Hi guys,
it's been some time, and my little elk GEC's has made steps, which I'd like to share with you.
When I started sharpening it, I admit I feared that it would be a long job. I'm just taking my first steps on the sharpening ladder, I'd had good results with carbon steel or softer stainless, and I was prepared to hard times. Maybe this thing helped me take things with time and relax (not that I'm a frenzied person actually), and in the end it didn't take long to get it sharp (when it came into my hands, it wasn't exactly sharp...it got stuck into warmed butter

).
I admit I carried it a few times even before sharpening it. I knew I would have a hard time cutting anything...but I liked it too much to leave it home

Once I got it sharp, it found its way into my pocket pretty often. Nowadays, its only competitor is my Opinel #6 (which is a tough one to fight for pocket time). So I've come to "know" it better...and here's what I think about it.
Cutting tasks. I agree on what's been said on other threads: this 440C does take a very good edge, and lasts more than enough (for my uses). Even if it's the smallest knife I own now, the handle is pretty comfy when cutting, it's not the most comfortable knife in the world for peeling cuts, but that is purely a matter of handle size I guess. The elk feels great and, unlike the jigging of bone, the little fissures on the scales do not disturb my grip at all.
Carry. It disappears into my pocket when closed; I just feel it there for its weight, and that's not a bad thing at all. Due to its size, I could easily carry it in the watch pocket, but, honestly, my right front pocket seems to welcome it pretty well, so why change?
Mechanics. I'm getting used to the half stops. Can't say I like them, and I'd pretty much have it without, but little by little it hassles me less. I still consider the pull to be quite stiff for my standards, and I'm glad of the EO handle cause I found myself pinching the blade open more often than not. As for closing, I'm always very careful with it, so no troubles at all.
Looks. I really like it. Simple as that.
It's my first GEC, and I already know it won't be my last one. I don't buy many knives but GEC has won my trust so far. I may be even happier with the sheepsfoot version of this same knife, but hey, I can't ask for everything. I also wish there were more models offered in 440C (like the #66, for example), and I know I'm not the only one, so hopefully GEC will make us happier soon. I'm happy with this knife, and I know it will last inside the "count of five" for a long time.
Fausto
