My First (and Second) GEC

[2manyknives]

I have been following threads and discussions about GEC knives for a while now but had never seen or handled one. As far as I know they are not for sale where I live so I ordered a couple from an e bay seller to have a good look at and make up my own mind about.

I’m no expert on the model nomenclature so bear with me if I haven’t quite got this exactly right. These were the seller’s descriptions.

The first knife is a Northfield Pioneer in Banana Peel Bone
The second is a Tidioute in Beaver Tail Bone

I knew beforehand that these were traditional folders and mostly made with 1095. Some of the things I had read about these knives were:

1. The springs are tough and they are hard to open.

I did not find this to be the case. The Beaver Tail is firmer than the Northfield but neither is excessive. Both are considerably softer than a Queen mini folding hunter I bought a while back.

2. They are big knives considering they come without sheaths and are probably intended for pocket carry.

This is subjective but yes they are large knives. I have included a pic of them alongside a Buck 110 which would be familiar to most here. There isn’t much difference in overall length, though the GECs are thinner and lighter.

3. The often don’t come well sharpened.

That was true for both of these knives – they were not useable with the edges as delivered. This was not a marginal judgement. Both were ‘blunt’.

4. The standard of workmanship is very high.

I would say that this is true for the Beaver Tail model. The general fit and finish on the Northfield was not as good. I was surprised as I understood that the Northfield was the premium line. Had I only acquired the Northfield I might have formed a less than positive view. There is quite a lot of lateral blade movement when opened. The Beaver Tail sits in the open position positively and tightly. Generally it seems to be better finished and fitted and I would describe the standard as very high.

Overall impressions

I like the blade profile of the Northfield with the finish and muted grip material of the Beaver Tail model.

I would prefer a model proportionally downsized by around 20%.

They should come with a decent working edge.

These are subjective personal opinions. I like the knives and would buy more of them but would probably look for smaller models.

 

[samhain73]

I would prefer a model proportionally downsized by around 20%.

.

Luckily, the 73 is exactly that.:thumbup:
So the Northfield has side to side play? I had 2 of mine come with that. I just did what I do with a 110 when it gets side play, and that is put them in a padded vice, and tighten it up. Fixed both of mine, no problem, and they never loosened up. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Will Power]

Yes, you need to try a No.73, same type of pattern but feels much smaller and for me at least, a lot more practical.

Very good review, well worded thank you. I'm very keen on GEC (another one a Half Congress appeared last week in my home...)and I've had only one problem with one of their knives, a scale split soon after getting it .The knife was replaced immediately, no quibble and I live in the EU not the US,so that is impressive customer service.

No blade play on any of my GECs thankfully. Two have come annoyingly blunt but their carbon sharpens very quickly. I just took a look at the Tidoiute Beaver Tail 73, it has excellent smooth bone and I appreciate the old School square end construction on many of GEC's patterns. I hope you will feel like adding to your collection, e-mail me if you would like a dealer recommendation.

 

[RetiredGuns]

Thanks for the pics. I did not know that the Pioneer was that big! I'll be looking at the 73.

 

[Modoc ED]

Very good report. The 23 is a bit big for pocket carry as far as I'm concerned.

I'm glad these knives don't come with a finished edge. That way I can set the edge profile as I like it without having to do too much work.

 

[joe-bob]

Get yourself a #73, or a #72 lockback. Those will be closer to the size you're looking for.

 

[DennisStrickland]

a good profile for a newbie to gec. your knives are presently the largest in the present gec line. i carry my pioneers in a horozontal belt sheath since i consider them bulky for pocket carry. yes many of the gecs come dull as a brick but i always rebevel my new knives since only a few brands come with the taper i prefer on the edge.i've yet to receive a gec with a loose blade. you will find upon sharpening that the steels used are great performers.i would suggest you try next one of the following; the toothpick, lockback , 73 scout or the brand new slim trappers.if you are new to sharpening i suggest you get a combo d.m.t. diamond hone in blue & red grits.if you are able get a spyderco sharpmaker to put the final edge on.

 

[navihawk]

I would return it for excessive blade play.It would just bother me on a knife that size.

 

[Will Power]

I would return it for excessive blade play.It would just bother me on a knife that size.

Yes I agree, on a big'un it feels more pronounced

 

[2manyknives]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. The 73 sounds like a good idea.

The blunt edge is a funny thing. I know a lot of people prefer to do their own edges and I have the gear and experience to do it but I still find it strange. It's not like the people that make these knives would lack the skill to sharpen them. I do think that the majority of people who buy knives want to be able to cut something with them and expect that a knife will be sold in a state that allows that. I just find it odd that companies that make and sell good knives don't sell them with useable edges.

 

[DennisStrickland]

i agree with the earlier guys on returning the knife with blade looseness. at the price of these knives, blade looseness is'nt acceptable.

 

[The Government]

GEC has top-notch customer service.

I had the same blade-play problem with a pioneer. They fixed it fast and all I had to pay was the one-way shipping. They sent the knife back to me in a new tube with that nice new GEC smell.

 

[ddml]

I would return it for excessive blade play.It would just bother me on a knife that size.

I had significant blade play on my Big Jack. Sent it back to GEC, they sent it back with the blade play unresolved. Then I put the knife in between the pages of a gentleman's magazine and tapped it once with a mallet. Problem solved. GEC will say that tampering with the knife voids the warranty but I think the mallet trick is worth a shot before paying for shipping the knife back to GEC.

That said, I've never had any blade play on any other of my half dozen or so GECs.