Lets talk GEC!

Case Swaybacks are 3-1/5", or 3.20 inches. 3-3/8 inches (3.35-3.40") was probably the most common sized pocket knife back in the day. Schrades 34OT and derivatives were their biggest sellers for a long time. GEC's #33 pattern is the only knife they've made that falls in that size range, and they didn't make very many of them. A 3-3/8" sowbelly would be a VERY welcome addition to the GEC pantheon, especially in their wonderful 440C. Make 'em in 2-blade and 3-blade versions.
 
black mamba said:
Case Swaybacks are 3-1/5", or 3.20 inches. 3-3/8 inches (3.35-3.40") was probably the most common sized pocket knife back in the day. Schrades 34OT and derivatives were their biggest sellers for a long time. GEC's #33 pattern is the only knife they've made that falls in that size range, and they didn't make very many of them. A 3-3/8" sowbelly would be a VERY welcome addition to the GEC pantheon, especially in their wonderful 440C. Make 'em in 2-blade and 3-blade versions.
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There's certainly no need for anything bigger in the modern world, so it really comes down to preference. Maybe GEC will build some and we'll see how popular they are. I like 'em bigger, but I live in a knife-friendly place and spend lots of my time out in woods. Were I trapped in a big city, I'd carry smaller, thinner knives for sure.
 
Travman said:
I too have noticed the lack of knives in the 3” and 3 1/2”. A pattern similar to that 1917 Keen Kutter would be potential niche which GEC hasn’t produced before. Case, of course, has the Swayback Jack & Gent which are similar in size and shape. I’m pretty sure the Case Swaybacks are 3 1/4”.

I never really warmed up to my Swayback Gent. It has beautiful deep red color and I love the pocket worn jigged bone. However, I can’t stand looking at the shield, it looks cheap, like a 2-cent shield on a $60 knife. Also, the blade feels slightly pinched which makes the action weak. It is hard to open, but also barely closes unless it is pushed closed. So yes, we could use a GEC version.
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I'd be disappointed with the Swayback Gent if the W&T is feeble, can't like that on any knife. My example is A1 all round, blade centre, strong W&T no gaps at all plus it's flush in all three positions and has a sunk-joint :cool:

To an extent, the GEC 18 Coyote is their version of the Swayback Gent, but more diminutive.
 
black mamba said:
Case Swaybacks are 3-1/5", or 3.20 inches. 3-3/8 inches (3.35-3.40") was probably the most common sized pocket knife back in the day. Schrades 34OT and derivatives were their biggest sellers for a long time. GEC's #33 pattern is the only knife they've made that falls in that size range, and they didn't make very many of them. A 3-3/8" sowbelly would be a VERY welcome addition to the GEC pantheon, especially in their wonderful 440C. Make 'em in 2-blade and 3-blade versions.
Click to expand...

as far as GEC - 83 pattern?
 
JohnDF said:
My Swayback had less-than-impressive W&T too...
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That's poor too :( They must be exporting the good ones to Europe ;) Well, actually not, CASE has put up this insane prohibition to its dealers from selling overseas :poop: The end of my CASE buying it appears.:thumbsdown:
 
Travman said:
I too have noticed the lack of knives in the 3” and 3 1/2”. A pattern similar to that 1917 Keen Kutter would be potential niche which GEC hasn’t produced before. Case, of course, has the Swayback Jack & Gent which are similar in size and shape. I’m pretty sure the Case Swaybacks are 3 1/4”.

I never really warmed up to my Swayback Gent. It has beautiful deep red color and I love the pocket worn jigged bone. However, I can’t stand looking at the shield, it looks cheap, like a 2-cent shield on a $60 knife. Also, the blade feels slightly pinched which makes the action weak. It is hard to open, but also barely closes unless it is pushed closed. So yes, we could use a GEC version.
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JohnDF said:
My Swayback had less-than-impressive W&T too...
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You might try a drop of CLP Break Free in the pivot joint. I had a Swayback Gent with poor W&T and it worked wonders on the action.
 
Will Power said:
I'd be disappointed with the Swayback Gent if the W&T is feeble, can't like that on any knife. My example is A1 all round, blade centre, strong W&T no gaps at all plus it's flush in all three positions and has a sunk-joint :cool:

To an extent, the GEC 18 Coyote is their version of the Swayback Gent, but more diminutive.
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I have definitely heard several people on Blade Forums that I respect mention how happy they were with their Case Swaybacks. I shouldn’t have been complaining. Maybe after a few thousand more openings and closings it will wear in.
 
Funny all this talk of case swaybacks. I just reached for mine for some whittling clean up; I put a very thin bevel on mine and it’s basically a dedicated razor for my whittling now. Mine has always had weak walk and talk and I suspect that’s because there’s not much backspring.

I was also thinking about practical size limits for a traditional folder. Looking at the #97; to me that’s a massive knife for a folder. I worry that doing heavy work at the tip leveraged against the pivot might cause some damage just from the mechanical advantage alone.

I think if I truly need a 4 inch blade it’d go for a fixed, though I’m sure there’s countless old timer stories about digging the trenches of WW1 with a large coke bottle pattern.
 
black mamba said:
Case Swaybacks are 3-1/5", or 3.20 inches. 3-3/8 inches (3.35-3.40") was probably the most common sized pocket knife back in the day. Schrades 34OT and derivatives were their biggest sellers for a long time. GEC's #33 pattern is the only knife they've made that falls in that size range, and they didn't make very many of them. A 3-3/8" sowbelly would be a VERY welcome addition to the GEC pantheon, especially in their wonderful 440C. Make 'em in 2-blade and 3-blade versions.
Click to expand...

I love GEC knives, but I rarely carry them because of this sizing gap. I find knives around 3 3/8" to be the perfect size for my watch pocket. The 3" and-under #06, #14s, & #18s are nice knives, but feel undersized for many tasks. The 3.5" knives start to be too big to fit comfortably in the watch pocket, especially if they have more than one blade or thick covers.

I've made a habit of hoarding the #83 lockbacks, as they are fantastic knives at my favorite size. I'd love to see GEC come up with a few more in this size.
 
Travman said:
I have definitely heard several people on Blade Forums that I respect mention how happy they were with their Case Swaybacks. I shouldn’t have been complaining. Maybe after a few thousand more openings and closings it will wear in.
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You are not complaining but doing the right thing, telling it how it is :thumbsup: I've always felt that people should share their experiences good&bad of all knives irrespective of the knife's 'reputation' . You are a respected and serious contributor so any observations you make are certainly not going to be fault finding or complaints for the sake of it:)

Thanks, Will
 
All this talk of the 83...one of my favourites, an excellent compact lockback. GEC offered 2 blade options Clip or Drop-Point, much prefer the Drop-Point over any Clip:D Lies low and sleek in the frame. My one criticism, pity about that lanyard hole desecrating some quite good Stag;) It's too small a knife to host a lanyard hole, bails are another thing I'm less than enamoured by:eek:

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