sceva
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2002
- Messages
- 1,836
I just got a GEC (Tidoute) 09 Esquire with Rust Red jigged bone scales from Gunstockjack. Barrys excellent photos were detailed, true to color and made it very easy to decide between his and those available on other sites.
I realize that the 09 Esquire has be out for over a year and this is probably old news but I really like this knife; although small it is a wonderful knife for dress wear and disappears into a pocket. The fit and finish leave nothing to be desired and there is no detectable blade rub. The opening and closing was a little draggy ( from half way to completely open) but I have been flushing and oiling it and it is improving quickly. The Rust Red is a very nice color on this knife and varies between a nice deep red reddish brown to a dark brick red according to the lighting and if indoors or outdoors. If I have any complaint at all, and this applies to GEC and many other brands, it is that the shoulder at the pivot end of the blades where it will hit the backspring has very sharp corner edges that tend to poke you where they stick up when the blade is closed. This is easily fixed by lightly stoning the edge and corners I have done this to mine (and to my 2014 Bladeforums stag jack)
I also very much like that when opened, the blades on the GEC knife are straight and parallel to the backspring. On many knives the blade tends to angle downward (the Canal Street knife does this) which is a bit of a turn-off to me and, in my opinion shows a lack of care or fitting at assembly. The GEC is perfect in this regard.
This is definitely going into my carry rotation. I have it sharpened up ready to use and have a nice patina started. For size; I compared it to my Canal Street ring opener (2006 Forum knife) It looks and feels smaller at first glance but there is actually only a little difference. The main reason is that the GEC is nicely rounded while the CSC is flatter especially the bolsters. The GEC in my eyes is a more refined and better finished knife.
Shown with a 2006 Forum knife for comparison on size
I realize that the 09 Esquire has be out for over a year and this is probably old news but I really like this knife; although small it is a wonderful knife for dress wear and disappears into a pocket. The fit and finish leave nothing to be desired and there is no detectable blade rub. The opening and closing was a little draggy ( from half way to completely open) but I have been flushing and oiling it and it is improving quickly. The Rust Red is a very nice color on this knife and varies between a nice deep red reddish brown to a dark brick red according to the lighting and if indoors or outdoors. If I have any complaint at all, and this applies to GEC and many other brands, it is that the shoulder at the pivot end of the blades where it will hit the backspring has very sharp corner edges that tend to poke you where they stick up when the blade is closed. This is easily fixed by lightly stoning the edge and corners I have done this to mine (and to my 2014 Bladeforums stag jack)
I also very much like that when opened, the blades on the GEC knife are straight and parallel to the backspring. On many knives the blade tends to angle downward (the Canal Street knife does this) which is a bit of a turn-off to me and, in my opinion shows a lack of care or fitting at assembly. The GEC is perfect in this regard.
This is definitely going into my carry rotation. I have it sharpened up ready to use and have a nice patina started. For size; I compared it to my Canal Street ring opener (2006 Forum knife) It looks and feels smaller at first glance but there is actually only a little difference. The main reason is that the GEC is nicely rounded while the CSC is flatter especially the bolsters. The GEC in my eyes is a more refined and better finished knife.
Shown with a 2006 Forum knife for comparison on size
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