Any tips for a first GEC?

J

JulianHayes

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I have been loving case slipjoints for a long time, and for nearly as long I have been drooling over the many posted photos (and printed praise) of GEC knives. I'd like to get my first GEC but am very much overwhelmed by their line: I want all of them.
SO I have a few questions. First is there a 'classic' GEC that I should get first. FOr example, I feel case slipjoints are very much yellow delrin and cv, so my first was that. Similarly, my first spyderco (yes, very non traditional) was an endura, one they had been making for a long time. Is there a GEC that really sums up the brand, or is it all taste? also, the question I must ask is what is the difference between serialized and unserialized GEC knives? Should I get one that is serialized? are any handle materials really well done ( I love micarta and have never had stag..) and qualify as must have knives? I do like a knife with no blade over 3 inches and 2 or three blades including a wharncliffe. I have been looking at the bullet end jack, euraeka jack, and the sunfish with the wharncliffe main blade. I have never held a sunfish and don't know if it will be too wide to carry.

Any advice is appreciated, really any info you would have liked to have known before you bought your first GEC. I know this is very subjective, but ya'll probably have better taste than me anyways.. thanks for any help.
 
JulianHayes said:
Any advice is appreciated, really any info you would have liked to have known before you bought your first GEC.
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Be advised: They're like potato chips. (old commercial, "Betcha can't eat just one.")

There is no such thing as a knife knut with only one GEC.
 
Yes, there's a bewildering array of GEC's.

Since you like CASE knives, I'd suggest a lighter pattern from GEC to start with, say the 33 Conductor or 68 White Owl. Having said that, I feel their iconic knife is the 73 single-blade.

I wouldn't worry about serialized No.s to start with, you may get into collecting numbers later on (it's never appealed to me).

Thanks, Will

(You have a long and fruitful journey ahead of you!):D
 
I agree with Will. Hard to find a better made production slipjoint than a Great Eastern #73 with its flush joint. I suggest one in stag.



- Christian
 
Honestly, there are so many 'classic' GEC patterns that to try and mention them all would be counter-productive. But you are looking at two very good patterns, imo, with the #85 Bullet and the #92 Eureka (I don't have any experience with the Sunfish), and both have been produced in a variety of nice handle options. I really don't think you could go wrong with either, and the chances are very good that you'll probably end up with both eventually...;)
 
My fourth GEC is a #73 linerlock and a lovely knife but hard to open at first, it's okay now though. My recommendation is a #47 Viper but only cos I think it is perfect in every way!
 
I would recommend one of the #15 Boys Knives for a starter. A great, classic pattern, not too big, not too small. A variety of blade options and handle materials available. None of which have the "Bear Trap" blade pull which, according to some folks, other GEC patterns might have. And a reasonable price point for a starter.
IMHO a win, win.
 
oh dear, that stag 73 does look amazing. but the 68 in black micarta is really up my alley as well. You are right indeed. this will be dangerous.... I know micarta is not as nice as stag, but I really like micarta, and don't know why. DO any of the GEC collectors here have reasons to like or dislike it? ( indeed the bone and wood offerings are truly beautiful).

and the fact that I like EVERY knife suggested troubles me.. no more one handers for me..
 
kamagong said:
I agree with Will. Hard to find a better made production slipjoint than a Great Eastern #73 with its flush joint. I suggest one in stag.



- Christian
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I second this! I have the exact knife and it's a real beauty, can't go wrong.
 
The 23 or the little brother 73 are what started it all. If go with them as classics. :)

Edit. But I'm quite drunk.
 
Their #15 pattern is pretty popular. Between Charlows, Boy's Knives, Radio Knives, Electricians (all on the #15 pattern) it's hard to go wrong.
 
JulianHayes said:
oh dear, that stag 73 does look amazing. but the 68 in black micarta is really up my alley as well. You are right indeed. this will be dangerous.... I know micarta is not as nice as stag, but I really like micarta, and don't know why. DO any of the GEC collectors here have reasons to like or dislike it? ( indeed the bone and wood offerings are truly beautiful).

and the fact that I like EVERY knife suggested troubles me.. no more one handers for me..
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Welcome to the good side! I was a "nothing but modern one-handers" guy until about a month ago so I know exactly where you're coming from. I went to a gun show this morning and zipped right past the Spydercos to get to a display of slippies. :eek:

I'd strongly encourage you to find a shop that sells GECs and handle a few of your more coveted patterns. When I first started looking at GECs online I really liked the look of the Riverboat Gambler and thought I wanted one. After handling it at a gun show it dropped to the bottom of my wish list.
 
Welcome to the candy shop :D
GEC offers quite a variety of patterns (it's one of their strong points), but the #73 and #15 Charlows seem to be above the others.
As for handle materials, they seem to be doing quite good with stag, but that's an even more personal preference (for example, I would never get a stag slipjoint if wood was offered, but that's just me).

Fausto
:cool:
 
I also would agree that a stag #73 is the iconic knife for GEC and would expand on that to also include the #72 as well. The #15 however would be right on its heels. The #85 & #92 are great knives as well with one or the other in my right front pocket nearly everyday. It may be worth noting that the #92 will be soon coming out in a single blade wharncliffe version dressed in green linen micarta. I have one of these pre-ordered and expect them to be absolutely stellar.
 
I'll add another vote for the #15 Pattern knives. I really like my clip blade Radio Knife a lot. One day I'm hoping to pick up one of the single clip blade Barlows.
 
the 15 and 73 sound like must have knives. and this up and coming 92 sounds right up my alley; green micarta and a wharncliffe blade, oh my.
I don't have any dealers nearby, I would have to go to San Francisco. Without a car, that would take at least a day and it would be an expensive trip. I'll try to find a local dealer, handling knives is important before you buy indeed. Perhaps I will wait a week until I can get a few in my hands, right now the 15, 73, 92, and 68 all want to be in my knife drawer..

Thanks for all the great advice, it looks like I have some tough decisions ahead of me, and I have a strong feeling this will replace my buying of one handers entirely. I look forward to posting some pics when I make my choice, now I am going to take some time and think about what I really carry and what I can afford.. Thank you all so much!
 
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