Great Eastern Cutlery hosted by Ken Mundhenk

Collectors of Great Eastern, Northfield and Tidioute Knives

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  • Jan Carter

    On to the request I heard earlier in the week for Hats??????

  • Jan Carter

  • Jan Carter

    Tom,

    Have you seen what happened to the last person that started collecting Beavertails with me?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=sekLEG8xsOs

  • Tom Peterson

    Jan,

    Ask and ye shall receive! I'm excited about the hats! Our friends at GEC really DO listen to us!!! I like the knife slips too. Can't wait to see the knife boxes.

    BTW, my Beavertail came today. I am amazed by the light weight of the knife but I am unsure about the jigged wood. I am a bit worried that it is a splinter waiting to happen. I've been rubbing on it enough to make a genie pop out of it and no splinters so far so I guess it's safe. It may take awhile for me to get used to it so don't worry about competition for other Beavertails from me - at least for awhile. It may just need a little pocket time to smooth it out a bit. I do like the shield though too and the video link that you posted! But I sure don't need another type of GEC knife to start collecting....

  • Jan Carter

    Thats the way Christopher.

    Tom, beavertails are addictive.....welcome to canada

  • Tom Peterson

    A?


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    What's up with the hats?

  • Seth King

    Hey Tom, Does that Beavertail Lockback you bought have the Jigged Bubinga Wood or the Wenge Wood handles?

  • Tom Peterson

    Hey Seth, it has jigged Bocote. At least that is what the GEC web site says. It didn't come with a COA even though it is serialized. Go figure. I would like it better if it was smooth Bocote, but that might take some considerable pocket time. I already have a few GEC EDC's that don't get enough time so I probably don't need another in the rotation.

     

  • Seth King

    Oh Ok. I saw where you were a little worried about splintering but you should be ok with the bocote wood. Its a little bit more dense than the bubinga wood. I bought a Furtaker Trapper Beavertail in jigged bubinga wood a couple years ago and carried it for about two months and then dropped it on carpet and busted the handle off one side of it. It could have just been a weak piece of wood or some other freak thing but ether way I wasn't to impressed with the bubinga wood. I re-handled it with some stag scales I had and put the beavertail shield back on it and I loved it after that. I eventually gave it to my dad and he still carries and uses it everyday. 

  • Tom Peterson

    Sorry Ron! I was going for the whole phonetic thing so I wouldn't be misunderstood or sound like a pirate. I apologize for being inconsiderate or stepping on any toes. Thank you sir. I'll have to get used to the jigged wood.

  • Jean-François

    Very nice, Jan!

    Here the first GEC-knife I bought :

     

  • Jean-François

    Hé, Ron, ask Jan's beaver: IMO, he LOVES Canadians.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=sekLEG8xsOs


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    Jean, what handle material is that?

  • johnny twoshoes

    Robert, I can answer that question I think, it's pond bone. Kind of like natural just a little darker in color. I'm not sure if it is a natural color, or if it gets a dye, whatever they do to it, I like it.

     

    Jean, beautiful knife, congrats on the first.

  • johnny twoshoes

    Okay, I am definitely into the hats, I think this is going to be big for GEC, I already sent word that a leather pocket pouch would be a good gift for a GEC nut. But, these hats are the bomb. I like wearing ball caps, my biggest complaint though is that they're made over seas. So now I can show off my favorite knife company while supporting the efforts of American made goods. 

  • johnny twoshoes

    Ron, sorry to hear about the scales falling off, thats definitely a freak accident. I have the exact knife you had, I have used it on a produce farm cutting just about everything a knife could cut, I have dropped that knife more times than it deserves. The scales are still intact and ready to go.

    Tom, I have EDCed Bubinga and Wenge wood, never once was I worried about splintering. I have wore the wenge wood down some and the jigging is starting to fade. I wander if you could sand paper it down some, making it a smoothie.

