GEC - too many choices!

coaltrain

coaltrain

Joined
Jul 11, 2013
Messages
482
Being new to the knife collecting world, I've been kind of all over the place finding what I like. For a quick summary, I have recently become disabled after working for 38 years (most recently working 70 hours a week), and now find way too much time on my hands. I spend a good amount of my time during the day sitting in a recliner, and have found the world of knives to be a very good pastime.

The first knives I bought for my collection were 2 fixed blade Titioute Hunters and just love them. I then added 2 Benchmade - one Griptilian and one Mini-Griptilian. The Axis-Lock system is a godsend for me as my fingers and hands don't work so well.

But, I am an avid reader of Westerns, and have this need to collect items that depict the old west. The 2 Tidioute Hunters fit in with that. For everyday carry, it will be one of the Benchmades' for the easy opening and lock mechanism, plus the pocket clip as I could never stand to have anything in my pockets. Yeah, I spent my whole life without as much as a coin in my pocket let alone a knife - weird huh? So the traditional knives will be primarily for collection status.

So, in my last month or so I've discovered GEC knives, and I must say that the word "addiction" fits well here. As far as traditional folders, I have 2 on the way to me right now - one of the new Charlows single blade in walnut, and a #21 Toothpick in Mexican Bocote. Both were kind of impulse buys but had the need to get started with a couple that really caught my eye.

Now where do I go from here? I spent a few hours yesterday - it was a beautiful cool summer day - on my deck overlooking my kingdom in the mountains with my tablet in my lap looking at the GEC site plus a couple vendors who have a huge selection fo GEC knives. Now the word "overwhelmed" comes to mind. So many styles - some present production and some discontinued, then on top of that so many handle materials available for each.

I guess the reason for this post, is I figured most everyone has started out with this "addiction" sometime, and was looking for some suggestions on finding my niches perhaps to what style GEC I like and what handle material. The handle material is a little easier as I seem to gravitate toward the woods. I would kill for the opportunity to see these knives in person, but there is no such thing as a knife show or knife shop anywhere near where I live (or within striking distance for me as I can only drive for ~2 hours at a time). Also, budget wise, I can only afford to purchase maybe one knife per month within my budget. One exception - I live 2 hours away from Titusville, and am planning a trip there within the next couple weeks. I'm almost afraid to go as I will only be able to buy 2 knives at most when I am there. I know myself all too well, and it will be very hard to leave with only one or two. But, this trip will hopefully help me with being able to see all the knives in person - going to have to take pictures of my favorites.

So tell me how it was when you got started with collecting these traditional knives - looking at GEC in particular. Do you collect/purchase any that strike your fancy, or do you have a certain type, blade style, or handle material that you seek over others?

~Stan~
 
Interesting question.

As to when I got into knives the answer to that is as a boy. I cannot remember a time when a simple pocket knife wasn't part of my daily gear. Getting a pocket knife was kind of an initiation into advanced boyhood in my neck of the woods and maybe that explains why I have always valued them so much.

As far as GEC goes I was aware of them from the start. Was a big fan of the SFOs from Queen and when the gents who guided that company's most interesting lines started their own company I was immediately aware of it. BUT I was in what you might call a "quiet" period of knife collecting. I was always carrying and using I just wasn't interested in buying. When I decided to make some new purchases I still needed to do some homework in order not to have too many buyers remorses sitting around in the drawers. :)

Styles and types that took my fancy? I'd have to say that the single spring 68 was one of the biggest surprises and best purchases I have ever made. The single spring design won me over and I have been a faithful White Owl fan since buying mine. Liked it so well I bought a back up in case of loss/theft/breakage. The 76 jack has also won me over big time. Always was a big time jack fan and the Outlaw has become a favorite of mine. I have to come clean now, although I appreciate and love a lot of the GEC stuff a whole lot of it just isn't my style. If I carry it you can bet it will have two, and only two, blades and that the main blade will be a clip version. You can also count on it being on the thin side and around 3 1/2 inches long. My favorite handle material is bone and GEC does it up right. Countless beautiful and grippy versions of bone to their credit.

Just stick around and do some reading and searching. There are countless threads on GECs patterns and those of other companies as well. You'll find a lot of these guys do reviews on almost any new style you could want to know about and they are very knowledgable on knives. They'll give you a lot of inside dope on the knives. And if there is some particular question you have about a knife's characteristics you can count on them to provide quality info in a hurry.

Best of luck,
Will
 
Welcome to the club. :)

I have certain preferences, and knives that strike my fancy more than others.

I love Stockmen and Trappers, old Schrades and Schrade Waldens especially.

