Easy Openers

[waynorth]

Here is a board of EOs I am restoring - bought from an estate!!

 

[Hibou Canne]

I only have 1 EZ opener in my collection. GEC 153216

 

[waynorth]

For WWI - the EO makes the Sailor's life a little easier!!
From the top; Challenge Cut.
>Canton Cut.
>Hammer Brand
>Schatt& Morgan
>Union Cut
>Union Cut
>Cattaraugus
>W.R.Case
>Robeson


For us modern "sailors and rope knotters" -

 

[Will Power]

The EO clearly has a good long pedigree and must have been a boon in the field when struggling with wet hands- before the days of you know what Think it reasonable to say that GEC has taken a considerable interest in this style and has done much to promote interest in it. A few years back there was something of a trend mania for them but like most faux enthusiasms it withered back to the serious collectors or devotees. Agree with btb01 it can suit some patterns but I have reservations about them in the hand, that notch can be obtrusive, uncomfortable.

It's always good to have some examples in the collection though, mine comprises nearly all GEC examples bar one lonely Camillus. CASE seems to have avoided this option by and large, possibly due to the relative paucity of Spear blades it offers?

GEC 25. Very stout pulls and abrupt half-stop on this little pattern so having ones with EO makes sense.

An oddity but one of my favourite GECs 56 Hawkbill, really no need at all for an EO on this as there's a load of blade to pinch, strongish pull great W&T and cam-tang. Sometimes wish it would grow a patch back over the bone as it's so nice and really the notch is superfluous...

GEC 85 Stag. This popular pattern gained traction as a result of the first GEC Forum Knife in 2011 the 85 which had NS liners , Spear/ Cap lifter and an EO notch. I believe all 85 single blades come with the EO but 2 blade ones are conventional body.

Finally, Camillus. Hope the selection was enjoyable, very interesting thread.

 

[jmh33]

The EO clearly has a good long pedigree and must have been a boon in the field when struggling with wet hands- before the days of you know what Think it reasonable to say that GEC has taken a considerable interest in this style and has done much to promote interest in it. A few years back there was something of a trend mania for them but like most faux enthusiasms it withered back to the serious collectors or devotees. Agree with btb01 it can suit some patterns but I have reservations about them in the hand, that notch can be obtrusive, uncomfortable.

It's always good to have some examples in the collection though, mine comprises nearly all GEC examples bar one lonely Camillus. CASE seems to have avoided this option by and large, possibly due to the relative paucity of Spear blades it offers?

GEC 25. Very stout pulls and abrupt half-stop on this little pattern so having ones with EO makes sense.

I don't usually comment on GEC knives..
But that one is AWESOME!!!
John

 

[Jack Black]

Jack Black, Thanks for all the great photos. (and a Stan Shaw, to boot!) I'm curious about that Trim Trio. I know you have hundreds, maybe thousands more knives than I do, but I've never seen a Trim Trio with that handle shape, and missing the spring tab on the spine. Could you please post another couple photos with all the blades and tools displayed, and any tang or makers stamps? Thanks.

Thank you very much, I'm going to be out for a few hours, but when I get home, I'll try and find it (I hope I have it right!). I have a couple I think. Even here, they're not that uncommon, I guess because so many were produced

Apologies for my poor memory, I completely forgot about this. I'll try and remember to look for it tomorrow! Sorry

 

[Jack Black]

For WWI - the EO makes the Sailor's life a little easier!!View attachment 2099377

For us modern "sailors and rope knotters" - View attachment 2099380

Wow! Incredible Charlie

 

[Will Power]

I don't usually comment on GEC knives..
But that one is AWESOME!!!
John

Very nice of you to say so, and I have to agree

It has very strong pull which bothers me not and its broad Sheepfoot is very useful, a handy easy carry, An early example 2008 with the Corset shield.

Thanks, Will

 

[Will Power]

Handy in dark nights

 

[waynorth]

Wow! Incredible Charlie

Thanks, Jack!! You passed along a lot of info for me when I was into my "Rope" Phase!!
I'm forever grateful!!

 

[waynorth]

This looks like an early "KeenKutter", by E.C.Simmons!!
Any opinions?? danno50 ??
After many years of walking rocky beaches, (and sandy ones!), I found this stone!!
(In the first picture!). When I was first thinking of moving to BC, a friend told me you could find Jade on the beaches out here, but I didn't know it would take me 30 years!!!
Found this near a BC Ferry landing, on a pebble beach on Denman Island!!
Sanded smooth by the Pacific Ocean!!

 

[Texoma]

Kudos to all members who posted some nice EOs
I have a few more to post later

 

[Markeologist]

Love the EO notches on my GEC 15s:


The three Navy/Rope knives reflect the only GEC 15 trifecta if my memory serves me:Tidioute, Northfield, and Great Eastern.

 

[Another Shepherd]

An interesting thread. I had never heard of EOs before.

 

[TOM K.]

I definitely prefer easy open knives.

 

[Texoma]

 

[Texoma]

 

[danno50]

This looks like an early "KeenKutter", by E.C.Simmons!!
Any opinions?? danno50 ??View attachment 2099469View attachment 2099470View attachment 2099471
After many years of walking rocky beaches, (and sandy ones!), I found this stone!!
(In the first picture!). When I was first thinking of moving to BC, a friend told me you could find Jade on the beaches out here, but I didn't know it would take me 30 years!!!
Found this near a BC Ferry landing, on a pebble beach on Denman Island!!
Sanded smooth by the Pacific Ocean!!

Wow, Charlie, that is a beauty! Sellens says that knives with that particular etch were in the catalogs from 1895 through to 1916. I would speculate that is is at least pre 1905, when the keystone stamp was initiated. Could be pre 1902, before Simmons took over control of Walden Knife Company??
Lovely jade pebble as well!

 

[waynorth]

Wow, Charlie, that is a beauty! Sellens says that knives with that particular etch were in the catalogs from 1895 through to 1916. I would speculate that is is at least pre 1905, when the keystone stamp was initiated. Could be pre 1902, before Simmons took over control of Walden Knife Company??
Lovely jade pebble as well!

Ah!! Thanks Dan!!! No Keystone!!!
I thought you might have some information!!! Why is it so gratifying when you find out your knife is OLD???

 

[danno50]

Here are my vintage easy openers.

Two Keen Kutters


Robeson, Remington, New York Knife


Pal Blade Co., Pal Cutlery Co. (rehandled by Orvet from AAPK), Fidelity Knife Co.