Lets talk GEC!

Cory Hess · Mar 6, 2015

onejim said:
Anyone have any experience with GECs H20 hunting knives? I've been interested in getting a new hiking knife (on the cheap) and was interested on others thoughts on the knife.

My wife has been bugging me to get a new paring knife. After looking through any custom makers I could find and having her not really be impressed she spotted the H20 Drop Point and said that that was exactly what she was looking for. It's also about 1/2 to 1/4 the cost of other knives I was looking at. :thumbup: One should be arriving within a week or so, so I should be able to give a report at that time.

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

I've become a fan of the 78 as well. I'm surprised that the haven't done more with that frame. I know that some people weren't happy with the heavy pull, but other frames that released with hefty pulls have become quite popular (23, 73, etc.) Maybe they didn't sell well or didn't come out quite how Bill had envisioned and they just moved on? Whatever the reason, I'd definitely be in line if they decide to release more 78s.

Sonnemann · Mar 6, 2015

The H20 is an awesome little knife and well worth the low price. Just mind the size before you order.

draggat · Mar 6, 2015

Cory Hess said:
My wife has been bugging me to get a new paring knife. After looking through any custom makers I could find and having her not really be impressed she spotted the H20 Drop Point and said that that was exactly what she was looking for. It's also about 1/2 to 1/4 the cost of other knives I was looking at. :thumbup: One should be arriving within a week or so, so I should be able to give a report at that time.

The H20 pack does look nice although I find this combo to be exceptional.

dan1876 · Mar 7, 2015

jrtodd46 said:
There are pics in the "what's happening" section.

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to these.

Cory Hess · Mar 7, 2015

draggat said:
The H20 pack does look nice although I find this combo to be exceptional.

A couple of beauts you have there. I have looked into their other fixed blades, but have so many other fixed blades that I want that are in the same price range that I haven't pulled the trigger yet. What got me on the H20 is my wife and the low price. I've been trying to reign in my spending lately, and the H20 lets me get my fix and still squirrel away some cash for the upcoming knife show in my area. :thumbup:

draggat · Mar 7, 2015

Cory Hess said:
A couple of beauts you have there. I have looked into their other fixed blades, but have so many other fixed blades that I want that are in the same price range that I haven't pulled the trigger yet. What got me on the H20 is my wife and the low price. I've been trying to reign in my spending lately, and the H20 lets me get my fix and still squirrel away some cash for the upcoming knife show in my area. :thumbup:

Thanks! I'm sure the H20's are great and I'm with you on cutting back on the spending..... BTW, remember that some GEC's have an acorn shield for the squirrel in you!

Rockon75 · Mar 7, 2015

I'm finally getting around to following up on the "hunt". I asked for, and received, a great deal of help in finding the knives being produced during each of my son's actual day of birth.

Special thanks to 2dead and classic case for the oldest boy (on rt.). His is a chocolate jigged bone stockman. 2dead actually put me on to a NOS piece at a dealer. Thanks so much.

Thanks to Black Mamba for helping me out with the youngest boy (on lft.). His is serial number 3 (he was born on the 3rd) Yellow Rose Cattle Baron. Black Mamba actually offered the knife to me some time ago, way before I even knew it was my son's birth knife, to use in a fundraiser I was coordinating. As the "hunt" was going on, I went back to that PM and low and behold, there she was.

My thanks to all,
Josh

Birthday%20Knives%201%201_zpshd82vjzl.jpg

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avoidspam · Mar 7, 2015

Cory Hess said:
I've become a fan of the 78 as well. I'm surprised that the haven't done more with that frame. I know that some people weren't happy with the heavy pull, but other frames that released with hefty pulls have become quite popular (23, 73, etc.) Maybe they didn't sell well or didn't come out quite how Bill had envisioned and they just moved on? Whatever the reason, I'd definitely be in line if they decide to release more 78s.

Good points Cory, I guess we'll have to watch this space....!

paulhilborn · Mar 7, 2015

Rockon75 said:
I'm finally getting around to following up on the "hunt". I asked for, and received, a great deal of help in finding the knives being produced during each of my son's actual day of birth.

Special thanks to 2dead and classic case for the oldest boy (on rt.). His is a chocolate jigged bone stockman. 2dead actually put me on to a NOS piece at a dealer. Thanks so much.

Thanks to Black Mamba for helping me out with the youngest boy (on lft.). His is serial number 3 (he was born on the 3rd) Yellow Rose Cattle Baron. Black Mamba actually offered the knife to me some time ago, way before I even knew it was my son's birth knife, to use in a fundraiser I was coordinating. As the "hunt" was going on, I went back to that PM and low and behold, there she was.

