Son of a Conductor

[rprocter]

While roaming amongst the knives that dominate my home yesterday, i spied a sweet Ulster Knife Co. Swell Center folder. Here it is:

It remined me immediately of my new GEC Conductor, so i thought they should meet:

The Ulster which almost certainly is pre 1941, at 3 3/8" is just 1/16" longer than my Conductor, but is otherwise slighter in build being not as tall (blade spine to spring when closed) and not as fat (outside scale-outside scale). This shows that for it's length and in this Swell Center pattern, the Conductor is really quite a solid and stout fellow. As we see here:

When you open up the blades, it immediately becomes apparent that -----

the Conductor is an ideal frame for a Gent's style, Swell Center Whittler, the Son of a Conductor !
Lets hope that the GEC folks see this thread and Do the RIGHT THING; i.e. commit to and start designing "Son of Conductor".
This would truly set GEC apart and well on their way to reviving the exquisite Pen knives of 100 years ago.
It would also be good practice at grinding and swaging blades so as to completely fill the well but with nary a rub. This practice is necessary for when they bring us the finest Pen knife of all: the Four Blade Senator.

Now while i was musing about this and therefore not supervising, Mr. Ulster and Ms. Conductor got busy and now i have a Baby Pen:

His name is: Boker

roland

 

[Bigfattyt]

Cool!

I have been eying the conductor. I think add a warncliff blade some where in the mix and I would not be able to resist.

 

[supratentorial]

Fun post, Roland. :thumbup: And three very nice knives! I'm also looking forward to the "Son of Conductor" from GEC. Unlike a lot of sequels, I think it will be a hit.

 

[Morrow]

I love that Ulster.

 

[biglmbass]

Making a whittler on the Conductor frame makes a lot of sense and I'm a bit surprised they've not done so yet.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Making a whittler on the Conductor frame makes a lot of sense and I'm a bit surprised they've not done so yet.

I certainly agree

Mike

 

[markpmc]

... I think add a warncliff blade some where in the mix and I would not be able to resist.

Ditto. Holding out for my first warncliff bladed knife.

 

[Gevonovich]

Wonderful post Roland you have a beautiful family! and such fecundity

 

[coyote711]

..... the Conductor is an ideal frame for a Gent's style, Swell Center Whittler, the Son of a Conductor !
Lets hope that the GEC folks see this thread and Do the RIGHT THING; i.e. commit to and start designing "Son of Conductor".
This would truly set GEC apart and well on their way to reviving the exquisite Pen knives of 100 years ago.
It would also be good practice at grinding and swaging blades so as to completely fill the well but with nary a rub. This practice is necessary for when they bring us the finest Pen knife of all: the Four Blade Senator.

roland

+1 :thumbup: Your whole post, especially the pics and quote above, makes me smile! Very cool knives and excellent thoughts expressed, Roland!

 

[SubSpace]

Awesome post. Thank you.

 

[Peregrin]

A most enjoyable post and some great knives, Roland. Thanks for sharing those with us. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[2Dead]

Very nice Roland!! We can only hope for soon...

 

[rprocter]

Thanks guys. We all like the big old Jacks but the fancy Pen knives, USA British and German from 100 years ago are really the height of the cutler's art. So much blade packed into so little space and all with just the right tension and no rubbing make them a real treasure.
I am hoping that the GEC cutlers are given the opportunity to bring back more of these exquisite vintage Pen knife patterns.
Anybody know a GEC exec. to send a link to this ?
roland

 

[coyote711]

Anybody know a GEC exec. to send a link to this ?
roland

I think Charlie (Waynorth) has some contacts within GEC, doesn't he? Hey Charlie - where are ya?

 

[quattromori]

Very nice knife indeed.
But...considering the age...shouldn't it be the grandpa of a Conductor?

Fausto

 

[waynorth]

I would not be surprised if Son (Daughter?) of Conductor appears on the scene in the future. Being a more sophisticated knife, it takes a lot more preparation to get it right. These things don't happen overnight.
GEC has some great people, but does not have a stable of little " Mesters" from Sheffield. They have done remarkably well training some young people to make knives for us!!
Patience folks! No knife before it's time!!

Great thread, and super knives, Roland!! A Swell Center 3-blade pen, and a 3-blade SC Whittler are indeed logical extensions of the pattern.

A lot of blade can be stuffed in that little frame - Check out this Grandpa Case!

 

[The Government]

Thanks for the pictures!!!

I love comparing old knives like that to the newest ones we have today.

Those old designers and makers really seemed to have the ability make art and function collide with the finest of results.:thumbup:

 

[Biggie_Robs]

That Ulster is one sweet whittler. I'm afraid that GEC isn't willing to try to pull a knife like that off. They did it with the Melon Whittler but discontinued it because it was too tough for them.

Your Ulster is a great knife, though. You should be proud!

 

[lambertiana]

That Ulster is a real gem, perfect for gentleman's carry. I have always believed that the sign of a true master cutler was the ability to make a small multiblade like that with no blade rub and clean blade grinds.

 

[billym]

Nice post thanks. The Ulster's fit is so impressive. Man they had skill back then.