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Good tests, with Great knives.

When I first saw this knife in the display case at GEC it was a stand out for me, I loved the frame, I was also in a stainless mood, and the honey bone called to me, so it followed me home.... which meant it was doomed for the pocket. It’s been riding, happily I might add, very well. We have been faced with some cutting chores since our joining of forces, but I was never given a good opportunity to get a Feel. After this weekend I now have a good opinion on the knife, I’d like to share it here.

When I was just about ready to put this beauty in my pocket, I opened the blades and admired it for a second, then I noticed how short the cutting edge is. Less than two inches for both blades, that doesn’t exactly give the user a lot of wriggle room. I was a little worried that maybe it wouldn’t fit in, but I decided to give it a go anyway. It didn’t take long to realize it’s a scalpel of a knife, at 3 3/4 closed, it affords a decent grip for the user, but again it has two “short” blades, so you think before you cut. Those little scalpels will do anything you ask of them, with ease too, you just have to use them right.

I was away from home for this round of testing, but I was an a great place with lots of cutting chores. I spent the weekend at a very good friends place, he also happens to be the owner of the Ithaca Gun Company in Upper Sandusky Ohio. So I’ll have lots to share on the Firearms group as well. Anyhow, on his property is a lake, and yes the fishing was great, after meeting everyone I departed with my brothers, and our best friend to the lake. After a little bit of trying, I started catching, at first a few bluegill and pumpkin seed, but then the Bass started hitting. My brother says I was “catching while everybody else was fishing” I did’t reel a fish in on every cast, it was more like very other cast, so I did pretty good. I hooked a big beautiful pumpkin seed, and he fought as much as I let him, he really hated the thoughts of leaving the water, when I pulled him in I saw that the hook we really dug into his lip, after a few seconds of trying to pull it free I realized it was time for surgery. I pulled out the pen blade and went to work, the little pen blade was sharp enough that I needed to just barely touch around the hook before he was free, with a splash he was back in the water. I finished the fishing test by cutting line for a few different guys.

Then it was time for championship cornhole, it was a new set so some plastic needed to be removed before game time, once again the #61 went to work and completed the task with ease. After loosing miserably again, and again it was dinner time. A beautiful pig was presented right off the grill and the steaks were finished, I needed to cut my steak, so I just reached for my back pocket, and Red Wine had the steak in tasty little bites right quick. Then it was time for shrimp, these things are huge, they catch them fresh while their down in Cabo and bring them back to the states. There was a ton of shrimp to prepare, so I volunteered for duty, as did my mom. They only had two knives, so I produced my two, I handed my mom the #61, and I teamed up with Red Wine, the work was easy, and a lot of fun actually. I knew I had the edge very sharp on my knives, so they cut with ease. I asked my Mom how she like the #61 and she said it did “really well”, so now RW, and 61 have some shrimp prep under their blades.

The next day we toured the Gun factory and wow, what a blast. So much goes into these guns, and they take pride in their work for sure. It reminded me of GEC, and how many in house steps there are, and just how committed they are to producing a 100% American made product. After a really well informed tour we had the opportunity to try out some new product, I’ll save that for later though. Someone needed a knife, so I volunteered again, I opened a paint can with my 61.... I know, but don’t cringe, it was easy and no real pressure was put on 61, it’s just a tool anyhow. (I need to tell myself this so I know that I did nothing wrong.) I was standing there admiring a few of their guns when someone said “Hey, I need to borrow a knife.” then someone asked, “wheres the guy with the knife?” Honestly I was shocked that just three people had knives on them, and I had more knives on me than the other two guys. : ) I handed 61 over and watched as it sliced right through some plastic wrap, then it cut up some plastic twine, I think it really enjoyed the work too. Then someone tossed it back to me and I tested the edge, and man, GEC really has the stainless done right. I was proud to be the “guy with the knife” and I was proud that the knife was a GEC. Both of my knives have stepped in very well as my EDCs, and I’m falling in love with the combo of Red Wine and Honey.

The #61 half congress is a worker, and it will handle more than I’ll ever throw at it, but it’s good to know that it’s ready for anything. It’s so slim that it makes an easy choice for pocket carry, and I have a feeling that it will stay in the pocket for a while. There is a late trout season here in Pa, and I think we may head up to camp for a fishing trip, so Honey and Elk will get some time together..... I think. I’ve learned that even with a couple “little” blades a lot of work can be completed easily.

I’ll keep you guys informed on my tests.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on January 9, 2012 at 10:18

Now Johnny if you can tell the different handle materials by smell then I would be REALLY impressed! Then a knife sniffing group might be in order. I do like the smell of a brand new GEC though.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 9, 2012 at 10:23

I agree those knife factory smells, they can't be beat. Right now I'm working with Febreze to see if we can get a new scent out, but their not buying it. Ohh well, I guess I'll just have to do it myself.

