GEC #35 Churchill Thread

knifeswapper said:
But the Gabon are nice. Smooth action and pitch black. Although I am a fan of the 6-7 backspring and these are, following recent trend, more in the 5 range.
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knifeswapper said:
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Thanks for the info and the pictures, Mike! I am thrilled that the Ebony turned out nice and black, I can't wait to get it in hand. The medium pull doesn't really bother me as long as it has some good snap to it. Though I have come to appreciate stouter pulls, I would have to say that the knives that I have that possess the nicest, most pleasing Walk and Talk are the couple of 15s I own, and I would rate those to have a more medium pull with half stops.

In regards to the idea that these were "overproduced", I am not sure why that really matters. I don't think knife availability equates to over production...

Not everyone will like them, just like with any pattern. And if there is stock available on the shelves for us enthusiasts to be able to peruse in the future, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. A dealer might feel differently but I personally don't think that every knife pattern/design has to fly off the shelf the moment it is in stock. I think since there were really no SFO's attached to this pattern this go around, it may not appeal to the greater collector community, but for those of us who are excited about a no-nonsense, versatile, equal-end working knife, I think the Churchill 35 is going to be a hit.

Smooth ebony covers, the simple, yet clean Tidioute trim, and the perfect size (not too big, not too small), coupled with a pretty versatile blade configuration, is going to be a knockout as far as I am concerned. I have a feeling it will be going right into my pocket when it gets here.
 
knifeswapper said:
Actually I think I just misread his original comment on these. I read that "all" the dealers were notifying him directly and "itching" to move them and I actually wanted a list of all those dealers itching to move them so I could contact them and see if they had extra stock - since the factory did not. But I think he was actually innocently making a point that he felt they were over-produced and would be around a while - even though he had actually only received one or two communications that they were available.

But the Gabon are nice. Smooth action and pitch black. Although I am a fan of the 6-7 backspring and these are, following recent trend, more in the 5 range.
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I have the HJ10 Gabon Ebony 35 from last year. It is magnificent! If I didn’t have one already, I would buy another in a heartbeat.
I guess for the pull, I am in the wimp contingent. A 5 is just great for me. I am not ashamed to admit my EDC is more of a worry stone than anything else. The ability to open it without an effort is comforting. My 35s snap back just fine, with a resounding click.
 
knifeswapper said:
Actually I think I just misread his original comment on these. I read that "all" the dealers were notifying him directly and "itching" to move them and I actually wanted a list of all those dealers itching to move them so I could contact them and see if they had extra stock - since the factory did not. But I think he was actually innocently making a point that he felt they were over-produced and would be around a while - even though he had actually only received one or two communications that they were available.

But the Gabon are nice. Smooth action and pitch black. Although I am a fan of the 6-7 backspring and these are, following recent trend, more in the 5 range.
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No they did not email me directly. It is the subscriber email. But, I will say that they do not always put out an email for every release. Yesterday just seemed like a firestorm all at once. I was thinking that they want to get going on this one (The "itching part") since the production number were pretty good and no SFOs, meaning everyone is getting the same variants. I have no doubt it will be awesome and am excited for the Yellow Rose and Stag and will be getting them. But I am not in an absolute rush to get them because in my opinion, I think they will be around. A good comparison is the 66 Calf Roper that recently came out. They are readily available in all variants, including the SFOs. That is how I feel about this 25 Churchill. Again, this is my analysis and opinion. That is why I did not early reserve these. Oh yeah, more emails today too.
 
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Pàdruig said:
Thanks for the info and the pictures, Mike! I am thrilled that the Ebony turned out nice and black, I can't wait to get it in hand. The medium pull doesn't really bother me as long as it has some good snap to it. Though I have come to appreciate stouter pulls, I would have to say that the knives that I have that possess the nicest, most pleasing Walk and Talk are the couple of 15s I own, and I would rate those to have a more medium pull with half stops.

In regards to the idea that these were "overproduced", I am not sure why that really matters. I don't think knife availability equates to over production...

Not everyone will like them, just like with any pattern. And if there is stock available on the shelves for us enthusiasts to be able to peruse in the future, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. A dealer might feel differently but I personally don't think that every knife pattern/design has to fly off the shelf the moment it is in stock. I think since there were really no SFO's attached to this pattern this go around, it may not appeal to the greater collector community, but for those of us who are excited about a no-nonsense, versatile, equal-end working knife, I think the Churchill 35 is going to be a hit.

