GEC 26s - Let's see 'em

[LastRodeo]

My only #26, but I think it's pretty cool.

 

[AFAustin]

I had a primitive bone #26 a while back (can't believe it's been 5 years!): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ling-All-26-Owners-Whatcha-Got-Up-Your-Sleeve At some point I sold it, probably to fund other knives, and I confess this thread is making me regret it!

This is cheating a bit on the thread theme, but since I'm 26-less, hope you'll indulge my putting up a second cousin, my Queen Dan Burke Baby Sunfish. It's a little bigger than a #26, really a very nice size. One appealing feature is the fat pen. The blades are D2, which I've long found a pain to sharpen to a really fine edge. But I've persisted with this one and it's now quite sharp---easily the best I've ever managed on D2.

Andrew

 

[oldtymer]

My only #26, but I think it's pretty cool.

That looks familiar

 

[LastRodeo]

That looks familiar

Did I buy this from you? I had to do some purging in my PM box and lost who I got this from.

 

[oldtymer]

Some time last year, doesn't look like you used it much

 

[LastRodeo]

Not at all. It was a rarity I couldn't pass up, but I doubt I will never use, unless I take up carving.

 

[oldtymer]

That's one model I don't think will be made again.

 

[Jody744]

I have one put away in snakewood, a blade show special from a few years back. Will try to dig out tbis weekend.

 

[kenspen]

My only #26, but I think it's pretty cool.

Pretty cool? LastRodeo, that one is way beyond "pretty cool!" That little carver is gorgeous!

I had a primitive bone #26 a while back (can't believe it's been 5 years!): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ling-All-26-Owners-Whatcha-Got-Up-Your-Sleeve At some point I sold it, probably to fund other knives, and I confess this thread is making me regret it!

This is cheating a bit on the thread theme, but since I'm 26-less, hope you'll indulge my putting up a second cousin, my Queen Dan Burke Baby Sunfish. It's a little bigger than a #26, really a very nice size. One appealing feature is the fat pen. The blades are D2, which I've long found a pain to sharpen to a really fine edge. But I've persisted with this one and it's now quite sharp---easily the best I've ever managed on D2.

Andrew

I know what you mean, Andrew. Every once in awhile, you part with one and then regret it. The Queen baby sunfish is one I've been eyeing. Great looking knife.

I have one put away in snakewood, a blade show special from a few years back. Will try to dig out tbis weekend.

Would love see some pics of the Snakewood added to the thread Jody744!

 

[LastRodeo]

Pretty cool? LastRodeo, that one is way beyond "pretty cool!" That little carver

Thanks, it's easy to take for granted some of the stuff GEC did in the past, you are probably right that they won't be doing anymore of these in the future. It also seems like the handle materials have gotten a bit stale. I'm not saying not attractive, but just not the variety they once did.

 

[Will Power]

Yes that Frontier Bone could be brought back, would look good on the 15 series (although I think we've had enough of those for a while...) or on the 25 too.

 

[sardian]

Only have 2, Bark Ivory and Genuine Stag.

 

[kenspen]

Yes that Frontier Bone could be brought back, would look good on the 15 series (although I think we've had enough of those for a while...) or on the 25 too.

Agree Will, I think the Frontier Bone is one of more interesting covers GEC has done to date. Certainly would like to see more of it - maybe on a small stockman!

Only have 2, Bark Ivory and Genuine Stag.

Gorgeous pair sardian!

How about one more pic of the Frontier Bone:

 

[pertinux]

~P., the Tacky Tango® always makes me smile and the ivory raises my blood pressure- one of my grail knives!

Thanks! The Tacky Tango® always makes me smile, as well. In fact, I think I'll take it along today.

The contrast between my (only) two #26s never ceases to amuse, the gaudy, over-the-top guitar-shielded number in the same 'room' as the most understatedly elegant knife in all my array.

One just never knows what GEC will do next, let alone again, but the blade stiffness of the current iterations of #26s (due to its thick, short spring) has done the pattern no favors amongst the general populace, I don't think, leading to less popularity for the pattern all 'round. Perhaps?

My wharncliffe Tango now has delightfully smooth action and gives me no trouble, but it was a bear at the beginning. I've worked the ivory knife's blades all kinds of ways (if keeping it out of regular carry) and it will still defingernail me if I don't mind my manners when approaching it anew, especially the wee pen blade. Once I get it going, the blades move aright, but it still seems to 'freeze up' after all this time.

On the other hand, maybe the learning/opening curve for these knives is a good thing, in the long run? One has to earn the right to use the blade(s) on these tiny powerhouses, and the company of those who keen towards them all the sweeter.

Some challenging life circumstances are keeping me from spending much time on the Porch these days. However, I'm long overdue for an update to this thread.
The family:

I'm sorry to hear of challenges coming your way. My best to you and yours!

And: HOLY SMOKES! What a wonderful variety, including that so many of the knives are users.

