GEC #66 Calf Roper

cbwoods67

cbwoods67

Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Messages
8,189
Hello all.

I have been ogling the ebony calf roper for a while now and think that it will be my first slipjoint.
This knife will hopefully put my much loved Spyderco into retirement and become a semi permanent resident of my pocket.

While I wait for a refund from Uncle Sam, I would like to see some pictures and hear some opinions on this knife.
Any experience and opinions would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.
Cooper
 
Man you sure did make good choice! In my opinion, the Calf Ropers are one GEC's best patterns. I have owned two of them. One in Dead Skunk Acrylic and one in Black Micarta. Sold them both and I really miss the Black Micarta.

The double hip spey blade is a nice change of pace from the more common spey blades.

I think you made an excellent choice. One of the best Stockmans on the market today in my opinion.
 
Railsplitter said:
...One of the best Stockmans on the market today...
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I'll second this. I have one with ebony wood scales (serialized lucky #13) that is simply excellent. Possibly my favorite GEC in a close race with the most recent trad forum knife and a single blade scout. Great pattern, very well put together, and a real pleasure to use. You'll either love it, or get your money back in an instant with a resale on this board.
 
I hear they're planning another issue of these, I'm pleased as I missed out on the Northfields. I think they look particulalry sleek with slant bolsters.

What does 'double hip spey' mean? Would like to know.
 
willgoy said:
I hear they're planning another issue of these, I'm pleased as I missed out on the Northfields. I think they look particulalry sleek with slant bolsters.

What does 'double hip spey' mean? Would like to know.
Click to expand...

I saw that too, Will. Looks like the Northfields will be offered in both straight and slanted bolsters this time around.

Double Hip is a term that I got from one of the dealers. I asked about it too and, if I remember correctly, I was told that it refers to the hump in the spine of the blade. Not sure where the term originated from. I do like the design of it though. Usually, the spey blade is my least used blade on a Stockman pattern with the sheepsfoot being my most used. On these Calf Ropers, I used the spey blade just as much as the sheepsfoot blade. Funny how a slight change in design can make such a big difference.
 
Thanks Rick, I was wondering.

I too don't use the Spey much, much prefer a Pen. It's one reason I drift towards Whittlers for 3 blades lately.
 
Thanks guys.
If I enjoy using as much I enjoy looking at pictures of it, I think that I will be extremely happy with it.
In a couple weeks, hopefully there will be one in my hand.
 
You guys have good ears. I couldn't find mention of the new Ropers on the GEC production schedule. I actually prefer the plain bolsters on this knife but like the Northfield swedges so I'm glad to hear that they'll be offering the Northfields with both types of bolsters. I look forward to seeing what else they'll do for the second run. I already have two Ropers with 1095 blades so I'd like them to offer a GEC branded knife with 440C blades.

Cooper, I posted some photos in an old thread. No need to bump it up but I thought I'd link to it rather than repost the images and comments: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...EC-66-Stockman-YIPPEE!!?p=9562456#post9562456

I have one cocobolo Northfield and one Micarta Tidioute. The Micarta Tidioute is my favorite of the two.
 
supratentorial said:
You guys have good ears. I couldn't find mention of the new Ropers on the GEC production schedule. I actually prefer the plain bolsters on this knife but like the Northfield swedges so I'm glad to hear that they'll be offering the Northfields with both types of bolsters. I look forward to seeing what else they'll do for the second run. I already have two Ropers with 1095 blades so I'd like them to offer a GEC branded knife with 440C blades.

Cooper, I posted some photos in an old thread. No need to bump it up but I thought I'd link to it rather than repost the images and comments: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...EC-66-Stockman-YIPPEE!!?p=9562456#post9562456
Click to expand...

Yeah, I searched the site looking for information on this knife and saw that thread yesterday. Very informative and beautiful pictures.
Thanks Jake
It seems that the over-all opinion on this model is positive.

Cooper
 
It's definitely one of GEC's home runs. I don't buy many knives in duplicate... or triplicate. I actually wanted the ebony also but couldn't justify it to myself since I already have a Tidioute with black handles and a Northfield with wood handles. I look forward to hearing your impression of the knife when you get it... maybe there's room for a third.
 
supratentorial said:
I actually prefer the plain bolsters on this knife but like the Northfield swedges so I'm glad to hear that they'll be offering the Northfields with both types of bolsters.
Click to expand...

Jake, as I understand it, some of the Northfields will have straight bolsters but they will not be plain like the Tidioutes. They will be threaded and dimpled in the same fashion as the slanted bolsters on other Northfields.

I prefer the plain, straight bolsters of the Tidioutes but I might have a different perspective when I see the straight bolstered Northfields.
 
I have a blue acrylic tidioute sitting in a tube. I'm beginning to think that it's too pretty to use. Maybe I should've bought two.
 
How is the pull on all three blades? I've had some GEC that are nail breakers and some that are not. That's the one area of concern for me.
 
I have a slant-bolstered Blood-red jig Roper, and I keep it on my desk because it is so beautiful. If I didn't already have too many EDCs, I'd tote it around. I suspect it'll get in my pocket some day . . . .:cool:
 
Jayphog said:
How is the pull on all three blades? I've had some GEC that are nail breakers and some that are not. That's the one area of concern for me.
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The pull on both Calf Ropers I had was very mild on all the blades. About a 4 out of 10. Very easy on the nails.
 
Hey Rick,
Where did you see that they are making changes to the #66? A quick search yielded no results.
If they are coming out with new scale options, I may have to hold off on my purchase.
I also noticed that we are in the same area. I am currently taking classes at WIU.

Cooper
 
cbwoods67 said:
Hey Rick,
Where did you see that they are making changes to the #66? A quick search yielded no results.
If they are coming out with new scale options, I may have to hold off on my purchase.
I also noticed that we are in the same area. I am currently taking classes at WIU.

Cooper
Click to expand...

I'll send you a PM here shortly.
 
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