My First GEC

Adam Buttry

Adam Buttry

Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
575
My primary interests have been in fixed blade knives for quite a while, but lately my attention has turned a little more toward traditional pocket knives. I've read nothing but good things about GEC knives, so I thought I'd pick one up. A single blade 73 pattern Northfield in cocobolo. These are newly released and it arrived this morning. My initial impressions of the knife are pretty good. The fit and finish is excellent. The pull is pretty stout, but not a nail breaker by any means. Snaps closed with authority. My only "complaint" I suppose, is that the knife is not very sharp. I'm not really put off by this as I had intended to put a micro convex edge on the knife anyway. I'll be able to comment further once I've had a chance to put the knife to some real use. Here are some pics.

Adam

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Nice lookin' wood. You'll have no trouble getting a fine edge on it-- they use very good and properly heat-treated steel.
 
I ordered the exact same one and it is scheduled to get to me today. Can't wait to patina the hell out of that blade!
 
The more you use that 73 the more you'll like it, especailly after you get your own edge on it! Very nice! I see your in God's country, sure makes me home sick!
 
Very nice. I absolutely suck at sharpening, and I can get all my GEC's to a razor's edge. This one is a scalpel. Your new blade is cool, congrats.

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Very nice. I think the addition of the lanyard hole on this pattern is a good fit and I like the cloud shield also. You're going to be hooked once you get a chance to put it to use.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I used the knife a little today, and I gotta say I may have misspoke. The edge is definitely useable out of the box. Tested the edge doing some light carving. Held up fine and carved pretty good actually. Cut up some tomatoes and it had no trouble slicing the skin, so I'm pretty happy for now. I'm gonna use the factory edge till it goes dull and then start to ease a convex edge on it. I'm hoping the spring wears in a little. Like I mentioned it's not a nail breaker, but it is a strong pull for sure. The half stop I'll have to get use to. I only have a couple of other slip joints and neither of them have half stops. Overall I'm pretty pleased and I suspect this won't be my only GEC knife for long.

Adam
 
That's a honey. Great looking cocobolo. The steel might be initially stubborn in your sharpening efforts (my #48 was) but once you get it where you want it'll be great to use.

Congrats.
 
GEC's 1095 can get scary sharp and hold an edge very nicely I absolutely love the #73's they are large yet useable.
 
whetrock said:
I absolutely love the #73's they are large yet useable.
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I have to admit, I was a little worried before it got here that it would be too large for pocket carry. Maybe because this knife is only a single blade/single spring, but it is surprisingly pocket friendly. Especially for a 3 3/4" knife. I love how thin it is and it doesn't feel awkward at all in my pocket. I knew the 73 pattern would be my first GEC, but it took me a while to decide on this or the double blade trapper or jack. I think in the end, I made the right choice for me. What I would like to try now, is one of the 66 pattern jacks. It looks like another very pocket friendly little knife. I feel like I'm hooked on GEC already.

Adam
 
MtnDude said:
...but it is surprisingly pocket friendly. Especially for a 3 3/4" knife. I love how thin it is and it doesn't feel awkward at all in my pocket...
Adam
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I have found 3 3/4" to be the "sweet spot". Big enough to be substantial yet small enough to not feel like an anchor in the pocket. This goes for both single and multi-blades (in my own case).

Good luck with your new companion. :thumbup:
 
MtnDude said:
What I would like to try now, is one of the 66 pattern jacks. It looks like another very pocket friendly little knife. I feel like I'm hooked on GEC already.

Adam
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...and so the addiction begins. :D

At first I was captivated by the looks of the stag handles and all the different styles that GEC had to offer when looking at all the pictures on the various websites...then I ordered one.

I remember opening the package and taking a moment to look the tube over and then after unwrapping the wax paper and actually getting the knife in my hand...my first reaction was "WOW, what a beautiful knife!"

Then I bet it wasn't 24 hours later, I was already looking for my second.

Then the next one came in and I felt just as wooed as I did the first time.

Now here I am...waiting on my third. It should be here tomorrow. :p

Welcome to the club!
 
The #72 pattern lockback is one of the great knives of this generation . . . make one of these your next purchase!
 
I don't care for carrying the multi blades of this model, but the single blade is perfect.

Enjoy it!
 
Man...your first GEC, all I can say is welcome to the down-hill slide my friend.
I think as a fairly affordable late model production knife- GEC have got it! :thumbup:
They have captured the Traditional styles, along with a multitude of options, I do moan a wee bit of their "pull" strength...sometimes they do come out to be near nail breakers..and as discussed before in earlier threads..
there is no need to have a knife that you have to struggle with to use - I just cant see the point of it....in
saying that I have owned 4 GEC's that have had seriously hard pulls, and 3 of them have loosened up over time and use ( but it has taken a lot of patience ).
I still wouldnt turn anyone away from this Maker, great choice...love those scales, that wood looks real nice!
I have two absolute favourites of mine a Serpetine Jack-stag handled beaut, and an equal-ender Jack with awesome bone...two lovely knives!
 
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