Help a youngin with tradition blades...

Thalestin

Thalestin

Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
3,808
Hey guys, I have always liked the traditional blades but have got dragged into all the new stuff that is on todays market. This lock, that steel etc.

Anyways, I notice that I really do not need all this stuff and would like to have a traditional slipjoint in my collection.

I have been looking at the great eastern toothpick with jigged bone and 1095 steel. Looks like a nice little user.

Anyways, I know basically nothing about slip joint companies and was wondering how great eastern fairs and also how their heat treat is on their blades

Secondly, I was wondering if you guys new of any sites that talk about traditional knives, companies functions etc. Im sure these questions get asked all the time, but I am really tired to night from exams and don't fee like any more research:)

Thanks in advance.

By the way, great sub forum!
 
Thalestin said:
Hey guys, I have always liked the traditional blades but have got dragged into all the new stuff that is on todays market. This lock, that steel etc.

Anyways, I notice that I really do not need all this stuff and would like to have a traditional slipjoint in my collection.

I have been looking at the great eastern toothpick with jigged bone and 1095 steel. Looks like a nice little user.

Anyways, I know basically nothing about slip joint companies and was wondering how great eastern fairs and also how their heat treat is on their blades

Secondly, I was wondering if you guys new of any sites that talk about traditional knives, companies functions etc. Im sure these questions get asked all the time, but I am really tired to night from exams and don't fee like any more research:)

Thanks in advance.

By the way, great sub forum!
Click to expand...


GEC are a relatively young company that put out an excellent array of products, under the Great Eastern Cutlery brand and under three umbrella brands.

Northfields

Tidiouete

UN-X-LD

Their knives are sold in both stainless and 1095 high carbon steel.

There are so many different patterns, styles and scale material that I could be content in purchasing only this brand for a very long time.

I cant comment on the heat treat persay, I do know from personal experience that their knives hold an edge and keep an edge until I feel like sitting down and sharpening it.

Also - here is a site that is great for all type of discussion of traditional patterns --->> http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=773
 
You'll get lots great suggestion here, so I'll just tell you welcome home :thumbup:
 
I'll second the GEC recommendation. They have a good selection and build quality is excellent.
 
Ozy said:
GEC are a relatively young company that put out an excellent array of products, under the Great Eastern Cutlery brand and under three umbrella brands.

Northfields

Tidiouete

UN-X-LD
Click to expand...

The three main brands are...

-Northfield/UN-X-LD (Their top of the line brand, all 1095... Long pulls, pinched bolsters, slanted bolsters... Ect.)

-Tidiouete (Their working knives, these are all 1095... Very high bang for the buck going on with this line)

-Great Eastern Cutlery- (same as Tidiouete, but all the blades are 440C)


I really like GEC, their 1095 is great, it holds an edge very well and gets razor sharp. I have sold all my GECs because the springs are way too strong. :o I like snap, but IMHO GEC are way too much of a chore to open and it takes away for enjoying the knife.

Schatt and Morgan IMHO have the "right" amount of snap. Strong, but your not going to break you nail off opening a Schatt.... Where as, there is a very good chance your going to opening a GEC :grumpy:

It's too bad, they make some really NICE knives!
 
Hello Thalestin,

You've found, what I think is the nicest group of people on the internet, and some of the most knowlegable on traditional pocket knives.

They will not tire of your questions, and you will learn all you need right here on this site. This the closest thing I have found on the internet to the old store with the sagging front porch, that had a collection of old timers who knew everything a young boy had to learn. Excluding chicken thieveing and poaching of course. They were illeagal even back when I was a kid.

Hang out here for a while. You'll be more than welcome.

GEC is a very good company, but you may need to check out Case as well.
 
Everything I've read here about the GE lineup of knives has been great. I don't have one, though, because actually none of their patterns appeal to me, and they're a bit out of my comfort zone price-wise.
 
Your at a fun point. Traditional and traditional patterns and traditional companies all go together.
The GEC lineup is really good stuff. If you go with one of them you will probably be very happy.
But...there is always a but involved. haha.
I still like the old traditional companies. I support Case pretty much exclusively now days. I would hate for them to go the way of Schrade.

