1095 Recommendation

GEC has some of the best 1095 steel out there. I think some of the edge issues were from earlier years when they were first getting started. Both of mine (2008 models) were razor sharp and the springs were reasonably tight, but not overly so.

Fit and finish was perfect on my two examples and on par to what my expectations would be for a custom knife.

I only recall one issue in recent history regarding a GEC product on this forum and GEC made it right and took care of the issue.
 
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I have a 2-blade GEC Northfield #25 Barlow in stag. Their stag is awesome and the two models I have have very nicely matched scales. I also have a Northfield #36 Sunfish which has HUGE chunks of nice stag. A lot of people say that GEC has the best production stag out there right now, but I cannot say first hand as I have no other stag knives to compare to.

I don't think it is too thick at all. Is is one of those knives you can drop in your pocket and forget its there until you need. This is generally a great quality until you forget it is in your jeans and it gets run through the washing machine.

Done that twice so far to mine with no ill effect:D

I usually carry mine in the watch pocket in pants or jeans.
 
i just got my first GEC today and am completely pleased. this may be the best production slipjoint available today in it's (or any) pricepoint.
the factory edge on mine was very good and a few (very few), passes on a meduim ark. stone made it howling sharp. i haven't even stropped it yet.

i'm really starting to look sideways at those #25s myself now. GECs acryllic scales are really starting to turn my head too.
they are thicker than any slipjoint i know of. that's because (in my example) they are built like an abrahms tank. i would definately look at the single blade barlows or EZ models if width is a concern.

i've been a case fan all my life but these GECs are something else. quite a treat actually.
 
sappyg said:
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they are thicker than any slipjoint i know of. that's because (in my example) they are built like an abrahms tank. i would definately look at the single blade barlows or EZ models if width is a concern.
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Good point. The single blade versions would be a lot thinner. They make one in a easy-open #25 (which would help with heavy springs) Northfield in stag that can be found for around $90.
 
I have a single blade Wharncliffe jack #25 pattern, and it is very small (3" closed) and very thin (.435" thick).

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This picture is actual size of the width/thickness.
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will try to do some pics of the little gecs on sunday. my pics wo'nt be on par with mamba but you can get a size comparison. now to the 1095 i've found many gecs to be lacking in edge quality from factory however i'm going to create a finer bevel but will mention gec 1095 is hard so novice sharpeners may break a sweat. once it's sharp you will be surprised how long the edge will last.an experienced blade man can get the 1095 so sharp it hurts the eyes to look at the blade.
dennis
 
Not to worry. I have 2 GEC's, both in 1095. If you aren't happy with the factory edge, re-profiling is easily accomplished.
For my $, GEC is top of the list.:thumbup:
 
I recently bought a SFO, Special Factory Order, Ebony Northfield #73 which I guess is made by GEC and it is absolutely perfect. I'd say it's a tad bit stiff to open but nothing that I would complain about. It's a healthy sized knife, probably too big for your requirement but the grinds were right on and it shaved hair. The problem is that it's been relegated to the "too nice to use pile".

I also have a Toothpick in Snake wood and 1095 that I absolutely LOVE. Fit and finish were pretty good. The shield is a bit crooked and the spine of the blade sits about 1/32" lower than the back spring. It came fairly sharp. I spent about 15 minutes on the Sharpmaker and it is pretty sharp now.
 
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The #25 in Arrowhead jigged bone is my current favorite slippie. It came as close to perfect as I have seen in a production knife. It take a scary sharp edge and holds it well.
 
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Thank you, sir! Here she is as of this morning -with about 3 weeks of honest patina. GEC's 1095 patinas beautifully! I love this little knife!
 
Here's the two blade version of "pipedreams308's" knife. The second blade adds very little width to the knife and comes in handy at times. The knife rides un-noticed in my pocket.

gecnfwharncliffejack1.jpg
 
The GEC "Little Carver" sleeveboard in 1095 is another fine option if you're interested in a small, robust two-blade pattern. These are a bit slimmer than the two-blade "Barlow" as both blades ride on the same backspring, and the master blade is wider because it's situated at the large end of the handle, though both patterns are based on the same stout 3" frame. This is one of my favorite EDCs.

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That Lil Carver is awesome. I had no idea they were so thin in a two-bladed design and only had one back spring. It looks much thinner than a 2-bladed #25 barlow.

I think I would have really went with that design over my current barlow if I had seen it back when I was in the market for something that sized. No way I can justify buying another one at this point since the barlow works so well for my needs.
 
GEC is a great choice, I am very pleased with all of my GEC models.

Another option is the Queen City Cutlery Classics teardrop. It is available in stag, bone, and ebony. I have the ebony. Other models of QCCC may be D2.
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