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Don't Overlook the Acrylics

Although I occasionally bought one of the GEC Acrylic handle knives for my little assortment because I found it an attractive handle material my primary enjoyment of my knives is in the use of them every day. I didn't use my Acrylic handle knives because, "Yeah, well, it's "plastic" and probably will scratch and wear poorly." I have since found out quite differently.

When the #62 Easy Pocket Congress pattern was introduced in January, 2011, I bought a few in the differrent Acrylics and decided to put one of the Green Velvet Acrylics in my pocket. I have been carrying and using this knife daily for nearly four months. I am finding the Acrylic to be a tough and durable material, without the easily damaged appearance I had expected. I do take a bit of care to keep it by itself in my right front pocket while my keys, pocket change, etc. is carried in my left pocket, but it gets used several times a day for all manner of chores. The Acrylic material has held up very well and shows no wear what so ever.

The first thing I noticed about the Acrylics was the consistently fine fit of the material to the knife. An almost seamless fit at the scales and bolsters with no unsightly gaps, something I have not always enjoyed with some bone and stag. As I experience the toughness of this material I don't believe I will have to encounter any future cracks at the main center pin as is seen on so many of the really old time pocket knives, and it requires none of the routine maintenance necessary with the natural handle materials. An occaional application of Renaissance Wax, which I obtain from my friend and fellow iKC member Vince Roberts, over at Fort Henry Custom Knives, brings the Acrylic material to a shiny and pleasing luster. That's all I've ever done for it.

So when the #65 Ben Hogan knives came out I decided to really try out this stuff and started carrying and using one in the Sea Shell Perylic. I use this knife in place of the paring knife in my kitchen, use it as my table/steak knife, open hay bales and feed sacks, and all manner of rough work. I just returned from a 2 week camp in the mountains and used the #65 and the #62 as my only knives. I camp 19th century primitive, which means cooking over a campfire twice a day, fire starting and meal preparation, so the knives got used. I still cannot see any scratching, wear, or dulling of the Acrylic handle material. This is some amazing stuff!

As you may imagine, I am quite favorably impressed with the GEC Acrylics and I will not hesitate to get more of them. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences with this attractive and durable material and I would enjoy hearing from others about it as well.

Thanks for reading and adding your comments.

3 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 11, 2011 at 16:50

LOL!!

It appears our good friend Pat, over at GEC, has solved the "mystery" of the Acrylic/Perylic question.

I asked the question on the GEC Forum and Pat gave us the answer promptly and completely.

If you want the whole scoop on GEC's use of Acrylics and Perylics, Pat has the answers!
Check it out.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 11, 2011 at 17:21

Dave,

That is interesting. Never would have thought that would be the difference.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 11, 2011 at 18:36

So what's your favorite? Acrylic or Perylic?
(might as well beat that one to death!) ha.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 11, 2011 at 18:37

Perylic, I always was partial to crushed things!!

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 11, 2011 at 18:46

LOL! Yeah, me too. Usually it's my heart....., but I especially like the Green Velvet, Sea Shell and the new Fools Gold Perylic. Cranberry is another nice one.

Jan Carter said:

Perylic, I always was partial to crushed things!!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 12, 2011 at 16:46

Dve,

Dont you let any one crush that heart. I'll get 'em...

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 12, 2011 at 17:37

Now there's a real friend!

Quality, Dependability, Never Lets You Down, that's Jan!

Reminds me of my favorite GEC.

Life's Good!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 12, 2011 at 19:28

You'll make me blush my friend. Whats the newest for you? We just picked up the #48 in seashell and a #66 in the primitive bone.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 13, 2011 at 9:50

My latest is a nice #61 four blade Congress with Amber Jigged Bone.

Beautiful knife with easy to open blades, which I appreciate.

These were run in 2009 but it's never too late to get another good knife!

Jan Carter said:

You'll make me blush my friend. Whats the newest for you? We just picked up the #48 in seashell and a #66 in the primitive bone.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 13, 2011 at 17:12

You are so correct. I intend to find some 2006's this year

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on May 13, 2011 at 19:52

We had another little addition to the "family" again today.

Apparently "magic drawer" security was lax somewhere and it was confirmed today that we will be receiving (just) one more #62 Easy Pocket Half Congress, Tidioute, Rasin Jigged Bone, #08.

That makes 10 of those little rabbits knives, plus yours Jan. We gotta do something, but I don't know what!!??

Jan Carter said:

You are so correct. I intend to find some 2006's this year

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 13, 2011 at 19:57

Feed the more wood chips, reproducing knives are rear. But you better watch the newest, until it gets trained I bet you get raisen droppings in that drawer.