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

Railsplitter said:
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.
View attachment 1395865
View attachment 1395866
View attachment 1395867

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.
View attachment 1395868
View attachment 1395869
Click to expand...

Shhh...
Don't tell people how great these are or everyone will want one.

Seriously though I am very surprised that they are not more popular, I have been lucky enough to pick up 4 including a beautiful stag version (wish I was better at posting pics here). I am hoping that someday GEC will resurrect the pattern. Very nice ACSB by the way, I have been looking for one to add to my small collection of ACSB which IMO is the best jigging and color combination.
 
I find that I really like the feel of the GEC #12 toothpick... I have two of those, and also got a Winchester toothpick... and it just doesn't feel the same, even though the sizes are very close.
I thought that maybe the #38 would be as nice, or possibly better.. so I got one of those in bocote...it's nice, but I much prefer the way the #12 feels.
I've been thinking of trying an 06 Templar, but they've always looked too square edged to me. The only way to know for sure is to handle one, I suppose. At least they aren't prohibitively priced.
 
redsparrow said:
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:
Click to expand...

Very cool vintage Tidioute! :thumbsup: I wish my #78 had a punch secondary. :D
 
hornetguy said:
I find that I really like the feel of the GEC #12 toothpick... I have two of those, and also got a Winchester toothpick... and it just doesn't feel the same, even though the sizes are very close.
I thought that maybe the #38 would be as nice, or possibly better.. so I got one of those in bocote...it's nice, but I much prefer the way the #12 feels.
I've been thinking of trying an 06 Templar, but they've always looked too square edged to me. The only way to know for sure is to handle one, I suppose. At least they aren't prohibitively priced.
Click to expand...
I've got two of the powderhorns (toothpick with pen secondary) and one or two single blade toothpicks from GEC, I prefer the two blade ones by a long margin...have they made a 38 with a secondary blade?
 
sitflyer said:
I've got two of the powderhorns (toothpick with pen secondary) and one or two single blade toothpicks from GEC, I prefer the two blade ones by a long margin...have they made a 38 with a secondary blade?
Click to expand...
Not that I know of... I know they made the whittler 38, but those are like hen's teeth. I'll have to check the website to see...
 
This is the only single blade on a Congress pattern I'd found until GEC did their run of 13's a couple years back.

VYNgUvH.jpg


And these dog trimming knives don't show up often.

qnsJ5z3.jpg


The little push buttons aren't too common any more, and usually the ones you find are celluloid, so this sterling silver one is pretty unusual.

PGw8oJS.jpg


It's not easy to tell this whole knife is under 2" long.

vMsiI1u.jpg
 
I don't know if this is really a favorite, but the little case mini executive seems to only just sell enough to keep them making 'em.
I think I've only seen another posted here a few times, and maybe the old Zippo branded version once.


Definitely a bit of an odd duck.
 
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've looked at and pondered buying a 38 Indian paint brush like your's on and off for a year now. Saw this post last night and ordered one up this morning.:) Looking forward to its arrival in the mail.

A dealer had a few sets of these Schatt & Morgan Heritage series knives for a long time before I got them. I believe they were made in 2012 and I think I got them in 2017. Very reasonably priced as a set and with the exception of a few very minor F&F issues on a couple and weak pull on one they are among my most prized knives. These may not fall into the less desirable patten category but apparently they were not highly sought after knives judging from how long they were on the dealers shelf.

View attachment 1396267
 
sunknife said:
I've looked at and pondered buying a 38 Indian paint brush like your's on and off for a year now. Saw this post last night and ordered one up this morning.:) Looking forward to its arrival in the mail.

A dealer had a few sets of these Schatt & Morgan Heritage series knives for a long time before I got them. I believe they were made in 2012 and I think I got them in 2017. Very reasonably priced as a set and with the exception of a few very minor F&F issues on a couple and weak pull on one they are among my most prized knives. These may not fall into the less desirable patten category but apparently they were not highly sought after knives judging from how long they were on the dealers shelf.

View attachment 1396267
Click to expand...

Very cool, I’m enjoying mine. Little lighter on the pull but flushing it and adding some good oil gave it a little more life. I had a S&M heritage jack for sometime but didn’t carry it often, it was a thick blade and grind and it wasn’t a good cutter. Not highly finished but very sturdy and substantial knives. They are very nice. They came out when GEC was really picking up steam, pushed to the wayside for sure.
 
sunknife said:
I've looked at and pondered buying a 38 Indian paint brush like your's on and off for a year now. Saw this post last night and ordered one up this morning.:) Looking forward to its arrival in the mail.

A dealer had a few sets of these Schatt & Morgan Heritage series knives for a long time before I got them. I believe they were made in 2012 and I think I got them in 2017. Very reasonably priced as a set and with the exception of a few very minor F&F issues on a couple and weak pull on one they are among my most prized knives. These may not fall into the less desirable patten category but apparently they were not highly sought after knives judging from how long they were on the dealers shelf.

View attachment 1396267
Click to expand...
No idea why those S&M's weren't more popular they all look great to me. But especially those two long pull spears in the center, they even have my favorite shield. Although I think I only have one knife with that shield actually, my Challenge HJ.
 
how
Railsplitter said:
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.
View attachment 1395865
View attachment 1395866
View attachment 1395867

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.
View attachment 1395868
View attachment 1395869
Click to expand...

How about the surveyor version of those railspitters? Do you have any to share a pic of? (4 blade version)
Thx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top