Lets talk GEC!

I’m still slowly working my way through this thread. Have learned lots of things I now don’t have to ask questions about, and am set up for notifications with a few dealers. And have made my first BF forum transaction, which was quick and easy. And MUCH cheaper than the auction site. I only discovered GEC knives late last year, so lots to learn about patterns, etc. for me still.

My favorite part of this thread was when it hit 1000 pages and people were posting their collections. Ooof, you guys have some beautiful collections. I am up to 8 now after snagging all of the patterns that were really speaking to me. I feel like I can slow down now (right, famous last words).

Here’s where things stand now.


AC10057F-9167-49F2-8773-40FEC7F140C4.jpeg

It’s funny, but the Black Plum Viper was the one I wasn’t sure I would like in person, but daaammn it’s nice in hand. Now, I think I have to get the matching Mustang in black plum to go with it. The only one I’m not absolutely in love with so far is the 88 Desert Ironwood. It’s a bit clunky to open for me.

I’ve been carrying the 86 orange bone since receiving it recently and it’s a big favorite.
 
lithicus said:
I think this is an appropriate place to ask this question. Pardon my GEC ignorance (naivety?).

My favorite pattern is the stockman. My favorite EDC size is around 3.5 inches. I'm not a big fan of cigar style frames and prefer something more serpentine-like on my stockmans. Going even further, I like square (and preferably pinched!) bolsters. Think Schrade Old Timer 34OT...

I searched around on these forums and poked around the GEC website. The only 3.5" stockmans I've been able to find are the 68 and the 66, I think? I was really surprised there wasn't more 3.5" stockman patterns! The 66 calf roper fits nearly all criteria of my "dream" GEC knife; the only thing missing being the square bolsters. Am I missing any existing patterns or do I simply need to wait and pray that GEC eventually does a run for my "dream" slipjoint? 😅
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GEC has a few square bolster patterns but not in the traditional stockman configuration. If you don't mind a slightly different blade setup, they put out some nice square bolster Congress variations. Bill Howard is a man of surprises so you never know what might come next though.
 
I like what you described, Lithicus.

I have the GEC 35 Cattle knife and it's close to perfect for me, though I wish it were just a tad longer. Think of it as a beefy stockman at 3.5".

I would also love 4" two blade Barlows, the main blade spearpoint and smaller lambsfoot. Still looking for just the right one.

The spearpoint blade is useful to me for spreading foods like jam, butter, etc. The depth of the blade helps me to make deeper, straighter cuts than a clip point, though GEC makes some deep clip point blades I would love to try out.
 
waverave said:
GEC has a few square bolster patterns but not in the traditional stockman configuration. If you don't mind a slightly different blade setup, they put out some nice square bolster Congress variations. Bill Howard is a man of surprises so you never know what might come next though.
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Thanks for the suggestion!! 👍

ErikMB said:
I like what you described, Lithicus.

I have the GEC 35 Cattle knife and it's close to perfect for me, though I wish it were just a tad longer. Think of it as a beefy stockman at 3.5".

I would also love 4" two blade Barlows, the main blade spearpoint and smaller lambsfoot. Still looking for just the right one.

The spearpoint blade is useful to me for spreading foods like jam, butter, etc. The depth of the blade helps me to make deeper, straighter cuts than a clip point, though GEC makes some deep clip point blades I would love to try out.
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I had not really considered the 35 cattle knife, but I agree it is kind of like a beefy stockman! 😅 I, too, like multiblade knives and a barlow with a spear and lambsfoot would be to die for!
 
calm said:
I usually use the victorinox oil for anything used for food too, as it is food safe and designed for purpose. If I have to use other oils, like 3 in 1, I make sure no residue is left on the blade. I doubt it will do much harm anyway.
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Baby oil is just mineral oil too isn't it? Never used the Victrinox stuff, might give it a try.
 
TheIncredibleHoke said:
I’m still slowly working my way through this thread. Have learned lots of things I now don’t have to ask questions about, and am set up for notifications with a few dealers. And have made my first BF forum transaction, which was quick and easy. And MUCH cheaper than the auction site. I only discovered GEC knives late last year, so lots to learn about patterns, etc. for me still.

My favorite part of this thread was when it hit 1000 pages and people were posting their collections. Ooof, you guys have some beautiful collections. I am up to 8 now after snagging all of the patterns that were really speaking to me. I feel like I can slow down now (right, famous last words).

Here’s where things stand now.


