Unpopular Knives?

My favorite unpopular knife might be the GEC 79 Workhorse Montana Whittler. I see it more as a cattle knife than a whittler and it features half-stops on all 3 blades. It is the frame the very popular Northwoods Freemont Jack was based on yet the 79 seems to get little attention. The 2 blade Workhorse is a nice one as well but lacks the half-stops as it is a single spring.

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Brett, those in the know, know that GEC can put out such a sensational knife that Traditional connoisseurs can go into a kind of delirium over. Well actually, we all KNOW that here:D:D But GEC has been around less than a decade, it's still a very small, targeted type of company so we need to view it in a perspective of 'popularity' it registers massive in impact, small in actual numbers. America is big, the world vaster though. If I know about GEC from the beginning in North Europe it's because of this place and the internet. But we are few in number, so I'm not surprised if there is this kind of inertia about them even in their country of origin.

Mind you, there are as we know, several other decent manufacturers of Traditionals worldwide and many more makers fortunately.:thumbup: Not 'popular' in numbers, very esteemed where it counts:cool:

Thanks, Will
 
For me it's the #66 calf roper jack

I'd love a NW Presidential. I really think it's the pricepoint(no offense) when you can get a GEC who makes the same folder for almost half of the pres it's a tough buy as much as I'd love one in my pocket!
 
Buzzbait said:
My favorite unpopular knives are made by Camillus. Camillus doesn't get a ton of love around here, mainly because they used mostly stainless steel in their later years. They also adopted the use of mostly Delrin covers during the 1950's. Not the most photogenic or collectible type of knives for sure. They also did mostly contract work, so collections tend to look disjointed with all of the differing brand names.

But Camillus knives are a family favorite, living in Upstate New York, and we are constantly on the hunt for our favorite models. Camillus made some sensationally functional patterns, refined for over 100 years. Add in the detective work required to figure out what was made by Camillus and what wasn't, and you have a recipe for a lot of fun.

Today I'm carrying two Camillus contract knives; a Buck 301 and a Remington R-4. Both are stainless. Both are Delrin. Both are awesome. They represent what may be the most refined examples of the scout and large stockman patterns that I've ever used. Nothing particularly fancy, but they feel great in the hand, and are exceptionally efficient at getting the job done.

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After looking and looking at Scout knives, I've come down to the the R-4 (or the Camillus equivalent) as being my top choice - but I want the version with the Phillips screwdriver in place of the can opener. I've found several, but they've all had a scalloped sheepsfoot instead of the plain.

The hunt continues!
 
PythonDR said:
but I want the version with the Phillips screwdriver in place of the can opener. I've found several, but they've all had a scalloped sheepsfoot instead of the plain.
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Yep. The scalloped blade is a real buzzkill. What we both want is the grail of scouts, the Sierra Club scout. It's a beauty, but absurdly hard to find.

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Buzzbait said:
Yep. The scalloped blade is a real buzzkill. What we both want is the grail of scouts, the Sierra Club scout. It's a beauty, but absurdly hard to find.

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Arrgggh. I'm wondering if I couldn't just grind down the scallops and make a credible sheepsfoot out of it?
 
The minor blade rub on the Northwoods Presidential is over rated
It's surprisingly inconsequential and I give it little thought
In fact, it doesn't even show up in the last picture below of the pile side. The light isn't right I guess
I think with prudent use, in time I'll likely put more marks on the blade than minor blade rub produces
I really like this knife. It's beautiful, otherwise impeccable, highly functional, feels great in the pocket and hand.

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Brisket said:
My favorite unpopular knife might be the GEC 79 Workhorse Montana Whittler. I see it more as a cattle knife than a whittler and it features half-stops on all 3 blades. It is the frame the very popular Northwoods Freemont Jack was based on yet the 79 seems to get little attention. The 2 blade Workhorse is a nice one as well but lacks the half-stops as it is a single spring.
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This was the first one that popped into my head when I began reading the thread, but, since I am very new to the porch (about a year or so now), I was suspecting that the 79 had seen its day come and go long before I was present. I find that my 79 two blade packs a ton of useful knife in a thin package. Here is a poor photo of my che chen with its little cocobolo 26 friend.
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Thanks,
Brian
 
That is a good looking duo there Baldy! The slender 79 2-blade really rides well in the pocket.
 
Brisket said:
My favorite unpopular knife might be the GEC 79 Workhorse Montana Whittler. I see it more as a cattle knife than a whittler and it features half-stops on all 3 blades. It is the frame the very popular Northwoods Freemont Jack was based on yet the 79 seems to get little attention. The 2 blade Workhorse is a nice one as well but lacks the half-stops as it is a single spring.
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The full 3-blade Montana Workhorse is, in my opinion, one of the finest knives they ever made. Your stag is excellent! Here's mine, won in a very generous GAW here.

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That is a beauty Sonnemann! I agree that it is one of the finest made by GEC. I like it so much I bought another so I can use one and keep the other as a backup/safe queen.
 
This treads on a non-traditional, but its meant to put it back to a traditional design.
The Trapperlock,
Take off the thumbstud and pocket clip, and add a long pull nail nick and offer this as a version.
Old timer I think still makes a non-US version and I believe they did back when they were made in the U.S.
 
Speaking of unpopular, it seems as though GEC's #73 gets all of the love, and nobody ever talks about the humble yet lovely #72.

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Buzzbait said:
Speaking of unpopular, it seems as though GEC's #73 gets all of the love, and nobody ever talks about the humble yet lovely #72.


I've noticed that too, Buzzbait. No respect!:eek:
I got the humble yet slightly less lovely 72 with wide spear blade for it's deserved reputation of easy opening and found it to be a really excellent knife.
Especially well suit for bagels and cream cheese sandwiches not to mention PB & J's.:)
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Buzzbait said:
Speaking of unpopular, it seems as though GEC's #73 gets all of the love, and nobody ever talks about the humble yet lovely #72.
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I don't know about humble, but "lovely" is an understatement for your 72, Buzzbait!! :thumbup::thumbup:
I tend not to be a huge fan of lockbacks, but the reddish bone and incredible patina on your knife just knock my socks off!! :eek::eek::D
Do you know offhand how the 72 and 73 compare in size, and is either available in a 2-blade version? Never mind, I just did some digging and answered my own questions, at least in terms of length comparisons: 72 is 3 7/8 inches closed, 73 is 3 3/4 inches closed. The 72 apparently is available as a 2-blade jack (main and secondary), while the only 2-blade 73s I saw in a quick search were trappers with 2 "main" blades, a style that doesn't happen to resonate with me.
But I'd still appreciate hearing anyone's comparisons of these two models!

- GT
 
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Almost all the GEC distributers still carry this ranch hand #74. Pretty crazy for a 2 year old knife. Not sure why people aren't into it, I really dig mine:D
 
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