Although less imposing than the Anaconda II, the BlackJack Anaconda I is nonetheless a formidable combat knife. Its 20.5 cm Bowie blade and modest weight of 342 gr even make it the more balanced and easier-to-use of the two.

This example dates from BlackJack Knives’ brief period in Japan. Manufactured in Seki between the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Anaconda I features a blade made from Japanese AUS-8A stainless steel, recognisable by its long central fuller, clip-point profile and pronounced back bevel.

La Grotte du Loup has replaced the standard Kraton handle with one made entirely of braided cord, which has then been impregnated with resin. Once cured, the fibres and resin form a single, solid unit around the tang. The deliberately rough texture provides a firm grip and gives the knife a handcrafted military aesthetic that is very different from the original design.

The stainless steel guard has been retained. The tang runs the full length of the handle and, as with the Anaconda II, the lower hole is part of the original construction: it once housed the lowest screw on the Kraton handle and now serves as a hole for the lanyard.

The knife comes with a brown leather sheath, entirely bespoke-made by La Grotte du Loup. Its all-round stitching, belt loop and snap-fastening retention strap complete a cohesive transformation, thought through down to the smallest detail.

Never used, this example retains its factory-sharpened edge, which has never been reground or resharpened. The blade is very clean and shows only a few tiny superficial marks and variations in colour due to storage. These are inconspicuous, with no deep pitting and no functional impact whatsoever.

Technical specifications for the La Grotte du Loup BlackJack Anaconda I SEKI Japan Custom fixed-blade knife:
Craftsman: La Grotte du Loup
Original knife brand: BlackJack Knives
Model: Anaconda I
Type: combat knife / custom Bowie
Period of manufacture: late 1980s to 1991
Place of original manufacture: Seki, Japan
Handcrafted customisation: France
Total length of the knife: 33.0 cm
Blade length: 20.5 cm
Edge length: 17.0 cm
Handle length: 12.5 cm
Blade thickness: 4.2 mm
Blade steel: Japanese AUS-8A
Blade profile: Bowie / clip point
Back cut: present
Fullers: longitudinal
Blade finish: satin
Edge: smooth, original and never re-sharpened
Construction: full tang along the entire length of the handle
Original handle: Kraton
Current handle: resin-impregnated braided cord
Handle colour: green and grey
Guard: stainless steel, original part
Pommel: welded brass fitting
Lanyard hole: machined into the original tang
Lanyard: olive green paracord from Randall Made Knives
Knife weight: 342 g
Sheath: bespoke, handcrafted brown leather
Sheath manufacturer: La Grotte du Loup
Sheath fastening: strap with press stud
Carrying method: belt loop
Markings: BlackJack Anaconda I Knives Japan and La Grotte du Loup
Condition: never used, in pristine condition
Condition notes: tiny, superficial variations in colour due to storage
Special feature: one-of-a-kind item

Tellknives’ opinion:
This modification is less spectacular than the monumental deer antler handle of the Anaconda II, but to us it seems closer to BlackJack’s original military spirit. The resin-coated cord forms a firm, textured grip that complements the Japanese Bowie blade particularly well. The knife also gains in manoeuvrability: weighing 342 gr and with more reasonable proportions, it is suitable for practical use whilst retaining its appeal as a collector’s item. Its condition is another strong point, as the blade has never been used and retains its original factory edge intact. The few tiny variations in colour that are visible are purely superficial and remain perfectly acceptable on a vintage piece over thirty years old. A well-balanced, functional design with an instantly recognisable identity.