GEC's jigging

[Camillus]

I was pleased to see Rob Bixby's latest SFO from GEC will receive the same jigging as on the SFO Navy knife. See his video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKSXi2tRjdo at 9:50

I have been patiently waiting for an excuse to complain about GEC's jigging (jokes) and the improved jigging that Rob has secured on the new SFO gives me an opportunity. (I'm really pleased that Rob has secured this on his SFO).

The complaint I have is that I enjoy the irregular jigging so much that I don't know why GEC often goes for a regular, symetrical style.

One of the GECs with jigging that I love is this one:



It's an early 73 (2007). I have been told the bone would have been supplied in this jigging style to GEC, as they didn't jig their own bone in those early days. It started green tea but I have dyed it to a darker shade using RIT dye. The jigging is fantastic and makes the world of difference compared to more recent versions of GEC jigging. It looks handcrafted, which is the look you want from a handmade knife.

Here is a more regular machined-looking jigging I am referring to (this is pictured on a really great little knife, so it probably not the best example to show the contrast)



I'm not sure why GEC hasn't been producing more knives with these great jigged handles as shown in Rob's video and on my #73. Is it the cost, or limitations in the machining? I am sure I am not alone in seeking more of this from GEC, and less of the overly regular jigging patterns that seem to be normally produced.

 

[SadSappySucker]

I couldn't tell you why they shy away from that style, but I'm right there with you. I can only speculate that it has something to do with the extra cost and skill.
I still don't love the machined look, but I have learned to look past it. Those farmer jack SFOs are right up there with the rope knives. They are a bit on the larger side for me, but I kind of want to get one for the jogging alone.

 

[popedandy]

I think it's a matter of personal taste. I have and enjoy both types.

 

[Travman]

We are spoiled, but I agree with you. We need more jigging like that shown above. It looks more rounded and organic. The standard GEC machined looking jigging may have been overused on everything from the 14's, 15's, the latest Beer Scout, and the latest TC Barlow.

I would also like to see more contrast with the dye jobs. I like to see a different shade of color from the top of the jigging depression to the bottom of the depression.

 

[draggat]

I tend to prefer the more random gouged type of jigging like in Cmillus post as well. I don't necessarily dislike the other types of jigging, but I'd love to see more jigging like on the rope knife. I also loved the jigging on these two 47's made last year.




As to more color variation through the high and low spots, a bit of flitz and some buffing will take care of that....

 

[texmex03]

I agree, I had the rope knife and still own the Lick Creek 38 and they are excellent in the jigging dept. I feel like most of what GEC does is very "geometric" if I had to describe it and very machined looking. They have the ability to do better jigging, not sure why they insist on the geometric type.

Those examples draggat just posted above make we want to buy a 47. That's and awesome dye job and jigging.

I like randomness in jigging similar to what Case does with their Chestnut Bone Sodbusters and Swayback Jack.

 

[major_works]

I like randomness in jigging similar to what Case does with their Chestnut Bone Sodbusters and Swayback Jack.

Hear, hear! I am lucky to have one of both in my collection and they're my favorites in terms of jigging (not to mention Case's lovely chestnut color).

 

[Buzzbait]

I like variety. I love the random jigging, but also enjoy the machined look.

While we're talking about jigging, does anybody have a link to a page that shows examples of popular jigging patterns. I'd love to suggest certain patterns that GEC seldom-to-never uses, but I just don't know what the patterns are called.

 

[texmex03]

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[Txjohn]

Buzz bait , I remember that there was a discussion along this line in the 2016 forum knife thread.

 

[22-rimfire]

For a using knife, I generally choose jigged bone as I like the look, feel, and durability. Nice knife.

 

[black mamba]

Here is a nice older thread on the subject of good jigging.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1070851-So-what-constitutes-good-bone-jigging

 

[Ernie1980]

I am not generally a huge fan of jigged bone, but done right it looks terrific. With that being said, GEC frequently produces jigging that is too patterned IMO. The picture you posted is a huge improvement and hopefully the direction GEC is going!

 

[RobbW]

The Lick Creek and Orchard Gems have some of GEC's best jigged bone, in my opinion:

I also like the look of the more uniform Peach-seed jigged bone--reminds me of the old Schrades:

 

[5K Qs]

...

Fantastic examples of phenomenal jigging, Josh! :thumbup::thumbup: (I quoted Josh's post without any pics so you can click on the blue square after texmex03 to jump back to his previous post on this page.)
I grew up with shell-handled Imperials and Colonials, so I'm thrilled by ANY bone handles, but I have to admit that the examples Josh posted have far more appeal to me than do the jigging patterns with more regularity (despite the fact that I'm generally drawn to symmetry ).

- GT

 

[jmh33]

I like all jigging.. Nice pics all!!! John

 

[Chief]

I like the texture of random jigging, better grip.

 

[Ratbert]

texmex03, those are all fantastic examples of the "random" and "hand-hewn" look that I would prefer in a traditional knife. Symmetrical and machine-looking jigging has its place, but these old style jigging patterns feel good in the hand and speak volumes about the character of the knife. Thanks for posting these! 👍

 

[glocktenman]

One of my favorite jigging is the river blue on this 25. It looks like waves rolling on the river. Pretty cool! My other fav is this jigging on the Hiroaki Ohta.Very nice work.

 

[btb01]

It seems to me (and I'm sure there are exceptions here) that GEC's best jigging appears on the knives in their Northfield line. I guess this would be expected, since it is their premium line, but still... I wish some of that "better" jigging could be used on Tidioute knives, too.

That being said, I can appreciate both styles of jigging. This #15 is probably my favorite GEC knife, and I think the jigging on it looks pretty good.

And here is a definite exception to the Northfield/Tidioute jigging rule.

I think both of these look good, but I do like the jigging on the Northfield more than the Tidioute.

This, on the other hand, might be my least favorite example of GEC jigging (it looks even worse on the pile side, with a sort of line running up the middle that disrupts the otherwise symmetrical/even jigging).

It's a good knife that I carry often, but the jigging is disappointing, particularly when you compare it to this Northfield made as part of the same run.