Lets talk GEC!

[doulos]

I think it's just the pics, my example is properly "speckled", like I've already had my greasy paws all over it even though it's still in the tube. It also possesses the best f&f I've ever seen on a GEC, bar none. It's mechanically perfect, and I don't say that lightly.

Especially breaking off that delicate point, clip points *are* way better at that... And having the tip wander under hard use because so much metal has been removed from the spine. The clip point was developed especially for stabbing, one thing I rarely do with a traditional folder. Nobody here's gonna end up in the Sandbar fight and survive only because of the clip point on their GEC. *steps off soapbox*.

I couldn't agree more, the F&F is near perfect. One of the best I've seen too. Love the color and the black speckles. The spey will be good for carving as it is very thin behind the edge.

 

[ephsea]

Well, Levine says otherwise. Which source you are referring to? Would be interesting to examine.

Shamefully I just used Wikipedia, the most specious of sources. Interestingly, the wiki mentions the Levine version of the "original" Bowie knife (original is semantic, and everybody wants to be the OG) along with numerous conflicting other versions. I *like* the Spanish style fighting knife better myself, due to the beefier tip. I'm going to pm you, this is something I've been keen to learn more about for awhile now.

the red Micarta is definitely a lighter color than previous GEC red micartas. I don’t have a lot, but here are a couple for comparison. I thought the 86, which is from last year, was too light, and this is even lighter. The Bull Nose on the far right might be called “maroon” rather than red, I don’t remember off the top of my head.

Is that just age or use that's darkened the older handles? I recall a red linen 86 that passed through my hands being notably brighter than this 81. I know one way to find out for sure, and that's use it hard and get it dirty . In the name of science, of course.

 

[btb01]

Is that just age or use that's darkened the older handles? I recall a red linen 86 that passed through my hands being notably brighter than this 81. I know one way to find out for sure, and that's use it hard and get it dirty . In the name of science, of course.

None of those have been carried (they aren’t safe queens or anything like that, I just have too many knives ). The darker 71 is from 2015, and while it may have darkened up a bit over time, it started out quite dark to begin with, much darker than any of those others. I don’t think the 86 could have changed much since it just came out last year, I’m fairly certain it’s about the same color it was when I got it.

I can pretty much guarantee that any of them will darken up much quicker if you carry/use them. I don’t have any red linen micarta examples to show that, but here are a couple in natural canvas micarta comparing new (or close to new) and after some time and a bit of carry/use.

 

[Jacques Mi]

Anyone with an ancient barlow, can I kindly ask for photos of the blade and the tip. Close ups as well.
Thank you

 

[AusLoX]

Anyone with an ancient barlow, can I kindly ask for photos of the blade and the tip. Close ups as well.
Thank you

Only pics I have. It’s called a “short beak” blade

 

[Jacques Mi]

Only pics I have. It’s called a “short beak” blade
View attachment 2674771View attachment 2674772View attachment 2674773

Thanks a bunch! Yeas, It's the beak I'm interested in seeing. I'd be happy if a few pictures of the swedge would be posted

 

[Honest_Thomas]

These 81 Bull Moose I keep seeing are conjuring up wants wishes and desires for long thin spears, kinda like the older 65s…

 

[cudgee]

, but here are a couple in natural canvas micarta comparing new (or close to new) and after some time and a bit of carry/use.

Wow mate, that's amazing. Something new i have learnt today.

 

[Johnnythefox]

None of those have been carried (they aren’t safe queens or anything like that, I just have too many knives ). The darker 71 is from 2015, and while it may have darkened up a bit over time, it started out quite dark to begin with, much darker than any of those others. I don’t think the 86 could have changed much since it just came out last year, I’m fairly certain it’s about the same color it was when I got it.

I can pretty much guarantee that any of them will darken up much quicker if you carry/use them. I don’t have any red linen micarta examples to show that, but here are a couple in natural canvas micarta comparing new (or close to new) and after some time and a bit of carry/use.

I’ve polished mine back to the original colour a few times.

 

[dovidola]

This is reasonably faithful depiction of the colour on my #81 Bull Moose in Red Linen Micarta from 2017, which despite plenty of use has not changed much from new:

 

[Hengelo_77]

My specific example is a little pinkish. I was thinking they’d be more true-red or maybe even maroon. I don’t hate it, I’m just hoping some pocket wear and use will darken it up over time.

