gec cap lifter

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Oldy

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The beginning of my story brings me to this point.here is short form.have crippling arthritis in my hands(handing cold steel in 40 below)complicated by weakness from herniated disk in spine that pressed against nerve running to said hand ✋ causes loss of strength.the solution for me is a rubber gel ball and a benchmade 940 knife one that I opened and closed enough to go through a set of springs.decided to buy a case jigged bone slipjoint(mini trapper)and a boker manufaktur stockman. And fell in love with the traditional jigged bone knife.I can say in 6 months my hands have not ceased up once.opening and closing knives is great therapy also takes your mind off pain.but the problem is I went a little overboard buying case knives in jigged bone and stag(alot of them gifts for my past moose hunting friends that pulled my broken assets through the brush and swamp)now I'm going to buy one final ,I hope,knife and that is gec with the cap lifter in jigged bone.becase I can't open beer or pop with my scrawny hands lol.but is it only the 15 and 85 patterns that have cap lifters.also are these types of knives collectors and thus hard to find used in jigged bone are stag or bone of some kind..and I'm in canada.i think the cold steel in 40 below might be a tip off.
 
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Thats my set up now except with the mini trapper.i don't know if it holds the prestige as a gec cap lifter.but might have to settle.nothing like having your kindling maker and beer opener in one unit.sit back and enjoy the late nite fire.i was looking at those gec red bone with cap lifter and blade together, but the blade seems useless for everyday carry.like an hour ago was walking the dog in the Bush along the river when I spot people coming,I cut the bull rushes down and make an emergency leash.that little blade would be a hassle.
 
Ed are the gec cap lifter patterns a collectors knife.also
i should of specified in the three and a half to three quarters length.any bigger isn't getting carried.
 
What are knife savant opinions on the case mini trapper with cap lifter,was giving those some thought but not sure of the heft to them for fire pit service.also I'm flush with case lol.my 2 month spending spree on them must stop.i think everyone should have one gec,I might as well make mine useful to me.ive never held one UT if they are as advertised I would be the hot old man at the fire.one of the best we'll built slip joint is a boker stockman,and mine is not even solingen made it the china/german traditional.so the solingen must be really well made.but 4"is to big.
 
Here's my take - at this stage of the game, basically anything GEC puts out, or has put out in the past is in high demand by users, collectors, and folks trying to resell them for profit alike. It's become increasingly difficult to pick up any of their offerings at what a reasonable person could describe as a reasonable price for a production pocket knife - even the best - and that's if you can find the pattern you're looking for at all. Even the historically unpopular keychain knives are being listed for fairly exorbitant rates.

That said, GEC's cap-lifter offerings seem to generate as much desire in some as they do ire in others - but you know what they say: there's no such thing as bad publicity. I'd say they are in even greater demand than some of their more run-of-the-mill designs, but I'm certain someone will come along to disagree. 🤷

I have a few 25 "Beerlows" and an 85 Crown Lifter -- what I don't have is arthritis, so on that front I'm merely guessing. You're right about the overall utility of the 25 Beerlows being potentially reduced by the short blade length -- on the other hand, they are "Easy Open" models and can be deployed fairly quickly and easily - I'm guessing for those with limited dexterity, that might be a benefit as much as the overall small size may be a hindrance. The 85 Crown Lifter has a dedicated cap lifter, however I find the nail nick (at least in my example) to be somewhat difficult to access given it's close proximity to the liner. If my thumbnail isn't in good shape, it can be hard to open - not because of the pull weight, but because of the lack of purchase available. Not sure how those considerations impact a person with reduced dexterity, but there you have it.

Hope that helps a bit.

I saw the recommendation by jdswitters jdswitters and tend to agree that the Fishkeeper looks potentially like your best bet, but as I have never handled one I'm going on looks alone.
 
birdsbeaks said:
Here's my take - at this stage of the game, basically anything GEC puts out, or has put out in the past is in high demand by users, collectors, and folks trying to resell them for profit alike. It's become increasingly difficult to pick up any of their offerings at what a reasonable person could describe as a reasonable price for a production pocket knife - even the best - and that's if you can find the pattern you're looking for at all. Even the historically unpopular keychain knives are being listed for fairly exorbitant rates.

That said, GEC's cap-lifter offerings seem to generate as much desire in some as they do ire in others - but you know what they say: there's no such thing as bad publicity. I'd say they are in even greater demand than some of their more run-of-the-mill designs, but I'm certain someone will come along to disagree. 🤷

I have a few 25 "Beerlows" and an 85 Crown Lifter -- what I don't have is arthritis, so on that front I'm merely guessing. You're right about the overall utility of the 25 Beerlows being potentially reduced by the short blade length -- on the other hand, they are "Easy Open" models and can be deployed fairly quickly and easily - I'm guessing for those with limited dexterity, that might be a benefit as much as the overall small size may be a hindrance. The 85 Crown Lifter has a dedicated cap lifter, however I find the nail nick (at least in my example) to be somewhat difficult to access given it's close proximity to the liner. If my thumbnail isn't in good shape, it can be hard to open - not because of the pull weight, but because of the lack of purchase available. Not sure how those considerations impact a person with reduced dexterity, but there you have it.

Hope that helps a bit.

