Lets talk GEC!

Half/Stop said:
While the subject is fresh here’s a couple more Sheep Foots that you don’t see that often. These were special #77 Northfields the factory made up in 2015. They’re Oily Creek Bone made with the same blade that debuted on Mikes NF Barlow’s. The records indicate they made 31. I bought these from Bob Andrews. He told me the dealers only got two each. Chris told me they actually made 19 total, so I really don’t know for sure. But I do know where two of them are! ;)

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Oh my, those are spectacular. Might be sacrilege to some but I’m not a fan of the 77 Barlows...if I want a Barlow, the TC is tops, if I want a 77, the Washington is tops (thanks for both Mr. CC)...that said, these 77s are new to me and unique in their own right (not a derivative of something else). Thanks for sharing!!!
 
Markeologist said:
Might be sacrilege to some but I’m not a fan of the 77 Barlows...if I want a Barlow, the TC is tops
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I think I'm of an opposite mindset. I have a handful of both and I definitely prefer the NF Barlow. I have to say though, it largely comes down to size - the single blade 77 suits me better than a single blade 15. However, I am a huge fan of 2-blade 15s and as I've yet to come across a 2-blade TC, my experiences have obvious bias.
 
Pàdruig said:
I think I'm of an opposite mindset. I have a handful of both and I definitely prefer the NF Barlow. I have to say though, it largely comes down to size - the single blade 77 suits me better than a single blade 15. However, I am a huge fan of 2-blade 15s and as I've yet to come across a 2-blade TC, my experiences have obvious bias.
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I'm just very much a 15 guy...to me it is the perfect size for a pocket knife and everything I could want in a knife can be found in some variant of the 15. I don't think GEC has produced any knife equal in the varieties produced of the 15...simple Boys, TC, Radio, Beer Scout/Crown Lifter, Rope/Navy, Harness, one-armed, clip, spear, sheepsfoot, carbon, stainless etc etc. Personally, I really like single blade 15s, particularly in a clip though I also appreciate the heft and versatility from a two blade 15...in particular any of the crown lifters. All things being equal/dollar for dollar, I just think/thought the TC was a better knife than the NF Barlow...so I ended up buying TCs (and other 15s). That said, I do have one 77, a Washington Harness Jack that is an absolute masterpiece....who knows, if I would have bought that 77 first, I may have ended up with a bunch of 77s instead of 15s.
 
#15 TC Barlow vs #77 NF Barlow...
Tough call on that one, they are both wonderful knives.
I guess it would depend on what size knife I'd want to carry that day.
Let's hope we see many runs of both in the future, after Bill gets back to doing SFOs.
 
I couldn't agree more; I've been carrying this stag #44 for about a month and just love it. Having handled about 8 different #44s in a variety of handle materials, I'd say it's my favorite run for consistently terrific walk and talk. Every one has been a solid 6 pull on both blades with excellent snap.

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Travman said:
Ron, really incredible. You have a lot of nice knives you share with us, but then you also have a some that you bring out and show off for special occasions.:)
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Thanks for the kind words Travis! I’m am fortunate to have some nice knives in my collection. But it pales in comparison to some whose presence graces these pages. To me part of the pleasure of owning them is sharing with other people who can admire and appreciate them! Thanks m friend! :)

waynorth said:
I've never seen one before, Ron!! It's like a debut all over again!!
Nice versions of the #77!!:thumbsup:
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I’m happy that I can share these with y’all Charlie! I probably don’t own many Great Eastern knives that I can share here that you haven’t seen my friend! When things get back to a safer more normal world and Bill gives you guys the okay, I think it would be grand to see one of these with a Diamond Shield! :thumbsup: I believe a sheep foot main and a pen secondary would have some historical significance. ;) There you’ve got the next Washington Jack figured out. :D Now we just need to get Bill to build them! :)

Markeologist said:
Oh my, those are spectacular. Might be sacrilege to some but I’m not a fan of the 77 Barlows...if I want a Barlow, the TC is tops, if I want a 77, the Washington is tops (thanks for both Mr. CC)...that said, these 77s are new to me and unique in their own right (not a derivative of something else). Thanks for sharing!!!
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Thank you Mark! :) I enjoy the #15s and the #77s, but I prefer the size of the 77s. That said I do have two #15 TC Barlow’s in my EDC box. :) :thumbsup:
 
hose56 said:
Never used a GEC to date. I began collecting them around 2009. This would have been my 10th Rendezvous if it had happened. I never planned anything, it was just a love for GEC knives. I guess you could say I got hooked. In the early days the rare GEC's were pretty easy to come by and the Rendezvous was not as crowded as it is these days. There are many regulars who attend every year. Fine folks and lots of knowledge to learn.[/QUOTE

you’ve never cut anything with a GEC ?
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Catching up the last few pages of Due to a busy week...

