Lets talk GEC!

I am really elated to hear that they were as nice as you describe. I do have to admit that it adds to the disappointment just a bit, I went looking for one earlier this week and they were gone. Enjoy them folks, they are beauties!
 
Wow, kj! I don't know if I've ever heard a better endorsement. Can't wait to see pictures!

I've bought five new GEC knives lately, released November-February. The quality, fit, and finish seem better than ever, and seem to me to be better than my 2011/2012 knives. Charlie Campagna made a comment on his Barlow thread, that GEC craftsmanship seemed better than ever.

Has anyone else observed this? Is GEC raising its game? Improving its quality? Taking its craftsmanship to a higher level? Or is this just wishful thinking?
 
Dr. Scott said:
Wow, kj! I don't know if I've ever heard a better endorsement. Can't wait to see pictures!

I've bought five new GEC knives lately, released November-February. The quality, fit, and finish seem better than ever, and seem to me to be better than my 2011/2012 knives. Charlie Campagna made a comment on his Barlow thread, that GEC craftsmanship seemed better than ever.

Has anyone else observed this? Is GEC raising its game? Improving its quality? Taking its craftsmanship to a higher level? Or is this just wishful thinking?
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I have noticed the same thing Doc. It seems to me also that the GEC knives just get better and better. I think maybe they have finally got the right people in the right places all down the line. Everybody is comfortable with what they do, and they've hit their stride. I know even in Titusville it is difficult to find experienced machinists and cutlers. In my trade, it takes at least 5 years to train an apprentice to do just an acceptable days work. Longer to get a thoroughly experienced Journeyman. I'd say for GEC, the best is yet to come!
 
It could be that the folks at GEC are hitting that magic moment in the life of working with one another where everything starts falling together perfectly. The cutlers are just going to continue getting better I suspect. Exciting for all of us on the receiving end.
 
My photography is very basic. I use whatever light the outdoors is, which means details like swedges, engraving, grain patterns, etc. are not well shown. Still, you can see how fine this new ivory Northwoods really is.

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Here it is with a Mammoth Forest Jack, which at 4" is 3/8" longer than the Fremont. Relative blade length differs too. My Forest Jack has a blade of 3 1/16", whereas the Fremont blade is 2 5/8". With stainless steel liners these are top-notch knives, better than some Customs.

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Here are 3 other ivory handled knives for comparison: from top-down: vintage Sheffield Whittler, M. Zscherny, Northwoods Fremont (GEC made), E. Pena

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You can see how well the Fremont ivory compares with customs costing approximately 4 times as much.
Absolute Top-Notch folder !
kj
 
Even if I don't get a TC in any given run it is nice knowing that I can get an excellent #15. I love the sheepsfoot and jigging on both variants.
 
There seems to be a lot of 15s still available thru many of our friendly neighborhood retailers. I'm more of a 53/54 guy but I might hafta give a 15 a try.

Why are the barlow variants of the 15 so much more popular?
 
Kiteman72 said:
Why are the barlow variants of the 15 so much more popular?
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There is no one easy answer to this question. But if you read through the almost 8000 posts in the following thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441-What-Makes-a-Good-Traditional-Barlow
then you'll find your answer. A whole culture, or subculture of knifeknuts, seems to have arisen from the #15 Tidioute Barlow/Charlow. Knife enthusiasts seem to fall into these groups. There seems to be similar enthusiasm for a number of different styles in the Blade Forums.
 
Hokay.... So, being from across the pond I know I'm in the minority here.... I'm enjoying my one #78 American Jack very much and can see that a single bladed version, be it #78 or #79 would be a fine knife. Yet it is still to materialize...

'Ah', I hear you cry, what about the Medium Barlow?! A fine knife I'm sure but an SFO that can't be enjoyed by anyone outside of the US except by buying on the second hand market. Can I just stress at this point that my post is more to express surprise than frustration. I am in no way deriding any one person's decisions.

Merely surprise:)
 
avoidspam said:
Hokay.... So, being from across the pond I know I'm in the minority here.... I'm enjoying my one #78 American Jack very much and can see that a single bladed version, be it #78 or #79 would be a fine knife. Yet it is still to materialize...

'Ah', I hear you cry, what about the Medium Barlow?! A fine knife I'm sure but an SFO that can't be enjoyed by anyone outside of the US except by buying on the second hand market. Can I just stress at this point that my post is more to express surprise than frustration. I am in no way deriding any one person's decisions.

Merely surprise:)
Click to expand...
The Northwoods Freemont Jacks are built on GEC's #79 pattern and a single blade at that. :thumbup:
 
All of the bone on these came from camels.

Kiteman72 said:
I just got my Fremont jack in smooth oiled bone and I am pretty impressed. It has a much lighter pull than my forest and hawthorn jacks and the blade came shaving sharp.

The bone covers are fantastic. Does anyone know if they are cow or camel bone? They are very smooth and well finished.
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okbohn said:
All of the bone on these came from camels.
Click to expand...

Feels great in the hand! Mine has the look of really good blonde cattle horn.

Now we need a run of spear point forest jacks...:)

And thanks to the Dr! I've been slowly picking thru that thread.
 
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