New GEC #13 Congress series (Clerk, Speaker Jack and Whip)

tomsch said:
I have to admit that I've already bought too many of the #13s! What's worse is there are still the Clerk and the Whip to go in multiple covers!
Click to expand...

Me too. Somehow I ended up with a mic whittler two ebony speakers and still expect to get a stag whip.


Alan
Wtb GEC #99, #66 slim
 
These two showed up in the mail today (a day earlier than expected, which is always nice).

643FDECE-5D7E-4EA3-8490-25E4B5253706.jpg


You don't really notice (or at least I didn't) how looooong and lean that sheepsfoot on the Speaker Jack is until you put it side by side with the whittler. Both of the sheepsfoot blades are easily pinchable.

A946C3B8-2396-4568-87A2-80E6F3ADA909.jpg


These are my first congress pattern knives, and I will say that they can feel a bit odd in the hand at first (particularly depending on which blade you have open), but I think I'm going to like carrying them. I'm still warming up to the offset shield on the Speaker Jack. I think the thing that makes it look a bit "off" is how close the long Tidioute shield is to that center pen.

AB814311-6A9F-4223-87E7-B862372F9382.jpg


5C901A09-C225-4C36-96E7-A4119E3E5300.jpg


The Muslin Micarta has a very interesting texture, smooth yet grippy. I also didn't realize that the bolsters and shield on the Micarta were going to be satin finish, which is a nice surprise.

E898F62E-0609-4992-B88A-3D1812292E3C.jpg


B776F306-CB9E-4D48-A63B-873CFEFD1441.jpg


The wraparound spring on the secondary side of the Speaker Jack is a nice touch, and the sheepsfoot on the Whittler is nicely centered between the two pens. Having opened and closed them a bit, I think you'd really have to be pushing inward while opening either of the pen blades to get them to rub on the sheepsfoot.

5B2436F8-DD03-4CEC-A646-F211FB5E6A49.jpg
 
Harry, very nice write up:thumbup:

Barrett, two beauties right there:cool:

This is just curiosity and fyi. My split back whittler arrived today and I love it. I did notice that the center liner was proud. I could actually push it back flush with the springs but with use it would rise back above the springs. We're talking maybe a 1/64 of an inch, minor, minor, minor. Brass being soft, I just hit it with 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper, then finished with 2000 grit. A total of five minutes and it was quickly remedied:cool:

Didn't bother with before pictures. My post it not to send people in a panic but to just see if anyone experienced the same issue? If so, I just wanted to let fellow porch members know it is a very easy and quick fix:thumbup:

cQSg23.jpg


rHQwpO.jpg


e77c9G.jpg


D0T89Q.jpg


0V27x3.jpg
 
Last edited:
Paul, I have one of my GEC split back's (#89) that does that. Gets a little proud, and I can push it back. Does not bother me. I might just be the nature of physics with the center wedge being free on the thin end, and not tied down or pinned. Springs are receiving force & moving, but there's nothing to bring that free end back. Just a noob's guess :)
 
pmek5 said:
Paul, I have one of my GEC split back's (#89) that does that. Gets a little proud, and I can push it back. Does not bother me. I might just be the nature of physics with the center wedge being free on the thin end, and not tied down or pinned. Springs are receiving force & moving, but there's nothing to bring that free end back. Just a noob's guess :)
Click to expand...

Totally agree Tim, I just want to stress, it's a non issue and an EZ thing to remedy if someone wants to. I ABSOLUTELY agree it's a nature of the beast type of thing.
 
paulhilborn said:
Harry, very nice write up:thumbup:

Barrett, two beauties right there:cool:

This is just curiosity and fyi. My split back whittler arrived today and I love it. I did notice that the center liner was proud. I could actually push it back flush with the springs but with use it would rise back above the springs. We're talking maybe a 1/64 of an inch, minor, minor, minor. Brass being soft, I just hit it with 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper, then finished with 2000 grit. A total of five minutes and it was quickly remedied:cool:

Didn't bother with before pictures. My post it not to send people in a panic but to just see if anyone experienced the same issue? If so, I just wanted to let fellow porch members know it is a very easy and quick fix:thumbup:

0V27x3.jpg
Click to expand...

Thank you for your kind words Paul .
My Whittler has the same issue with that brass center liner , but it does not do that ever time that I open it , so I don't worry about it . If it ever does bother me , then it is nice to know how easy it is to remedy it .
I think you made I fine choice with the Red Jigged Bone . I am kind of partial to red , but then again I guess I could have been quite happy with any of the selections on the 13's . I originally just wanted the Whip , but then I got the Whittler and I really appreciate the design issues and the skill to make it as well as they did .


