GEC Then and Now

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Modoc ED

Modoc ED

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The picture below shows a 2007 (1st Run) GEC Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman with Chocolate Bone scales and a 2011 (2nd Run) GEC Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman with Bumble Bee scales. Actually they might best be described as Cattle knives but GEC calls them Stockman so we'll go with that. Note the differences:

The newer knife has it's shield placed further forward on the scale than the older knife.
The newer knife's blade etching lettering is smaller than that of the older knife.
The newer knife's nail nicks are wider and deeper that those of the older knife.
The newer knife's spring pin and middle scale pin are lined up exactly even while the older knife's spring pin is set just forward of the middle scale pin. Very slight but off-set just the same. It's not just these two knives. I checked the newer knife against three older knives and the pins are set the same on all older knives.

euZfCxI.jpg


The final kicker is that the 1st run/original Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman knives came with a Cigar Band wrapped around their wrappers just like a real cigar comes; however, the new Tidioute Cuban Cigar Stockman has no such Cigar Band. Too bad-- it would have been a nice touch.

Anyway, I think it's interesting to see the subtle differences between manufacturer's knives of the same line manufactured 4-years apart.
 
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have to hand it to you more observant guys, i just do'nt notice those small details, i've gotten lots of cigar bands but figured they would only be a temporary deal since the bands would be limited in no. i have'nt been greatly dismayed by consistency in quality but noticed the polish was better on the 2007 & 2008 blades. thanks for the details---dennis
 
I can only see the one on the left! I know I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer(pun intended), so is there a setting I can use or maybe something I'm not aware of to get the full picture? It's the one thing I don't care for on the new update! I really like those 53s and I to consider them cattleknives! I hope they always keep these going! Thanks for that update on these Ed!
 
DennisStrickland said:
have to hand it to you more observant guys, i just do'nt notice those small details, i've gotten lots of cigar bands but figured they would only be a temporary deal since the bands would be limited in no. i have'nt been greatly dismayed by consistency in quality but noticed the polish was better on the 2007 & 2008 blades. thanks for the details---dennis
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That's funny, I heard another member say that the blade grinds had greatly improved on the newer tidioute knives. By polish, do you mean the northfield line?
 
Peter Parker said:
I can only see the one on the left! I know I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer(pun intended), so is there a setting I can use or maybe something I'm not aware of to get the full picture? It's the one thing I don't care for on the new update! I really like those 53s and I to consider them cattleknives! I hope they always keep these going! Thanks for that update on these Ed!
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I don't know about the settings but it is one photograph take of both knives together not two pictures posted side by side. You should be able to see both knives in the photograph.
 
Having noticed that the newer GECs were coming much sharper, I found on another blog where GEC has improved their honing process. They have been listening to us.
 
the newer models are no longer dull as a brick but can work immediately. in polish the 2007 & 2008 northfields looked to be better finished.--dennis
 
Yep, I tested this knife right out of the tube and will put it to work without sharpening it. Pretty darn sharp as is.
 
There are differences in other knife models as well.

(Somebody oughta write these down somewhere...) ;)


The original #54 Moose had a spear point blade as a "main" blade, the new ones are reversed.

Edit: Sorry, I goofed the original moose had a spear point blade as the main blade and a clip as secondary.

Keep 'em coming, guys!
 
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I prefer the centered shield on the older ones. Goes better with the symmetrical handle; the knife looks unbalanced with it towards one end.

When it comes to sharpness, I've found that ones from the Tidioute imprint come sharper than Northfield...
 
randomlooker said:
I prefer the centered shield on the older ones. Goes better with the symmetrical handle; the knife looks unbalanced with it towards one end.
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Incidently, my 2007 Stockman (Northfield, Sandbar acrylic) has an offset shield, and the not quite aligned pins.
 
Nice comparison. How are they comparable in other ways such as blade thickness and pull? I recall the pull and the springs on the #53 stockman were one of the easier ones (relatively speaking to other GEC knives).
 
texasflyfisher said:
Nice comparison. How are they comparable in other ways such as blade thickness and pull? I recall the pull and the springs on the #53 stockman were one of the easier ones (relatively speaking to other GEC knives).
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As far as the pull, blade thickness, fit and finish, they are pretty much identical.

Mad_Maxx said:
interesting thing thanks
the new one looks wider to me...is it the pic?
Maxx
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The knives are the same width. I went so far as to check them with my micrometer after you posed the question as it does look a bit wider in the picture; however, it must be the angle of the camera that gives the appearance.
 
Nice thread, man. Little differences like the ones you have illustrated are part of what makes a less-than-mega production company so special. I plan to continue beefing up the GEC collection and will be watching the changes more closely.
 
Good thread idea, Ed.
The evolution of GEC's knives is a real interesting and encouraging story. We have a U.S.A. cutlery growing, against all global odds!
 
As far as the shield placement goes, I'm sure they moved it because of (possible/probable) scale cracking issues. Just think about it, and you'll see what I mean.


RE: Thicknesses: The saber ground toothpicks have significantly thicker blades and springs than the flat ground versions.
 
i was aware the saber blades of the whitt were much thicker but had'nt noticed the springs [thanks joebob]. it also seems the whitt sabers have a better polish. as to use the flat grind blade mostly is more efficient but for looks the saber is great, also stronger.--dennis
 
waynorth said:
Good thread idea, Ed.
The evolution of GEC's knives is a real interesting and encouraging story. We have a U.S.A. cutlery growing, against all global odds!
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Ain't it great!

GEC is, IMHO showing us the future of USA production of QUALITY traditional knives. They are crafting a quality knife, at a price, to a very narrow market of enthusiasts and collectors.

I hope the P&L is working as well for them as well as their knives are working for us, and we (and those that follow) can be comparing them not 4 years apart, but 20, 30, 40 or more? years apart someday.
 
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