My GEC Conductor in 440C isn't.

[Planterz]

A month or 2 ago I picked up a GEC Tidioute Conductor in 440C and buffalo horn. I thought this would make a perfect light-duty "weekend" EDC knife because I wouldn't have to worry about the upkeep of preventing rust. I haven't used it in about a week or so, and the dang thing is covered in black rust spots. So either it's 1095 and not 440C like advertised, or it's the most rust-prone 440C I've ever seen. The backspring too. I was under the impression that the 440C stainless GECs had stainless backsprings too.

Anyone else with this model and rust problems?

 

[Peter Parker]

If it's got the acorn sheild it should be 440C. I test my knives always like cut some fruit with it just to know in my mind so I'll treat it just a little different if it is. I haven't really heard of GEC mixing their steels up but I did have some old Schrades with mixed steels.

 

[confucius37]

The Tidioute brand from GEC does not come in 440C, only comes in 1095. Perhaps the retailer you got it from listed it incorrectly?

 

[2Dead]

Tidioute and Northfield are all 1095. GEC Conductors with acorn shield and the Dog Paws Conductors are 440c. All of GEC's 440c comes from Cyclops Steel Works. If it doesn't say Cyclops and instead says TIW or Tidioute Iron Works, its 1095. This is important to remember as GEC has released some knives in 420 (sfo for single blade #73), 01 (#71 Bullnose), and 1095 (some of their H23 and H73 fixed blades) under the GEC brand.

 

[DrPenguin]

I haven't got one of them, but all the GEC 440c knives I've seen have the 'GEC' tang stamp and the acorn shield. All the buff horn 33s I've seen were 1095.

Will

 

[Planterz]

The Tidioute brand from GEC does not come in 440C, only comes in 1095. Perhaps the retailer you got it from listed it incorrectly?

I got mine from collectorknives.net, and it says 1095, but I swear it said 440C when I bought it. KSF has it listed in 440C.

 

[DrPenguin]

Yeah, I've seen that on KSF as well. Both have been standup guys when I've bought from them and I've no doubt it is an honest mistake in both cases.

Hate to see you unhappy with a new purchase though. Hope it gets squared away one way or the other. A bright spot is that the 33 in 1095 is a fine knife so maybe it will grow on you.

Will

 

[ndeezl]

That's a bummer Aaron. I agree with Will though, might as well slice up some apples, maybe a couple boneless buffalo wings and get a nice patina goin with the horn scales. I'm sure it'll be lookin fine in no time.

Nathan

 

[Will Power]

The Tube it came in should state the steel, possibly the certificate too.

No Tidioutes ever issued in stainless I'm certain. The stainless have the acorn shield and squirrel blade etches.

 

[Planterz]

Well, now I know I guess. It sucks that there's so few knives out there like this with a clip/spear primary and coping/sheepsfoot secondary riding on a single backspring. I'm not disappointed that my Conductor is in 1095, I just wish I knew before it rusted up.

Someday I'll pick up a GEC 61 half congress in elk.