Lets talk GEC!

A while back there was some talk about how gec kept the tangs from wearing away the springs while leaving the blades hard. The answer, given by Bill during the tour, is even more interesting than you would think. Apparently they have the blades heat treated at Peter's Heat Treating in Meadville (which is cool in itself, because they're such a well respected outfit. Used by many custom makers) then they put them in a mechanism that turns with heated coils that only reach to the end of the tang (they don't heat the actual blade area) and therefore only temper the tang. He said the blades come from Peter's, and remain, at 59 rc while the springs are tempered down to the 40s.

Please correct me if I got anything wrong on that.
 
So GEC is not only re releasing the Viper, quicker than other patterns, but they are releasing it in 440C. This summer has been one of the nicest I've ever seen, with temps low and barely any humidity. Perfect for spending time outside. However, summer time in Maryland is still not conducive to carbon steel. I like my patinas but I may start the summer stainless crowd. Glad to see GEC offering patterns in 440C.
 
The maroon linen micarta looks good on this on too.
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That is one beautiful knife! I used to be a strict carbon steel guy, but GEC's 440C holds an edge as well or better. Try it you'll like it!!!!!
 
Bringing this from the dogleg and serpentine thread to here to discuss further...
gunstockjack said:
Interesting side note on the bird hook 48's - they all have the acorn shield regardless of blade steel. A first for the Great Eastern brand, which has always been 440C.
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Not always Barry... I have a few of the GEC branded/acorn shielded fixed blades and they are in 1095 with the TIW stamp instead of Cyclops. Even when it comes to folding knives, GEC, in 2008, made a few GEC branded/acorn shielded knives under a SFO using 420HC for the steel instead of 440C. I have one of these in burnt stag and as you can see, no Cyclops (or TIW) stamp. So far, afaik, the only way to ensure your GEC is 440C is to have the Cyclops Steel Works stamp on the knife.



I believe the Rendezvous Burnt Orange Wave Jig bone #48 jacks and trappers have, so far, been the only barehead #48 Jack, and the only barehead 440C 2blade #48 trapper. The #48 bird knife is definitely barehead but not what I'd put in the traditional jack or traditional trapper categories.
 
I believe the #73 Hoofpick Scout Knives, or Equestrian Trapper if you will, also had the Acorn Shield and 1095 Carbon Steel Blades.
 
And there are the H23 and H73 fixed blades, with acorn shields and 1095 blades. I think GEC doesn't do this anymore - it probably confuses them more than any of us.
 
I've not seen the "Cyclops Steel Works" stamp on a GEC blade before. Have I just missed it? or is that only on the 440C?
 
Correct, so far, all of GEC's 440C knives have had the "Cyclops Steel Works" stamp or just "Cyclops". GEC's 1095 usually has a "Tidioute Ironworks" or "TIW" stamp.
 
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