GEC Calf Roper?

[dalee100]

Hi,

Anybody have one? Ok, that's a silly question!

How beefy are they? I like the length, at 3 1/2" it hits my sweet spot. But how is the width? I ask because my #25 Barlow is like a little tank for it's size. I would prefer a bit slimmer knife for an easier feel in my pocket, more like a Schrade 34OT size.

There seems to be a dead skunk acrylic that keeps calling to me. Pictures are eagerly sought!

Thanks!!!
Dale

 

[HuntBomb]

The 66 Calf Roper was my first GEC purchase years ago and I can't say a negative word about it.
Mine is in stag and is VERY thick, which I LOVE, but may not be your thing, so acrylic covers would be perfect for you.
Of the 19 GECs that I own, the Calf Roper has always been my favorite and most used.
You won't be disappointed.

 

[black mamba]

I did a comparison of the #66 Calf Roper to several other similar sized knives for you.

RR#406 Eureka Stockman, NF#661311 Calf Roper, Tid#153213 Sheepfoot Barlow, NF#561210 Dogleg Jack, RR#441 Stag Stockman

Same order looking into the blade wells

Measurements with dial caliper: ---- Length Closed --- Width through center pins --- Height from tallest spine to backspring
RR406 Eureka Stockman ----------------- 3.448" ----------------- 0.518" --------------------------- 0.803"
NF661311 Calf Roper --------------------- 3.472 ------------------ 0.520 ---------------------------- 0.891
Tid153213 Sheepfoot Barlow ------------- 3.462 ------------------ 0.513 ---------------------------- 0.998
NF561210 Dogleg Jack -------------------- 3.511 ------------------ 0.552 ---------------------------- 0.964
RR441 Stag Stockman -------------------- 3.550 ------------------ 0.552 ---------------------------- 0.667

As you can see, the Calf Roper falls exactly middle of the pack for all three measurements. But comparing the two stockmen, the Calf Roper and the Stag RR, the Rough Rider is much slimmer in every dimension. You just need to handle several different styles to see what feels best to you. I doubt there would be any real difference in how any of these five would ride in the pocket.

 

[Modoc ED]

I'll not post a picture as Jeff has more than taken care of that but I'll add my .02¢ by saying that they are very stout knives capable of taking on most any common daily task.

So much for not posting a picture If you'll notice that on one side of the frame, GEC added a piece of liner in order to avoid krinking the blades on the Calf Roper. It adds a bit of bulk to the knife but not enough to make the knife uncomfortable in the hand. On another note, the sheepsfoot blade does not ride high enough when closed to make the knife uncomfortable in the hand either.

 

[qncygnnr]

I'm entirely biased - The Northfield Pinched Bolster Long Pull Calf Roper/BJM Moose is my favorite folder. I carry one as an EDC 6 of 7 days a week. The BJM is just "slightly" more narrow than the Calf Roper because of the shim mentioned in an earlier post.



Scott D

 

[knarfeng]

If you'll notice that on one side of the frame, GEC added a piece of liner in order to avoid krinking the blades on the Calf Roper. It adds a bit of bulk to the knife but not enough to make the knife uncomfortable in the hand. On another note, the sheepsfoot blade does not ride high enough when closed to make the knife uncomfortable in the hand either.

Oh Rats, Ed. You've piqued my interest. Now I'm going to have to move one of those up towards the top of the want list.

It's design features like that which fascinate me.

 

[Modoc ED]

Yes, it's a good feature Frank. When the sheepsfoot blade is opened, it appears to have a slight lean to it but it is not krinked. The sheepsfoot blade is a tad thicker than the spey blade and the sheepsfoot blade's tang is ground away on one side at the pivot pin so that when it (the sheepsfoot blade) closes, it clears the spey blade with no actual krink in either blade.

 

[pertinux]

Oh Rats, Ed. You've piqued my interest. Now I'm going to have to move one of those up towards the top of the want list.

I've wanted an ebony one ever since Tyler won Mike Latham's Tax Time Giveaway, chose an ebony Calf Roper, and started posting his pictures, impressions, and carvings therewith. To whit:

If you're a fan of the stockman, this is hands down my favorite knife. and at 3.5 inches closed it's the same size as the white owl, disappears in the pocket with the added comfort of the serpentine frame. GEC 66 Calf roper:

Some simple whittling with the 66 calf roper

66 calf roper has been seeing a lot of action lately:

~ P.