This picture is pretty accurate to how mine looks in person.
View attachment 2672384

I think UV light (sun light) will darken it.
I like it btw

 

[btb01]

This is reasonably faithful depiction of the colour on my #81 Bull Moose in Red Linen Micarta from 2017, which despite plenty of use has not changed much from new:

View attachment 2675342

I’d forgotten that they did a red linen one. Very nice. The 81 Bull Moose is a great pattern.

Speaking of great knives, I had some nice ones come in the mail today. The Waynorths are, of course, fantastic.

And while this streaked ebony isn’t very streaky, it’s still very nice, probably my favorite of the standard run.

 

[AusLoX]

I’d forgotten that they did a red linen one. Very nice. The 81 Bull Moose is a great pattern.

Speaking of great knives, I had some nice ones come in the mail today. The Waynorths are, of course, fantastic.

And while this streaked ebony isn’t very streaky, it’s still very nice, probably my favorite of the standard run.

Did you order the ebony or the streaked ebony?

 

[btb01]

Did you order the ebony or the streaked ebony?

Ordered streaked, and the tube cap says streaked.

 

[waynorth]

Ordered streaked, and the tube cap says streaked.

From here, it looks like the deepest, darkest Gabon!!??

 

[AusLoX]

Ordered streaked, and the tube cap says streaked.

Maybe it was packaged on a Friday….late Friday

 

[btb01]

From here, it looks like the deepest, darkest Gabon!!??

Yep, I don’t think it gets much darker!

 

[birdsbeaks]

Okay - here goes:

I don’t have a lot, but here are a couple for comparison. I thought the 86, which is from last year, was too light, and this is even lighter. The Bull Nose on the far right might be called “maroon” rather than red, I don’t remember off the top of my head.

I felt the same. Almost "washed out" on the 86s. Viewed under ultraviolet light, they appear entirely different in how they fluoresce. I've toyed with the idea of trying to photograph this phenomenon but haven't yet found the stones. Maybe I'll give it a go. For science.

red looks a shade lighter than the 2024 Bull Buster but has similar dark flecks

Interesting. Wonder if they would fluoresce the same under a black light?

It looks pretty similar to GECs earlier runs of red micarta to me.

Each of the recent runs I've seen have all looked very different in hand.

I have never had the 93 but one of the main draws for me is the lanyard on the 47,during our northern Canadian prairie winters I really appreciate the usefulness of the 47 and the easy draw,with just a little tug of the lanyard your ready to go,cold hands appreciate it.

I can pinch open a viper, but my hands are never cold because Miami. Still love a lanyard though!

Hatchet_Jack - It was just pure dumb luck that landed me this one from earlier this year. 24 stamped:

Is that just age or use that's darkened the older handles? I recall a red linen 86 that passed through my hands being notably brighter than this 81. I know one way to find out for sure, and that's use it hard and get it dirty . In the name of science, of course.

I'm currently running this experiment with a 21 red linen micarta bull buster lock back. Preliminary results make me think this red linen micarta has UV stabilizers - or that the red dye itself is simply more resistant to color shift.

I can pretty much guarantee that any of them will darken up much quicker if you carry/use them. I don’t have any red linen micarta examples to show that, but here are a couple in natural canvas micarta comparing new (or close to new) and after some time and a bit of carry/use.

Continuing the thought from above - I'm not so sure with these. I've been getting the 21LB I mentioned dirtier, sweatier, and grosser than any other GEC knife I've owned and its color seems pretty indomitable. Like a stop sign in the high beams. Kapow - there it is! Hard to lose - I'll give it that!

I took this picture with color accuracy in mind (the seagrapes look just like seagrapes!):

This is reasonably faithful depiction of the colour on my #81 Bull Moose in Red Linen Micarta from 2017, which despite plenty of use has not changed much from new:

This has been my experience so far.

I think UV light (sun light) will darken it.

I don't think it will. Or, at least not quickly. Down in Miami, FLA we have a disgusting excess of UV light. On days like today, the average person will get a sunburn in just 11 minutes of exposure. UV that makes you think you should own a space suit. It's... intense, is the point. I've left the knife shown above out in it, at its worst, for hours at a time and for days in a row. It has seemingly resisted all of my efforts to get it to change in any way at all. Kinda remarkable really.

 

[mrknife]

hows the humidity on 1095 down there, i know we got a few folks in florida and boy nothing beats the one time someone shared a picture of their gec and the spine was all patinaed from sitting in the pocket

 

[MarbReds]

hows the humidity on 1095 down there, i know we got a few folks in florida and boy nothing beats the one time someone shared a picture of their gec and the spine was all patinaed from sitting in the pocket

One of the reasons I use a "pocket-purse", to be honest. I know they aren't for everyone.