Has GEC ruined traditionals for me?

O

Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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My very first traditional was a GEC (Tidioute) Halfwhitt. I've bought, or been given a few knives since then, and while I love each one they don't compare in terms of f&f. I'd venture to guess that they have inferior steel as well, but I'll need more time in order to confirm that.

Without me naming particular brands or models, are there some non-GEC knives that, in your opinion, meet or beat my expectations of what a quality traditional should be?

Let's call it $90 or less.

Any newbies feel the same way, or have I just been lucky with my whittler, and unlucky with everything else?
 
I love GEC, but 70's case knives are just as impressive, and can be bought relatively cheaply if you don't go for the fashionabl models, my Bertram knives (up until 1980, after that Bertram was only a name) have a lot of qualities that GEC hasn't mastered yet - the elegant slim design, miraculously light but firm walk and talk (see this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ived-unexpectedly-pic-heavy?highlight=bertram)
I think Queen will only become more competitive as their business recovers under new ownership.
 
While high quality slipjoints are nice, I'm still a sucker for old Camillus and Schrade knives.
 
I think it's time to search for some of the vintage brands that GEC tries to emulate. My personal favorite older brand that has Great Eastern-style quality (or rather, the other way around) is probably Robeson, but I don't have all that much experience. The fun is in the hunt!
 
I have Case, GEC, Queen, Canal Street, S&M, and Tuna Valley. Queen is consistently good as is Tuna Valley, but Queen also has some great prices. I really favor Queen over all else.
 
There are a great many well built oldies out there for well under $90.00. GEC are building new American classics, the best of which are based on old American classics. Nothing better than finding a great old knife for $30.00 with a lifetime of use still in it.

Best regards

Robin
 
For me it's Queen and Case.... Sometimes Case and Queen.... but definitely those two :-)

But... GEC works for me too... Loving the diversity! ;-)
 
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I've bought five Case Barlow knives in the past two years (made in 1999 and from 2006 to 2010) - they have all been perfect in fit and finish (blade to body and handles to frame) as well as in snap. I don't know what else could be done with a production knife that isn't present in these knives. OH
 
I'm a Queen man myself. GEC definitely has the quality down pat, but just something about their designs just doesn't speak to me like the Queen's. I think that the chubby nature of most GECs might have something to do with it.
 
I had already given up on most new production slip joints before GEC came to be. So, I had been collecting older knives for quite a few years. GEC has breathed new life into the classic slip joint with well built knives again. So they haven't ruined traditionals for me, they have reunited my belief that a quality slip joint can still be made.
 
GEC has been a more consistent than the others, but they are more expensive by a bit. Case may not be as consistent, but they have some great knives. When you get a good one, they are great. Queen is good, but doesn't have as much variety as GEC.

Really, I think each has their place.
 
Great points, and things to look into guys. :)

I too have noticed the GEC chub (as it were), and noticed that Case seems to have some really pretty slim designs.

The silly part of my question (after thinking about it) is that I tend to edc a Case Sodbuster Jr and rarely carry my GEC. It could have something to do with the edge geometry that I put on the whittler, but the Sodbuster is a truly excellent knife for my purposes.

Hmm... Much thinking to do. ;)
 
I'd say that GEC got me into the traditional enthusiast fold. I went 10+ years with only a medium stockman from case. Showed up on BF one day. Bam. #23 Pioneer in stag. It's been downhill from there ...
 
Strigamort said:
Great points, and things to look into guys. :)

I too have noticed the GEC chub (as it were), and noticed that Case seems to have some really pretty slim designs.

The silly part of my question (after thinking about it) is that I tend to edc a Case Sodbuster Jr and rarely carry my GEC. It could have something to do with the edge geometry that I put on the whittler, but the Sodbuster is a truly excellent knife for my purposes.

Hmm... Much thinking to do. ;)
Click to expand...

Is the Sodbuster or Farm and Field knife used for a specific purpose or all around type chores?
 
chewy1 gifted a regular and a jr. I can definitively say that the experience is very different from tour regular multi bladed slipjoints. In my head and hand and thus is subjective it feels more like a very compact lockback. The Jr. Has rounded handles and is more comfortable but when opened the normal size feels better. Its very misleading to call them regular and Jr as they are both not very large nor wide and not much different in size from one another. Maybe 1/2 an inch at most.

I live in the suburbs and am edc'ing one right now. It has a terrific size blade, shape and thinness to do any task.
 
I jumped on the GEC wagon for a short while but found that while they are nice, I actually like my Queen knives better. Especially the new models made under the Daniels family leadership.
A Queen #26 has been a constant companion for years. While they were (and still are but to a lesser extent) a pain to get to a decent edge angle, I can get them razor sharp (like I can the GEC) and they stay that way through a lot of use.
I like my White Owl, love the classic look of the Charlow but my Queen #26 keeps finding its way into my pocket.
 
I love GEC! My first slip joint was a 66 Calf Roper with the primitive bone scales and it has just been down hill from there. I have handled some Queens that had fit and finish right up there on the same level as GEC and also the few Canal Street knives I've handled had excellent F&F. I only have one Case and it's a quality knife as well for the price. I still need to find one of the older Case knives pre 80's so I can see what everybody is talking about.
 
I like the few GECs that I have. I find that only a few of their patterns appeal to me, which is fine because at their price point I won't buy very many of them.

Fit and finish take a back seat to form and functionality for me, with respect to users. Most days I have a Case, Victorinox, or Buck in my pocket. The GECs are still in their tubes. I should probably use them some, but I haven't really got around to it yet.
 
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