Has GEC ruined traditionals for me?

the queen knives use d2 steel right? I'm not familar with the d2 but maybe its a little harder to sharpen?
 
sunandsteel said:
I'd like to try my luck with a GEC Farm and Field.
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Sun and steel check out the case sod Jr. Its smaller than the Gec but if you want to test drive it before you buy lemme know and I will send one over. You just have to review it and share your thoughts on the forum!
 
Yes, I thank GEC for providing what I would call "real pocket knives", i.e : sturdy, useful, reliable and "so pleasant to handle" everyday users which still retain that "old time quality" flair I just need. They are as sexy as any collector item but they deliver real work... and stay sexy. Ha !
 
I've been supremely pleased with the GEC's I've purchased. I wouldn't say they have all been completely flawless, but quite a few of them truly have been, and of the ones that haven't, the flaws have been very minor, have had nothing to do with function and would probably only even be noticeable to someone who was being really nit picky. My experiences with several other well-known brands have been far more hit and miss. So when I want to spend good money on a new traditional pocketknife, I go with the brand that has been the most consistent quality for me.
 
I own a an old (and nice) hen & rooster , a number of Case (old and new), and a few others.... That being said the single GEC I own has been a constant companion since I bought it. My other knives (aside from the occasional modern that couples with the GEC) have been bench sitters.

Honestly, It makes me a little sad... but the GEC is so overwhelmingly nice that it is hard to not take it with me always.
 
Smithhammer said:
I've been supremely pleased with the GEC's I've purchased. I wouldn't say they have all been completely flawless, but quite a few of them truly have been, and of the ones that haven't, the flaws have been very minor, have had nothing to do with function and would probably only even be noticeable to someone who was being really nit picky. My experiences with several other well-known brands have been far more hit and miss. So when I want to spend good money on a new traditional pocketknife, I go with the brand that has been the most consistent quality for me.
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So true. GEC is outstanding quality for a non-custom knife. At this point it's the only thing I bother looking at anymore. The QC is extremely high and the product is so consistently good (bordering on beautiful!), that I doubt anything else would meet what I've come to expect anywhere near the GEC price range. I don't collect them, I buy them to use/carry. I have 6 GEC traditionals and that's plenty actually. 2 or 3 of them get heavy carry time and the other 3 get occasional carry time. They're a joy to own and carry/use. I really appreciate the quality and effort GEC has put into their knives, hearkening back to the days when pride of work and craftsmanship was far more typical than today - very refreshing!
 
I like the case copperlocks, but for their wide range of knife designs and their over-all fit and finish and for the carbon steel, I like GEC. My only problem with them is that often I feel they are too nice to use and baby them and use other knives that I'm not afraid to thump on. I am also not a fan of etchings on blades which GEC does on most of their knives. I've heard Queen make good knives but I haven't owned any of them myself.
 
I have a Case medium stockman that was built in 1999 and it's pretty nice but it doesn't have the F&F that my GEC #85 has. I truly wish someone could point me in the right direction for a nice knife with great F&F made by Case. Out of the 5 Case knives that I have owned only 2 have been keepers; the medium stockman in SS and a 2008 Sodbuster Jr. in SS.

I have owned a few Queens and have been super impressed. They know how to do a good slippie. Had an old Schrade Uncle Henry and thought it was too "el-cheapo" and I didn't like it.
 
leghog said:
$90 is a lot of money for a factory traditional.
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I've noticed that. I think people that are use to modern knives are surprised by the low cost of a great Slippie, at least I was. Obviously the differences are myriad but it's refreshing to be able to pick up the high end without spending $400. For a good percentage of hand fitting a high price is the norm when it comes to a modern folder.

To the person that asked about the Sodbusters intended use, I have no idea. The thin hollow grind, long straight that curves sharply at the end is very useful for my work chores which include cutting a lot of shrink wrap and (yikes) plastic banding. The low-ish HRC of the slipjoints that I've tried keep the edges safe from chipping.

