My GEC #85 Bullet End Jack... and some thoughts

[Fred Sanford]

I got this knife a few weeks ago. It is simply amazing. At one point about 4 years ago I had a large (4 and 1/8") Stockman looking GEC. It was a nice knife but it was too large and heavy for my pockets. Now.....4 years later I just get the wanting for a new traditional knife. Most days I carry a Benchmade Mini Griptilian or a Spyderco of some type. I'm now 40 years old, with a 10 year old daughter, and for some reason I like older stuff. I like old trains, things made of wood, using pencils instead of pens, writing on paper instead of using my iPhone.

What I'm finding great about this knife is the fact that I love traditionals in a whole new way. I picked up a Spyderco out of my pile of knives and threw it in my pocket. A couple hours later I felt like I missed my friend. I put my Spydie back in the pile and put the #85 back in my pocket. I feel closer to it than any other knife I've ever had. I can't describe it. Seems kind of awkward to me, but whatever. I like it. I have to take a bit more time to open it and cut something and then close it but that's OK. I think we all need to slow down a little bit. I already have a Diamond Jack on the way now because I've been bit by the GEC bug.


Here she is the day she was new.

These next 4 pics are after she has been used heartily for for a couple weeks. I've used it to cut up potatos and apples. I've used it to sharpen pencils, whittle, open packages, cut hang-nails, and all kinds of other good stuff. The patina is natural and is just because I've not cleaned the blade much. I did oil it from time to time but only wiped the blade off after I was done cutting stuff.

Thanks for looking!

 

[getout87]

Great knife! You will also not be disappointed with the Diamond Jack, it's superb and hasn't left my pocket since I got it.

Im a few years short of you (ok 14), but I also like to slow things down. I love my traditionals, and love how they age. I look forward to carrying them for many many years to come.

 

[justsomedude]

Beautiful covers on that one David!

I too have been bitten by the GEC bug, I've acquired 4 in the last two months not including the BF traditional forum knife.

Here's my current favorite, also an 85:

 

[dannyp]

That Northfield is a beauty!:thumbup: I think you will find yourself in good company here, as many of us have gone through the same experience. While a lot of modern knives are well made and excellent cutting tools, they just don't have the same feel and charm that traditional knives do.

I can appreciate all different types of knife designs, but the vast majority of the time there will be a slip joint or an Opinel in my pocket.

 

[sunandsteel]

Hey who says you have to be a certain age to own traditional knives? I guess when you're a young buck you like all the fancy bells and whistles with bright colors and curvy lines, but there's a certain vintage look about a traditional knife that looks better. That 85 looks great and I've had my eye on one myself but haven't landed anything due to funds but my time will come. Good luck with that knife.

 

[blademan 13]

David,

You are preaching to the choir. Have 3 GEC's on me as I speak, one of which is an ebony JBF Champlin #85 which turns one this month. Stag #42 and a #15 are the other culprits...

 

[CDS]

I have been carrying the buffalo horn with me since I got it last week. I love the knife and everything about it. It is my first GEC and will not be the last.

 

[black mamba]

David, my #85 in burnt stag is also a favorite, but mine has the clip main. Just about the perfect size knife.

 

[Kisatchie]

that's a good looking knife!! and I too still prefer a #2 pencil......

 

[Pipeman]

The 85 is one of the classics to come out of GEC imo. This one is rarely out of my pocket. It has one of the only punches that cuts perfect holes.

Regards

Robin

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[mnblade]

I'm now 40 years old, with a 10 year old daughter, and for some reason I like older stuff. I like old trains, things made of wood, using pencils instead of pens, writing on paper instead of using my iPhone.

What I'm finding great about this knife is the fact that I love traditionals in a whole new way. I picked up a Spyderco out of my pile of knives and threw it in my pocket. A couple hours later I felt like I missed my friend. I put my Spydie back in the pile and put the #85 back in my pocket. I feel closer to it than any other knife I've ever had. I can't describe it. Seems kind of awkward to me, but whatever. I like it. I have to take a bit more time to open it and cut something and then close it but that's OK. I think we all need to slow down a little bit.

I'll be 45 on Wednesday and have three kids (ages 5, 8 and 10). I can REALLY relate. I think the oldest was about 3 when I finally exited the "tactical folders" phase of my life. I think it was around the time I needed to snip a thread off her pretty, frilly, pink sweater and the only knife I had on me was a Spyderco Military. It just struck me as absurd. Not long after that, we were at a playground and I was trying to cut up an apple and the thick-bladed Spydie just cleaved the fruit into chunks clumsily. That was it for me. Every since, the only knives to grace my pockets have been "old school" knives from companies like Case, Victorinox, Schrade, Buck and Opinel (plus the odd Leatherman or two).

-- Mark

 

[pmew]

I second that. I have my fair share of gadgets, but as a copper I can confirm the value of a straightforward notebook and pen.

 

[Merovingian]

It's funny, the 'rare' Buffalo Horn EO GEC #85 has been called out twice in this thread... I just bought one yesterday, waiting on it to arrive.

Im with you guys, I am in my mid 30s, 3 kids and have totally been bitten by the Traditionals.

Sure, I can go spend $100 to $200+ on a Benchmade or Spyderco, perfectly serviceable knife.

However, it won't be an heirloom and it is not a work of art.

Many and most knives by GEC and Case are heirloom quality knives and total works of art, holding one in your hand just feels totally different. Like you are holding an item that if taken care of and respected will outlast you and be cherished by your grand children... and most are under $100.

I walked away from the 'modern tacticool' knife genre and have no desire to look back.

The reality of my situation is I don't need a bladed weapon, I have other options for that... what I need is a companion tool. Traditional Folder's fit that bill totally and completely.

 

[Old & In The Way]

Carried my 85EO SFO today. It's one of my favorite patterns.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I love the #85 pattern. I have two (one is identical to the OP's) and they're cherished companions.

 

[VictorLouis]

This is the first time I've seen a ghost image in a knife blade! Look a few millimeters forward of the letters 'th' in 'NorthField'....and a few mm to the right of the start of the long pull. Face alone, reminded me a bit of the portrait of Guy Fawkes, but if you add the 'ring' around it, an eskimo in a thick parka hood!

 

[Hammer67]

....I have to take a bit more time to open it and cut something and then close it but that's OK. I think we all need to slow down a little bit.

Couldn't agree more! :thumbup:

And this thread has inspired my choice for T-Bone Tuesday tomorrow - my #85 EO/LL that has been way too neglected lately. The #85 really is a special pattern.

 

[burnside]

Couldn't agree more! :thumbup:

And this thread has inspired my choice for T-Bone Tuesday tomorrow - my #85 EO/LL that has been way too neglected lately. The #85 really is a special pattern.

Great idea! I'll join you on that notion, although my #85 will be the 2011 Traditional Knife. I agree that the #85 really is a special pattern so much so that I just ordered another SFO 85 linerlock.

 

[arizonaranchman]

Great idea! I'll join you on that notion, although my #85 will be the 2011 Traditional Knife. I agree that the #85 really is a special pattern so much so that I just ordered another SFO 85 linerlock.

Details? What did you get?

If I had to pick a single favorite pattern the 85 is it.

 

[sogflash]

I have one like you, and it was my first traditional slipjoint. I prefer single bladed knives, so I don't use it as much now as before.

A single spear with EO cutout is high on my wish list, like the one "Old & In The Way" showed us.