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

Modoc ED · Sep 20, 2015

Here's a link to the GEC Montana Workhorse Whittler when they first came out. Pretty interesting. I think some of you guys might like it.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...w-GEC-79-quot-Montana-Workhorse-Whittler-quot

In the past, I had three or four of these knives but this is my only remaining one.

All-in-all, they are very stout, working, knives.

joker354 · Oct 29, 2015

One of, if not my favorite pattern. I love the size and the fat, slicey spear. Here's my little collection...

Rockon75 · Oct 30, 2015

You've got a Gr8 collection there joker. A few very special ones. Is that mammoth or elephant? Nice appaloosa.

joker354 · Oct 30, 2015

Rockon75 said:
You've got a Gr8 collection there joker. A few very special ones. Is that mammoth or elephant? Nice appaloosa.

Thanks Rockon75,
That one is light interior mammoth ivory, but it is very consistent with that nice creamy color of elephant, really nice. The other one is actually calico, just a very colorful version. Although, I admit I don't know the difference between calico and appaloosa.

biglmbass · Oct 30, 2015

joker354 said:
Thanks Rockon75,
The other one is actually calico, just a very colorful version. Although, I admit I don't know the difference between calico and appaloosa.

Very little difference between them. Case used the term appaloosa in the 70s to describe their mottled bone treatment which is similar in coloration to an appaloosa horse. GEC has made appaloosa bone in the past which is typically mottled shades of black on white bone. Their Calico appears much the same but with other colors mixed in.

Both are examples of Appaloosa bone. GEC on top, Case on bottom.

bleh · Oct 30, 2015

That calico bone one is stunning.

joker354 · Oct 30, 2015

biglmbass said:
Very little difference between them. Case used the term appaloosa in the 70s to describe their mottled bone treatment which is similar in coloration to an appaloosa horse. GEC has made appaloosa bone in the past which is typically mottled shades of black on white bone. Their Calico appears much the same but with other colors mixed in.

Both are examples of Appaloosa bone. GEC on top, Case on bottom.

Thanks for that explanation. Those are both fine examples. I particularly like the equal end.

bleh said:
That calico bone one is stunning.

Thanks Sean. I need to take better pics to show the color, there's lots of it...

bleh · Oct 30, 2015

joker354 said:
Thanks Sean. I need to take better pics to show the color, there's lots of it...

You can send it to me and I'll provide those services free of charge. I might even send the knife back when I'm done

Baldy McBalders · Oct 30, 2015

I have really enjoyed my 79 in Che Chen. Exceptional slicer for sure.
Thanks,
Brian

joker354 · Oct 30, 2015

bleh said:
You can send it to me and I'll provide those services free of charge. I might even send the knife back when I'm done

Haha, I bet. Funny you say that. I often sell knives, then see pics of them from the new owner and want them, because they look better in their pics...

Baldy McBalders said:
I have really enjoyed my 79 in Che Chen. Exceptional slicer for sure.
Thanks,
Brian

Nice one Baldy. I've been tempted to get one of the wood covered varieties, but lately I just like the feel of bone or stag covers better.

BigBiscuit · Oct 30, 2015

Rockon75 · Oct 30, 2015

This thread had me putting Rockgolfer's Micarta version W.Whittler in my pocket today and this evening for football practice. Great Knife.

Half/Stop · Oct 30, 2015

lambertiana · Oct 31, 2015

Great pattern! I really like the AB version

jlhoffman74 · Oct 31, 2015

Wow, great pics everyone I have been wanting the two blade version for a while now.
I own the three blade jobillo covered workhorse and I absolutely love it!
BALDY MCBALDERS THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL 79!!! HOW MANY OF THOSE WERE MADE?
I might have to pick up a blackwood before they are gone, does the two blade 79 have half stops?

BigBiscuit · Oct 31, 2015

No half stops Jeff.

Baldy McBalders · Nov 5, 2015

jlhoffman74 said:
BALDY MCBALDERS THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL 79!!! HOW MANY OF THOSE WERE MADE?

Thank you Jeff! According to GEC's production numbers, there were 8 of these made with Che Chen covers. I think it may be the rarest GEC I have.
Brian

jlhoffman74 · Feb 27, 2016

Well I am really late to this party but, I missed out on the blackwood versions so I pulled the trigger on the bocote covered ones. I love the 79 pattern, it fits well in my biggish hands. I have the three blade whittler with easier pulls on all three blades as well, but this bocote workhorse has a pull around 7-8 for the main blade and a 9 for the coping blade, I hope it loosens up. Great 'snap' though. I gave the bolsters a satin brushed finish with steel wool, and started a patina with some vinegar and apples. The bocote wood is amazing...

pertinux · Feb 27, 2016

jlhoffman74 said:

Fantastic! :thumbup:

Is that all your own patina, since bringing it in? I love how the blades look.

~ P.

jlhoffman74 · Feb 28, 2016

Thanks Pertinux!! Your 79 pics are the reason for me pulling the trigger on this pattern in the first place.
The patina is from a few apples, and then wiping on apple cider vinegar with a paper towel, COLD straight from the bottle, though it took a little longer but gave the patina more variation than if I heated up the vinegar in the microwave. Thanks!