GEC Knives and use?

Some great pearls of wisdom to be gathered here. One more thing to consider is geometry. Most modern knives are thicker which causes resistance in cutting. The thinner blade will slice through things with less resistance. This will be evident when you use one. Welcome to the addiction and please let us know what you get and your impressions of it, both initially and after some use and pocket time. I feel your in for some pleasant experiences.

Oops, I see this has been addressed. I guess I should be sleeping instead of fueling my addiction for slip joint knives.

Chris
 
I second the GEC Bullnose. Their O1 is good steel for a user and the knife is big enough to fill your hand and be comfortable for extended use.
 
Brad, no one says it has to be one or another. I started carrying two knives a few years ago on the job, and like it a lot. I carry a large screwed together folder with a large blade on it that sees a lot of use on the construction site. A lot. And it gets all the ugly jobs as G10 doesn't mind being cleaned with kerosene or charcoal ligher fluid, unlike bone, stag, or other organics. And G10 (or FRN "nylon" for that matter) doesn't stain permanently when cleaned with solvents.

But while I use modern knives, I don't love those knives. Their utility value is tremendous as a good modern, screwed together or pinned knife is pretty indestructible these days. I am pretty partial to Kershaw myself for work knives, so I understand your affair with your ZT. It is nice to have a tank you your pocket that you can use and not worry about blade corrosion and never, ever, has to be babied for any reason.

I get a warm fuzzy from a couple of favorite traditionals though, and while I don't care which pocket clipped knife I carry as long as it is sharp, I pick a different traditional to carry every few days. I don't mind taking a bit of extra care with them when they need it, as I like them a lot more.

I am not alone. I am not the only one that carries two knives. One to handle all the stuff that you don't want to use your pretty knife to do, and the much more prized knife to do all the slicing and cutting.

This is an GREAT thread on this very subject:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/980449-Traditional-and-Modern-pairings

Robert
 
When I first got into knives, I was into more modern "tactical" designs. Nothing was wrong with them either. These knives often have superior steel, high quality materials, and better durability. But my biggest gripe about these modern tactical knives were the nasty thick edges that would not cut cardboard well. In most cases a reprofiling was necessary which proved to be a huge pain when I was learning how to sharpen knives.

Now one day after a lot of home remodeling I find this old SAK that turned out to be 50-60+ years old. I cleaned it up, put a screaming sharp edge on it, and then put it to use. I was amazed by how easily it zipped though a piece of cardboard, much more efficiently than my sebenza (which was no poor cutter either with a 30 degrees inclusive edge). After that moment, I thought why not get a traditional knife for my next knife? I started to frequent the traditional forums much more often, doing research on my own, and over time I have come to enjoy traditional knives more than my tactical modern folders. Sure they may not be as fancy or take as much of a beating, but they sure do cut well and do 90% of the tasks you may need to do with a gold star.

They're great knives and as such, they should be used. I'm not much of a collector person anyhow as every single one of my knives have been reprofiled by me and used to a degree depending on the knife.
 
jackknife said:
A traditional pocket knife will do what your modern ZT will do as far as real world cutting. It's the cutting edge that does the work, and used right, you will be able to do anything you really need to do. Look at it this way, our grandfathers, and their grandfathers before them did real work with these knives. A freight wagon driver getting a heavy loaded wagon over Raton Pass, a cowboy pushing a few thousand head of cattle up the trail, a sailor on a whaling ship, all used slip joints with no problem. They have been around for centuries for a reason, and that reason is they work. ... The GEC, or any other traditional pocket knife made by a reputable maker, will stand up to what you need. Breaking down boxes and opening feed bags won't even make it break a sweat.
Click to expand...

Someone print this ^ and post it on the clubhouse wall please!

Bradb4178 said:
... all my buddies around there who are cowboys all carry case knives ...
Click to expand...

That's cool to know. :thumbup:

Bradb4178 said:
Keep the recommendations coming if yall want on what GEC or traditional folder i should get. I havent quite narrowed it down yet. Too many good choices!
Click to expand...

Too many good choices is right. :) Sounds to me like a good stockman would fit the bill for you. Check out the 68 Buckaroo Medium Stockman or the 66 Cattle Roper or the larger 82 Dixie Stock Knife. On the budget side, a lot of guys love the single-blade 71 Bullnose Sodbuster pattern.

Good luck, and please be sure to let us know what you end up with, and how it works for you.

-- Mark
 
Hey Brad, I got an idea.

Before you sink a lot of money into a GEC, here's a good way to get an idea of what a nice thin blade will stand up to. Get yourself a Case CV sodbuster, and then make sure it's good and sharp. Then spend sometime breaking down boxes and zipping open feed bags. This way, you won't spend a large sum to get an idea of how a traditional works for ya. The sodbuster won't break the bank, but it will show you just how tough it can be. If the Case holds up, the GEC defiantly will, and the GED comes in 01. A step up in steel from Case CV, not that the Case CV is bad. Quite the opposite. Case CV has it's own cult following. You need two sodbusters anyways, since you're getting into traditionals you're gonna end up with a collection anyway! :thumbup:

They're not kidding when they say it's down the rabbit hole! :D
 
jackknife said:
They're not kidding when they say it's down the rabbit hole! :D
Click to expand...

That is definitely true! In the last month I have bought my first GEC, (a 15 cap lifter), learned enough to scout out and find some nice "old knives", a camillus scout knife and a trick knife Jack brought to the forum from across the pond. Jonesing for a 47 or similar swayback, and found a Case outlet store in a neighboring town that a yeller peanut may be picked up today thanks to you jackknife. Been falling through that hole for a bit now. But couldn't be happier!
 
Lots of good info here.

