Looking at picking up a GEC...need your help.

[BMCGear]

Ok, so currently I'm considering the 38 Special, the 66 Calf Roper, and 35 Churchill. They are all in stock and available in some variation of micarta.

What are your experiences with them? Do you have pics?

 

[johnny twoshoes]

I know that the #66 stockman has it’s own thread, as does the #35 Churchill. The pictures on those threads are awesome! So far the #35 has been great reviews from the guys.

The #66 being a medium stockman is as classic as one can get. It’s a tried and true pattern and GEC knocks it out of the park. The #35 is extremely slim though, being a single spring, if that matters.

I’m carrying and using my #66 stockman at this very moment, no complaints from me.

 

[solphilos]

I only own one, and its the Churchill. The blade combo is quite practical for everyday carry,and being a single spring sits nice and flat in the pocket.
The calf roper was runner up on my to-buy list but having carried stock knives in the past I never really used that spey blade.
The Churchill has everything I need and nothing I don't; a stout clip blade and thin sheepsfoot is about as utilitarian as it gets in my book.

 

[Railsplitter]

I have a few of the 66 Calf Ropers from the recent run. Fit & finish is exceptional on all of them but if you are accustomed to the strong pulls on many GEC knives, you might be a little disappointed with the secondary blades. All 10 of the secondary blades on the Calf Ropers pictured below have somewhat weak snap on closing. I find it satisfactory but many folks were disappointed when they received theirs.
Fantastic knives otherwise.


I've read some comments elsewhere from Churchill owners that the Clip blades have the same problem. Both of mine are fine but several owners can push the blade almost all the way closed before it finally snaps shut. Fit & finish are outstanding on my two examples and the snap is satisfactory.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

The 35 is my favorite recent GEC run, but the 66 is great as well. The 38 Special falls a little behind for me as I don’t love the single California clip.

It really comes down to preference. The 35 is stouter, and larger, but it about the same thickness, so it gets the nod from me. I have and love both, though.

 

[traumkommode]

I haven't had a 66 from this year's run, but I have had all manner of 66s from previous years. Can't go wrong with that pattern. All my pics are of a 66 moose I modified to be, essentially, the same blade configuration as the Churchill, just with two springs. That's the best blade configuration, in my opinion, to be had on a pen knife. So I would say it's hard to go wrong with the Churchill, either.

I never hung on to a stockman because I never utilized the third blade. But a clip point and sheepsfoot are where it's at, and I suppose an unmolested scalpel of a spey blade wouldn't ever hurt in a pinch, if it came riding on a stockman.

 

[Camillus]

Here's my 2 cents (being critical but honest).

The 66 is a good solid pattern but its a little chunky compared to the equivalent and extremely popular medium stockman patterns made by Schrade and others. This run benefits from some really nice scales and shields.

The 38 special pattern is an odd creature which doesn't really work, and I am surprised it made it past prototype. The handle design doesn't allow for ergonomic use of the main blade. I do like the main blade shape and I like the handle options.

I don't own a #35 but I have a couple coming. I did own the previous harness jack (which suffered from a problem with the catch bit making for lazy walk and talk, and secondary blade opening issues - as in, it didn't open). I am unconvinced by the main clip blade in relation to the equal end design, but have yet to test it in hand. The handle options are very limited.

If I were you I would pass on all these knives and buy a #48, which is an absolute classic pattern and very functional, or else wait for an #81, which looks like an excellent user and is also based on a classic pattern - although with a more unique blade configuration. Both the #48 and #81 will have good handle options.

 

[traumkommode]

Here's my 2 cents (being critical but honest).

The 66 is a good solid pattern but its a little chunky compared to the equivalent and extremely popular medium stockman patterns made by Schrade and others. This run benefits from some really nice scales and shields.

The 38 special pattern is an odd creature which doesn't really work, and I am surprised it made it past prototype. The handle design doesn't allow for ergonomic use of the main blade. I do like the main blade shape and I like the handle options.

I don't own a #35 but I have a couple coming. I did own the previous harness jack (which suffered from a problem with the catch bit making for lazy walk and talk, and secondary blade opening issues - as in, it didn't open). I am unconvinced by the main clip blade in relation to the equal end design, but have yet to test it in hand. The handle options are very limited.

If I were you I would pass on all these knives and buy a #48, which is an absolute classic pattern and very functional, or else wait for an #81, which looks like an excellent user and is also based on a classic pattern - although with a more unique blade configuration. Both the #48 and #81 will have good handle options.

That's not half bad advice, and matter of fact, @gunstockjack still has some 48 Diamond Jack SFOs available, which would be really cool as an intro to GEC.

 

[Stropping Young Lad]

And the Diamond Jack is a Charlie Campagna SFO, which is always a classic. My taste is the two blade 48 improved trapper out of all of the 48 mutations. That’s an excellent knife, and the run that’s still in stock was very well done.

I really don’t think you can go wrong... except for the 38 Special. That one just didn’t do it for me. It’s a well made knife, just not my taste.

 

[JB in LV]

I would choose the 35. Give it a nice blue patina and call it "bluemetalchurchill".

Seriously, all good choices. I own each pattern, Churchill, Calf Roper, and the Grinling Whittler version of the 38. Like the Grinling, but would not choose the single blade model. Prefer the longer, slimmer 35. Both blades snap open and shut on my yellow rose.

 

[Ironbut]

Here's a 66 from the recent run. I've always been a fan of medium stockmans & this is a nice one. The f&f is spot on, but the snap on the secondary blades is a bit weak. Not a deal breaker though.

