New knife - GEC Northfield #25 Jack

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
1,679
This is my first GEC and it's a fine piece of steel and bone! 3" long closed, with 2 blades: a wharncliffe and a small, short clip. The blades have half-stops, which I usually don't care for, but I like 'em on this knife. Before ordering I had read that the blades can be pretty stiff to open, and was concerned about that. While they're stiffer than my Case medium stockman, I personally don't find them TOO stiff. I can pinch open the wharnie, barely, for what that's worth!

There is no blade play when open, although the blades are not quite centered in the liners when closed. It's not enough off-center to be a problem for me.

Usually I don't care for a knife as short as 3". This knife feels good in the hand, tho. For comparison, I have a Buck Solo that's also 3" long and find it too small in the hand to be comfortable. Just a personal observation - your mileage may vary. ;)

I'm thinking the combo of a wharnie and a clip will prove to be real handy - time will tell! The clip is a real shortie - 1 1/2" from end of bolster to tip of blade. Wharnie is 2 1/8" measured the same.

Apologies for no pics or links - not "techie" enough to figure that out, yet.

Anyone else out there have one of these fellas, or thinking of ordering one?
 
these line of knives are some of the best factory ever produced in america. the carbon steel will out cut 90% of standard factory knives. the construction is of the best quality.i've bought 11 various models in 3 months,
 
It is hard not to be impressed with the recent quality of their knives.:thumbup: But the ones that have the Cripple Creek logo are a pass for me.:thumbdn:
Greg
 
I have heard that leaving the knife half open over night may help with the stiff spring issue.

God Bless
 
kidwholaughs said:
I have heard that leaving the knife half open over night may help with the stiff spring issue.

God Bless
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I'm gonna try that - although with half-stops I'll have to leave them at 45 or 135 degrees rather than truly half way (90 degrees to the frame). But I know what ya mean! :D

Thanks and Happy New Year!
 
The #25 pattern from GEC is my fav. Yes, they are only 3" closed, but they really feel like a larger knife when you use them. I can`t explain it. The springs are on the stiff side, but will break in nicely.

It rides nicely, walk and talk are above par for a production piece. Mine is the Cripple Creek version. I love the color of the bone. The double bolsters really are a plus, for me anyway, I just prefer it.

Maybe the CC version is frowned upon because it uses 420HC steel instead of 1095. I enjoy using both types. But my CC #25 never argues when its time to cut or sharpen`up.

From when she was new...she`s not so shiny and purdy now.
cripplecreekbarlowjack.jpg

cripplecreelbarlowjack2.jpg
 
serratededge said:
The #25 pattern from GEC is my fav. Yes, they are only 3" closed, but they really feel like a larger knife when you use them. I can`t explain it. The springs are on the stiff side, but will break in nicely.

It rides nicely, walk and talk are above par for a production piece. Mine is the Cripple Creek version. I love the color of the bone. The double bolsters really are a plus, for me anyway, I just prefer it.

Maybe the CC version is frowned upon because it uses 420HC steel instead of 1095. I enjoy using both types. But my CC #25 never argues when its time to cut or sharpen`up.

From when she was new...she`s not so shiny and purdy now.
cripplecreekbarlowjack.jpg

cripplecreelbarlowjack2.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey SE, You've been holding out on me! I didn't know you had two of those.:D I'll tell you, the Cripple Creek I got from you is sweet. I think your right about it feeling like a larger knife. When I first got it I thought it was a bit small but after I carried and used, it I had a whole different point of view. The knife has good weight and sits very well in my grip. I also love these nail nicks. Thanks for turning me on to a great one.

711, I'd like to see yours with the wharncliffe blade. I'll bet it looks good. What type of nail nicks does the GEC have?

Congrats!
 
Yep, the #25 is addicting. OCD kicked in again and Mr. Latham had another version that is joining the rotation next week, lol.
 
