A familiar itch...

BMCGear

BMCGear

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2014
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I recently joined this bladeforums and I'm a big fan. :)

I have been a member of a bass forum (talkbass) for a few years now. I no longer play much electric bass these days but I got started playing bass and a US made Fender was the dream bass. Nothing was better in terms of quality and value. I eventually obtained one (several) but I also joined talkbass where I found a forum full of Fender lovers and haters. I found that there were many basses that actually were better than the US Fender that I considered to be the best and eventually ended up ordering a custom handmade bass ($$$).

With all that being said...I notice a similar pattern with myself since joining this forum. I have been a Case fan for a long time. My father carried Cases (others as well) and gave me a few Case knives when I was younger. I've recently gone back to traditional knives and bought a Case to carry. I haven't had any issues with the Case knives that I've owned but I'm seeing a lot of Queen and GEC recommendations and I've been reading some threads on them. I really like the GEC #65 Hogan. Honestly GEC confuses me a bit. I don't find their website very user friendly. What does Northfield and Tidiout mean? My only drawback with the GEC's is the price. I would really like to hold one before shelling out 100+ on a blade.

So, I recognize this itch; I've had it before. At times it paid off and other times I spent money to gain a product that didn't return the value I had hoped. I'm looking for opinions before I hit submit on the Paypal button.
 
While it is always preferable to handle a knife before buying, with GEC (or their Northfield and Tidioute brands) you are taking a very small risk in ordering blind. Their quality is tops right now in the production traditional knife arena. I have owned and handled hundreds of GECs, with only 2 that had to be sent back.
 
Welcome!

Northfield are the fancy models
Tidioute the no frills lin
GEC are the stainless models
Farm & Field are the user line

Don't have a #65 but do have the similar #64 swing guard and love it.
 
GEC also has a fairly new website that is geared more towards people that are new to the brand. http://greateasterncutlery.com/. Another thing to note is most any GEC dealer I have bought from if you buy from them and then absolutely hated the knife they would offer a refund or exchange for something else.
 
Just based on my limited observations you can't go wrong with any of the GEC/Tidioute/Northfield lines. Jamie summed it up nicely but I'll add that the differences between Tidioute and Northfield are relatively minor. By "fancy" (referring to Northfield) the difference may be nothing more than grooved bolsters on some patterns.

Like you, I've found GEC's website a challenge to get my head around. What has been more helpful to me is to look at some of their dealer's websites. Find one that organizes their catalog into pattern numbers. That helps get a better grip on the product line.

Queen, on the other hand, has been a more elusive brand to define for me. The history of queen as a company has had many ups and downs over the years and their quality in each period has been a direct reflection of that rollercoaster ride.
 
I started with Case (well, recent history anyway), and still have many more Case knives than anything else. I've picked up a few GEC knives along the way, and they do have great fit and finish, and their workmanship and attention to detail is sufficient to justify their pricing.

However, I still find I prefer my Case knives for daily carry. Maybe I'm one of those kinds of people who would drive a Chevy anyway, even if they had a Mercedes in the garage. It's hard to explain exactly and I don't have the energy to debate it, but I still like my Case knives and my GECs sit in their tubes.

But if you are into traditionals and your budget allows it, you might want to consider trying one just to see what all of the chatter is about. They are very high quality knives and if you change your mind they maintain their resale value pretty well.
 
jc57 said:
However, I still find I prefer my Case knives for daily carry. Maybe I'm one of those kinds of people who would drive a Chevy anyway, even if they had a Mercedes in the garage.
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Before getting into slippies my EDC rotated between a Sage1, PM2, BM710, or WH E10. And in a relatively short time I've added a Northfield #72 and #57. But do you know the knife that gets the most pocket time now?

A case Peanut. 'Nuff said. :D
 
jc57 said:
I started with Case (well, recent history anyway), and still have many more Case knives than anything else. I've picked up a few GEC knives along the way, and they do have great fit and finish, and their workmanship and attention to detail is sufficient to justify their pricing.

