Lets talk GEC!

[CelloDan]

A couple a questions which will betray my ignorance lol

What exactly is " All steel" construction as it says in the recent run of barlows ?

I assume is just that the bolsters are made of steel also.
If so, is it 1095 and will patina just as the blades do ?

Is all steel more desirable than " all NOT steel" lol

Thank you guys

 

[LastRodeo]

A couple a questions which will betray my ignorance lol

What exactly is " All steel" construction as it says in the recent run of barlows ?

I assume is just that the bolsters are made of steel also.
If so, is it 1095 and will patina just as the blades do ?

Is all steel more desirable than " all NOT steel" lol

Thank you guys

Liners, etc. are steel, instead of brass.

 

[CelloDan]

Liners, etc. are steel, instead of brass

Thanks , I had forgotten about the liners, the pins look like steel too in the pic.
I assume is all the same type of steel as the blade for everything.

The fact that is advertised as " All steel" makes it seem to me as it would be a more desirable feature.

 

[LastRodeo]

Thanks , I had forgotten about the liners, the pins look like steel too in the pic.
I assume is all the same type of steel as the blade for everything.

The fact that is advertised as " All steel" makes it seem to me as it would be a more desirable feature.

I think the blade and spring are a different steel than liners, bolsters, etc. Some people prefer brass, some prefer all steel. I think if it were a universally preferred "desirable feature", they would make everything all steel.

 

[CelloDan]

I think the blade and spring are a different steel than liners, bolsters, etc. Some people prefer brass, some prefer all steel. I think if it were a universally preferred "desirable feature", they would make everything all steel.

Thank you

How often does GEC make "All steel" offerings ? Is it is a rare thing or a rather fairly common feature ?

( the only all steel knife I have is my Hartshead Barlow, in my limited experience I have not seen them offered very often )

 

[LastRodeo]

Thank you

How often does GEC make "All steel" offerings ? Is it is a rare thing or a rather fairly common feature ?

( the only all steel knife I have is my Hartshead Barlow, in my limited experience I have not seen them offered very often )

I don't think it is very often and off the top of my head, I think I have may have only seen it on #15 models, at least what is in my collection.

 

[mrknife]

Aren't the 15s generally all steel?

 

[Alwaysdreaming]

#14 TC Barlows, #68 Pony Jacks, some #92 Eureka Jacks the #93 Lambfoots are all steel. Can't remember any others.

 

[Alwaysdreaming]

Some old #73s were steel too, with stamped blades.

 

[JTB_5]

Aren't the 15s generally all steel?

I have a stainless #15 boys knife that has brass liners and pins.

 

[Old Engineer]

Thanks , I had forgotten about the liners, the pins look like steel too in the pic.
I assume is all the same type of steel as the blade for everything.

The fact that is advertised as " All steel" makes it seem to me as it would be a more desirable feature.

White Bone and also Stag handled knives that have Brass Liners and Pins will start showing the Green Colored Verdigris from carrying in your pockets or just moisture in general . To me , it is not a desirable sight , and I will carry all Stag and or White Bone handled knives in a slip . I much prefer GEC's All Steel knives versus the normal brass liners and pins offerings .
This used to be some beautiful White Bone



Harry

 

[akaMatt]

I have a 15 and a 93 lambsfoot that are all steel, and a 77 NF Barlow as well, I believe.

 

[LastRodeo]

I think the "pros" of brass is it doesn't rust and it has a sort of lubricating (wrong word I know) quality for moving parts. Also, from what I understand, steel on steel parts can bond themselves to each other over time. I'm just throwing this stuff out there from memory, hopefully someone with actual knowledge will post here also.

 

[Pàdruig]

Thanks , I had forgotten about the liners, the pins look like steel too in the pic.
I assume is all the same type of steel as the blade for everything.

The fact that is advertised as " All steel" makes it seem to me as it would be a more desirable feature.

I would love it if "all steel" construction was used more often. From a user standpoint, I enjoy how it ages and bears the marks of use far more than I do with brass and nickel silver. Also, there is a bit of an old world feel to all-steel as well - hearkening back to a day when iron fittings were a bit more the norm on the working man's blades.

There is the issue of rust, of course, but I have yet to have that be much of a concern.

 

[skx013k2]

Maybe we’re all the bad guys, because I really don’t think many non enthusiasts are getting GECs right now let alone using them.

This is a very observant statement. I might change “enthusiasts” to “collectors”.

Which is ironic given the apparently stated goal of the owner.

 

[LastRodeo]

This is a very observant statement. I might change “enthusiasts” to “collectors”.

Which is ironic given the apparently stated goal of the owner.

I would venture to guess if you asked 99.99% of the people that regularly use/carry a traditional folding knife about GEC, they would not have heard of them. Outside of the region where they are produced, I don't think non enthusiasts would have every been aware of the brand. If you want to test this theory out, ask an old guy (who is not from PA) who you know carries a knife about Queen, see if he has ever heard of them.

 

[mrknife]

Thats what GEC is all about, the great renaissance of traditional knives!

 

[Pt-Luso]

#83 in stag.

 

[r8shell]

I would venture to guess if you asked 99.99% of the people that regularly use/carry a traditional folding knife about GEC, they would not have heard of them. Outside of the region where they are produced, I don't think non enthusiasts would have every been aware of the brand. If you want to test this theory out, ask an old guy (who is not from PA) who you know carries a knife about Queen, see if he has ever heard of them.

I think that's pretty accurate. When I show any traditional pocketknife to a knife-normie, they will almost always say, "Oh, nice knife. Is that a Case?" or, "Is that an Old Timer?" Basically whatever they are familiar with as a nice old fashioned knife.

It's fun sometimes when they ask how old my GEC is, assuming it's an antique and I tell them it's brand new, or just a few years old. They aren't aware that anyone is making the really old traditional patterns anymore. (then if they ask how much it cost, and realize it's a $100 knife, the conversation ends...)

 

[mcc850]

Does anyone have examples of "smooth natural bone" on a GEC knife they care to share? I am getting excited about my smooth natural bone 85, and want to see what that bone looks like. I am assuming its same as smooth white bone, but you never know. Any help would be greatly appreciated!