Lets talk GEC!

There is a specific 85 thread in this sub forum. We’ll need to find it and bring it to the front again now that these are coming back!
 
Missing this one hurt a bit - especially when I saw the tiger maple option, but I'll just have to have my finger on the trigger when one hits the exchange.

Good bunch of handle options though, and I think they'll all be another hit.

A lot of great knives to look forward to through the rest of the year!
 
85 is a grail knife for me too. If you asked for my perfect traditional, it'd be a 3.5" single carbon blade in large spear or clip, matchstriker pull, nice swedge and my favorite shield, the corset. Ivory would be the preferred scale choice but due to the issues with the ivory trade, I think buffalo bone may be a nice substitute.
The 78 in smooth bone was close to ideal but this one may tick all the right boxes.
I like the corset pattern so much I inlayed it onto a longboard I was making.
full
 
Sabercat said:
Missing this one hurt a bit - especially when I saw the tiger maple option, but I'll just have to have my finger on the trigger when one hits the exchange.

Good bunch of handle options though, and I think they'll all be another hit.

A lot of great knives to look forward to through the rest of the year!
Click to expand...

Yup, GEC is killing it. Now we just need another run of Dixie’s and Workhorses and I’ll be set... for a few days.

I went with the buff and the polished stag. I might move on from one if they’re too similar.
 
Really wanted to get in on the stag but I think I missed the whole run by a mile.

A single blade stag 85 was the 2nd or 3rd GEC knife I ever purchased. I've actually bought and sold the thing twice in 2013. Really kick myself for letting it go. This photo was taken in 2013...don't have any of these left. The stag is the only one that hurts though.

 
Thanks cbr1000 for the comparison pics. I'm curious about the "balloon" spear in usage. Looks like you use your 85 well.
How does everyone like how the "balloon" spear functions with real use? Seems like the point is significantly below the centerline of the knife handle and there is a more acute angle between the frame and the blade edge.
 
The shape of the spear on the 85 is the main reason I don't have one. When they were available in the past, I couldn't get over what I then considered an awkward looking blade.

Then I got a few 79s, and realized that in hand, the blade isn't bad at all (though it's not quite as "balloony" as the 85) and it's actually a good user. (The one in the photo was not the user, and is no longer mine, but was the best photo of a 79 I could find).

I'm sure the slightly less acute point may cause this to be less effective in a few tasks, but I've never said "boy I wish this was more pointy" when using my 79.

I've learned over the past few years that I really need to get a knife in hand before determining if I like it or not. I got to see an 85 or two in person since, and regret jumping to conclusions based on photos alone.

I'll be on the prowl when a tiger maple one hits the 2ndary!
20180904_233203.jpg
 
ddavis said:
85 is a grail knife for me too. If you asked for my perfect traditional, it'd be a 3.5" single carbon blade in large spear or clip, matchstriker pull, nice swedge and my favorite shield, the corset. Ivory would be the preferred scale choice but due to the issues with the ivory trade, I think buffalo bone may be a nice substitute.
The 78 in smooth bone was close to ideal but this one may tick all the right boxes.
I like the corset pattern so much I inlayed it onto a longboard I was making.
full
Click to expand...

Your longboard with the Corset pattern is way cool!!
 
I was just perusing some of the more popular GEC retailers, and I was surprised how many patterns are readily available. I saw plenty of 15s, 38s, 48s, 56s, 66s, and 81s available. I kind of understand why the fixed blades and Calf Pens are still around, but I'm wondering if GEC will rethink there increased production runs on anything that isn't a surefire hit. Or rather, if GEC retailers will cut back on their order totals for anything non-barlow or basic Jack knife.

What a funny, fickle market niches are to figure out.

Everyone yearned for more, more, more, and GEC actually listened. Now, it seems like product is sitting again. I know that, typically, GECs fixed blade production totals are low, but I found H73s from 2016 still sitting on shelves.
 
Wurrwulf said:
I was just perusing some of the more popular GEC retailers, and I was surprised how many patterns are readily available. I saw plenty of 15s, 38s, 48s, 56s, 66s, and 81s available.
Click to expand...
I, too, have been surprised by that. For example, I am always amazed that there are tortoise shell acrylic or other 66s readily available and all kinds of 15s which are both really great patterns. I see 78's available too.
 
Wurrwulf said:
I was just perusing some of the more popular GEC retailers, and I was surprised how many patterns are readily available. I saw plenty of 15s, 38s, 48s, 56s, 66s, and 81s available.
Click to expand...

Well most of the 15s still left are from the run from a few month's ago, and I've noticed the availability of them getting smaller. With the 38s, I personally think the 38 specials feel wonderful in hand, but the action on all of the ones I have handled are just SO lethargic, I believe that turned alot of people off from them. I just sold my last one today for that very reason (although I'd still purchase an abalone covered one of the opportunity presented itself.) The 81s moose just seem awkward with an odd blade combination, and I believe a lot of folks think the 66s are overpriced.

Now as for the 56s and the 48s, that one confuses me. While the spring on the 56s is on the light side, it still snappy enough, and I love the size/usefulness of a 3.5"ish serpentine jack knive. In fact I have a 2 bladed 56 in micarta in my pocket this very instant. I'm really considering getting one of the Northfields in Mardi Gras acrylic while they are still available. And why any of the 48s are still available is beyond me. I own two, and my 48 weasel is arguably my most favorite pocket knife I own, regardless of manufacturer. I need to get a couple more while they're still on the market. An improved trapper in bloodwood is calling my name....
 
ddavis said:
85 is a grail knife for me too. If you asked for my perfect traditional, it'd be a 3.5" single carbon blade in large spear or clip, matchstriker pull, nice swedge and my favorite shield, the corset. Ivory would be the preferred scale choice but due to the issues with the ivory trade, I think buffalo bone may be a nice substitute.
The 78 in smooth bone was close to ideal but this one may tick all the right boxes.
I like the corset pattern so much I inlayed it onto a longboard I was making.
full
Click to expand...

cbr1000 said:
If you have a 78 handy here is a comparison...
Cm3mbAw.jpg

PNCvLWM.jpg
Click to expand...

The #78 spearpoint is fairly similar to the #85, just a bit less bulbous in the handle and blade. I've always thought of the #78 as halfway between a #77 and #85. Here's a comparison shot of all three in Northfield trim.

2o5rzCu.jpg
 
Bummer I had a busy day at work and wasn’t able to check out the 85s til after they were gone.
 
I missed, at two minutes ready, the notification announcing the opening of the pre-orders. I'm really sad, it's a model I hope I've had for too long already...

The finishing proposals are really promising. This batch will be sumptuous, as usual for Mike LATHAM's SFOs. If I can afford Chalie CAMPAGNA's SFOs today, I'm still on the wrong timing for Mike's.

I really hope that this curse will eventually end...

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
 
Remember what Mike said about GEC doing some 85s for the rest of their dealers. Watch the releases and you may get one without preorder or secondary market.
 
joeradza said:
I'm guessing the polished stag will be similar to the Washington Jacks.
Click to expand...

I hope so. The last round of polished stag 85's had a fair amount of black grooves. I'm hoping they polish everything off on this run - like the polished stag Washington Jack. It would be nice to distinguish this run from the prior run, but can't go wrong with either. I'm crossing my fingers they will be polished smooth.

I'm wondering what color red the jigged bone will be? Hoping for red so dark it's almost black.
 
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