And I hope you alos see what a much better made knife the GEC Northfield 23 is. I really hope that they reissue the 23 in spiral cut buffalo horn, that's a knife I want, anybody out there have one for me?

I think the big hoop la over the 66 moose is just that a bunch of bull. They may never get to it. It's sure a rare patten.

Luca, what does the spiral cut buffalo look like?

Luca,

I have two #23L's but would  not  likely part with them. Planned on giving them to my two sons someday (when they plant me). I don't have good pics but here goes Dana.

Robert, I hear that it IS on tap but when is a good question. I'm surprised that they didn't run them at the same time as the Calf Ropers. But the Lumberjacks are coming out soon and also CK's black delrin sodbuster SFO. Also the Wrangler and the Geppetto with a clip blade. The Wrangler looks odd and seems a bit of a waste of time, materials, energy and money to me but that is just my opinion. I don't plan on buying a single one of these. I am a bit tired of the same old frame, flipped and with the blades moved around. That's real creative....Lately I have started to question if GEC really does listen to what we want. They did make Luca's request of a single blade Whaler but that was easy enough by just removing the secondary blade. I'm curious if one were to go through all of the posts of knives that we would like to see - how many of them have come to fruition? Not enough.

Dana,

I have a pic of one of the spiral's I can share with you

To the best of my knowledge there wee only 2 of these created

Dana, this knife is different from the Red Spiral Cut Proto that Jan showed that was part of a raffle for the Wounded Warrior Project at the last Rendezvous. This ia a one of nine short run in black buffalo. Luca scored one of these too I believe.

Tom, Jan, Thanks for great pics.

Jan,

Why did you have to post that beaut of a holy grail knife? I DID want to win that one now. I hope that the fella that won it appreciates it as much as most of the folks here would (like me for example!). I am still disappointed about not being on the receiving end of that one. The black buffalo spiral cut did help a bit but I am a bigger red buffalo fan. The Rendezvous knifes which have not been big sellers in the past went fast too to a lucky, select few.

Tom,

That is truely one of the reasons we drive so far once a year.  I am a true homebody but cant pass up the oppotunity to spend time with friends and get unique knives also.  Join us this year.  We promise to share

Have you all seen this?

WOOOHOOO.  I know that some of you have asked about this recently.  The 2011 Procustion totals are published.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/information/2011-production-tot...

Ha! I like that Jan, "procustion", that's a new word I'm going to enjoy using! Love ya!

Tom, would you consider adopting me? We're the same age, but so what!

Luca,

ROFL...Guess I should read it before I hit add comment

Thanks Jan, too bad I don't have any '11s. : )

Johnny,

LOL, just always nice to know when your looking

Hey can you all check out the mock ups for 2012 knife for me.  I need material ideas.  I am leaning toward a light appaloosa.

http://www.iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/iknife-collector-2012-c...

Jan...

How about some flash...something that snaps and jumps out at you?  Like Pearl, abalone, tiger coral or for the wood lovers Curly Maple?

I like the sound of curly maple. The more exotic the better.

Dana...

Ok...exotic...mastodon tooth, maple burl...light or dark?

Clint, How about birdseye and/or flame grained Briar.

Dana.....

I love the birds eye idea.  Good idea.

Dyed stabilised burlwood. Blue would (wood?) look awesome I think.

I don't think I've ever seen a slipjoint made with stabilised dyed burlwood. If blue (or maple) isn't your thing...I'm sure a different colour or wood can be selected.

All the beauty of natural wood AND synthetics combined with none of the drawbacks of natural woods.

Hey did anyone notice the pics on GEC dated March 12?  Look at the last pic, does this mean a new run of new aged?

Jan, I emailed Chris about this and she said no New Aged but a special run for someone that was not ground/polished yet.

Robert, check out GEC's New Release page. This might make you a bit happier my friend!

Morrie,

When I see a scout knife I will believe that GEC listens (to me at least). They have made Moose's before and it's not much of a stretch to make them in several of the frame types. But how about a new frame that they haven't made before? Go under a discussion of What Type of Knife Would You Like to See GEC Make Next and see all of the knife requests that have gone unfulfilled. I don't remember anyone asking for a Whaler or a Lumberjack. While we may like many of GEC's new frames and mutations of their existing frames why do we have to go to another maker to get the knives that WE actually want? They may hear but sometimes I wonder if they really listen....They are still my favorite maker and the only knife that I really actively collect but it's frustrating to me that it takes so long for us to get our wishes.

Tom,

I can relate.  I waited what seemed like forever for GEC to make a medium size stockman.  They finally came out with the Calf Ropers and I was happy as a lark.  Now they've already made a second run of them.  I really do think you will get your Scout eventually but I certainly do feel your pain.

Anybody know what the upcoming Wrangler will look like? 

Thanks Railsplitter, I know that I am on my soapbox whining and I know that you are probably right too. The unique way that GEC does come out with their knives is what has drawn most of us to them and I know that they are trying to stand out and be unique and different from the other makers. I know that with the partners background at QC that they couldn't copy the patterns that QC and S&M made too. I think many of us users & collectors want what they are used to with the other makers though. Like a medium and large stockman, a standard whittler, a copperhead, a gunstock, a swingguard, an English Jack and yes a railsplitter. I am just tired of the moving of blades from one end to the other of a current frame or the change out of blades only on the same frame over and over. I typically buy these knives anyway figuring sooner or later they will add the third blade to the Conductor to make it a whittler, or make the White Owl a White Moose or a whittler too but I guess maybe I just need to save my money for the pattern that I really want instead of one that is just ok. I am worried that by the time they make the knives that I REALLY REALLY want that I will be broke though....

