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First Anniversary Stag Party - GAW
- Thread starter Cory Hess
- Start date
eisman
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2009
- Messages
- 6,991
I got my first pocket knife sometime around the time I was in 3rd or 4th grade. It was a Barlow my grandfather gave me. I remember not really liking it because it was "too thick". Due to a number of reasons I usually carried a "fishing" knife which was (I believe) an Imperial. Carried a lot of Uncle Henry's, usually stockman patterns too. Never considered myself a collector back then; knives were for using. The first fixed blade I bought was a Case Skinner. Still have it somewhere. First Custom I bought was this Chris Reeve knife from back when he was still in South Africa. I guess I'd made the leap to collector by then. Learned a bit about them, changed my preferences several times, but always enjoyed the thrill of finding a "nice" knife.
I'm glad you made it through this past year, and welcome.
I'm glad you made it through this past year, and welcome.
Rockon75
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2008
- Messages
- 2,087
A brief review of the long sleek #89 Melon Tester-Riverboat Gambler:
As previously reported, I've not had the opportunity to handle any of the #89 pattern GEC's. My first impression was that it was dainty, but wait, upon opening and examining the build, it is built with heft. Thus my earlier statement-a ballerina that knows kung fu. It is a mere 3/8" to 1/2" wide by the same high-for the most part. Think of the narrow sharpie markers. At 4" long, if I had a fifth finger it would fit comfortably. The thought process to pack the two blades into this single spring version was well thought out as well as executed. Like my #53 TK Cuban, the main blade is offset prior to being ground to make room for the pen, while maintaining full blade thickness at the tang adding strength that equals the thickness of the backspring. The main has perfectly symmetrical machine cut swedges which differs a bit from my TK. The pen side employs a catch bit with a long drawn swedge to help clearance with the main. I think what makes this dainty knife tough is the blade and backspring thickness. It is very thick stock for such a nimble knife. Its small but long, its tough but nimble. In fact I'd say the backspring stock is the same thickness as the Broadway I bought recently, or very close.
It is well executed in appearance and function. The pull is a 4 or 5 but snaps to the open and closed positions with vigor. My TK's pen is a bit stout to open and close, but this Gambler's is just as easy as the main. The double ringed and pinched bolsters are classy and the stag on this one is very nice. The transitions are smooth at the corners while having one area that drops in below the bolster-hey-its stag. Cory-Thank You! I will put this one to use and it will have a well earned patina.
As far as ease of carry-I'm an engineer and often meet the stereotypical look with a mechanical pencil in my front pocket. The Gambler is so svelte, it could hide in a pocket protector. Even with a 4 to 5 finger grip, this knife absolutely disappears due to its thinness and short height.
Here are some very poor pics as the outside lighting is not cooperating and my techniques is that of a novice.
A Side Profile Comparison: 85, 89, 92, 38
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A Plan View Comparison (L to R): 38, 85, 89, 92
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A comparison with what could be the Gambler's big brother-S&M Sleeveboard-only 1/2" longer, twice the thickness and twice the height-nimble worker to an absolute tank.
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Cory-Thank You Sir!
As previously reported, I've not had the opportunity to handle any of the #89 pattern GEC's. My first impression was that it was dainty, but wait, upon opening and examining the build, it is built with heft. Thus my earlier statement-a ballerina that knows kung fu. It is a mere 3/8" to 1/2" wide by the same high-for the most part. Think of the narrow sharpie markers. At 4" long, if I had a fifth finger it would fit comfortably. The thought process to pack the two blades into this single spring version was well thought out as well as executed. Like my #53 TK Cuban, the main blade is offset prior to being ground to make room for the pen, while maintaining full blade thickness at the tang adding strength that equals the thickness of the backspring. The main has perfectly symmetrical machine cut swedges which differs a bit from my TK. The pen side employs a catch bit with a long drawn swedge to help clearance with the main. I think what makes this dainty knife tough is the blade and backspring thickness. It is very thick stock for such a nimble knife. Its small but long, its tough but nimble. In fact I'd say the backspring stock is the same thickness as the Broadway I bought recently, or very close.
It is well executed in appearance and function. The pull is a 4 or 5 but snaps to the open and closed positions with vigor. My TK's pen is a bit stout to open and close, but this Gambler's is just as easy as the main. The double ringed and pinched bolsters are classy and the stag on this one is very nice. The transitions are smooth at the corners while having one area that drops in below the bolster-hey-its stag. Cory-Thank You! I will put this one to use and it will have a well earned patina.
As far as ease of carry-I'm an engineer and often meet the stereotypical look with a mechanical pencil in my front pocket. The Gambler is so svelte, it could hide in a pocket protector. Even with a 4 to 5 finger grip, this knife absolutely disappears due to its thinness and short height.
Here are some very poor pics as the outside lighting is not cooperating and my techniques is that of a novice.
A Side Profile Comparison: 85, 89, 92, 38
A Plan View Comparison (L to R): 38, 85, 89, 92
A comparison with what could be the Gambler's big brother-S&M Sleeveboard-only 1/2" longer, twice the thickness and twice the height-nimble worker to an absolute tank.
Cory-Thank You Sir!
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2011
- Messages
- 2,808
Great comparison photos in my opinion Rockon~
Cory Hess
Basic Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2014
- Messages
- 2,117
Great write up, RockOn. I agree that it's a good design, and gives you a lot to work with for how easy it is to carry. Thank you very much for taking the time to write this up. Thanks to everybody that participated in this thread. It was very special to me and very fulfilling. I really enjoyed reading about how everybody got into this hobby and how long they've been "acquiring" for. I hope that you all got as much out of it as I did.
5K Qs
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2014
- Messages
- 15,814
Thanks for your detailed descriptions and photos, Rockon!! :thumbup::thumbup: I enjoyed your comparisons to some of your other knives. You have some very impressive knives; they're virtually unexcelled! 
May this be the start of a beautiful relationship between you and the Gambler!
Great GAW, Cory; thanks!!
- GT
May this be the start of a beautiful relationship between you and the Gambler!Great GAW, Cory; thanks!!
- GT