Lets talk GEC!

[hopsbreath]

Not really that important, but yeah - the original look of that Pony Jack is neater/cleaner to me on a knife of this size. I have the same weirdness with the TC Barlows…they all had 3 pins until the latest Ancient. Do I love that TC Ancient Barlow? You bet I do!

On the 44 Buffalo Jacks, the Ebony, Cocobolo, and Micarta covers all sported 3 pins. There were 4 on the bone and stag covered knives. Those wood covers might not have appealed to me as much if done with that extra pin.

I sold a jigged bone 44 and kept my Cocobolo primarily because of the 4 vs 3 pin construction. Purely aesthetic reasons. My Cocobolo is satin blades opposed to polished — again, aesthetics and what I prefer. That said, I really like the stag in that run with 4 pins due to the lack of shields. Been keeping an eye on the exchange for an exceptional example, currently at the top of my “want list”. The 44’s are some of THE very best built GEC’s of the last couple years. Still a bit of a sleeper knife most haven’t caught onto yet.

 

[r8shell]

Nice knife!

Yes they are single spring with cam tangs on both ends. The split back whittlers typically have a cam tang main and half stop secondaries.

That's a beauty!

The half is a single spring. It's not hard to open just firm and snaps with authority. The new ones dont have the snap like years past in my opinion. They are smoother now and still nice just not the same

Thanks! The Geppetto Whittler was my first GEC. I had to file the kick on the main blade, since the tip sat a little high. I was disappointed to have to do that on the first knife I'd ever spent more than $50 on. On the other hand, once I'd done that I wasn't afraid to appreciate it as a user. Definitely one of my favorites now.

 

[Mayonardo]

I sold a jigged bone 44 and kept my Cocobolo primarily because of the 4 vs 3 pin construction. Purely aesthetic reasons. My Cocobolo is satin blades opposed to polished — again, aesthetics and what I prefer. That said, I really like the stag in that run with 4 pins due to the lack of shields. Been keeping an eye on the exchange for an exceptional example, currently at the top of my “want list”. The 44’s are some of THE very best built GEC’s of the last couple years. Still a bit of a sleeper knife most haven’t caught onto yet.

Definitely one of GEC’s best. The pulls are too strong for me so I moved mine along. Miss it though.

 

[Travman]

Very nice, Will, and the #55 single Wharncliffe linerlock is a very useful one as well, with the reverse of your #57 frame.
And even though Bocote doesn't seem to get much love, it can be very handsome!

When in use, the linerlock tab serves as a positive stop for your forefinger, which fits perfectly between the tang and tab.

Very nice knife. And yes, Bocote can be very attractive.

 

[Travman]

Very nice, Will, and the #55 single Wharncliffe linerlock is a very useful one as well, with the reverse of your #57 frame.
And even though Bocote doesn't seem to get much love, it can be very handsome!

When in use, the linerlock tab serves as a positive stop for your forefinger, which fits perfectly between the tang and tab.

Very nice knife. ^^^

And yes, Bocote can be very attractive.

 

[black mamba]

Oh yeah, lovin' the dark swirls!

 

[joeradza]

Yes, Half Whitts are Penknife construction and great W&T Snappy yet smooth, you don't get THAT with those half-stops This is a four pin job and all domed beauties.

It's the coin knife that gets my vote.

 

[B.F.U]

@waynorth I may be wrong, but the scalpel-like design of the blade was optimized for slicing open a cotton bulb to inspect for pests, bloom, etc. As we can see it has a much more pronounced belly than even a skinner/spey blade, ideal for slicing open a bulb-shaped object and slicing back a skin. The straight section seems to be akin to a modern day "finger choil", if you wanted to choke up on the blade and get a finer cut.

Your example is unique indeed. I wasn't aware hitherto your post that GEC had done any full-brass knives prior to the 44 Northfields.

Personally, I find sometimes that slicing reach is more a factor than slicing length, and with such belly, it looks like that knife gives the best of both worlds.

They actually did some other knives with all brass hardware. Some #23s (maybe also #73s, but I forget if they were all brass) under the Bradford Cutlery brand for SMKW that were really nice. The 2015 Rendezvous Special.

I was going through Titusville today on my way to hunting camp..... I decided to whip into GEC.... I met Joan Mae Howard and snapped up a couple knives from the store.... In fact Joan Mae was restocking the display cases when I arrived.... She is a very nice Lady and had great things to say about former husband Bill.... She applauded his dedication and hard work..... I told her that GEC knife buffs appreciate the factory's efforts and attention to detail.....

She was not familiar with BF..... I told her it was a hot spot for GEC scuttle and chatter...

Anyway, I was at Mecca today and just wanted to pass it along... P.S. She said the factory was in whistle gear trying to keep up...

I stopped in again a few weeks ago and has such a great experience I've been meaning to post about it.

 

[r8shell]

Very nice knife. ^^^

And yes, Bocote can be very attractive.

Wowza! That is the best looking WLST I've seen.