  • Jan Carter

    Jean-Francois,

     I love two original Beavertails.  My first two were the bone 73's.  I understand the wood (being a beaver and all) but I wish the would do a special set with the original beaver pond handles AND the new beaver shield.  The Hats ARE the bomb and I am not one bit surprised that GEC choose only american made products for their merchandise.  Like Johnny it just makes me prouder

  • Tom Peterson

    Johnny, I'm with you on the hats. They need to make a camo one for you to take hunting. I know that these will do well and maybe then we will see Northfield and Tidioute hats too or maybe a hat that combines all three brands (guess that might get a little busy).  I think my Bocote Beavertail #72 would have been even more awesome if it were smooth to begin with.

    It would be WAY COOL if GEC were to come out with  #72's in the two original beaver pond bones with the beavertail shield. What do you'all think? I like the original knives but I prefer a clip blade instead of the big spey skinner blade.

  • Jean-François

    The handle material is appaloosa bone.


    It’s a sturdy “Jumbo 1 Blade Trapper”, serialized (#158).

    Overall length:  8.25" open; 4.5" closed.

    Blade length:  3.75".

    Blade material: 1095 carbon steel.

    Liner material: brass.

    Bolster material: nickel silver.

     

    WOOD would be great, too (chestnut?). Luca would be in for sure...

     

  • johnny twoshoes

    Yeah that all sounds good to me as well, GEC listens so I would not be surprised to see something like this come out.

  • Jim McLeod

    Jean-Francois...

     

    I know that GEC came out with the Moose,Big Jack and Big Horn Moose in Appaloosa Bone but wasn't aware of the #73 also...I recognize that photo from EBay from some time ago and always figure that the seller didn't know the name of the bone but was familiar with Case knives....since most of us are aware that GEC came out with the #73 in Beaver Tail Bone and Beaver Pond Bone is this one marked as appaloosa bone...I'm always on the look out for models that I don't have....

  • Jean-François

    Jim, I had not yet seen your first post on "Pond Bone" - and I did not know this name... You are absolutely right. Here a better pic, from an excellent post of Mike Latham (BladeForum).

    http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/737967-Beaver-tail...

  • Jim McLeod

    Jean-Francois  you're the best...I was hoping I hadn't missed one....

  • Jan Carter

     

    GREAT EASTERN CUTLERY


    ~ 2007 PRODUCTION TOTALS ~


    # 2 3 T I D I O U T E


    River Valley Green................ 250 pcs.

    Exotic Mexican Bocote .........176 pcs.

    Reptile Green (SARPNT)......236 pcs.

    Beaver Tail ..........................233 pcs.

    Beaver Pond ........................210 pcs.

    Single Blade Rams Horn.......56 pcs.

    Single Blade Brimstone......... 59 pcs.

    River Blue ............................ 6 pcs.


     

    http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2007PRODUCTION.pdf

  • Jan Carter

    Jean-Francious,

    Yours is a beautiful example.  The Rams Horn and Brimstone were all excellent handle types from that year also. (But ya'll know I love my Beavertails)

  • Luca Vignelli

    Personally, I really liked the "sarpnt" jigging, not the color, but the step and repeat circular drilling of the jigging pattern, and I'd like to see that reintroduced in another color, say black, my favorite. I thought it was very "modern" and graphic pattern. And, like Tom, I definitely prefer the clip blade on this knife. 

  • Tom Peterson

    I think that would be pretty interesting Luca. I would like GEC to bring back the spiral cut red and black buffalo too. When I first saw it a few years ago I thought it was just plain ugly. Then it started to grow on me and I bought two #23L's in black spiral cut and I love them. I would definitely buy a #72 or #73/73L in red or black spiral cut buffalo now. A #72 in rams horn would interest me too. They could bring back the Brimstone too especially in a #72/73.  One other knife I have been waiting for is a clip blade Hogan in abalone in the Northfield line. And why can't GEC just go ahead and add the missing blade to the Conductor and make it a good ole whittler? The Conductor seems like a half congress to me, half useful.