[I'm curious why on the Cripple Creek? /QUOTE]

Although I like GEC's knives, the ones that have the Cripple Creek logo are not Cripple Creeks. They are GEC knives with the Cripple Creek logo. Much like looking at a Ford truck where someone used a magic marker to write Cadillac on the hood. It is still just a Ford with Cadillac written on the hood. So if people think they are buying Cripple Creeks they are in for a surprise. The same applies to Colonel Coon knives. You see that logo on a series of recently produced knives but they are not Colonel Coon knives. In other words, some people will have knives made with the logo of highly collectible knives in a attempt to get you to buy them. If you like them regardless of that, that is up to you. Just be aware of what you are paying for. I would love to be able to paint the word "Ferrari" on a "Volkswagen" and by some form of magic have it become a Ferrari but something tells me that won't work.
Greg
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glocktenman said:
711, I'd like to see yours with the wharncliffe blade. I'll bet it looks good. What type of nail nicks does the GEC have?

Congrats!
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Mine just has regular nail nicks, and quite small ones at that. It DOES look good! Sorry about no pics - I got it at knivesshipfree. Go to GEC, then #25 Jack, and it's on the top row - 2 bladed one. Don't know if I'll get in trouble for posting a reference to a commercial site, or not. Apologies to Gus if this is a violation. :confused:
 
mckgreg said:
Although I like GEC's knives, the ones that have the Cripple Creek logo are not Cripple Creeks. They are GEC knives with the Cripple Creek logo.
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I somewhat see your point, but that limits you to the Great Eastern Branded knives only; as Northfield and Tidioute were both old brands picked back up as well. In this day and age if you stay clear of old trademark knives being made by non-original factories, you get very limited. None of the great 1990's Winchester models, no recent Remington, Hen & Rooster, German Kissing Crane, Henckels; can't go near the Case Classics, etc. etc.
 
That is true but people should be able to know the difference between originals and the new ones regardless of the brand. There is only one reason to muddy the clarification of the two and that is the money to be made in doing so. There may have been times when knives of the distant past were recreated out of the love the producer had for them but I can't seem to think of when that ever happened. In other words, giving something newly made a name that rides on the coat tails of something that is very collectible doesn't automatically make it of higher value. But that is what the producer is hoping for other wise there would be no reason to do it. Being informed is what gives you the right tools to decide if you want to shell out your money for it or not.
Greg
 
I love (and collect) GEC knives and will say a hearty Congratulations to the OP.

However, I wholly agree with Greg on this issue. I am absolutely positive that there are folks that do not know where the line is from Mr. Cargill's knives and those currently coming into the market. Lots of Buyers may even mistakenly think that Mr. Cargill is affiliated with or being honored by these knives, neither is true.

Some may say "Caveat Emptor". However, what many collectors take offense with are "persons" simply buying up old names for their cache, using less than stellar materials, charging a premium "Collectable" price and selling inside a grey area to less than knowledgable buyers. That is one of the main reasons I did the research and then started a thread here asking - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628153 entitled "Who Made your New Slipjoint ?".

I won't be getting any of the new Cripple Creeks (but of course I won't be buying any other knife that is similarly re-branded either).
 
I am sure most people would agree with you Hillbilly if they know the difference. Keeping folks in the dark is usually done for a reason. The Winchesters that Bluegrass re-created at least had the year of manufacture stamped on the tang. It wouldn't take much to make it apparent that certain knives aren't made by the original maker. Actually, now that I think about it, it could be easier than trying to paint them in a way to look like originals !!
Greg
 
The Cripple Creek that I have has 2009 stamped on the small blade. So, I don't believe there would be any confusion as to when it was made. I think GEC makes some great quality knives. The quality of the Cripple Creeks that GEC is making, based upon the one that I have, is also great. The prices of the GECs and the Cripple Creeks are also similar. I've never had an original Cripple Creek but I imagine the quality and the price of the originals and the new ones made by GEC are similar. Anyone have an original and a new one? Maybe we could get a comparision.

I would guess the same for the #25s made by GEC such as UNXLD, Northfield and the Cripple Creek line. Similar quality and price. I bet that GEC paid a penny or two for the rights to use the Cripple Creek name.

I really like the one that I have and I realize it's not an original from back in the day. It has several things that I like; nail nicks, cool sheild with the three legged buff and bolsters on both ends. I have no reservation of carrying and using this one!

I'm also looking at one of the new Cripple creek barlows for many of the same reasons I got this one.
 
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