GEC #46 Whaler

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So they switched the shield on the muscle bone, too. I don't have one of these on order, but I'd be kind of ticked if I did. They still list the bar and bomb shields in the description on the same page as these pics. I get that they are a small company and they do what they do. I'm personally very happy with the banner shield. But this will make me think twice about preordering for a particular shield I'm interested in.
 
Kiro said:
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So they switched the shield on the muscle bone, too. I don't have one of these on order, but I'd be kind of ticked if I did. They still list the bar and bomb shields in the description on the same page as these pics. I get that they are a small company and they do what they do. I'm personally very happy with the banner shield. But this will make me think twice about preordering for a particular shield I'm interested in.
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I do like the Federal shield and I think it is under-used at GEC. However, I'd be irritated too if I had been anticipating a bomb shield... The change in shield on the Ironwoods was a very pleasant surprise but I am not so sure about this one.

Hopefully they do not make a habit of switching it up in the future. Shields can certainly make or break a knife choice for me these days.
 
Each to their own, but I kinda like that federal shield better than the bomb shield as advertised. Some shields do look better than others, but not a deal breaker for me, unless it's something outa wack.


Russell
 
I didn't sign up for a Muscle Bone, but isn't the federal shield pretty much the same thing as a bomb shield scaled up for a wide knife like the Whaler? I realize they aren't quite the same thing, but I have always thought they were very close to each other.
 
abbydaddy said:
I didn't sign up for a Muscle Bone, but isn't the federal shield pretty much the same thing as a bomb shield scaled up for a wide knife like the Whaler? I realize they aren't quite the same thing, but I have always thought they were very close to each other.
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I get what you are saying. I guess I have never viewed them as being similar. The Federal is short, squat, and tidy, where the bomb is elongated and a bit more ornate.

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These knives are an amusing oddity to me. I am almost tempted to get one just to see what it is like. I am happy to see GEC mixing it up a bit with the shield choice. So many interesting shields that could be used.
 
Pàdruig said:
I get what you are saying. I guess I have never viewed them as being similar. The Federal is short, squat, and tidy, where the bomb is elongated and a bit more ornate.

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The long bomb shield is certainly quite different, but I guess when I think of the bomb shield I think of the short bomb like on the 2015 forum knife:

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If one was expecting a long bomb, then I can certainly understand being upset. But if I was expecting a short bomb, then I would have expected it to look a lot like a federal shield if scaled up.
 
Been busy with a relocation but the ironwood photo popped up on my feed and had me jonesing hard for one of these whalers. Now the muscle bone has me going too, despite the shield change. Went 0 for 4 with the 77's so was thinking my chances of scoring the ever rare whaler were pretty zilch, but lo and behold I check my early reserve account and I somehow forgot that I reserved both of these! What a tremendous surprise, I can't wait to get the ironwood in hand, I feel it will be my favorite.
 
abbydaddy said:
The long bomb shield is certainly quite different, but I guess when I think of the bomb shield I think of the short bomb like on the 2015 forum knife:

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If one was expecting a long bomb, then I can certainly understand being upset. But if I was expecting a short bomb, then I would have expected it to look a lot like a federal shield if scaled up.
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Interesting, I always assumed the shield on the 2015 knife was a Federal shield. In that case, I definitely see the similarities. GEC has a list with their shields and corresponding labels on their website. Or at least they used to, looks like the link is broken at the moment.
 
Pàdruig said:
I get what you are saying. I guess I have never viewed them as being similar. The Federal is short, squat, and tidy, where the bomb is elongated and a bit more ornate.

dKEKs9v.jpg
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The bomb shield looks great on the #56 (which is why I bought one) even thought the color wasn't my favorite.

The bomb shield on the #46 looks more like a federal shield, but I could be mistaken?

The muscle bone looks great!

:eek::eek::eek::mad::mad::mad::D:D:D
 
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That 2015 knife looks a lot like what they call the "crest" shield, which is very similar to the federal. I do appreciate that they are using a variety of shields. Keeps things more interesting. However, if they advertise one thing and switch it up, it seems like it would erode confidence over time. There's probably a reason for the change. These are larger than normal shields on the 46's.

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Kiro said:
That 2015 knife looks a lot like what they call the "crest" shield, which is very similar to the federal. I do appreciate that they are using a variety of shields. Keeps things more interesting. However, if they advertise one thing and switch it up, it seems like it would erode confidence over time. There's probably a reason for the change. These are larger than normal shields on the 46's.

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When it comes to shields I am very much not in any way an expert. In all honesty most of my "knowledge" just comes from the forum knife threads. And my ideas about the "short bomb" shield come from this poll: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/last-poll-for-the-2015-knife-the-shield.1306638/

Not from an actual list like the one you posted. If that list is the accepted GEC standard, then I would definitely think that the Federal Shield is a big change from the promised shield. Though I have to say I still think the Federal Shield looks better on a Whaler than a Long Bomb.
 
I know the Ironwoods are shipping to dealers this week.....anyone heard back on their early reserves yet? Sure the Muscle Bone is soon to follow.
 
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