- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
- Messages
- 4,559
Some of us have spent a lot of time searching for A "Grail." Not the knife you saw a pic of and bought within a week. Not one you bought and swore off others. I am talking about that knife that has eluded you for years! That one low production number knife to complete a set.
The one that caught your eye, but you are always late to the party or couldn't afford it at the time. But you kept dreaming, searching, and hoping. After looking far and wide for what seams like an eternity and then.....IT happens! You stumble upon a table at a knife or gun show. You open a 4sale forum, or are surfing on a random knife website and there it is, THE GRAIL!!!
That knife that has escaped your capture for so long is finally there and staring you straight in the face. You try to play it cool, like when you are dealt pocket aces at the poker table, but your insides are screaming "I need my precious!" Then you negotiate with the dealer or you click the add to cart button or enter an extremely high bid and, it happens. Its finally yours.
All that time searching and dreaming has come to an end. You are finally going home or going crazy waiting on the mail for it to arrive. It finally shows up and it is everything you have always wanted. It's never leaving your little hoard of knives. This is what this thread is all about
Now, we have two rules in this thread that can not be broken to post a story.
1. You must currently own the knife. I know, it should be a given but if you dont have it still, it ain't your grail!
2. You must share at least one Picture in your original post telling us the story behind the knife.
That's it. Simple ain't it?
I look forward to reading these riveting tales of knife satisfaction!
-----------------------------------
My story:
I started hanging around on the porch in early 2012. It's easy to remember because not shortly after I took up a chair here, GEC was having a new pattern release. I had been reading for a few weeks, learning what I could. Admiring all these old knives posted on these pages. Learning about this new company that was producing high quality reproductions of old patterns, my interest was piqued. Then along came the buzz of this #79, the montana whittler. Coming from modern folders the micarta version looked great and I ordered it.
I loved the knife! It felt great in hand, road in my pocket well enough and it cut everything I threw at it. I posted about it and showed it off often. Then one day I got a PM from @Modoc ED asking me for my address and a little note saying dont ask questions. A few days later I open the package and to my surprise I was looking at a red boned, northfield version of the #79. I was shocked, elated and overjoyed. It planted the seed of the generosity of this forum. I love to do the same now to folks, thanks ED for that life lesson of community around here.
Back then collecting was not only off limits because of my new family, but also just not interesting. I used every knife, tried frame after frame and let go of any I didn't like for whatever reason. I didn't keep doubles and because I had the red bone, I sold my first. It's gone to two fellow members and I couldnt be happier it has found a great home with
Rockon75
Anyways, my taste were constantly changing. I started longing for slimmer knives, easier to carry. I also started trending towards knives that had one blade with a belly and the other straight. Almost a year later GEC released the #79 whittlers thinner brother. A single spring knife with spear main blade and a small coping secondary. I ogled at all the dealer pics and finally settled on a unique Mexican bocote wood version. When it arrived it was the wrong one. I still loved the pattern itself but I returned it. I was experimenting and since I got to check it out already, I ordered something different. Can I go back and smack myself?
In january of each year GEC releases production totals for the previous year. When I read the 2013 list, I saw it for the first time. In the tidioute line, they released a micarta version. 5 of them to be exact! The hunt was on, I had to have this knife, my grail was born! I searched constantly. Never a mention. Never a picture, nothing ever! I have never seen it and never heard a peep that anyone owned it. They got snatched up in the background without a public whisper.
I was lucky enough that @paulhilborn noticed my sig line and sold me a red bone single spring. It was an amazing knife but at that point in my life I was needing funds and unfortunately had to get rid of it. The itch grew stronger.
About two weeks ago I took a stroll over to the bay to have a look around. I brouse it every once in awhile, but this time was different. This time, it was there!
Needless to say, at long last, it is in my possession and it is everything I built it up to be. When I opened the tube for the first time my senses had a party. That new oil smell just sucks you right in, it hits your nose with that oh so familiar scent. You run your fingers over those smooth, buffed covers. Your eyes are wide and focused exploring every detail. The blades sit just right. The transition from shiny bolster to those glorious covers is crisp and even. Your fingers grow impatient and you have to open the blades, inspect those grinds. Hows the action? Firm, snappy, loud, just right! My senses are pleased.
This knife is the culmination of my love for traditionals. It hits all the spots! It was my grail, now it's my Favorite. The search is finally over and I have it. Never thought I would see the day but boy am I basking in it.
I am sure some other grail will work itself into my life eventually but for now I am content. Hopefully some time in the future, I will have another story to add to this thread. After all, the hunt is half the fun!