 

[Will Power]

It's the coin knife that gets my vote.

Many thanks, a very neat and generous present from @Jolipapa

 

[Will Power]

Very nice, Will, and the #55 single Wharncliffe linerlock is a very useful one as well, with the reverse of your #57 frame.
And even though Bocote doesn't seem to get much love, it can be very handsome!

When in use, the linerlock tab serves as a positive stop for your forefinger, which fits perfectly between the tang and tab.

Kind of you to say, appreciate that Jeff

I like liner locks on Traditional frames, have found them very useful when cutting tough, clingy plastics, ordinary slip joint can fold on you there however careful you are Also admire that Wharncliffe, you get a really credible long blade on a 55 pattern, below is my non llinerlock Redbone. GEC have used this frame with a lot of imagination- 55,56,57 all having different blade set-ups.

As for Bocote, like any wood except say Blackwood? It's pretty variable, the Forum Knife 15 of mine is a killer so is Travman 25 showed earlier.

 

[B.F.U]

Randy just posted an explanation of his cryptic remarks about them making something different than anything they'd done before and the long gap in production photos....

https://www.wendellaugust.com/pens-blades-of-champions-2-pc-knife-set/

Apparently they were making these.

 

[Camillus]

Is that a fish knife? I’ve been hoping GEC would make a fish knife similar to the wooden handled ones that were common to every tackle box of the 60s

Also interested to know if they are stainless

 

[B.F.U]

Is that a fish knife? I’ve been hoping GEC would make a fish knife similar to the wooden handled ones that were common to every tackle box of the 60s

Also interested to know if they are stainless

They're made from the skate blades. Probably stainless. They seem to be made as kitchen knives being that they are also sold as a set with a cutting board.

 

[cut it out]

So I wanna just give a shout out to the fine folks at GEC. I went in there Friday and bought my first folder from them. I have a few fixed blades but wanted a folder and got this beautiful elderberry 92. It’s a great knife and fit and finish is great. I only have Buck lockbacks and a few case and Swiss army slip joints for traditionals. Anyways I did get a doe sat morning and used my H40 to dress her out and was pleased at how well it did and how it held the edge great through it. I’m terrible with names so I apologize as I can’t remember the mans name who helped me out and the fine women working the counter. They were some fine folks there and were very helpful. Here is a few quick photos as I had to sneak the pics in. Lol. To many old timers around camp for me to do a proper photo shoot as they don’t understand our knife porn addiction. Lol.

Again thanks GEC for the help and great knives!!!!!

 

[JohnDF]

So I wanna just give a shout out to the fine folks at GEC. I went in there Friday and bought my first folder from them. I have a few fixed blades but wanted a folder and got this beautiful elderberry 92. It’s a great knife and fit and finish is great. I only have Buck lockbacks and a few case and Swiss army slip joints for traditionals. Anyways I did get a doe sat morning and used my H40 to dress her out and was pleased at how well it did and how it held the edge great through it. I’m terrible with names so I apologize as I can’t remember the mans name who helped me out and the fine women working the counter. They were some fine folks there and were very helpful. Here is a few quick photos as I had to sneak the pics in. Lol. To many old timers around camp for me to do a proper photo shoot as they don’t understand our knife porn addiction. Lol.

Again thanks GEC for the help and great knives!!!!!

Great knife and great pictures.
Might want to delete the picture with the Reeve's knife, they aren't allowed here.
Congrats on your first GEC.

 

[gaj999]

They're made from the skate blades. Probably stainless. They seem to be made as kitchen knives being that they are also sold as a set with a cutting board.

Well that's different. Fancy steak knives. Made from skates. Appealing to hockey fans from Pittsburg. At a very high price. I hope it's not a trend.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Might want to delete the picture with the Reeve's knife, they aren't allowed here.

I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, JohnDF, but I love the picture versus the Chris Reeve. I’m sure the CR is a very practical knife and functions just top notch, but notice the complete lack of style and class. It’s like comparing a Victorian house to a warehouse. you could live inside either, but which would you rather have? It makes me want to go buy a GEC right this moment.

 

[r8shell]

I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, JohnDF, but I love the picture versus the Chris Reeve. I’m sure the CR is a very practical knife and functions just top notch, but notice the complete lack of style and class. It’s like comparing a Victorian house to a warehouse. you could live inside either, but which would you rather have? It makes me want to go buy a GEC right this moment.

It's really not a joke. We've got a specific set of rules in this subforum. Modern knives can only be shown in the
Traditional and Modern pairings thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/traditional-and-modern-pairings.980449/page-210

 

[EngrSorenson]

It's really not a joke. We've got a specific set of rules in this subforum. Modern knives can only be shown in the
Traditional and Modern pairings thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/traditional-and-modern-pairings.980449/page-210

I guess I’m going to just hope that the Moderators are more reasonable that that, and understand that the photo was to bolster the original author’s point about the quality of his beautiful GECs. i think we can all agree to leave that up to the Moderators.