Help me pick a traditional!

I finally got ahold of a good Case Sodbuster, and I've been carrying it every day. No problems at all with the size. It disappears in my pocket! I do like it a lot.

After over a month of research, I've finally made up my mind on the next knife I "need".... GEC #23. I think it may be exactly what I'm looking for. I know it's pretty big for this style of knife, but I won't have any problem at all with the size.

Now, comes the truly hard part! Since I've decided on the exact model, now I have to sift through tons of options. Single blade or 2? Pen secondary or Spey? Liner lock, bull lock, lockback? Stag, bone, wood?

Sheesh.... I do know what I like - strong snap (and I mean STRONG. I like "nailbreakers"!), thicker handle (so if the single blade models are very thin, they're out), and the less blade play the better.

Anybody know the exact Pioneer I should be looking for?
 
AntDog said:
. . . the next knife I "need".... GEC #23. Single blade or 2? Pen secondary or Spey? Liner lock, bull lock, lockback? Stag, bone, wood?

Sheesh.... I do know what I like - strong snap (and I mean STRONG. I like "nailbreakers"!), thicker handle (so if the single blade models are very thin, they're out), and the less blade play the better.

Anybody know the exact Pioneer I should be looking for?
Click to expand...

I believe the best Pioneer to fit your requirements would be a two-blade slipjoint model. The drop point with pen would be the most useful because of the two very different blades, and the slipjoints nearly always have less play than any of the locking models. Stag models are more expensive, but especially if you can pick one out, they have the potential to have the thickest handles.
 
I thought that some side by side pictures might help give you some perspective. This is my Yellow Case Sodbuster Jr. next to my 23 Trapper. I know you have experience with the Sodbuster Jr., so I figured that this would put the two bladed 23 in a light you could relate to.

IMG_1498.jpg


IMG_1499.jpg


IMG_1497.jpg


The last picture focused a little funny, but you can see that they're pretty close to the same thickness. The 23 is curved at the bolsters, but the middle of the covers are flat. Where it's flat I believe it's the same thickness as the soddie. It's hard to tell for sure, but either way it's close enough as to not make a difference in the real world. If you like how the soddie feels in hand, the 23 will feel similar, but obviously a lot heavier.

As for blade play, mine has absolutely none. This thing is rock solid in all three positions. It really is a quality knife, and I haven't left it home in the 3+ months since I acquired it. You will definitely know it's in your pocket. There is no chance of loosing this thing in the couch cushions and not immediately knowing it.
 
The single blade #23s aren't very thick. Looking at Cory's picture, the single blade would be about the same as the Case. The ones with liner lock are thicker by exactly 1 brass liner. Next up in thickness, I believe, would be the one with the pen blade. GEC's jacks usually use thinner blade stock for the pen than the main blade. I don't have a #23 with pen blade to confirm though. If its not the case then it will be the same thickness as the 2 blade ones.

For pulls, don't get the single blade with lanyard hole. These have the easiest pulls available on a #23. Don't know about the one with the pen blade. For the 2 blade ones, I have 2 in 440C and 1 in 1095 (2012 model in ebony) and the 1095 one has the strongest pull.

Pretty much all the handle materials except stag will have a thickness in line with the bolsters. Stag can be thicker but it can also be thinner. You'll need a spine shot to be certain.

And here's an old pic of my first #23 with an ESEE 3. Yes, the #23 is this big.


Here's another size comparison pic with other GEC models, all in ebony. Top to bottom, #12, #15, #16, #23 (single blade), #33, #53, #66, #68, #72, #85, #92.
 
AntDog said:
I finally got ahold of a good Case Sodbuster, and I've been carrying it every day. No problems at all with the size. It disappears in my pocket! I do like it a lot.

After over a month of research, I've finally made up my mind on the next knife I "need".... GEC #23. I think it may be exactly what I'm looking for. I know it's pretty big for this style of knife, but I won't have any problem at all with the size.

Now, comes the truly hard part! Since I've decided on the exact model, now I have to sift through tons of options. Single blade or 2? Pen secondary or Spey? Liner lock, bull lock, lockback? Stag, bone, wood?

Sheesh.... I do know what I like - strong snap (and I mean STRONG. I like "nailbreakers"!), thicker handle (so if the single blade models are very thin, they're out), and the less blade play the better.

Anybody know the exact Pioneer I should be looking for?
Click to expand...

AntDog,

Regarding blade play, two things to consider...

Big folders by Pinnah, on Flickr

SIDE TO SIDE PLAY - IME, any knife made with a flush peened pivot (nearly all slip joints and tradtional lock backs) are prone to develop side to side play if used hard in a way that generates significant lateral pressure on the blade. Eventually the pivot pin pulls through the bolster. This can be fixed usually but it's always there, lurking as a future worry. The Sodbuster and Opinel are traditional designs that stand up to a LOT more lateral stress.

