Advice on a potential gec purchase.

Gearhead22 · Jul 13, 2015

Hello again bf, looking for some friendly advice here on a potential purchase. I've recently gotten into gec knives and have found this little guy for sale. The seller wants $50 for it, and since ive been wanting to try gecs #26 pattern I thought it seemed like a pretty good deal. (I was assured the black spots are patina and not pitting)... However I tried to look up this specific knife on gecs website and can't seem to find this combination of handle material (antique bone) and blade configuration. So I suppose my question/concern is that maybe the small blade has been re-ground?
If someone with more expertise on gec patterns could chime in, i would very much appreciate it. :thumbup:
-Tyler

Ryouchijtx · Jul 13, 2015

Doesn't look like it's ever been reground to me but I can't specify that cover material..Looks like antique walnut or stag to me.

edit : as below poster wrote, it does seem to have been reground the pen into a coping blade.

1066vik · Jul 13, 2015

my vote is amber jigged bone -- and it may be a reground pen, because the only pictures of 26's I can find with a coping blade are wharncliffe main bladed whittlers, not the watch pocket sunfish.

Gearhead22 · Jul 13, 2015

because the only pictures of 26's I can find with a coping blade are wharncliffe main bladed whittlers, not the watch pocket sunfish.

These were my findings as well. I guess the only way to know for sure is to see it in person?

KBA · Jul 13, 2015

I havent looked around, and have only glanced at this pattern a few times, but the secondary does look as though it has been reground in my novice opinion. It seems really close to the nail nick and the slant just seems a tad off by my eye. I could be wrong though. In the second pic it seems to have a belly as well instead of a straight edge.

hhmoore · Jul 13, 2015

If it was done well, you might not be able to tell anyway...and, if you like the pattern, does it really matter? Personally, I like a coping blade; so I would view it as a good modification (as long as it was well done). As an obvious user, I don't think it would impact the monetary value significantly...then again, I'm newly rediscovering traditionals; so I could be dead wrong on that.

Gearhead22 · Jul 14, 2015

It seems really close to the nail nick and the slant just seems a tad off by my eye. I could be wrong though. In the second pic it seems to have a belly as well instead of a straight edge.

I noticed this to, however I found some pics of the small coping blade on the #26 little carver and it seems like gec purposefully grinds the nail nick that way. I do see what you mean about the blade having a belly though.

If it was done well, you might not be able to tell anyway...and, if you like the pattern, does it really matter?

I do agree with you there. So I suppose the question is then, if it is in fact re-ground, how well was it done. Maybe I'll request a few more closeup pictures.

Another interesting thing, I can't even seem to find a picture of a #26 in jig bone with that shield, on gecs website? Is it possible that this could be a prototype knife?

Will Power · Jul 14, 2015

OP: I have a 26 in Primitive Bone and it has a Pen secondary. However, the Pen is really tiny and I suspect if you ground that into a Coping you would have very little left. I think I've heard of 26s with Coping blades but I could be wrong.

It might be a proto but in the condition it is in, it would mean little. Those bolsters are very scuffed or possibly Scotchbrited to try to achieve a matte effect, the blades look to me as though they have experienced actual rust rather than an even patina, those spots look suspiciously like pitting (light) but could be cleaned up if you want. It's bone not stag but certainly has a nice look to it, be aware that these knives are VERY stiff to open so they're not for the faint-nailed!

Can't comment on prices specifically but it looks fair to me.

Regards, Will

pertinux · Jul 14, 2015

I hadn't seen a spear main paired with a coping secondary on this pattern before, but upon searching this out, the knife looks legitimate (262212, Antique Amber Jigged Bone). Here's one when new:

OP, did you buy the knife? (I found its listing, Ended, when searching the pattern number?)

If so, I look forward to seeing more pictures of the knife after some needed TLC, and would like to hear your impressions.

~ P.

Gearhead22 · Jul 14, 2015

be aware that these knives are VERY stiff to open so they're not for the faint-nailed! Can't comment on prices specifically but it looks fair to me.

Ive had a bit of experiene with the hard pulls on gec knives, so no faint-nails here! :thumbup: I appreciate the advice!

