Thoughts on the GEC 38 John Chapman (Farmer Jack) and Hawkbills for EDC?

BMCGear

BMCGear

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Ok guys,

This is a bladeshape I have never considered before. I have recently had experience with a whittler frame and wharncliffe and I like it. I have considered the Northwoods Whillamette Whittler but I'm not crazy about the covers that are currently offered. GEC can be frustrating to try and get into because most of the patterns I like are sold out. So although the Chapman has an odd blade set to me it has several things going for it; readily available, micarta scales, & a single backspring.

So for you guys that own a hawkbill or 38 Chapman what do you think of it?

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I've been interested in these as well recently and have been very close to pulling the trigger on them but I to am a little apprehensive about the strange blade shape since I only purchase users. They sure are LOOKERS though!!
 
I've been on the fence for a couple months. I think they are absolutely gorgeous, and I'm not worried about finding uses for the main blade. I just don't know if I can convince myself to like it enough to bring it to the top of my "To Buy" list.

There's some great looking smooth bones and micartas out there.
 
I carry one almost every day. I pair it with another knife most times. I picked one up when they were first released and it wasn't long after that I acquired several more. I find it to be one of the best work knives I've ever carried:thumbup: That's not something I say lightly as the Barlow is one of my favorite knives period.

I never carried this type of blade ever before and I never knew how completely handy/useful this blade is. I don't use the Spey nearly as often but the pruner punches well above it's weight class. I score lumber with it, zip ties don't stand a chance!!! The dreaded clamshell package is not to be feared any longer with the Pruner:thumbup: Combine the blades usefulness with one of the most ergo correct frames (in my opinion) and it's hard to not carry this knife. I don't even use it for it's original intended purpose:o

I'm hooked, pardon the pun;) I love this knife!!!
 
paulhilborn said:
I carry one almost every day. I pair it with another knife most times. I picked one up when they were first released and it wasn't long after that I acquired several more. I find it to be one of the best work knives I've ever carried:thumbup: That's not something I say lightly as the Barlow is one of my favorite knives period.

I never carried this type of blade ever before and I never knew how completely handy/useful this blade is. I don't use the Spey nearly as often but the pruner punches well above it's weight class. I score lumber with it, zip ties don't stand a chance!!! The dreaded clamshell package is not to be feared any longer with the Pruner:thumbup: Combine the blades usefulness with one of the most ergo correct frames (in my opinion) and it's hard to not carry this knife. I don't even use it for it's original intended purpose:o

I'm hooked, pardon the pun;) I love this knife!!!
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Quite the endorsement there! Maybe I'll have to pick up that lick creek i've been eyeing on the exchange!
 
Kitten Party said:
Quite the endorsement there! Maybe I'll have to pick up that lick creek i've been eyeing on the exchange!
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I have to admit I'm smitten, I bought the ebony Lick Creek first and then several followed. I pm'ed Lyle and told him I was so taken by how handy and useful the knife was and again stressed that I wasn't using it for it's intended purpose. Lyle I believe is the go to man when it comes to this knife, there are others as well but I think Lyle focus's mostly on this wonderful frame?

I have worked in the trades most of my life even when I managed a retail store in my early years. But last year when I started using the knife I was dumbfounded as to what I had missed all those years. Blade pinchability is outstanding, the endless uses the Pruner excels at floored me.

I'll carry other knives in my lfp but the Farmers Jack rides backpocket in a leather slip next to bandana.

We have to have pictures right:thumbup::D

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Paul,

Thank you so much for posting. How does the pruner fill in hand when using the spay?
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Paul,

Thank you so much for posting. How does the pruner fill in hand when using the spay?
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A bit awkward for me at least. One can certainly use the Spay but with a modified grip. To me the ergo's of the knife are a pleasure while using the Pruner blade (which I do the majority of the time) as the "in hand" feel is one of the best in my opinion:thumbup:
 
The 38 is a nice pattern. I have one farmer's jack and one whittler. The whittler's main blade sits very low in the handle so that may be another option to consider if the hawkbill blade is a concern. I like the farmer's jack for chores and the whittler for regular every day carry.

Because the clip blade sits so low to the handle, I'd love for GEC to make a 2-blade 38 with a clip main blade and a sheepfoot secondary.
 
Aesthetically, it's an interesting pattern indeed.
In use, it depends on what you're cutting. If you need a blade for many dirty tasks (cardboard, packages, and so on) a small-medium hawkbill/pruner blade in a comfortable frame is probably your best option (although it's trickier to sharpen, at least for me). My needs are different so I don't carry one, but like the blade shape anyway :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
paulhilborn said:
I carry one almost every day. I pair it with another knife most times. I picked one up when they were first released and it wasn't long after that I acquired several more. I find it to be one of the best work knives I've ever carried:thumbup: That's not something I say lightly as the Barlow is one of my favorite knives period.

I never carried this type of blade ever before and I never knew how completely handy/useful this blade is. I don't use the Spey nearly as often but the pruner punches well above it's weight class. I score lumber with it, zip ties don't stand a chance!!! The dreaded clamshell package is not to be feared any longer with the Pruner:thumbup: Combine the blades usefulness with one of the most ergo correct frames (in my opinion) and it's hard to not carry this knife. I don't even use it for it's original intended purpose:o

I'm hooked, pardon the pun;) I love this knife!!!
Click to expand...

I will 99.99% agree with this.
The only thing I would change is his statement about the Barlow and swap that to a splitback whittler.

For ease of sharpening, I use a ceramic rod. If you look around, they could be found for around $5.

That being said, I am completely enamored with this knife and it is on my short list.
 
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