Beautiful work my friend, very interesting woods you seem to be working on, beautiful though, what variety of wood, would they be?

That moose is looking splendid, the patina is killer and those scales display hours of pocket time, I love seeing this. I would imagine that those were burnt stag scales at one time, correct?

Now they look like the primitive stag I have been wanting for some time, great knives. 

Yea Johnny, burnt stag, I love that primitive bone too. Miss Jan has an awsome GEC primitive bone collection. The wood on those staffs are Ash and Popular, both make great staffs. They are light and strong. The patina is something special that you just don't get with a stainless steel blade...lol

Thanks Robert, really awesome work there.

I have seen Jan's primitive bone collection first hand and it is better in person. I really love to see people put their whole heart into a collection, Jan and Donnie have done that with their knives.

I just did a bunch of food prep with my #73, right now it has a beautiful blue semi patined blade. That 1095 is hard to beat, great edge, great looks.

The large lockback, uh it's a 23 I think, well when they finally get them made, I'd love a Primitive Bone. What do you think of that one? Miss Jan and Donnie are A1 in my book. They have brought us knife user/knife collector into the group, if you know what I mean.

Now your talking Robert, I would have to get one of those lockback #23s. I can see it now, the perfect hunting kit. A #23 lockback with a 1095 clip blade and a #72 lockback with a spear. It could go into a double barrel sheath system. Yeah, I like it Robert. This is my first year hunting with a #72, I am anxious to see how it preforms. Have you used your #72 for deer processing?

Nice picture, Robert.

Yea Johnny, I helped clean a 6 point a friend killed with his bow and the same weekend I help set a wild hog trap and we were successful and I help clean that one up to with my 72 lockback, just to see how well it would do. If I can get my Grand daughter to post pictures, I will.

Okay Johnny, heres the pictures from weekend before last at my camp. That little knife did well, I wore out before it did...lol

Great pics Robert, looks like that knife wasn't the only one having a good time. Thats a nice pig you have hanging there, looks like a few pounds of meat. Your deer down there look a bit different then are eastern ones. I have a good body 6 point waitin' for the opener in a couple weeks.

I hope to share some pics in the next couple weeks, I have a good feeling for this years hunting season. 

Here is a doe I saw not too long ago.

Did someone say Bacon?

Hey Robert, after all of this use, is there any play in the blade of that #72?

Thanks buddy

Johnny, there is a little play in the blade but hardly any.

Thats good to hear, I have been using my Red Wine #72 for quiet sometime now. I have pushed it to the limit on a few occasions and the knife is still very solid. On the other hand I have my Elk #72, but it is an EDC. It already has some blade play, so I don't want to push it too far. I wander if tightening it in a vice would work?

I don't know, I thought I would send it back to the factory if I had a problem. This might be a question for GEC Queen...lol

I was thinking of that, my problem is that it is an EDC, which from what I understand means I can't send it in for repairs. I can live with that, but I'd rather do some home remedy before living with the wiggle.

Johnny,

I think that Chris would take care of you my friend. Remember right after you sent your #72 back home for adjustment, I sent in 9 #72's for a similar fix. They all came back good and tight. One or two lock up really nicely but the lock is hard to press & almost takes two hands. I have about 3-4 more that could use a little tightening up now (different ones mind you) - just waiting on a convenient time to round em all up and send them back. I would be worried about making the situation worse - I know that you are a handy guy and all but....Then it would be real hard to send it back to GEC. As close as you are to them it couldn't take too long of a turnaround.

Yeah, maybe I should just see what Chris has to say. I don't think it would take much to fix, I know that they took care of my Red Wine with ease, at least it seemed that way because the knife wasn't at the factory long. I will have to send an e-mail out.

Have you been EDCing that #72 frontier yet?

I hope so because I can't wait to see the patina on that thing when it gets experience.

