GEC Compare & Contrast: Conductor vs. White Owl?

[supratentorial]

Here's a quick scan of one example. If the blade sat higher, you might run into problems with the tip not being buried, esp after blade loss.

 

[rprocter]

Chief, when i look at my Ivory Conductor and compare it with yours as shown in post # 30: on mine the corners of the tang on both Pen and Clip blades do not project as high above the frame as yours; and the peak of the handle swell on mine just reaches the lower edge of the nail nick and does not protrude into the nick at all. Both blades on mine have a pull of about 4 and are easy to open. There is absolutely no rub.
I'm not trying to make you feel badly, but posting these observations to show how even minor variations in fit can have a major effect on how a knife functions. The 'simple' Pen knife is more inticate in design than is initially apparent. Every angle and dimension has to be exactly right to achieve proper action.
I got very lucky with mine as it could not be better.
roland
Mine can be seen here, post # 70
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/902845-GEC-Conductor?p=10297375#post10297375

 

[avoidspam]

I'd be interested to see how the pattern would look if the bolstered ends were widened slightly? By doing so you'd reduce/lose the sharp edges and give the knife a little more purchase in use.

Sam

 

[Will Power]

I'm new to traditionals, but for the life of me cannot understand why the tangs on a nice folder are left sharp. I have filed down the tang corners on every GEC in my possession, and IMHO, it much improves the knife.

Andrew

Another interesting point. Yes, GEC knives do have sharp tangs, for that matter so does Queen /Schatt. CASE tumble their blades so the tang edges are rounder, some enthusiasts look askance at this practice though. Certainly it has to do with pattern design, most patterns have exposed edges as they don't have sunk or semi-sunk joints or the Copperhead/Canoe rounded bolster. Oddly enough, I think the sharp edged tangs are supposed to make a very close match with the backspring-as in most Customs, but GEC almost always underblade their knives anyway so I don't see the reason for these sharp tangs. Shows precision stamping of course.

I've filed the ones on my Dogleg Tidioute and the Conductor, and soon my new White Owl. It takes a bit of time, a very fine file and a load of tape to protect the bolsters and scales, makes a real pocket difference though.

All this means GEC now has to turn its admirable skill to making a pattern with sunk or semi-sunk joints. RR manage it!

 

[Chief]

when i look at my Ivory Conductor and compare it with yours as shown in post # 30: on mine the corners of the tang on both Pen and Clip blades do not project as high above the frame as yours; and the peak of the handle swell on mine just reaches the lower edge of the nail nick and does not protrude into the nick at all. Both blades on mine have a pull of about 4 and are easy to open. There is absolutely no rub.
I'm not trying to make you feel badly

Roland,

Thanks for the link to the pics of yours, they clearly show a difference. Didn't make me feel badly at all, but given me hope mine can be fixed. I sent an email to GEC asking the procedure necessary to send it in.