Opinions Wanted Please

crossada

crossada

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May 16, 2004
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I'm in the market to get a new GEC for my edc. I've been carrying the GEC cattle rancher for a good part of 2011. It has been a great knife but the one big negative to me is the sheepsfoot blade really digs into my palm when using the main blade:grumpy:. Other than that it is a perfect design for me and accomplishes what I want. My intended uses are day to day utility and as my "bushcrafter" type knife while in the woods.

The knives i'm looking at currently are the Powderhorn, Furtaker Trapper, and Executive Whittler. Anyone have any opinions on what would make the better replacement for my intended uses? I'm leaning heavily to the Furtaker right now because it has the same 4 1/8" handle that fits me perfectly. Not sure if I would miss the smaller blade though.

Thanks in advance.
 
I really like the GEC Powderhorn. When in use my little finger curls around the curve in the tail end of the knife making for a nice, secure grip. Personally I like the feeling in hand better than the equal end GEC's. YMMV of course. The pen blade rides nice and low in the handle when using the main blade. And when using the pen blade, the higher profile clip doesn't bother me at all - in fact, it tucks into the joints of my middle & ring finger providing yet another "grip point".

Re: "Not sure if I would miss the smaller blade though" ..... I really like the combination of a "full size" handle with a shorter blade. Easy to do precision cutting tasks, and gives lots of leverage - sort of like a Stanley utility knife. I actually prefer the shorter pen blade on the Powderhorn compared to the longer sheepsfoot/wharncliffe on the Furtaker Trapper. Again, YMMV.
 
I would say that if your Cattle Rancher is giving you problems because of the sheepsfoot blade then the #53 Furtaker wouldn't be right for you. I don't have a Cattle Rancher but have the #53 Cuban Stockmans and to me, the sheepsfoot sits the lower and is less noticeable than other knives. The wharncliffe of a furtaker sticks out much more and would be even more noticeable. I would use a #48 or #73 trapper. If you like the #12 powderhorn, then also look at the #48 Jack as it's pretty much the same blade combination but with a trapper handle. It would depend which one you like better in use. Another option is the #53 Cuban Muskrat with 2 long clip blades.
 
Crossada....


Keith gave you a great right on personal observation on the Powderhorn................I on the other hand am a fan of the #53 Pattern and know what you mean regarding the Cattle Rancher Pattern............with the Furtaker Trapper in hand and the sheepfoot blade engage the California Clip style Muskrat blade all but melts into the frame though with the blades reversed you can feel the roll of the sheepfoot in your palm...tough call,but the Beaver shield jigged wood on the Tidioute sure looks nice.
 
The model 89 I would not recommend for your requirements. While it is a wonderful knife, it is perhaps more suited to tamer tasks than bushcrafting. Delicate tips and the secondary blades are quite thin.
ymmv
Rob
 
735211 two Blade Scout Trapper. A nice all purpose work knife built on the same frame as GEC's most popular pattern,the 735109.735211stl-indian paintbrush.jpg This picture is Indian Paintbrush Jigged Bone handles,but it came in several other handle options.
 
Thanks for the advice so far, I really appreciate it.

I did have a Scagel Barehead Jack with the scout frame but didn't care for it much so gave it as a gift. I didn't like the Scagel openers and the handle wasn't as comfotable as the larger 54 frames.

Any opinions on the #65 Ben Hogan?
 
GEC Ben Hogan is a very long and slim knife, it might not be sturdy enough for your requirements.

I think a 53 or 54 was issued In Hangman's Redbone or similar, as a Moose pattern. This with 2 very decent blades, Clip & Spear might suit your taste a lot. Too big for my needs, and I don't have large hands, but it's a frame I admire.
 
Been carrying a cattle rancher all year, understand the complaint. I took a diamond file and filed the kick down about 1/16 of an inch and solved the problem. I also carry a single blade number 23 in my back pocket. Between the two I find I can handle almost any task.
 
I have been carrying a 23 and 73 set of two bladed pioneer/scout folders. I do find that the Spey blade is quite noticeable in the 23 pattern. Funny enough, the smaller 73 pattern the spey second blade does not feel as proud when using the clip.

I honestly tend to use the spey blades more, I keep them at a closer to factory angle, while I keep the clips with a hair whittling convex. The clip point blades I keep sharper, and don't use as much when I am doing utility/fruit and cheese slicing etc.

The proud blades on the extra's, especially the warncliff blade, has been one reason I did not order a Cattle Barron.


I have to say, the Ben Hogan pattern is high on my list. If I did not already have a single blade 23, and a new grandaddy barlow single waiting for me for Christmas, the Ben Hogan would have been on my list to order for this Christmas.

The swell on the bolsters hiding and making the tang flush is really appealing to me!

I would love, and I mean LOVE to see a Ben hogan with two blades (a main and pen, or two full sized mains, with a warncliff and clip!).
 
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