Swedging on GEC whittlers

[mattyc]

I'm considering a GEC whittler or a half congress for EDC and whittling chores. I've narrowed it down somewhat to the 61 half congress w/ sheepsfoot blade, the 62 half congress w/ wharncliffe blade, and the 62 courthouse whittler (although--never thought I'd say it--I'm eyeing a few of those 4 blade congress knives as well). Can anyone that has used these models tell me about the swedging on them? Particularly with the 62 models, it seems as if the swedging on the main blade of the Northfields is a bit extreme? Do you find that the swedging affects your use of the knife? I'm thinking it would kind of dig into the fingers during use based on the pictures. What say you knife people?

 

[yablanowitz]

I've done some whittling with both a Tidioute Easy Pocket Congress and a Northfield Courthouse Whittler. The Northfield has cut swedges, the Tidioute does not (the spine edges are bevelled, but not enough to really call a swedge). In use I don't notice any difference in the feel. The blades are thin enough that if you keep them as sharp as you should, they run away from your finger or thumb on the spine.

 

[Rick]

The big cut swedge on the Northfield #62 whittler (far right) is the most extreme of the series; enough so that the edges might bite you a little if you choke up on the blade with your thumb or forefinger. The cut swedge on the Northfield half Congress (2nd & 3rd from the left) is no problem, but the deep drawn swedge on the Tidioute Whittler (2nd & 3rd from the right) is, IMO, the nicest looking and feeling of the bunch.

Edit: One caveat on all the #62s - if you plan on using the master blade for extended periods, you'll find the knife much more comfortable if you round off the sharp shoulder on the coping blade with some fine wet/dry paper, as I did on the Primative bone knife below.

 

[Will Power]

FINE picture Rick! It shows just how well GEC executes a knife be it Horn, Bone, Stag or Acrylic:thumbup:

 

[mattyc]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. Rick thanks for the picture--great comparison shot and beautiful knives. Actually, that pic & several others you posted in another thread are kind of what got me wondering about whether the swedging affects use. Good tip about the coping blade mod as well. I think I might go for a Tidioute courthouse whittler, though given my credit card balances I might have to sell some blood or a kidney or something....

 

[richstag]

The big cut swedge on the Northfield #62 whittler (far right) is the most extreme of the series; enough so that the edges might bite you a little if you choke up on the blade with your thumb or forefinger. The cut swedge on the Northfield half Congress (2nd & 3rd from the left) is no problem, but the deep drawn swedge on the Tidioute Whittler (2nd & 3rd from the right) is, IMO, the nicest looking and feeling of the bunch.

Edit: One caveat on all the #62s - if you plan on using the master blade for extended periods, you'll find the knife much more comfortable if you round off the sharp shoulder on the coping blade with some fine wet/dry paper, as I did on the Primative bone knife below.

One of my favorite pictures I have seen posted anywhere.

 

[AFAustin]

Rick, I wish you hadn't posted that pic---now I'm feeling just a tinge of "whittler lust".

As a new recruit to the GEC cult, I confess I have a hard time keeping straight the differences between the whittler, congress, half congress, and easy pocket congress knives, especially since it seems there are further variations within each category!

I also agree with you about the coping blade. On the only one of these models I've owned, a #89, I likewise rounded it off and thought it improved the knife.

Andrew

 

[black mamba]

Rick, the dead skunk Tidioute is awesome. Not only the swedge, but the perfectly centered and LARGER nail nick compared to the two other Tidioutes.

 

[Jug Johnson]

Rick, the dead skunk Tidioute is awesome. Not only the swedge, but the perfectly centered and LARGER nail nick compared to the two other Tidioutes.

I agree. I like the larger nail-nick, I have a Tidioute 62 half congress in raisin jig bone with the tiny nail-nick. If the springs were stiffer it would be hard to open.

Still these 62's are great knives all around, mine is kin to our forum knife - similar color and the same shield and jig pattern.

 

[Rick]

Re: Larger nail-nick. Weird, ain't it? I have no idea why the nicks on those two acrylic #62s differ so much. After all, they're both Tidioutes from the same run, and the blades are otherwise identical.

 

[richstag]

Re: Larger nail-nick. Weird, ain't it? I have no idea why the nicks on those two acrylic #62s differ so much. After all, they're both Tidioutes from the same run, and the blades are otherwise identical.

Rick, the dead skunk Tidioute is awesome. Not only the swedge, but the perfectly centered and LARGER nail nick compared to the two other Tidioutes.

I agree, and man, thats observant.