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Red Wine #72 passes the test.

This morning I wet down to visit with my grandfather a little before getting started on the yard work. He was showing me a couple new BB guns he just got. He's always been a gun guy, but I guess your never too old for BB guns. :)

My grandfather has played a huge role into my knife addiction, he's always had a display case with all kind of knives in it, so I was never far from a good pocket knife when i was little. He's 75 now, so he's slowed down in his knife collecting, but if he sees a good one at a garage sale he'll pick it up.

He was just watching the field when I took the red wine from my pocket, I handed it and to him to see what he though, it's been kind of a tradition, it doesn't matter if it's a used workhorse or a safe queen, if I get a new knife I take it down and show him. When he took the knife out of my hand he was surprised by how light it was, I was too when I first got it. When he looked at the knife, and the shield, and the beautiful scales, I think he too was taken by it's beauty.

He's always had a soft spot in his heart for single blade knives, so I asked him about it once, and he said, "Even when I had a knife with a couple blades in it I only got around to using one, I figured why have a heavy knife when a light single blade will do everything I want". Made sense to me, so now when I see a "one Blade" I think of him. He looked at the knife for a long time before opening the blade, I think he liked that shield... a lot. It was just about perfect for him, one long, sharp, clip point blade. He even spent a few seconds checking out the etch, which I think he liked that too.

I'm always afraid he's gonna get cut by one of my knives, I like to have them really sharp and this GEC took a wonderful edge. Before he fully opened the blade I made mention that it was a lockback, okay, now he really likes it. It clicked open and he looked at me, "I'll say it's a lockback, did you hear it snap"? I just smiled and shook my head, I heard it all right, thats my GEC, I was one proud knife poppa.

It took him a while to read the tang stamp, but he got it, " Great Eastern", "Did ya get that online"? "Yes sir", I shook my head. I gave him a little history on the company and I think he was interested. You'll never see him spending that much money for a knife though, but He knows their worth it.

So it passed the Pappy test, he liked it, so I like it even more. He's always liked the GECs I've showed him, it kinda makes me laugh when I hear someone complain about the backsprings strength, because my grandfather opens, and closes them with ease.

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Replies to This Discussion

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on June 26, 2011 at 12:55

Well that makes it Official.

Your new GEC #72 is now a real "keeper".

What'll you bet he will like the Elk too, when it arrives?

Wish I could meet your Grandad. I think we could enjoy some quality time together.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 26, 2011 at 21:07

Now that is an approval!! Johnny I envy your being so close to your family and able to spend moments like this. I always appreciate when you share with us. Does my heart good to know there are folks out there that still have family traditions and that your GEC has done you proud in that.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on June 26, 2011 at 21:23

Thanks Jan, I'm glad to share.

We will always have our traditions to keep us close, not that we need them, but a common love keeps a close bond.

Dave, I think he's gonna like the Elk just as well, I know he already likes stag, so Elk is gonna be just as good. I look forward to showing it off to him, it's a nice tradition we have. I've spent a lot of time with him, and we've shared some good memories together. Unfortunately I think he's slowing down a lot, I'm afraid he'll stay home this bear season, which will be the first one he's missed in years. But, if it's time to slow down, it's time to enjoy the small things. but, He'll always be my whitetail huntin' buddy.

Tomorrows the day Dave, thats exciting. I really think your gonna love this knife my friend, can't wait to hear how it goes.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on June 29, 2011 at 7:45

Well, Red Wine will leave me for a time, back to the homestead she goes. Christine said, "no problem". So it's me and the Elk for a while, but thats okay, I think we'll make it. I will really miss the Red Wine, but I know it's for my better to suffer a little more impatience.

Thats good, I need no distractions for my Elk tests.

