Now we're talkin' (GEC "Courthouse" Whittler Photos - go to the last page)

willgoy said:
Tidioute 33 Conductor in faux Tortoiseshell. very lucky to get this as there weren't many released. It's a truly outstanding knife in appearance, action and build quality. I can't actually FIND a fault it's that good. I particularly like single-spring knives and this is Best in Show by a long chalk.
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I just opened a package with a Tidioute Conductor in second cut stag, and I already know it's going to be rivaling the Swayback Jack as my most frequently carried slippy. I once said something here along the lines of not being able to picture GEC making a non-chunky knife. I'm eating those words now.
GEC just keeps making better and better knives. The 2010 models I picked up were excellent, and older ones good too, but this one is just exceptional. I think I'm in love.

The new Courthouse Whittler looks nice too. I don't normally go for knives with more than 2 blades, but it might be an exception.
 
Courthouse Whittler in Ebony
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My first GEC, a buffalo Northfield #33 that i bought from another forum member, just arrived at the post office! :D
 
You guys are killing me. Those 62's are beautiful. Now I want one too. Unfortunately I just bought a 73 trapper scout with blood red scales. I just started to collect better quality knives about a month age and now I'm hooked.
 
hehe, I understand how you feel
I started seriously like 1 year ago and have like 20 knives now and I'm adding 1-3 at least every month now, started low and I'm now looking higher and higher
love the 73 myself too
 
Not surprisingly, the Courthouse whittler has taken its place as my all time favorite GEC pattern to date.
It's just the perfect knife for me
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:D.

All three of mine came with every blade hair-popping sharp; no touch-up required. All the blades are well seated with no rubbing. The pulls are very nail-friendly all around, but the blades feel extremely solid when open. There are absolutely no gaps or finishing flaws anywhere. Unlike the half-Corgress #62s, the master blade on the new knives has no half stop, which is as it should be for a whittler.

I usually lean toward the Northfields, but I find the exaggerated cut swedge on the Northfield whittlers to be a bit much. On the other hand, the new Tidioute swedge is just perfect; it doesn't overpower the Wharncliffe's lines like the Northfield, but it's more pronounced than the swedge on the Tidioute half-Corgress.

I lucked into a coupla rare ones; a Dead Skunk (9 made) and a Burnt Sky (4 made), along with a pretty decent burnt stag.

GEC62CourthouseWhittler01.jpg


GEC62CourthouseWhittler03.jpg


GEC62CourthouseWhittler04.jpg


Note the four different swedge styles; shallow and deep drawn swedges on the Tidioutes, and large and small cut swedges on the Northfields:
GEC62CourthouseWhittler05.jpg
 
Rick, the large nick and drawn swedge on the dead skunk really does look great, the best of the three Tidioutes.

The Genuine Stag and the Primitive Bone have my favorite pull/swedge combo, the long pull behind the cut swedge.
Although it has nice stag and the prettiest equal end shield, the nail nick inside the swedge just doesn't look right to me.

Congrats on the short run pickups, that always makes it a little more satisfying.
 
Thanks, Jeff.

The difference in pull size and placement between the two Tidioute whittlers is odd, especially given how consistent the knives are in every other way. :confused:
 
I thought the same thing; it's not only larger, but more forward on the blade as well, giving better grip and leverage.
And just for aesthetics, it's nearly centered on the blade etch.
 
I find the Tidioute to look much better, more streamlined and less fussy.

Don't care for that nick in the swedge aspect to the Northfield.

Very beautiful acrylics, GEC are on top of this game, never thought I'd enthuse over acrylic in the past but I'm impressed all the time now. Nice semi sunk joints ensures a smooth in the hand feel I'm sure, excellent pattern!
 
Rick, your photos are amazing! They really make those knives shine.

Very pleasing to the eye.:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Wow those are great looking. I am really trying to get either one of those! They are amazing.
 
What a beautiful trio, Rick. (Beautiful sextet actually)! Those Tidioute acrylics are amazing - absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on getting those. :thumbup:

Any chance you could comment on the backsprings and post pics of them? ;)
 
Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Hey, Keith. Here's a pic of the split backsprings (and note the book-matched acrylic pattern):

GEC62Wharncliffesprings01.jpg


They really did a great job here. Like the slim #89 Whittler before it, the steel springs, brass liners and tapered nickel silver spacer come together to form a tight, smooth, gap-free surface. As usual, the springs are flush in the open and closed positions, and while they're still a bit proud on the small blades at halfstop, they're much closer to flush than other GECs I've seen in that position.

All the pulls are a very uniform '6' across all three samples, but still feel plenty firm and confidence inspiring when open. Following a few obligatory bouts of chicken-eyin' 'n' coon-fingerin' I'm pleased to report that no blade rubs are in evidence anywhere.
 
Rick,

Can I assume the main blade of the whittler is thicker than the main of the orig 62 pattern? Can you compare them via photos? Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks for the update, Rick! Looks like they did an outstanding job on that knife. I've never thought about whether the "swirls" in acrylic matched when passing over the backsprings - great attention to detail on GEC's part! The backsprings are totally awesome ..... heck, the whole knife is totally awesome!!! Congrats again! :cool:
 
Thanks, Keith. :)

biglmbass said:
Rick,

Can I assume the main blade of the whittler is thicker than the main of the orig 62 pattern? Can you compare them via photos? Thanks in advance.
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Here ya go, Biglmbass.

GEC62Wharncliffebladethickness.jpg


As you can see, the whittler definitely has a thicker master blade at the tang, though both blades end up pretty thin near the point; the whittler being just a hair thicker.

After handling both for a while, I'd say that the whittler is a lot more nail-friendly, and at least a full point lower on the pull scale, than the half-Congress with its grabby halfstop.
 
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