GEC Tidioute Moose mini-review from first time GEC owner

[mazdamattc]

Thank you for the review! :thumbup: I was just reading a thread last night on the moose. The Nessmuk set up is starting to itch. That and Kephart for that matter.

For others interested:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...vide-insight-to-this-pattern!?highlight=moose

What a great thread! Thanks for the link. I don't know how my Moose search missed it.

 

[mazdamattc]

Your knife-gathering history sounds a lot like mine: Opinels, Svords, Moras, Marttiinis, a few lower-to middle-priced traditionals, a couple of Condors, a few SAKs, a couple of Anzas, and a few modern knives that helped kindle my interest. Since joining this forum, I have bought a couple of sodbusters and a Buck canoe, but still haven't tried anything from GEC.

This forum is giving me quite an education. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys here, but a review like yours means a lot to me. Thank you.

It was my pleasure. With the amount of knowledge I have gained in the short time I have been acquainted with this forum, I figure the least I can do is pay it forward when I can.

 

[mazdamattc]

thanks for the review, I think you'll need to reprofile the blades with a diamond stone to really get the most out of the 1095 steel, and the nice slim grinds of those blades.

I think you are right. My goal is to find the time to make this moose as sharp as my carbon Opinels, which are the sharpest knives I've ever used. I'm sure I'll get it there eventually.

 

[KBA]

What a great thread! Thanks for the link. I don't know how my Moose search missed it.

Not a problem it happens to me all the time.

You put the pull at a 9. Do you have any other GECs to compare the pull on, say a 73 for example?

 

[mazdamattc]

Not a problem it happens to me all the time.

You put the pull at a 9. Do you have any other GECs to compare the pull on, say a 73 for example?

No, this is my first GEC. The pull feels almost twice as hard as my Case medium stockman, and quite a bit harder than my sodbuster jr, if that helps. Call the medium stockman a 5, and the soddie jr. a 7.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Great review! I don't remember if I had to sharpen mine out of the box or not, but I have sharpened mine. Like yours, the springs are quite stiff. If you contact Christine at GEC (email on their website) she might be able to lighten the pull for you.

 

[Will Power]

Excellent review/overview: articulate, interesting and based on experience, just what is needed.:thumbup:

A hefty knife for sure with as you say, great credibility as a Nessmuk style trio (now let's get the sheath knife and hatchet sorted out ) The springs on these are well notorious and are a bit overdone perhaps. It's always disappointing to encounter scale gaps on a more expensive knife, it does happen though. As for the sharpness-or lack of it - this is a point that's been talked about widely and it seems divisive. I simply find it incomprehensible WHY a knife cutler should let knives out in a blunt state?:barf: Utterly pointless and possibly discouraging for those unfamiliar with Traditionals. It does seem an American thing mostly, which is bizarre as the USA produces the widest selection of current Traditionals, but my Traditionals from nearly everywhere else have always arrived new and sharp (Finland, France, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, China, Taiwan, Japan) Certainly, you have to sharpen them eventually but I think it's polite to send out a new knife that will shave arm-hair, particularly as most traditionals are in conventional carbon or stainless steels not supers.

Congratulations on your new knife, I'd recommend trying out the GEC 68 White Owl, it's a kind of junior version of this but with a small secondary blade, a fine practical carry.

Thanks, Will

 

[CROWEMAG]

I have this knife and love it for its massive size and strong pulls. Like previously mentioned this is one of the best built knives I own at any price point. My example has no gaps and was razor sharp out of box.

 

[2Dead]

Nice review. I do like the looks of the '14 moose in ebony and maroon linen. Probably because of placement of the shield. Makes it all look symmetric. I usually prefer Tidioute's simple treatments to more complicated ones as well.

 

[biglmbass]

The pattern is the 541214M Large Moose. The 54 is used for Harness Jack, Cattleman, Moose, Big Jack, and Big Horn. 4 1/16 inches closed

The 53 is almost the same size frame but used for the Cuban Stockman, Muskrat, Cattle Baron, Cattle Rancher, Furtaker Muskrat, and Cuban Pen. 4 1/8" closed

Info is from:
http://www.collectorknives.net

I only know this because I just ordered a 53 Muskrat from them.

I own 53 and 54 and I'm not real sure of the differences in frame size as they both seem to be 4 1/4'' closed.
-Brandon

The frames of the 53 and 54 are identical. The blades of a 54 will have square tangs (half stops).

 

[biglmbass]

You could also get the Moose in the #66 frame. The Bullwinkle...but having not gone far in the research as to the difference between a 54 vs, 66
but I'm sure someone knows...

The 66 could be considered a baby moose though its frame has the serpentine shape, whereas the 53 & 54s do not.

 

[SAK Guy]

The frames of the 53 and 54 are identical. The blades of a 54 will have square tangs (half stops).

Thank you for the info! :thumbup: I was just going by the numbers on the site which I had been all over researching my latest purchase.

 

[MadMaximus]

I'm not a big fan of knives with multiple pivots (i like the jack style primarily), but your review almost has me sold on one! Great work!

I also agree, I've got a lot of butter knives from GEC (still my favorite company), but luckily they're real easy to sharpen!

 

[mazdamattc]

Great review! I don't remember if I had to sharpen mine out of the box or not, but I have sharpened mine. Like yours, the springs are quite stiff. If you contact Christine at GEC (email on their website) she might be able to lighten the pull for you.

Thanks for the idea, but the strong pull is OK by me, and from what I hear, it may loosen up a bit with more use. It is already a little better after I oiled the joints. I see that you have very good taste in knives. Great minds think alike!

 

[rma100]

The 66 could be considered a baby moose though its frame has the serpentine shape, whereas the 53 & 54s do not.

The 66 moose was actually called the "Bullwinkle J. Moose", and some of them had a picture of Bullwinkle etched on the blade.

 

[swaybacksteve]

The 66 then would be for those wanting to carry a smaller two full blade knives ( clip and spear). I like the serpentine frame and would be a comfortable hold. Obviously the size difference of the 54 vs 66 makes for a more robust carry and probably can handle more of the camp duties, specifically the small animal dressing, although I have used many a 3.5 in knife do do just that....trim the pork chop and get it ready for the grill is all I about do now along with slicing and dicing veggies.

I'v gotten some larger frames such the 47,73 and contemplating the 72, .....the the larger 54 would be it for me.
I have only an nice shingle axe and a Buck 109 and my dads Schrade usa 5.5in trapper to use a my modified Nesmuck trio.

 

[KnivesShipFree]

Enjoyed the review, mazdamattc. The moose is one of my favorite patterns, and the #54 Tidioute Big Moose is one of my favorite GECs. I have one (maroon Micarta) in my regular EDC rotation.

It's as useful as any knife I own (maybe because I prefer large slipjoints anyway). I will say, though, that mine came out of the tube quite sharp -- both blades, end-to-end -- and I don't find the pull too terribly objectionable.



Tom @ KnivesShipFree

 

[KBA]

Mike has the pull listed as an 8, the same as a 73. Do you all notice a difference between the 2 that have both? Is it just the nick placement that makes the pull seem stiffer on the 54?

Thannks

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Thanks for the idea, but the strong pull is OK by me, and from what I hear, it may loosen up a bit with more use. It is already a little better after I oiled the joints. I see that you have very good taste in knives. Great minds think alike!

I've had mine since last hunting season.... the pull might be a smidge lighter now, but I couldn't swear to it though.