I love your focused affection on this funny lil' pattern!

In fact, I now can't remember not thinking of you when it comes to #26s, whether seeing pictures or clicking, clacking and comparing my own.

~ P.

 

[Grump01]

My only #26, but I think it's pretty cool.

Boy Howdy.......I keep thinking how this 26 would be a Great Mate to my WLST/Wharnie 25 :thumbup:

 

[Jody744]

Blade Show 2009 special, #3 of 50.

[/IMG]

 

[kenspen]

Thanks! The Tacky Tango® always makes me smile, as well. In fact, I think I'll take it along today.

The contrast between my (only) two #26s never ceases to amuse, the gaudy, over-the-top guitar-shielded number in the same 'room' as the most understatedly elegant knife in all my array.

One just never knows what GEC will do next, let alone again, but the blade stiffness of the current iterations of #26s (due to its thick, short spring) has done the pattern no favors amongst the general populace, I don't think, leading to less popularity for the pattern all 'round. Perhaps?

My wharncliffe Tango now has delightfully smooth action and gives me no trouble, but it was a bear at the beginning. I've worked the ivory knife's blades all kinds of ways (if keeping it out of regular carry) and it will still defingernail me if I don't mind my manners when approaching it anew, especially the wee pen blade. Once I get it going, the blades move aright, but it still seems to 'freeze up' after all this time.

On the other hand, maybe the learning/opening curve for these knives is a good thing, in the long run? One has to earn the right to use the blade(s) on these tiny powerhouses, and the company of those who keen towards them all the sweeter.

I'm sorry to hear of challenges coming your way. My best to you and yours!

And: HOLY SMOKES! What a wonderful variety, including that so many of the knives are users.

I love your focused affection on this funny lil' pattern!

In fact, I now can't remember not thinking of you when it comes to #26s, whether seeing pictures or clicking, clacking and comparing my own.

~ P.

Sarah, thanks so much for your kind thoughts.

The pull on 26 blades is completely unpredictable. I've got a pretty fair sampling now from every run and some are butter smooth, a 5-6. Then there will be a couple from the same run that will destroy your nail. I just keep at them and use them all!

It pleases me you now can't remember not thinking of me when it comes to #26s...

Boy Howdy.......I keep thinking how this 26 would be a Great Mate to my WLST/Whanie 25 :thumbup:

Yep, Grump01, makes a great pairing!!

Blade Show 2009 special, #3 of 50.

[/IMG]

Jody744, thanks so much for sharing the Snakewood pic - Gorgeous!!!

 

[pertinux]

In fact, I now can't remember not thinking of you when it comes to #26s, whether seeing pictures or clicking, clacking and comparing my own.

The pull on 26 blades is completely unpredictable. I've got a pretty fair sampling now from every run and some are butter smooth, a 5-6. Then there will be a couple from the same run that will destroy your nail. I just keep at them and use them all!

Hmmm, points taken. It seems my sample of "two" bears this out!

It pleases me you now can't remember not thinking of me when it comes to #26s...

Oh, absolutely, with no one else even in consideration.

#15s are Charlie, #38s are Lyle, Lambsfoot knives are Jack, and you are the #26s.

One thing that continually brings me back to the #26s myself is their sharing a frame with the odd object of my own affections (the object of my own odd affections?!), the venerable #25s, oh WLSTs®. I remain fascinated by the design decisions involved, and the differences that orienting the main blade on the smaller or larger end of the sleeveboard, respective to each pattern, engender.

Here are some quick, less-than-optimally-lighted images from a hasty comparison I did earlier, a two-bladed #25 wharncliffe Jack with a wharncliffe #26:

Again: the difference made simply due to the main blade's orientation (and the proportions informed thereby) fascinates me.

Into the well:

The Hefty spring of the #26, such fortitude:

Main blades:

... The #26 makes for a much meatier main.

Secondary blades:

(The secondary blades on the #26s almost never cease to amuse me....)


I've been inspired to carry my Tacky Tango® this week, leading to a new appreciation for the pattern...

...while running me up against what I deem a somewhat limiting idiosyncrasy-- more noticeable yet when paired with the #25 sheepsfoot I carry every day:

That's a lot of straight blade(!).

I love (but love) the tiny coping blade on the #26, but would rather a pen blade to complement the wharncliffe main, with coping blade secondaries matched with spear and clip blades on those iterations....

I supplemented:

Finally, there is of course this, which I had out for Spa at the end of the week:

Or rather, somewhat fuzzy and incomplete Spa, it would seem. But, the above picture does capture some of the striation I find so compelling, in this exquisite little knife-- look to the bottom left of the ivory cover, near the main bolster.

... There's "white," and then there's ivory:

~ P.

 

[Travman]

Bringing this thread back from the dead. Let’s see them if you have them.

 

[Nature Boy]

Good idea Travman