Embarrassing GEC Calf Roper

Status
Not open for further replies.
I just spent some time comparing the before and after shots, and noticed with the etch my eye was subconsiously drawn to the blade...without the etch I was able to look over the knife as a whole and appreciate the handle and shield and the clean lines much better.
Well done :thumbup:
 
Ed,
for some mysterious reason I can't see your pictures, but I do agree on the fact that etchings are not an improvement on any blade. Of course, I'm not a collector, I just speak out of pure aesthetical sense. I have no idea if I can find that Flitz thing around here, but I may find something similar, and get rid of the etching on the GEC that's coming this way.

Fausto
:cool:
 
sitflyer said:
I just spent some time comparing the before and after shots, and noticed with the etch my eye was subconsiously drawn to the blade...without the etch I was able to look over the knife as a whole and appreciate the handle and shield and the clean lines much better.
Well done :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I agree!

This has me wondering, what about people who see pictures of these knives and are drawn to them because of the etch (thinking here of some of the classier or standard blade designs, though some do like the cowboy kitsch as well), not realizing that they can either 1) use the knife or 2) preserve the etching?

I'm glad the etchings come off, one way or another, but would be disappointed if I didn't know that and bought (or happily received) a knife expecting the blade etch to remain.

~ P.
 
P, Stainless may be a better option for those that want the etch to last longer. I tried remove the etch from a stainless Conductor with Flitz and it didn't want to go away easily. There's still a faint trace.
 
I don't like etching on knives at all. There are so many knives (Boker, GEC, Bulldog) that I have passed on due to ugly etching.
 
I think we need to understand that a lot of people like the etches. I'm pretty ambivalent about them, would never take one off, but they could be a little smaller. I do like the reverse frosted look of some of the German slipjoints.
 
Jug Johnson said:
I guess I'm the only one who likes the etch.
Click to expand...

I like etches!
charlies_specials-lg.jpg

The Calf Roper etch is kinda "Hopalong", but the knife works just as well with it, and it will disappear eventually. And as I get older, I don't mind reminders of childhood cowboy heroes. Reminds me of simpler times - old girlfriends - you get the idea!
I'm not ready for the rockin' chair yet, but I have my moments.
Back to ripping out the kitchen . . . . .grrrrrr:D
 
Ed,
the aliens have been chased away from my computer and I can finally see your pictures, but I already knew I would prefer the knife after the removal of the etching. I definitely will be doing that with my etched blades.
By the way, which Flitz did you use? the "standard" paste? I don't think I can find it here so I need to search for a similar product here. :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Last edited:
Yeah, I'm not sure how I feel about the etches.
That one is far from a favorite of mine, but after use it would be gone anyhow.

I like the Northfield etch and the older Tidioutes, but again, after use it all goes away.
 
Much better! Nice work Ed!

best

mqqn
 
Looks good Ed. I haven't flitzed any etchings off yet. I just let it patina.
 
Fausto, I used Semichrome metal polish on my GEC blade etches and they came off with the greatest of ease. This leads me to believe that just about any metal polish will remove it. I only removed the etch on the 1095 blades because I actually like the etch on the 440C blades.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry I haven't responded sooner but we had the wife in the hospital today for knee surgery. All is well and everything came out ok.

I agree with some of you that some knives look ok with etching but this Calf Roper was just too much.

Fausto -- I use the Flitz in the individual package. Brasso would work just as well as would most any metal polish. Jeweler's Rouge would work ok too.
 
Very useful info to know. One of the only gripes I had with GEC is that every knife in their lineup has some kind of writing across the blade. I much prefer a sterile blade or one with just a small
logo near the tang. I have plenty of Flitz so I guess any writing on a GEC blade won't stop me from buying one now.
 
Railsplitter said:
Fausto, I used Semichrome metal polish on my GEC blade etches and they came off with the greatest of ease.
Click to expand...

Modoc ED said:
Fausto -- I use the Flitz in the individual package. Brasso would work just as well as would most any metal polish. Jeweler's Rouge would work ok too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your answer. I will find something similar here, apply it with care, and then let you know what happens with my etches :)
(sidenote: Ed, glad your wife is fine, and her knee "fixed" :))

Fausto
:cool:
 
Last edited:
"I guess I'm the only one who likes the etch"...No it's OK with me too Jug. I even liked Boy's Life ads when I read it as a kid. Maybe it's a "cultural thing." :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top