GEC Fixed blades.

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whetrock

Joined
Nov 13, 2010
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I know, that GEC folders are immensely popular on this forum, and rightly so, but am noticing a lapse in popularity, regarding their fixed blades. They make a wide array of models, and they sport pretty traditional, styling, with proven materials, and blade profiles. I can't help, to wonder why they aren't more popular. I'd love to see your pics of them if you have any to show. I think they look grand.
 
I don't own any. I would like to.

My issue is that I have "enough" fixed blades, that don't get carried enough as is. I am not out in the boonies with a fixed blade enough.

On the flip side, I carry folders all the time.

I recently got back into traditional folders, and GEC was the reason for that. I have filled my pockets with what I think will carry well, and be useful etc.

For fixed blades I don't "need" them every day, so they have taken a back seat.

I would like to get a matched handle pair or two with a folder and fixed in the same combo some day.
 
GEC's claim to fame is that they make some of the best slipjoints currently available. That doesn't necessarily hold true for their fixed blades. A lot more options available there.

- Christian
 
I particularly like the looks of their Bird & Trout and Upland patterns, but I'm in the same boat as Bigfatty - I have way too many fixed blades already. And folders, for that matter...:D
 
I've owned one of their fixed blades. It was very well built and sharp. But in the end, it's feel and size just felt like one of their slipjoints with a blade extended.
The one I had was fairly heavy also, but not in a bad way.
 
Add me to the list of those who've been intrigued by their fixed blades, and haven't tried any (yet :rolleyes:), so I can't say much about them. They sure look good, and I bet they feel good as well. Someday I will get a H73 or H23. What I like about them is (at least, from what I can tell from the pictures) the fact that they're quite slim compared with most fixed blades in the market.
I do think they should cost a bit less, compared to their folding siblings. Obviously, as Christian remarked, the fixed blade market is quite different from the slipjoint market, so their success on the latter doesn't need to affect the former.
Yet, and even though I don't need one (I have one smallish fixed blade and that's more than enough for me, especially now I'm getting a more comfortable sheath), I find myself looking at the bocote H73 on Mike's website quite often... :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
Most of the reviews I've seen noted that they are similar to their folding counterparts, to a fault: A fixed blade isn't necessarily as comfortable with a slim handle that is desirable in a folder. That has kept me from going after one, which is a real shame because I am sure they are well made but you can't sacrifice eergonomics. Maybe if they saved some of that ridiculous fat stag from their #23s, etc. for the fixed blades...and maybe if they borrowed some of that F&F O1...:D
 
Y'know, that O1 would make for a great fixed blade. Lots of hardworking people prefer to carry a fixed blade over a folder. A 73 pattern with O1 and shaped handles might do better on the market.
 
Most of their fixed blades seem a little 'weird', profiles of folding knives that don't fold.

I'd be interested in a #50 or #60 perhaps, but I never see those at the dealers' websites.

--------------------

A general fixed-blade question, not exclusive to Great Eastern although they are certainly one example that comes to mind:

Considering that fixed blade knives have no moving parts and many fewer components compared to folding knives, shouldn't they cost less to produce than a folder?
 
I like their fixed blades but don't carry a fixed blade usually. If I do, its usually a small non traditional one, or a much larger non traditional one. I like the way the GECs feel though. As for price, they don't many very many of them and each one also comes with a leather belt sheath. These 2 combined I think explain the increased cost
 
I have been looking at fixed blades, and being a GEC fan I looked at theirs first. They look good, but the more I read into fixed blades, the more I saw that fixed blades require a whole different style of design, and specialist fixed blade companies have this mastered. In this light the idea of tool steel and rounded stag handles mentioned by the others above is really smart.
 
I agree that the qualities we look for in a fixed blade are different from a slipjoint...yet, from a purely theoretical standpoint (since I never handled one), somehow GEC's fixed blades make alot of sense to me.
Steel...well there might be "better" steels around for outdoor use, but 1095 is still quite popular, and for good reasons. If we look at the non traditional FB market, the most popular (and sold) small fixed blade (the ESEE Izula) is in 1095 too. Yes, after reading your thoughts about the F&F folders, I would like to try O1 in a fixed blade as well :)
Blade shape and grind...I find the drop point on GEC fixed blades very nice for general use, and the same goes for the blade and edge grind. I'm quite an advocate of thin blades myself (we're talking about <4" blade length), and my personal opinion is that most fixed blades in the market are simply too thick (bladewise). I know many people think different, but I see no point in a 1/6" thick blade in less than 4" blade length (whatever the grind might be).
Handle...here there might be an issue, cause FB users like handles that fill the hand, and my guess is that GEC's could be a little bit too narrow/thin to provide a satisfactory grip for many users.
Materials...nothing really against stag, wood, or micarta.
Off-topic sidenote: I'm curious to see when (and whether) Opinel will produce a <4" (blade length) fixed blade with their kitchen knives handles (a bit thicker than the folding knives').

Fausto
:cool:
 
I am one more voice to say, "They should stick to pocket knives."

They are quality, but the designs are just nothing to write home about. If I am going to use a fixed blade (and I do), I use either a Bark River or Fallkniven. They are better designed, better executed and have higher end steels.

NO SLAM on GEC. They make some of (if not the) best pocket knives in the world, but I am not a fan of the fixed.
 
I have one of their #H73411 Upland Hunter models in elk stag. It's a beautiful little fixed blade, 7-1/4" OAL, with a full belly for skinning.
I haven't used it yet, but maybe this fall. I see many fixed blades with a similar handle shape, and it does handle quite well.

ElkFixed.jpg~original
 
Yeah I own a working collection of fixed blades, from a wide array of modern, and traditionally oriented companies, I suppose I could've answered my own question, seeing as I too see GEC as the producer of some of the finest, production slip joints, rather than fixed blade knives. I guess I just wanted to hear some feedback. Still, a simplistic F&F fixed blade, in O1 would be grand if the price was kept reasonable, but I dunno if it'd be worth the expenditure for GEC though.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
Y'know, that O1 would make for a great fixed blade. Lots of hardworking people prefer to carry a fixed blade over a folder. A 73 pattern with O1 and shaped handles might do better on the market.
Click to expand...

O1 is great for a fixed blade. I have a couple BHK's in O1 and it is definitely one of my favorite blades steels. Good toughness, takes a wicked edge with very little effort and holds it well. I would love to see their pioneer model in O1.
 
I've got a very early, 2007, model which is called a No.10 in stainless with Horse Cut Walnut Bone. About 7"/18cm overall so it's a small knife. It has no number markings on it, the info is on the tube, just the squirrel etches, then Cyclops Steelworks near the guard. No idea how many were made, could be rare perhaps?

Unlike later models, this is not based on one of their pocket knives, 73 or 23 pattern. Instead, it looks like a late c19th early c20th Outer type sheath knife. These also came in Tidioute form in carbon. The knife is alright, but not really practical nor very comfortable in hand. The end of the handle shows some space between tang and bone. Sheath is reasonable too, but it didn't inspire me and I regard pocket knives as their metier. There are a LOT of better fixed blade knives out there, many cheaper too.
 
I've looked hard at them but I have a few Puma's, Schrades and a couple Bark Rivers. Pretty much takes care of my fixed blade needs.
I need a fixed blade once every few months, I use a folder everyday.
 
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