Pointers to a new traditional owner

dkb45

dkb45

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Dec 16, 2012
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I have my first GEC on the way (#23 Poineer) and I have only owned modern folders except for a few traditionals I absolutely didn't care about. Is there anything special I need to know, other than the carbon steel blades? I plan on getting a small leather slip sheath made for it when I can get the leather.
 
Congrats on your first traditional folder! I have several GEC folders and love them. A drop of mineral oil in the joints once a week is pretty much all I do. Enjoy your #23 :)
 
A drop of mineral oil or other lubricant in the pivots, sharpen it up well and use it like a knife!! Don't forget about lack of locks when applying pressure, I'm not sure if this model locks or not. In my opinion GEC makes great user knives, you just find the edge type that works for you and enjoy!
 
I own several GECs as well, just make sure to be very careful when opening and closing these folders. They are very sharp out of the tube and will cut you before you know it.
 
The blades snapping closed are nothing. I have caught my palm quite a few times with a strong lockback and a few balis. I also do use a SAK pretty often, and those can have pretty strong springs on occasion. I can definitely keep the pivot oiled, though. Pretty used to needing to oil maybe love a month, so that will be one thing I will need to remember.

Anything else I should take note of?
 
The backspring is also carbon steel. Maybe the liners too, I don't know about that model. So if you use the knife with sweaty hands, be sure to wipe it dry before putting it back in your pocket or setting it aside. The carbon steel will darken and even blacken over time on its own (if you don't polish it or keep it oiled), but if you leave it wet, it'll rust too, and that's something you definitely don't want.
 
#1: a s "small" pocket slip won't be much use on a 23 Pioneer. This is a BIG knife.
#2: The backspring on a GEC #23 Pioneer will make the "strong" spring on a SAK feel like a friction folder. The 23 also has half stops which, imho, add to the safety of the knife. It takes a lot of pressure for the blade to fold closed accidently. Also when you are closing the blade, when it reaches half stop position, you can rearrange your grip to make sure you have all your flesh out of the way, before fully closing the blade.
#3: Welcome to the family, and enjoy your new knife!
 
The 23 is a big knife, especially the 2 blade version. I bought a belt sheath for mine. Although it will fit in the pocket, it takes up some space.
 
Planterz said:
The backspring is also carbon steel. Maybe the liners too, I don't know about that model. So if you use the knife with sweaty hands, be sure to wipe it dry before putting it back in your pocket or setting it aside. The carbon steel will darken and even blacken over time on its own (if you don't polish it or keep it oiled), but if you leave it wet, it'll rust too, and that's something you definitely don't want.
Click to expand...

This I was 100% unaware of. You may have just given the biggest advice yet (sorry other people). I'm sure pretty much everything has been covered now, thanks guys. Keep any advice you guys think important coming, though, because I am sure there are another few new traditional owners looking for a base set of traditional Leningrad advice. That is the beauty for the forums, on person can ask the question for the many.
 
Only advice I can give you is to enjoy the knife and not buy another traditional until you give the one you got a fair shot. I've been on these forums a long time now and a lot of new guys go crazy and buy tons of stuff right away. I feel it is better to enjoy what you got and learn lots about the different patterns etc and only buy what really sings to you :)
 
This is the natural darkening of the 1095 steel of my #55 over time. No forced patina, just from being handled and carried in my pocket daily (no pocket slip for this one). I do give the blade a quick wipe before closing it and returning it to the pocket after each use. Your skin/perspiration will rust or darken the steel very quickly especially in summer. Some minimal effort is all that's required to maintain 1095 pocket knives, so don't freak out over it.

 
In this pic you can see the spine area of the blade is very dark. When closed this is what's constantly exposed to handling and perspiration in the pocket. The rest of the blade is protected within the handle when closed so does not show this darkening yet (I've been carrying this knife daily 24/7 for close to 6 months now) over the entire blade, though over time it will all eventually darken. The blueish hue on the forward half of the blade is from cutting steak at the dinner table so is a different chemical reaction to that type of exposure. I do clean the blade after food use and just a quick wipe for other applications (cutting string/opening packages, etc) before returning it to my pocketses. :)

 
Had the knife for a whopping half a day and it already bit me. I'm going to have tk leave the knife partially open overnight to hopefully cut sent he spring tension a bit. It snaps way too hard for me.

Also, I knew the knife would be big, but good lord it is massive! I really thought it would be a bit smaller.
 
Which version of the #23?

Pics.........


I have two of the #23's. A single blade, and a double. Both have strong springs.

It will get softer with use. I only put a tiny drop of oil in the pivot every few weeks or so, sometimes less. I don't oil the blades. But I do speed up the patina process by cutting fruit, etc, and often will give it a vinegar wipe, or wrap the blade in a paper towel, soaked in vinegar. This can give a nice dark patina, that will keep it from being quite as rust aggressive.

Here is one of my #23's with it's little brother the #73



Single blade #23

 
Two blade, bone handles. One blade is a drop/clip point hybrid (don't knkw the exact name of it) and the there is a spey blade.
 
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