Recommendation? Help me choose my first traditional. GEC #35 or #54

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Hi folks. I've been bitten by the Traditional bug big time, namely GEC's. I have a bunch of modern folders but the classic lines and aesthetic of old timey slipjoints really are starting to speak to me. So, I've narrowed it down to the GEC #35 Churchill or the #54 big jack. Which should I get? This would be for occasional pocket carry and would be carried to formal events should the need arise. Thanks!
 
I love these kind of questions!

I don’t want to knock the others you mention, but I don’t recommend them. Well the 35 is ok. But forget about it and just go for the 43. Its a perfect gateway knife. Get one in camel bone or cocobolo. Then get some more.
 
The #35 would be my pick also. I like the #54's too but the size and blade selection of the Churchills is much more suited to my needs.

You could always get both and sell one in the unlikely event that you don't like it.
 
Don’t have a 54, I’ve got the BF 35 and it’s great. The Churchill looks great, should be nice and compact for your formal events and would compliment your modern folder nicely if you decide to carry both. But if you’re thinking you’ll likely carry only one and you’re used to larger knives then you might want to opt for a larger pattern. I have a variety of patterns and sizes at this point after becoming used to larger modern folders before jumping into traditionals. I’ve found I usually carry a medium or small traditional regardless of whether I’m carrying something else. Look at Enigma Knives, good handle size, sheeple friendly blade, Purdy covers and high end steels and materials. Might be another option for you and they’re close to releasing another batch.
 
Buzzbait said:
The #54 is a big heavy knife. Way too big for formal events. Go for the #35.
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My thoughts too. Unless it's in a sheath that spreads the weight around and keeps it straight in the pocket, the 54 will be a big chunk of a knife flopping around loose in the pocket. The 35 will be pretty substantial too for formal wear, but not as much as the 54. 4.125" closed is maybe a medium size modern folder made from lightweight G-10 or FRN, and easy to carry suspended with a clip, but for a traditional with steel, bone/stag/wood, and brass, it's quite a chunk.
 
Both are great knives. I have both and carry both. The size and the blade selection make the #35 Churchill slightly more utilitarian, so I'd go with it. It is large enough for just about any task, small and slim enough to look OK in dress slacks, and with the medium sized sheepfoot blade, you can do a lot of things very well that you wouldn't with the Big Jack.

This combination covers all the bases for me. Churchill in the RFP, Cadet in the left with keys.
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I have both. Lot of variables here. Long and short I'd recommend the 35, but depends on how big you are, what you usually carry, what else you are using it for. If you are coming from modern tactical folders and are a bigger guy you might appreciate the 54 more. Something that has helped me decide size is make a cardboard pattern. The 54 is still available - knivesshipfree has a sfo muslin micarta in stock that's nice. Maher & Grosh is another GEC 54 SFO option that is still available. Both of these 54's are 2 blade. DLT trading 54 SFO was a slim single blade from last year that is sold out, but might be able to find in the secondary market. 35's are available everywhere.

another option, the 44 gunstock is coming up.

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I think the 35 is nearly perfect. One spring so it's slim and disappears into my pocket. It's small but not too small, it's just long enough to hold comfortably(for me). The sheepsfoot blade is thin and cuts like a box cutter. If I could get the 53 or 54 with the same blade configuration, I'd be on it like a chicken on a junebug ... but I can't.
 
I can't help with the 54, but I can say that I think the 35 is so great that I bought a second one.
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As far as carrying the 35 for formal events, again I can't help. My idea of a formal event is our bi-monthly 30 mile trip to Walmart & lunch at Chic-Fil-A while we're in town.
 
Ironbut said:
...As far as carrying the 35 for formal events, again I can't help. My idea of a formal event is our bi-monthly 30 mile trip to Walmart & lunch at Chic-Fil-A while we're in town.
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:D:D:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

- GT
 
Wow, thank you all for the incredibly insightful advice! All your responses are very very helpful. I can already tell you guys are super knowledgeable and I have a lot to learn about Traditionals. I'm leaning towards the 35 myself, but still doing my research.


I'd love to find, and maybe you guys know, is there a pattern that is like the 35 but with a spear point main instead of a clip?
 
lavishmammal said:
#35 for sure. It is more pocket-able with a thinner profile and equally as functional. Plus, there are still #35s available at dealers.
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If I may ask, what cover material do you have? I'm drawn to the Hummingbird acrylic but I'm not familiar with the material.

Camillus said:
I love these kind of questions!

I don’t want to knock the others you mention, but I don’t recommend them. Well the 35 is ok. But forget about it and just go for the 43. Its a perfect gateway knife. Get one in camel bone or cocobolo. Then get some more.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me asking, I'd like to know why you don't recommend them? I'd love to know as part of my decision making. The 43 looks nice but I seem to be drawn to the cigar/canoe shape. I love your advice about getting more down the road, lol.

Railsplitter said:
The #35 would be my pick also. I like the #54's too but the size and blade selection of the Churchills is much more suited to my needs.

You could always get both and sell one in the unlikely event that you don't like it.
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I like the way you think. My original plan was to get both, but I've been on a buying binge lately. I'm trying to exercise some restraint, haha.
 
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drop_point_hero said:
Wow, thank you all for the incredibly insightful advice! All your responses are very very helpful. I can already tell you guys are super knowledgeable and I have a lot to learn about Traditionals. I'm leaning towards the 35 myself, but still doing my research.


I'd love to find, and maybe you guys know, is there a pattern that is like the 35 but with a spear point main instead of a clip?
Click to expand...


Take a look at the two-blade 78s for a really nice spear and pen. Two springs, but very comfortable in the pocket.
 
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drop_point_hero said:
If I may ask, what cover material do you have? I'm drawn to the Hummingbird acrylic but I'm not familiar with the material.
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I don't actually have a Churchill variation of the #35. I have the bladeforums forum knife with the spear main/awl secondary with jigged bone. Same basic knife though.

Acrylic is incredibly durable. I have several knives in acrylic and delrin, and I would not hesitate to get the hummingbird acrylic. A couple caveats to acrylic is that it can be a little slippery (especially when wet) and alcohol can damage the material.

If I were going to use it as an EDC knife, I would get a Tidioute trim with micarta or bone. If I were going to occasionally carry it for events, dinners, church, etc., then I would get a Northfield trim with the hummingbird acrylic or stag (although stag is essentially bone as well). Equally as functional variations of the knife but the Northfields are, cosmetically, more refined.

Several dealers still have them in acrylic, micarta, stag, and bone handles.

Just my opinion.
 
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