I am also on the younger side and came from moderns. I still carry one most days, and even carry a ZT 0560 (selling it now though). I would not want to do anything with my ZT I wouldn't do with my GEC 23. Be relatively mindful and you can do just as much.

I suggest a GEC 23, 73, 65, or 82 (have one of these up too). I don't have one, but a Case sodbuster would probably be a good call as well.
 
ALLHSS said:
Lots of good info here.

I am also on the younger side and came from moderns. I still carry one most days, and even carry a ZT 0560 (selling it now though). I would not want to do anything with my ZT I wouldn't do with my GEC 23. Be relatively mindful and you can do just as much.

I suggest a GEC 23, 73, 65, or 82 (have one of these up too). I don't have one, but a Case sodbuster would probably be a good call as well.
Click to expand...


The other day I was coring out a 2 1/2 foot hole in the vineyard at my work, in a spot with some of the finest clay in the state and had a big lot so sticky, I couldn't clear the corer by hitting it, or smacking it out with a hammer handle. I used my designated 'hard use' knife, my Case sodbuster that was gifted to me by Markesharp and I cut out the clay in seconds. I knew I would lose the edge instantly, but after I got home a few passed on a diamond rod and it's good to go! The 'soft' (apparently) steel was a major plus in this situation and coupled with the thin grind made the job, and sharpening a breeze. If I had a modern folder, I wouldn't of dared to use it, for fear of having to get the darn thing sharp again.


Here's an older picture, where it's a bit shinier than it is now.



_7150420_zpsc606c234.jpg
 
jackknife said:
Hey Brad, I got an idea.

Before you sink a lot of money into a GEC, here's a good way to get an idea of what a nice thin blade will stand up to. Get yourself a Case CV sodbuster, and then make sure it's good and sharp. Then spend sometime breaking down boxes and zipping open feed bags. This way, you won't spend a large sum to get an idea of how a traditional works for ya. The sodbuster won't break the bank, but it will show you just how tough it can be. If the Case holds up, the GEC defiantly will, and the GED comes in 01. A step up in steel from Case CV, not that the Case CV is bad. Quite the opposite. Case CV has it's own cult following. You need two sodbusters anyways, since you're getting into traditionals you're gonna end up with a collection anyway! :thumbup:

They're not kidding when they say it's down the rabbit hole! :D
Click to expand...

Yeller Case CV Sod Buster Junior..... great hard working inexpensive knife. Just an awesome value.




Also, some time ago, I decided that if I needed something stronger than a classic slip joint, I was going to reach for a fixed blade.
 
I always carry at least two knives. My Carbone blade Opinels are strictly used for food and "fiddling with." I carry a Victorinox Floral Knife for box duty and so on. It is roughly the equivalent of the Sodbuster Jr, but I prefer the Wharnecliff blade to the Soddy. I have re-profiled it to sharpen both sides though.

Then there is the custom scaled Victorinox Explorer Plus in another pocket.

And always a Leatherman Micra too.

Frequently, especially in the woods, I have a Mora Companion on the hip too.

I do have and use "pretty" stuff too, my favorite being an inexpensive Case Medium Stockman my daughter gave me, various other Case from different era's, and a Bear & Son Carbon blade Barlow.

I don't care for the thick blades of most modern knives, they are brutally tough, but not always good cutting tools. I have a hatchet for wood...and I don't care for the cheap plasticky look of most of them. Which is odd considering my pistol preference is Glocks. Go figure....
 
I love my GEC's and they hold up to just about anything I can throw at them, camping, or just EDC.

Some great recommendations here. You might also consider the venerable Buck 110.
 
Ultima Thule said:
My Carbone blade Opinels are strictly used for food and "fiddling with."
Click to expand...

I too engage in this fiddlin'
None of them have come out as any kind of work of art mind you- but those blades just beg for some kind of customization. I love em!
 
I've carried a small sebenza to work for quite some time. I recently got into traditional knives and have built up a small collection of GEC's.

Today I started a trial run of carrying just a GEC in my pocket, and #15 Crown Lifter in red jigged bone. I have always liked having the one hand open and close of the sebenza, but today went by fine and I used the #15 often. I'm going to swap out a few different GEC's over the next few weeks and see how I feel about just carrying a traditional and no modern folder.
 
I've used the heck out of this #73, even in the snowy woods, and it's held up fairly well doing what a folder (of any kind, modern or traditional) should be able to do. After a good amount of use, I do now have a tiny bit of side-to-side play on the primary blade. But the blades are a bit easier to open now also, so it's a wash.

 
link2derek said:
I've used the heck out of this #73, even in the snowy woods, and it's held up fairly well doing what a folder (of any kind, modern or traditional) should be able to do. After a good amount of use, I do now have a tiny bit of side-to-side play on the primary blade. But the blades are a bit easier to open now also, so it's a wash.
Click to expand...

My GEC #85 intially had a little bit of side to side play. That is because the pin holding together the bolsters and the liners isn't peened or permanently secured in some fashion. If you wrap the bolsters with a piece of leather of thick fabric. Then grab any pair of pliers and squeeze, the play will go away. Sometimes when I strop (I strop over paper and glass) I put too much pressure on the blade causing a tiny bit of wiggle room to form. I just do what I described above and all the play goes away.
 
A lot of great info has already been given, but speaking as someone who used to carry moderns, I love my traditionals. The only reason I would carry a modern now would be as a self defense carry. I have put my 71 bull nose to work as my yard knife and have never been disappointed. I usually edc my gec 15 and 81 and love them. Between the two I haven't really needed another, it's just fun to switch out every now and then. Good luck picking one out.
 
^^^^same here, only mine are stainless, an opinel and some SAKs use the livin' daylights out of them, you will not be disappointed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top