Wow looking at some of those collections a few pages back, it’s hard to call my handful of cap lifters a collection! Amazing.

Top 3 GEC disappointments:

1- finally scored a 35 banana bone and saw that every time I opened it, the scratch got deeper in the blade. 2 spots of really bad blade rub. Sent it back to GEC. Came back The same. Sold it to a buddy for a reduced price that I paid on eBay.

2- the super weak spring on the 97 coke bottle. Blade darn near came out when shaking it.

3- getting an 06 Pemberton and discovering how small it is! :p

But finding a GEC that you love and appreciate makes all of the other stuff worth it.
QfZON0v.jpg
 

Never cut anything with or used a GEC. This would have been my 10th Rendezvous in a row. I will choose a carry at the next Rendezvous. I was born about 20 miles from the factory and still have family and friends in the area.
 
The 97 AAPK 2019 forum knife is one of my first GECs. I never carry it due to its size, but I didn’t remember it having an overly weak pull. With all of the talk about the 97’s action, I got it out of the safe today. Mine must have one of the better actions. It has at least a 4 pull and has a good amount of talk when fully deployed.
 
bbk357 said:
Catching up the last few pages of Due to a busy week...

Wow looking at some of those collections a few pages back, it’s hard to call my handful of cap lifters a collection! Amazing.

Top 3 GEC disappointments:

1- finally scored a 35 banana bone and saw that every time I opened it, the scratch got deeper in the blade. 2 spots of really bad blade rub. Sent it back to GEC. Came back The same. Sold it to a buddy for a reduced price that I paid on eBay.

2- the super weak spring on the 97 coke bottle. Blade darn near came out when shaking it.

3- getting an 06 Pemberton and discovering how small it is! :p

But finding a GEC that you love and appreciate makes all of the other stuff worth it.
QfZON0v.jpg
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I look at the Pemberton as a Sunday Go To Meeting type of knife. I only chased the Northfields as I like the fancy dressing on them. Bill Howard and the GEC Team have defined the new meaning of affordable high quality collectible traditional knives. I will proudly support them as long as I have the ability.
God Bless the USA !!!!!
I look at the Pemberton as a Sunday Go To Meeting type of knife.
 
Markeologist said:
I'm just very much a 15 guy...to me it is the perfect size for a pocket knife and everything I could want in a knife can be found in some variant of the 15. I don't think GEC has produced any knife equal in the varieties produced of the 15...simple Boys, TC, Radio, Beer Scout/Crown Lifter, Rope/Navy, Harness, one-armed, clip, spear, sheepsfoot, carbon, stainless etc etc. Personally, I really like single blade 15s, particularly in a clip though I also appreciate the heft and versatility from a two blade 15...in particular any of the crown lifters. All things being equal/dollar for dollar, I just think/thought the TC was a better knife than the NF Barlow...so I ended up buying TCs (and other 15s). That said, I do have one 77, a Washington Harness Jack that is an absolute masterpiece....who knows, if I would have bought that 77 first, I may have ended up with a bunch of 77s instead of 15s.
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There are many great looking 15's and I do have a few of the TC Barlows that I am glad that I have but I much prefer the Northfield 77 Barlow . The size of it is more to my liking . Both are very fine knives with both Barlows being the visions of 2 very fine guys . Would like to see more of both the 15s and 77s .

Harry
 
hose56 said:
Never cut anything with or used a GEC. This would have been my 10th Rendezvous in a row. I will choose a carry at the next Rendezvous. I was born about 20 miles from the factory and still have family and friends in the area.
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sorry to dig a little deeper, but I am struggling to understand how you are such a GEC lover but have never cut anything with a GEC!
So what do you carry on you to actually cut with?

I love my GEC, but I also tend to carry a frame lock - or non traditional with me most of the time. That being said, about half of my small GEC collection has never been used.
 
In terms of numbers, all collections whether they are 1 knife or 100 are tremendous if you enjoy the knife/knives :cool:

William Morris, the c19th English artist, designer, once said "Have nothing in your house you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful " Right :thumbsup:, good maxim for knives too.
 
Will Power said:
William Morris, the c19th English artist, designer, once said "Have nothing in your house you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful " Right :thumbsup:, good maxim for knives too.
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William Morris ! Arts & Crafts !
Will, it's always a pleasure to read you.

Dan.
 
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