What are the GEC edges like?

BJE

BJE

Basic Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
3,079
I need to buy another knife and I am having trouble picking one that I really like. I wanted a stockman or jack but I already have many Case, several Old Timers, and a couple Camillus.

I have owned a couple Bokers and found them to have thick edges, flimsy blades, and weak springs. The only Boker I have been happy with enough to keep is my barlow which still had rough edges.

I also have a few Queens and while they are excellent quality wise, they are out due to not having any edges at all.

I thought I would like a Buck 301, but I handled two of them and both had issues. On one, the blades were too close together and you couldn't open the spey blade without first opening the sheepsfoot. On the other, the grinds were a little uneven and the spey blade stuck up out of the handle. I little disappointing considering I hear Buck is very consistent. I will say that the smaller models (I think 303) had were great and I would have taken one home but I already have one in poly pearl.

I have pretty much sworn off most other manufactures but Case + Victorinox unless I can see them in person. But, people say the GECs are great as far as quality goes so it might be time to give them a shot. I haven't really been able to find one I like, they are all very fat and chubby looking, they just bulky to me. I love to carry my Case trapper, but in can get a little too big/heavy in the pocket sometimes. I have also heard that their backsprings are like bear traps, I don't like really stiff springs, the trapper is a little on the hard side for me but still OK.

Sorry for the long winded post. I guess my questions are

1. How are the stock edges on GEC knives? I know how to sharpen, but I am tired of spending alot of time and work on every new knife I get just to make it usable.

2. I am looking at the Scout in particular, is it heavier or bulkier in the pocket than a Case trapper? I know it is a little shorter but it looks bigger.

3. Is the quality worth the price, money is tight right now and I like to use inexpensive knives anyway, but I am having a hard time finding one I like the quality of in the $50 price range?

4. Any other knife suggestions that you can give me if GEC doesn't sound like my cup of tea?
 
Last edited:
My Last GEC (Sunfish) was shaving sharp out of the box. The rest came with moderately sharp edges that needed varying degrees of work to get them hair-popping sharp.

I've found GEC quality to be better than all of my Case knives in the fit and finish dept.
 
I can say that my GEC is the only traditional knife I'll carry.
The edges were sharp out of the tube (they don't come in boxes ;) ) and I easily stropped them up to shaving. The feel very sturdy to me, which I like. It may make them a bit on the heavy side, but it's worth it to me. As far as price, it seems that GEC has either serialized or unserialized versions of knives. I don't THINK there's a difference between them, but I don't know. Mine happens to be a serialized 1 of 50.
 
I am not so conscerned with how sharp it is, but how thin the edge is. I don't mind a little sharpening out of the box, it is the major reprofiling/rebeveling that gets my goat (sorry Bastid).
 
Hmm... I probably shouldn't comment as I don't own a stable of traditional folders that I can compare to. I'm not really an edge junky, but I'd say the edge was sufficiently thin. A lot thinner than my tacticals, that's for sure.

Besides, who cares if you have to do a little reprofiling if you get to carry something as sexy as this?

IMG_0712.jpg
 
You might have a good point there, that knife is gorgeous.
 
The factory edges on my GECs have all been similar to Bark River edges- except with a hint of microbevel to them. GEC does a great job in the sharpening department- mine have all been plenty sharp, right out of the box. Good working edges.
 
The GEC #73 I just got is dull. Plain and simple. It won't cut paper let alone my finger. I'm going to sharpen it up real soon and because the blade is relatively thin at the edge, I'm pretty sure that it'll sharpen up easily and be a nice cutter. I've made some thick edged knives cut like champs so I think that this one should be a real performer.
 
SMKW doesn't carry GEC do they? I think I am going to drive up there next wed. and would like to pick one up if I can. I didn't see any listed on there website, but they do carry a book about tidioute cutlery. Anyone know of any place in that are or in NC/SC that carries them?
 
I can only speak from my experience with two GEC.

A #25 and a #73.

Both had nice even grinds, good profiles, and were sharp.

A leather hone and compound brought them to hair popping.

Very nice knives.
 
Mine weren't sharp per say. Sharper than any other slipjoint company I've had though. 100% of the time I get knives nowaydays i have to rebevel. I do put 30 degree edges w/ 40 degree microbevel on mine though. When I get knives, they usually aren't even at or below 40.
 
My #23 and #73 both needed a little work on the edges but after that they were razor sharp.
 
My half dozen or so came with decently sharp "utility" edges.

I felt that they all needed a sharpening.

I took some extra time with a Tidioute Pioneer #23, finishing with a strop & green compound.
It is now the sharpest slipjoint I own (& I have more than a few including
Case, Schatt & Morgan, Queen, Camillus, A.G. Russell, Canal Street Cutlery, Cold Steel & others.)
 
My #25 came what I call "usefully sharp," but not shaving sharp. With a thin 1095 edge, that shouldn't take much effort though.
 
BJE said:
SMKW doesn't carry GEC do they? I think I am going to drive up there next wed. and would like to pick one up if I can. I didn't see any listed on there website, but they do carry a book about tidioute cutlery. Anyone know of any place in that are or in NC/SC that carries them?
Click to expand...

BJE, I believe I saw them on one or two of their TV shows selling some Great Eastern. Could just call them.
I called them about a Moki I saw on on one of the TV shows and they had it. Asked if all their inventory is online and the kind Lady said no.

My Scout came somewhat dull but useable had even, very thin edge. I sharpened it up using the edgepro Apex but I could have used the SpyderCo Sharpmaker just would have been a long session. Wish Schatt & Morgan would be half as attentive to edge width size etc.
 
Last edited:
My harness jack ( 1095 ) was sharp as all get out right from the start. All I have done is run it over a ceramic rod a few times. It has held up well and has been used pretty hard on a daily basis. Rope, wire, branches and such. I put a point on the end of a broom stick right off the bat and I couldn't tell much difference in the sharpness from before I started whittln'. SMKW does have them in stock at the store. If you are going to actually use it, I suggest looking thru a few of whatever pattern you are after before buying. Check the blades for side play and snap. I spotted some very nice stag ones there. The stag was so thick that it filled the palm of your hand. The sales guy at that part of the store is a "knife guy" and not just a salesman.
Greg
 
I have six or seven GEC knives. Some came sharp, some didn't.....so it's about 50/50.
 
augustus88 said:
Noshtero,
Is that Bunt Cut Stag Bone? Outstanding!!!!!
Click to expand...

Ya it's exactly what I wanted. Burnt Stag 2-blade scout with the Tidioute branding. I searched for quite some time to find that gem.

That's #19. I found a site that has #13 and I'm REALLY tempted to pick it up as well.
 
On my two GEC's all edges were "utility" sharp. (as rifon2 said) They were also evenly profiled out of the box. I love putting my own edge on my new knives and this made it so much easier! These blade were much more "out of the box friendly" to work with than my last four Case buys. My GEC 1095's are now just as sharp and just as easy to maintain as my CV Case's. If you like your Case's your gonna Love GEC! Noshtero, My two blade burnt stag Tidioute scout looks just like your and is #05. My Tidioute moose in burnt stag is #13. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top