My only issue with my slipjoints at work is that I work around a ton of salt and acids. Still, I can't bring myself to use SS when carbon is available. ;)
 
I have to admit the Le Theirs region knives have stolen my heart recently.
let me count the ways
one for curves graceful curves
another for spicy aroma of juniper wood
another delicate file work on the back spring,
another edge that will slice you don't respect it
another for satin brushed bolsters
another for the fabulous fit and finish

I am sure I may come around to GEC again someday but for now I am a fool..
 
David Lowry said:
I have a Case medium stockman that was built in 1999 and it's pretty nice but it doesn't have the F&F that my GEC #85 has. I truly wish someone could point me in the right direction for a nice knife with great F&F made by Case. Out of the 5 Case knives that I have owned only 2 have been keepers; the medium stockman in SS and a 2008 Sodbuster Jr. in SS.

I have owned a few Queens and have been super impressed. They know how to do a good slippie. Had an old Schrade Uncle Henry and thought it was too "el-cheapo" and I didn't like it.
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The fit and finish on my Case Sway Back Jack is fantastic. I've heard most people say they are consistently really good. I also have a Damascus Peanut that is great, in fact the other Peanuts I have are pretty good too. I have a Case Pen that is pretty awful. The rest that I have aren't perfect but are perfectly acceptable and fully functional.

If you're looking for the best f&f from Case, I'd start with the Sway Back. The Jack in Chestnut bone comes in CV.
 
David Lowry said:
I truly wish someone could point me in the right direction for a nice knife with great F&F made by Case.
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I like the mini copper locks and sway back jacks, they tend to be built fairly well. If you can go to a case mater dealer store, i'm fortunate to have one 2 minutes from my work. the master dealers carry a huge amount, basically at least one of everything. what I've found is case makes some really good knives but they are hit and miss, sometimes minor gaps, ect. going to a master dealer you can put your hands on them and once you've found the pattern and color, you can ask to look at any others they have in stock. I just bought a mini trapper in prime stag, one was perfect the other had some gaps and stag was just descent. You can find the master dealers on cases web site. mine is in Huntington, wv. well worth visiting one.
I don't have much dealings with any other brands other than GEC and I've found them to be most consistently the best fit and finish, but case does have some you just got to get the right one, and that isn't style specific but knife specific.
 
Not a lot to add that has not been said.

I was brought back into traditional by generous trickery. Another member here sent me a GEC Northfield #23. I was hooked. Solid, tight, and well fit. Not a hint of gap or wobble anywhere.

I have ordered 10 more, and all met or exceeded this fit and finish. I don't have as many others, but two higher end Queen collabs, a S&M file and wire a deal a Case all had glaring flaws (huge gaps, blade play, and one Pardue/Queen collaboration had blade play and weak springs).

I I am pulling for Queen/S&M very much. They make some solid values, and D2 is simply fantastic.
 
There aren't many b&m's around me that I know of, but there IS an Ace Hardware that stocks Case. That's a fantastic idea to go check them out. For some reason I am much more inclined to pay cash than to order online. I wonder if they'll let me sort through their stock to find a gem...

As for the SBJ, that's definitely a pattern that's been on my radar for some time. I'd have to say that my biggest curiosity lies with the Seahorse Whittler though. I'm just not sure if it's available in CV.
 
Strigamort said:
There aren't many b&m's around me that I know of, but there IS an Ace Hardware that stocks Case. That's a fantastic idea to go check them out. For some reason I am much more inclined to pay cash than to order online. I wonder if they'll let me sort through their stock to find a gem...

As for the SBJ, that's definitely a pattern that's been on my radar for some time. I'd have to say that my biggest curiosity lies with the Seahorse Whittler though. I'm just not sure if it's available in CV.
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There are three others within 50 miles http://www.wrcase.com/dealer/locator.php

The Seahorse Whittler is stainless steel. Nothing wrong with Case's stainless steel. Seriously, it will serve you just as well as CV.
 
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