GEC #35 Churchill Thread

[MCar]

I think if GEC were to offer this pattern in a greater variety of covers in the future, I could see this knife becoming quite popular. So many folks have been on the fence and I think it really has to do with the fact that the cover and shield options were uninteresting, for the most part, this time around. If they were to do another run of these in some good jigged and/or smooth bone with some great shields, I think the demand would be a lot greater.

Extremely happy with this knife and it certainly has become an instant favorite. GEC did an outstanding job, in my opinion. I really look forward to seeing what they do in the future with this frame.

Agreed. Knowing GEC, they will use this frame a lot, but it will be quite some time before we see the Churchill again, ESPECIALLY considering the lukewarm reception these have enjoyed (at least that's my take by looking at sellers' inventories). I wholeheartedly agree about the covers and shields. On an equal end, hotdogs, clouds and bars should be centered (IMO). A centered bar like we saw on CC's #35 harness jack would have (IMO) created more sales. Also, a sawcut option and a nice peach seed jigging...these would have really been something. I also think that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the fresh shields used on the recent run of 66s. A Federal shield off-centered (of course) and/or the hounds tooth would have been really great. Anyway, I really like this pattern and I think it will be a much-sought after one in a year or so, after they've been sold out for a while.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

Agreed. Knowing GEC, they will use this frame a lot, but it will be quite some time before we see the Churchill again, ESPECIALLY considering the lukewarm reception these have enjoyed (at least that's my take by looking at sellers' inventories). I wholeheartedly agree about the covers and shields. On an equal end, hotdogs, clouds and bars should be centered (IMO). A centered bar like we saw on CC's #35 harness jack would have (IMO) created more sales. Also, a sawcut option and a nice peach seed jigging...these would have really been something. I also think that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the fresh shields used on the recent run of 66s. A Federal shield off-centered (of course) and/or the hounds tooth would have been really great. Anyway, I really like this pattern and I think it will be a much-sought after one in a year or so, after they've been sold out for a while.

I think if they had made this run open to more SFO’s, we’d have seen some better handle and shield options.

For what it’s worth, GEC replied to someone’s Instagram complaint regarding the dislike for the hotdog shield, saying they noted their complaint. I also made a point to ask what shields they were using on this run. I think they’ll pay attention.

 

[Will Power]

Maybe, but general releases of patterns have their merits. SFOs tend to get spoken for immediately and this can make availability tricky for some of us. It also impacts on the prices...I think it vital that GEC makes general releases as part of its own footprint. Remember, that this pattern was based on an SFO- the Forum Knife and CC's release of an Ebony variant so another SFO might send out a certain message...As for shields, well it's all taste of course but an EE cannot carry off a huge number of types - I have my opinion about the Banana-or is that Crescent or Boomerang?

I think if they had made this run open to more SFO’s, we’d have seen some better handle and shield options.

For what it’s worth, GEC replied to someone’s Instagram complaint regarding the dislike for the hotdog shield, saying they noted their complaint. I also made a point to ask what shields they were using on this run. I think they’ll pay attention.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

Maybe, but general releases of patterns have their merits. SFOs tend to get spoken for immediately and this can make availability tricky for some of us. It also impacts on the prices...I think it vital that GEC makes general releases as part of its own footprint. Remember, that this pattern was based on an SFO- the Forum Knife and CC's release of an Ebony variant so another SFO might send out a certain message...As for shields, well it's all taste of course but an EE cannot carry off a huge number of types - I have my opinion about the Banana-or is that Crescent or Boomerang?

I understand your point. GEC doesn’t typically shy away from SFO’s though. Look at the upcoming 78 release. 2/3 of the options are SFO’s, vs just one SFO for the Churchill, which somewhat unsurprisingly was done in jigged bone with a centered shield, which is more in line with what customers want.

 

[Rockon75]

Can someone post a picture of the Churchill next to a clip point 68 white owl? They have to be extremely close.

 

[H2O2HI]

I understand your point. GEC doesn’t typically shy away from SFO’s though. Look at the upcoming 78 release. 2/3 of the options are SFO’s, vs just one SFO for the Churchill, which somewhat unsurprisingly was done in jigged bone with a centered shield, which is more in line with what customers want.

I just looked and the Rust Red SFO is still available . It shows 12+ available.

 

[Ironbut]

I really like the maroon micarta on my Beer Scout & since my birthday is Friday, I just gifted myself one of these Churchills in maroon micarta. It might even be here in time for the national celebration.

I think my fashion consultant (aka: wife) will be pleased to see that I'm finally getting the hang of color coordinating.

 

[redsparrow]

I really like the maroon micarta on my Beer Scout & since my birthday is Friday, I just gifted myself one of these Churchills in maroon micarta. It might even be here in time for the national celebration.

I think my fashion consultant (aka: wife) will be pleased to see that I'm finally getting the hang of color coordinating.

Can't think of a better gift. Have a happy birthday Ironbut!