View attachment 2043720

It’s funny, but the Black Plum Viper was the one I wasn’t sure I would like in person, but daaammn it’s nice in hand. Now, I think I have to get the matching Mustang in black plum to go with it. The only one I’m not absolutely in love with so far is the 88 Desert Ironwood. It’s a bit clunky to open for me.

I’ve been carrying the 86 orange bone since receiving it recently and it’s a big favorite.
Click to expand...

Very nice picture but I do see that you mixed up the caps for the 62 and 73 😱. Great little collection you have going!
 
The #76 pattern would be the one for your stockman, lithicus. They run just a bit over 3½" closed, have square bolsters, and they have done patterns with blades at both ends, so no big stretch to make a stockman. Just gotta hope they think the same way.

TpQkEVv.jpg
 
black mamba said:
The #76 pattern would be the one for your stockman, lithicus. They run just a bit over 3½" closed, have square bolsters, and they have done patterns with blades at both ends, so no big stretch to make a stockman. Just gotta hope they think the same way.

TpQkEVv.jpg
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Is that a Gunstock or Serpentine frame?
 
black mamba said:
The #76 pattern would be the one for your stockman, lithicus. They run just a bit over 3½" closed, have square bolsters, and they have done patterns with blades at both ends, so no big stretch to make a stockman. Just gotta hope they think the same way.

TpQkEVv.jpg
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Wow, good call! I do think it could make a great frame for a stockman. And they haven't done it before so, maybe there's hope?? 😅 Fingers crossed!!
 
Not sure that GEC has yet to convince with a Medium or Small Stockman, CASE and the late Queen Cutlery still rule that roost.

It's very odd they haven't re released the 81 Abilene Large Stockman as it was very popular years ago, big square bolstered Stock knife. I agree with black mamba black mamba the 76 frame would house a Stock knife very well and could offer some interesting blades, Drop-Point for instance- they did brilliantly with the 82 Dixie but it's big and round bolstered.

Thinking about it who remembers the 62 Maverick?? who has one? I recall they were unloved at the time but it's a very unusual 3 blade knife.

Personally, I'd like to believe they would take a 92 Eureka and make a Stock knife from that 😍
 
Will Power said:
Not sure that GEC has yet to convince with a Medium or Small Stockman, CASE and the late Queen Cutlery still rule that roost.
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I've been looking for a 3.5" jigged bone traditional stockman. And at this point I'm torn between paying near GEC prices for a nice vintage case (would love to get one with a pinned shield), the 66 calf roper, and waiting for a 2023 stockman from GEC. I have been leaning more toward case lately though due to the availability and variety of patterns. Which is what got me thinking and surprised GEC hasn't made more stockmans in the 3.5" range.

Will Power said:
It's very odd they haven't re released the 81 Abilene Large Stockman as it was very popular years ago, big square bolstered Stock knife.
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I love the 81 frame. If I did want a 4" stockman, that is the frame I would want it on. I was very pleased with my muskrat.

Will Power said:
Personally, I'd like to believe they would take a 92 Eureka and make a Stock knife from that 😍
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That's an interesting idea!! Would definitely be a cool knife to see!
 
L lithicus Thanks, actually Rough Rider made a Eureka Stockman 3 3/8 and a very tidy job they made of it too.

I'd go for a vintage CASE or even a new one, the 66 calf Roper lacks decent snap according to many, so might be underwhelming...
 
Will Power said:
L lithicus Thanks, actually Rough Rider made a Eureka Stockman 3 3/8 and a very tidy job they made of it too.

I'd go for a vintage CASE or even a new one, the 66 calf Roper lacks decent snap according to many, so might be underwhelming...
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I had read that as well about the calf ropers. Thanks for confirming this! And glad you found a decent eureka stockman 😁

Jiki said:
View attachment 2044145
The 66 is mighty nice though.
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Great picture! I'm glad to hear you like yours 🙂

Jiki said:
Here is Levine's pages on the Stock knife if anyone is interested. black mamba black mamba . Your 76 looks like it's on the 2nd page by Landers Frary & Clark.
View attachment 2044159
View attachment 2044160
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Very cool find! Thanks for finding this!!
 
GEC stockman pattern knives I can think of… #81 and #82 (full size) one square end (Abilene), one rounded (Dixie stock knife, of which there have been a couple of runs) and #66 and #68 (smaller, 66 serpentine, 68 buckaroo which is a smaller equal end) and #61 (I think) “Maverick” which is an unusual Congress-pattern stockman-esque knife. Also recently #35, (med-large equal end) and a long time ago there were #53 stockman knives as well, possibly #54 also. These last two are a large-size equal end and IIRC are basically the same except one has half stops and one does not.
 
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