I have some Case knives in SS, but most are CV. I love the character of changing patina over time. I had a few Schrade knives prior to them going out of business, but have got several old ones since then. I really like them. That 1095 they used was some really awesome stuff.
 
Welcome to the board, Thalestin. Yeah, lot's of good info here if you know what your lookin for.... and lot's of good info if you're not particularly lookin for anything as well. GECs are good. I've handled a few and they feel very well made, with REALLY strong springs. Some folks are not too crazy about that, but it doesn't bother me. However, I am not to fond of their look. It's a new take on an old design, and it doesn't really do it for me. I am a fan of Case. They have, like, eleventy-seven quatrillion different handle materials for all their different models. The saying "There's something for everyone" definitely applies here. Different steels, too. Another company, where you can find some very good, and affordable knives is Buck. I am partial to Bucks for their ruggedness. They use stainless 420HC steel, but the way they heat it makes for a very good user. More of a utilitarian knife, but coming out with different patterns all the time. There's also Queen, with their D2 steel. If you want to go a bit cheaper in price, but still decent in quality, look at the Rough Rider line. Very good users there as well.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I will have to take a look at a few other companies. I really like the look of a lot of Case knives, but I havent found an online store that ships to Canada=P.

Thanks for all the great info
 
Hey Thalestin I order Case knives from New Graham and have never had a problem. In fact I have a swayback jack on the way as I write this. A really good selection and nice people too.
 
Hey, Thalestin, everything said about Case, Schrade and GEC here is true. If you get a paid membership to Bladeforums you can search by keyword both a subforum and the whole works. You could spend forever learning by this method. Also, you can get anything you want at Alices' Restaurant... no, no, I mean Fleabay! New, old, anything. Just learn to save searches which will email you when something shows up. Yes, the company is an oppresive beast, but that's where the stuff is. Also, the trading/selling subforums here, and the "stores" at AllAboutPocketKnives.com, the other white meat.
 
These guys convinced me to try G.E.C. knives out. I picked up a stag Northfield Sunfish and a stag "wharncliff" barlow. Both are well made and although I have not used the Sunfish, the barlow is a nice little cutter and the springs on it are not too bad. Typically a toothpick has a very smooth action that is not too stiff so I think you will be fine if you decide to go that route.

I would also strongly consider a Case Swayback 2 blade Jack in CV (Chrome Vanadium). Despite some thoughts it is not hard to take care of at all. If you want to go pretty much stainless, consider Queen's D2, (occasional limited runs in ATS-34) or Schatt & Morgan (File and Wire Tested). I also like the job Buck does with their 420HC.
 
Thalestin make sure you check out the size of that knife before you buy it. I think it's a pretty good handful. If that's what you like keep reading for awhile on what these folks have to say, wait a day to think about it, and then pull the plug if you want to. Good luck and welcome.
 
That tis a sweet looker indeed, Thalestin. I like it.. :)

I have been EDC'n an older Queen Toothpick produced 6-7 years ago, since Tuesday, last. Its got some hair pop'n sharp D-2 steel too..

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Anthony
 
The GEC toothpicks are great, and the one I had did not have a bad backspring at all.
 
Bastid said:
These guys convinced me to try G.E.C. knives out. I picked up a stag Northfield Sunfish and a stag "wharncliff" barlow. Both are well made and although I have not used the Sunfish, the barlow is a nice little cutter and the springs on it are not too bad. Typically a toothpick has a very smooth action that is not too stiff so I think you will be fine if you decide to go that route.

I would also strongly consider a Case Swayback 2 blade Jack in CV (Chrome Vanadium). Despite some thoughts it is not hard to take care of at all. If you want to go pretty much stainless, consider Queen's D2, (occasional limited runs in ATS-34) or Schatt & Morgan (File and Wire Tested). I also like the job Buck does with their 420HC.
Click to expand...

Pretty freaky scary! :eek: I was wondering what the banging in my head was, you sent one of your mind stealing goats into my head, and stole my thoughts and then posted them here! This is a very dark day Bastid! :D

Queen D2-gave mine to a friend for his birthday-good friend!, Barlow wharncliffe and Sunfish from GEC (asking for Christmas) Swayback Jack in CV carried today, Schatt File and Wire and ATS 34 is what I buy.

I need a new tin foil hat. They do work you know.:o
 
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