GEC NF #25 - Hand Mixed Epoxy "Granite" (Updated With Mods)

[coyote711]

Just received this little guy today and I'm pretty impressed! F&F is excellent, both blades centered, no wobble. Half-stops and the pull is 5 to 6 on both blades - backspring is narrower on the pen blade than on the clip, so they both pull the same. Don't know any more about the handle material than what is in the title of this thread.

This may sound weird, but I really like the appearance of this knife closed. I've had some EZ Opens and other 25's that had a sheepsfoot or wharncliffe blade and never cared for how high the blade sat in the frame when closed. I'm liking the long pull and swedge, too!

I had another two blade 25 where the small blade looked more like a small clip than a pen blade, and was almost impossible to open - to the point that I never used it, so I sold it. This one opens nice and I'm now looking forward to using both blades.

 

[sleevefullofaces]

That's a nicer one.

I'm always biased to two bladed knives.

 

[Knife Crazied]

I also like the looks of it. :thumbup:

 

[nphelps4130]

Nice looking knife!
The #25s are nice small, but stout, knives. That is a nice clip blade. Does the pen blade impair access to the long pull on the main blade at all?
Enjoy the new knife-
-Nick

 

[coyote711]

Thanks for the comments so far folks. Here's some new pics taken outdoors - first ones were indoors w/flash - I think they capture the "granite" of the handles a little better.

Nick, the pen blade does impair access to about half the long pull on the clip blade - not really a problem 'cause natural thumbnail placement is towards the tip of the blade when opening rather than towards the joint. Very smooth opening on both blades - not a nailbreaker at all.

 

[Blues]

After I looked at those new images I suddenly broke into a cold sweat thinking of Mrs. Bernhard, my 5th grade teacher that took my old Kamp-King away from me during class!

Hmmm, wonder what the connection was...?

Cool knife, Keith! :thumbup:

 

[glocktenman]

"I think they capture the "granite" of the handles a little better." True, the second set of pictures show the handles much better. They look really good...they look like granite! I'm amazed at GEC often when I see some of their handles with the description of the handles and darn if they don't look just like what they're described as. (does that make sense?) Such as the grizzly cut, rhubarb, chocolate bone, appaloosa bone and of course your granite. Great pick up.

 

[coyote711]

Thanks Randy. Speakin' of GEC handle descriptions, some time back you posted a pic of a #25 GEC in "River Blue Bone" (or something close to that name) - looked just like waves or ripples on the water. Pretty amazing!

 

[knarfeng]

That's purdy one. Congrats!

 

[runninmike]

I love the pattern Keith- I am a big fan of 2 blade jacks(although most mine are stockies) just got a DB small Barlow, and have an old timer 33OT that I've had for about 25 years. The pen blade just does it for me in most cutting and scraping needs.:thumbup:

 

[coyote711]

OK - so I lied a little ..... it's the same Hand Mixed Epoxy "Granite" that I posted a few days ago - but I took a little belly off the clip blade to make it more svelte and "traditional". First pic is "before", second is "after". Perhaps the purists and collectors may think this is a sacrilege - altering what the GEC gods made - but I like it better.

So what's your take on altering a knife? Leave it as made, or is it OK to tweak a knife a little to better suit your own taste?

 

[thejamppa]

That is very good job. I think the blade should have looked like that in first place. Very good job :thumbup:

 

[theblindog]

smooth....:thumbup:


falah

 

[Rick]

That is very good job. I think the blade should have looked like that in first place. Very good job :thumbup:

Agree completely. That's one problem I have with some of GEC's blade profiles; too boxy.

Great job, Coyote.

 

[Blues]

Another excellent re-work, Keith. You have a nice touch.

Frankly, I think it's a great idea to fine tune your knives to your own specs.

 

[coyote711]

Another excellent re-work, Keith. You have a nice touch.

Thank you all for the comments on the re-work! 'Course, Elliott, I only show the ones that turn out OK - it's the darndest thing, but I've discovered that it's nigh onto impossible to put back steel once it's removed. I've got a couple in the junk drawer that will testify to that! Live and learn, and I do have fun experimenting - the successful ones more than make up for the duds.

 

[Blues]

Course, Elliott, I only show the ones that turn out OK - it's the darndest thing, but I've discovered that it's nigh onto impossible to put back steel once it's removed.

Understood, Keith, but I can still appreciate the good work. :thumbup:

Now, if I were to attempt a particular modification, I'd be vacillating constantly as to whether I had done enough or it was just the way I wanted until ultimately the blade I ended up with looked something like this...

 

[black mamba]

100% on the tweak. I've done it myself several times. I just make sure I go sllooooowwww until it's the way I want it.

I find it's pretty difficult to put metal back on! :thumbup:

 

[midnight flyer]

I'm another that likes the reprofile better. Not only does is look a lot better (and certainly more traditional) but I would certainly bet that it performs much better as well.

The old profile almost had a tanto look to it.

Nice job!

Robert

 

[TLARbb]

I have a tendency to take the belly off some as I stone the knives, so I just let my natural hand sharpening do it. I like it better anyway myself.

I have this photo of a new GEC 48 pattern made for AAPK shown next to the 194OT that shows the effect pretty well. The 194OT started with almost the same blade profile when new.

Ed