Why I Like the Oddballs~GEC 38 Special (Doesn’t have to be GEC to share)

MattWRog

MattWRog

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The much celebrated Barlows are wonderful, yet I can find enjoyment still in the forlorn odd ducks of GEC. The most rewarding parts being:

  1. I didn’t have to fight anyone for it.
  2. I didn’t have to pay a premium
  3. Same quality as any other GEC
  4. Thin and beautiful 1095
  5. Easy pull (subjective I know)
  6. Performance as a cutting tool is high.

What are some of your favorite less than desirable patterns?
View attachment 1395666
 
19C8DB35-E4C6-49BF-B75C-468CF3878FD3.jpeg I like the 63 Mako pattern a lot.
These guys sat around awhile at dealers when they came out.

Also I dig the Templar knives which don’t seem too popular.
In addition to the 63 Templar I have the 06’s and a 12. The 12 is a cool pattern too that doesn’t see much love.
 
I knew the Templar’s would show up! Thank you.
willc said:
View attachment 1395715 I like the 63 Mako pattern a lot.
These guys sat around awhile at dealers when they came out.

Also I dig the Templar knives which don’t seem too popular.
In addition to the 63 Templar I have the 06’s and a 12. The 12 is a cool pattern too that doesn’t see much love.
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JohnDF said:
I also like the oddball Templar knives.
I paid $35 to $50 for each one of these.
I kept hoping to get a Mako, but then the GEC prices went crazy.
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hmf46Zm.jpg

Soon to be the 2nd weirdest 35 but till then this is the one I carry.
 
MattWRog said:
The much celebrated Barlows are wonderful, yet I can find enjoyment still in the forlorn odd ducks of GEC. The most rewarding parts being:

  1. I didn’t have to fight anyone for it.
  2. I didn’t have to pay a premium
  3. Same quality as any other GEC
  4. Thin and beautiful 1095
  5. Easy pull (subjective I know)
  6. Performance as a cutting tool is high.

What are some of your favorite less than desirable patterns?
View attachment 1395666
Click to expand...

I'll second the 38 - have a looking glass abalone in that pattern - one of my faves. I like the powderhorn (large toothpick) single blade in camelbone as well. Never got into the whole highly collectible pattern game... my GEC's are users, not safe queens.
 
RBB2 said:
I really like my 81 bull moose in osage orange. I keep the clip blade super sharp and use the spear for rougher tasks. And, I like the moderate pulls, and as a consequence of those pulls don't miss half stops either.
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I got an 81 Moose in Appaloosa, the pulls are very light but the action is snappy, I like it. Just dug it out and going to hone it and give it some pocket time .
 
The 38 Special has grown on me but don't use mine as it has really exceptional scales in Bocote. Up for a user though .

I think the Possum Skinner could be somewhat in the Cinderella category too. Lady's Leg? Well yeah but does it actually ever get used?:D The knife I mean ;)

fwiwGmo.jpg
 
Here's one that's a bit of an oddball. These were made for the GEC Rendezvous in 2018. I don’t know if it was considered of the special "Rendezvous knives" (I certainly don’t think anyone waited outside GEC all night to get their hands on one of these), but it was a parts knife that was available for purchase in the store during the Rendezvous. There were only 8 of these produced (along with 8 single blades), and apparently they were so unpopular that there were plenty leftover after the Rendezvous ended. :D

I called up the following week and was able to order this one directly from GEC. I know the Glitter Gold Acrylic isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I kind of like it. ;) :thumbsup:

aT841X4.jpg
 
Shortly after I became a full fledged knife enthusiast I fell head over heals for the Queen made Railsplitter pattern. There are a lot of them out there but I don't see too much discussion about them.

An under rated pattern in my opinion. It's basically a Stockman with a nice Drop Point blade in place of a Spey blade on later models. This particular model also has D2 blades, some nice Amber Carved Stag Bone, and a pinned shield. They aren't prohibitively expensive either.

This one was made in 2014 under the Daniels family ownership and it's a very well made and solid knife.
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IMG_4746.JPG

Here's a Schatt & Morgan model from 2005 with 420HC blades and a Spey blade. It's a good knife too but ironically, the DFC model above has better fit & finish and better blade action.
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CASE Penknife might fit this category too. I used to have one in the office on my desk for tasks, I like the knife-particularly it being one spring-but having just Yellow D scales is frankly limiting. If CASE were to offer it in various bones it would be revitalised :D
 
btb01 said:
Here's one that's a bit of an oddball. These were made for the GEC Rendezvous in 2018. I don’t know if it was considered of the special "Rendezvous knives" (I certainly don’t think anyone waited outside GEC all night to get their hands on one of these), but it was a parts knife that was available for purchase in the store during the Rendezvous. There were only 8 of these produced (along with 8 single blades), and apparently they were so unpopular that there were plenty leftover after the Rendezvous ended. :D

I called up the following week and was able to order this one directly from GEC. I know the Glitter Gold Acrylic isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I kind of like it. ;) :thumbsup:

aT841X4.jpg
Click to expand...
Barrett, as hard as I try not to like your 78, cuz I know I'm not suppose to, I can't help myself. I've been crazy about the Glitter Gold 78s ever since I first laid eyes on one! :)
But then I also like GEC's Toothpicks and Queen's Railsplitters especially the Amber ones. :eek: I have both, I just don't have a pic available right this minute.
Here's a Glittery HJ that Mr. @waynorth posted a couple years ago in the Tidioute Only thread.
4pHmDTf.jpg

hsup2kc.jpg

I don't think he'll mind me reposting it. I just think it's too cool! :thumbsup::thumbsup: :cool::cool::cool:
 
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