Lets talk GEC!

You know what Ryan, I have had an urge to buy a navy knife for a long time. I think it wold be like my beer scout but a little thinner and lighter. The blade is extreme but looks like it would also be very useful. i also love the ez open. In other words, it has grown on me.
 
Wilted Kilt said:
I'm happy to see confirmation of the nail nick. I'm a long pull fan as a rule, but I like a nail nick on the sheepsfoot better for absolutely no reason.
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As much as I like the looks of the long pulls and their associated swedges, the blades that have nail nicks look like they can be pinched open more easily. At least the closed knife on the bench (lower right) seems that way to me. :cool:

WH-A4-19.jpg
 
Leslie Tomville said:
You know what Ryan, I have had an urge to buy a navy knife for a long time. I think it wold be like my beer scout but a little thinner and lighter. The blade is extreme but looks like it would also be very useful. i also love the ez open. In other words, it has grown on me.
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Leslie, I have to say that I couldn't be happier with it. I had reward points to use at CK, so decided to give it a shot. I actually really like the blade, and it fits my watch pocket and my hand perfectly.

I bought a chestnut model when they first came out, but sold it due to the wood being softer than I anticipated. My new one is Burnt orange bone, and is awesome. I'm sure the micarta ones are great too.

I would prefer it without the bail (and could probably remedy that if I got the nerve) but I've gotten rather used to it.

The best part is it's stainless. I'd recommend it for sure. Just keep in mind that not everyone likes it, so if you decide you don't like it and try selling it - you may lose a few bucks.
 
GE Jr said:
As much as I like the looks of the long pulls and their associated swedges, the blades that have nail nicks look like they can be pinched open more easily. At least the closed knife on the bench (lower right) seems that way to me. :cool:

WH-A4-19.jpg
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My thing is it puts your thumbnail in a better position for gaining leverage to open the blade. The long pulls on the sheepsfoot blades always look to far back to me.

Not that you NEED that leverage on a 15... like I said, it's a silly thing. But I'm a silly guy, I guess.
 
Rambler said:
African Blackwood and Gabon Ebony,which one do you prefer?

What's the difference between them?Which one is darker?Ebony?

And did old knives ever use African Blackwood?It seems like old knives chose ebony rather than blackwood.
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Im not an expert by any means but i have a #81 stockman in blackwood and it is glossy and complwtely BLACK and is beautiful, on the other hand ive had 2 or 3 ebony knives that are basically dull and brown and disappointing except for a very old LF&C in ebony that is black as black can be. I think the modern ebony might be lighter (younger trees?).
 
Here's my Ebony Calf Roper from this latest run. It's more brown than black but still a nice looking slab of wood. I've never owned an African Blackwood knife but none of the pictures I've seen of them were this far removed from the color black.

View attachment 745211
 
I have a 48 that is brownish but I really like it. Both dark brown and black ebony are good looking, its just when you really want it to look one way and it doesn't that it can be disappointing.

I have also noticed that even the true black versions vary a bit in gloss. My very first ever GEC is still the best knife I own from that perpsective. Oiling the wood improves the gloss, but can only do so much.

I will post photos here soon.
 
Rick sorry to refer to your gorgeous knife and be negative, but I think that if the shield is a regular shape, and its an equal end knife with opposing blades, the shield should go in the centre of the scale IMO. Its a key reason I like the tortoiseshell version of this knife. I guess it must be an historic thing...
 
Railsplitter said:
Here's my Ebony Calf Roper from this latest run. It's more brown than black but still a nice looking slab of wood. I've never owned an African Blackwood knife but none of the pictures I've seen of them were this far removed from the color black.

View attachment 745211
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That's curious, as a good 95% of the African Blackwood I have handled were near black; with only discernible brown from time to time.
 
In theory,Gabon Ebony should be basically darker than African Blackwood,as ebony is grey/black while blackwood is dark brown.

However,actually they can both be pure black and blackwood has a smaller variance than ebony.
 
Railsplitter said:
Here's my Ebony Calf Roper from this latest run. It's more brown than black but still a nice looking slab of wood. I've never owned an African Blackwood knife but none of the pictures I've seen of them were this far removed from the color black.

View attachment 745211
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That looks like macassar ebony to me, which tends to be almost black with dark chocolate streaks. I had a clip point Washington Jack that was a waxy jet black, which is more in line with Gabon Ebony.

I've owned two BRKT knives with African Blackwood handles. The first was almost completely black, and the second had distinct chocolate streaks through it, and looked like your ebony above.

Then there's the light brown ebony that GEC put on the one armed jack #15's...
 
Rambler said:
African Blackwood and Gabon Ebony,which one do you prefer?

What's the difference between them?Which one is darker?Ebony?

And did old knives ever use African Blackwood?It seems like old knives chose ebony rather than blackwood.
Click to expand...
Here are a 15 in each example. Ebony on the left, Blackwood on the right.
I personally like the way ebony ages better. The grain (if that is the correct term) seems to open open and gain some texture, while the Blackwood has remained smooth. I hope it is captured in the photo.
IMG_4437.JPG IMG_4442.JPG
Pics of @SadSappySucker 's presidential come to mind as an example of what well used ebony can look like.
I suspect the Blackwood is more durable, but I doubt I'd wear out either any time soon.
 
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