Lets talk GEC!

HST · Mar 18, 2017

I used my #35 as my house knife. I carried it everyday with hard use until my Burlap #71 arrived. It had its flaws, but I that's the knife that taught me to just pocket carry and actually use a GEC to its fullest. I love the #35, its sleekness, shape, it's useful, easy on the eyes...this #35 is complete different. Not my cup of tea. I share the same sentiment of a scout or something like the Cadet.

The only task that did some negatives were carving a pumpkin. I doubt pumpkin carving was in mind using this knife - I had to be careful - but it did it well.

It worked so well, but I did have to adjust the awl from heavy use several times. This was my GEC that I pushed to see how tuff it was. Verdict: GEC makes one heck of a product. I tried to use up to abuse and even then walked the line. Every time it cleaned up, got straight, and worked relentlessly.

The new #35 looks like it has the same purpose in mind - work horse.

With all that being said, it's just not for me for several reasons, but I do see its purpose.

A very pleasant surprise was the #71. I dismissed this pattern constantly. I absolutely love the blade, feel in hand, its sturdiness, and usefulness. The blade shape works so well on this pattern, IMO.

btb01 · Mar 18, 2017

I wonder if there's a nail nick on the other side of the one-arm blade or if it's one-arm-open-only? I would think there would be, but who knows. All bets are off with this one; could be full of surprises!

rbeggs · Mar 18, 2017

I like the new 35 calf pen jack. I think it looks cool and useful. I wear traditional type jeans and overalls so i dont worry about pocket wear a whole lot. Looks like a keeper to me.

supratentorial · Mar 18, 2017

One more thing I'd like to see is a more interesting unlocking mechanism. I'm not really a fan of the tab. There are some really cool 100 year old mechanisms (see two examples below, other is a tab). I'd be happy to send Bill some examples to use as a pattern if he guarantees me first place in line for ordering!

H2O2HI · Mar 18, 2017

On the #35, it would be very easy to make a sheepfoot out of the points with a grinder.

videorecipes · Mar 18, 2017

i'm into the 35 just for its sheer weirdness -- it's a fun change of pace, i'd say.

LTSweeney18 · Mar 18, 2017

I'm definitely going to get one. I might even get two and modify the one-arm blade into something. I don't know how GEC previews work but does this mean these are next after the 48's or just a preview of something that will come sometime this year?

cbr1000 · Mar 18, 2017

supratentorial said:
Strange...

So, the screwdriver is part of the warncliffe blade? That seems very strange in that the additional design steps needed to get solid lockup wouldn't be worth it to add a flat head screwdriver? The lock release seems odd too.. like the second blade will make the lock release difficult to get to. Hasn't GEC posted April fool's day images before? If they are really making this knife it will be interesting to see. Am I wrong?.. is that a flat head driver sticking out the end of the knife or something else? I am confused by how that is going to work as the end of the Tang. Plus, if it is the end of the Tang and it's a driver/scraper of some sort it can't be very thin (like the tip of a flat head screwdriver) because it will get dinged up with use and make the opening/closing of the knife rough... So weird

Camillus · Mar 18, 2017

I can see how this knife could be useful as a workbench knife. I just can't see how it works as a cattle knife - a 'calf pen'. I like some aspects of it though, there is a 'craftsman knife' hiding in there somewhere waiting to be let out.

Railsplitter · Mar 18, 2017

I think the screwdriver must be part of the pile side liner. If it were part of the tang the blade would not ride properly on the backspring. Also, it's hidden with either blade opened.

One thing is for sure. If this is a joke I'm sure Bill is getting some good laughs watching us try to figure this thing out.

cbr1000 · Mar 19, 2017

Railsplitter said:
I think the screwdriver must be part of the pile side liner. If it were part of the tang the blade would not ride properly on the backspring. Also, it's hidden with either blade opened.

One thing is for sure. If this is a joke I'm sure Bill is getting some good laughs watching us try to figure this thing out.

That makes more sense to me - I was a bit lost with the extra parts sticking out. Thank you.

Maybe they can add a phillips head sticking out the other side

pertinux · Mar 19, 2017

Railsplitter said:
cbr1000 said:

So, the screwdriver is part of the warncliffe blade? That seems very strange in that the additional design steps needed to get solid lockup wouldn't be worth it to add a flat head screwdriver?

Click to expand...

I think the screwdriver must be part of the pile side liner. If it were part of the tang the blade would not ride properly on the backspring. Also, it's hidden with either blade opened.

The screwdriver looks like the one found on Beast, my Belgian Army Knife-- with the screwdriver and its extension-of-the-liner, torque-resistant design a favorite feature.

On this current GEC Cattle-whatsit, I welcome the screwdriver but am unkeen on the wharncliffe's tab lock feature, a deal-breaker for me.

~ P.

Will Power · Mar 19, 2017

With all those very pocket un-friendly spikes sticking out, you'll need a sturdy knife pouch (armoured) to keep the thing in your pocket with any hope of safety. No, just keep it in its tube...

Looks like It's going to be uncomfortable in the hand in use, due to the high riding blades. But, GEC made it so it must be cool right? Maybe a Mammoth version? Helping it on the road to extinction

paulhilborn · Mar 19, 2017

I have a camp knife with what looks to be a screwdriver but it's such thin metal, pretty much like the calf pen Jack. In a conversation in the past I've had other's mention it's more of a light scraper

traumkommode · Mar 19, 2017

I'll say this about the 35 Calf Pen... That one-arm blade is ripe for my belt sander to grind down into a clip point, and then I'll bet it gets a lot more favor...

Norcaldude · Mar 19, 2017

Will Power said:
With all those very pocket un-friendly spikes sticking out, you'll need a sturdy knife pouch (armoured) to keep the thing in your pocket with any hope of safety. No, just keep it in its tube...

Looks like It's going to be uncomfortable in the hand in use, due to the high riding blades. But, GEC made it so it must be cool right? Maybe a Mammoth version? Helping it on the road to extinction

Or maybe some people just have different tastes than you? Why do you have to imply that people are only saying they like it because GEC made it?

That kind of snark stinks up the place.

meako · Mar 20, 2017

negative connotations of spite, dishonesty and fakery,
In my experience those are human traits.

Finedges · Mar 20, 2017

Will Power said:
With all those very pocket un-friendly spikes sticking out, you'll need a sturdy knife pouch (armoured) to keep the thing in your pocket with any hope of safety. No, just keep it in its tube...

Looks like It's going to be uncomfortable in the hand in use, due to the high riding blades. But, GEC made it so it must be cool right? Maybe a Mammoth version? Helping it on the road to extinction

Yet, in for the GAW for a GEC. Class indeed.

Will Power said:
I'm in as I like GEC's stainless and it would match my 15 in the same bone and steel

Appreciate your very nice GAW.

Thanks, Will

videorecipes · Mar 20, 2017

pretty sure will power was just being playful. think we can cut each other some slack.

Will Power · Mar 20, 2017

Norcaldude said:
Or maybe some people just have different tastes than you? Why do you have to imply that people are only saying they like it because GEC made it?

That kind of snark stinks up the place.

I'm saying that some people might be doing that yes. Not 'only saying it because'. Plus I frequently say that we all have different tastes and that's a positive thing, that stinks does it? OK fine. Uncritical worship and compulsory positivism have heir own aroma too, I'd say.