GEC Wharncliff Lockbacks

For my part, I feel that the longpull doesn't actually go with the lines of a Wharncliffe, the Tidioute version looks superior.

However, a longpull on a Spear is an entirely different matter!
 
willgoy said:
For my part, I feel that the longpull doesn't actually go with the lines of a Wharncliffe, the Tidioute version looks superior.

However, a longpull on a Spear is an entirely different matter!
Click to expand...

I would tend to agree with you on this. Still, I like the Northfield a lot.


-- Nate
 
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Got my Tidioute Beaver Tail model in today. It was needing sharpened pretty bad. I think its a fine knife. At 2.3 ounces its quite easy to carry too. About the only things I found disappointing were that it would not even slice thick paper let alone news print right out of the container and its not what I was hoping for lock up where I could say its 'rock solid' but in truth the model I received exhibits some vertical blade play when locked opened. I hope my model is the exception and that not all have this type lock up. Speaking of the container that is an interesting twist as its a round tube type instead of a traditional box. I sharpened this one up right quick on my Edge Pro and do intend to use it and carry it. I must say I like the jigging and the beaver tail emblem. The blade shape is great and honestly how often do you see a lockback and a Wharncliffe blade together? It seems to me you see Wharnies a lot in liner locks and slippies but you don't often see them in lock backs particularly back locks. This alone makes the knife worth the purchase IMO.
Oh also, from a collector stand point years from now it may be a bit tricky to ID these at least from the model number because you can't read it to make it out no way no how on the tang since the folder body blocks it no matter where its rotated for position.

STR
 
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Well, to give a full accounting I have to mention this other thing I noticed just so anyone else will know to look for it. As I said it came pretty dull. I sharpened it on the Edge Pro and it did not take long or take off anything really other than the bare minimum needed to make the bevel true and even all the way up and down the blade. Anyway, after the first sharpening, which was needed to get it anywhere near where I want my knives to be, the point of the blade was sticking up out from between the liners when closed. I noted that it was pretty close before sharpening but after changing the bevel it was enough to catch my finger and perhaps my pocket so I looked it over pretty well deciding how to proceed. Fortunately for my model it was not flush in the closed position and the back spring hung down some. Not much but enough to justify an adjustment to the kick of the blade to allow the point to sit down between the liners. In the end it didn't change things enough to notice unless you look real close but the point is down now when the blade is closed.

STR
 
Exposed points on closed blades seem to be a fairly common occurrence with GEC, particularly on their Wharncliffe and Sheepsfoot profiles :(. Fortunately, it's an easy fix, most of the time.

This company is "great" when it comes to nailing the first 95% of the job, but often as not, that last 5%--things like unusably dull blades and those potentially dangerous exposed points--is where they fall short and that's a shame, because they'd be at the top of the regular production traditional game if they'd just invest one more minute per knife and finish the job. Case manages to ship the majority of their knives razor-sharp, and your average Case knife costs roughly two-thirds to one-half as much as a GEC.

GECs lockbacks have never been particularly tight in the lockup department, either. I have half a dozen traditional lockbacks from various makers like Case, Buck, RR, etc., and all of them lockup tighter than the GECs I've handled.

All that said, I'm still getting one of these #72s, if only because I'm a sucker for Wharncliffe blades. :o
 
Damn!!...Rick...you showed us some reeeeeeeeal nice knives there..and I picked up what you mean about the continous flow of the top curve...thats the thing about knife collecting...what you pick up at a knife show table...then put down again....one other may pick and not put down again...and Im sure if I picked up just one of those knives you showed in your photos....you would have to wrench it out of my hand !!! lol

I have just bought some second handers...some for me, and my mate Cossack has got me to buy some for him...when I get over that...Im shopping for a wharnie....
But please help me guys...as I have always wanted to ask this....What is with the Wharncliff shape?...why was it first made...for what purpose is this shape better in use ...other than say...a jack knife?..Im sorry if this sounds like a silly question...But this seems like a good place to ask this
 
I just recieved my Tidioute evergreen jig bone today. mine also is in need of sharpening,bad, blade also has some play very minor. When closed I can see the tip but it is below the liners. still like it alot and is otherwise well made. This is my first traditional outside my many case knives. Comparing it with my case large copperlock wharncliffe,the case has a longer handle 4 1/4" however the GEC has a longer, thicker and wider blade, the case came razor sharp locks up solid. have to put it away til christmas now was just allowed to inspect it wife is wrapping it for my present. Got some pictures on my phone before she confiscated it, will try and post later if I can figure how to do that, this only my second post
 
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