Harry
 
paulhilborn said:
Totally agree Tim, I just want to stress, it's a non issue and an EZ thing to remedy if someone wants to. I ABSOLUTELY agree it's a nature of the beast type of thing.
Click to expand...

Totally understood it's a non-issue Paul, and thank you for providing an easy/simple fix. My Rust Red whittler should be tomorrow :)
 
The pictures of the Clerk convince me! Nice long Wharncliffe in a Penknife single-spring set-up. Just the problem being in Europe of ensuring I get one.
I know that GEC's handle options are subject to change, but is the Smooth Bone Clerk going to have the laser Office Knife etching? I think it's an interesting change but personally I'd prefer an option in just Smooth Bone with a shield.

I think GEC has decided to keep the handle run simple: Red Jigged Bone, Micarta,Ebony and Stag for the non SFOs throughout the whole run. It suggests that there will be no rarities and that bodes well for supply. The Smooth Bone with the etch is the odd man out here, it could be the scarce one - depends of course. I must say I am somewhat perturbed to hear of F&F issues on the Whittler& Speaker run, it is very good that people discuss these openly, including fixes, but I hope this is not indicative of a general problem in this knife, it is apparently quite a complex pattern to make.
 
Will, I don't know if it's been confirmed anywhere, but I'm assuming that the smooth bone Tidioute Clerk will only be available with the Office Knife etching. I agree that it's an interesting departure what appears to be their "standard" run on these (red jigged, micarta, etc.), and I'm hoping to get ahold of one, but I can also understand the desire for a more standard version (no etch, shield, etc.).

Obviously I can only speak for myself and the two knives I've received so far, but I wouldn't worry too much about any F&F issues. As Paul said, the deal with the center liner on the Whittlers isn't much of an issue; that being said, having CF'ed my Whittler a bit, I haven't noticed the same thing. The F&F on both of the knives I've received have been right in line with what I've come to expect from GEC.
 
btb01 said:
Will, I don't know if it's been confirmed anywhere, but I'm assuming that the smooth bone Tidioute Clerk will only be available with the Office Knife etching. I agree that it's an interesting departure what appears to be their "standard" run on these (red jigged, micarta, etc.), and I'm hoping to get ahold of one, but I can also understand the desire for a more standard version (no etch, shield, etc.).

Obviously I can only speak for myself and the two knives I've received so far, but I wouldn't worry too much about any F&F issues. As Paul said, the deal with the center liner on the Whittlers isn't much of an issue; that being said, having CF'ed my Whittler a bit, I haven't noticed the same thing. The F&F on both of the knives I've received have been right in line with what I've come to expect from GEC.
Click to expand...

It was confirmed by GEC, but they could change that decision tomorrow...
 
Great pictures and write up Barrett. I agree completely on how long and lean the speaker jack blade seems next to the whittlers main blade. These are 2 great knives to own. I've always wanted a red knife and I'm really enjoying the satin blades and the plain bolsters on this one. I'm able to pinch open the main as well without a polished blade.

 
Well, I've received my micarta whittler and red bone speaker jack, (thanks for the back-spacer fix, Paul!) and am loving them, but am scoring 0-2 for buttons/badges!

Who is scoring all the buttons and what knife were these little surprises in? Thanks for all the great photos everyone!
 
I received a button with my NF speaker jack and SFO whittler. No button with the Tidioute whittler.
 
These are all turning out stellar, HOWEVER, I can't help but imagine how much nicer they would have been with rat tailed bolsters. In my opinion, rat tailed bolsters go perfect with this pattern.
Now don't get me wrong, I know there has to be certain features that make the forum knife different and special, and I'm okay with that.
 
Love the variation of the #13 depending on the material. The picture below is of the BF version. Need to gather them into one picture next time.
IMG_2650_zpsdm0in0cl.jpg

IMG_2614_zpstkqzanxk.jpg
 
Last edited:
I noticed the proud centre liner in some pics too. Figured I'd do the exact same thing to "fix" it if mine arrives that way as it will likely bother me if it does. Mine should arrive today as it's "out for delivery" finally. I'm in Canada so it always takes what seems like forever.

So I'm still thinking I will change one of the pen blades, unless someone can tell me some real advantage to having 2? My first thought was turn one into a tiny clip. Otherwise I might round off one so it has no point at all, my thought here is I am often cutting things like a loose thread on one of my kids shirts or a tag off a toy, (heaven forbid a tag on my younger kids new plush getting in the way of all the fun!). I seem to have, quite often the need for a blade but not so much the pointy tip that makes wifey nervous. Thoughts?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top