3 new CSC to my collection

[wazu013]

One year commemorative set.

Ring Opener.

Mop Swinguard.

 

[BrotherJim]

Nice ones wazu013 !!! Very NICE
Can you tell me more about that interesting sleeve board? What's the purpose of the unique tip on the secondary blade and the ring/pin in the bolster? Thanks

 

[kootenay joe]

I'm not wazu, but the knife is a "Ring Opener". Both blades have a ring through the pivot pin. Turning the ring opens & closes the blades. The secondary is a Manicure blade (aka "Nail File") and you are looking at the backside of it.
The early CSC knives used blades made by Queen. Does anyone know when CSC switched over to making their own blades 100% ?
kj

 

[BrotherJim]

^^^ Thank you kj

 

[wazu013]

I'm not wazu, but the knife is a "Ring Opener". Both blades have a ring through the pivot pin. Turning the ring opens & closes the blades. The secondary is a Manicure blade (aka "Nail File") and you are looking at the backside of it.
The early CSC knives used blades made by Queen. Does anyone know when CSC switched over to making their own blades 100% ?
kj

:thumbup:

 

[wazu013]

Here's the other side of the Ring Opener. Other than the file side the blades are "as ground" finished.

 

[draggat]

Even though CSC started about the same time as GEC, their knives have not gained the huge popularity that GEC has developed. If you look at quality of materials and of workmanship the Canal Street knives are every bit as good as the GEC knives and pricing is comparable as well. Canal Street Cutlery also has excellent quality control. You rarely (if ever ?) read a post of one of their knives being returned for some 'issue'.
kj

I have to disagree with the workmanship being just as good as GEC. Maybe I haven't tried enough, but with around 25 CSC knives (mostly SFO's) and 70 GEC's, I feel that I've seen enough to notice differences. Of all those, I've had 2 GEC's with issues and one CSC that had to be sent back because of a dead spring out of the box. GEC has always been extremely prompt in their repairs and communication. The longest I waited was a month. CSC, on the other hand took well over a year, and that was with me calling up every other month (after 6 months had passed) asking where it was. I know that I am not the only person who has had these issues with them.

Aside from the customer service issues, there are small details that GEC just seems to do better..... they tend to have less and smaller gaps between the covers/scales/spring. Many of the springs on my CSC knives are either slightly sunken or proud when in the open position while virtually every GEC is nearly perfectly flush. Also, I've noticed quite a bit more horizontal blade play in CSC.

Of course, they are very different breeds and it is noticeable upon handling. I wouldn't say CSC is bad by any means, but I do feel GEC is slightly superior.

I think the real reason GEC has gained the edge over CSC is that aside from their excellent fit and finish (and customer service) they offer a large variety and have truly limited numbers.

 

[glennbad]

I don't know the specifics of GEC's operation, but CSC is a small shop(employee-wise). They do not have "full-time" repair people, nor do I feel they need them full time, as their QC has drastically improved in recent years. The quality of the products being released now is notably different than when they first started out. While they earned a deserved early reputation for spotty QC, I don't think that is a fair label anymore.

I am impressed by the amount of hand-made operations that goes into a CSC knife, and I think that is what makes each one unique. If you have not purchased or even handled one recently, I highly recommend it. I mean, what's not to like???

 

[draggat]

I don't know the specifics of GEC's operation, but CSC is a small shop(employee-wise). They do not have "full-time" repair people, nor do I feel they need them full time, as their QC has drastically improved in recent years. The quality of the products being released now is notably different than when they first started out. While they earned a deserved early reputation for spotty QC, I don't think that is a fair label anymore.

I honestly don't know all that much about either operation, employee wise at all. Almost all of the CSC knives I own were made in the last 2 years and the whole knife repair saga I went through started with me sending the knife for repair in August of 2013 and I finally received the repaired knife in October of 2014, which was not very long ago..... they do make a fine knife, but based on my dealings with them, and speaking to the owner personally, I won't be buying any more.

Every company has a lemon slip through, which is expected. I just was very unimpressed with how it was handled. They do make nice knives, but I really think that GEC has the edge.

I apologize for dragging this thread down.... maybe I'm that 1 in 1,000 guy!

 

[glennbad]

Wally isn't really known for his bedside manner, a pretty direct individual. Probably not the person to be handling phone dealings with customers, LOL. However, I wouldn't mind knowing what he has forgotten about the knife business. I read your account of your CS experience with CSC, and it was a ridiculously dragged out event, and definitely NOT the way to earn or keep customers. I can understand where your feelings are coming from.

Having visited the factory within the last year, I can attest to the fact that they are taking a much different view in regards to both the product as it first leaves the building, and to the handling of the occasional knife that needs rework. I know that Eric works extremely hard to produce knives that won't be returned, it shows in the pride he takes in his job. It is sad that it may have taken issues like the one you experienced to bring about this change. It's not enough to have a lifetime warranty if you don't back it up, but it is clear (at least to me) that they have made positive changes, and I will be happy to purchase their knives. I will also no longer drift this thread, my apologies to the OP.


Now, these look pretty nice!

 

[dynamicmoves]

An update.
I've carried all three knives for a while.
I don't really know how to write a review, all three knives carry well (in my wallet), came sharp, and were easy to keep sharp through stropping here and there. They're all built very well and the pull is comfortable for me. I'm confident they'll stay open when open and it's not a pain to open them. The most comfortable to use is probably the Canittler's spear point, and Eric's Jack. The patina on the barlow is very nice, and easy to buff out if I feel like doing so. There is a little side to side blade play on the pen knife on the Barlow.
I've been carrying Eric's Jack lately. Thinking about modding the blade into more of a wharncliffe, but we will see if I carry through with that.

All in all, I'm very happy with these knives.

 

[Railsplitter]

Thanks for the review. The only one I have is the Cannitler and I'm rather fond of that spear blade too.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.