J2S,

No I've been wimping out with the Frontier #72. I spent all of last week scraping paint and caulking in prep to primer coat my house. I used my New Aged Tidioute Apaloosa bone #25 with the wharncliffe blade alot to cut open tubes of caulk (and my thumb) but it already has it's own factory patina on it. The #25 fit in my shorts pocket better than the bigger #72. I will have to go out of my way a bit to get the #72 dirty and get some patina going on it! Once it is worthy I will post some pictures for you.

Johnny,as far as I know,you can send an EDC knife back for repairs. BUT,they might charge a small fee as the "store only" knives are not warranted. I would imagine that GEC would be somewhat generous with they're good customers. Just my opinion,Bob

Shorts????

It's about to snow here. : ) I wear cargo pants so I have a couple pockets for my GECs, I really do enjoy the slim fit of the #72 though. The #25 just disappears in the pocket and in the hand, I like the #56 for a simple pocket knife. The #72 is more of a backup hunter.

Bob, this is good to know, I will be sending an e-mail out soon. I'm not sure if I'll do it before, or after the hunting season, right now I'm thinking of using the Elk as my primary knife.

Johnny,

I understand from Chris that an old friend is on its way home very soon :)

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO, I've been waitin' for my old buddy. Thats awesome, I have really missed that Pumpkin piece. Maybe he will be here for hunting season, that would make my day. Thank you so much Jan, how did you find this out?

I can't wait, it wouldn't have been the same without him this year. : )

Does anyone here get Knives Illustrated? They noted GEC's Whaler in their traditional section of the most recent buyers guide of theirs. But they dropped the ball (or knife) in editing because instead of showing a Northfield or Tidioute Whaler they showed an A.G. Russell knife. How lame! Probably made in China for cutting drywall. Then in the GEC ad in the back of the magazine they misspelled Tidioute and nickel (nickle). Time to let that subscription expire!                                                                                                                  

Wow, thats hard to believe. You would think that maybe they would put a little more work into this, it's good to have the word spread, but really. Nothing sales a knife like a good pic, I think your right about dropping the ball. 

I'm not a member anymore, but I was at onetime a member. 

I don't want to bash them too much but between the lack of professionalism with the GEC ads and products and the fact that the mag devotes 5 pages or so every month to some old guy wielding a sword I can't help it. The swords are ok I suppose - but what gives with father time? The guy may be one bad you know what but show pics of the blades not some old guy (like me) who could be an AARP spokesman! They'd sell more swords with someone who looks like Conan the Barbarian or his female counterpart Sheena.  I subscribe to Blade also and am starting to prefer it over KI. Sorry KI you may be KIA....

I never understood the old guy with the sword, to me it just seemed like spot filler. They never got into traditional knives like I like, they seemed to lean towards custom and tactical. I can't afford custom and I can't stand tactical.

Tom, we here at IKnife should make a monthly magazine. With pics and reviews, I think it could be great. But, I'm just talking of course, it would take a lot to get it done. Instead of stupid sword talk we could have some fine pocket cutlery in action. Who's in? : )

I've never paid attention to any of the knife magazines, but do like Knife World quite a bit.  It's primarilly about traditional pocket knives, so it appeals to me.  At one time they offered free trial subscriptions.

Just received the new single bladed Whaler and it feels GREAT in hand without the secondary blade! I sort of wish they hadn't made it with the EZ Open cutout in the handle, but for the comfort in hand it is a trade off I can live with.

Now I'm just hoping that the next time they put some #36 Sunfish into production that thay will make some single blade versions of the knife as well, abnd without the EZ Open cutout!

Thats great to hear Luca, I knew you would be happy as soon it came out. It looks better to me than the original, I still don't want one though. The EO is actually something I like about the new knife but, I can understand your wants.

Luca, Great to hear you like the new single blade. 

We dont subscribe to any of the knife magazines, pick a few up here and there but no monthly.   I will say that Knife World is the one I prefer though. 

Knife World was very good when Houston Price was editor, and I believe he is still active.