  • Tom Peterson

    OK, maybe I was a bit harsh . It was late and maybe I had a bit too much togetherness with my family yesterday. I do have a half congress and I like it pretty much, but I would still really like the addition of the extra blade on the Conductor to make it a true whittler. Sorry about that GEC!

  • Seth King

    Hey Tom, I agree that it would be nice to add a third blade to the conductor and make a classic balloon style whittler but I do understand why GEC makes the two blade versions. When they add a third blade to either the conductor or the congress they have to add a second backspring to the knife which basically makes it heavier and twice as thick which in turn makes them a little less pocket friendly. Bottom line....I love em all!!
  • Seth King

    Yeah I agree with what you're saying but a spilt back or wedge back whittler is still quite a bit thicker. I'm actually comparing a Case Muskrat with a single backspring to a old Case 5383 stag balloon whittler with the split backspring right now and there is a noticeable difference. But like I said earlier I love em all!! I carried a Case 5383 stag balloon whittler with the split backsprings for a long time and I just recently switched to a GEC stag 62 pattern 2 blade easy pocket congress and I really like them both as EDC's.
  • johnny twoshoes

    Well, burnt stag will loose it's burnt look after pocket time. But, all stag mellows over time, red stag will loose some of it's red color after pocket time as well. When I buy a stag knife for EDC I plan on this though, it adds more character to the knife, for me atleast.

    I like seeing a relaxed burnt stag knife with a dark patina stained blade, like Robert's moose, an excellent example actually. The new knives are gorgeous, but they don't have that look for me.

  • Seth King

    Sometimes stag that has been torched a little to much will flake off or wear down where the stag is blackened and it will turn a lighter color but for the most part I haven't had any trouble out of the stag knives I've carried. I usually always carry my knives in a suede or leather pocket sheath though so that may make a difference.
  • johnny twoshoes

    I think that would change it up greatly. After just a couple weeks of EDC time, my Stag Dogleg mellowed, not much but there was a noticeable difference.

  • Bob Andrews

    If y'all would take a look at your knives,the 57 Gepetto Whittler pattern IS a Split Backspring Whittler.

  • Jan Carter

    I also prefer stag as it mellow.  Burnt stag does tend to mellow or change a little faster because the outer layer has been altered by heat but I am with Johnny..I am one of the people that likes stag better when it is aged.

    The spring on the Geppetto does assist on both ends and GEC was able to do the knife thinner and lighter because of that configuration.  I can see how traditional whittler lovers would like to see the 33 conducter in a three blade.  The balloon whittler is a wonderful pattern that has withstood time.  Maybe with time we will see that from GEC also.

  • johnny twoshoes

    Elk stag mellows very quick, which I like. After it looses it's burnt look, it starts to yellow, something my toothpick did in a matter of months. It will mellow more and look even better after a few more trout seasons together. I look forward to that.

  • Tom Peterson

    Sorry to start a heated discussion about the whittlers. A split backspring would be fine with me. I like the Geppetto a lot but would like a traditional whittler in the #33 pattern too. Never hurts to have more than one. I agree with Seth too. I love them all too but I would love the #33 even more if it had three blades instead of two!

  • johnny twoshoes

    The balloon whittler seemed like the most obvious pattern to see from the #33, but where is it? I think it's waiting for a special day. The classic Balloon whittler is hard to compare to the rest of GEC's whittler knives. I think GEC could make a great one.

  • Tom Peterson

    I agree with you Johnny. I have an old Western and an old Boker that have sabre ground blades and split springs that are really nice. Got a bunch of other whittlers mostly Bokers and Hen & Roosters that have split springs too. I  personally like the beefier blade of the saber ground clip main blade for the whittlers.


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    I wish GEC made a cotton whittler, great pattern. Johnny, Im not familar


  • In Memoriam

    Robert Burris

    Whoops..with a Ballroon whittler.

