Which GEC to choose?

What I still wanted to add, about the handle materials. I prefer any natural material. Like wood, bone or stag. Jigged bone knives are always nice to work with them. To any synthetic handles, I´m not up to it. I own a lot of SAKs. But I don´t like the sterile feel of the handles. The only synthetic I like is the Delrin by Case and Schrade, because of its "smoothness" :rolleyes: . Wood, stag or bone feel different in hand than any other material.

Kind regards
Andi
 
My favorite GEC pattern is the #48 Trapper. You could get a trapper or a jack pattern like below. Northfield Red Bone and Tidioute Green Bone were the only ones in bone. This is 3 7/8" closed with a 3 1/8" main blade and 2 1/8" secondary pen. The #66 is another favorite.
IMG_1419.jpg


Here's a #66 Jack when it was still new
IMG_1596.jpg
 
Andi,
I guess that not many forumites here can see things from your point of view like I do...for the simple reason that, in this particular situation, you and I share the same boat :) so I'm going to tell you my experience.
I wanted to get a GEC too. People here say lots of good things about these knives, so I was curious to try one. I spent quite a lot of time browsing the GEC website )and some vendor website too), and it was a nice search. On one side, I learned alot of GEC patterns, and at the same time, I slowly discarded some patterns and kept others "in the game". As you know, it's not easy nor cheap to get a GEC on this side of the Ocean, so basically I was patient. I got also a bit picky on the handle material, which lowered my choices as well.
I was lucky with my #25. I had cut down the possible models to a few (#25, #26, #33, #56, #57, #68, since I had to surrender to the fact that I would not find one of Charlie's SFO harness jacks), when "my" #25 popped out on the road. I have to say that it was probably not my overall first choice, but finding it here in Italy, at a decent price, and with elk handle and stainless blade, did push me towards it so hard that I couldn't stop (ok, ok, I didn't really try... :rolleyes: ). I'm happy with the knife, and I admit I was lucky.
But, as a general thought, the GEC models that caught my attention the most were (and still are) those in the 3,5" range (the #56 dogleg jack, the #33 conductor, the #57 geppetto and the #68 white owl). If I were you, I would point my finger on those first...and see what you can find.
Good luck!

Fausto
:cool:
 
Yes, if you like a knife in the around 9cm range then the Conductor, White Owl or the newly released and interesting 26 Pocket Sunfish with Clip blade would be the ones to go for. The Dogleg 56 is a beauty but it is quite heavy-if that is a consideration.

Another thought is the 66 pattern frame: Here you get a 2 blade Jack or the Bullwinkle with blades at each end. The same frame is used for the Calf Roper a 3 blade Stockman, this is going to be offered again so there's a very good chance the 2 blade one will be re-issued later this year. I think this COULD be the one to aim for.
 
Hi guys!

@fausto: I think for us guys from other parts of the world it´s hard to get a GEC in the homeland. So I decided to order directly in the US. Maybe I have to pay customs, but here are they double as expensive as in the US.

After searching through Gregs shop vendor reference removed, I think the GEC Serpentine Jack would a nice one for first. What do you guys think about that one?

Kind regards
Andi

Andi, Please review the following guidelines:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/754956-Vendor-Links-Referrals-amp-Endorsements

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Humppa said:
@fausto: I think for us guys from other parts of the world it´s hard to get a GEC in the homeland. So I decided to order directly in the US. Maybe I have to pay customs, but here are they double as expensive as in the US.
Click to expand...

You are surely right. I was pretty lucky to find it here...but I know it's hard to find some.
Ordering it from the US could make things a bit more complicated (customs can be trouble sometimes), but it does open up the range of choices which is great. To be honest, if I hadn't been that lucky, I would have done the same and ordered one from the US (European vendors are too expensive and offer a very narrow choice).
As for the #66...now I recall, it was the first GEC pattern that caught my eye somehow. Now I would probably opt for a #33 or #68, but, if you prefer both blades on the same end, I'm sure you will be more than happy. Personally, I do prefer the handle shape of the #56, but that's a very personal thing.
Of course, let us know what you end up buying :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
I can't speak for a variety of models, the #68 is all I've got, but I can sure as heck recommend it! It's a beauty and it is a good size and weight for me. 2 blades are the most I'd take on a traditional I think.
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Great choice! The nice thing about having two springs is that it gives you more to hold onto. :thumbup:

This pattern also has a smooth pull, which I like. (no half stops)

9521638d.jpg
 
I guys!

There are too many patterns to choose in GEC stock. I prefer a two-springed knife more than a single spring. I have medium to large size hands (glove EU-size: 9,5 - 10). I own a Swayback Gent with one spring, and its too thin for working with it well.

I haven´t ordered yet, so maybe I´ll change my choice to another pattern, but the Serpentine Jack seems to be pretty cool. I´m still thinking :rolleyes:

Well, the Calf roper would be a nice knife, for sure. But it´s a Stockman, which is my favorite pattern and I alread got some of them. So I´d like to have any jackknife-pattern, which I don´t own til now.

@peregrin: Sorry, I didn´t remind that. I hope it will not happen once again :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
Yes, Will... This one I have also on the radar. How is the endbolster? How does it fit in pocket?

Kind regards
Andi
 
I like it a lot, an unusual pattern. The end isn't sharp or unpleasant and it carries well, bigger than a 66 mind.
 
Thank you for that... Now I already have any jackknife pattern on the radar, which one I´d like. So I have to choose or saving a lot of money... :D

Kind regards
Andi
 
@mark: Thank you for that words! You got a pic of that? (imo are own pics mostly better than that ones on the producers sites)

@crossada: Which GEC is this? Thank you very much for that in-hand-pic!

Kind regards
Andi
 
Andi, my 2 recommendations are:
Jack knife: #56 Northfield Dog Leg Jack in Ebony
Pen knife: #33 Northfield Swell Center Pen ("Conductor"), with a bail, in Elephant Ivory
I have these 2 and both are superb examples of Traditional folders, more or less on par with the best vintage ones.
Rather than seeming like a copy of a vintage pattern, they feel like a top quality unused vintage knife.
Buy both. You will be very pleased.
roland
 
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