However, I still find I prefer my Case knives for daily carry. Maybe I'm one of those kinds of people who would drive a Chevy anyway, even if they had a Mercedes in the garage. It's hard to explain exactly and I don't have the energy to debate it, but I still like my Case knives and my GECs sit in their tubes.

But if you are into traditionals and your budget allows it, you might want to consider trying one just to see what all of the chatter is about. They are very high quality knives and if you change your mind they maintain their resale value pretty well.
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I think I'm gonna keep my eyes open for a used one. I just can't see myself being that much happier with a GEC. Buy a $40 Case and if it wears out or lose it buy another $40.00 Case. Buy a $140 GEC and if it wears out or lose it buy a $40.00 Case. lol

addylo said:
Before getting into slippies my EDC rotated between a Sage1, PM2, BM710, or WH E10. And in a relatively short time I've added a Northfield #72 and #57. But do you know the knife that gets the most pocket time now?

A case Peanut. 'Nuff said. :D
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I like the Peanuts. Gonna get one to keep in my work desk drawer probably. :)
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I really like the GEC #65 Hogan. Honestly GEC confuses me a bit. I don't find their website very user friendly. What does Northfield and Tidioute mean? My only drawback with the GEC's is the price. I would really like to hold one before shelling out 100+ on a blade.
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It took me a while to be willing to pay the extra $ for the Great Eastern (GEC) brand knives versus Case and Queen. I never really paid much attention to GEC during the first few years after they started business and began noticing all the talk here. I viewed them as boutique knives (kinda like Tuna Valley and I guess Canal Street) and I was mostly buying moderns then with the occasional Case or SAK slip joint thrown in. This was the 2005-2010 period.

My suggestion is that you try to look at some in person in a store and really look them over. But the Ben Hogan is a great place to start.

I became obsessed with the brand. I could not figure out the numbering system (still can't) and it was hard to find out what the overall length was on a particular GEC knife then. I guess you were just supposed to know?? I wanted a large Trapper pattern, but I wasn't sure. I had a #73 (first one in 2011) and then a #56 (in 2011).... I got the 2012 traditional forum knife. Liked it. But I wanted something a bit larger I thought? Got a #36 (Sunfish) and thought... this is THE one.... nope.

My reference point were the 111mm SAKs. I got a #23 after the forum knife and it was a tad large. Loved the knife, it was just too big for pocket carry. What's the next one below this???? That was a hard question to answer as the dealers really weren't helpful. I really didn't know what I wanted. Then I read here about the #42. Where was it hiding? Have no idea. Bought one and really like the 4.25" overall length. I could be comfortable with a 4" or 4 1/8" length too, I think. But the 3 7/8" was a tad small. What's 1/8"?

GEC needs to list overall length of each knife and they need to be somewhat organized so you "shop" by pattern and size. If you like a pattern, you should be able to simply look up what the next size up or down is? Sounds simple, but it is not so easy in practice.

Just recently purchased a TC Barlow which is 3.5", just because. Like it, but I know I won't carry it. Got the Northwoods Madison Barlow and love it, but I prefer two blades. I'm carrying the #42.

It seems that lately, there is just a world of GEC knives available. I am attracted to them all. But it is not practical to get them all for me. Think I will probably get a brunt stag handled #42 which for me is pricey. Not in a huge hurry, but it will appear this year.
 
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Here's a little help on the GEC pattern numbering. If you imbibe in enough adult beverages you'll begin to see that it makes perfect sense. :rolleyes:

