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My $35 Northfield Pioneer

As I start this discussion I am reminded of an old saying that I use quite a bit: "Even a blind squirrel gets an acorn every now and then." In the case of this particular acorn I would be that squirrel.

Earlier in the week I won an eBay auction for a Great Eastern knife that, as the seller's description indicated, had been "stored in oil for several years." The description also claimed that the knife was unused, never sharpened, and in good condition. In the seller's pictures it looked a little rough. But I figured that I would take a chance and, for the right price, it might be worth a shot? Well, as luck would have it, the right price turned out to be $35 plus $3.65 for shipping.

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner on aisle #5!

My acorn er, I mean, knife arrived today! It is a 4.5" GEC Pioneer #235108 Smooth Banana Peel Yellow #7 of 50. And aside from the obvious aesthetic problems this knife is amazing!

As I indicated above it is 4.5" closed! It is a beast! The blade is perfectly centered and has walk n' talk like I have never known in a knife before. I would rate the pull at a strong 8 with a very positive half stop. It snaps into a fully opened position with authority. The half stop is most welcomed on its way back down. Because from there the blade snaps shut like the jaws of an alligator on a side of well seasoned beef! You definitely don't want a finger in there when that carbon steel blade is snapping shut!

I probably don't need to describe how good this knife feels in the hands of a large man, like myself, to any guy who owns this pattern? I mean, where has this knife been all of my life! It feels like perfection!

As I mentioned, the knife came with some visual problems due to whatever improper storage conditions it had previously been subjected to. Looking at it, the "stored in oil" explanation that the seller gave sounds reasonable. It was definitely laying on its side in something. Something that caused a distinct discoloration to the yellow bone!

Too bad it didn't cause that discoloration to be in equal proportions on each side because I really like the brownish color of the front side. But, hey! Whatever it was, I can live with it. I actually think it gives this knife character. And for $35 I feel like I stole this knife! Plus the blade already has a patina. So no worries about that, either. It's gonna be a user!

If you were blindfolded and I handed this knife to you and asked you to carefully open, close, and examine it without your ability to see it. You would no doubt think that you were holding a brand new, perfect in every way, knife. Because that's essentially what it is, save for the discoloration of the scales and the blade.

Whew! Sorry. I have already exhausted way too many words when all I really needed to say was: "I love this knife that I scored for ONLY 35 bucks!" Dig it...

That's exactly the way it looked when I got it earlier today. I have since cleaned it up a little and ran the already sharp blade over my strop a few times. It was raining most of the day today, but if the sun comes out tomorrow I will take him out for some updated shots. Like I said, I absolutely love this knife! And, trust me! It feels and performs a whole lot better than it looks!

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Leopold Lacrimosa on November 17, 2012 at 22:46

Sweet deal!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on November 17, 2012 at 23:59

Good deal! I'd like to get a #23 single blade myself.

Permalink Reply by J. Dan Skean Jr. on November 18, 2012 at 10:29

Looks like black Friday came early for you Ron! Best, Dan

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 18, 2012 at 19:13

That 23 is one heck of a knife and usually has a back spring I cant open easily. I like the look "stored in oil" gave it LOL

Congrats my squirel friend

Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on November 19, 2012 at 0:51

I took him outdoors today and took a few more pics. I just posted them among the growing collection on my page so I won't bore you with too many of them here, BUT...I have to add a couple that I really thought were good. I will also add that I have barely put this knife down since it arrived yesterday. There is just something about it that I really like. The blade pull is a little stronger that I would prefer. But I find it reassuring that, with a back spring this strong, it's unlikely that it will ever close accidentally. It takes a considerable effort to close it. There is absolutely no wiggle or wobble in the blade, whatsoever! Cosmetic issues aside, this knife is perfect in every way. I could not be happier that I accidentally stumbled upon this pattern, the #23 Pioneer. It's much too large for a pocket carry. There's no argument there. Fortunately I have several nylon pouches. One of which fits it perfectly. So that's where it will ride -- Right there on my belt!

I'm gonna post a couple more pics here. But I would also like to extend an invitation to anyone else who owns this pattern to please feel free to post some pictures of their Pioneers here, also. I hope some of you will -- Please!

Okay, for a size comparison I placed my GEC #74 Saddle Trapper @ 3 7/8" next to it...

Keep in mind that this knife was supposed to be Banana Peel Yellow. This beautiful caramel brown you see was only as the result of an improper storage in way too much oil for way too long. I think it must have been submerged in motor oil. Whatever is was I love the result. I doubt that I would have liked the bright yellow nearly as much as I like the way it looks now? It's no longer 1 of 50 -- it's One of One! An original.

Overlooking the San Gabriel Valley and basking in the rays of the setting sun...

The Pioneer silhouetted against the setting sun...

Here's wishing one and all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Cheers from Ron in Southern California!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on November 19, 2012 at 17:15

Is that better than a toffee-nosed git? LOL!

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on November 20, 2012 at 17:31

I have a friend in Yorkshire so I'm pretty used to some of the differences! It can make for some funny conversations! LOL!

Bob Biggs said:

O yes jammy just means lucky whereas toffee-nosed means stuck up ie someone who thinks they are better than the rest of us. I keep forgetting what i once read ,that we are two countries divided by a common language.Now that is LOL...
Craig Henry said:

Is that betOer than a toffee-nosed git? LOL!

Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on November 20, 2012 at 19:52

Hey, Bob!

I kept meaning to respond to the Jammy Git reference yesterday and then, as is occurring more often these days, I would just plum forget. Duh!

I love it!

I have been called so many things in my life that I'm sure it was only a matter of time before someone would call me a Jammy Git. Thank you, sir, for stepping up to the plate and doing those honors. It serves as another reminder of why I can never understand a word they're saying in those movies produced in the UK. You blokes really need to learn how to speak English! At the very least, all movies coming from Great Britain should be sub-titled so that we English speaking Americans can understand y'all are saying. *Jab* And don't get me started on those blighters from Scotland!

Cheers, my dear friend -- all in jest, I hope you know.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on November 22, 2012 at 8:37