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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 July 15, 2011 at 21:04

Batoning 2 X 4's and whittling stair treads is a fantastic Field Test.

Original, practical, and useful in everyday life.

I just hope Donnie can pull it off and get some good pics before they take him away.

Sounds like Donnie may need more sheaths.............(when they let him out.........).

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 15, 2011 at 21:16

Johnny, thats a great story about your grandfather and your knife. I guess I'm a young grandfather but never the less, I know it did his heart good to see you bring the knife for him to look at. Keep bringing him into the realm of things even if he loses track of things. Bless your heart.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 17, 2011 at 8:32

Robert, thank you very much.

I live about 30 seconds from them on our farm, so I see them pretty much everyday. If something needs done we just walk on down and give a hand. It's made us close, we don't do as much together as we used to, but they are slowing down a bit.

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on July 17, 2011 at 19:35

Johnny,

Glad to hear that GEC made your #72 right. I know that you missed it. I got my #72's and posted the pictures of them yesterday (finally). I got at least two of them that need to go back to GEC and a few more that are not as bad but I am struggling trying to decide if I should send them back too. Hard to decide how much vertical blade walk/wobble is too much. I hate to see them go but will like them a whole lot more if they lock up just so. I have an older genuine stag #72 that has a difficult/sticking lock on the back that I want to see if they can improve upon it too. I need to pack them up and send them back asap so I can get them back and enjoy them. I think I speak for all of us when I say that I enjoy your field test stories and I'll look forward to your reviews when hunting season is upon us.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 17, 2011 at 21:31

I'll be sharing a great chance I had on a review tomorrow, headed to bed soon.

I heard GEC had some problem with this pattern and vertical play, I think if they can get it perfect the second time, they should be able to get it right the first. I'm not gonna bash GEC, they are amazing, I'm just a little disappointed with the problems. I know you'll get perfect knives back, they do stand behind their product better than a lot of people. I think sometimes there is a pressure for new, new, new, and maybe things get rushed.

I'll be waiting to hear how things turn out for you Tom, I know they will make you happy.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 18, 2011 at 19:42

Tom,

I am sorry you are having an issue with these. I know when Johnny's came home it was wonderful. I know GEC is very strong on the quality and he is right. A little disappointment. Tell us what you think when you get them back please.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 19, 2011 at 9:43

Well, I'm loving this knife more and more, after every week of EDC the knife gets a little better to me. It hasn't had a major change or anything, it's just getting a bit pocket worn, and I really like that. One thing I did notice is that when I have it in my pocket on muggy day, or if I'm sweating, the Red Wine will bleed a little bit, not a complaint.

I went night fishing the other day with my brothers and a couple real good friends, the night we made plans Red Wine got some good use in. We were all sitting at the fire when someone nocked a burning log off, my brother and I jumped up to get it. His side wasn't really burning, but mine was piping hot, I reached into my pocket and pulled out RW, I stabbed the log and lifted it right up and back to the ring. RW felt no affect or strain. Shortly after she was called upon to make a Y stick for smores, she preformed well. With the plans now solidified for a fishing we headed for home.

That morning I could barely stay focused, I was day dreaming about all the fish we were gonna catch. I added a better edge to RW and the hairs were flying, I knew she'd be ready too. We met my buddies and followed them to where the minnie trap was set, it was a beautiful location, an old creek bed that was usually running wild, but with the drought we've been having it was left with only a few little pools along the banks. We had a few minnows in the trap, but we were in a perfect spot to catch a few crayfish, kneeling down on the rocks I could reach in and grab them, I caught and couple, and there were more to catch, but we needed to stake our claim on the spot.

We were the only ones there, it was a great spot, the river bank was like a beach front. We had a great wide open area to cast into, so that made it nice for so many guys casting. We had the fire started and the lantern lit in no time, then we got the rods baited up. Soon, the sound of line flying off a reel filled the air, and the "Plop" of bait hitting the water join in on the symphony of even chatter. The birds raced up and down the Rive trying to catch a few more insects before the bats would take over. We needed Y sticks for rod holders, so Red Wine and I volunteered for the job, I cut up some sticks and everyone was set for the night.

