AFAustin
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,505
There has been plenty written about GEC’s #15 Boys Knives, and with good reason as they are excellent knives and have been a big hit around here. I enjoyed reading the most recent thread by RevDevil regarding his pretty single blade clip in antique yellow jigged bone. At the risk of #15 overkill, I thought I’d add my own two cents.
I started out with a single blade spear in ebony. I liked it quite a bit, and though my limited knife budget doesn’t usually allow for 2 of the same model, when I saw the single blade clip in the smooth ivory bone, I succumbed to temptation and doubled my pleasure.
One of the hallmarks of the #15s, and it has been much commented on, is their simplicity. No need to worry about polishing out the blade etchings, since there are none! Likewise, no need to fret over a shield that sits a little proud, ‘cause there are none of those, either. The ebony and ivory scales on my two are simple and straightforward as well, and very attractive to my eye.
The fit and finish on both is excellent. Both have well centered blades, the pins are all flush with the scales, and the scales match up well. Any gaps are miniscule, and the tang and spring are either flush or very close in all positions. The pull suits me fine---about a 6 on the clip and 7 on the spear. .
I know there are differences of opinion on GEC’s sharp corners on the tang and swedges, but I am in the “anti” camp on this. With these knives, as with practically all GECs I’ve intended to keep for a while, I started out by spending a chunk of time smoothing out both the tang and the swedges with diamond files and Micromesh pads. They are now very comfortable in hand and in the pocket.
One of the very best things about these knives, IMHO, is the size. They are slim enough to be imminently pocketable, but just wide enough to afford a good grip. The 3 ½” length, while compact, is enough to allow for a 4-finger grip. I have owned and enjoyed several #25s, and while each has been a sturdy and attractive knife, the 3” length just won’t allow a 4th finger to squeeze in there. This is a semi-big deal to me because there is such an improvement in control and comfort when I can use a 4-finger grip.
Finally, on the subject of size, I am impressed how much blade GEC packs into these 3 ½” frames. There is a longer blade on these than with most knives I have with slightly greater overall lengths. (The dark red bone Case mini-trapper is listed at 3 ½” itself, but side-by-side with the #15s it is a bit longer). Well done, GEC!
Saving the best for last---performance. The comfortable 4-finger grip, the generous blade size, and the firm spring make for great little slicers. I put a nice edge on my first #15, the ebony spear, and was really enjoying it. Then when my ivory clip arrived, I put an OK edge on it but it wasn’t cutting like the spear. So, a couple of days ago I re-did the clip. I thinned out the bevel on my Worksharp, and took it through a good belt progression. Then I gave it just a bit of a microbevel on the Sharpmaker and finished with a few passes on a strop. It now cuts like a champ and the ebony spear is getting a little jealous!
Thanks for reading and looking, and I hope everyone has a great Fourth weekend.
Andrew
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