GEC 79 Workhorse. I'm late to the party on this one.

S

SubSpace

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May 26, 2011
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My wife has an amazing knack for picking out knives for me as gifts that I never actually desired, but once received I appreciate greatly. This is one of those. The fat spear just didn't seem that useful to me. I prefer jacks to pens. And I prefer the blades being at the narrower end of a sleeveboard. So this knife is basically everything I DON'T look for in a pocketknife.

But I love it.

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Anyone else carry this one? I don't see much of them on here.
 
That is a beauty (Gabon ebony?), and that tall spear will take a killer edge.

Had one, sold it, some day will likely get another.

Andrew
 
Never got one - just wanted one though ;)

I remember when the #79 Montana Workhorse Whittler was in their lineup; I suppose it was in 2012 or 2011 we had some discussion on that pattern. I had to make the decision on that time if I want a #79 or a #12 and my decision was the #12 and I never regretted it. :o

But it is a nice pattern in many ways - maybe oneday when I can find one again ...
 
I have a kingwood whittler in my pocket right now. Love the pattern, both two and three bladed. Feels good in the hand, and rides small in the pocket.

I think that one is the African Blackwood, if I'm not mistaken.
 
17pes said:
I have a kingwood whittler in my pocket right now. Love the pattern, both two and three bladed. Feels good in the hand, and rides small in the pocket.

I think that one is the African Blackwood, if I'm not mistaken.
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Right you are---African Blackwood. If I ever indulge in another, that would be high on the list.

Andrew
 
Could your wife pick me a knife too please?:D

Grand pattern in my view, and I think you'll find the Blackwood and patina look well together. It really looks and feels like a knife from a lost age.:thumbup:

Andrew You should get one again, the Tidioute version in Ivory Bone is what I'm after.

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I think the 79 is an excellent pattern. I have one that I mostly carry at the office, but it is a good size for an all-around user.
 
I won this 79 in a GAW a month back. I love it. Very slim and easy on the eyes. Ergos of the knife is probably my favorite part. This is a pic of it with my BS. These are the only two GEC's I own.
 
Looking good there LaughingBones. Glad to see you've put it to use.
LaughingBones said:
I won this 79 in a GAW a month back. I love it. Very slim and easy on the eyes. Ergos of the knife is probably my favorite part. This is a pic of it with my BS. These are the only two GEC's I own.
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That's a real beauty SubSpace.:thumbup:

SubSpace said:
I prefer jacks to pens. And I prefer the blades being at the narrower end of a sleeveboard.
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Those were my sentiments exactly, for years. Then I was compelled to get this beauty, and though I really like it, I don't carry it much, yet maybe. It did however lead me to the Freemont Jack, and the Willamette Whittler, which I do carry often. So it seems for some knives my previous sentiment no longer holds true.
Here's my only #79.


 
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Great choice, with three big practical blades and an interesting history, I hope they make another round of them soon.
 
What a beauty!! I love African Blackwood. It's my favorite wood by far. That 79 is a stout knife. I had one and traded it. I miss it though and may look for another one of these days.
 
The 79 in African Blackwood is my daily companion; the smooth ivory bone is also gorgeous and has a good tack.
 
Here is mine from a few months back on Morel and Verpa patrol! I love it, it pushes all the right buttons for me- single spring, blade with belly and straight edge, perfect size at 3.75", the main spear is thin and can get wicked sharp, sleeveboard shape is comfortable and I love the smooth ivory bone. Stout and slim! It is in constant "work" rotation sharing the duties with a Cody Scout and Dixie Stockman.




 
I love the #79 pattern. The one that I have currently is a Smooth Ivory Bone example.
This one happens to be serialized, but that does not matter to me. I still have it in my
EDC rotation, although I will admit, usually, but not always in a pocket slip. To me this
is a pattern that just feels like it could have been in someones pocket a century ago! :)

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Here is my #79, i think called the "Workhorse Whittler" ? It has 3 full size blades and 3 springs (so not a true Whittler) and has Natural Stag handles.



Here is the backside, blades closed , to show that blades seat well.



This is a knife that deserves to work outside, like on a ranch or farm, for 40 years or more. It's a very solid knife with lots of blade edge to use.
kj
 
Great photos! Mine is the African Blackwood and I gotta say, part of me wanted to keep it shiny and pretty, but after seeing how great it looks with patina I'm not going to be shy using it.
 
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