gec wood handle

C

catfish579

Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
166
hi all. im looking in on getting a GEC #85 sometime soon and debating over an ebony handle or cocobolo handle. wondering if one a more durable over the other or if one more appropriate for the style of knife. any thoughts from the fans of GEC and their fine trademarks would be appreciated. thanks!
 
I like my 85 in ebony. cant say enough about the ebony scales
unfortunately i dont have anything in cocobolo to compare it to though

for what its worth, some 85 in ebony porn!

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One thing to consider is the ebony is mostly on the Tidioutes while the Northfields have cocobolo. Tidioutes usually have a plainer look, drawn swedge, nail nick, plain bolsters, satin blade finis,h which I like where as Northfields will have long pulls, cut swedges, pinched and lined bolsters, and usually semi-polished blade finishes. I meant to carry one of the cocos but carried my ebony instead. Before and after pics below.
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IMHO - the #85 in ebony would be the more traditional rendering of this pattern. I'd chose ebony and a spear blade as the perfect modern expression of this pattern. The cutting edge version of the #85 would be Cocobola with a coping secondary and a clip main. At the end of the day, you just can't go wrong with ebony! :thumbup:
 
From my experience with these woods in other applications they are both harder than the hinges of Hades so fear not either choice is good!
 
thanks for the input all. decided to go for a ebony wood. will update when get it and get a feel of it all.
 
For anyone that is interested, all GEC wood is stabilized before they put it on the knives (I emailed them to ask) so there shouldn't be any issue with durability of any of their woods.

I once got a bunch of brake fluid on my cocobolo #73 and it didn't miss a beat, great stuff!
 
I've had quite a few cocobolo handles over the years, mainly customs, and they were working knives. The cocoblo has held up well. Like any wood, they will expand and contract, but they are very durable. They will get darker over time, but I've been told a wipe down with Rennaisance Wax will bring back their luster.

I have had a few ebony handles too, and one of my favorites is my Tribal Spear. It is a great knife, and the scales have held up great. This is not an EDC knife though.

Right now, I have several GEC knives with wood scales, and they are durable and have not expanded or shrank on me. I believe they are bocote wood (the Beaver Tail knives, a 73, 72 and 48).
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I've had quite a few cocobolo handles over the years, mainly customs, and they were working knives. The cocoblo has held up well. Like any wood, they will expand and contract, but they are very durable. They will get darker over time, but I've been told a wipe down with Rennaisance Wax will bring back their luster.

I have had a few ebony handles too, and one of my favorites is my Tribal Spear. It is a great knife, and the scales have held up great. This is not an EDC knife though.

Right now, I have several GEC knives with wood scales, and they are durable and have not expanded or shrank on me. I believe they are bocote wood (the Beaver Tail knives, a 73, 72 and 48).
Click to expand...

GEC Beavertails are Cherry Wood.
 
rma100 said:
GEC Beavertails are Cherry Wood.
Click to expand...

Not exclusively. Typically they're wood of some kind and they've used a fair amount of Brazilian cherry, but have also used bubinga & wenge wood. I say typically only because I've seen one spec run bone handle club knife with the beavertail shield.

Edited to add:
I recall some American cherry & jigged bocote wood beavertails also.
 
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