GEC Tidioute #73 Osage Orange

BigBiscuit said:
Also for the OP, this knife is anything but a one hand closing. It has a very strong spring in both directions. Closing the knife is a two hand oeration.
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It's a strong spring for sure. I can close this version one handed though. I've developed an affliction over the years for them and learned how to adapt. Closing can be done one or two hand to the owners delight.
 
If I didn't have a mountain of expenses looming I'd badly NEED one of these in liner-lock! Not so easy to sell stuff over here on the other side of the Atlantic.

This is some very attractive wood and the simple shield works very well with it. Congratulations owners!

Thanks, Will
 
The strong yet limber branches of the Osage Orange were prized for the construction of bows by Native Americans. The common name "Bodark" is an altered version of the French "bois d'arc" or "bow wood". Hunters who are interested in the use of the wood for bows can check out OsageOrange.com.
 
What is the pull rating on these? I need one. If I didn't carry customs and my Case Tribal Spear every day, I'd have a 73 paired with my peanut. Great pattern, I have two of them. Do these come with lanyard holes?
 
BigBiscuit said:
Also for the OP, this knife is anything but a one hand closing. It has a very strong spring in both directions. Closing the knife is a two hand oeration.
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Not according to:

KrisNZ said:
Yeah it's all about respect,...and a lot of technique.

I've got pretty big paws, so I close mine with one hand, here's how I do it,.
P1060722_zpsd921bbed.jpg


I use the tip of my thumb to disengage the lock,...

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Then use my index finger to push blade over to the half stop,...

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...and with all digits out of the way,...

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...snap the blade shut,...

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...with that being said, I've still cut myself plenty of times,...

Hope this helps

Kris,.
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Rockon75 said:
Interesting thread. The old folk in the hills and valleys of SW Pennsylvania planted the old Osage Orange as a natural "hedge row", aka fence. My Mom's farm in PA has uncountable "monkey ball" trees. Everyone around there picks up the "balls" and puts them in their cellar. Guaranteed no spiders if the balls are placed on top to the foundation walls, by the "rim board". Of course, include the coal bin. Who of you has heard this before? I call you out, feel free to add your family's mythical tales of the "Mokeyball tree".
Josh
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I've heard of it, but we didn't do it. I'm in west central PA.
 
btmccutcheon said:
With those bear trap springs, I'd be a little reluctant to try to close a 73 one-handed.
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So would I. Between the gator snap and arthritis, not a chance.
And to answer the question regarding the pull, I'd rate it an 8. I just left mine in the 2/3 open position for a couple days and it lightened up to about a 7
 
Rockon75 said:
Interesting thread. The old folk in the hills and valleys of SW Pennsylvania planted the old Osage Orange as a natural "hedge row", aka fence. My Mom's farm in PA has uncountable "monkey ball" trees. Everyone around there picks up the "balls" and puts them in their cellar. Guaranteed no spiders if the balls are placed on top to the foundation walls, by the "rim board". Of course, include the coal bin. Who of you has heard this before? I call you out, feel free to add your family's mythical tales of the "Mokeyball tree".
Josh
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It wasn't until recently that I found out that osage orange and bois d'arc or bodark is the same thing. Here in Arkansas I always heard about bodark being almost as hard as steel, and how hard it was to work without ruining a man's tools. My dad had a large slab of it he planned to work for years and never did. That slab was actually a cross section or slice that was about an inch and a half thick. That was a heavy chunk of wood. Hard as a rock too. Not a clue what ever happened to it.

So I have mine on order and waiting for it to arrive. It will remind me of my dad. I wish he could see it.
 
btmccutcheon said:
So I have mine on order and waiting for it to arrive. It will remind me of my dad. I wish he could see it.
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Good on you-- I've been pondering how good a single-blade #73 would be since seeing the picture of your ebony two-blade model, and looking more closely at the one I now have on hand....
btmccutcheon said:
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I've (carefully!) opened both blades on my own two-bladed version, mighty little tank that it is, and pondered how it would feel in use with just one blade, with no second blade closed into the handle and interrupting the comfortable ergonomics.

There's nothing like a stamped blade with ebony(!), but I look forward to hearing your impressions on your incoming #73.

~ P.
 
pertinux said:
Good on you-- I've been pondering how good a single-blade #73 would be since seeing the picture of your ebony two-blade model, and looking more closely at the one I now have on hand....

~ P.
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not an osage orange, but.....

735115%20brown%20LL%20open_zpsfedy2x6m.jpg
 
My apologies for the poor picture as it was taken late last night. So far I've not seen it in natural light and am looking forward to seeing how it looks.



As for the knife itself, blade is dead center, not a single gap. There is some roughness around the pins but hopefully that will get worn down with age. The lack of the secondary blade does in my opinion make it more comfortable to hold, however my big mitts like the girth provided by the second spring on the two bladed variety. The pull is at least and 8 and makes me a bit nervous now that I've given it an edge. This thing is a bear trap for sure. I spent about an hour last night just flushing with mineral oil and working the blade back and forth to the point my forearms are sore this morning. I'm leaving it open about 3/4 of the way for a while to hopefully ease that spring up a bit.

Overall, I like it and think it's beautiful and comfortable. However, it is a bear trap that I could see hurting someone pretty quick if they weren't careful. Definitely not for someone who has weak hands or nails.

Dad would like this fine bois d'arc knife.
 
And that's why I was saying it is a two handed closure. I can't imagine a one handed closure. I'd be afraid of loosing control and having it snap closed on my fingers.
 
Well I finally broke down and ordered a GEC thanks to this thread. Now to keep it from the fiancee until after the wedding next week :rolleyes:
 
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