GEC TK Cuban Pen Knife

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
1,679
I bought this GEC #53 TK Cuban Pen knife with the idea of reshaping the pen blade. I was wanting a larger single-spring knife that had a clip blade and a sheepsfoot blade. I'd call the end result here a coping blade rather than a sheepsfoot blade, but close enough considering everything. (I'm hoping Frank and Gary will allow this to stay here, as my intention is to show an "end result", and not necessarily a "how to" that may be more appropriate for Maint. & Tinkering).

The blade stock for the pen blade on the TK is thinner than the sheepsfoot blade on the Stockman. And as you can see, it's not as wide (measurement from spine to cutting edge), and the pen blade is shorter both "before", and of course "after". This is all fine when considering my intended usage - I'm very satisfied with the end result. If it were for everyday construction use for example, I'd stick with the stouter sheepsfoot blade on the Stockman. Anyway, time for a few pics. ;)

This first pic shows the original pen blade on the TK Cuban on the right; and for comparison, on the left is a sheepsfoot blade from a GEC #53 Cuban Stockman.



These next two pics show a comparison of the same two knives after reshaping the pen blade on the TK Cuban.





This final pic is intended to show the handle size in relation to the blade size on three GEC "pen knives": White Owl, TK Cuban, Conductor.

 
I like your re-work, useful. It's an improvement as some GEC penblades are rather slender, too bad they don't use the modified pen as seen on CASE knives, broader/stouter.

I also like this GEC pattern, single-spring knives attract me a lot, would fancy a Northfield one in bone but they seem scarce. Thanks for the pix showing the White Owl with the TK Cuban: Pygmy Owl next to an Eagle :D:thumbup:

Thanks, Will
 
Man that looks great :thumbup:

I like it and wish it came stock this way, maximizing the length and size of the coping blade. Now you have me closer to doing this, appreciate the detailed pics :)
 
Thanks for the comments/compliments guys! I agree with ya Will on liking the modified pen blade on Case knives. Jeff, IIRC you're in construction and as I alluded to earlier I'm not sure if you'd be satisfied with this on the job or not. But it'll be great for cutting into those darn blister packs, etc. ;)

This is a step up in the size range of knives I usually (or used to) carry. I've been quite happy with a White Owl or Conductor or even a Pemberton - they'll do pretty much everything I ask of a knife.

I hit 64 years of age last summer and seem to be developing a little arthritis once in a while in the hands/fingers, and I'm finding that a larger knife is easier to use. Crazy, but I recently "discovered" that even the #53 Stockman rides in my pocket quite well. And this TK Cuban feels even more svelte in there, and has the same great feel in-hand, too.

-Keith
 
You remember correctly :thumbup:

I dont do the demo and full on remodel I once did. I am back at my trade making granite countertops. Not nearly as hard on a knife lol. But I find myself cutting more hose lately and a longer blade comes in handy for that. I dont own my cuban anymore and am looking for another. In the meantime I am looking at the tk or the 73. Its a tough choice for me, I go back and forth daily.
 
That is a tough choice, Jeff.

Coincidentally, earlier today I snapped this pic of my 53's & 73's ….. this seems like a good excuse to post it. Don't know if it'll help ya make the decision or not. ;)

-Keith

 
It helps, I just dont know how lol. Beautiful group you have Keith! Such a tough choice, ill own all of them eventually :)
 
Christmas came early today :)
T.K. cuban came in the mail. Im impressed for sure, so light for its size. My first GEC single spring and its awesome. Kinda mad at myself for not getting it sooner actually. Dont think I can go very long without taking Keiths que and moding the pen :thumbup:. It may seem a little small, looking at it on the frame but in hand its a great size. This one will be going in the pocket for awhile....pics tomorrow
 
Man, that was quick, Jeff! Looking forward to the pics and your further impressions of the knife. :thumbup:
 
Man I cant believe how fast it got here either. Ordered saturday morning in arkansas and showed up on monday from washington, give my postal guy props :thumbup:. They where out last sunday delivering too....never seen that before. Anyways heres a pic




The pull is perfect on the main, hair stiff on the pen but it doesnt bother me one bit. The walk and talk is superb with the snap into the open position reassuring, its definitely open :) first gec out of the tub that shaved hair! Its almost perfect but does have one flaw. The ebony was sanded a hair short of one bolster and has a divit you can rest your thumb in, gives it some tactile charactor imho. If it bugs me later ill sand it but i have a feeling it will be just fine as is for now. In pocket now, will report more later.
 
That's some nice dark ebony on that one, Jeff. It's really a handsome knife … something about ebony and nickel silver that just works together! :thumbup:
 
Still love this knife! So much so I have tracked down almost all of the different cover variations. The T.K. continues to be one of my all time favorite knives! I hope to see a new run someday and maybe they update it to have a sheepsfoot like the churchill. A guy can dream cant he :)


LbASZNR.jpg
 
rockgolfer said:
Still love this knife! So much so I have tracked down almost all of the different cover variations. The T.K. continues to be one of my all time favorite knives! I hope to see a new run someday and maybe they update it to have a sheepsfoot like the churchill. A guy can dream cant he :)


LbASZNR.jpg
Click to expand...
I love that acrylic one, there was one on the bay a while back but unfortunately I snoozed. They don’t seem to come up too often, but that model is on my short list of ones I want to check out. I had a presidential but got rid of it, I just don’t care for spear blades
 
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