My thanks to all,
Josh

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EVERYTHING about this post is just fantastic Josh!!! I have two TC's that are earmarked for my sons...

Humppa · Mar 7, 2015

I´m looking for a GEC Stockman pattern. I think a Abeline Stock Knife with Osage Orange Wood would be a nice addition...

Rockon75 · Mar 7, 2015

Paul - I had originally purchased three 2014 BF knives, one for each of us. Then I thought, why not try and find the Birth Knives. The Two BF knives found their way to members here that missed out on ordering for one reason or another, and the boys have their proper Birth Knives. Everyone made out on this "hunt".

2Dead · Mar 7, 2015

I was glad to help Josh

It makes all that time spent perusing dealer's inventories worthwhile.

I hope they enjoy their knives and start working on their nail/thumb strength now

kootenay joe · Mar 7, 2015

I have just picked up my first GEC knife on the 78 frame: 781214EC Primitive Bone serial # 23, 2 blade American Jack, 3 3/4".
As is mentioned above, the pull on the Master(clip) blade is far too strong. It's a "9" & it does break thumbnails but i can get it open without pliers (just).
Any one know what the "EC" stands for ?
I will add pics in the morning.
kj

5K Qs · Mar 7, 2015

Rockon75 said:
I'm finally getting around to following up on the "hunt". I asked for, and received, a great deal of help in finding the knives being produced during each of my son's actual day of birth.

Special thanks to 2dead and classic case for the oldest boy (on rt.). His is a chocolate jigged bone stockman. 2dead actually put me on to a NOS piece at a dealer. Thanks so much.

Thanks to Black Mamba for helping me out with the youngest boy (on lft.). His is serial number 3 (he was born on the 3rd) Yellow Rose Cattle Baron. Black Mamba actually offered the knife to me some time ago, way before I even knew it was my son's birth knife, to use in a fundraiser I was coordinating. As the "hunt" was going on, I went back to that PM and low and behold, there she was.

My thanks to all,
Josh

Josh, thanks for the update on "birth knives" for your boys! Such a cool idea, and a "hair-on-my-arms-standing-up" story about the help you received from BF members. Great photo, too! You're obviously a good dad, and kudos to 2dead, classic case, and Black Mamba for helping you chase down the knives for your boys!! :thumbup:

:thumbup:

- GT

black mamba · Mar 7, 2015

Kj, the EC in the GEC pattern number is for End Cap.

onejim · Mar 7, 2015

KJ,

I too have a 78 and love it....but originally there pull on mine was the same. There are a few threads on here about how to work the springs, but I wasn't comfortable doing anything outside of actually opening and closing the blades. So I sent it off to GEC and they fixed it up good. Less than two weeks door to door. I'm very happy with it now. GEC rocks. The pull is still strong and a great snap....but easy on the thumb nail. I'd say it went from a 9+ to a 6/7. Good luck.

kootenay joe · Mar 8, 2015

EC = end cap. Thank You.
I oiled my # 78 American Jack and it has helped. Now it's a 7.5-8. I think if i keep working the blade (opening & closing) it might ease up a bit more.
Truly poor quality pictures of a very fine knife: # 781214EC, serial # 23

I also picked up a # 23 from 2007 with great Red Stag. The pictures again do not show how fine this knife is.

I particularly like the Square & Flush joint on the # 23's & # 73's. This type of joint originated in Germany and came to USA with German cutlers hired by Remington.

kj

kootenay joe · Mar 8, 2015

Here is a # 73 from 2007 with Primitive Bone

And here are Flush & Square joints:

Tang is flush with bolsters in closed and half stop positions.
kj

draggat · Mar 8, 2015

kootenay joe said:
EC = end cap. Thank You.
I oiled my # 78 American Jack and it has helped. Now it's a 7.5-8. I think if i keep working the blade (opening & closing) it might ease up a bit more.
Truly poor quality pictures of a very fine knife: # 781214EC, serial # 23

kj

That is a fantastic looking knife!!

I have a #78 in African Blackwood. According to my own personal scale, the pull is about a 9 (just short of nailbreaker). The pull is roughly the same as these two #54 Big Jacks, but it has a louder snap. Overall, a fantastic pattern. I love the long pen blade on it as well.

Rockon75 · Mar 8, 2015

Kootenay Joe - if you carry that knife and use it daily, my experience has been that the pull will lighten by a point or two. I have a TK Cuban that's been in my pocket almost daily for quite some. It has easily gone from a 7 to a 6 or 6 to a 5 depending on how you rate pull. I can now open it just over half way with my non-use hand, and put my thumb nail (user hand)on the kick and push it open.