First GEC help

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Kvk09

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Feb 23, 2023
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GEC 56 or 72. And is rosewood or avacodo green bone in the 55 or burlap or the burnt sienna bone in the 72. Do the newer 72 lock up better. I keep reading GEC lockbacks have blade play. Thank you for time and courtesy. Looking for my first GEC so I appreciate all advice.
 
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If it’s your first GEC, I feel like a traditional slipjoint is a better experience than a backlock.

Personally, I prefer rosewood. If you can get either in that price range would be a pretty good deal. I’d say anything under $200 would be more realistic to get but still not a bad deal
 
Hoffmajo89 said:
If it’s your first GEC, I feel like a traditional slipjoint is a better experience than a backlock.

Personally, I prefer rosewood. If you can get either in that price range would be a pretty good deal. I’d say anything under $200 would be more realistic to get but still not a bad deal
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Thank you. Was thinking slip joint as well. I feel buck will be my go to lockback when need that security
 
Tough question. I really like both patterns but they're very different which doesn't help in a head-to-head comparison.

One thing I'll point out is that although the dimensions might not sound very different on paper (or a screen...), the 72 is a more substantial knife all the way around. Depending on your intended use, that may factor in for you.

Here's another thing to consider, as H Hoffmajo89 pointed out, slipjoints are GEC's bread and butter and I'd certainly suggest you own at least one if you're even remotely interested in that sort of thing, but -- I know for certain that GEC is gonna produce more slipjoints, as in they've probably already got the next slipjoint pattern they'll be making in production now. When they'll do another run of lockbacks is anybody's guess -- maybe next month (unlikely), maybe next year, maybe in three years, maybe five, the point being that no one really knows. If you think you might want a lockback from them at some point, now might be the best time to score one for the foreseeable future.

Because threads are useless without pictures, here's an image of both side by side. The 72 is Che Chen Rosewood, and the 56 is Orange Scramble Acrylic. Apologies, but I wasn't able to score an Avocado Jigged Bone 56 but I wish I had. 😭
https://imgur.com/a/Hf5RHEq
 
birdsbeaks said:
Tough question. I really like both patterns but they're very different which doesn't help in a head-to-head comparison.

One thing I'll point out is that although the dimensions might not sound very different on paper (or a screen...), the 72 is a more substantial knife all the way around. Depending on your intended use, that may factor in for you.

Here's another thing to consider, as H Hoffmajo89 pointed out, slipjoints are GEC's bread and butter and I'd certainly suggest you own at least one if you're even remotely interested in that sort of thing, but -- I know for certain that GEC is gonna produce more slipjoints, as in they've probably already got the next slipjoint pattern they'll be making in production now. When they'll do another run of lockbacks is anybody's guess -- maybe next month (unlikely), maybe next year, maybe in three years, maybe five, the point being that no one really knows. If you think you might want a lockback from them at some point, now might be the best time to score one for the foreseeable future.

Because threads are useless without pictures, here's an image of both side by side. The 72 is Che Chen Rosewood, and the 56 is Orange Scramble Acrylic. Apologies, but I wasn't able to score an Avocado Jigged Bone 56 but I wish I had. 😭
https://imgur.com/a/Hf5RHEq
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Awesome. Appreciate the info. They are both nice lookin. Great pics
 
Kvk09 said:
GEC 56 or 72. And is rosewood or avacodo green bone the way to go? Also is $155-$175 a fair price. Thank you. Looking for my first GEC so I puke appreciate some help
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I have both and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with either one. Please let us know what you decide. 😀
 
Good advice here. The two you mention were recently produced so they should be easy to find as people decide they don’t want to keep them. There are a lot of other patterns out there from previous years that can be found as well for a similar price. I wouldn’t buy a 72 unless the person says it has solid lockup, unless it was a really good deal, I have a Mudbug with some play that I still like.
 
Frank.K said:
Good advice here. The two you mention were recently produced so they should be easy to find as people decide they don’t want to keep them. There are a lot of other patterns out there from previous years that can be found as well for a similar price. I wouldn’t buy a 72 unless the person says it has solid lockup, unless it was a really good deal, I have a Mudbug with some play that I still like.
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Guess that is why finding those 2.
 
You should also know that the 56s didn’t have a half stop, so they’re not going to have the “walk and talk” that most GECs have. I personally don’t care for the 56 pattern. The 72s are very nice though.
 
Bradleyo said:
You should also know that the 56s didn’t have a half stop, so they’re not going to have the “walk and talk” that most GECs have. I personally don’t care for the 56 pattern. The 72s are very nice though.
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Just to be clear, as I could see how someone new to GEC or pocket knives could get confused, the 72s don't have half stops either.
 
Kvk09 said:
Seems I’m taking a uturn and grabbing a 71 bullnose. As you guys mentions GEC makes good slip joints and I always like that model. $150. A bit pricey but why the hell not
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You’ll be happy with a 71. Those have really strong backsprings. Most other GECs you buy have softer pulls.
 
I find the 71 pull to be just right. Some of the older GECs had very hard pulls
 
Hoffmajo89 said:
If it’s your first GEC, I feel like a traditional slipjoint is a better experience than a backlock.

Personally, I prefer rosewood. If you can get either in that price range would be a pretty good deal. I’d say anything under $200 would be more realistic to get but still not a bad deal
Click to expand...
I stuck to the slip joint advice and got a 71. Hopefully it arrives without getting burned. Damn secondary markets. Thanks
 
Kvk09 said:
I stuck to the slip joint advice and got a 71. Hopefully it arrives without getting burned. Damn secondary markets. Thanks
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71s are excellent, I think you’ll be very happy with it.

A great intro to GEC as well. While they’re a bit less refined, they have the same “feel” as a lot of the tidioute or northfield line knives so you’ll know if you want to go further down the rabbit hole or not.
 
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