EyeDog
Semper Fi
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
- Messages
- 2,204
Review: GEC #38 - Tidioute - John Chapman - Brown Camel Bone
My knife arrived today and this is an out-if-the-tube first impression review.
Look and feel: I am admittedly a sucker for any thing in smooth bone. The 38 does not disappoint. Beautiful bone marbling on both sides one slightly darker than the other. To my eyes this a reddish brown. Really like the contour feel of the rounded handle edges of this knife in the hand. It feels like it was made for cutting. I especially like a tapered handle with the primary blade at the fatter end. Unlike a trapper which is usually the reverse. The set up of the 38 is perfect for cutting, whittling or what ever.
Construction: Pretty typical GEC pins with the top center pin slightly counter sunk. Spacers and bolsters typical. When blades are both open you can run your finger over the back of the spring and blade and it is a smooth fitno raised ridges and edges. The secondary blade fits flush when closed but does not rub. Great offset centering on the primary blade when closed. Both blades are lined up as they should be.
Performance: Over the first 12 hours I carried the knife to the store in my front pocket. Had no occasion to get it out. But it sure rides nice a very smooth feel. I got some things in the mail and brought some things home that needed opening with a knife. So the 38 Chapman passed with flying colors. Matter of fact this may become my number one box cutter/opener.
The hawkbill performed well. Grabs the seam or opening or cuts into it and then holds the position while pulling towards you keeping the knife almost level with the cut. You cant do that with a non-hawkbill.

I peeled an apple with the hawkbill blade and discovered that its not bad at that but probably wont be one of my go-to apple or produce knives. I did go out on the porch and trimmed a few small sprigs from a plantits obvious that the hawkbill excels at this.
Nice easy smooth 3-4 pull on the hawkbill with solid lock up. Same with the secondary blade. I really like a knife I can open without using the nail nick and the hawkbill is just that. Easy pinch opening.
Sharpness/Sharpening: As with most GEC blades out of the tube I was not impressed with the edge. To be clear it is an adequate edge but I like a deeper edge and sharper profile. I ran it through forum member Freds ERU (Edge Renewal Utility) a few times and discovered it works well in this set up. The best tool seemed to be one of my diamond rods.
Overall first impression: Really like this knife. For me itll be a keeper. It may not be as utilitarian as other more traditional blades but the hawkbill sure will find a place in my EDC rotation and go-to needs for box and package opening. Its a nice knife to open in public and won't frighten the urchins. Because of the smooth bone, rounded bolsters, closed blade profilethe entire knife feels and looks good. I would not hesitate to give one as a gift, but wont be giving this one away.
Mike
My knife arrived today and this is an out-if-the-tube first impression review.
Look and feel: I am admittedly a sucker for any thing in smooth bone. The 38 does not disappoint. Beautiful bone marbling on both sides one slightly darker than the other. To my eyes this a reddish brown. Really like the contour feel of the rounded handle edges of this knife in the hand. It feels like it was made for cutting. I especially like a tapered handle with the primary blade at the fatter end. Unlike a trapper which is usually the reverse. The set up of the 38 is perfect for cutting, whittling or what ever.
Construction: Pretty typical GEC pins with the top center pin slightly counter sunk. Spacers and bolsters typical. When blades are both open you can run your finger over the back of the spring and blade and it is a smooth fitno raised ridges and edges. The secondary blade fits flush when closed but does not rub. Great offset centering on the primary blade when closed. Both blades are lined up as they should be.
Performance: Over the first 12 hours I carried the knife to the store in my front pocket. Had no occasion to get it out. But it sure rides nice a very smooth feel. I got some things in the mail and brought some things home that needed opening with a knife. So the 38 Chapman passed with flying colors. Matter of fact this may become my number one box cutter/opener.
The hawkbill performed well. Grabs the seam or opening or cuts into it and then holds the position while pulling towards you keeping the knife almost level with the cut. You cant do that with a non-hawkbill.

I peeled an apple with the hawkbill blade and discovered that its not bad at that but probably wont be one of my go-to apple or produce knives. I did go out on the porch and trimmed a few small sprigs from a plantits obvious that the hawkbill excels at this.
Nice easy smooth 3-4 pull on the hawkbill with solid lock up. Same with the secondary blade. I really like a knife I can open without using the nail nick and the hawkbill is just that. Easy pinch opening.
Sharpness/Sharpening: As with most GEC blades out of the tube I was not impressed with the edge. To be clear it is an adequate edge but I like a deeper edge and sharper profile. I ran it through forum member Freds ERU (Edge Renewal Utility) a few times and discovered it works well in this set up. The best tool seemed to be one of my diamond rods.
Overall first impression: Really like this knife. For me itll be a keeper. It may not be as utilitarian as other more traditional blades but the hawkbill sure will find a place in my EDC rotation and go-to needs for box and package opening. Its a nice knife to open in public and won't frighten the urchins. Because of the smooth bone, rounded bolsters, closed blade profilethe entire knife feels and looks good. I would not hesitate to give one as a gift, but wont be giving this one away.
Mike
