I'll gander most people have more experience with a stockman knife, and from what others have shown and described, I doubt anyone could go wrong GEC's #81.
That said, I love my #79. There's no accounting for taste, and for whatever reason(s) this one appeals to me over against others mentioned in this thread.
Here's part of a post from a
dedicated #79 Workhorse Whittler thread showing each of the three blades (including the potential discomfort when using the secondaries, especially):
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Me, I wanted the glorious excess of blade, a three-springer sleeker than a two-bladed #25, and something un-similar to my other knives.
Clearly, the ergonomics of the 3-spring version are at their best when using the main blade:
The two sleek secondaries tuck into the frame neatly; folded fingers can hold the handle firmly without running into their spines.
Just as clearly, the spine of the main blade is a significant presence, affecting the grip when using either of the two secondaries. Wouldn't it be delightful if, when using the wharnfoot or clip, the knife looked something like this?
But instead, we have this:
Surprisingly comfortable, but with that spine to work with and around.
Wharncliffe open, there's a lot going on right here-- including the sharp back of the closed clip's tang that I'll be rounding some (the angle of this picture intentionally exaggerates how much it actually protrudes, but it's a factor):
From the other side:
There's enough room at the front of the closed main for my finger to tuck comfortably, while holding the (rest of) the handle firmly in-hand with the main's spine falling under my folded fingers. While my fingers do rest on the spine, most of the weight and pressure are on the handle. Someone with larger hands will likely have more clearance:
That's a high spine....
Similar ergonomics when using the clip blade-- room in front of the spear main for a firm grip.
I hadn't really thought about the knife's dis/comfort until asked, which indicates to me that either 1) I'm so smitten, any and all accommodations and even pain are covered o'er in love or 2) the knife is relatively comfortable in hand, whatever blade is in use.
(Door #3 may also prove valid.
)
Considering matters of comfort more carefully in composing this response, I'm noticing the tang heels more and will attend to them accordingly (breaking their edges slightly so they're not so spiky in hand, including that of the spear main). The closed spear is a major presence when using the other blades, but worth the intuitive, workaround grips
for me.
great pattern, so small yet so many nice big blades, I especially like seeing top and bottom shots of them, the three backsprings together look very cool.
Some of the secret to the knife's thinness, the lack of inner scales:
And oh, the criss-crossed goodness:
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Hope this helps!
~ P.
