Calling All #26 Owners: Whatcha Got Up Your Sleeve?

AFAustin

AFAustin

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2004
Messages
2,490
Well, it's been very cool and raining for the last few days here in central Texas, and goodness knows we need the moisture after the terrible drought we've been in. But today the rains ended, the sky turned a beautiful blue, and the sun is shining. Mia the rescue Pointer (my avatar) and I will take a nice long walk today and just enjoy being outside.

In my pocket on that long walk will be an interesting and different little knife I recently received from one of our fine members (thanks, Grant), a GEC Northfield #26 Sleeveboard, also known as a "pocket sunfish". I bought it out of curiosity more than anything, as well as for the nice primitive bone scales. At first I thought the short fat master blade was probably just too impractical, and I probably wouldn't be hanging on to this one. But over the last few days, this little guy has really been growing on me. It takes a very sharp edge, and the short wide blade provides a lot of control and good cutting power. The actual cutting edge is just a hair over 1 3/4", yet it handles a routine apple slicing with ease. Both the master and the pen have nice medium firm pulls and no half stops. It feels great in the pocket.

In a recent thread on a different topic, a member, I believe it was Willgoy if I recall correctly, commented in passing on how little discussion there is on the #26. In searching around, I've noticed the same thing, so I hope you #26 owners (and former owners) out there will chime in with your thoughts and opinions, pro and con, on this little number.

Cheers,

Andrew

100_3381.jpg


100_3383.jpg
 
Yes, it was me, thanks for bringing this up Andrew. Very decent bone on that one in the bright sunshine. Nobody has talked about this pattern much if at all lately, odd because its cousin the No.25 gets (well-deserved) attention. I'd like to get a Clip version, they look useful knives.

Regards, Will
 
These are cool knives and I agree that they don't get a lot of publicity. I don't have one and so I will be interested in what others have to say.


The other under-appreciated GEC pattern is the #89. I've been in the market for a two-bladed 89 since they first came out but never got one.
 
Hi Andrew! First off, it's very nice to hear you're getting some much needed rain down there. And congrats on getting some nice looking Primitive Bone!

"An interesting and different little knife" pretty well sums up my thoughts about this pattern, too. And same here about buying one mostly out of curiosity, and it was also my first Cocobolo - so it was one of those two birds with one stone kind of things.

I've only had it a couple weeks, and still haven't decided if I like it or not. It's nice & slim for carry, and I like the pinched, threaded bolsters and the long pull. The Cocobolo is pretty cool, as is the cloud(?) shield. However, I couldn't believe just how short the pen blade is - see comparison pic with a Conductor. (Note: On the Conductor I removed a little belly out towards the tip to make it a little more "wharncliffish/sheepsfootish", but didn't shorten the length).

I do like a short secondary blade for the control it gives when making precise cuts, but imo the one on this Watch Pocket Sunfish is almost too short. I'll put 'er to use though, and time will tell whether it grows on me or not. I'd rate the pull on both blades of mine as an 8 ... a little stiffer than I care for on such short blades - although it may be the "shortness" itself that causes the pull to feel a little stiffer.

Great idea for a thread Andrew, and a clever title to boot! :cool:




26.jpg26-2.jpg26-3.jpg (click 'em to make 'em bigger) ;)
 
Thanks for the comments, gents. Keith, your little coco #26 is a real looker! There are a few differences in the earlier run of Northfield #26s (mine) and the more recent run (yours)---for instance, mine doesn't have the pinched and threaded bolsters, and the shield is different.

Anyway, since GEC just did another run, I'm guessing they sold a bunch before, but you really don't see them discussed much. Hope to hear from more folks on this one.

Andrew
 
Andrew....

At 3" it's kinda tough to appreciate a Sleeveboard pattern whereas the Barlow and Jack I think at 3" is more welcome......either way the I do like the look of the pinched bolsters

2009 GEC Rendezvous and 2009 1 of 6
6957478753_af916630de_b.jpg




2012 Sleeveboard(Sunfish) Elephant Bark Ivory and Interior Elephant Ivory
6947226195_c33a1017cb_b.jpg


Mammoth Ivory

6973667429_42d4067d66_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Keith, thanks for the pix of the Fish. Very good grain on that Coco, but the secondary blade is a shock! That's a very small blade indeed, the picture showing the Conductor was very helpful for me with regard to this.

Regards, Will
 
Jim....Wow! So that's where all the #26s went. :D

Seriously, you have some stone knockouts there. :thumbup:

Andrew
 
Nice Primitive bone, Andrew, and gorgeous collection there, Jim. :thumbup:

My old "Lit'l Carver" shares the same #26 frame and it's one of my most carried and used knives (it's seen so much use that the burnt is wearing off the stag). It's so innocuous looking that it won't stampede the herd if used in public and it cozies up into a change pocket like a mouse in a matchbox. The short 'n' stout Wharncliffe is surprisingly versatile and easily controlled, and the tiny coping blade performs like a miniature X-Acto knife. I continue to be impressed with GEC's edge geometry and heat-treatment - this little guy takes a razor edge and holds it quite well.

GEC26Sleeveboardblackened.jpg
 
Rick, that knife shows excellent proportions with the Wharncliffe

I see it's been in the Cider Vinegar Bar too, Traditicool:D
 
The #26 was one of my first GEC knives. I really like it as a pocket friendly little knife, I don't use mine as much as I should, but it's a joy to own.
P1014062.jpg


P1014078.jpg
 
willgoy said:
Keith, thanks for the pix of the Fish. Very good grain on that Coco, but the secondary blade is a shock! That's a very small blade indeed, the picture showing the Conductor was very helpful for me with regard to this.

Regards, Will
Click to expand...

You're welcome, Will. I do remember you making an inquiry in another thread a while back about the Watch Pocket Sunfish, but at that time I'd only had mine a couple days and didn't really know what to think of it. So I held off comment. But I'm glad to join in Andrew's thread here. I also know you really like Conductors too, so I wanted to include the comparison pic.

As regards the Coco, I actually chose that particular knife because of the knot in the wood - the pile side looks much the same too; perhaps from the same piece of wood? I think the more parallel grain seen in a lot of Cocobolo is very attractive too, but wanted to try this somewhat unique piece.

Jim ..... WOW, what a stable of beauties you have there!!! And Rick, that stag is looking good! :thumbup:
 
Tom and Andrew........

I'm just showing off a little the other guys actual use there's...
 
I've been thinking about one of these for quite awhile, with a wharncliffe main. I'm nearly ready to pull the trigger but can't decide between the goldenrod bone Tidioute or the cocobolo Northfield. I usually like deeply swedged blades but I'm wondering if the blade on the Tidioute would be better for whittling. I am planning to start a ball-in-cage while camping this summer.
 
Nice knives Jim.... As always! I dig that
Wharncliffe main and coping blade combo!
It's a dandy....

Jason
 
Got a Primitive Bone (Clip) coming across the ocean, not had any Primitive before but I like the variations you can see in this material. Quite costly so I hope it's a good on, fingers cossed.
 
willgoy said:
Got a Primitive Bone (Clip) coming across the ocean, not had any Primitive before but I like the variations you can see in this material. Quite costly so I hope it's a good on, fingers cossed.
Click to expand...

That's great to hear, Will. Be sure to let us know how you like it - the pattern and the Primitive Bone. (IIRC, you don't do pics, do you?) I too have have been mighty tempted by GEC's Primitive Bone, but so far don't have one. I hope you get a good one my friend! :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top