Talk me into a 53 pattern

GBPacker · Feb 15, 2015

I'm particularly interested in the 531212 moose and 531213 tk Cuban and am hoping those that have one or both can share their thoughts/opinions.

Thanks in advance and happy Sunday.

pmew · Feb 15, 2015

Hey GBPacker, d'you know what you should do? You should getchorself a new pocket knife by Great Eastern Cutlery. I think a 53 pattern would suit you, or perhaps a 54.

GBPacker · Feb 15, 2015

pmew said:
Hey GBPacker, d'you know what you should do? You should getchorself a new pocket knife by Great Eastern Cutlery. I think a 53 pattern would suit you, or perhaps a 54.

Well played my friend. I'm looking at the 53's as I don't particularly want the full sized spear blade of the 54.

Hammer67 · Feb 15, 2015

Personally, I wouldn't get a #54 Moose. They're kinda big and ugly. Besides, they tend to eat the willows and tear up the yard.

The #53 Muskrats are pretty ugly too. And they smell funny. I wouldn't recommend those, either:

GBPacker · Feb 15, 2015

Smithhammer said:
The #53 Muskrats are pretty ugly too. And they smell funny. I wouldn't recommend those, either:

I don't know, that muskrat doesn't look too ugly to me. Thanks for sharing the photo.

KBA · Feb 15, 2015

Smithhammer said:
Personally, I wouldn't get a #54 Moose. They're kinda big and ugly. Besides, they tend to eat the willows and tear up the yard.

The #53 Muskrats are pretty ugly too. And they smell funny. I wouldn't recommend those, either:

I see what you did here and I'm even tempted to buy one now.

Hammer67 · Feb 15, 2015

KBA said:
I see what you did here and I'm even tempted to buy one now.

Don't do it. You'll be severely disappointed.

markpmc · Feb 15, 2015

Here are the knives I gave myself for Christmas. You may notice a pattern.

RRaconteur · Feb 15, 2015

Like the Barlow, harness jack, and SAK, that frame is a nearly useless pattern. Look at this 54 as an example.

It doesn't even look good.

Michael

coyote711 · Feb 15, 2015

Here's a pic of my TK Cuban. I like a secondary sheepsfoot/wharncliffe/coping blade better than a pen blade, so I made the pen blade into a coping blade.

Being a single backspring knife it's relatively slim, but with enough length to get a good four-finger grip. Kind of like an oversized penknife.

-Keith

hank_rearden · Feb 16, 2015

you know what makes the 54 big jack better than a 54 moose or a 53 cuban (and for that matter a 23 pioneer)? it opens from one side so no confusion of turning the knife around and around to get the blade you want.

from another thread:

Stich2442 · Feb 16, 2015

Pete

abcdef · Feb 16, 2015

All GEC's are great. Just be sure you want a big knife.

Kiteman72 · Feb 16, 2015

I just got into GEC and already have 5 knives on this frame. However, not the 2 patterns you have specified, at least not yet.

If you decide you want one tho, I think now's a good time. The longer you wait to buy, the fewer there will be to choose from. Right now, there is a fairly good selection available.

Hammer67 · Feb 16, 2015

hank_rearden said:
you know what makes the 54 big jack better than a 54 moose or a 53 cuban (and for that matter a 23 pioneer)? it opens from one side so no confusion of turning the knife around and around to get the blade you want.

Yeah, that trips me up all the time...

Woodrow F Call · Feb 16, 2015

The 53/54 pattern knives are really pretty good in the pocket despite the size. Those rounded edges really sit well. The pull on my Moose is a pretty strong though. I like it, but you gotta handle the opening and closing of the knife like you mean it. I really like the knife though. It's been in my pocket for almost every day since I got it a month or two ago.

RRaconteur · Feb 16, 2015

I used to carry my 54 moose vertically next to my wallet in the back right pocket. Never even noticed it there. I've switched to a front pocket carry (back problems), so it doesn't get as much pocket time. It's a real tank of a knife (in build, not speaking to weight here), and it is with me whenever I'm out in the woods. I know it's not as popular as the 15 and others, but there's something quintessential about a large equal-end slippie.

Michael

dynamicmoves · Feb 16, 2015

I owned a 53 muskrat for a bit.
Didn't like it.
Fan of smaller knives though, I carry a dog's head barlow now.
YMMV.

KBA · Feb 16, 2015

RRaconteur said:
Like the Barlow, harness jack, and SAK, that frame is a nearly useless pattern. Look at this 54 as an example.

It doesn't even look good.

Michael

If that one hasn't caused a few to even think about getting one, there may be something wrong in those who haven't in their cutlery perspective.

Beauriful knife!:thumbup:

RRaconteur · Feb 16, 2015

KBA said:
If that one hasn't caused a few to even think about getting one, there may be something wrong in those who haven't in their cutlery perspective.
Beauriful knife!:thumbup:

Thanks, man! That was my first GEC, which was also my first purchased pocketknife in nearly 15 years. Somehow, by the time I finished college, knives were no longer in my pocket, despite their omnipresent placement prior. Somewhere nearing 2 years ago, I started hunting and thinking about knives again. That led me here, which led to the purchase of that knife, followed by a few other slippies and fixed blades since. It's been great for me, but every now and again the Frau threatens to block the BF site... 😄

Even though it doesn't get as much pocket time these days, that knife means a lot to me. It has taught me about quality, carbon steel, and the beauty of bone--all things I never really got to appreciate as a kid with cheap knives.

Michael