Tidioute #15 Huckleberry Boys Knife 151114STL Rust Red

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BrotherJim

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Just got the Boys Knife today via USPS. I haven't done anything with it except unpack, examine and take two pictures

I REALLY like this knife. The only way it could have been better is maybe if it was a Radio/Crown Lifter. Other than that, I'm pretty much a single blade kind of guy and this is NICE !!!

It does have some flaws, but will not affect performance as a user in my EDC rotation. Observations ...

- Resting on the back spring on a flat surface, the knife leans to one side enough to notice. The unevenness is on the handle butt.

- Blade center is very good though not exactly perfect. Good walk and talk. Good snap.

- The back spring is flush when open or closed but is slightly proud at the half stop by a few thousandths. Not quite a sixty-fourth I don't think.

- Along the spine the scales are flush on the handle, but on the belly side, each scale on either side lacks reaching the top of the blade well by about a good sixty-fourth. At least it's evenly flawed on both sides. It almost looks like they designed it that way or something.

- Color of the scales is rich and even with the exception of two light spots on the pile side scale.

- Pull is just about right and I'd guess 5-6, and expect it becoming a solid 5 after I clean it up.

- The blade bevels are good and even but the last 1/4" of the blade at the tip will require a little extra attention.

- There is a tiny bit of blade play side to side when open but you have to try to find it. There is no vertical play when blade open and there is no play what so ever when blade closed.

None of the observations are show stoppers and l look forward to enjoying carry and use of this Boys Knife. In fact with a little cleaning and touch up, I will be hard pressed not to put it in my pocket most any given day.

Size comparison:

#6 Opinel
Mini Copperlock
Boys Knife
Buck 55
SAK Cadet
Indian River Jack

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As far as overall fit and finish as compared to the other knives in the comparison shot, the Boys Knife is about in the middle. The SAK Cadet, Mini Copperlock and possibly the Opinel if it counts, are better finished overall. The fit and finish may be slightly better than the Buck. The IRJ has by far the worst overall fit and finish of the group. But that's just my knives and may not be indicative of each pattern as a whole.
 
And you know, we can talk about fit and finish but need to look at the knife as a whole. The color is very pleasing. The pattern lines are beautiful. Fit and finish isn't everything. This Boys Knife has "soul" and fits my hand well. The IRJ is beautiful, has "soul" and fits my hand well. I said it in another thread once before, in over 50 years of knife ownership, I've only ever owned one (1) perfect knife AND it was only after I sent it back to correct a flaw covered under warranty that it came back to me perfect ... AND, it's not even my favorite knife LoL. Nor is it pictured in this thread.

I love this Boys Knife. The beauty, the lines, the material, the whatever it is that you can't quite put your finger on ... "soul" or something like that. The Boys Knife checks all those boxes for me. It may well become one of my favorites. And it will only become more beautiful as that 1095 is used and ages.
 
Cleaned it up real good and oiled it. Pull is definitely a 6. Some might say 7 maybe. I'm just fine with that.
I think what appeals to me most about this knife besides the quality of material is the simplicity. It's a simple slip joint. I'm overjoyed it doesn't have a badge on the side to distract from that or the beauty of the jigged bone. It's beautifully plain and in no way puts on airs in any way, shape, form or fashion. Did I mention I like this knife :)
 
To me, all the faults ;) you mention are just the evidence that these are hand made knives. I'm assuming if you would make these with modern machining centers (on which I assume SAK's are made), the consistency from knife to knife would be higher, but they wouldn't have the "soul" of a hand crafted knife. My only (so far) GEC knife is a #92 in green micarta, and I couldn't be more pleased.

p.s. love the red scales!
 
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Thank you and I completely agree with your point ilmonster :)
Also I think this is one of the least priced patterns and it's intended for boys I guess too. What boy wouldn't be stunned and overjoyed to get one of these. I know I sure am LoL. Not to say it couldn't be better put together and I'm absolutely sure GEC continues to strive to do the very best they can. Gotta love 'em for that. But realistically you can't expect them to put the time and effort into the Boys Knife even if it's some of the same material they use on their top shelf collector worthy patterns and line. My Boys Knife has minor flaws. So what. Am I disappointed ... nope ... not at all :)
 
My most recent #15 Boy's Knife (2 blade version) was a real nail-breaker when I first got it. I thought I was going to have to send it back to the dealer.

However, it responded well to the standard procedures of - hot water and Dawn soap rinse-out of the joint, followed by WD-40 and working the blades open and closed - while doing that I could feel some little bit of grit finally dislodge and all of a sudden it had among the nicest walk and talk of any knife I have, with the pull maybe a 6 which about as tight as I like it.

So it may just take some cleaning, lubing, and working the blade open and closed to get the pull where you want it.

I've got two of the 15s - a spear/pen point 2-blade Jack with bolsters on each end in the rust red jigged bone, and a clip/pen 2-blade jack with a bare head in the antique yellow jigged bone. Both of mine are really great knives with no flaws that I have noticed other than having to work at that clip-blade to get the pivot cleaned out.
 
I cleaned it pretty much the same way, except for the WD40, I used Break Free CLP. I have both but have gotten better results on my firearms with the Break Free so that's what I use on knives too. I also applied about half a drop of 3-in-1 to the tang and worked it. Next few days or so, I'll probably put a thin coat of TW25B on the tang. That's what I use on my pistol slides with great success. But, right now this knife operates smoothly with no complaints and it sounds like you and I prefer the same pull. I'm quite happy with this one as it is right now.

The biggest issue I had was the last 1/4 inch of the tip. It took me hours this past evening to reprofile the tip with my diamond Lansky. I did take my time carefully though. I finally worked it down and finished up with a Lansky ceramic hone. It's pretty dang sharp right now. The 1095 is good stuff and dang sure resisted the Lansky diamonds. As I worked it with the Lansky jig and hones, I could feel that metal sing. It's pretty hard.

I'm really liking this knife. The size and light weight since it's a single blade, works well for me. I even have thoughts of getting one in Antique Yellow, just because :D LoL.
 
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BrotherJim said:
The size and light weight since it's a single blade, works well for me. I even have thoughts of getting one in Antique Yellow, just because :D LoL.
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BrotherJim, I can tell you're liking your new Boy's Knife. You have good taste in folding knives.:thumbup:

The GEC pattern #15 is a proven winner. I like em so much I have a few and might get more. Of the ones I have I like the Farmboy in Antique Yellow the best. It looks great (must be the color), comfortably fills my hand and fits my pocket while giving me a choice between 2 full size blades.

So the number 15 has become my number 1 !!! :D

"just because" is MORE than enough reason to get another #15, you'll like the "Antique Yellow".;)
 
I love the single blade boy's knives. They are awesome for the pocket and this is by far my nicest one! I have two TC's, but this long pull clip is so nice in every way. The fit and finish on this one is absolutely perfect and I was very lucky to get this from a friend.



 
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