2020 GEC #62 Easy Pocket Congress and Pocket Carver Thread

[Will Power]

@Pàdruig exactly right about the Red One Aesthetic balance and often find the Tidioutes to be more to my taste, does depend. With an elegant pattern like this it's an outrage that GEC won't offer shields on Stag, a wasted canvas

 

[Jiki]

Though if it comes with a split back, I might scoop one up out of curiosity.

A source from GEC has commented on face book that it is split backed but "not traditional ". So he has us all wondering, and he has not elaborated.

 

[gaj999]

A source from GEC has commented on face book that it is split backed but "not traditional ". So he has us all wondering, and he has not elaborated.

Perhaps it's two parallel springs with both bearing on the main.

 

[mbkr]

Perhaps it's two parallel springs with both bearing on the main.

IIRC that's the set up Case's Seahorse Whittler uses.
Fine design, but I wouldn't consider that a split back.

 

[Jiki]

IIRC that's the set up Case's Seahorse Whittler uses.
Fine design, but I wouldn't consider that a split back.

It is split back, just not "traditional".

 

[mbkr]

It is split back, just not "traditional".

I'm not knowledgeable enough to argue the point, so I concede
I always thought:
that a split spring was a single spring split down the middle part way, with two secondaries riding on the split part and one main riding on the unsplit part;
a split back was two springs separated by a wedge with two secondaries riding on the separated part and one main riding on both springs at the unseparated end;
and a knife like the Seahorse was just a two spring knife with three blades, one of which rides on both springs.

 

[Jiki]

I'm not knowledgeable enough to argue the point, so I concede
I always thought:
that a split spring was a single spring split down the middle part way, with two secondaries riding on the split part and one main riding on the unsplit part;
a split back was two springs separated by a wedge with two secondaries riding on the separated part and one main riding on both springs at the unseparated end;
and a knife like the Seahorse was just a two spring knife with three blades, one of which rides on both springs.

I don't know enough either just passing along info. We will all know when they are done.

 

[Nature Boy]

Thought I was going to get to sit this one one, but now I guess I need the new Tidioute shield to go with this Northfield...

 

[cbr1000]

As I'm reading the posts above I happen to have this GEC #13 whittler with me...

 

[SnackPack]

As I'm reading the posts above I happen to have this GEC #13 whittler with me...

Eesh, not sure about that. I’ve got one on reserve but I don’t know how I feel about that spring configuration.

 

[Wharn]

I hope the unicorn ivory has the new Tidioute shield.

 

[cbr1000]

Eesh, not sure about that. I’ve got one on reserve but I don’t know how I feel about that spring configuration.

I hear ya. GEC's splitback whittler's are solid. I often just stare in amazement how it's put together and everything is perfect. It's one of the best made knives I have. To top it off, the frame is curved.

 

[Murphjd25]

I’m in for a jigged with that awesome tidioute shield if I can get one! Looks like I fell down another rabbit hole..

 

[SnackPack]

I hear ya. GEC's splitback whittler's are solid. I often just stare in amazement how it's put together and everything is perfect. It's one of the best made knives I have. To top it off, the frame is curved.

Is there a gap where the two springs merge? It looks like there is in this picture?

 

[hornetguy]

Is there a gap where the two springs merge? It looks like there is in this picture?

I believe that is correct.... and unavoidable by design.

 

[cbr1000]

Is there a gap where the two springs merge? It looks like there is in this picture?

Yes, the center liner is as thin as it can get at that point. I don't know what configuration the 62 will have. If they go with the same setup as this 13 you will have a small gap where the two springs meet. I don't consider the 13 a big knife so it's not noticable in day to day use - just in magnified pics...

 

[SnackPack]

What is the point of a split spring? It seems like on the whole the knife would be a little thinner overall without the split config.

 

[ISKRA]

What is the point of a split spring? It seems like on the whole the knife would be a little thinner overall without the split config.

It allows for the secondary blades on one end to ride one spring each separately while the bigger main blade rides on both (the come together on that end and act as one spring basically) and falls in the space between both secondaries when closed. A splitback whittler is considered to be the trickiest pattern in traditional knives, showing the artisanery (is that a word?) and knowledge of the maker. A royal category, if you want.

 

[SnackPack]

It allows for the secondary blades on one end to ride one spring each separately while the bigger main blade rides on both (the come together on that end and act as one spring basically) and falls in the space between both secondaries when closed. A splitback whittler is considered to be the trickiest pattern in traditional knives, showing the artisanery (is that a word?) and knowledge of the maker. A royal category, if you want.

Good to know. So do we know if GEC is planning a split spring for the two bladed congress as well or just the whittler?

 

[cbr1000]

Here's a couple more shots of the split spring set-up. No blade rub with this tightly packed well. I don't know what set-up GEC will go with on the 62 Whittler... I just posted the spring pictures above because folks were talking about splitback whittlers. I'd guess that's what the 62 whittler will have, but you never know with GEC.