 

[Modoc ED]

As some know, I'm not a big fan of blade etches on most knives. I thought the etching on the Calf Roper Tidioute was a bit too bold so I removed it. Here is my Calf Roper with the etching and then without the etching after I removed it.

 

[zippofan]

I liked the #66 so much I got a Calf Roper, a Jack, a Muskrat and a Bullwinkle Moose. It's my favorite GEC frame for sure :thumbup:

 

[t.sous11]

I've wanted an ebony one ever since Tyler won Mike Latham's Tax Time Giveaway, chose an ebony Calf Roper, and started posting his pictures, impressions, and carvings therewith.

Thanks for the honorable mention Sarah! I'm happy to inspire confidence in the calf roper, I haven't found a knife that can kick it out of my watch pocket. I've modified mine quite a bit to suit my preferences. I've lowered all the blades, the sheepsfoot blade significantly to be even with the clip, and I've ground the spey into more of a spear, the edges are also convexed and very acute for whittling.
I have a slew of knives to choose from all sitting together and every morning when I go to choose one from the many, I always pick up the calf roper. Maybe I shouldn't recommend it, your other knives will quickly become jealous.

 

[pertinux]

How beefy are they? I like the length, at 3 1/2" it hits my sweet spot. But how is the width? I ask because my #25 Barlow is like a little tank for its size. I would prefer a bit slimmer knife for an easier feel in my pocket, more like a Schrade 34OT size.

I'm not familiar with the Schrade 340T, but do have some #25s at hand-- and now, a Calf Roper too(!).

Calf Roper with some of the Usual Suspects:

Bottom line: the Calf Roper is slightly slimmer than the #25 barlows throughout, and its bolstered end is most definitely slimmer than a #25 barlow's bare, flared end (ahem). A #25 Jack is slimmer at its tapered bolsters, each end, but is wider in the middle.

The overall effect is that the Calf Roper feels slimmer yet in direct comparison, due to distributing its (relative) girth over an extra .5" in length.

As fond as I am of the #25s, I agree that they are little 'tanks,' possessing none of the serpentine elegance (and comfort, in pocket and in hand) of the #66 frame.

Speaking of which...

(Inspired by others, I carefully lowered the sheepsfoot blade to present a more comfortable handle profile when using the other blades.)

No billboard "CALF ROPER" etch on this one, just an understated "Tidioute."

Mine's a little less sub-tle than the more classically appealing ebony iterations:

~ P.

 

[puukkoman]

Wow, Sarah, I'm really lovin' that one.
In fact, you may have sold me on the 66 frame.
I helped a friend pick out a knife recently, and he wound up with a 66 jack with cocobolo covers, and I just couldn't bring myself to like it. Seemed too small by far, and generally kinda wimpy for my taste. But your calf roper, with the addition of the 3rd blade, and of course the clip-spey-sheep configuration of the stockman pattern, is hitting all the right marks.
...the sweet red bone covers don't hurt either.
Thanks for posting!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[Pjake]

I too have taken the plunge .... Have had mine for a couple of weeks. I LOVE this knife! Along with my Eureka Jack (ebony), my #15 (ebony), and my #68 Pony Jack (AY Bone), I am set. I wish I could carry all of them...but that's just not practical. Great knife though.

Peter

 

[joeymoey]

Here's my 66 calf Roper. Its my favorite stockman.
Blood red peachseed jig

 

[Pokerface]

Can someone post up the cutting edges of the Calf Roper. Thanks!

 

[black mamba]

Can someone post up the cutting edges of the Calf Roper. Thanks!

Measured from plunge to tip:
Clip main = 2.31"
Sheepfoot = 1.67"
Spey blade =1.60"

 

[Pokerface]

Thanks Jeff...really appreciate it.

 

[gruntmedik]

It is my most carried GEC to date. Perfect size, more than capable for 99% of what I use a pocket knife for.

New


With a few friends

 

[jkulysses]

The first GEC knife I ever bought was my Primitive Bone Calf Roper.


Then I bought this Blood Red version shortly after and that's when the sickness really kicked in and I started buying other patterns.