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Damn, the single spear with EO is pretty!!! Wish it was still available without the LL
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My GEC #85 Bullet End Jack... and some thoughts
- Thread starter Fred Sanford
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Hammer67
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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.
Bring it! :thumbup:
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Details? What did you get?
If I had to pick a single favorite pattern the 85 is it.
I ended up buying a 3rd SFO 85 EO linerlock in African Blackwood. I decided that I should pick up another one for myself because it's probably my favorite GEC knife, and I have regretted selling my first one more than any other knife I have let go of in the past. The other one I had given away as a gift last spring.
The SFO 85 EO Linerlock is in between the two bladed 85 and the single blade 85 in handle thickness, and in my opinion, this is the perfect handle girth for this pattern. The lock-tab and the easy open notch surprisingly add an ergonomic feel to the handle which makes it feel natural in my hand (I have large hands). It's also a great watch pocket knife as it has no major sharp edges to cause damage, and it's slim enough to not be noticeable while being carried.
Of the two I've handled, neither had hard to deploy locking tabs. One of them is a little sticky, but it's nothing to worry about. The other is smooth like warm butter and it felt like it wasn't making contact with anything (although it locked up solid with zero blade play). The pull on both of them is higher up on the 1 to 10 scale at about a 6-7. The Easy Open notch makes the strong pull a non-issue for me.
This knife has class as well as edc workhorse appeal with it's solid lock-up, and it's wide and thin 1095 carbon blade. It's definitely a keeper and a user. It's truly a little gem amongst the huge selection of knives that GEC has to offer.
I had one like that for a little while. Great Knife :thumbup: It was very thin, and that can be a very good thing as I love my Vic Alox Cadet, although I preferred the added thickness of the 85 EO linerlock's locking-tab and liner. It's still very thin and not as thick as the 2 blade 85s (plus it has the added security and ergonomics of the linerlock, tab, and easy open notch). At first I did not think I would like the linerlock version, and like you, I wanted the non-locking one as well. I was pleasantly surprised with the linerlock
As you can see from my statements above, I prefer the single blade EO linerlock to the non locking single blade EO. The added thickness of the linerlock, and the ergonomics of the tab and the easy open notch make it feel very natural in my hand (more natural in my hand than any other traditional folder that I've handled in this size range).
Bring it! :thumbup:
It's on!
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arizonaranchman
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I agree on the 85 EO single blade. Delightfully slim in the pocket and just the perfect heft and feel in hand. Mine's in Afr Blkwood and it's definitely one of my absolute favs (right alongside my 55, 06 Pemby and the 92 Eureka Jack). These four are the backbone of my traditional EDC's.
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How does the 85 EO compare with the 15 EO? Have a 15 EO in ebony/sheep on order.
arizonaranchman
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The 15 EO is a great one too. The 85 might be a bit more robust in heft/size but you're gonna like the EO sheepfoot 15.
Pics when you get it pleez, ebony is beautiful.
arizonaranchman
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That is a gorgeous example of the #85 in ebony you have there. I was torn between that and the smooth bone when I bought mine. Might still need an ebony one some day...
That bone is nice too! So hard to choose, wish I could afford one of every variation
Fred Sanford
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Can you still even get a #85 single blade with EO?....or are they not currently being made?
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Email sent.
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How big is the blade on the 85?
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The only EOs I can find listed by a retailer right now are linerlocks, and I just can't get into the idea of traditional linerlocks, having to keep my thumb over where the blade drops while working against the resistance of a backspring makes me a bit leery. That being said, the EO 85s are some of the best looking knives out there. Even the non-EO 85s are stunning. Might have to get me one eventually.
Hammer67
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NNN -
Fwiw, I have never come remotely close to accidentally disengaging the linerlock on my #85. It's stout and solid, with firm lockup, and requires a pretty deliberate motion to unlock it. I also find that the lock tab is quite low-profile and unobtrusive when in use. If I'm gripping the knife with my thumb on top of the blade, the tab is positioned perfectly between my index and middle fingers and is hardly noticeable. And if I'm gripping it with my index finger on the spine of the blade, and thumb along the frame, the rest of my fingers fall in comfortably right behind the tab. This is the only linerlock I own, and I was initially skeptical about whether I would like it or not as well, but all in all it's been a non-issue.
arizonaranchman
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When you close a LL folder u take the blade up just enough to disengage the LL then that's it, your hand isn't there any longer once you've disengaged the LL tab. No worries, you'd quickly get used to it.
My EO 85 and my 55 Houndstooth are both LL and they're both great knives. I wouldn't personally let a LL be a deal-breaker in buying a knife.
My EO 85 and my 55 Houndstooth are both LL and they're both great knives. I wouldn't personally let a LL be a deal-breaker in buying a knife.
knifeswapper
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Notice too that on the last run I moved the LL tab back a bit so it fits a natural grip better.
arizonaranchman
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Interesting! How do I know whether I have the later version or earlier? How far did you move it? Pics perhaps to show? Thx
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Interesting! How do I know whether I have the later version or earlier? How far did you move it? Pics perhaps to show? Thx
I'm pretty sure Mike is referencing GEC's other LLs, like this #73. As you can see, the tab is closer to the bolster than on the #85
arizonaranchman
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2dead,
Ah yes, that makes sense. It is a comfortable location on the 85 and fits right between the first and second fingers when gripped.
Ah yes, that makes sense. It is a comfortable location on the 85 and fits right between the first and second fingers when gripped.
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I see what you mean and that is definitely good to know, but I was referring more to the action of closing it than it disengaging in use. That's something I'm not worried about. I do appreciate the feedback though!
This is what I was referring to, and this is good to know. I guess it makes sense that it only has to barely clear it to be enough to move the thumb out of the way. Maybe I'll pull the trigger on the LL EO 85 I'm looking at.