2022 GEC Bayou Trapper #88 Thread

Question about Ironwood -

So I got an 88 in ironwood that I plan to carry/use but I really like the character of the grain so also want to preserve the grain on the handles.

I’ve heard that ironwood darkens really quickly when used and carried - is there anyway to prevent this and keep the grain as it comes out of the tube?

My thought was to apply a coat of Ren Wax onto the handles and then just periodically reapply it.

Would love to hear some suggestions or if it’s impossible to preserve the grain on this wood when using and carrying it.
 
Drew_g_l said:
Question about Ironwood -

So I got an 88 in ironwood that I plan to carry/use but I really like the character of the grain so also want to preserve the grain on the handles.

I’ve heard that ironwood darkens really quickly when used and carried - is there anyway to prevent this and keep the grain as it comes out of the tube?

My thought was to apply a coat of Ren Wax onto the handles and then just periodically reapply it.

Would love to hear some suggestions or if it’s impossible to preserve the grain on this wood when using and carrying it.
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I don't see how Ren Wax could hurt, and might keep the ironwood from absorbing oils.

There are folks here more knowledgeable than I about wood, but I've read that some woods darken from UV light exposure, as well as from dirt and oils.
 
Drew_g_l said:
Question about Ironwood -

So I got an 88 in ironwood that I plan to carry/use but I really like the character of the grain so also want to preserve the grain on the handles.

I’ve heard that ironwood darkens really quickly when used and carried - is there anyway to prevent this and keep the grain as it comes out of the tube?

My thought was to apply a coat of Ren Wax onto the handles and then just periodically reapply it.

Would love to hear some suggestions or if it’s impossible to preserve the grain on this wood when using and carrying it.
Click to expand...
I understand that it is the UV rays that cause ironwood to darken.

Maybe applying a coating of a UV filtering wood finish could at least slow this down. Something like Messmer's UV wood finish.
 
5 year old cocobolo.
Z7GyQEI.jpeg

5 year old bone.
C2g7A7m.jpeg


🤷
 
I dunno. I don't apply wax or wood finishers to my knives. Instead, I use them as they come from their packaging and if they start to darken, I dampen (note dampen not soak) a rag with alcohol and wipe the dirt, oil, and grime off the covers. However, no matter what you do, the covers will darken with age and use.
 
I do not understand how dirt can darken wood. Dirt is not absorbed - you wipe it off. Boom. Oils/grease/etc. . . . I guess if they are absorbed, they could darken the wood. I have several knives with desert iron wood handles. I am pretty sure based on my experience that it is principally exposure to sunlight which darkens iron wood (can't say about other woods). UV light, in particular. UV light also is well known to cause catalin to change color. I use a UV protectant spray on my catalin cabinet radios and that seems to help a lot. Haven't tried it on any iron wood yet, but I've been tempted to try it or Messmer's. Maybe if I can manage to get my hands on one of these Bayou Trappers in iron wood, I'll give it a try.
 
It's not so much dirt alone but when you mix dirt with the oils in your hand, that penetrates the wood to some extent and darkens the wood. You can delay the darkening somewhat by wiping the covers down with alcohol or some other cleaner but if you use the knife frequently it will darken.

Cocobolo new
1651685602269.png

Cocobolo used after three years of use with cleaning every once in awhile as I described.
1651685711001.png

Ironwood is gonna do the same thing.
 
I thought it was a simple case of oxidation. The UV exposure is rolled into that process.
 
Curious if anyone has used hydrogen peroxide to restore their wood. I've read that it works to remove dark stains on wood floors, but you have to be careful not to use a really strong concentration. It will also cause rust on carbon steel so need to be careful there as well.
 
Drew_g_l said:
My thought was to apply a coat of Ren Wax onto the handles and then just periodically reapply it.
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I have tried this method, it will darken the wood some what, anything you apply to wood will change it's colour.
Modoc ED said:
However, no matter what you do, the covers will darken with age and use.
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It is the nature of the product. :thumbsup:
Modoc ED said:
if you use the knife frequently it will darken.
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This cannot be avoided.

All your points Ed are valid and correct. The only way to avoid the issue is not using it and keeping it in it's tube. Don't be afraid of wood darkening, wood being an organic object will develop it's own character as it is used and ages. That is what makes your knife unique. Just use your new knife and enjoy it. :)
 
Pàdruig said:
I would recommend that if there are folks here who are unfamiliar with the Sowbelly frame, try and pick up a Case for half the price of a GEC. Not only is the Case version one of the best executions of the pattern out there, they are reasonably available and represent very little risk if you end up not caring for it.

Not only will this inform you on whether or not you would even like the frame but if you end up not caring for it, you've just given someone else who likes the Sowbelly a better shot at landing one of these 88s.

Personally, the ergonomics of a Sowbelly are really hard to beat - even in a multi-blade configuration with that high Sheepfoot. I think the 88 has the potential of feeling even better in hand.

rsgf9eW.jpg
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I couldn’t agree more on every account!
I’ve got a few Case’s in the Snowbelly pattern and there one of if not my favorite patterns . Here’s one in giraffe bone and Buffalo horn . Think I have one in blue and black carbon fiber in my safe somewhere to .
With that being said I still have my sights one of those Gec 88’s Bayou trappers 👍🏻

ZgYT8hI.jpg
 
Wondering if Armor All which is a UV protectant might help with darkening of ironwood.
 
Elgatodeacero said:
We know next two knives are the 65 and 14, so that takes us to July?

The 88 is certainly the knife of H12022, and I would be very happy if GEC has something better than the 88 coming in 2022.

I also look forward to an 88 stockman 5-7 years from now.......
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I personally cannot stand this intolerable lack of stockmans. I am hoping they come out with a nice stockman of any variety this year!
 
I changed my mind !!!! No sooner had I said earlier in this thread that I wasn't going to get one of these Green Jigged Bone versions of the Bayou Trapper, I ordered one. Pretty nice knife overall. I still think the shield should be half the size (proportionally) it is but then that's just my opinion. Further, a fancier jigging (i.e., the Waynorth Lambfoot knife) would have been much better but again, that's just my opinion. I took these pictures in subdued lighting so the green coloring of the bone does not show well but is very nice in brighter light.

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Modoc ED said:
I changed my mind !!!! No sooner had I said earlier in this thread that I wasn't going to get one of these Green Jigged Bone versions of the Bayou Trapper, I ordered one. Pretty nice knife overall. I still think the shield should be half the size it is but then that's just my opinion. Further, a fancier jigging (i.e., the Waynorth Lambfoot knife) would have been much better but again, that's just my opinion. I took these pictures in subdued lighting so the green coloring of the bone does not show well but is very nice in brighter light.

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View attachment 1809293
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She’s a beauty Ed !! 👍🏻
 
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