GEC, is this normal?

[rma100]

Red linen micarta is white linen with red epoxy, so the threads aren't actually red. With pocket carry, cleaning, and general use you will wear the top layer and white spots and even threads might pop up. Really old, heavily used micarta tends to look super frayed and faded from my experience. If you never wash it then it will get darker with age.

If you want to see more pics of this, look at the pictures of Bark River's red linen micarta versus their "matte" red linen micarta. The matte version looks like a white-red combo while the shiny version looks more like red-red (different shades).

You will get the same result with GEC's green linen micarta. I carry a green linen Talon and the color is white and faded greenish brown. It looks more "olive" after exposed to my sweaty hands, but a quick rinse brings it back to its faded glory.

GEC never made "Green Linen Micarta". Their knives are OD Green Linen Micarta. The "OD" stands for Olive Drab. So really it's "Olive Drab Green Linen Micarta". Hence the Olive color.

 

[Modoc ED]

Using that logic Bob, GEC never made "Red Linen Micarta". What shade is their "Red Linen Micarta"? "Fire Engine Red Micarta" or maybe "Apple Red Micarta" or perhaps "Blood Red Micarta"?

No matter what shade of green this knife pictured below is, it is green none-the-less and it has GEC-01 Tool right on the tang. So, I'd say GEC does/did make green micarta.



No matter the color shade, I hope the OP enjoys his great knife.

 

[rma100]

Notice the Handle name. I didn't know they made ANY Red 71's?

 

[Modoc ED]

Oh yeah, GEC made "Red Linen Micarta" #71s. Although they were made as SFO #71s for Mike over at Collector Knives, they were none-the-less made by GEC with "Red Linen Micarta. If you want a Farm & Field #71 Bull Nose work knife made by GEC with "Red Linen Micarta" covers (handles), all you have to do is get in touch with Mike (knifeswapper) at www.collectorknives.net (a paid dealer sponsor here at BF) and I'm sure Mike will help set you up with one. They even have GEC-01 Tool stamped right on the tang.

Just look at post #16 in this thread and you can see a GEC made "Red Linen Micarta" #71.

I got your e-mail Bob. That explains why you went from green (Dealer User) to blue (Registered User). Thanks for explaining it in such a concise manner.

 

[Markesharp]

Thanks Ed. I opened the link you posted to get a look see and I bought the Red Linen #71. Man, I tried to resist but it was futile!

 

[Modoc ED]

Glad I could help. Funny how some aren't aware that GEC made/makes a #71 with "Red Linen Micarta" covers (handles). I'm sure you'll like your new knife. It looks like you might have bought the last one Mike has in stock. Not to worry - I'm sure he'll have more on the way soon.

 

[Tomahawk1088]

Thanks for the tip Caine.

Thanks Modoc, I am really liking my new knife. I had it all day at work today in my pocket, wrapped in a bandana.

I didn't even know GEC made a red micarta Bullnose until I decided I was going to buy a green one. I went to collectorknives to order one and found the red one! Red is my favorite color and I couldn't resist. I'm glad I got one when I could. It's hard to keep track of what GEC makes because their website doesn't show all the variations of every model they make.