Thanks for sticking out my long winded experience! I look forward to reading your grail stories, what makes it special to you and why you had to have it.
The one that caught your eye, but you are always late to the party or couldn't afford it at the time. But you kept dreaming, searching, and hoping. After looking far and wide for what seams like an eternity and then.....IT happens! You stumble upon a table at a knife or gun show. You open a 4sale forum, or are surfing on a random knife website and there it is, THE GRAIL!!!
That knife that has escaped your capture for so long is finally there and staring you straight in the face. You try to play it cool, like when you are dealt pocket aces at the poker table, but your insides are screaming "I need my precious!" Then you negotiate with the dealer or you click the add to cart button or enter an extremely high bid and, it happens. Its finally yours.
All that time searching and dreaming has come to an end. You are finally going home or going crazy waiting on the mail for it to arrive. It finally shows up and it is everything you have always wanted. It's never leaving your little hoard of knives. This is what this thread is all about
Now, we have two rules in this thread that can not be broken to post a story.
1. You must currently own the knife. I know, it should be a given but if you dont have it still, it ain't your grail!
2. You must share at least one Picture in your original post telling us the story behind the knife.
That's it. Simple ain't it?
I look forward to reading these riveting tales of knife satisfaction!
-----------------------------------
My story:
I started hanging around on the porch in early 2012. It's easy to remember because not shortly after I took up a chair here, GEC was having a new pattern release. I had been reading for a few weeks, learning what I could. Admiring all these old knives posted on these pages. Learning about this new company that was producing high quality reproductions of old patterns, my interest was piqued. Then along came the buzz of this #79, the montana whittler. Coming from modern folders the micarta version looked great and I ordered it.
I loved the knife! It felt great in hand, road in my pocket well enough and it cut everything I threw at it. I posted about it and showed it off often. Then one day I got a PM from @Modoc ED asking me for my address and a little note saying dont ask questions. A few days later I open the package and to my surprise I was looking at a red boned, northfield version of the #79. I was shocked, elated and overjoyed. It planted the seed of the generosity of this forum. I love to do the same now to folks, thanks ED for that life lesson of community around here.
Back then collecting was not only off limits because of my new family, but also just not interesting. I used every knife, tried frame after frame and let go of any I didn't like for whatever reason. I didn't keep doubles and because I had the red bone, I sold my first. It's gone to two fellow members and I couldnt be happier it has found a great home with
Rockon75
Anyways, my taste were constantly changing. I started longing for slimmer knives, easier to carry. I also started trending towards knives that had one blade with a belly and the other straight. Almost a year later GEC released the #79 whittlers thinner brother. A single spring knife with spear main blade and a small coping secondary. I ogled at all the dealer pics and finally settled on a unique Mexican bocote wood version. When it arrived it was the wrong one. I still loved the pattern itself but I returned it. I was experimenting and since I got to check it out already, I ordered something different. Can I go back and smack myself?
In january of each year GEC releases production totals for the previous year. When I read the 2013 list, I saw it for the first time. In the tidioute line, they released a micarta version. 5 of them to be exact! The hunt was on, I had to have this knife, my grail was born! I searched constantly. Never a mention. Never a picture, nothing ever! I have never seen it and never heard a peep that anyone owned it. They got snatched up in the background without a public whisper.
I was lucky enough that @paulhilborn noticed my sig line and sold me a red bone single spring. It was an amazing knife but at that point in my life I was needing funds and unfortunately had to get rid of it. The itch grew stronger.
About two weeks ago I took a stroll over to the bay to have a look around. I brouse it every once in awhile, but this time was different. This time, it was there!
Needless to say, at long last, it is in my possession and it is everything I built it up to be. When I opened the tube for the first time my senses had a party. That new oil smell just sucks you right in, it hits your nose with that oh so familiar scent. You run your fingers over those smooth, buffed covers. Your eyes are wide and focused exploring every detail. The blades sit just right. The transition from shiny bolster to those glorious covers is crisp and even. Your fingers grow impatient and you have to open the blades, inspect those grinds. Hows the action? Firm, snappy, loud, just right! My senses are pleased.
This knife is the culmination of my love for traditionals. It hits all the spots! It was my grail, now it's my Favorite. The search is finally over and I have it. Never thought I would see the day but boy am I basking in it.
I am sure some other grail will work itself into my life eventually but for now I am content. Hopefully some time in the future, I will have another story to add to this thread. After all, the hunt is half the fun!
Thanks for sticking out my long winded experience! I look forward to reading your grail stories, what makes it special to you and why you had to have it.
