:
Original brand: BlackJack Knives
Model: Anaconda II
Customisation: La Grotte du Loup
Date of customisation: August 2026
Type: large combat knife / custom Bowie
Knife production period: late 1980s to 1991
Original place of manufacture: Seki, Japan
Handcrafted customisation: France
Total length of the knife: 39.0 cm
Blade length: 25.5 cm
Edge length: 22.3 cm
Handle length: 13.5 cm
Blade thickness: 5.0 mm
Blade steel: Japanese AUS-8
Blade profile: Bowie / clip point
Back cut: present
Blade finish: satin
Construction: full tang
Original handle: Kraton
Current handle: European deer antler
Handle shape: ergonomic grip with finger indentations
Recommended hand size: XL or larger
Guard: stainless steel, original part
Pommel: exposed tang with welded brass fitting
Lanyard hole: machined into the original tang
Wrist strap: leather
Markings: BlackJack Anaconda II Knives Japan and La Grotte du Loup
Knife weight: 687 g
Sheath: bespoke, handcrafted brown leather
Sheath manufacturer: La Grotte du Loup
Sheath fastening: retention strap
Condition: clearly used, but clean and in perfect working order
Special feature: one-of-a-kind

Tellknives’ review:
This is exactly the sort of piece that really brings home the essence of the fusion between vintage cutlery and bespoke craftsmanship. The base model is no ordinary knife: the Anaconda II belongs to BlackJack’s brief ‘Seki’ period and already has a strong following amongst enthusiasts of large military knives.
La Grotte du Loup didn’t just replace the handle; it transformed the knife’s character whilst retaining the original blade, guard and structure. Reusing the tang hole as a proper lanyard hole is a particularly clever touch. Weighing in at 687 gr and with its enormous handle, this knife is obviously not for everyone: it demands an XL-sized hand and a genuine affinity for unconventional pieces.
The signs of wear visible on the blade are consistent with its history and specifications, and do not affect either its integrity or its functionality. A unique, uncompromising Bowie knife, closer to a workshop piece than a simple modified mass-produced knife.