On GEC's web site they have some pics of the Wrangler mockup. I believe that it is like the Geppetto with a clip main blade (I think at least) and a small blade on the big end and a punch blade at the small end. That knife kinda sent me over the edge in my ranting! I like the Geppetto whittler with a clip main blade but the Wrangler not so much.

You make some very good points, Tom.  They do have a way of using the same frame perhaps a little too much.

I would love to see them produce a Railsplitter pattern and I think that they they just might do it someday.  As you mentioned, the partners probably aren't interested in copying  patterns from  Queen but they did kind of come close to it a little while back.  I don't own a #61 Deluxe so I don't have any photos of them but the stamped bolsters on those have an uncanny resemblance to the Queen made Schatt & Morgan Large Congress. (top knife in the pic)  This gives me just a smidgen of hope that a Railsplitter pattern might not be completely out of the question.  I won't hold my breath but I would surely buy up a few GEC Railslpitters if ever there were such a beast.

Tom and Railsplitter,

I have worked alot of hours this week and am a little punch drunk.  Help me out some here if you would.  If my memory is not playing tricks on me, we usually see new frames come out from this time of year until just after the the rendevouz (if we are going to see them).  If I am thinking about this correctly, we should see new frames soon?  If my memory serves me correctly we start seeing new frames the 2nd and 3rd 1/4's of the year.  Tom, I have my fingers crossed for a scout for you 

Thanks Jan. You have a little more history with GEC under your belt than I do. I have not noticed that patterns debut at any certain time of the year other than at Rendezvous time which is a given. I am excited about new patterns but not as much about some of the existing pattern modifications. Changing subjects a bit - I really wish that I could make it up for a Rendezvous too but work is slow and money is tight....My eldest son is moving up to my old college stomping grounds which is not too far away from Titusville though...just about an hour and a half south of Pittsburgh so there is always a chance. The rest of the family might have to visit Pithole while my sons and I go to the 'vous!

Railsplitter I think that you ara right about the #61 Deluxe. The #72 is similar to Queens S&M Mountain Man lockback too isn't it? There are some similarities on some of GEC's patterns.

Donnie says come on, we will take you tidioute.  The family would love the hardware store

Jan, tell Donnie that I am up for that! I need to get some more work and reduce my cutlery spending to make that happen though. Right now a vacation does not look too likely. I may have to enjoy it vicariously through you, Donnie & Johnny once again.

Tom, you can ride with Jan and Donnie that saves green. When you get here I can put up a tent for you guys, that saves money. We will feed you breakfast, that also saves money.

Then we will take you to GEC and that never saves money. : (

Johnny,

I read that twice and laughed until I cried.  I imagined everyone in my little truck, saving and counting all our pennies to get there with enough money to buy more knives

Hi,

Could you swing by Seattle and pick me up??????

Morrie

Morrie,

If I could make out that way I would pick you up and then we would swing down to AZ and pick up Dave T.  We would just make a big trip out of it

Well, it's true Jan.

Time is flying and we will be meeting soon, I can't wait. Getting the green saved up for a couple of knives.

Johnny,

You are too funny fella!!! While I appreciate your offer (to impose on Jan and Donnie) I might have to pass this year. I do have a couple of tents and a van for the trip but with the cost of gas these days I don't know if there would be any money left for knives once we got there! My gas bill last month was over $400 and most of my driving is within 60 miles of my house. I wish that they would have an option for out of state folks to be able to have a chance at one of the Rendezvous knives - like a drawing to be able to buy one or something. Maybe have 30 for the folks who came to the event and a mail in drawing for 10 -20 others who couldn't make it. If I told my wife that I was going on a vacation to go to a knife factory she would likely tell me not to come back!

Hey Guys, The Bull Nose is showing it's face in Titusville.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/71-b...

Of course I think this looks awesome and once we get some patina pics coming in of these beauties, it's gonna be priceless.

Tom, I'm sure Jan wouldn't mind. 

$400 dollars on gas is way too much, I could buy a horse for that much. Thats knife money we are talking about my friend, it's time to go ahh green and save some green. Try one of those Chevy Volts out.

Just an idea!!!

Here's a little leg up for all you folks that depend on this blog for the inside dope...... (OK, I stole it) 

Okay, here's a tidbit you all can share on the other boards and come out sounding like the smartest guy/gal in the room.  You know that "thumb rest" on the top of the saw blade on the Lumber Jack ?????  Gang, I got it straight from the designer, and master knife builder himself....that is NOT a thumb rest, it is a  WIRE STRIPPER!!!!!

Johnny,

Do you know how much one of those Volts costs?

31K

Hi all, I was cutting through a steaming hot corned beef the other day and I wondered; "How hot is to hot"  Can I adversely affect the temper of the steel this way?

Tempering of steel takes place at around 200+ degrees celcius (for comparison, boiling water is only 100 celcius.)

Also, when tempering steel this usually happends in sessions of one hour.

Cutting Corned beef could (In theory) affect the steel, if the corned beef would stay indefinately hot and you'd leave the knife in there for a LONG time.

In practise, even boiling your knife won't affect the temper as long as it doesn't happen for hours on end.

Alexander, Thanks a lot for that information