  • Jan Carter

    eBay Image 1 Old Cattaraugus 3-1/2" Balloon Whittler Knife - 32659 Balloon Whittler

  • Jan Carter

    Did everyone see todays release?  American Elk....

  • johnny twoshoes

    That is beautiful, I need one.

    Will I buy one, no. : )

    I will kick myself for it, but I hope you guys can get a bunch.

  • Jan Carter

    GEC Production Schedule Update

    You've seen some of the components on a couple of these already on the GEC website and now, here's the latest on production........

    Straight from GEC,

    We should start seeing these next week:

     

    #61 Deluxe 2 blade Long wharncliffe and pen blade

     Tidioute - smooth bolster

     Jigged Bone – color to be determined

    Smooth Black Buffalo Horn

    Exotic Mexican Bocote Wood

     

    Northfield – long flat lined bolster stamped UN-X-LD

     Jigged Bone – color to be determined

    Smooth Yellow Bone

    Stained Glass Perylic

    Sea Glass Perylic

    Black Gold Perylic

    Snakewood

    Elephant Ivory

     

    The next new knife is somewhat of a secret still but I can tell you it is a 2 blade with a spear and pen or a clip and pen, closed length is 3-7/16”.  It will be called the White Owl.

     

    Tidioute:

     Ebony Wood – spear/pen

    Ebony Wood – clip/pen

     Bone – color to be determined – spear/pen

    Bone – color to be determined – clip/pen

     Kryptonite Acrylic – spear/pen

    Kryptonite Acrylic – clip/pen

     Dead Skunk Acrylic – spear/pen

    Dead Skunk Acrylic – clip/pen

     Exotic Mexican Bocote – spear/pen

    Exotic Mexican Bocote – clip/pen

     Buffalo Horn – spear/pen

    Buffalo Horn – clip/pen

     

    Northfield:

     Jigged Bone – color to be determined – spear/pen

    Jigged Bone – color to be determined – clip/pen

     Cocobolo Wood – spear/pen

    Cocobolo Wood – clip/pen

     Snakewood – spear/pen

    Snakewood – clip/pen

     Primitive Bone – spear/pen

    Primitive Bone – clip/pen

     Burnt Stag – spear/pen

    Burnt Stag – clip/pen

     Genuine Stag

  • Tom Peterson

    I see that the GEC stag conductor came out today too. What do you think the White Owl will look like? I am guessing that by it's size 3 7/16" it will be a Jack knife similar to Case's 6231 1/2 or maybe a larger barlow than they currently make.  It is bigger than GEC's current barlow but smaller than just about everything else that they make.  Any thoughts?

  • Luca Vignelli

    Personally, I can't handle a knife that's smaller than 4". In the kitchen a 4" knife is a small paring knife for detail work, and I like it just for that, but then in the kitchen I'm using 8", 10", 12", and 14" knives. I know, hard to pocket those, but I want a knife that I can use to do a little bit of everything, in the home, out in the yard, in the garden, in the office, and when I'm out, say camping or having a picnic. I don't whittle and probably never will, but I do cook every day and sometimes the hand and the delicacy of motion with the blade are the same. As I have said before, I'd like to see GEC go bigger, and as a user and collector of their beautiful knives I tend towards their bigger knives, #23, #36, #46, #65, and yes even the wonderfully skinny but solid, nice and long #89. I haven't held a #54 moose yet, but I think I would like it very much and want to see them make more of those too. Nevertheless I am always curious to see what GEC will introduce next as in my opinion this company is quite infallible in their taste, sense and dedication to history, quality, service, and craftsmanship.

  • johnny twoshoes

    I'm excited about the White Owl, but that is because of the name, I love it. It sounds like a classic old knife, but it hasn't even been finished so I think it has a good connection with tradition already. If I connect, I will add one to the collection, but right now I'm refraining from the new knives.

  • Jan Carter

    Just had to share this sheath that came today from Docs knives.  Donnie is in love already