I've not had a GEC yet, so one question. How does the steel compare to say Queens D2 for edge holding?
I can't speak for Queen but, I do have a CSC in D2 as well as GEC's with 440C and GEC's with 1095. I use them all. I love them all. I have never "tested" them for edge holding ability or durability. I use them about as hard as most people will, maybe a bit harder than some. I do all my sharpening with a Sharpmaker and I consider my sharpening ability to be pretty mediocre. Now that that's out the way, let's talk steel!
GEC's 1095:
Pro's: Sharpens up real easy, if you're used sharpening S30V, D2 etc than this is going to blow your mind. You can take this steel from "needs an edge" to "when did I nick myself? Oh lord, I'm gushing blood and I didn't feel a thing!" Using it for everyday tasks like threads, packages, cutting food etc.. then you'll be touching it up 1-2 a week if you're persnickety about a keen edge.
CONS: Corrosion resistance is low as this is a carbon steel. Letting your knife take on a patina is highly recommended as it will help prevent rust and looks amazing. If you sweat a lot (I do) and you plan on using it in the heat, then I recommend a pocket slip or belt sheath as no amount of oil or patina can save a 1095 knife from personal humidity.
CSC's D2:
Pros: Edge holding is pretty sweet. General use requires only a monthly touch up and even then I'm not sure I need to. Even when dulling it develops a very toothy edge that seems to bite into materials. Keeps a working edge forever. Semi-stainless. It will stain a bit but even I can't get this stuff to rust. A very interesting steel.
Cons: Sharpening this required surmounting a real learning curve for me. I'm sure more competent sharpeners will laugh but I had more luck with S30V than D2. (To Canal Street's credit, it did come with a decent working edge.) Edge always stays kind of toothy.
GEC's 440C:
Pro's: How I love thee, let me count the ways. Very rust resistant. Takes a very nice, insanely fine edge pretty fast. Holds that edge very well. (Touchups every 2 weeks or so) This steel hits the sweet spot for me, I can't recommend it highly enough.
Con's: It's harder to work with so GEC doesn't use it much.
I'm not sure what is meant by "if you can sharpen".... maybe that they don't have factory sharp edges. They're certainly no more difficult to sharpen than other knives. There are very few modern traditional knives that I've gotten that didn't need some sharpening. Oddly the only shaving sharp factory edge that I've gotten from any company in the last 20 years was a hobo knife from Case. It basically had a 0 grind and was scary sharp. I assume it was a fluke. I've heard some modern traditional knives described as having shaving sharp factory edges but I haven't seen one. GEC's primary grind (not edge) is usually pretty good. That's not the case with a lot of other traditional knives.
What's worth it is a very personal choice. An $8 Opinel is also a very nice knife. What's best for you depends on what you need... or want.
My 2015 GEC's both had edges I could shave arm hair with. Everything else I've tried from them needed some work to get it there but I think they're really improving.
