New GEC #81 pattern!!

Thanks, folks. I figured there had to be a historical reason for it - I guess that in the modern context, I've just always found a combo of two different blades, such as a spey/clip like you find on a lot of standard 'trappers' to be more versatile. But I get the idea behind it.
 
Smithhammer said:
Thanks, folks. I figured there had to be a historical reason for it - I guess that in the modern context, I've just always found a combo of two different blades, such as a spey/clip like you find on a lot of standard 'trappers' to be more versatile. But I get the idea behind it.
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I find it a little odd that the standard "Trapper" pattern is a spey and clip. They spey just doesn't seem all that usefull when you have to trim out around the ears and eyes when trapping. You can definitely do without the spey and it definitely has limited use for trapping.

As an aside, I remembering reading that a lot of modern day cowboys prefer the trapper pattern to the stockman when it came to needing a work knife. The longer spey was of more use for castration (which is what a spey is for).
 
Yup, but I've found that the spey, flipped upside down, can be useful for skinning as well, since you don't have a point that can puncture things that you don't want to. Just different preferences and histories, I reckon.
 
Smithhammer said:
Yup, but I've found that the spey, flipped upside down, can be useful for skinning as well, since you don't have a point that can puncture things that you don't want to. Just different preferences and histories, I reckon.
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Agreed. I probably prefer both to dual clips, but I can see a trapper making due with just a clip by being careful. I don't think a trapper can make due with just a spey.... or dual speys. Now if you were a cowboy who did the same job to a bunch of bulls all day..... that might be a different story. :o
 
trivial question: is this knife exactly symmetrical? or is the hand hold slightly different depending on which blade you use?
 
I don't know, the frame doesn't look exactly symmetrical to me. But that's not a knock against the knife. Looks like a normal serpentine frame with square bolsters. Muskrats don't do it for me but I wouldn't be surprised to see a stockman come out of this pattern so I'll hold off. Hopefully a jack will also be released.
 
2Dead said:
I don't know, the frame doesn't look exactly symmetrical to me. But that's not a knock against the knife. Looks like a normal serpentine frame with square bolsters. Muskrats don't do it for me but I wouldn't be surprised to see a stockman come out of this pattern so I'll hold off. Hopefully a jack will also be released.
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Derp! You are right. I wasn't thinking about the frame pattern, just the way the blades would be krinked. I'm not sure if the frame is symmetrical, it looks it.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
Derp! You are right. I wasn't thinking about the frame pattern, just the way the blades would be krinked. I'm not sure if the frame is symmetrical, it looks it.
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Well, I guess it is sort of symmetrical (flip vertically and horizontally), just not in your hand when using the different blades. It looks like if you're using the blade closer to where the shield is, the bottom part of the frame fits the palm but if you flip the knife around to use the blade farther from the shield, the frame moves away from your palm.

Edit: If that makes sense... Use the shield and center pin as reference. The back of the knife by the shield kind of looks like it comes in between the center pin and the pin close to the bolster where as the back of the knife where the shield isn't located looks like it goes out between the center pin and far bolster pin.

Hope that makes sense.
 
It amazes me how thin Bill made this one. Quite a feat to get the blades in that tight without clanking all over each other. I told him I though I might could carry it in my billfold :)
 
Oh man, I've liked this one since the original mock up photos. That dark King Wood is sweet too...

But I got a 66 muskrat in stag after a lot of searching, and the 3 I bought this month have me tapped out (Champlain Eureka Jack, S&M baby Sunfish, and a yeller Case CV '47 stockman)

Come on tax man! :D
 
I occasionally do a www search for the 81.This older thread came up. Why doesn't GEC make more of this pattern? It is by far one of the best stockman patterns. I know this thread is of the muskrat version, so perhaps they may think the pattern is not popular. I don't know how many stocks they made of this pattern, but try to find one somewhere. If there could be any improvement, it would be to the ricasso, of the sheepsfoot to make it sit higher.(it's the go to blade and if it sits high, you can usually "pinch" it out. How about it GEC or anyone making SFO's,
An Abilene Stockman, Ebony slabs, Nickel silver liners with a badge shield would be a show stopper



 
Certainly looks a treat in that Osage, Steve, great example:thumbup:

Regards, Will
 
Nice knife, Steve. I bought the same Osage Orange 81 from the Exchange recently. I agree that GEC should make more. The stockman is a popular pattern. It would be interesting to compare production/sales numbers from Case and GEC. I bet Case sells more stock knives than all the knives GEC makes in a year. I bet that if GEC churned out a large number of the knives in a nice jigged bone and with a federal or crest shield that they'd fly off the shelves. But they march to their own drum.

It's funny that you mention raising the sheepfoot. I've actually considered lowering it a bit. But I don't pinch them open.
 
I don't have an 81 or the 82 for that matter but can someone post an in-hand picture? I'd love to see the size of this knife that way.
 
Thanks Will, the osage is getting a nice darker look to it but it still shines in the sun. I agree Jake that if GEC made more of them they would be a best seller. The sheepsfoot on this one rides low, about even with the main blade. I think you would like it.

Jake, I'll post some pics later in hand.
GEC, please make the 81 stockman a mainstay.
 
Here's another pic with Abilene in (gloved, medium) hand:
Abilene005_zpsutgml4sa.jpg


Abilene with Schrade 8OT and Schrade 881Y for comparison
Abilene004_zpsl8lelwn4.jpg



I got mine a couple of months ago and haven't used it yet, but it's a great working size for me... a little wider, heftier than the Schrade stockmans.

There are a few still out there (see the GEC website for a list of dealers)... mostly Red River Acrylic and a couple of Stags.


Here are the GEC production numbers for 2013:

==================================

Tidioute #811313

Osage Orange Wood 54 pcs. no #
Red River Acrylic 51 pcs. no #
Stone Moss Green Jig Bone 48 pcs. no #

Northfield #811313

African Blackwood 24 pcs. serialized – 28 pcs. no #
Smooth Yellow Rose Bone 24 pcs. serialized – 27 pcs. no #
Copperhead Jig Bone 24 pcs. serialized – 25 pcs. no #
Natural Stag 44 pcs. serialized
Burnt Stag 29 pcs. no #
Mardi Gras Acrylic 20 pcs. no #
Jigged Sambar Stag 8 pcs. serialized
Sucker Rod Wood 8 pcs. no #

==================================



When they run these again, I hope to see the Pick Bone jigging that was used on the most recent TC Barlow... and more Smooth Yellow Rose Bone and African Blackwood or Gabon Ebony and Stag, of course.

BTW, here's a thread that is specifically about the Abilene Stockman
 
I would love to see a two blade jack on this frame! Similar to a Large Texas Jack.
 
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