I hadn't seen a spear main paired with a coping secondary on this pattern before, but upon searching this out, the knife looks legitimate (262212, Antique Amber Jigged Bone)

I hadn't seen one either, and it's not even pictured on gecs website which is what got me worried.

Because like Will Power said of the blade was re-ground, there wouldn't be much left.
Thanks so much for searching it out! I wasn't able to find that, but using the serial number you gave, i found this posted on another forum as well.

This just in!

GEC Northfield 262212 Antique Amber Jigged Bone, short run, 1 of 12 made!
Watchpocket Sunfish, Sleeveboard
3 " closed

So looks like it is legit. However it looks like the knife has seen quite a bit of use for that blade etching to be worm away completely.

I did go ahead and commit to buy it, but I just hope that all those black spots aren't pitting.

rma100 · Jul 14, 2015

the price seems a little high to me, for the condition. just my opinion.

Kitten Party · Jul 14, 2015

So YOU'RE the guy that outbid me on this!!

IDK man, that knife looks pretty bad, you should just send it to me and i can fix it up for you and send you some pics when its all done

LastRodeo · Jul 14, 2015

I had bid on this also, bowed early on. I agree with your assessment Bob.

black mamba · Jul 14, 2015

It's a used knife, it's worth what it sold for . . . . to someone, at least. Even some of the jigging is worn off, it's seen a lot of pocket time, but doesn't seem to have a lot of blade loss. Should make a good little user.

rma100 · Jul 14, 2015

Did you get a look at that Coping Blade? Coping Blades aren't supposed to have a belly.

Gearhead22 · Jul 14, 2015

So YOU'RE the guy that outbid me on this!! >
IDK man, that knife looks pretty bad, you should just send it to me and i can fix it up for you and send you some pics when its all done

I suppose that is me

... But unfortunately for me you might get another chance at it. I simply asked the seller a few more questions on the condition of the knife and he promptly replied with "you will get a refund tomorrow, I can't deal with you.". So if the knife is back up for sale I would approach with caution.

Pretty disappointed :thumbdn:

Did you get a look at that Coping Blade? Coping Blades aren't supposed to have a belly.

The knife does seem legit, based on the digging pertinux and i have done. However I do see what rma100 is talking about with the coping blade. Maybe it was sharpened incorrectly?

Kitten Party · Jul 14, 2015

Gearhead22 said:
I suppose that is me ... But unfortunately for me you might get another chance at it. I simply asked the seller a few more questions on the condition of the knife and he promptly replied with "you will get a refund tomorrow, I can't deal with you.". So if the knife is back up for sale I would approach with caution.
Pretty disappointed :thumbdn:

The knife does seem legit, based on the digging pertinux and i have done. However I do see what rma100 is talking about with the coping blade. Maybe it was sharpened incorrectly?

WOW, the guy that owns a northfield GEC cant deal with somebody being picky about their pocket knife?! crazy!

texasshipagent · Jul 14, 2015

A new one don't cost much more and all day long good trades and deals here, if it don't feel right, it probably ain't

pertinux · Jul 14, 2015

Gearhead22 said:
I suppose that is me ... But unfortunately for me you might get another chance at it. I simply asked the seller a few more questions on the condition of the knife and he promptly replied with "you will get a refund tomorrow, I can't deal with you.". So if the knife is back up for sale I would approach with caution.
Pretty disappointed :thumbdn:

OUCH!

Flags, for sure.

~ P.

Gearhead22 · Jul 15, 2015

WOW, the guy that owns a northfield GEC cant deal with somebody being picky about their pocket knife?! crazy!

Honestly that's not even the crazy part! After me responding with "why the hostile message?", the seller messaged back again, apologizing because he thought I was "a bad buyer". Which I suppose is a fair caution to have. But then he fallows it up with;

"its little worn other than the blades peppery corrosion.
I bought this knife 2 years ago... thinking they were great-carried for about 3 months. it started rusting after 2 weeks.....these great easterns are shelf sitting junkers as far as I am concerned."

I'm certainly not one to pass judgments, so I'll just leave it at, to each his own.

A new one don't cost much more and all day long good trades and deals here,

Yah I've been keeping my eye open on the exchange, however the #26's dont seem to pop up to often, and especially not used.
It seems that gecs that get used, are hung onto and used for years. :thumbup: