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

[draggat]

Drop point hero, I hope you enjoy that 35! I am also a big fan of the cigar pattern. Everything the other folks here have said is pretty much spot on. The 54 is a tank, but they are great. If you can score a DLT single blade, do it!

If I were you, I’d move on one of the spear 78’s. They are very nice. Not a lot of single blades left. It did take me a few years to realize that I prefer the thickness of a 2 blade handle though, so there’s always that to consider.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the #56 Bird Dog. The Northfields are *drool* matchstriker long pulls and they’re available in 1 or 2 blade versions. There’s still a few in stag available if you poke around a bit. I think they’re about the same size as the 35.

The thing about these knives is once they’re gone, they might be hard to find again.

 

[drop_point_hero]

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!

Yeah those Enigmas are definitely in my radar! They look beautiful and the from pics the F&F looks perfect!

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?

Yeah, totally with you on this one. It's what made me go after the harness jack instead of the churchill, although I still want the churchill, badly!

 

[drop_point_hero]

Drop point hero, I hope you enjoy that 35! I am also a big fan of the cigar pattern. Everything the other folks here have said is pretty much spot on. The 54 is a tank, but they are great. If you can score a DLT single blade, do it!

If I were you, I’d move on one of the spear 78’s. They are very nice. Not a lot of single blades left. It did take me a few years to realize that I prefer the thickness of a 2 blade handle though, so there’s always that to consider.

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the #56 Bird Dog. The Northfields are *drool* matchstriker long pulls and they’re available in 1 or 2 blade versions. There’s still a few in stag available if you poke around a bit. I think they’re about the same size as the 35.

The thing about these knives is once they’re gone, they might be hard to find again.

I'm totally in awe of the #35 harness jack. It's not perfect but yet it is! To me, that's part of the strong appeal of GEC's? Whatever it is, one just wants more and more of these fine pieces of art.

What everyone has said is spot on! I'm already eyeing other patterns. Coming from "big one handers" I don't think I would blink twice carrying a 54, which is why I have one on the way, lol.

As you've echoed what others have said, I'm also window shopping for a 78. The aesthetic of the 78 grows on me exponentially every day.

I'm also seriously looking at the 66. At first I didn't like the way it looked, but I've done a complete 180. Is it heresy to wish there was a calf roper with a cap lifter instead of a spey blade? That would cover all the bases for me in spades. Does GEC take into consideration what collector's would want? If so, I need to start making a case for the #66 "calf lifter" lol.

 

[spyderg]

Enigma knives has been posting pics of finished knives from their latest run, should be up on their site soon I’m guessing...