Lets talk GEC!

[Txjohn]

Hey Mike , what gives? Seems like you've always listed on early reserve way before it hits Gec's production table

 

[Txjohn]

Scratch that ^^^^ forgot the rules
Got excited that's all sorry

 

[Old Engineer]

As I am predominately a user rather than a collector at this point (subject to change any time), I have not found etches to be all that appealing as they soon disappear with use. That being said, I do like the artistry that goes into etches and I find many to be rather attractive, especially ones that are paired specifically with a pattern.

I like the Bird Dog etch, it is unique and fun.



Since the 78 and 77 frames are pretty darn close to being the same, I think the 77 is going to appeal to me immensely. I find the 15 frame to be a bit small in its single blade configuration and the 78 in its 2 blade configuration is a bit much. However, the single blade 78 is absolutely perfect and I suspect that the 77 will appeal to me in the same way.

I haven't expended a lot of effort trying to acquire the #15 TC Barlows because the single blade versions are very thin and petite and whenever I carry and use one, I always find myself thinking that there is something lacking. Perhaps a 2 blade TC would please me more. But a 77 NF Barlow could very well be the icing on the cake for me. Especially in that red saw cut...

Dylan and HST : Here are a couple of possibilities for you guys :




Hope you guys can get one , but I would like to get a 2 bladed one with both blades on it .
I would also hope that you re-think getting a 78 while available . I have 8 of the 77 ' s and I have 1 of the 78 's and I like the 78 a lot as well as the 77 's .

Harry

 

[Babalu32]

If they do matchstriker pull I may die of excitement.

 

[Pàdruig]

Dylan and HST : Here are a couple of possibilities for you guys :




Hope you guys can get one , but I would like to get a 2 bladed one with both blades on it .
I would also hope that you re-think getting a 78 while available . I have 8 of the 77 ' s and I have 1 of the 78 's and I like the 78 a lot as well as the 77 's .

Harry

Harry, those are some real beauties! I really love that red saw cut.

GEC Barlows of any kind seem to be exceedingly popular but I haven't been around long enough to experience a NF 77 Barlow release so I do not know how they stack up to the TCs in terms of desirability. What I do know now is that I like the size of the 77/78 over that of the 15 and I think a NF 77 Barlow will spend a lot of time in the pocket should I be fortunate enough to land one.

The 78s really were a terrific run and I'd say if one likes the 77s, the 78s will surely be right up their alley. I managed to acquire 3 and I am very happy with them.

 

[H2O2HI]

Guys, I am curious as to why is there no love for the single blade 38?

It has a sunken joint, comes in a wide variety of covers, features a slinky dogleg frame, a popular Turkish clip blade, and a smooth cam action without the nail breaker spring. It strikes me as odd because if GEC had made it as a half-whittler or full whittler, they would all have been snapped up by now. What is it about the single blade model that leaves most dogleg fans cold?

I have pondered your question for a few days now. Perhaps the folding knife aficionado has a utilitarian bent. I know the reason I like jacks is because they are useful. But the #38 single leaves the impression of being more a weapon than a tool.

 

[JITDC]

I very excited about this!!!! Can’t wait to see the next run of 77 barlows!!!

 

[knife_fan]

If they do matchstriker pull I may die of excitement.

Same here

 

[JTB_5]

I’m guessing Mike may send an email or text to those signed up stating a “drop” date for the early reserve of the 77 Barlow’s. I believe the last TC drop crashed his new system due to the high volume of folks trying to reserve them.

Exciting 2018 for GEC fans and it’s only January.

Gives me motivation to work OT. Lol

Oh man, that’s a little intimidating. Like Walmart on Black Friday.

 

[B.F.U]

I wonder if the elderberry camel bone will be of a similar hue to the elderberry jigged bone that the recent 78s came with. Kind of a dark purplish red?

Well that's the color of elderberry juice so it would make sense. When I was younger my grandparents had an elderberry Bush and I loved the color of the juice when you squeezed them in your hands. Dark blue with a purple tint and red underneath.

It's a LOT bigger. These were sized to scale, the #18 is 2¾" closed, and the #56 is 3½" closed.

And Burnt Stag, GEC made the #53 Cuban Castro with 4 Wharncliffe blades, 2 long and 2 short.

That's a good looking knife. I wasn't that interested in this rental. Wish it was not spear point like the beagle.

I have pondered your question for a few days now. Perhaps the folding knife aficionado has a utilitarian bent. I know the reason I like jacks is because they are useful. But the #38 single leaves the impression of being more a weapon than a tool.

That opinion sure perplexes me. What about it seems like a weapon? It's a small slipjoint folding knife without half stops.

I really like my Rendezvous Special Abalone #38. My only Abalone knife. I honestly thought it looked like a silly shape for a pattern from pictures, and most importantly thought there was no way the tips wouldn't be proud and get proud after a couple sharpenings again. That's the thing I know I'm more picky about than most, proud tips. However, I really like it once I got it in hand. I even thought about getting one to carry and use more than the Rendezvous Special. I think it's not popular cause it looks weird.

