- Joined
- Jan 15, 2014
- Messages
- 40
When I first started thinking about purchasing this Tidioute Moose, I did a few searches and there wasn't much information about them, so I decided to do a mini-review on the one I ended up buying. This is my first purchase of the Moose pattern, and my first GEC knife.
My first impression upon opening the package was "what a beauty". I think the minimalist design of this knife, with it's plain bolsters, simple hotdog shield with no lettering, and classy black ebony scales perfectly complements the no nonsense, heavy duty user nature of this pattern. Nessmuck would approve, I think.
Here are what I see as the pros and cons of my copy of this knife:
Pros:
1) nice to look at. I love the ebony scales.
2) very heavy duty back springs should make it about as safe in use as a slipjoint can be. (but see #2 in cons)
3) 2 good sized blades (3") with two different blade shapes in a still pocketable package
4) heavy, substantial feel fits my hand perfectly
5) 1095 steel should be easy to sharpen, tough, and I love patina, and the way it changes the look of the knife over time.
6) fit and finish is the best I've ever experienced in my limited experience of admittedly low to medium priced traditional knives (with two exceptions-see below). It has perfectly centered blades, perfectly smooth but heavily sprung walk and talk, zero bolster gaps
Cons:
1) most expensive knife I've ever purchased ($91). I am lucky because I tend to be attracted to inexpensive "peasant/farmer/user" types of knives. I have quite a few Moras, Opinels, a Douk-Douk, a Mercator, a Svord, a yellow Delrin Case Sodbuster Jr, etc. You get the picture. This purchase was a premeditated attempt to see how the other half lives!
2) the heavy duty back springs make it about as unsafe to open and close as a slipjoint can be. Even with the half stops, you had better make certain your fingers are out of the way when closing it! Those with weak hands or flimsy fingernails need not apply. I would put the pull at a 9/10.
3) It only has full length blades, nothing small for detailed whittling. I knew that going in, of course. I have a few stockmen pattern knives I can use for their small sheepsfoots if I know I'm going to want to whittle.
4) might be a bit heavy/large for carrying in some types of clothing. Not uncomfortable, but it doesn't disappear in your pocket like some knives do. It is 4-1/8" long closed.
5) Despite the mostly great fit and finish , there are two issues that let this knife down. First, it has gaps between the springs and the liners, and between the liners and the scales. Not large gaps, mind you. You can only see them if you open the blades and hold it up to a bright light. But it must be said that it's gaps are no better than my Case and even Rough Rider knives. This doesn't bother me, because I don't normally hold a knife up to a light looking for gaps!
The other issue does bother me, though. The blades on this knife came considerably less sharp than any other knife I have purchased. Most of the length of both blades were what I would call barely usable, and the tips of both blades were extremely dull. I am talking very, very dull. Kind of a bummer. I know how to sharpen a knife, but it took me a long time with a ceramic rod and an arkansas stone (all I had on me when I received the knife in the mail at work) to get them passably sharp, and the tips have a long way to go still. If Case and even Rough Rider and Opinel can ship knives that are super sharp right out of the box, I would expect the same from GEC, especially at the much higher price point.
I hope this review is of some use to potential Moose purchasers, or perhaps first time GEC purchasers. Despite the few cons, I have to say that I love this knife and I'm sure I will carry and use the heck out of it for many, many years.
