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

spyderg said:
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.
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Very insightful advice! Thanks. Most moderns that I carry now have 3 - 3.5 inch blades, so yeah I guess I'm used to carrying on the larger end like you said. I think I'll end up amassing traditionals of all sizes eventually.

Man, those Enigmas look great. They will be added to my never ending list.
 
Planterz said:
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.
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Very good point about weight differences and using a clip. I guess I'd use a slip for larger slip joints.
 
To answer your question, I don't recommend the 54 or 35 as a start for a traditional collection simply because there are some really stellar patterns around at the moment that I think are better options for you. I mentioned the 43 and someone else mentioned the 78. When I think on it, it would be hard to beat the jigged bone 78 as a good representation of a classic traditional knife, and its a knife that is big enough for work but small enough for pocket carry.
 
drop_point_hero said:
Very insightful advice! Thanks. Most moderns that I carry now have 3 - 3.5 inch blades, so yeah I guess I'm used to carrying on the larger end like you said. I think I'll end up amassing traditionals of all sizes eventually.

Man, those Enigmas look great. They will be added to my never ending list.
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They are great. I’ve got one in US2000 which is essentially Cruwear and one in M390. They use titanium liners, (they are rediculously lightweight) run on phosphor bronze washers and have mosaic pivots. They only do small batches, like 20 or 30 so if you like them, follow them on IG and FB and jump on one when they come up for sale. It’s not as bad as trying to snag a Northwoods but they dont last too long.

But as far as what is currently available from GEC, I’d pick up a Churchill. Great size for the pocket and in hand,(not sure about the ergos of the sheeps foot when using the clip but hear its fine) love my BF forum 35, can’t even feel the awl/punch.
 
Travman said:
Don’t forget the original 35’s made in 2016. The Blade Forums Knife and the ebony version might work for you. These pop up on the exchange fairly frequently.
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This is now my goal! The forum knife is now my top priority! Just stunning.

Camillus said:
To answer your question, I don't recommend the 54 or 35 as a start for a traditional collection simply because there are some really stellar patterns around at the moment that I think are better options for you. I mentioned the 43 and someone else mentioned the 78. When I think on it, it would be hard to beat the jigged bone 78 as a good representation of a classic traditional knife, and its a knife that is big enough for work but small enough for pocket carry.
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After reading your advice and what others have to say, the 78 is now my next choice after the forum knife. Thanks!
 
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drop_point_hero said:
This is now my goal! The forum knife is now my top priority! Just stunning.
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The jigged bone version that you see in Will's photo is the 2016 forum knife. Notice the worm groove that runs through the jigging (worm grooves are a nice little traditional touch). The Ebony was the sister version that came out at the same time. They made approximately 350 of the forum knife and 150 of the ebony.

I would just go for whatever 35 Churchill suits your fancy and is immediately available at the on-line dealers. That way you have a knife to love right away. If one of these forum knives or ebony Harness Jacks pop up then you can jump on it.
 
Travman provided some excellent advice. The readily available Churchill will keep you more than happy until a forum knife comes along. Good chance you'll want a couple more Churchills too after getting one in your hands.
 
I'm going to pipe up about the Enigmas - You really can't get any other slip slip joint that's so finely made with premium blade steel outside of either customs, or the Lionsteel Roundheads/Shufflers. M390 is great, and US2000 (CruWear) is super tough stuff, in the same league as CPM3V. For a worker, that's hard to beat. They're a touch bigger than the 78, a lot more corrosion resistant than 1095, will hold and edge waaayyyyyy longer, too. Just throwing that out there. I think there's still an Enigma called Brown Sugar on the exchange from last week.
 
Travman said:
The jigged bone version that you see in Will's photo is the 2016 forum knife. Notice the worm groove that runs through the jigging (worm grooves are a nice little traditional touch). The Ebony was the sister version that came out at the same time. They made approximately 350 of the forum knife and 150 of the ebony.
I would just go for whatever 35 Churchill suits your fancy and is immediately available at the on-line dealers. That way you have a knife to love right away. If one of these forum knives or ebony Harness Jacks pop up then you can jump on it.
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Thanks for the info. I had watched a video explaining the worm groove. Is it done for aesthetics and for added grip I wonder?

Railsplitter said:
Travman provided some excellent advice. The readily available Churchill will keep you more than happy until a forum knife comes along. Good chance you'll want a couple more Churchills too after getting one in your hands.
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Man you guys really know how to convince a compulsive knife collector to buy. And justify it as well, lol. I just dropped some coin on a traditional that I will reveal once I get it in hand.

traumkommode said:
I'm going to pipe up about the Enigmas - You really can't get any other slip slip joint that's so finely made with premium blade steel outside of either customs, or the Lionsteel Roundheads/Shufflers. M390 is great, and US2000 (CruWear) is super tough stuff, in the same league as CPM3V. For a worker, that's hard to beat. They're a touch bigger than the 78, a lot more corrosion resistant than 1095, will hold and edge waaayyyyyy longer, too. Just throwing that out there. I think there's still an Enigma called Brown Sugar on the exchange from last week.
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So tempting! I took a gander at that thread but had to slowly back away. I have to walk before I run, so to speak, on this traditional knife thing. For now I'll have to rely on my modern folders to satisfy my super steel itch.
 
Now that you’re hooked on traditionals, keep an eye on Enigmas FB and IG. They should be close to putting up the next batch!
 
drop_point_hero said:
As promised here are a few pics of my very first GEC...definitely not my last. I love this knife more and more. Thinking about getting a Churchill in micarta as a user, lol. Thanks to all who advised this traditional novice! And thanks to JTB_5 JTB_5 for making it possible!

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Wow, that is a spectacular knife! Spear points had never caught my eye before I saw the GEC’s with the long pull and the swedge. Really pleasing aesthetics.

Everyone else, is there a traditionals blade forums SFO every year?
 
ive once had a 54 modded to a single blade before they came out as single blades. its a hefty knife, the 35 seems more pocket friendly.
 
Copperberry said:
Wow, that is a spectacular knife! Spear points had never caught my eye before I saw the GEC’s with the long pull and the swedge. Really pleasing aesthetics.

Everyone else, is there a traditionals blade forums SFO every year?
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maybe, its a always a touchy subject because a lot needs to be put together, permission, decision, funding etc
 
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