What's your grail?

Travman said:
Soup bone TC/caplifter. These were sold by Charlie Campagna waynorth waynorth at one or the Rendezvous”s. I think it was 2013 or 2014. I heard that Charlie never wanted a caplifter on one of the TC’s. Bill made these as a joke.

The Soup bone color and character were amazing on these knives. This may be the most subtle and tasteful etch that GEC has ever done. (I think this pic belongs to @Primble)
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Oh my, my other grail! 2015 for the TC Beerlow, same years as the spear point Beer Scouts.
 
Markeologist said:
To me a grail knife has to not only be so rare that you may never have the opportunity to procure one but also so desirable that others are also on the hunt for the same knife. That removes customs as that only involves ponying up the bucks. Never thought I would own one of my two GEC grails, a blood red Rendezvous Beer Scout, 1 of 3. My other grail, the Rendezvous soup bone Beerlow…still on the hunt! View attachment 1602254
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My grail is the rarest of rare, so rare it doesn't exist yet.
 
Markeologist said:
To me a grail knife has to not only be so rare that you may never have the opportunity to procure one but also so desirable that others are also on the hunt for the same knife. That removes customs as that only involves ponying up the bucks. Never thought I would own one of my two GEC grails, a blood red Rendezvous Beer Scout, 1 of 3. My other grail, the Rendezvous soup bone Beerlow…still on the hunt! View attachment 1602254
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Have to agree with you on your definition. A CC #98 Camp knife became a reality with a more than worthy trade on my part. A CC Radio #15 knife would be another. Low production & everyone looking for the same thing can make the hunt a long process.
 
pmek5 said:
Have to agree with you on your definition. A CC #98 Camp knife became a reality with a more than worthy trade on my part. A CC Radio #15 knife would be another. Low production & everyone looking for the same thing can make the hunt a long process.
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One on my most beloved knives is Mr. CC’s Diamond Radio Jack…81CA6820-70E3-4537-99CF-DC7080A2009A.jpeg
 

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A single-bladed Case Folding Hunter in stag. Why single-bladed? Because gripping that fancy handle profile is moot when there's an unopened blade spine sticking out. Why folding hunter? A big blade and a strong bear trap spring is what I expect of a slipjoint. Why stag? I just like the feel of it.
 
Will Power said:
:cool: I think Ken usually opted for stainless anyway, but I go along with your dream too :thumbsup:

Absolutely pleased with a recent GEC 38 English Whittler I got hold of, I still don't really believe in 'grails' but this one has exceeded all expectations , it is of course non stainless so there's always a fly in the ointment...:D

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I had the Northwoods version of the #38, it was a beautiful knife but I would have far preferred a clip main and stainless. Oh and non sunken pins. :) Bought in the days when a Northwoods would sit on the shelves at KSF for months. :D

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I'd also love to have had my BF 2015 knife but with excellent QC. Perhaps that is my (real world?) grail. Not sure better ones existed though. It was so good on paper, the wood was so nice but the f&f was an embarrassment.

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Pomsbz Pomsbz That's interesting, I'm totally with you about the sink-hole thing- often boorishly dismissed by others as a mere cosmetic flaw to be expected or even a desirable aspect of being 'hand-made' :rolleyes: It's a finish issue and it detracts from the integrity of the aesthetics.

My Forum 15 knife has beautiful Bocote, or rather, had as it tends to darken and become a bit less spectacular. F&F was alright but it feels slightly flimsy or even a parts knife. As a pattern, single-spring/opposite ends, it corresponds to exactly what I like but I hardly ever carry it, just not robust. The shield is also rather lacking, looks like some kind of goldfish..:D However, the knife is rather better made than the other CS knives I've owned so perhaps I was lucky....

You are correct, no knife can be 'perfect' ( a clapped out over-used word) not even a grail, but no grail can have glaring issues in build quality or finish either.

Another 38 I prize, think it IS GEC's best pattern, is this Tidioute Whittler. If this were single-spring two blades...yes! Note the domed pins.

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Thanks, Will
 
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Will Power said:
Pomsbz Pomsbz That's interesting, I'm totally with you about the sink-hole thing- often boorishly dismissed by others as a mere cosmetic flaw to be expected or even a desirable aspect of being 'hand-made' :rolleyes: It's a finish issue and it detracts from the integrity of the aesthetics.

My Forum 15 knife has beautiful Bocote, or rather, had as it tends to darken and become a bit less spectacular. F&F was alright but it feels slightly flimsy or even a parts knife. As a pattern, single-spring/opposite ends, it corresponds to exactly what I like but I hardly ever carry it, just not robust. The shield is also rather lacking, looks like some kind of goldfish..:D However, the knife is rather better made than the other CS knives I've owned so perhaps I was lucky....

You are correct, no knife can be 'perfect' ( a clapped out over-used word) not even a grail, but no grail can have glaring issues in build quality or finish either.

Another 38 I prize, think it IS GEC's best pattern, is this Tidioute Whittler. If this were single-spring two blades...yes! Note the domed pins.

0Rf06MP.jpg


Thanks, Will
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Indeed! No idea why they never did that one again, it's a wonderful pattern. I do love a serpentine.
 
Blade Forums GEC 86 is my number one grail. I'm a sucker for a sheepsfoot and ever since I saw a picture of one I've been on the hunt ever since. I would also add the Canal Street Coop Boy's knife in smooth natural bone to that list. Both some of the classiest looking knives I've ever seen.
 
I'm not sure that any knife that actually exists will qualify as a grail for me - or maybe I should say I already have one, in my GEC 97. There are other things I'm interested in, but I don't know that they will displace the 97 as my regular carry. But there are some things I'd like to have but don't expect to ever have the opportunity.
  • For some time I've been interested in the GEC Rope Knife with cocobolo handle
  • I've also been interested since I first learned about waynorth waynorth 's single-bladed Stew's Blade TC Barlow.
  • Fairly recently, Jack Black Jack Black posted his Wilkinson Sword Gardner's Knife (basically a TL-29-style frame, where the main blade is is a pruner, and the screwdriver is a saw).

I suspect that I will never have any of these three, due to rarity, so maybe that edges them into grail territory?

-Tyson
 
I am beyond pleased with my collection. However, if there were a knife I’d want more than any I don’t have it would be a Northwoods Fremont with red micarta covers.
 
Tyson A Wright said:
I'm not sure that any knife that actually exists will qualify as a grail for me - or maybe I should say I already have one, in my GEC 97. There are other things I'm interested in, but I don't know that they will displace the 97 as my regular carry. But there are some things I'd like to have but don't expect to ever have the opportunity.
  • For some time I've been interested in the GEC Rope Knife with cocobolo handle
  • I've also been interested since I first learned about waynorth waynorth 's single-bladed Stew's Blade TC Barlow.
  • Fairly recently, Jack Black Jack Black posted his Wilkinson Sword Gardner's Knife (basically a TL-29-style frame, where the main blade is is a pruner, and the screwdriver is a saw).

I suspect that I will never have any of these three, due to rarity, so maybe that edges them into grail territory?

-Tyson
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Love the 15 Rope knives! The rope/navy knives were always a sleeper in my mind. For years they could be had for msrp or only slightly over…those days are gone unfortunately. Having one in each of the three primary GEC brands was a “grail” collection of mine. 855CD64D-4E25-4669-AC34-0B6A7D0A3A2D.jpeg
 
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