My first GEC.

Railsplitter said:
It's difficult to recommend a pattern without knowing some of your preferences so I'll just recommend my favorite GEC. Like many of us who frequent this sub forum, I've owned several GEC patterns. The one that hits my sweet spot and has seen more pocket time than any of the others is the #35 Churchill in my avatar.

I've seen 1 or 2 on The Exchange in which the seller stated that the pattern just wasn't their cup of tea but most people who have bought Churchills seem to like them a lot. I've been wanting a Maroon Micarta for some time. I should just go ahead and get one so I can stop saying that.

Ebony, Maroon Micarta, and Cougar Clawed Bone are all below your price limit and still available at dealers.

Here's a pic of my Ebony.

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gaj999 said:
Churchill. And maybe a back up. :)
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I'm gonna third the #35 Churchill. Hard to find a more pocket friendly, versatile, and all around awesome traditional than that knife, and it's available for low to mid $90s at dealers. Great in the hand, all the blade shapes you need and nothing you don't, unless you're a Whittler or you really need a spey. I prefer whittling with two blades anyhow.
 
black mamba said:
Another vote for a Churchill. With a bellied clip blade and a straight-edged sheepfoot blade it is almost universally useful. A nice medium size (3¾" closed) makes it both slim in the pocket and long enough for most all jobs. And the 1095 steel patinas nicely.

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That's a nice looking knife Jeff. The #35 would be a good introductory pattern to GEC.
 
If you can find someone to sell you a #35 Drover, jump. It’s hard to say... do you work in an office, or out of doors? Construction? What will the knife do?
Thanks, Neal
 
Truly hard to go wrong with a 35. Great shot pipedreams308 pipedreams308 !! Love the amount of perspective, ‘cause if you like Knives at all, you have to of touched a Case Peanut at some point.:thumbsup:
Thanks, Neal
 
If you don’t like small, right now the 71 bull nose and 43 Oregon trappers are easily obtained. Both are larger knives. The 43 is 4.25” closed. Carries slim and very useable. One of my favorites. For multiple blades, the 48 trappers are dwindling but available. Slightly smaller at 3.8”, I believe, closed, very thin blades. Real slicing machines. Also one of my favorites, when outfitted with a clip and wharncliff blade. I’m fact, that’s what I’m carrying now.
 
Churchill if you want a medium sized knife and a 43 if you want a hand filler.
 
Do a search on the interweb and find a couple styles and sizes you like the look of. Come back here and let us cross section that choice. You'll get honest opinions and and idea of what we suggest.
 
The 35's appealed to me, and I had a beauty in ebony but it helped me discover how much of a single blade guy I am... then the 78 American Jack run came along and I went a little overboard with all of them. Ive had a bunch of GEC's as well as others, the GEC knives are my favorites, and of those the 78 single blades cannot be beat for fit, finish, variety, and value. There have been several for sale in the exchange here under $100 in the last few days so I would think that'd be a great introduction if you are still looking. The ebony and smooth bone are wonderful, or a jigbone. Best of lick on the hunt, this is the place to be though so you will learn a lot and probably go broke.
 
I'll second the 78! My single blade ebony is carried just about every day. I'm not a huge spear blade fan but it's pinchable, the knife is thin and walk and talk is very good, all in all basicly a perfect knife.
 
#71 or #73 pattern. Despite all the hype and popularity, I have not found a better, more functional overall GEC pattern. Or patterns from anyone perhaps? A drop point #73 is really without peer IMO, there was a real reason the Remington 1173 was such a coveted knife. #71 is right behind it, just needs a little more drop on the blade point. If I ever had to choose 1 knife to carry on a daily basis, one of these can do everything you need done with confidence.
 
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