Drooling over GEC #53...

thejamppa

thejamppa

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
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Hello everyone!

Muskrat has been long for pattern I've overlooked due I really don't see use of redudancy of two clip blades. I ran recently into GEC 53MFT Muskrat Furtake Trapper. With gorgeous clip blade like my GEC toothpick and Wharncliffe on opposite side. Though I might like normal 53 Furtaker Trapper toothpick like clip and wharncliffe are same side, it doesn't strike me quite as much as Muskrat version but I like both. I am pretty anal when it comes to blade rub in this price category knives. With regular Furtaker Pattern which both blades are same side blade rub is minimal. On Muskrat pattern which blades are opposite there's greater change at least when I think.

Mostly I'm looking opinions from owners: How pocketable #53 frame is? I understand that # 53 quite large knife. Especially I am interested about the Muskrat pattern with blades opposite ends: Is there change for blade rub in normal use?

#53 is one of those GEC's that I listed one way to scratch my itch. Other's were toothpick and (Half) Congress. Toothpicked helped I am sure when getting some #53 it helps even further.

I am still bit uncertain which one to go: Muskrat pattern Furtaker trapper or regular furtaker trapper... I can't get both...
 
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Kind of preferring the trapper style, myself. I'll be giving this choice some serious thought.
 
I have a few muskies ina hawbaker pattern, but this #53 has really caught my eye - it is larger than my others and in a stainless - I really like the elk one

Mind you it is down the list behind a minilock and a moose
 
I have not seen a Furtaker. Most 53's (Moose,Jack, Cuban, Muskrat) have a full liner between the springs so the blades should not rub, of course they could rub the liner. I have never encountered a severely off center GEC of that size where that was an issue though
 
I have this #53 Muskrat in Elk Horn. Serial #2.

This one is a safe queen but I have carried my Cuban Stockman which has the same frame and for me it is a bit too large for pocket carry. That's just me though.

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As tomcrx stated, there is a liner between the blades. One of the blades on mine does rub against the liner a tad bit (the top blade in the photo) but it doesn't bother me much.

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Rick, that is gorgeous. I like the shield. American Elk series is stainless made out of 440C right? How do you like that compeared 1095 carbon GEC uses?
 
Thanks for the compliment, Jani. Yes, the GEC brand is 440C.

To be honest, I like the 440C better but GEC's 1095 is outstanding. I just prefer SS.

If you prefer carbon steel GEC's 1095 is some of the best in my opinion.

The only GEC 440C knife that I have ever used is my Cuban Stockman and the 440C is good stuff too.
 
Thanks Rick. I want second GEC toothpick and I have been eyeing the American Elk with 440C blade besides Frontier Bone with 1095. I prefer 1095 but I think I should try also 440C from GEC eventually.
 
I have one of the GEC 53's in a different pattern (whittler I think). They are from my experience very pocketable. Mine is some fantastic stag and the fit and finish was unbelievable.

I've got my eye on a furtaker and a cattle baron.
 
I usually carry a #53 stockman and find it fine for EDC. Either the MFT or FT should be fine as well. I prefer both my blades on the same end, so would opt for the Furtaker Trapper to use, but I have both.
 
thejamppa said:
... redudancy of two clip blades.
Click to expand...

Endlessly interesting this one.

It might be a giant fluke, but on all the muskies I have had/have the blades are not the same - in that one is ground thinner (therefore more flexible) than the other - one for filleting, I have always thought

The #53 looks like the blades are the same thickness in those lovely pics of the elk one, tho

(It has just moved up the list, in any case :D)
 
One odd thing is that GEC knives I've had in stainless come lethally sharp!
Their carbon offerings are sometimes frankly blunt though. I like their stainless and would opt to buy more, but users/collectors prefer their GECs carbon by a long chalk.

I'd opt for the Furtaker myself, as I prefer Muskrats on a single spring. Queen does those very well indeed.
 
I have a #53 Furtaker and its a little bigger than what I normally carry. I think the closest comparison is a Vic Farmer. The #53 is a little bit longer open and closed and just slightly thicker. I'll post comparison pics when I get a chance.
 
I have the furtaker muskrat version of the #53 (blades on opposite ends of the frame). It carries well for me, but I'm used to pocketing large knives. So for me, it feels smaller than normal. But it is still a pocketable knife in my opinion.

My only gripe with the blade configuration is that I wish I would have bought the "trapper" version (both blades on the same end) because of the way the wharncliffe blade sticks out while closed. For me using the clip blade would be more comfortable in the trapper configuration than the muskrat configuration. However, I bought the knife primarily for the wharncliffe blade, so it's kind of a moot point.

-nate
 
The 53 will feel about the same in the pocket as a two-blade 73, if you have one of those (I seem to recall seeing a post of yours showing a 73). It is a little longer than the 73, but not quite as wide. The comparison with the Vic Farmer is good, too.
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