The Sun was beginning to fade over the trees, as I walked up the hill, reaching the top I was met by a chilled breeze, and on a warm summer night, nothing feels more refreshing. The knee high corn shuffled in the breeze, as the birds busied about finding their homes for the night. Only a few months ago this farm was fruitless, but now the corn stalks grow taller every morning, proving it will be a fine crop for the farmers hard labor. I think back to years before, and how the crops have always been rotated, I remember my first year of hunting, the crops were placed almost exactly in the same place. I reach into my pocket just to be greeted by the warm Elk Stag that adorns a fine American pocket knife. I'm taken to the future in this moment. Hand shakes and congratulations are given as my brother fills his tag, a blessing of another harvest is celebrated. The snow flurries about, as the old tanned corn stocks lay on the frozen Earth, I reach into my pocket just to be greeted by the same warm Elk Stag, a little smoother from time spent in the pocket, a trusted companion.

A story is made on a frozen morning, a memory.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on June 29, 2011 at 10:26

That is a beautiful description. I can actually feel myself there with you sharing the moment.

I'm glad you sent the Red Wine back to its birthplace for awhile. Isn't it great that GEC cares so much that we are happy with our purchases? When it again returns home I'm confident that it will be right. Meantime you will get in plenty of together time with the new Elk. It will be a win/win situation in the end. Makes me very proud of GEC for the "no questions asked" customer satisfaction policy. In today's world that is a rare attitude indeed.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on June 29, 2011 at 10:51

Thanks Dave, I'll be sending the knife out tomorrow, so I get to say my goodbyes and send her off. It's all good, I never expect to have a knife without at least a flaw, and I'm sure if I was picky enough I would find one with every knife I own. But GEC is different because I find the least flaws, and when there is one like I have with Red Wine, I know they want to make it right.

How have you been liking your Red Wine?

Any cut tests or anything?

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on June 29, 2011 at 12:13

Although I spent last evening with the Red Wine, polishing out the small rough spot in the bone that I found, which only took a few minutes and is now smooth and pleasing, I've been busy at my leather bench with orders so haven't had time to do any cutting with it as yet. I have other 440-C bladed GEC's so I know what I can expect from the 72 and I especially like the extra edge holding the 440-C gives me in addition to the smooth opening and closing of the stainless steel. So far I've just spent time admiring it.

I expect to see an Elk or two shortly so there will be more comparisons to make.

Looking forwardf to it.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 29, 2011 at 19:00

Johnny,

Your descriptions make for a warm smile at the end of a tiring day. I too am always pleased to hear the GEC is so willing to make it right without push back. I am fighting a battle with ACER on my laptop right now and sorely wish everyone worked as hard at pleasing their customers as GEC does.

Dave,

Let us know how the tests come out when you get the opportunity to spend some time with yours and dont work too hard. Remember to take some time to have some fun

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on June 30, 2011 at 18:18

lol. Thanks Jan.

But in my case "work" is my fun. I'm just very fortunate in that.

Besides filling sheath orders we have been busy developing a nice little hip pocket sheath for the 1865 Ben Hogan.

This is a knife that lends itself well to hip pocket carry and the little pocket sheath will keep it riding comfortably in the corner of a pocket, out of sight but readily available to hand. We're having a lot of fun with it, and it will be ready by the time the new run of "Hogans" is released.

With all that I really haven't had much time to spend with the knives but I did get a really nice #72 Elk with Wharncliff blade to go with the Clip blade version in Red Wine Bone. I'm sure I will have a lot of fun with both of them.

When I find the time.......

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 30, 2011 at 19:12

That hip pocket is my fav!!

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Dave Taylor on June 30, 2011 at 20:52

Thanks Jan.

It is a favorite of mine too. I'm carrying my "Hogan" in one right now and I don't even know it's there.

(and with that I just had to reach back and make sure that it is!!)

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 7, 2011 at 10:40

Those Hogans are something else, I'd love to get one soon, but the wallet says wait.... so I will.

I just got my Red Wine back from GEC, it is amazing, a perfect lock up. I'm in love again, and it won't leave the pocket for a while. It's easier to pocket than the Elk stag, but I would choose the Elk over the two. This hunting season is gonna be a great one, I hope to take you guys along with me in the woods, and I'll keep you updated on the knives and how they work.