Many weeks in to my ownership of both flavors of the STREK, and I'm still as happy as a clam. I figured I'd do some rambling. I've got pictures too but having trouble with Photobucket. Will post eventually.
My #33 ebony with a coping blade was my
baby... it was the EDC that had pushed everything else out of my pocket. No more bullnose, no more phat bob. But the bail came loose, so I had to package it up to send 'er back to GEC. Haven't gotten around to the mailing part of that yet, because I'm just not missing it thanks to the STREKs. Every day I've got one of them in my pocket.
It's funny that I own both, because at first I had no interest in the spear because I had no interest in ANY spears. Never liked that design, one of the reasons that SAKs always left me so cold. But Steve and GEC put together the prettiest damn spear blade I could ever want, and now I'm almost thinking that it's my favorite of the two.
I have both flavors of screwdriver, too
One modified by Steve, and then one of the GEC modified ones. The mods were needed, 100%, because I really dont think they would have been very useful without, other than as a pry tool, because they were so thick. But I'm pretty sure at some point that I'm going to narrow mine too. I get into the standard drywall and construction phillips head pretty often, and right now the STREK is a little wide to bite deep enough into the screw head.
The saw is nice to have and I use it a bunch. I've got some ceiling speakers to install and I'm sure it'll come in handy. But I'm not an electrician or a drywall guy, I'm a standard joe homeowner hack, so the purpose-built drywall saw is ultimately not quite as useful as if it was more like a multitool saw. I'm mulling over how I might mod it to make it a little bit better fit for me. I might just bevel the sides of the teeth to narrow them, not sure yet.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that I bought an electrician's knife but it doesn't work as well for landscaping work. I know that if ima need a full multitool, I will carry a full multitool.
I've given my STREKs the spa treatment several times now. Had to, in fact, because they're carried so much and used so hard that they were sticking and spotting and gettin a little nasty. Felt nice to bring them back and still have a great looking patina to show for it. Carne asada gives carbon steel a pretty patina in case anyone was wondering!
I still sweat profusely at how much I want a cocobolo one, they turned out to be absolutely stunning. But I just can't bring myself to spend $ on a third STREK when I've got as many mouths to feed and as many STREKs as I already have
In the end I'm holding off because what would I do were I to get one... stop carrying the micarta ones? NOT A CHANCE. But a small part of me would be perfectly happy with one of each of the five handle materials, plus whatever comes in the future. Gotta keep buying those lottery tickets
So again, what a treat that the awesome TL-29 was modernized in such a perfect way. The smaller size is probably the best change. Having a saw is huge. Domed pivots for extra strength, the long pull, the tube instead of a bail, all so so great. And mine are made so perfectly, they are truly works of art that I suspect will be lifetime companions.
Great stuff Steve!
