GEC 25s - Gots 'em?

pertinux said:
The material is very attractive, but very few pieces will come close to fooling anyone on the ivory front even at a glance, let alone upon closer inspection. The wild variety in striations is fun, but definitely patterned-- uniquely so! Here's mine (thanks again, @Campbellclanman!!!!!):

SnKnY2D.jpg
QGHQoxC.jpg


Let's take a closer look:
yAaKG8a.jpg


uwAI4tT.jpg


NcAT00V.jpg


Every set of covers is different; @L.H.S picked up one with a fascinating 'fish bone' effect spanning the width on one side. I wish I'd thought to take a picture, but still hope to see it here. :)

However, as I believe has been noted, the cover selection renders this particular iteration a "unicorn" indeed: the material, a cast acrylic, is simply not dense enough to withstand the hafting or even buffing processes well ("like trying to buff butter"), causing problems all along the way. Bill Howard says he's kicking himself for trying (again) at all with cast acrylic, but "this was just so darn pretty." Out of 250 pieces, with an intended 125 knives, only 91 slabs/45 knives survived the process as first-quality offerings.

~ P.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! I actually prefer it not being able to fool anyone!:thumbsup:
I appreciate your insight into the production difficulties and the lovely closeups as well! I have a much better feel for it thanks to your photos! I was able to secure one with the help of a friend here and anxiously await its arrival!!
 
Just got the confirmation email that my Burlap Micarta version is on its way. This will be my first in the 25 frame, they all look fantastic. The burlap seemed very intriguing so I went for that one to dip my toe into the 25 frame pool so to speak. Hopefully it looks as good as everyone else's.
 
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JITDC said:
Just got the confirmation email that my Burlap Micarta version is on its way. This will be my fist in the 25 frame, they all look fantastic. The burlap seemed very intriguing so I went for that one to dip my toe into the 25 frame pool so to speak. Hopefully it looks as good as everyone else's.
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It turned out very dark and was left with satin finish on slab and bolster. I like them, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
 
JITDC said:
Just got the confirmation email that my Burlap Micarta version is on its way. This will be my fist in the 25 frame, they all look fantastic. The burlap seemed very intriguing so I went for that one to dip my toe into the 25 frame pool so to speak. Hopefully it looks as good as everyone else's.
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Good deal. Please post a photo when you get it. I snoozes and missed out on the Northfields.
 
Ramrodmb said:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! I actually prefer it not being able to fool anyone!:thumbsup:
I appreciate your insight into the production difficulties and the lovely closeups as well! I have a much better feel for it thanks to your photos! I was able to secure one with the help of a friend here and anxiously await its arrival!!
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Mark, the one you are receiving looks like genuine ivory. It does not have that pattern look.
 
knifeswapper said:
It turned out very dark and was left with satin finish on slab and bolster. I like them, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
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The satin finish sounds good to me. But when you say dark, do you mean so dark you can't see any details in the micarta?
 
pertinux said:
The material is very attractive, but very few pieces will come close to fooling anyone on the ivory front even at a glance, let alone upon closer inspection. The wild variety in striations is fun, but definitely patterned-- uniquely so! Here's mine (thanks again, @Campbellclanman!!!!!):

SnKnY2D.jpg
QGHQoxC.jpg


Let's take a closer look:
yAaKG8a.jpg


uwAI4tT.jpg


NcAT00V.jpg


Every set of covers is different; @L.H.S picked up one with a fascinating 'fish bone' effect spanning the width on one side. I wish I'd thought to take a picture, but still hope to see it here. :)

However, as I believe has been noted, the cover selection renders this particular iteration a "unicorn" indeed: the material, a cast acrylic, is simply not dense enough to withstand the hafting or even buffing processes well ("like trying to buff butter"), causing problems all along the way. Bill Howard says he's kicking himself for trying (again) at all with cast acrylic, but "this was just so darn pretty." Out of 250 pieces, with an intended 125 knives, only 91 slabs/45 knives survived the process as first-quality offerings.

~ P.
Click to expand...

pertinux pertinux , thanks for sharing the insight into the Unicorn production issues. GEC already gives its customers a lot of behind-the-scenes with all the productions photos and such, but its always interesting to get even more. :thumbsup:

(I have to say, though, that the phrase "like trying to buff butter" took me a few tries to read correctly; kept transposing the f's and t's!) :eek: :D

You got some wild covers on your Unicorn! I like it!
 
MartyNC said:
The satin finish sounds good to me. But when you say dark, do you mean so dark you can't see any details in the micarta?
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Probably about like our last time; but with the satin you can't see the details as well. But I haven't had it out in the natural light.
 
My coin pocket has a new companion. It's my first 25 frame, my first denim Micarta knife, and my first Northwoods. The pull is a comfortable 6, with satisfying walk and talk. Everything is flush where you'd hope it'd be. The covers are soft and pleasant to the touch, and its grain and layers are visibly apparent and very nice.

kcPKNSg.jpg


This thing is bringing me a lot of joy on day 1. Here's an album with more pictures: http://imgur.com/a/jKfqe
 
I just received my Northwoods Little Bay in Burlap Micarta. The F&F and the W&T are as good as it gets. I chose the burlap because it was something unlike anything I own and I'm not disappointed. The texture feels polished so there are no rough spots. My only regret now is not getting a denim also.
image.jpeg

I wanted to compare it to an earlier (2009) GEC 25. Because it too is a single blade I wanted to see if there are any substantial differences. I think the photos tell the story. Other than a few aesthetic differences they are identical. Well done GEC and KSF.
image.jpeg
 
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Wow Alan. That Burlap Micarta is sweet!! Makes me wish I had endured the frenzy to get one. Very nice knife!
 
joeradza said:
I just received my Northwoods Little Bay in Burlap Micarta. The F&F and the W&T are as good as it gets. I chose the burlap because it was something unlike anything I own and I'm not disappointed. The texture feels polished so there are no rough spots. My only regret now is not getting a denim also.
View attachment 749998

I wanted to compare it to an earlier (2009) GEC 25. Because it too is a single blade I wanted to see if there are any substantial differences. I think the photos tell the story. Other than a few aesthetic differences they are identical. Well done GEC and KSF.
View attachment 749999
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Nice Alan, great photos...surprising those blade shapes are so similar....I scored a denim and black but wish had got a burlap also...but I do have the NF 25 burlap in route.
 
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