 

[007hunter]

If they do matchstriker pull I may die of excitement.

Agreed, the match striker pull adds a very nice touch..

 

[315]

Well maybe I will finally find "the one" I've been looking for.

 

[Ratbert]

I wonder if the elderberry camel bone will be of a similar hue to the elderberry jigged bone that the recent 78s came with. Kind of a dark purplish red?

I would think the color would be the same as the recent 78. My only issue with camel bone is that it seems hit or miss with the dye. Some take it well and the color is uniform, while others seem to end up “blotchy” or with just faint hints of the color. It will be interesting to see these take shape in the production photos.

 

[Ratbert]

Beautiful Ratbert!!

Ratbert,
That, in my opinion, is a beautiful knife. If I thought the Northfield verision of this run would be that nice I would have to have at least one each of the single and 2-blade versions.
Take care,
Rick

Thanks guys! It really is a great knife. This one is from 2013 and is the only liner lock that I own.

 

[HST]

Agreed, the match striker pull adds a very nice touch..

The match striker was the huge win for me on the last run. I wasn’t aware of other year’s with them - what year is yours?

Old Engineer I really like all your red bone knives. I got the last run’s Red Pony Cut, so Red Saw Cut is high on my list. I always admire those knives you posted. I would’ve gotten one or some of the #78s, if it had a different blade.

 

[Buzzbait]

Oh my, a new run of 77 Barlows. I’d really like to score both a micarta and a sawcut bone. Great cover choices on this run, and awesome blade selection.

 

[traumkommode]

Guys, I am curious as to why is there no love for the single blade 38?

It has a sunken joint, comes in a wide variety of covers, features a slinky dogleg frame, a popular Turkish clip blade, and a smooth cam action without the nail breaker spring. It strikes me as odd because if GEC had made it as a half-whittler or full whittler, they would all have been snapped up by now. What is it about the single blade model that leaves most dogleg fans cold?

I actually kinda like the 38, but i think I would like it much more with a half stop.

I think it is an attractive frame/blade combo overall.

I had a Northwoods Willamette Whittler and kept thinking that with a clip blade it would have been perfect. The single bladed 38 joins a whole bunch of recent (ish) knifes that I would have bought without hesitating had there been a stainless option, especially if available in ebony, jigged bone, etc Namely the #18 Beagle, #14 Boys Knife, #38 special, #48 Weasel, #35 Churchill and #78 American Jack. So many great knives perfect for long term carry but 1095 just doesn't work for me any more.

I like them At least my whorly Bocote..

If I were to find the 'right' Stag I'd snap that up too

That said, it might've liked better with a full size Clip as I think Turkish Clips are better suited to multi blade patterns rather than as a single.

I'd also like to see GEC make this as a Penknife pattern with Clip/ Pen , Spear/Small Clip and yes, how about some stainless efforts??

Lots of similar sentiment from me, with an unashamed lack of mercy. I think the 38 frame is terrific in hand. But I'm already not a fan of Turkish clip point blades, mostly because of the looks. I think the 38 special looks like a 1950s woman's leg in stockings and a red dress. I think the 38 special looks like a tourist attraction souvenir knife. I think the covers look cheap. A full sized clip point would have been great. A clip and coping pen (half Whittler) would have been great. Stainless would have been great.

Back to terrific in hand for a minute - the frame itself doesn't look like it would be as comfy as it is. It's an exception where fatter at the pivot actually works, but if you've never tried it, it can look off-putting.

Functional doesn't trump attractive. The calf pen is about as functional as GEC could make a knife. It's also about as ugly, IMO. And that 38 special just doesn't look good to me. The Willamette looks right, so does the grinling. Put the grinling main blade into the Willamette pattern and lop off that pen tip so the secondary can cope, do old standby covers - ebony or Cocobolo, smooth bone, brown or red Jigged Bone, and a polished linen micarta - and you'll have a knife that the forum (and I) rave about. Put 440C blades in there and I'd be so touched to think Bill Howard might actually care about little old me...

 

[Pomsbz]

The Willamette looks right, so does the grinling. Put the grinling main blade into the Willamette pattern and lop off that pen tip so the secondary can cope, do old standby covers - ebony or Cocobolo, smooth bone, brown or red Jigged Bone, and a polished linen micarta - and you'll have a knife that the forum (and I) rave about. Put 440C blades in there and I'd be so touched to think Bill Howard might actually care about little old me...

Drool.

 

[r8shell]

I think the 38 special looks like a 1950s woman's leg in stockings and a red dress. I think the 38 special looks like a tourist attraction souvenir knife.

I wouldn't go quite that far , but it does remind me of the Powderhorn, or Toothpick which has its fans, but just doesn't seem to be the most popular pattern around here.

 

[t.willy]

That's exactly what came to mind the moment I first saw it as well. I find it kinda funny because if you list a 38 Whittier on the Exchange it last about 5 minutes