I hate these but...

HAKnPocket

HAKnPocket

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Mar 2, 2008
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I would like a little help. I am looking to get my first GEC and would love some help with a few models. I am currently carrying a Soddie Jr and am having a hankering for a either a GEC EZ-Open, GEC Jack, GEC Barlow, GEC Style Stockman (not sure of the model), and a GEC Furtaker. Does anyone have any comparison pics of these GEC models or a Soddie. I can measure but it really doesn't do as much for me but a pic would do wonders. Thanks for the help and if you have any suggestions why I should choose one over another I would love the help. My only problem is I have a job that only allows 3" or less of blade length. I can get away with a bit more but better safe than sorry. I still like the Furtaker due to the two blade offerings. I am a sucker for a Warnie.


HAK
 
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Alright after a few beers I realized I made a typo in my title. No wonder there aren't many views. Mods can you change it to "I hate this but..." for me? I would greatly appreciate it.

HAK
 
Hi,

The only GEC I own is a #25 barlow. At 3" closed it would meet your size requirements. It's a little tank of a knife. And it's available in a pretty broad range of scales. It's a fine slippie as much at home in a boardroom as out at a job site.

dalee
 
I'll see if I can get some pics in the sun, but I will say that their wharnie blade seemed very short to me. I have the GEC Barlow and Soddie Jr, so I'll compare those two.
 
Here's an EZ-Open with the wharncliffe, compared to my Case Soddie Jr. - FYI, if the soddie blade looks a little different, it's 'cause I re-profiled it, but I didn't shorten it any - just so you know for comparative purposes. The EZ is new, so it hasn't earned its patina yet. ;)

Actual cutting edge on the EZ is 1 7/8". Bolster to end of blade is 2 1/16".

I'm sure Chewy and others will have better pics coming for you - mine are pretty lame coming off the built-in camera on the laptop.

comp.jpg Click to enlarge.
 
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I have a Muskrat Furtaker in my hand. The wharncliffe blade is just over 2 7/8", and the clip is a hair longer right at 2 15/16" long.

The Furtaker Trapper is the same knife with the blades on the same end.

Now, being handmade knives, I would expect the blades to vary in length by a measureable but insignificant amount; say 1/16 or so.
 
I also just measured a #73 single blade Scout at 3 1/8" of clip blade. The #73 Jack is a very nice pattern.
 
Sweet thanks guys. I really appreciate it. I believe all the above patterns have their niche. I am a huge fan of the Soddie and the Stockman as traditional folders. I am currently trying to only carry a clipped knife on the weekends as sometimes I feel I need the wider blade. Hopefully I can get away from that all together. My normal carry is a Soddie, VIC Farmer, Leatherman Crunch, Various Clip knife, and an Izula. I think each has its specific job and I use them accordingly, but after reading a few posts I am trying to reduce the load. While I still love a tacticool folder there is just something about pulling out that slippie to get the job done. Thanks again guys. Keep'em coming.

HAK

BTW Coyote what did you do to reprofile that Sodbuster? I like it.
 
coyote711 said:
Here's an EZ-Open with the wharncliffe, compared to my Case Soddie Jr. - FYI, if the soddie blade looks a little different, it's 'cause I re-profiled it, but I didn't shorten it any - just so you know for comparative purposes. The EZ is new, so it hasn't earned its patina yet. ;)

Actual cutting edge on the EZ is 1 7/8". Bolster to end of blade is 2 1/16".

I'm sure Chewy and others will have better pics coming for you - mine are pretty lame coming off the built-in camera on the laptop.

View attachment 160421 Click to enlarge.
Click to expand...

Why are they calling that blade a warncliffe, isnt that a rather traditional sheapfoot style blade?

Bosse
 
NirreBosse said:
Why are they calling that blade a warncliffe, isnt that a rather traditional sheapfoot style blade?

Bosse
Click to expand...

You are correct - I misspoke on that one. Just went and looked at a couple of sites and they both called it a sheepsfoot.

So what's the difference between a sheepsfoot and a wharncliffe? Basically both are just good straight edge cutters. Is it just the spine of the blade?
 
HAKnPocket said:
BTW Coyote what did you do to reprofile that Sodbuster? I like it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I like it this way, too - less belly, more point. I don't have any specialized tools or equipment, so I just ground the belly down flat with my bench grinder (very slowly so as not to overheat the blade), used same bench grinder to put the start of the edge back on, and finished up with my benchstones.
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,

The only GEC I own is a #25 barlow. At 3" closed it would meet your size requirements. It's a little tank of a knife. And it's available in a pretty broad range of scales. It's a fine slippie as much at home in a boardroom as out at a job site.

dalee
Click to expand...

+! :thumbup: My EZ open is also a tank but pocket friendly.

Stout workhorse :D

LanasEZOpen.jpg
 
resize00011.jpg


As promised. Here you have my son's little lockback, Case Jr Soddie in Yellow (is there any other?), the GEC Barlow (only showing main blade), Queen Soddie in black, Fallkniven U2, and Boker Grand Canyon Barlow (main blade).

In my opinion, the U2's blade is about as short as I like to go at 2.52 inches. Don't get me wrong, I like my little GEC, but it is little. I use it for work and church. Normal day carry is U2 at a minimum.

Don't just look at the blades, either. Check out the handles. The GEC Barlow has a smallish handle, too, of course, and that knocks it out of every day carry for me. Again, the U2 is about my minimum.
 
Chewy1 said:
Don't just look at the blades, either. Check out the handles. The GEC Barlow has a smallish handle, too, of course, and that knocks it out of every day carry for me. Again, the U2 is about my minimum.
Click to expand...

Hi,

There is truth in that statement. The #25 is pretty much a 3 finger grip size. But it's also fatter around, giving it a bigger feel than you would expect. I like it for whittling. But for everyday workin' I tend to grab something in the 3 1/2" - 3 3/4" range too.

But blade length restrictions are going to force you to smaller framed knives anyway.

dalee
 
Yeah, Blade restrictions suck. But as a school teacher I have to follow them somewhat. I teach agriculture classes and a knife is just a tool to me and my principal understands. Plus he knows how much I am into knives. I like that EZ-Open. Looks like a useful design. Anyone have any pics of the larger knives. Not particularly the Moose or the Melon Whittler, but more like the Cuban and a Pioneer. What would be the closest thing to a Soddie Jr in size?

HAK
 
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