 

[AShearer]

Got my yeller rose yesterday.

I'm not used to the sheeps foot secondary size and let the tip of the blade close with my strong hand index finger in the way. I don't remember the last time I let a traditional knife bite me but it's been a long time. Pretty dumb and totally my fault.

I absolutely love
his pattern, size, and choice of blades. It's gonna get real pocket time.

Ouch!j That's never a good thing. I'm looking forward to this pattern too. I have a 16 BF knife, but really don't want to carry it and the awl is not that useful for me.

 

[Pàdruig]

I don't necessarily have an aversion to the hotdog shield and I certainly don't find it displeasing on my Churchill, other than the fact that it is off-center. That being said though, it is a rather unexciting shield and I suspect I will like it less and less the more I see it in use. I just noticed it is being used on the new #81 with their Osage Orange covers. I was already on the fence in regards to the Bull Moose but I was certainly considering one in the Osage, simply because that cover material intrigues me, but the hotdog shield kind of put a little bit of a damper on my potential enthusiasm. I have a #78 in Cocobolo on reserve and that will have a hotdog shield on it as well, but for some reason, I am not as put off by it.

Maybe it has something to do with the placing of an equal ended shield on an equal end knife.... I really think the hotdog shield would have shined had it been centered on the Churchill, like the bar shield was centered on the Forum #35 last year.

But in the end though, it is merely aesthetics and I still absolutely love my Churchill and am contemplating scooping up a second one. If the Rust Red wasn't another forum's SFO, I would probably pick one of those up in a heartbeat, they turned out really well, it would appear.

 

[Camillus]

The jigging pattern on the rust red jig bone is fantastic, as is the color. Shame about the loud blade etch, thats a bit too much for me.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

Pàdruig

I really don’t dislike any of the shields, but I’m with you on the placement. An equal end knife with a blade opening from either end + a straight bar shield really calls for the shield to be centered. The banana/yellow rose and even the acrylic look better simply because the shape of the shield doesn’t reflect the shape of the knife, but off-center.

Camillus

Yup, I couldn’t do it. I never go on that website, so it seemed weird to have the knife. Maybe if the shield wasn’t stamped.

 

[Pàdruig]

The jigging pattern on the rust red jig bone is fantastic, as is the color. Shame about the loud blade etch, thats a bit too much for me.

Pàdruig

I really don’t dislike any of the shields, but I’m with you on the placement. An equal end knife with a blade opening from either end + a straight bar shield really calls for the shield to be centered. The banana/yellow rose and even the acrylic look better simply because the shape of the shield doesn’t reflect the shape of the knife, but off-center.

Camillus

Yup, I couldn’t do it. I never go on that website, so it seemed weird to have the knife. Maybe if the shield wasn’t stamped.

I agree with everything said here. The stamped shield is one thing and certainly could be overlooked due to the great placement and the excellent jigging, but that etch is obnoxious... Regardless, it isn't a forum I frequent and therefore that is a perfectly good reason to keep my wallet closed for the time being .

 

[Camillus]

We had a similar discussion re the Texas camp knife shield placement. Those also had some variation in placement, with the centred shields looking far better.

 

[3-1-1]

Stags starting to show up more widely. So far not all that impressed with the selection.
But they resolve the un-centered vs. centered shield debate by having none!

 

[3-1-1]

Re: the rust red:
The blade etch will naturally fade and take care of itself, so I find myself wondering how deep the "AAPK" is stamped/etched into that shield, and whether or not I could convince it to disappear.

 

[MCar]

Maybe, but general releases of patterns have their merits. SFOs tend to get spoken for immediately and this can make availability tricky for some of us. It also impacts on the prices...I think it vital that GEC makes general releases as part of its own footprint. Remember, that this pattern was based on an SFO- the Forum Knife and CC's release of an Ebony variant so another SFO might send out a certain message...As for shields, well it's all taste of course but an EE cannot carry off a huge number of types - I have my opinion about the Banana-or is that Crescent or Boomerang?

I could be wrong, but I don't think the #35 was a result of the 2016 forum knife. I think it was the opposite. Maybe not important, though.

 

[Will Power]

Well, I can't photo the back of the 2016 Blade Forums Tube for the 35 but to paraphrase it:

"This 2016 edition ushers in not only a much awaited new pattern from GEC , but with your collective help, a 9th SFO Harness Jack"

GEC only produced the 35 as a Forum Knife in Wormgroove and a limited No. of Charlie Campagna's Ebony SFO, his 9th Harness Jack. no other variants or handle choices until over a year later with the release of the Churchill. So to me, the 35 started life as a Forum Knife, just like the 13 did only the latter took longer for subsequent releases/interpretations (4 years) As did the 85.

Thanks, Will

 

[3-1-1]

Nice pic. Forgot how stabby those punches were.

 

[Will Power]

Thanks, yes you've really got to watch it with them, needles!