2022 GEC Cattle Knife/Camp Knife #35 Thread

The ‘hoping for’ question is really about a more successful execution on the Tidioute line. I personally think the jigged delrin would have been more authentic on a Farm and Field or even a Great Eastern Cutlery knife, with a plain nail nick etc.

We may see a Northfield version that is more in line with what many of us had hoped for in a #35 camp knife - with the staple of that line being a jigged bone, ideally a pick bone as was previously done on the #35 Trapper (see ‘Born again Maher and Grosch’ and Jiki Jiki pictures of his 35’s in that thread).

I don’t have that copy but this one is from that same run - not a perfect knife, but it gives an idea of what a Northfield #35 cattle knife might look like:

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SteveC said:
Got my Cattle knife last week and unfortunately was not happy with the mark side cover. I believe this knife should have been a store knife.
I have sent it to GEC for replacement although I'm having to pay shipping both ways.

Won't mention the dealer I got it from but they said to contact GEC. I think that the bone cracked off after the shield was attached and then ground down to smooth it out. I don't think it was a natural low spot in the bone, if it was surely they would have used it on the pile side. I don't think it should have ever made to dealer especially for a $200 knife not acceptable IMO.

I'm glad that GEC is willing to replace it but not happy about the added cost of an already expensive knife.




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If it was done after the jigging, how is the cut of that jig so raised above the valley? Jigging would have been a consistent depth unless there was an anomaly in the bone that caused the jigging machine to jump over it. It appears to me to be a much denser place in the bone.
 
knifeswapper said:
If it was done after the jigging, how is the cut of that jig so raised above the valley? Jigging would have been a consistent depth unless there was an anomaly in the bone that caused the jigging machine to jump over it. It appears to me to be a much denser place in the bone.
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I don't quite get what you mean but I guess the scenario is worse if they intentionally used this piece for the mark side when they had perfectly good ones available that were used on the pile side instead. It's pretty obvious that they did decide it was okay because it passed plenty of eyes before being wrapped up in the tube and sent to the dealer. It comes down to me not thinking it's acceptable and GEC is replacing it so all is good as far as I'm concerned.
 
SteveC said:
I don't quite get what you mean but I guess the scenario is worse if they intentionally used this piece for the mark side when they had perfectly good ones available that were used on the pile side instead. It's pretty obvious that they did decide it was okay because it passed plenty of eyes before being wrapped up in the tube and sent to the dealer. It comes down to me not thinking it's acceptable and GEC is replacing it so all is good as far as I'm concerned.
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I understand how you feel. But GEC has not avoided natural materials with natural inclusions - ever. They have used bone and stag with similar natural imperfections since the beginning. Matter of fact, the extremes have been some of their most popular items, for example Primitive Bone and Soup Bone. That may explain why you are paying shipping both ways, as they want you to be happy - but realize it is simply a personal preference and the next guy that walks in the factory store will snatch it up. But, all is well that ends well; as long as you are happy with the outcome.
 
knifeswapper said:
I understand how you feel. But GEC has not avoided natural materials with natural inclusions - ever. They have used bone and stag with similar natural imperfections since the beginning. Matter of fact, the extremes have been some of their most popular items, for example Primitive Bone and Soup Bone. That may explain why you are paying shipping both ways, as they want you to be happy - but realize it is simply a personal preference and the next guy that walks in the factory store will snatch it up. But, all is well that ends well; as long as you are happy with the outcome.
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It's funny how that works, isn't it? I think it's cool that people can target different sides of the 'character' spectrum for natural covers - for example, I like woods that have a lot of burls and eyes but others might want it to be uniform. Personally I didn't own any stag covers before picking up an 05 and before researching, I thought people would want the smooth bone-esque covers (turns out no - these are boring and undesirable) and not the richly grooved ones (which people prefer!). The cattle knife I received is wonderfully uniform but I think I would have been equally (if not more) happy with a 'unique' one
 
I absolutely love the new #35 Cattle Knife.
I had a chance to buy one from a member but passes due to the super high retail price... but I do appreciate his offer.
 
knifeswapper said:
it is simply a personal preference
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Well, natural defect is still a defect. If half of their knives were having such "unique" features, then we could say that it is their usual production style, but that's not the case. I think that everything that physically changes the intended shape of the scale might be considered as a defect. Discoloration of some kind or woodgrain diversity are more like a matter of personal preference in my opinion. At least it should've been marked as an S model.
 
As I was driving out to the farm a few days ago, I slammed on my brakes and stopped in the middle of the road, as I couldn't believe my eyes.

There in a pasture, a small one, were 3 of the biggest Longhorn cattle I have ever seen. Two cows and a bull, the horn spreads must have been, I can't even tell, 8 or 9 feet maybe. This pasture is usually empty, so I was pretty surprised. They are crazy cool critters.

Anyway, later that day, BAM! New Cattle knife with killer Longhorn graphics on the tube, blade and button. Plus the amazing oxblood winterbottom bone, what a home run! :thumbsup:
 
JW225 said:
Looks great! 👍

Mine arrived yesterday, and I am very pleased. GEC did a great job on this one!
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I agree. They really did do a great job. I'm very impressed with mine (I still have to post a pic.) I gave it a good flush the other day and usually let it sit overnight. Came back the next morning to it and spilled oil allover myself. Looked into the blade well and there was a good pool still in there. 🤯 I'm used to all of it seeping thru and ready to toss in the pocket. True water tight backsprings... 🥴 ehm oil tight backspring lol. Those cutlers should be proud. Well done!
 
SteveC said:
Good thing it's not a Stockman ;)
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🤣 slip of the tongue, I was holding a Buck 301 comparing them while typing that. Speaking of the 301...it's the same thickness even with the 3 springs. The cattleknife is a bit of a chunky boy. And the jigged is pretty deep.
 
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