Help me choose my first GEC.

[coyote711]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. You've all given me alot to think about. Right now I think it's a toss up between a #73, #66 Calf Roper, or #68 White Owl... Is the #73 to big of a knife for edc? I almost always wear slim cut Wrangler jeans if that helps anyone.

I've got a #73 in Cocobolo and consider it a pretty slim knife. I tend to wear somewhat looser fitting jeans so I can't really comment how it would carry in a tighter fitting pair of jeans. Another factor is that I carry my wallet in my RF pocket, and that keeps the #73 vertical. I don't think I'd like it quite as much if it were horizontal in slim cut jeans. YMMV.

 

[2Dead]

I have the EZ Open Jack, which I think is #23, and I don't like the fat blade, but it is a really nice knife otherwise. Nice and slim and just big enough to get four fingers on.

If I were to do it again, I think I'd get a #72. #73 is too big for pocket carry, IMO. If you don't mind a belt pouch, it might be a good choice.

The EZ Open is a #25, same far right/bottom one. The second from the top/left is a #66 Jack. The #72 and #73 are the same size except the #73 can have 1 or 2 blades. Sorry for the crappy pics...

 

[Railsplitter]

I like a lot of what GEC has to offer but until they come up with something better, the Calf Roper is my favorite pattern from GEC.

 

[joe-bob]

The #72 and #73 single blade model is nice for pocket carry.

One of their most underrated models is the #89 three-blade whittler. They are slender and the way they are made is just amazing.

The #62 is also a great knife for pocket carry.

 

[dannyp]

I personally don't think the 2 blade #73 is too big for pocket carry when wearing jeans. It would be too much for dress slacks, though. The #48 pattern is slimmer if you're worried about the #73's size. I'm kinda surprised that Trand stopped in here and didn't suggest it. I think he might have one or two of them.

 

[whetrock]

I too have always been attracted to the #89's I just like that pocket friendly super thin profile. Also the warnie blade looks like it could make quick work of wood.

 

[2Dead]

I personally don't think the 2 blade #73 is too big for pocket carry when wearing jeans. It would be too much for dress slacks, though. The #48 pattern is slimmer if you're worried about the #73's size. I'm kinda surprised that Trand stopped in here and didn't suggest it. I think he might have one or two of them.

1 or 2 The only reason I didn't is that the #73 is the pattern that I think is liked by pretty much all (except for the pull on some examples) and the #48 isn't really a competitor to a #66 Calf Roper (to a #66 Jack is a different story though). New #73 and #66s have been released recently so there is a little more choice out there. There are fewer bone #48s. Here is an example of a #48 that is still available and is a competitor to a single blade #73.

Below is a pic of a #48 Jack and a #73 for slimness comparison. The blade shape of a #48 Jack and single blade are different. One thing to note is that the #48 Jack has the thinner pen blade so it is thinner than a 2 blade #73.

 

[dannyp]

New #73 and #66s have been released recently so there is a little more choice out there. There are fewer bone #48s.

Good points. I forgot the OP was looking for bone scales. I guess the last run of #48's they did were the Templars. Maybe somebody will talk them into making one with a wharncliffe secondary blade in the near future.

 

[black mamba]

I have never heard anything but praise for the #72 Lockback or the #56 Dogleg. #66 is great too, in either 2 or 3 blade.

 

[CB-R]

Holy crap I love my single blade 73! It was my first GEC and my only other is a two blade version (both in jigged somethin-or-another.) If these don't suit you, however, my next move will be towards a 56 or 85. Most everyone else will have a more useful opinion about this. I just get really excited to pitch the single 73 when ever I get an opportunity.

 

[robbobus]

56, 66, 73, 85 are all very easy to carry I find. I like the 56 Dogleg and the 85 Jack's the best, tho the 73 joint has had my attention more than any other ever.

 

[markpmc]

Fwiw I have no problem carrying 4" slipjoints in my watch/change pocket in my wrangler jeans. Welcome to the GEC addiction.