Great Eastern Cutlery "Bull Nose Work Knife"

[richstag]

About three passes per side on my linen strop and the patina came right off the edge, leaving a hair popping toothy edge. After quite a bit of use through the week.

Loving this steel.

 

[BRL]

I am absolutely overjoyed to read that GEC is (maybe/possibly) moving forward with another run on this pattern. It means everyone who picked up one of the orange test run bullnose knives is safe, and there will be no little "accidents"

 

[avoidspam]

Nice shot Kevin

 

[richstag]

Thank you Sam . I wipied the fingerprints off my cell phone for that one

 

[johnny twoshoes]

It looks like they are lined up for another run of the Bull Nose work knives, it just seems like time is the only factor.

Kevin, great shots again.
You are really beating me in this patina thing, my knife looks brand new compared to yours. I'll have to get on that.
This knife is so comfortable, it's hard to put down. I love the 0-1 tool steel as well, it's really challenging my love of 1095.

 

[richstag]

Thanks Johnny. Haven't really used it for much that adds to the patina aside from lemons since that big food prep day (they just even out the grey and make my water taste better ). Don't worry, love 1095 once love 1095 always

 

[confucius37]

This knife is exactly what I've been looking for! I cannot wait for the next run.

Anyone know the chances of actually getting one (I already emailed the early reserve address)?

 

[richstag]

Probably a real good chance.

 

[knifeswapper]

Really interested in more feedback on the O1....

 

[richstag]

I can only give limited feedback, as I am not a knife tester. I can give my EDC impressions. This is going to sound weird, but I agree with what Johhny said, it has a different smell when a patina is forming. Reminded me of using a cold blue kit to touch up old firearms. Not important, but an observation.

As for the steel, one concern I had was being able to sharpen on my old fashion natural stones. I have come to like translucent stones. For the GEC 1095 they did an amazing job. I was initially worried that the O-1 would damage my stones, but Frank (knarfeng) explained to me that the difference in steel composition was not enough to form carbides. I believe it is the super hard carbides that can really tear up natural stones. I am sure Frank can explain it better then I. I have read for hours (days) in the knife makers forum about steel composition and so on, but I can't explain much of it myself.

I can tell you this, I have only touched up my knife once since I received it and it was just a light grazing touch up on the arkansas stone. It is a pleasure to sharpen and I feel like it has held a good toothy edge longer then I was used to with my 1095 GEC's.

Here is a 100x microscope view after the first touch up and a little use, including cardboard.

Even though my EDC feedback is far from conclusive, I know the edges I start with do not have a bur and are finished to about the same level.

Your question concerns me, almost making me think GEC is having a second thought on the O-1. If they did, I doubt I would be so excited about the next run. I was initially interested in these. Then I received mine and I was very interested and impressed. After use I want to buy a few for myself, my dad and my brother and a good hunting buddy. If they go 1095, IDK. I do love my drawer full of 73's in 1095, and the O-1 is kind of a real attractive part of the package.

Thats the little feedback I can give.

 

[TLARbb]

I don't have one, having missed out earlier on the first run, but one of the things that made me really want one is the O1 steel. Otherwise, it seems to be and "expensive me too" product in the lower end market. If they move back to 1095, I'll just stick with my Case CV. I have a high grade sodbuster type from Keith which covers my up scale needs in this knife style. But, I would want and probably buy one in O1, if and when available. or even one in 440C.

Ed J

 

[nphelps4130]

Really interested in more feedback on the O1....

I like the O-1 a lot. I think part of it is the novelty of having a GEC knife that is something other than 1095, but part of it is the fact that the steel has performed well for me in my Bull Nose. This was my first taste of O-1 and I have found that in use it has a lot in common with 1095, but there are some differences. I think O-1 may have a slight advantage in edge retention. I sharpened mine soon after I got it and it was very easy to sharpen to a keen edge, like 1095. It also responds well to stropping (I used strops loaded with the Bark River black, green, and white compounds). I have not cut much food or anything acidic so I can't really comment on the corrosion resistance / patina, but I know there are others who can.

I would really like to see more GEC knives in O-1. I think it is possibly a superior choice to 1095, but I would have to try it in other patterns to be sure. Does using O-1 reduce or increase costs compared to 1095?

Off-topic, but I thought I would mention that it would also be nice to see GEC use 52100 or AEB-L / 13C26 also.

 

[richstag]

I hope they don't switch. To me it would be like test drving the Hemi Grand Cherokee and having them sell you the six banger.

 

[richstag]

I have not cut much food or anything acidic so I can't really comment on the corrosion resistance / patina, but I know there are others who can.

I can't give much feedback on corrosion resistance even though mine has a patina (never set up any 'controlled' tests). I can say at first it was holding up better then my 1095's. I don't know if I can attribute that to the steel or the finish. Mirror polished vs satin finished. I have found a satin finish will hold oil better in the fine scratches. With mirror polished the oil seems to be quickly wiped off during use.

With that said, I have had my fingerprints produce rust on 154cm and INFI. The S30v and 440c knives I have never had corrosion from my fingerprints.

I also know that corrosion resistance can be affected by the final finish of the steel and the RC hardness. From my understanding the harder the RC level the more corrosion resistant. While I hear a lot talk of mirror polished having the least area for contaminants to rest, I have found satin finish to be a happy medium. Referring to my earlier statement of giving an area for a protective oil to stay on a clean blade.

All just personal opinions to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[2Dead]

I don't have much more to add about O-1. This is the first knife I have in this steel. I've mostly used it to cut up boxes and its done great since I sharpened it. I have yet to put the same convex edge I had on my #73 on this one. Only bit of patina on mine is on the backspring so far. The steel so far has performed well for me but I didn't have a problem with 1095 either.

 

[BRL]

For what it's worth, as someone who wants one of these but has not had a chance to try the trial run knife, I'm very agnostic about what kind of carbon steel is used. Not interested in any stainless steels though.

 

[richstag]

Maybe this is doing you a favor, maybe not, IDK Mike. But I went ahead and did a filtered B/W effect to make the handle look black. They can't be used as a true reference, but it gives an idea.

 

[avoidspam]

O-1 is definitely ones of the selling points for me

sam

 

[totallynotalex]

This knife is beautiful. I sent my e mail for a chance to get the black one. Hopeffully I get one!

 

[johnny twoshoes]

Great B&W pics Kevin.

Here us a new one.

I'll chime in with my opinion after a while.