GEC Cuban Cigar Patterns #53 & #54

Burnt Stag · Jun 13, 2018

Didn't even realize I had this many. They just accumulate somehow.
Left Top to Bottom
54 Tractor Green 2008
53 Muskrat Elk SS 2008
54 Big Jack Burnt Grizzly 2008
Right Top to Bottom
53 Muskrat Burnt Stag SS 2008
53 Muskrat Burnt Stag2008
53 Muskrat Snakewood 2007

Duper · Jun 13, 2018

Beautiful! I love symmetry.

,,,Mike in Canada

T. Erdelyi · Jun 23, 2018

I love the look, feel and pattern on this one. I carry it in a slipsheath to protect the scales but other than that it gets used like any other blade in my pocket.

From a friend here, thanks Scott, @Dopic1 here on BF. Nothin’ like a good Cuban. Now I just need a Cognac.

johnny twoshoes · Jul 7, 2018

Recently added to my stable of knives.
Buffalo horn big jack. So far so good, this one is from 2009 and was an excellent reminder of how well GEC has done at grinding better edges. I put a scary edge on it and have been using it quite a bit. I’ve missed the big jack.

The Fort · Jul 7, 2018

johnny twoshoes said:
Recently added to my stable of knives.
Buffalo horn big jack. So far so good, this one is from 2009 and was an excellent reminder of how well GEC has done at grinding better edges. I put a scary edge on it and have been using it quite a bit. I’ve missed the big jack.
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That’s a great looking knife! I was actually admiring it when it was for sale in the exchange. If these pictures would’ve been in the original post, I probably wouldn’t have been able to resist! Congrats!

johnny twoshoes · Jul 7, 2018

The Fort said:
That’s a great looking knife! I was actually admiring it when it was for sale in the exchange. If these pictures would’ve been in the original post, I probably wouldn’t have been able to resist! Congrats!

It scratched an itch for me in a big way. I had been jonesing for some buffalo horn and I miss my stag big jack so this was perfect. It has some great character in the Horn.

gaj999 · Jul 7, 2018

What is the difference between the 53 and 54 patterns? 53 looks a touch wider to my eye. Is that it? Something else?

redsparrow · Jul 7, 2018

54 has half stops, 53 does not

gaj999 · Jul 7, 2018

redsparrow said:
54 has half stops, 53 does not

Thanks

Ramrodmb · Jul 7, 2018

Here are the 53/54's I still have

biglmbass · Jul 9, 2018

Don't know that I could pick my favorite GEC pattern but will say the 53/54s are high on my list.

Half/Stop · Jul 9, 2018

biglmbass said:
Don't know that I could pick my favorite GEC pattern but will say the 53/54s are high on my list.

You have a very nice grouping there biglmbass! :thumbsup:

Those Stag’s are really sweet, but the TK’s are my favorite! I have four of the seven TK’s that were offered, including the Christmas Tree Acrylic. However that Ebony has been elusive for me so far! I need one of those!

Icky Thump · Jul 9, 2018

Ramrodmb Love the Blood Red AAPK. Beautiful.

These just came in. Notice the gap in the 3 spring liner/spring. Wasnt in the description

(the Bay)

That's not common for for this pattern/year?

Something that warranty would cover, not purchased direct or through dealer?

black mamba · Jul 9, 2018

Icky, I can't see the gap you are talking about. Maybe a better closeup pic? I did have one acrylic from 2008 that shrunk away from the bolsters, leaving a small gap.

Icky Thump · Jul 9, 2018

black mamba said:
Icky, I can't see the gap you are talking about. Maybe a better closeup pic? I did have one acrylic from 2008 that shrunk away from the bolsters, leaving a small gap.

Thanks for the reply.

Not the cover(s)..fit is great. Between two of the springs. Notice, no liners inboard. I can pinch the knife and reduce the gap...where is my 2 lb lump hammer, anyway?

black mamba · Jul 9, 2018

I've not seen that before, but give Chris a call (or email) at GEC and see what she says. They can probably fix it.

Ramrodmb · Jul 9, 2018

Ickythump said:
Ramrodmb Love the Blood Red AAPK. Beautiful.

These just came in. Notice the gap in the 3 spring liner/spring. Wasnt in the description (the Bay)

That's not common for for this pattern/year?

Something that warranty would cover, not purchased direct or through dealer?

Thank you, sir! Love that Buffalo horn too! :thumbsup:

Icky Thump · Jul 10, 2018

Thank you,

black mamba . I will for sure :thumbsup:

Thanks

Ramrodmb ! My first buffalo horn..

B.F.U · Jul 10, 2018

wolfeknives said:
The 53s and 54s were a big factor in turning my collecting interests to GEC 2 1/2 years ago. I love the classic, clean look. I have been picking up any natural handle material covers, but am starting to find some love for the "plastic" covers as well. Yellow bone has been very elusive, but that is what makes collecting interesting

I do love the Castros with all those blades crammed in there, but the recent single blades are amazing as well.

Incredible collection!

2Dead said:
Had a few come and go but these are still here.

2008 Cuban Stockman Horsecut Red Wine, Snakewood, and one I had rehandled in Green Canvas Micarta

2010 Furtaker Muskrat Wormy Chestnut

2010 Furtaker Trappers Antique Amber and Green bone

2011 Cuban Stockman Ebony

2013 Cuban Pen Ebony

I really like the furtaker muskrat and pen knives. What great blade combinations.

Modoc ED said:
I want to thank everyone who has participated in this thread. These patterns aren't mentioned often and I thought that people new to GEC or who only became aware of GEC after say 2012 probably had no idea just how many different covers were available from 2007 - 2011. Several of us have quite a few of these knives as just evidenced by 2Dead and wolfeknives. BUT lurking in the background is Jeff (black mamba) who I knew had a ton of these knives with almost all the cover options and selfishly, I wanted to see them so I started this thread. Thank you Jeff and again to everyone.

Very cool thread. I met a collector at the Rendezvous last year who I believe has a quite extensive collection of 53/54s but I don't know if he's on the forums. I sold him a stainless stag muskrat 53 earlier this year.

T. Erdelyi said:
I love the look, feel and pattern on this one. I carry it in a slipsheath to protect the scales but other than that it gets used like any other blade in my pocket.

From a friend here, thanks Scott, @Dopic1 here on BF. Nothin’ like a good Cuban. Now I just need a Cognac.

Very nice. It's a bummer that GEC doesn't plan to use horn for covers anymore.

Edit: now that I'm thinking about it I might have asked about moose antler. Maybe I'll try to ask this year. I'd like to see horn used again also. But I do think they are moving away from it.

I got this one recently

Superbly made. I've been wanting to get a Cuban Stockman especially in stainless. Didn't plan to get stag but it's a nice bonus.

I'm just really struggling to decide if it should be a user or a collection piece. I'd really like to use it, but every time I go to AMKC I see all these well preserved old knives that make me want to put some up in pristine condition for posterity. On the other hand it wasn't cheap and if I'm not gonna use it I really should sell it. Idk, but it's a nice knife.

Edit: I don't mean to say it was over priced, I was happy to find it at that price. Just that it's a significant amount of money for me to spend if I'm not going to use and enjoy the knife.

black mamba · Jul 10, 2018

USE IT !!