2020 GEC #23 Trapper Thread

JonMcD said:
i’m guessing a handful will have some unique curl and figure. The rest will most likely be straight grained.

You getting one of these Travis? If so, it will probably have some wicked cool grain like your 29 OO. You seem to have the touch!:D
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I did get lucky with that Osage Orange 29. Yes, I did order one of the Mesquite 23’s. I’ll miss the CK SFO’s going forward.
 
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This may be a stupid question but I’m new to traditional knives. This is my first GEC a Northfield pattern 23 in the antique autumn natural bone. One of the blade tips is outside the handle and snags on stuff is this normal? Thanks
 
I just wanted to let y’all know that you can stop buying up all the single blade #23’s, ‘cause I’ve found a much more affordable alternative. The Opinel No. 9 is almost identical in size (overall length and blade/cutting edge length), similar in shape (blade and handle) and, like the single-blade #23LL, has a locking blade. As an added bonus, the No. 9 weighs significantly less than the #23 (easier on your belt!) and has that thin, slicey blade that Opinels are famous for.

LQSLnnS.jpg


Now I know some of y’all already have an early reserve for the Mesquite #23 and would feel bad backing out. If so, just let me know. I‘d be willing to work out a trade, take that heavy #23 off your hands and send you a brand new No. 9 in exchange. ;) :D :thumbsup:

(Oh, and if the heavy pull is one of things that attracted you to the #23, just soak the pivot of your Opinel in water for a couple hours. It’ll tighten right up and break a thumbnail just as well as any #23.) ;)
 
TexMac said:
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This may be a stupid question but I’m new to traditional knives. This is my first GEC a Northfield pattern 23 in the antique autumn natural bone. One of the blade tips is outside the handle and snags on stuff is this normal? Thanks
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Not a stupid question, it’s not normal but it happens fairly often. They try to have the blade ride as high as possible so sometimes they are too high, you can file the kick yourself or send it back to the dealer or to GEC to fix, the dealer would just exchange it if they have any left so you might just have to send it to GEC, but either way someone will take care of it.
 
I'm glad I was able to get on the list for the blue camel, but I don't see it becoming a user. If I can get my hands one of the bone Northfield LL versions, I'll be skinning game with it!
 
My Micarta single blade arrived a couple days ago and I just got to open the box today. What a sweet knife. Mine has a pull of what I consider to be about 7. Strong enough that I have to be mindful of technique when opening it, but not what I’d consider a real bear-trap.

I like how the knife is big enough that the Micarta version still does have some real heft.
 
My 23 micarta LL arrived today... it is as I suspected it would be, just about exactly the same size as my Queen Mountain Man knife. This 23 is a very nicely made knife, with about a 7 pull... no big deal at all. Closing it requires full attention, to avoid getting any fingers in the way, going to half stop, but it's not a real challenge... I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely the shield "fits" the knife. I was concerned that it would look too small on this large a knife, but to my eyes, it's balanced very nicely.
I think this knife would be an excellent hunting/camp knife. If I go deer hunting this fall, this will be the knife I carry. I think the robust jigging/grooving of the micarta will make it very secure during the field dressing of an animal.
Now I REALLY want to see the mesquite version... just call me "Anxious in Allen".... :D

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btb01 said:
I just wanted to let y’all know that you can stop buying up all the single blade #23’s, ‘cause I’ve found a much more affordable alternative. The Opinel No. 9 is almost identical in size (overall length and blade/cutting edge length), similar in shape (blade and handle) and, like the single-blade #23LL, has a locking blade. As an added bonus, the No. 9 weighs significantly less than the #23 (easier on your belt!) and has that thin, slicey blade that Opinels are famous for.

LQSLnnS.jpg


Now I know some of y’all already have an early reserve for the Mesquite #23 and would feel bad backing out. If so, just let me know. I‘d be willing to work out a trade, take that heavy #23 off your hands and send you a brand new No. 9 in exchange. ;) :D :thumbsup:

(Oh, and if the heavy pull is one of things that attracted you to the #23, just soak the pivot of your Opinel in water for a couple hours. It’ll tighten right up and break a thumbnail just as well as any #23.) ;)
Click to expand...

I think I’m going to set my Beaver LL free back out into the world. Planning to replace it with a No9 Opinel actually so thanks for the photo side by side!
 
I carried both my 73LL and my 23LL today at different times.

The 23 doesn’t seem that much bigger on paper but “in hand” it’s another story. This is a very big knife. That’s a great thing when you have some serious work in mind and need a blade that will get the job done. But it’s a little bit big to carry every day, at least for me. The 73 is almost dainty by comparison. Pulls on both are about the same. If anything I’d say the 23 is a hair lighter. Could be that the bigger handle just gives a little more leverage, though. I’m glad I didn’t try for any of the prettier versions; the Micarta looks nice (and I do like the shield, it does work on this big knife) and this is a user knife.
 
hornetguy said:
My 23 micarta LL arrived today... it is as I suspected it would be, just about exactly the same size as my Queen Mountain Man knife. This 23 is a very nicely made knife, with about a 7 pull... no big deal at all. Closing it requires full attention, to avoid getting any fingers in the way, going to half stop, but it's not a real challenge... I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely the shield "fits" the knife. I was concerned that it would look too small on this large a knife, but to my eyes, it's balanced very nicely.
I think this knife would be an excellent hunting/camp knife. If I go deer hunting this fall, this will be the knife I carry. I think the robust jigging/grooving of the micarta will make it very secure during the field dressing of an animal.
Now I REALLY want to see the mesquite version... just call me "Anxious in Allen".... :D

jPgR3c.jpg
jPgkiZ.jpg


jPg1r1.jpg
jPgTNK.jpg
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Both great looking knives!:)
GunGraber said:
This new trapper is getting lots of pocket time


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Man, it doesn't get much better than that!:cool::thumbsup:
JohnDF said:
My #23 LL Micarta showed up a couple of days ago.
I won't be able to open the package for about another week.
The nice thing is it seems to be gaining value before I even get to see it. :D
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Why, John??:eek:
Are you out of town?

I received mine a couple of days ago as well!
Great knife, pull ~7.5 before I've flushed it out, later today, ao not bad at all.

Bigger than I thought it'd be, sitting next to my spurs...
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:D
 
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