Clydsdales and gec's

[Travman]

We see these threads frequently. Where someone challenges us to prove we use our knives. Yes, plenty of people here use their knives. Whatever you want to do with you knives is cool. Enjoy them as you see fit.

 

[redsparrow]

Most of my cutting tasks occur around the house where I have several users to choose from on hand. Heavy or dirty work is left to something other than a GEC. Light use divided among several blades is not likely to produce a lot of wear and there lies the rub regarding visible proof of usage. GECs are built as tough as a pocket knife needs to be but mine will not likely be the ones to prove it.

This 15 is my second GEC and after 5 years it shows some sign of use. Early in it's life it was subjected to some very wet environments. It was then slightly modified and has been used on occasion to slice fruit. Being nearly my first GEC and available to use almost anytime I had a need, it has actually enable other GECs to remain shiny. Still, I appreciated it as much as any knife and more than most.

 

[johnny twoshoes]

I think a factor in that mindset is that GECs hold their value and often times double in value after they are produced so there might be fear in “ruining” their value by using them. The truth is most knife work can be completed with a cheap box cutter in the instead of a $100 plus pocket knife, I think that is a possible hang up as well.

Collectors rarely use their collection, I think that defeats the purpose. If you have some users that you like then it’s easier to keep the others as safe queens.

I personally carry and use every knife I own, I would rather appreciate the knife for its construction by testing them in the field.




Not quite Clydesdales, but works on whitetails.

 

[Modoc ED]

Evidently the OP hasn't seen any of my posts.

 

[boykinlp]

Anybody here using the Whaler yet? Maybe a bit heavy for an EDC, but I remember a good many folks saying they were definitely going to be using it.

 

[knarfeng]

greetings everyone, i must have 14 or so gec knives. i use my 66 jack and 66 stockman and 71,72,73's mostly. the rest are for show and then someday be my grandsons. my post is simply this: most if not all of the gec's i see posted are mint and absolutley beautiful. not very often do i see them with honest every day work out. are we reluctant to really put them to good use, do we feel they cannot handle it or do we just prefer others that have proven themselves out. like to hear your points of view
thanks for listening, Troy
by the way the clysdale reference was about being a strong workhorse and not to be put on display

Probably because some people take one picture of a knife, when they first get it, and keep re-using the same pic when showing it in threads. I personally hate taking and posting pics. It is a chore, and I don't do it very often. So when I post a knife pic, it is often from 4 or more years ago, and the knife may not look like that now.

What jc said. I photograph my knives when I buy them. I seldom photograph them later. So if I am posting about a knife, it's the pic from when it was new that gets posted.

 

[bikerector]

I carried these two for a while. The barlow was sold a little while after getting the moose, which is always in my pocket next to a flashlight in my pocket organizer/slip.

Before I cleaned it up for sale

Moose finally earns it's first patina

 

[willc]

This 15 with sheepsfoot and pen blade is probably my most used GEC.
My wife used it a lot when we went camping last weekend.

Also nifebright is an excellent cover material.
It is tough and stands out in low light.

GEC’s are well made knives and I’ve never felt like I have to baby them.

 

[Modoc ED]

What jc said. I photograph my knives when I buy them. I seldom photograph them later. So if I am posting about a knife, it's the pic from when it was new that gets posted.

That's pretty much what I do. Take a picture of em new and keep using that picture as I go along. However, if I do something out of the ordinary, etc., I take a picture of that knife's journey through my exploits.

 

[Modoc ED]

I rarely use a brand new 1095 knife as I don’t like ruining the finish. I have 3-4 GEC knives designated as users and I tend to rotate through them.

The other reason is that I have some older traditionals, such as old schrades, and using these is very satisfying. I don’t need to worry about damaging them or changing their condition (1095). I normally buy older knives in the expectation they will get pocket time.

Finally, although GEC build quality is very high there is nothing that makes them obviously better users than cheaper patterns or older patterns, but they often look better due to being new. So it stands to reason that preserving their looks is a logical choice.

That portion of your post that I underlined is a wonderful way to express GEC as compared to other manufactured knives. That's just a great way to put it.

 

[jc57]

if I do something out of the ordinary

Like throw 'em up on the roof of the shed and let them spend the entire winter up there?

 

[Modoc ED]

That knife held up well but the one that got run over by the brush hog - not so much.

 

[joeradza]

I have more than I need and those that I do carry and use don't see hard use. It's just a matter of them being with me when it's time to use. I've got this 25 drop point with me today. Its seen lots of use but other than some beauty marks it's as good as new. We don't hesitate to use our cars which cost tens of thousands of dollars so why not your pocket knife.