#06 - Pemberton
#09 - Esquire
#12 - Toothpick, Powderhorn, Templar
#15 - Boys Knife, Farm Boy, Electrician, Radio, Genuine Barlow
#16 - Canoe
#23 - Pioneer, Pioneer Jack, Bull Lock
#25 - Little Jack, Barlow
#26 - Small Sleeveboard
#28 - French Kate Lady Leg
#33 - Conductor, Whittler
#36 - Elephant Toenail
#42 - Missouri Trader, Missouri Trapper
#45 - Roughneck, Lumberjack
#46 - Whaler
#47 - Hay-N-Helper, Viper Swayback Jack
#48 - Templar, Trapper, Improved Trapper
#53 - Cuban Stockman, Muskrat, Cattle Baron, Cattle Rancher, Furtaker Muskrat, Cuban Pen
#54 - Harness Jack, Cattleman, Moose, Big Horn
#55 - Hounds Tooth
#56 - Dogleg Jack, Weavers Jack
#57 - Geppetto Whittler, Wrangler Stockman, Half Whittler
#61 - Congress, Half Congress
#62 - Half Congress, Maverick Stockman
#64 - Babylon Swinguard, Lockback
#65 - Ben Hogan, Fish Knife
#66 - Mink Serpentine, Calf Roper Stockman, Bullwinkle J Moose
#68 - White Owl Pen, Buckaroo Stockman, Pony Jack
#71 - Bullnose Sodbuster
#72 - Lockback, Hoofpick Jack, Cody Jack
#73 - Scout, Linerlock, Farmer
#74 - Saddle Trapper, Ranch Hand, Cotton Sampler
#76 - Gunstock, Outlaw Moose
#78 - American Jack
#79 - Montana Whittler, Workhorse Sleeveboard
#81 - Coon Skinner Muskrat, Abilene Large Stockman
#85 - Teardrop Bullet End Jack, EZ Open
#89 - River Boat Gambler, Executive Whittler
#92 - Eureka Jack
#99 - Farmer Lock

EDIT: Credit goes to the Collector Knives website from which I gleaned this list.
 
I have only one Case knife that I really fell in love with and others not so much. GEC makes beautiful knives. I'm carrying my #23 in Bocote regularly, what a blade! My other regular carry is my Texas Rose #76 in smooth yellow bone; another great knife. They both reek of quality. If I was a rich man I'd go solely GEC in a Texas heartbeat.
 
I cannot find a #65 Hogan in Stainless to save my life on the interwebs.
 
GEC doesn't choose to use stainless much, so it's only offered on a few patterns and those somewhat sparsely. I don't know if the #65 was ever offered in stainless.

Another thing is that pretty much every offering is equivalent to a limited edition or special factory order. They don't have a list of "standard" patterns that they put out continuously, and even when they do repeat a pattern, there is usually some variation in blades, shields, or handles so that each run still ends up being relatively unique.

If you like a particular pattern but missed the production run, it may be a year or two before it comes out again, if ever.
 
You guys are very informative. How does the 1095 compare to Case CV? I rust a knife just by looking at it.

Thanks for all of your help and insight.
 
1095 is a carbon steel. It will develop patina with use, and will rust without basic care, just like Case's CV will. GEC also uses carbon steel for their backsprings and on some models for the liners and bolsters (usually have STL in the part number), so those will also patina and are subject to rust. Case CV knives only use CV steel for the blades.

GEC's 1095 seems to be manufactured to a higher hardness than the Case CV (which is equivalent to 1086 with added chromium and vanadium). I don't use my knives heavily enough to where I would be able to give you a good answer for whether there is any particular difference in them functionally.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
You guys are very informative. How does the 1095 compare to Case CV? I rust a knife just by looking at it.

Thanks for all of your help and insight.
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Have you looked into Queen or Canal Street Cutlery? I love GEC and they are my favorite but it doesn't sound like you want to deal with taking care of carbon. Queen makes a lot of patterns in D2 which isn't a true stainless steel but it is very resistant to rust and staining. Canal Street uses a 154cm equivalent for most of their patterns which is an excellent stainless steel and now, at least on their Barlows, even the bolsters are made of stainless so they are going to stay looking nice and shiny. I'm not sure if they are using stainless for the bolsters on all their other patterns or not.
 
Welcome to the forum. I have spent a lot of time on Talkbass myself, great site! Always happy to welcome a fellow fat stringer!
 
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