GEC Cuban Cigar Patterns #53 & #54

[MerryMadMonk]

Al, this photo just pointed out something to me that I hadn’t noticed before! The Stockman has opposing slanted bolsters and the Furtaker Trapper has parallel slanted bolsters! A very nice touch in the design department!

Good eyes, Ron . Nice touch indeed!

 

[Bigfattyt]

I finally got one in trade. Here it is next to the branding irons.....getting hot for the calves.

 

[meako]

2nd cut burnt stag.

 

[black mamba]

Nice one, Big! Here are a few more in wood.

Mexican Bocote

Ebony

Snakewood in 440C

And some more Stag, plus a few rare covers (Pond bone, Caribou stag and Ancient Kauri wood)

 

[dartfrogger]

Nice one, Big! Here are a few more in wood.

Mexican Bocote

Ebony

Snakewood in 440C

And some more Stag, plus a few rare covers (Pond bone, Caribou stag and Ancient Kauri wood)

Can you tell me more about the Kauri wood knife -- who made it, when etc.? Kauri is such an amazing wood, and I've never seen a knife using it. You just showed me my grail slipjoint. Thanks.

 

[Half/Stop]

These three Northfield 54 single blade models were an SFO release. A big ole spear blade and a nice thin package make these very pocket friendly. I carry the Burlap Micarta quite often!

 

[cbr1000]

 

[Modoc ED]

538311 Bumble Bee Jig bone

 

[Modoc ED]

The picture below shows a 2007 (1st Run) GEC Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman with Chocolate Bone scales and a 2011 (2nd Run) GEC Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman with Bumble Bee scales. Actually they might best be described as Cattle knives but GEC calls them Stockman so we'll go with that. Note the differences:

The newer knife has it's shield placed further forward on the scale than the older knife.
The newer knife's blade etching lettering is smaller than that of the older knife.
The newer knife's nail nicks are wider and deeper that those of the older knife.
The newer knife's spring pin and middle scale pin are lined up exactly even while the older knife's spring pin is set just forward of the middle scale pin. Very slight but off-set just the same. It's not just these two knives. I checked the newer knife against three older knives and the pins are set the same on all older knives.

The final kicker is that the 1st run/original Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman knives came with a Cigar Band wrapped around their wrappers just like a real cigar comes; however, the new Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman has no such Cigar Band. Too bad-- it would have been a nice touch.

Anyway, I think it's interesting to see the subtle differences between manufacturer's knives of the same line manufactured 4-years apart.

 

[black mamba]

Can you tell me more about the Kauri wood knife -- who made it, when etc.? Kauri is such an amazing wood, and I've never seen a knife using it. You just showed me my grail slipjoint. Thanks.

It is a Northfield branded knife made by Great Eastern Cutlery in 2011. As with so many of their knives it was made in extremely low numbers, only 4 made in the kauri wood. So with only 3 left out there besides mine, this may really be a grail search- good luck!

Here are a few favorites in acrylic.

Watersnakes

Fall Harvest, Lava Lamp, and Kryptonite

Smokey Pearl

Patriot

Dead Skunk, Grits & Molasses, and Blue Oyster

 

[Modoc ED]

Very, very nice knives Jeff. There was a method to my madness when I started this thread. I wanted to see your Cubans and this thread was the best way I knew to see them. Also, some of the newer guys and gals here really aren't aware of the older patterns GEC put out through 2012 or so.

 

[Half/Stop]

Ed, thanks for starting this thread! This next 53 pattern is my personal favorite. The TK Cuban was only made in 2013. So far I have managed to get 4 of the 7 variants that were produced.

Natural Stag Northfield

Cocobolo Northfield

Mustard Jigged Bone Tidioute

Christmas Lights Tidioute

 

[black mamba]

ED, you sure lobbed me a layup pass with this thread . . . I hope I slam dunked it!

Very nice, Ron, I love the dark cocobolo.

Tidioute Caribou Stag, GEC Red Stag, and Northfield Genuine Stag

 

[Half/Stop]

Thanks Jeff. I have managed to snag another Cocobolo. Maybe I can use it for trade bait for one of the three I don’t have! You not only slammed it, you have shattered the backboard my friend!!

 

[Pàdruig]

I am rather impressed with the variety of covers used on these patterns. It has been a real treat to see.

 

[dartfrogger]

It is a Northfield branded knife made by Great Eastern Cutlery in 2011. As with so many of their knives it was made in extremely low numbers, only 4 made in the kauri wood. So with only 3 left out there besides mine, this may really be a grail search- good luck!

Here are a few favorites in acrylic.

Watersnakes

Fall Harvest, Lava Lamp, and Kryptonite

Smokey Pearl

Patriot

Dead Skunk, Grits & Molasses, and Blue Oyster

Thanks for the depressing information Although I'll obviously never find a Kauri version, my head is spinning from the beauty of your collection. Thanks for sharing.

 

[FLymon]

One of my few real regrets (knifewise that is) was letting this one go.
Northfield #538308
3 Bladed Cuban Stockman
Genuine Stag
Slanted Line Bolsters with Dimples
Featuring 1095 Carbon steel Blades
Closed Length 4 1/8"

 

[black mamba]

That's a beauty, FLymon! I just took a few new pics of my favorite horn and stag knives.

Ram's Horn, bark and polished

Stag, smooth 2nd cut and burnt, both in 440C

 

[johnny twoshoes]

 

[black mamba]

Great show, johnny! Your burnt carved stag bone moose is terrific, some of my favorite jigging.