Looks good Jan, I think that I would like one of those. 

Hey you never know, it could happen very easily. 

I have had a trial subscription to Knife World but forgot to renew it. Maybe I'll give them a try....

I wouldn't mind seeing GEC give the camp axe's a try. Looks pretty good with that handle. Could be a classic like the old Western Black Beauty's or other similar models. GEC could do a matching knife and hatchet. Stupid me would have to have one of each handle type though! OCD and knife collecting are a tough combination!!!

Camp axe, Camp knife.

That would be an awesome set. I think the only place GEC can go, is up. They continually add product to their production, so they have the collector's attention. They are ever improving upon existing frames and they listen. Thats the big one, they actually care about the consumer's demands. 

Okay, I'm headed to bear camp tomorrow so I have to choose my EDCs for the trip. Right now it's looking like this.

FRP Tidioute #73L.

BRP GEC #72 Red Wine.

Right Hip #73 scout.

And in the Right cargo pocket will be my #72 Elk.

I'm still not sure if Elk will get the nod though if I really need a knife. I thinking about letting it go this season. I may check with Chris to see if I can get the blade wobble fixed. Running the show will either be the #72 Red Wine, or the #73L. 

Johnny,

You are right about the product line. Has anyone tried the kitchen knives? I bought one of each for my wife (yeah right) and she really likes them. I like them too. They came pretty darn sharp too. Don't need steak knives right now but maybe someday. I would like to see an American Elk, Burnt Stag or Red Wine handled camp axe and matching fixed blade combo. I might have to buy one of those for the wife and for each of the kids!

Johnny, you will be as they say, loaded for bear my friend with all of those GEC's. I see you look to be going half 1095 and half 440C that is if that right hip is a Tidioute or a Northfield. I think that you need to find a spot for that #56 Ivory bone Tidioute too. What would really top it off is a camo GEC ball cap (hint, hint GEC). Too bad our friends at GEC don't make a camp knife too (not so subtle hint) but I think only you and I want one of those.  Be safe fella and get you some bear!

Okay, I could really spread some GEC word with a camo ball cap. That sounds as good as a couple GEC T-shirts. I have yet to buy a kitchen knife, but I think she would like one. She hasn't had a good kitchen knife yet, so I'll have to get her one. : )

You are correct in your assumption my friend, the #73 is in 1095. It's starting to take a nice patina on the clip blade, I think once it gets the good ol' blue stuff, it'll look even better.

And, I think I can find room somewhere for the #56. I would hate to not have a decent slippy on me at camp. I'll see what I can do about the bear, but it's not likely. 

I want to be sure we are all in for the IKC knife.  With less than 20 left available I would hate to the GEC folks here to miss out on it.  Let me know!!!

Hi Jan - I'm still not good at navigating my way through all these posts.  What do we need to do to reserve an IKC knife?  Best, Dan

Max, Got all your info.  Thanks for the support

Dan, check you emails on here.  You have one from me

Dan,

Have your mailing info now also.  Thanks for the support with this project

Thanks Jan - I don't know if you remember, but my son and I met you and Don this year at the rendezvous on the day of pig pickin.'   It was pure pleasure talking about these fine knives with you guys.  Best, Dan 

Dan,

Were you taking that nice looking son of yours to football camp?

I'm back with no bear, I had fun at camp though. Good time in the woods, I forgot my camera so no pics, I would have had some great ones though. 

Well you brought back memories Johnny.  Thats always good

Always fun to camp as long as rain isn't an issue. With all of the knives that you were toting you probably didn't have time for the bear anyway! Welcome back!

Jan,

I ordered my first Beavertail the other day. It hasn't arrived yet but I am excited to check it out! It's a #72 with a clip blade, popped up on Ebay and I am a sucker for a lockback!

I was gonna ask where you managed to get another #72, these things are hard to find. Glad to hear you snagged one, it's even better to hear it's a beavertail.

BEAVERTAIL!!!!!!!!!!!