New model GEC Dogleg Trapper

Well I finally broke down and got one of these. It is a decision not to be regretted. This is the Cobblestone bone, to me one of their coolest jigged patterns and colors. Just like Jenner 515 said, the fit and finish on this one is superb. I've been getting about one GEC every 4-6 months since they started making them, and this is the best quality yet. I can find nothing to nitpick about. And very sharp right out of the cardboard tube.
Thin, narrow, svelte are the adjectives that come to mind with the Dogleg Trapper, especially when compared to most GEC's. At 3 7/8", its still long, but thinner, like Olive Oyl. It has no problems hiding in a pants pocket. Here's a pic comparing it's size to a GEC Muskrat, which is on the standard gunboat frame that so many of their patterns are assembled on. I also set it next to a Case / Bose Dogleg for handle width comparisons.
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Here's a photo emphasizing the blades. I thought the main blade was the same as the muskrat, a blade that quickly became one of my favorite shapes for utility and great slicing performance. I was wrong. The Dogleg Trapper main blade is again, like the body, narrow and thinner. I like it. Reminds me of the pocketknife my Grandpa Hank had with a long, skinny blade. Anyway this no doubt will go through bluegills like a lightsaber through cotton candy. Can't wait to use it. Finally, look at the long spey blade. Its unusual. Reminds me of a sharpened spatula on a doctor's knife.
Anyway, for me, I declare it a winner.
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I think GEC does themselves and knife afficianados everywhere a disservice by naming things crazy. The Case/Bose dogleg jack pictured above with the GEC is a good comparison of how far off the mark they are. The handle shape of a true dogleg jack is a traditional pattern. Several old companies made that pattern and it is very recognizable. The GEC handle has been traditionally and correctly called "serpentine" but often incorrectly called a "dogleg".

I think GEC makes some nice knives but if they are going to use a traditional name for what they make then I would suggest they make it look like the pattern for whose name they have decided to use. Otherwise, they should use their creative juices to dream up some new names, please.

Another example is the GEC "Not Barlow", Barlow. Heck...call it "The Chubby". I'm sure that would be a popular and catchy name because what knife guy wouldn't want to have a chubby. :D
 
I totally agree that they are a bit skewed on their nomenclature. I'd like to know their market strategy on that. Still, it doesn't take away from the fact that GEC makes a great production knife.
 
monikers on he gecs are confusing. takes a little more time to learn their patterns. however as a new company on the scene with quality not seen in the overall product line for many many years i can bear the aggravation to be able to buy knives that have been unavailable for a long time.the idiosyncracies in the model nameing can certainly be tolerated as long as the quality of their products stay at a preminum level. i.m.h.o. these are still the best factory knives in the world & are a fresh menu from the long diet of 'black' knives.i'm still waiting for the one they may call "hot liquorice"
 
Since it's release where do you see it called "Dogleg Trapper" ?

The name was thrown around prior to finalization of the pattern, but I haven't seen it used since the actual pattern release. Thus, maybe a mute conversation even for those that are particular about their namings ;)
 
comoha said:
I totally agree that they are a bit skewed on their nomenclature. I'd like to know their market strategy on that. Still, it doesn't take away from the fact that GEC makes a great production knife.
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I think they just need to crack open some history books and learn a few more things. Seriously, it's very basic reference about old pocket knives that is the missing link with them....easily remedied.

I guess I wouldn't care about it if the various and asundry styles of pocket knives weren't so danged hard to learn. How long did it take us to learn that there are trappers and half trappers and stockman and cattle knives and whittlers and half whittlers and canoes and canittlers and mid-lockbacks and rear-lockbacks and hawk bills and gardeners and pen knives and gents knives and quill knives and fruit knives and peanuts and barlows and sunfish and toenails and rope knives and sailors knives and sportsmans knives and farmers jacks and swayback jacks and serpentine jacks and DOGLEG JACKS......

I think "they don't know that they don't know" and that's why the names are funny. There is the possibility that they will pass their knowledge:rolleyes: on to others because their knives are fairly well made. Maybe it's a silly thought on my part but it's my belief that there is a certain amount of responsibility when you decide to be in the marketplace of traditional things.
 
knifeswapper said:
Since it's release where do you see it called "Dogleg Trapper" ?

The name was thrown around prior to finalization of the pattern, but I haven't seen it used since the actual pattern release. Thus, maybe a mute conversation even for those that are particular about their namings ;)
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Maybe so. I was just going by what the GEC fans were calling it. If so, big mistake on my part. Sooooo...what are they calling IT :D
 
There's a certain retailer with a blog who has the dogleg name plastered all over the place, even has it headed as a "#48 Dogleg Trapper". Maybe that's the source of the misnomer. Now everyone's calling it a dogleg, see how these things get started?:mad::D

Eric
 
ea42 said:
There's a certain retailer with a blog who has the dogleg name plastered all over the place, even has it headed as a "#48 Dogleg Trapper". Maybe that's the source of the misnomer.
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That was actually the preliminary name given to it when it was announced that there would be a new pattern coming out several weeks afterwards. At that point, nobody outside GEC proper had any idea what the final pattern would look like. I myself was hoping for something like a Case Dogleg Trapper. In any case, when the first photos of the prototype were released, the name had already been changed to a more appropriate one.

It's really nothing to get uptight about. The "working" names of all sorts of products change before the actual releases.
 
It was me. :o
I started the inaccurate name-calling I guess. :eek:
Sorry, I saw it called "Dogleg Trapper" on TSA Knives and ran like a monkey on fire. I love the dogleg pattern and I guess I got excited.
Let's agree to call it "traditional trapper", which is about as boring a moniker as can be created and I'll sit down now. :p
 
KnifeHead said:
How long did it take us to learn that there are trappers and half trappers and stockman and cattle knives and whittlers and half whittlers and canoes and canittlers and mid-lockbacks and rear-lockbacks and hawk bills and gardeners and pen knives and gents knives and quill knives and fruit knives and peanuts and barlows and sunfish and toenails and rope knives and sailors knives and sportsmans knives and farmers jacks and swayback jacks and serpentine jacks and DOGLEG JACKS......
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I've been trying to say this whole sentence in one lungful of air and I keep waking up on the floor with the cat looking down at me.
 
Comoha, those last two posts got me laughing so hard I'm still crying. "Ran like a monkey on fire", I NEVER heard that one before. :D:D

TSA's actually the site I was referring to above.

Eric
 
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KnifeHead said:
How long did it take us to learn that there are trappers and half trappers and stockman and cattle knives and whittlers and half whittlers and canoes and canittlers and mid-lockbacks and rear-lockbacks and hawk bills and gardeners and pen knives and gents knives and quill knives and fruit knives and peanuts and barlows and sunfish and toenails and rope knives and sailors knives and sportsmans knives and farmers jacks and swayback jacks and serpentine jacks and DOGLEG JACKS......
Click to expand...

You left out Jumping Jacks and Cracker Jacks:eek:
 
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