The fire always begged for more fuel, so I helped feed it, in return it kept the bugs away and lit our way. There was a downed tree from one of the past storms, and we needed a coupled limbs for the fire, but they didn't want to leave. I cracked the branches back and fourth, then I pulled RW out and cut them off, it cut like crazy and held it's edge to perfection. It was now nearing one o'clock in the morning, and we had caught a total of three fish, a Bass, A Drum, and a 22 inch Carp, a good size for the river we were fishing. There had been some silent times along the river that night, but our conversations kept us company. For us it's never been about catching a lot of fish, once the party has one under the belt, we all relax and just BS. We just enjoy the night and our surroundings, then we solve the worlds problems, we solve each others problems, we plan work, and play that needs done, then we remember all thats been accomplished since we met each other, we've worked like crazy to help each others families out, then we played almost as hard as we worked.

Now, my good buddy Randy had been hoping to catch a snapping turtle, when he was little it was a big deal to have turtle soup. I've never had it, but from what everyone says, it sounds good to me. When the indicator bobber shot up we all knew this fish wasn't spitting the hook. It didn't take long for my other friend Jonathan to know that it was a turtle, and soon the old dinosaur was out of the river, and he wasn't happy about it. I was amazed to see how well he could reach around and snap. The line needed cut..... guess who volunteered. Red Wine snapped into action, as I reached down, Jonathan told be to cut it closest to the mouth as possible, and I did. As I retracted Red Wine form the old Beast, he turned and took her in his mouth, now I'm mad. Red was still in the net with the old one, and I was hoping know one made any rash movements and nocked her into the water. She fell out of the net and soon she was back in my hand, No harm done. It was definitely an eventful night for Red, but she preformed perfectly and still held a good edge.

It's the first real bit of work I've put her through, and I'm happy to say she's a keep. I just love the way it handles, I'll be using this one for quite some time I'm sure.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 19, 2011 at 10:44

Okay, so aside from the action of night fishing, we've been a busy knife couple. Cutting boxes, peeling peaches, slicing up steak, chicken breast, pork roast, I split a couple baked potatoes, opening all kind of letters, bird seed bags, cracked corn, even sliced some bread. It's been my go to know and it's done very well.

Now I have to express my love for the SS blade. I've always been a carbon fan, I love the history it holds and the trusted look it dawns after a couple years of use. It will always be a favorite of mine. But, I have a new found love for this stainless, I don't have to worry bout keeping it dry, 100% of the time. And one of my main complaints about the 1095 is the chemical taste it gives when I cut food. I felt bad when I was at a picnic and someone needed to borrow my knife for food prep, I know it leaves a taste that lingers and I really don't care for it. I don't have that problem with my SS blade, so I'm loving it. Also the edge retention is great, I've been using the same edge for some time now, and it still glides through hair, and and slices paper with a very clean crisp swipe.

At this years Rendezvous I'll be adding at least one stainless...... I think.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 19, 2011 at 17:23

Johnny,

It is funny you say that about the stainless. Just last night Donnie told me that with what little use he has had out of the stainless 72, he really likes it. The fact that he was working in an extrememly hot environment over the last week meant that the knife was exposed to a lot of moisture and salt air. He is also impressed with the pocket work feel and look that the Elk is getting from some much pocket time. So far it has only done daily chores, it cuts cigars opens boxes and mail but no work out in the field yet. It truely has become a favorite even without the harder use. It has not left the pocket or the sheath since it arrived.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 19, 2011 at 17:50

Well I'm glad to hear Donnie is liking his as much as I like mine. I've noticed with the Elk stag it really gets worn quick, I like that. My #12 has mellowed to a yellow now, I'm loving that. I think my other Elk #72 will get some good character after doing in a deer or two.

Maybe I'll get to see it in person at the Rendezvous Jan? :)

Red Wine and a select few will join me on this trip, it'll be a special occasion EDC.

Anybody else falling in love with their #72?

Permalink Reply by biglmbass on July 20, 2011 at 5:49

johnny twoshoes said: I've noticed with the Elk stag it really gets worn quick, I like that. My #12 has mellowed to a yellow now, I'm loving that.

Funny you mention that. I noticed last night my #12 elk was starting to get some red tones to it. In the spring & summer I eat strawberries like they're going out of style & I've use that t'pick for cutting the stems off & slicing up no telling how many berries.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 20, 2011 at 8:53

I've done some strawberries up with mine too, but not to the degree thats it has any red tones yet. It's mellowed from lots of pocket time I think. I have a feeling that blood will really change the game on the worn stag look. Last year I took a doe, and I used my GEC #23 to skin it, it had the natural bone scales, so it was pretty white. It got a nice tan/red look after I was done, I like it because it holds a story as well.