#23 Pioneer slipjoint skinner: future of?

Noddy

Noddy

Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
1,086
I am asking about trying to find out if anyone knows about this knife. I thought I'd just tuck this question away here, in case someone has any info now or later

I picked up a fine UN-X-LD Northfields #23 Pioneer the other day. It is the slipjoint skinner version.

There are lots of spey blade versions of this knife out there. I have a couple, and they are excellent things too. But this slipjoint skinner has really got to me, and I'd like another sometime - the sooner the better!!! :lol:

They are totally rare now though. In fact, I can only see one on any of the sites – dressed in a red, white and blue acrylic.

Does anyone have any knowledge of what GEC's plans might be for this knife.

I tend to carry large (4 1/2") slipjoints out of preference and, for me, this one is function perfected! :):D It's just that I'd rather like it in ebony or boxwood or a nice bit of that primitive bone or something


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There are dozens of different ones out there. They keep coming out with more all the time. PM me for some sites.
 
Welcome! The#23 and #73 GECs are some fine knives. You may also run across the liner lock versions as well.

BTW, that is a fine looking Gene Ingram! Chukar maybe?
 
@ Tongueriver

Thanks for that. I need to upgrade my membership before I can PM, by the look on it. I'd be most grateful for any leads, as I am coming up empty :)


@ TexasFlyFisher

It is an Ingram indeed. A #6 in S30V and ironwood. Larger than most of his advertised models - it has a 4 1/4" blade. I have a big bunch of excellent user knives, and am always wondering on the next one and the direction it might take.

But this one has pretty much stopped me dead in my tracks. It is the 'go to' one, unless I need a little sabre ground piece too. Even then it still comes along

I have long wanted one of his Slim models and his large sodbuster - I have the small sodbuster, and it is a damned miracle of a knife. Anyway, I haven't enough kids to sell :lol: Maybe one day
 
the gec mdl 23 is one of my favorite users, in 2008 they issued some really nice ones in bubinga wood. you may de able to find these on the for sale area. i was using mine yesterday on my bro's ranch. he has the same knife i gifted him.
 
I see that you like nice wood handles. If you can get by with the smaller two-bladed #73, it is available with ebony scales:
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That one is second on the list. I have it in that pale stained bone they did a few years back, and would really appreciate an ebony version of it. I am most envious, believe me! :):)
 
Noddy, please do upgrade your membership; you won't be sorry. Here is a 23 you might like:

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Great Eastern has a website, with links to dealers. I think that's all I'm allowed to tell you here.
 
Noddy said:
...

They are totally rare now though. In fact, I can only see one on any of the sites – dressed in a red, white and blue acrylic.

...

I tend to carry large (4 1/2") slipjoints out of preference and, for me, this one is function perfected!
...
Click to expand...

The red, white, and blue (patriotic) acrylic is the smaller 3-3/4" version, a #73 Scout.
 
Thanks for pointing that out JohnnieR. I get confused.

further google-fu reveals a wenge one (nice) and a yellow rose available (but with a second bolster, so possibly a bit heavy)

going to scape up some cash for the upgrade tongueriver :) thansk for that pic :) Lovely!! No swedge, right?
 
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Noddy, I get confused too. I've been checking out both the #23 and #73 models myself. I have a brown bone 73 coming my way. But, I think I'd like to find a 23 also. I like your yellow one.
 
the 23 & the 73 are almost identical in apperance with the exception of size & price. both will handle any reasonable task only the 23 will probably do it a little faster. the mdl23 in genuine stag is the flagship of my collection.[tongue river] & with my bro's help i scored the ebony 73 yesterday.[lambertiana]. i'm a lucky guy.hope you guys are lucky in your quests.
 
Dennis, I just scored a 23 in Frontier bone, one of your favorites I believe, in the standard two-blade configuration. It's a beautiful handful of knife.
 
I have had a few big jumbo trappers - and a big English Jack from Schatt and Morgan - my trouble is that I find them not too big, but too heavy. Like I need an extra belt or something :D

How does that one feel, black mamba?
 
There are still plenty of #23 single blade models available. They made a Yellow Rose version not long ago, as well as a couple of GEC 440C models. I'm sure they will be making more.
 
Noddy said:
How does that one feel, black mamba?
Click to expand...

Noddy, the darker sections of the Frontier bone are very slightly rough, leaving a semi-smooth but grippy and hand-filling overall feel. Very nice, to me anyway. Here's a couple quick pics to try and convey this texturing and overall appearance.

frontierbone1.jpg


frontierbone2.jpg
 
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here are three i would take down the road anttime a little xtra weight doe'st bother myself since i figure i'm ready for any task which might arise. as follows--l to r--- mdl 23 tiuote in burnt grizzly bone;
northfield musk. & mdl. 23 in gen stag, northfield of course .all knives in gec excellent 1095.---sorry i forgot the musk is horsecut walnut bone.
 
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