I also like old vintage fixed blades and the big folding hunters.

GEC of course is making the kind of knives I really like, and I am starting to accumulate a few of them.

Mostly I seem to be drawn to knives that make me think of old times and old friends.
 
I started out with the 73. Bought two Scouts and one 72 lockback off the forum. Hated them. Thought the 73s backsprings were too strong and, for reasons that escape me now, I sold the 72 as well.

Then I tried the smaller patterns (61, 92, 15) and only kept the 61 since I love the curve of the Congress spine.

Found my way back to the 73s via a Jack model made in 2009 with lighter springs. And maybe it was increased thumb/nail strength but now the 73 is my go-to-probably-buy-too-many pattern. I love the shape, the large cap / no cap butt end. I also like that the larger handle allows more of the beautiful GEC handle materials to shine.

The other good thing about traditionals, in general, is the ease of carrying more than one. When I was into more modern folders I found it inconvenient to try and carry more than one (especially when blade length was over 3.5). But a 73 in a slip sheath and a smaller 61, Case medium Stockman or a Northfield Conductor Whittler are a joy to carry and don't feel like I'm carrying a boat anchor(s).
 
I like a sharp knife. I wouldn't say I'm too particular other than it's traditional. Lots of flavors of ice cream in the traditional knife world..... it's all still ice cream right?

I think you might check out a GEC 85 pattern with the Easy Open cuttout. Kinda like this:

 
I was into knives generally before I got into traditionals and GECs in particular. I liked SAKs to begin with, but then was drawn to a more old-fashioned style of knife. I experimented with a few different traditional styles of knife - modern Solingen products disappointed me in their quality; other european traditionals looked variously interesting, but were often extremely expensive, and sometimes too fancy looking. My favourite knife reviewers convinced me that GEC had the build quality and simple aesthetics that I was after. It was fun learning all the different patterns, I started with an all steel #73 trapper in ebony wood, I bought a few #73 patterns after that. I liked the strength of the springs, the high polished blades, the crisp swedges and half-stops, it was a big step up from other traditional knives that I had owned. Since then I am always looking for a new excuse to try out a new pattern, I have the razor EZ open #85 on its way to me, which should be fun. The #92 eureka is in my pockets most of the time.
 
What I would suggest is to spend some time acquiring some books about old knives, to familiarize yourself with the patterns (the addiction will still happen). Send me your address and I'll get one out to you.
 
That brings up a question I've been wondering about, regarding ALL the various GEC models....

While on the tour at GEC facility, they had presentation displays, hmmm there's an idea, collect all from each year! :) but, I digress...what I noticed was each year they would have different models, as you would expect. BUT, will they repeat these models later on with new batches?
Meaning, say, just for example, someone was interested in a Eureka with smooth bone scales...just sayin, would that be something that they will run again, or have they made that and moved on to something else and won't revisit that particular model and covers :(...

Right now, I have two flavours of #79 a 3 blade and the 2 blade version, both are equally nice and I don't see parting with either one, but possibly adding another 2 blade in stag when I can see some covers that meet my eye's requirements ;)
G2
 
I started out buying a GEC that caught my eye after seeing it on the forum here a lot, a 68 WO, then bounded around a number of other eye catchers before coming back and sticking with the 68.

I remember liking knives as a kid but in England I was completely unaware that it was a passion to pursue, since coming to Kentucky and exploring knives I've found great many English knife nuts here on the forum, who knew!

As for collections, I like a lot of things, I try to focus on one thing I like for a period, then end up selling lots but the favorite and moving on. I like natural materials, especially wood, and CV steel, but although I've we looked I've never found a specific niche, and I think that's okay to, although it's taking em a while to accept it :) I've about moved away from modern folders, but I like fixed blades of all kinds...mostly traditional ones though.

nice to meet you, you've found a nice corner of the world to enjoy your new interest with, guys and gals here are nice, helpful and just generally great...don't tell them i said that though :p
 
Thanks for the great replies!

I like hearing your stories on how you started out with this. For me, I've lived in the mountains most of my adult life, and always had a knife at hand. All I had for many years is a Buck folder in my pocket, and a Schrade fixed blade - bought from a local hardware store. They served me well - can't remember how many deer skinned, chickens cleaned etc. over the years. I'm just now starting to appreciate some of the finer things in life and love to hold and use a fine piece of craftsmanship.

I know I will find my way - it just seems right now I am aiming in the dark in a way. Once I get a few of these in my hands, plus visit the GEC factory, I feel I will get a better definition of what I really like.

