My collection of traditionals, which included zero GEC knives before this year, now includes all of these beauties
Beautiful palette, there. :thumbup:
The other was a first run TC Barlow gifted to me by our own Sarah, and I'm not ashamed to say it was a gesture that brought tears to my eyes. There may be newer and prettier, but none as special.
Heck, it still makes
me cry, the (stunning) revelation that the knife was no longer mine but yours, and how to get it to you as quickly as possible, the rightness of it all.
For Scout.
First is a 2015 Rendezvous knife, funny thing about this knife is I don't really care much for acrylics but
every time I look at this knife it brings back great memories and friends made this past summer.
I'm convinced this sentiment informs my own favorites as well, although they have also proven themselves in everyday carry (my own quirky qualifier).
LT Wright Bushcrafter HC and a Helle Harding!! John:thumbup:
Great knife, innit? I call mine Mr. Ugly, and would have included it as a Knife of 2015 finalist were I able to carry it more often, day-to-day. It's the top knife, here:
I was fortunate to add some extraordinary knives this year, worthy pieces that stand alone on their own merits and above the fray in most gatherings. But for
my knife of 2015, it has to be one I carry and use, or at least cannot leave behind.
The four finalists:
I believe the Ancient TC Barlow, in this scratted bone, will continue to jump into and out of images, collections, pocketses and hands for years (decades? generations?) to come, eye-catcher that it is, so many details coming together:
(Imagine if there were more knives produced with such covers! Hmmmmmm.)
No matter what may come next, I don't want to miss
now, the goodness of what Charlie and Bill Howard/GEC are accomplishing and how, the happy results of Charlie's eye for (and pursuit of) excellence in these undertakings-- all of which this knife represents to me-- along with friendship, generosity, and good company.
It's juuuuuust on the cusp of inclusion here, however, because I don't like to risk carrying it o'ermuch. So, it's a knife of knives, yet another fine result of the combined imagination, careful decision-making and practical magic of Charlie and GEC, but not
my knife of the year.
Three:
I have an affinity, possibly a weakness, for GEC's caplifter knives on the #15 frame. The caramello-micarta number arrived too late to be included in the Wheel of Awesome...
... but upon its arrival quickly became my go-to.
The covers often look better in real life than in pictures, but they're still decidedly industrial-strength homely compared to the other choices-- making the knife perfect for every day, knockaround carry (most often at the car dealership where I spend my work days).
It vies strongly for the top honor, but falls short only because I have other options to fill the same niche (diversification!), and don't generally prefer a straight-edge as my only blade. Still, I love this little tank, and the happy exchange with Tim that brought it my way.
Two:
I was relieved when I saw GEC's first line drawings of the upcoming #83s, because I knew I wouldn't want one(!). Single-bladed lockback? I'm happy for those who want 'em, but I'm good, thanks.
Then, I saw the knives themselves, and was smitten. I still am: I have carried this ebony #83, in all its simple elegance, almost every single day since obtaining it from some character doing dealios out of the trunk of his SUV in early August. Perfect! Not only that, it's thrown me into (simple) lanyards, knot tying, and
owl beads. A winner.
In fact, it's clearly my knife of 2015--
if the honor can be shared between two knives. But wait, what's this? Jack Black is demanding a single winner?
Okay, then:
I have loved how Lyle loves his Farmer's Jacks from the first time I was fortunate to meet him, and was honored to help him put his heart to words for the label of his/GEC's Farmer's Jack.
As for the knife itself, I expected to admire and respect the pattern, to esteem the knife for what it represented.
I had no idea I would love it, nor that it would beg to come along day after day after day, and prove so useful in all its doings. As with the #83, it overrode default preferences (for jack configurations, for at least one 'normal' blade[!], for smaller knives), totally surprising and delighting me.
I carry it most often with an LT Wright Patriot, thusly:
So, my Knife of 2015:
There ya go.
~ P.
)