Smooth ebony covers, the simple, yet clean Tidioute trim, and the perfect size (not too big, not too small), coupled with a pretty versatile blade configuration, is going to be a knockout as far as I am concerned. I have a feeling it will be going right into my pocket when it gets here.
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I agree with you and my thoughts are similar.
It only matter in the fact that one does not have to rush to buy it. Maybe someone will want to save up to buy instead of charging it or want to sit and think it over if they may want another pattern down the road. Overproduction is in the eye of the beholder and I get your point. But someone may say they are overproduced if the sit for a duration of time. Someone could say that about the 66 Calf Roper. That is all. If you compare it to a Barlow then someone would say it is overproduced. And again, I do not mean it in a negative way. It is actually a good thing that the numbers are larger than the demand. It is wonderful for the consumer. They can maybe plan ahead for the purchase of what could be a phenomenal knife pattern with attractive options.
 
It seems to me that the sheepfoot sits a little deeper than the original mock up suggested. Which is a good thing in my opinion.

It may not be by much, and it could just be the angle of the photos I'm seeing, but I think I can see a discernable difference.
 
If I hadn't sworn off carbon steel I wouldn't have been able to resist. Especially in Ebony. This would have been a worthy replacement for the BF 2015 knife I sold. Curse my need for apples! :D
 
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Sabercat said:
It seems to me that the sheepfoot sits a little deeper than the original mock up suggested. Which is a good thing in my opinion.

It may not be by much, and it could just be the angle of the photos I'm seeing, but I think I can see a discernable difference.
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I definitely agree, I have and love a 35 HJ10 from last year, but, the drawings had me a little worried about the proportions of this knife. I didn't necessarily notice the blade height, but, the proportions of the primary and secondary blades looked off, they almost seemed equal length and short. I am pleased with what I am seeing of these blades in reality though. I guess that these are "artist" renditions as opposed to ( insert the right word for me ) mechanical drawings.
 
I don't really like the Buck 110 style symmetrical clip point on the latest #35. If this knife came with the clip point seen on the recent #77 run or the Texas Camp Knife I would be persuaded to buy one. I guess they choose this more symmetrical clip point due to the equal end configuration.

Over the last year the blade geometry on GEC's knives has really taken off, with some outstanding examples, but I don't think this clip design is in the same category.

Will be interesting to see the Northfield blade
 
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Anyone know for sure if the Northfields won't have pinched bolsters. I don't see it in the CAD drawing but its just a drawing. I'm hoping they don't.

Also, what is the new green acrylic??
 
Sabercat said:
It seems to me that the sheepfoot sits a little deeper than the original mock up suggested. Which is a good thing in my opinion.

It may not be by much, and it could just be the angle of the photos I'm seeing, but I think I can see a discernable difference.
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:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
supratentorial said:
Anyone know for sure if the Northfields won't have pinched bolsters. I don't see it in the CAD drawing but its just a drawing. I'm hoping they don't.

Also, what is the new green acrylic??
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Per the description provided on CollectorKnives:

Northfield - 1 line no dimple bolster and end cap
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I am not a fan of pinched bolsters either. In fact, that is what turns me off the most on the Northfield 66 I have.
 
supratentorial said:
Anyone know for sure if the Northfields won't have pinched bolsters. I don't see it in the CAD drawing but its just a drawing. I'm hoping they don't.

Also, what is the new green acrylic??
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GEC described it this way: "Northfield - 1 line no dimple bolster and end cap"

The acrylic is a "wait and see".
 
supratentorial said:
Camillus, I'm not really understanding. Is the Northfield version with the cut swedge what you're after?

35-NORTHFIELD-CHURCHILL.jpg
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Possibly - it seems to have more belly than what the photos of the Tidioute blade show.

Given the blade spine is parallel to the backsprings of the knife, its the relative angle of the straight part of the blade edge that I am referring to.

Personally, I prefer a clip point where the edge and the spine are at more of an angle relative to each other, not so close to parallel.
 
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I really like this pattern, but the covers and trim haven’t made me make a decision. I really like my BF #35 and had high hopes for this knife. So far, I’m just not felling 17’s #35.
 
Thank you, guys. :thumbsup:

Camillus, That might work better with 77 since there's more room in the.... trunk. I'm not sure how well it would work on an equal end.
 
HST said:
I really like this pattern, but the covers and trim haven’t made me make a decision. I really like my BF #35 and had high hopes for this knife. So far, I’m just not felling 17’s #35.
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I stood on the fence for awhile, and maybe that was because there appears to be a lackluster selection of cover materials. But I have simpler tastes and have been finding that my preferences are leaning more and more towards woods so I went in on an Ebony. I am quite pleased to hear that it it is a nice black ebony versus some of the recent variations that have come to light. I am really curious to see this pattern in Stag, I might regret getting just the one...

I wonder if we haven't had our expectations somewhat altered, especially with the number of SFOs that seem to be accompanying recent GEC runs. Lots of shield and cover variety and options as a result and then along comes the Churchill, with a rather limited selection and perhaps we feel let down in a sense.

But then again, I haven't been around the scene all that long so my perception may be inaccurate.

Perhaps some cool pictures of these knives once they've arrived at their new homes will inspire you some?
 
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