I saw the recommendation by jdswitters jdswitters and tend to agree that the Fishkeeper looks potentially like your best bet, but as I have never handled one I'm going on looks alone.
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Ya I didn't really understand how much from New that they double in value,when I was watching the exchange forms while I wasn't a member but a lurker.i was actually looking for a brown bone 70's medium stockman. Something about how the brown bone/whiskey color back then was different than today.then the gec brand was all over the exchange .than looking at them closely I became interested in having one.thats when I noticed a gec with a very distinct stag.it was priced for $190.00 said just getting his money back.he had 2 or 3 others listed but to usa only.a week later that same knife is on an aak dealer page with the 2 or 3 other knives all listed in the $300+range.crazy man crazy.as for the fish knife that is about .75" to big.i like the gator snap as it's called.not always there are days not so much if at all.but I find it is decent exercise. Can't remember the number on my gel ball,but it is the golden one I think med.
 
Seriously,would not pass down any of the bone ones.jigged first choice cherry bone second.is one really for sale.
 
birdsbeaks said:
Here's my take - at this stage of the game, basically anything GEC puts out, or has put out in the past is in high demand by users, collectors, and folks trying to resell them for profit alike. It's become increasingly difficult to pick up any of their offerings at what a reasonable person could describe as a reasonable price for a production pocket knife
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This. ☹️
IF you can find one, plan on it costing an arm, 2 or 3 legs ... maybe your first born, and your best (trained) hunting dog or trained ferret or trained hawk/falcon/owl. 🙄

Fortunitally, there are high quality vintage and new knives with a cap lifter that are more economical to acquire. 😇

If you don't mind a can opener and a punch/awl or pen blade (4 blades in 2 layers) a classic "Scout/"Camp" knife by NYKC/Hammer Brand (Official BSA knife 1911 to 1932(?) or Remington, or Ulster, or Boker might be an option. (The Boker may be the only one with stainless blades, depending on when it was made.) The 1935 to 1955 Imperial Engineer's Knife (has a pen blade in place of the punch/awl) is a good choice.
I forget the name of the company ... they are known for their custom drinking flasks and shot glassses ... had some Sunfish pattern knives made with a caplifter secondary, a few years ago. No idea if they are still available. I lost their website when my HP laptop's CPU fan died a about 3 or 4 years ago. I believe the blades were/are 440A. Covers available included card suits, and pin-up girls/WW2 Bomber pin-up girl nose art.

Another option might be to have a cap lifter transplanted into a 2 blade you have now, in place of the (typical) pen secondary.

Or just stick with the church key ...
 
afishhunter said:
Another option might be to have a cap lifter transplanted into a 2 blade you have now, in place of the (typical) pen secondary.

Or just stick with the church key ...
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I actually saw a knife,where kiki(might have name wrong)put a cap lifter on a knife.i don't know anyone around my kneck of the muskeg that does that.but it is a swell idea.another option would be the urban jack with a comb(a good lookin man may be able to get a woman to open there beer)but they are not always around
 
That 15 pattern Campagna SFO was something special. I lost mine. I’m tempted to buy the Harness Jack variant on eBay at $999 just to see if someone wants a trade.
If you find one those jump on it. They are special.
 
For those reading ,I now have a gec,and I now have a cap lifter,I actually have both in one knife.elgato posted a link in here the evening my question was posted, he said hurry take your pick.when I pressed on the link it was for 3 gec cap lifters,the 15,an 85 and a can't remember the pattern of the other.i wasn't sure if it was serious but I said the beer scout 1st then the cherry red bone.i then went back to the page he linked and noticed they were for sale and the beer scout was gone,I then proceeded and said will take the cherry red.i was notified that I was getting the cherry red 85 but,legato didn't realize why the(elephant)was in the living room.realizing I was a fricken danm dreaded Canuck a scorn on the exchange,an old 1812er.yes I had a relative who fought in that war,but he fought with a gentleness that is seldom displayed in war time,and I can assure you most Canadians did.all out of respect for our southern friends.but after much thought I believe legato watched canadian bacon and allowed john candy to warm his heart to fellow Canadians. And I am now waiting for it to arrive.people let's be friends ,is that not what rodney king said.i have buddies in Churchill right now keeping an eye out for bad guys coming into the Port trying to make it to usa.come on were partners.so next time you put a knife for sale on the exchange watch canadian bacon first.you may want to let a canadian in.
 
There are a number of GEC patterns that have a caplifter. I can understand wanting a good forever knife that you can carry everyday.

15 (numerous models), 35 Johnny on the spot/Beer and Sausage, 65 fish knife, 85 caplifter, 25 beerlow, 71 sudbuster come to mind. I am sure I am missing a bunch. I see them on the exchange from time to time for a fair price. Some of them are highly sought after a command a high price. Good luck with your search and hope you land one sir.

Paul
 
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Jakeywax31 said:
There are a number of GEC patterns that have a caplifter. I can understand wanting a good forever knife that you can carry everyday.

15 (numerous models), 35 Johnny on the spot, 65 fish knife, 85 caplifter, 25 beerlow, 71 sudbuster come to mind. I am sure I am missing a bunch. I see them on the exchange from time to time for a fair price. Some of them are highly sought after a command a high price.
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If I'm not mistaken, I believe he has an 85 Crown Lifter in Natural Cherry Bone from the exchange currently en route to the land of moose, syrup, and mounties.

I've got one - nice fat spear, dark cherry covers, whimsical bottle shield, not too big but not too small either - I say that's a pretty solid pick! 👍
 
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