VERTICAL PLAY - IME, as a group, lock backs are prone to developing vertical play if used hard in way that generates a lot of cutting pressure on the blade. I think slip joints, as a group, are stronger in this regard than lock backs and the Opinel is stronger still.


I'm a fan of traditional lockbacks, as the picture above shows. My Buck 500 has been a lot of pocket time (thanks Walt!!) recently in fact. I think they're great for hunting, fishing, food prep and general purpose EDC provided that I don't push them too hard. If I'm heading to the woods or if I'm doing work on my property, the more robust Opinel gets the nod - no question.

I suspect you'll have this same sort of selection given your (robust) Sodbuster and which ever (prettier) GEC 23 you decide on. Just managing expectations... Blade play will always be more of a potential issue, just due to the design.
 
Thank you all for the very well thought out replies! I think this is going to be much easier for me now.

I will be sure to report back when I get one, and post a few pictures. I think I'm going to like this knife quite a bit!
 
Well, I finally scored one!

Snagged it here on the exchange from rpnp.

Ebony covers, 2 blades. This is the model #: 235212EC

Can anybody help shed some light on that?
 
Great score!! I love my 2 bladed 23, and it hasn't been left home since I picked it up almost 4 months ago.

Here's a breakdown of your model number:

23 = pattern is a Pioneer Trapper
5 = main blade is a skinner/drop point
2 = 2 blades
12 = made in 2012
EC = it has an end cap

You can find the numbering chart here: http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/pocket-knives/tang-number-chart/
and the pattern abbreviations here (tells you what the letters at the end mean): http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/pocket-knives/gec-knife-abbreviations/
 
Thanks Cory!

Very interesting how they do the model numbers. I think I'm going to enjoy this one very much!

It took a while to narrow it down, but I sincerely appreciate your help, and the advice and help from everyone else.

This website truly is a golden resource for all of us. I would've been lost without every single one of you. I sincerely appreciate it!

I'll post some terrible pictures of her as soon as she gets here.
 
Ok, full disclosure: I was looking around ebay and found the perfect knife for my brother....

He's been admiring the very few traditional knives I've been carrying lately. He was gaga for "ol Soddy". So, I thought "what the heck? Might as well get him a really nice one for Christmas"....

We were both born in Texas, but we grew up in Kansas. Kansas still holds a very special place in our hearts. We both miss living there - we both spent half our lives there.

Anyhow, I found him a very nice large Queen trapper. It was a limited edition knife made for the Kansas Knife Collector's Association. It is GORGEOUS! When I got it in the mail, I just had to have something similar....

Well, since I've been on the hunt for a GEC #23, I figured I would look for one similar to the Queen I bought my brother for Christmas: ebony covers, end caps, etc.

I just happened to bump right into the perfect one on the exchange! I snapped it up and they make a very nice pair. Merry Christmas to me, and my brother as well!

Two brothers' large ebony/nickel trappers:







Tang stamps:









Well, there you have it. "The rest of the story". Sorry for the crappy pictures gentlemen. Rest assured they look much better in person - just about perfect to me. I'll try to take better pictures in the sunlight tomorrow.
 
After a couple days of carry, I am loving this pioneer. I don't really even notice it in my pocket, but when I pull it out to use it, it's very substantial. Very stout, very well finished, cuts like a dream.

I only have one problem - I've got this nagging suspicion that this is the top of a slippery slope.... I feel like I'll wind up with some of the other knives I was considering too!
 
AntDog said:
After a couple days of carry, I am loving this pioneer..... I feel like I'll wind up with some of the other knives I was considering too!
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Unless you possess EXTRAORDINARY willpower, you definitely will! ;)
 
AntDog said:
After a couple days of carry, I am loving this pioneer. I don't really even notice it in my pocket, but when I pull it out to use it, it's very substantial. Very stout, very well finished, cuts like a dream.

I only have one problem - I've got this nagging suspicion that this is the top of a slippery slope.... I feel like I'll wind up with some of the other knives I was considering too!
Click to expand...

Glad you're enjoying it. You've got a real nice looking one there. I really like the trapper that you got for your brother as well. They make quite the pair.
 
Cory Hess said:
Glad you're enjoying it. You've got a real nice looking one there. I really like the trapper that you got for your brother as well. They make quite the pair.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much Cory! I'm pretty certain my brother will be thrilled with his. It will be very pleasing to see them "grow old gracefully" together. I'm sure these two will wind up being family heirlooms to be passed down.

My son had better get on the ball though - he can't open or close mine....yet. He's a very tough 15 year old too. Oh well, when the time comes that it is his turn to carry it, I'm sure he will be plenty tough enough to get it open and shut, and I can only pray he uses it with pride and passes it on to his son.
 
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