This 35 just arrived this week. I've carried Barlows for over 60 years & stockmans for 45, but I may have just found my new favorite traditional. I can't find anything wrong with this thing. It's a nice size for serious everyday use, has my two favorite blade profiles, walk & talk is just about right.

 

[Sabercat]

Hey BMCGear

Other than it being a GEC, is there certain criteria you have?

The 35 and 66 check off many of the same boxes, but the 38 is mostly by itself in comparison.

I have 4 #66s, 2 #35s and 3 #38s.

I bought the #38s more for their handles/sentimental reasons than for any other reason (abalone & rendezvous knife). They're well made, and a decent knife, but not my favorite.

The 66 and 35 are just about equal in my opinion. I prefer the length and shape of the 66. Although the 35 is bigger, it is narrower due to single spring. You don't get the spey blade on the #35, but it's totally worth it when you don't need that second spring. Now, if we could just get GEC to do the same blade/spring configuration on the #66...

I like the 48 improved trapper a lot too, but it's just as thick as the 66, and a bit longer, and only two blades.

I'm in agreement that between the #38 and single blade #48, that the 48 is better.

It's raining so, please pardon the horrible photos, but below are all of the knives I've seen discussed here.

 

[Ironbut]

Big snip.......... Now, if we could just get GEC to do the same blade/spring configuration on the #66...

Now that would be another "must buy" for me.

 

[black mamba]

I've had several each of the #48, the #66 and the new #35 Churchill. The #66 Calf Roper stockman is the smallest of the three, and really more of a gentlemen's carry, perfect for dress slacks and light to medium duty. The #48 and the #35 are larger and more robust, with more reach and power for heavier duty. I've only had my Churchills for a few days, but already find them to be a wonderful all-round choice.

 

[22-rimfire]

I only own one, and its the Churchill. The blade combo is quite practical for everyday carry,and being a single spring sits nice and flat in the pocket.
The calf roper was runner up on my to-buy list but having carried stock knives in the past I never really used that spey blade.
The Churchill has everything I need and nothing I don't; a stout clip blade and thin sheepsfoot is about as utilitarian as it gets in my book.

The multiblade Churchill interests me. But I am probably going to wait for the 43's to come out. I really like the #48 Improved Trapper. Some have said the blades are a little dainty, but I don't do any rough stuff with my GEC's. I find the Improved #48 to be a wonderful knife.... just great!

 

[BMCGear]

Everyone, thank you for the replies and pics so far. Still tough to make a decision...lol

Sabercat let me elaborate.

I'm wanting to get an edc that I can carry and it will develop some solid character. I have these awesome older knives past down to me and I want to create that by carrying a good quality traditional. Here's what drew me to these with the biggest being they're available as you all know some GEC's sale out and are hard to come by. I'm not really a collector per say.

38 Special
- I have a Seahorse Whittler and I love the handle of that knife (but I don't care for Case's Stainless). It carries well and fits my hand well. Pairing it with a 3 inch clip point seems like it could be a good EDC companion but nobody seems to care about it.

66
- I've always loved the lines and versatility of a stockman but I do worry about the chunkiness and do tend to favor the thinness of a single blade/spring. I agree that I don't have much use for the spey. It's the Clip/Sheepsfoot on that sexy serpentine pattern that has me coming back.

35 Churchill
- I would've thought this would be about perfect for me but pics just aren't doing it for me. The handle seems "fat" and not sexy or sleek like the other two options. But the blade shapes are perfect and I like that it's a single spring so it's still a contender.

If you guys have other ideas I'm open to them.

 

[Railsplitter]

Here a couple of in hand pics that might help with your decision.

 

[JB in SC]

The 48 improved Trapper is an excellent pattern. At 3 7/8” a bit smaller than the Case 048, with a versatile blade combination.

 

[Sabercat]

Everyone, thank you for the replies and pics so far. Still tough to make a decision...lol

Sabercat let me elaborate.

I'm wanting to get an edc that I can carry and it will develop some solid character. I have these awesome older knives past down to me and I want to create that by carrying a good quality traditional. Here's what drew me to these with the biggest being they're available as you all know some GEC's sale out and are hard to come by. I'm not really a collector per say.

38 Special
- I have a Seahorse Whittler and I love the handle of that knife (but I don't care for Case's Stainless). It carries well and fits my hand well. Pairing it with a 3 inch clip point seems like it could be a good EDC companion but nobody seems to care about it.

66
- I've always loved the lines and versatility of a stockman but I do worry about the chunkiness and do tend to favor the thinness of a single blade/spring. I agree that I don't have much use for the spey. It's the Clip/Sheepsfoot on that sexy serpentine pattern that has me coming back.

35 Churchill
- I would've thought this would be about perfect for me but pics just aren't doing it for me. The handle seems "fat" and not sexy or sleek like the other two options. But the blade shapes are perfect and I like that it's a single spring so it's still a contender.

If you guys have other ideas I'm open to them.

I actually quite agree with you regarding the #35 shape. I've never been much into equal ends, but the blade combo & slimness of this one makes it a great knife regardless of my personal opinion of it's shape.

I don't agree with some of the criticism of the #38. I think it's a fine knife, and you may love it. You just happened to put it up against tough competition in the 66 & 35.

To be honest, if you're on the fence with a few models, I'd say get the one you think looks the best. IN MY OPINION of the ones I see in stock, the Hemlock Green #66 is a gem.

 

[solphilos]

If it helps, the Churchill is about the same thickness and length of an Alox Pioneer. If you know how this feels in pocket then this will give you an idea of what to expect should you choose this one.