How about Hoppe's, I use that to oil my knives and it's a smell that connects with lots of memories.

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on January 10, 2012 at 18:01

J2S, I'm not familiar with Hoppe's. Sometimes I just use old 3:1 if I can't find my Case Honing Oil. I have gotten lazy in my old age. I have a Camillus Blackie Collins sharpener that puts a pretty fair edge on a knife without any oil (like that used Medic knife) and sometimes I follow it up with a few strokes on my DMT diamond steel. You use a Lansky system right? I need to be a little more serious about it I guess. I got tired of the hard & soft Arkansas stones - just seemed like too much effort. Getting back to the oil though - I would like to have the same stuff that GEC uses to keep the factory fresh fragrance going!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on January 10, 2012 at 18:19

So that is definatley a question for the factory folks, what brand of oil are they using?

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 10, 2012 at 18:41

I started using AG Russells honing oil and find it better than most. I probably won't buy another brand of oil, anymore. Remember you really need to use oil on an oil stone.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 10, 2012 at 20:40

Hoppe's oil is made for guns and shooting supplies, it has a really "good" smell to it, kinda like the oil GEC uses. I have been surrounded by it since I was little, but guns have been a big part of my life. I have used Lansky knife oil on my stones before, but it seems a little thick and not as easy to clean as the Hoppe's, but I do a oil my stones every time.

I used a Medium Diamond stone to get an edge started, or to bring an edge back to life, then I use a fine Diamond to polish the edge and get it razor sharp. It's a simple set up for a product that offerers a lot of sharpening stones.

Permalink Reply by Bob Andrews on January 11, 2012 at 5:05

GEC purchases oil that is a mix made for them. I use Food Grade Mineral oil for lubricating and sharpening. It's about $4or $5 a quart at your local discount pharmacy. The Old Timers used it for a laxative,but you have to take like 4 tablespoons a day for a month for it to have that effect. Mineral Oil will not harden or turn gummy with age like Hoppes,and it will also clean the steel. Be careful with silicone lubricants,they taste horrible,and WD40 uses water in their mixture,not good for Carbon Steel.For long term storage of your knife collection I would recommend a good coat of Renaissance Wax.

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on January 11, 2012 at 6:17

Bob, thank you very much for your post. Do you put the mineral oil in a squeeze bottle or something that will allow you to inject it in the knife joints? With the Renaissance Wax do you put it on the blades and handles? I have a small can. but as with many things, have yet to get around to using it. Your insight is appreciated!

Permalink Reply by Bob Andrews on January 11, 2012 at 6:41

The Mineral Oil I do put in a little bottle. I try to get it down in the joints as best I can.I have a little bottle that has a flip up lid and it kind of dribbles out. I put a generous amount on the end of the knife by the bolsters and just kind of work the blades and let it work its way in. I also take the blade to the half stop position,and while the spring is flexed open,I oil the spring and pivots well. You can always wipe off any excess oil.

The Renaissance Wax I do use ont the blades and handles both. The entire knife. A very light coat is all that is needed. It protects the knife and also puts a really nice shine on it.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 12, 2012 at 9:14

Bob, I haven't noticed the Hoppe's gum up at all, but if I do I'll try some mineral oil!!!!

It sounds like you knife is as smooth as can be, what do you carry, if you don't mind me asking?

I used Rem oil for a while, I never really liked it like the others, but it worked fine for me.

Permalink Reply by Bob Andrews on January 12, 2012 at 9:53

If you use Hoppes on your knives,or your guns for that matter,and store them for several months or more,you might notice some yellowish,gummy substance. Thats the Hoppes. You probably use your stuff and re-wipe it often enough that this doesn't happen. RemOil is alright,except it has silicone. If you use a knife with Silicone for any Food prep,you'll find out that silicone taste horrible.

My first choice carry knife is a 735109 in Burnt Stag, second is 121109 smooth ivory bone. I also have a Ben Hogan clip blade in red jigged bone and 2 two blade Barlows,Genuine Stag and Smooth Bone that I mix in. I also have 73211 Burnt Stag Fixed Blade. All of these started as "EDC" knives. And thats what I do,EDC them.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 12, 2012 at 10:41

Thats awesome Bob, you have a great selection of EDCs.

I have just started using Hoppe's so I appreciate the info very much. I have had success with it on my knives, but I haven't used it long enough on my firearms to really notice. The Rem Oil got kicked out because I didn't trust it for protecting my guns from moisture.