Gary W. - I'm glad you brought that up. While looking at the pics from the rendezvous, I noticed they have display cases with knives from each year of production. With my limited research so far, it seems they design a knife, make a run of it, then move on to the next. There looks to be hundreds of different patterns so far since 2006 - I get to wondering when they will run out of ideas for new patterns. That's where I get overwhelmed with so many choices.

silenthunterstudios - that is a most gracious offer - I would really like to learn more about the history of these knives - will be sending you am email shortly.

I've also been watching the sale section of the forum quite a bit. This is a great tool for someone like me who has no access to buying or selling locally. Actually I've been waiting to pay for my Gold membership since I don't want the temptation to sell anything yet.......

I feel I am on the right path - researching and learning as I go. Everyday I learn something is a good day!
 
Welcome, Stan! You've gotta be careful. It's easy to get carried away with these things.:D I'm not sure that I can really help much with suggestions for what to collect since I don't buy knives just for that purpose. I enjoy using them more than collecting, so I've tried to vary the patterns and materials as much as possible to give myself some variety.

Gary W. Graley said:
BUT, will they repeat these models later on with new batches?
Meaning, say, just for example, someone was interested in a Eureka with smooth bone scales...just sayin, would that be something that they will run again, or have they made that and moved on to something else and won't revisit that particular model and covers :(...
Click to expand...

I won't say they've never done a second run of a specific variation of a pattern, but generally they don't. There is usually at least some small change, such as the newer #23 and #73 knives having lanyard tubes. It still remains to be seen if GEC will hold to this. For now, you either have to strike while the iron is hot or hope to get lucky later on and score one on the secondary market.
 
Thanks for the welcome Dan!

Up until a year ago, knives were only as users for myself also. But things have changed and I do my best to adapt. I've never "collected" anything in my life so this is all new to me. I've just had to find something to help occupy my time which is also a new thing for me.

I have such admiration for GEC right now - bringing back these awesome knives while using the newer materials available now. Actually buying the out of production or pre-owned knives appeals to me more for some reason - maybe the thrill of the hunt?
 
That's probably what it is. The challenge of locating the hard to find examples is a draw for many in the hobby. Just be aware that many of the knives from the first couple years of production were notorious for having strong backsprings.

I have no doubt you will figure it out as you go. The nice thing about GEC knives is that if you decide you want to take your collection in a different direction after getting started, you can get a good deal of your money back on the secondary market as long as it's a popular pattern/handle configuration.
 
Oh, BTW, I was suggesting the EO type knives, because they are easier to pinch and open. Those might really be a help, plus they are cool.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
What I would suggest is to spend some time acquiring some books about old knives, to familiarize yourself with the patterns (the addiction will still happen). Send me your address and I'll get one out to you.
Click to expand...

One of the things that I most love about this forum is the generosity and willingness to share information and knowledge! Good on you Dan!
 
Woodrow F Call said:
Oh, BTW, I was suggesting the EO type knives, because they are easier to pinch and open. Those might really be a help, plus they are cool.
Click to expand...

In my other thread a couple days ago, it was suggested I look at the easy open liner lock which would be perfect. I'm waiting to get the couple knives I have incoming to get a feel for them. The easy open liner lock (number escapes me right now) is at the top of my list right now for my next purchase.
 
Something to note about the older GECs is that they are commonly referred to as bear traps, ie bear trap springs. If you go after older models, keep that in mind. Also, GEC has handy blade openers, but I have only recently used mine when hunting slipjoints that might be rusted. Most of the recent GECs I've picked up have been smooth out of the tube. The Charlows and boys jacks, single blade 73s, single and double blade 48's, 92 eureka trappers. The large 5 blade cattle baron and 23 patterns have been the tightest I've handled. I've got a two blade 23 and a single blade 23 in to get the pull reduced. They have smoothed out a little, but they are still super tight. The Farm and Field tool/sodbuster is pretty nice for pull. I usually carry a one handed opener and my charlow.
 
Excellent helpful information Dan! I'm going to start a list with those that have hard pulls. Also good to know the newer models have easier pulls - actually makes my selection process a little easier since most are easily available.
 
I still have yet to purchase a GEC. At the beginning, their models generally seemed too big for my purposes. I became intrigued by the 25s I think, but they were too ahort and stout. Then the conductors started and I really got re-interested with the white owl and boys knife models. There is a rather bewildering selection of them. I think I am now holding out for 440C versions.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
Oh, BTW, I was suggesting the EO type knives, because they are easier to pinch and open. Those might really be a help, plus they are cool.
Click to expand...

My #85 EZ Open single blade with natural stag covers gets carried a lot. The EO feature is really handy because the pull is fairly stiff.
 
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