Wanting your thoughts on GEC's Western Trapper.

[Grateful]

Good morning all. I tried to use the search function but didn't have much luck so thought I would just ask you all. Christmas has come and gone and left me with a little fun money thanks to my kind and generous in-laws. Being a long time fan of the Trapper pattern I have been eye-balling GEC's # 48 Western Trapper for a while. I haven't seen or heard much about them here and just wondered if you all had any thoughts.
If I buy one it will be a user. One of the ones I am considering has the stainless 440c blades. Any opinions on GEC's stainless? Thanks for any thoughts you might care to share. Photo's are of course very welcome.
Jim

 

[knarfeng]

Here's a formal comparison I did a couple of years ago.
Bottom line is that GEC does a good job with 440C. (It will hold an edge longer than 1095.)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/730419-GEC-440C-cutting-performance

 

[markpmc]

Only one bad pic of my #48

The #48 has a bonus in blade length. The Clip on the #48 is a tad longer than the #53/54 blades. More blade in a smaller lightweight package !

 

[black mamba]

I've been mostly carrying a GEC #48 for the last month or so, with the 440C blades. Mine is not the Western, but the regular model with the slimmer blades. It packs a lot of blade length into a sub-four inch frame, and works great for meals and snacks at work.

 

[biglmbass]

I really like the handle shape of GECs 48 and like how well their stainless holds a good edge. That said, unless I'm mistaken they've not yet made a western trapper (with the double hip spey blade of the WT) in stainless.

 

[Grateful]

I really like the handle shape of GECs 48 and like how well their stainless holds a good edge. That said, unless I'm mistaken they've not yet made a western trapper (with the double hip spey blade of the WT) in stainless.

I guess I missed the difference while looking at them. There does seem to be a 3 7/8 trapper and the 3 7/8 western trapper. The spey blade of the western looks different, as you described, but otherwise look the same. Am I on the right track? Thanks for the link and info on there 440c. Sounds like good stuff and might just make this an easier decision.
Jim

 

[fatcorgi]

I like the look of the western trapper very much as well, GEC hasn't made them in a while, so there is not too much variety in the selection at the moment. I am wondering, if it has a disadvantage in comparison to the normal 48 trappers, in having blades sticking out more and therefore being more uncomfortable in hand?

 

[jth250]

I guess I missed the difference while looking at them. There does seem to be a 3 7/8 trapper and the 3 7/8 western trapper. The spey blade of the western looks different, as you described, but otherwise look the same. Am I on the right track? Thanks for the link and info on there 440c. Sounds like good stuff and might just make this an easier decision.
Jim

The clip blade is bigger on the western also. The dogleg trapper has a slimmer clip blade.

 

[Grateful]

I like the look of the western trapper very much as well, GEC hasn't made them in a while, so there is not too much variety in the selection at the moment. I am wondering, if it has a disadvantage in comparison to the normal 48 trappers, in having blades sticking out more and therefore being more uncomfortable in hand?

That was something I hadn't thought of but you may very well be right.
Jim

 

[2Dead]

GEC hasn't made too many runs of #48s to begin with. The initial slimlines in 1095 were made (Tidioute 2 blade, Northfield 2 blade, Tidioute single blade, Northfield 1 blade over the span of a few months). Then #48 Jacks and Western Trappers. Then the slimlines in 440c. There really was only 1 run of each type for Tidioute, Northfield, and GEC with 440c jacks and trappers not being made/not made yet. GEC puts out less 440c and in fewer variations so I'm not sure if when they will be made. Also, the 440c #48s were pretty recent and more expensive than the 1095 ones which could explain why more are available.

In my experience, the larger clip blade is more noticeable when using the secondary blade on the #48J which has the same clip blade as the WT (ignore the Tidioute/Northfield blade differences...). I haven't used any of my WTs to say if the double hip spay blade is noticeable when using the clip. The closed blade isn't very noticeable when using the other on the slimlines.