The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel
Collectors of Great Eastern, Northfield and Tidioute Knives
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Update on my enjoyment of my new #23 lockback:
Like I have said before, I so much prefer the feel of a single blade knife as the secondary blades get in the way of a comfortable grip for me always. If I really wanted a knife with lots of blades and tools then I would get me a Swiss Army knife, call me ignorant, call me opinionated, that's how I feel and most importantly, that's how my hand feels. My new #23 single blade linerlock fits that bill to perfection, and I couldn't compliment the design of this knife and the comfort of the grip and of the half round linerlock anymore than to say it feels and is perfect.
OK, now that I have talked about the positive aspects of this knife and of the company that I adore that produces it, let me push them to do more to satisfy their customer, namely myself, and you my friends, of course..
Being in contact with an iKC member here from France, our dear friend Jean-Francois, I was reminded about one of the great qualities of the French knife makers, and that is that not every wonderful knife will fit your hand unless it is made to fit your hand. One of the greatest pleasures and advantages of the Laguiole or Opinel knives made in France is that they come sized, like shoes, and one has the pleasure of choosing one that fits one's person. Here in America, our knife manufacturers make a specific knife in a specific pattern of a specific size with a specific history behind it and if the shoe doesn't fit then you can't wear it. Speaking of shoes, it sound to me like that attitude, or tradition, is a great way for manufacturers to "shoot themselves in the foot", or stab themselves if you prefer... What I would like to see more manufacturers do here, and especially GEC because they are the only ones I care about, and who care about us and their future too, would be for them to introduce this European "sizing" concept to the American pocket knife marketplace. For example, a #23 single blade, whether it be linerlock or not, could be offered with a 3.5" blade, as it is now, AND a 4.5" blade and a 5.5" blade depending on your needs. It's not just about what you may have to cut, but mainly about the size of your hand - the knife should fit like a glove. The French know this well and even a cheap Opinel comes in a size #8, #9, #10, or #12, let alone the Laguioles which come in 9cm, 11cm, 12cm, and even 15cm sizes of the very same pattern. What the European manufacturers seem to have understood is that when you have a pattern that sells, and sells well consistently (my vote here in the USA would go to the GEC #23 here for starters) then you can scale it both up and down to fit your customers, and that many more sales will result in the end and for a longer, if not an indefinite, time period. It's like going custom, knife making wise, while still maintaining the economies of scale of production. Duh!
OK, GEC, I am throwing down the glove in a challenge, can you do this for us all here worldwide, with one of your most popular patterns (perhaps the #23 as you don't have to scale it down 'cause you have the #73 there already, so it would make life easier for you), and in a single blade, which would also simplify matters for you? And since you already have a small, #73, and a Medium, #23, could you make a Large (#13?) and perhaps even and XL (#3) ??? And , of course you could do the same with other patterns too, think S, M, L, XL and beyond. Think about it, seriously.
Hey Robert, any chance we could catch a glimpse of a few more EDCs of your's?
I know hunting season is upon us and our knives will be called to the field.
Congrats Luca, on finding a good EDC that you can really connect with, it's a special feeling knowing you have a good one. I'm gonna have to get another #23 one of these days.
Luca,
Great buy on that #23. I understand Greg just listed some new 23 EDC's. You can also purchase EDC's right from the factory. So is it making it into your EDC rotation or is it just too nice? I hope you use this one. I do believe all of Donnies users are EDC's, it is a great way to keep the cost of a knife going to a construction site lower. The quality control at GEC is indeed very stringent, an EDC is not a second. In the case of most EDC's (with the S for store knife) it is a small cosmetic flaw like slightly unmatched scales or a flat pin. The perfect knife to go in the pocket with the keys and change. Funny, we just bought my son a coal miner, I always get him one a year that wont matter cost wise if it gets misplaced and rough rider allows me to get him a knife with some quality.
Good timing on that request for the rope handle. Now that we are seeing some ivory showing up in the line up. My vote is yes, on the 48 please
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