My next GEC. Help me choose!

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parkourdude

Joined
Mar 15, 2013
Messages
68
Hey guys.

I've recently been bit by the traditional bug... My #23 has started it. I've been carrying it for about a month now and while I do really like it, I've kept my eyes on a few different models to try.
Of course being a knife-nut I'll get them all, it's just a matter of order!

The three I'm looking at now are -

- #15 Harness Jack in African Blackwood
- #85 Tidioute in Ebony (do the Tidioute GECs differ in fit and finish compared to Northfield?)
- #78 American Jack in burnt stag


I love the overall aesthetics of all of them and I quite like the idea of having a secondary blade/awl.
Or maybe recommend me something completely different? I do like single blade models as well...


Any info would be awesome. Thanks!
 
Those would all be great knives to get. The #15 pattern is pretty "must have".

The Tidioutes aren't polished and have less embellishments. There may be a very slight fit difference but i haven't noticed.

Go with your gut!
 
Northfields are the same knife with a higher polish and some "details" like nickel-silver threaded bolsters, brass liners instead of steel on the Tidioute's.

The 15 is just a classic. Grab one before they are gone.
 
The 78 is a great jackknife. Very sturdy, but a very pocketable design as well. Also take a look at the 66 pattern. A bit smaller than the 78, but enough blade to handle the lion's share of what you would want a pocket knife to do.

Personally, I have never really warmed to the 15 pattern. But clearly I am in the minority on that one.
 
15s and 48s are my preference, 66s and 68s are good alternatives too. Check different GEC dealers, keep an eye on the exchange forums here or just wait until there is another run of whatever you are looking for. I can't help you choose. I don't know what your requirements are and tastes are a personal matter, as evidenced by the fact that I would not want any of the three you have listed.
 
lightskyam said:
How bout a 92 Wharncliffe?
Click to expand...

I'm not too keen on Wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blades. As much as I drool over them, I like a little belly in my blades. I am however interested in the spear point versions now.



The #15's seem popular and I'm getting the vibe that Tidioute knives are more or less same in the fit and finish department, just less in the embellishment side.



jc57 said:
15s and 48s are my preference, 66s and 68s are good alternatives too. Check different GEC dealers, keep an eye on the exchange forums here or just wait until there is another run of whatever you are looking for. I can't help you choose. I don't know what your requirements are and tastes are a personal matter, as evidenced by the fact that I would not want any of the three you have listed.
Click to expand...


The 66s look stunning! Another one to my list, thank you.
 
parkourdude said:
I'm not too keen on Wharncliffe/sheepsfoot blades. As much as I drool over them, I like a little belly in my blades. I am however interested in the spear point versions now.



The #15's seem popular and I'm getting the vibe that Tidioute knives are more or less same in the fit and finish department, just less in the embellishment side.
Click to expand...

I hear ya. I'm not crazy about spearpoints but love sheepsfoot's. :p
 
Maybe to help narrow down.

Which one of the above mentioned patterns do you guys think is the most robust?
 
The 78 is a pretty stout knife, definitely more so than the 15 (thicker stock on the main blade I believe). I've never had an 85 so I can't comment on that one, but it strikes me as similar to the 78.
 
Of the 3 you listed, I believe its the #78, #85, and #15 going from most the least robust... Really its mostly on size as they'll all handle any cutting needs you have. Its also what I believe the spring strengths on them are, going from strongest to weakest.

Maybe look at the #53 Cuban Pen? It is a 4 1/8" equal end pen with a big clip blade that feels like a single blade in hand but has a super thin pen blade too.
 
Robust? All three will last years of cutting and such, so I wouldn't worry about that.
The 78 would feel stronger but it's only a matter of size and thickness to me.
My vote goes for the harness jack without hesitation :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Haha. So many nice choices, I feel like I can't go wrong!

I may go for the totally unrelated #92 talons with spearpoint blade. I've been looking at pictures since lightskyam mentioned the #92.


Anyone have any experience with Chechen Rosewood? Is it similar to cocobolo in terms of durability/stability?
 
You are correct that fit and finish is the same on both Tidioute and Northfield knives. I've seen a ton of both and I've seen where they're made. Same people make both to the same high standards. Use your 23 as an example. You can't go wrong with either. I own a ton of GEC knives and most are Tidioutes. No reason, that's just how it played out.

And another vote for the 15. But again, you can't really go wrong with any of them! :thumbup:
 
I do not have any of the knives the OP listed but the #15 is very popular and I do like the looks of it in the NON-Barlow pattern. I suspect the OP would most likely be very happy with it.
 
Of the ones you list, the 85 is my favorite. I've got four of them now, and regularly carry this one in stag.

StagonWood_zps575f5bb1.jpg~original
 
I just added a 53 Cuban, big clip/pen ( 1/8" shorter than your 23)--nice in the pocket for a larger knife, but

my #15 harness jack SFO (spear/awl) is my work knife.

The choices get easier after you buy a dozen or so or two of the same model.
 
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