2022 GEC Liberty/Freedom #94/#49 Thread

[stagmeister]

I got my 94 today! I sharpened it and put it into my watch pocket
Great little knife, thinner than I was picturing and easy to forget you have in you pocket.

Yep, yesterday afternoon I threw it into my pocket of thin sweatpants you can feel everything in. I went to look for it last night before remembering where it was. Duh! Today I have it in a button flap shirt pocket and can't even feel it's there.
Nice little hideout knife with a very capable blade.

 

[bigfish64]

That's alright. Some of us use them, some just collect, some do both. You can always put them to work later if you decide to, but you can't make them mint again. Enjoy!

I’m in the both camp, although most of them I use. I’ve got two or three that I won’t use and several others waiting their turn.

 

[stagmeister]

I’m in the both camp, although most of them I use. I’ve got two or three that I won’t use and several others waiting their turn.

I am in the both camp as well. I have SFO's, Waynorth, limited releases, and some premium stag and woods that are safe queens. That said, I have a good number that are in my EDC rotation. I am fortunate and blessed to have amassed a nice collection over the years. Getting them is a lot tougher now, but don't give up on what you really want.

 

[jeffsenpai]

Which one did you get?

Guess I should have been more specific. Did you get the acrylic or the garnet bone? Either way, 4-5 minutes is unusual.

Ah, I should have said. the 94 Patriotic version. But yeah, either the dealer had ALOT of stock, or the demand for the patriotic version wasn't quite as high.

 

[Kiro]

I have both of the acrylics, but they went straight back into the tube. Well done, but not my preference. The garnet, however, is my jam. Seems to be a capable small knife. I've seen GEC put out better F&F, but it's an excellent small carry. I look forward to the blue camel!

 

[stagmeister]

I have both of the acrylics, but they went straight back into the tube. Well done, but not my preference. The garnet, however, is my jam. Seems to be a capable small knife. I've seen GEC put out better F&F, but it's an excellent small carry. I look forward to the blue camel!
View attachment 1714605

Was something off on your F&F? That's what impressed me was how well they did this little dude. Mine's about as good as they get.

 

[Pàdruig]

Was something off on your F&F? That's what impressed me was how well they did this little dude. Mine's about as good as they get.

I will hopefully be able to take some pictures tomorrow but my Garnet Bone 94 is definitely not one of GEC's finer efforts. It has one of the worst shield inletting jobs that I have ever seen on a GEC - I can fit my thumbnail in the gaps. Other than that and getting the strawberry kisses one kind of expects with GEC's red dyes anymore, it's a fine enough knife. As the red bone examples are the ones I am hoping to use and carry more, the issues aren't as bothersome but I am hoping that the 49 is finished a bit better.

 

[Kiro]

Was something off on your F&F? That's what impressed me was how well they did this little dude. Mine's about as good as they get.

Jigging has some chips, the bone to end cap transition has a very slight gap, and the spring is ever so slightly proud. None of them are worth complaining about, it's only noticeable vs some of their others. They have set a very high bar for themselves.

Glad yours is spot on. Hopefully most are like that.

 

[stagmeister]

I will hopefully be able to take some pictures tomorrow but my Garnet Bone 94 is definitely not one of GEC's finer efforts. It has one of the worst shield inletting jobs that I have ever seen on a GEC - I can fit my thumbnail in the gaps. Other than that and getting the strawberry kisses one kind of expects with GEC's red dyes anymore, it's a fine enough knife. As the red bone examples are the ones I am hoping to use and carry more, the issues aren't as bothersome but I am hoping that the 49 is finished a bit better.

Sorry to hear that. I know what you're saying about the kisses in the reds as I have a small one on my 62. That doesn't bother me though as I think it makes it unique. I have no gap in transitions and couldn't get anything under the shied if I needed to. You could always send it back if you want for repair o replacement. They won't do it for the bone color, but the other issues sound valid. I hope if you get a 49 it is a better example.

 

[stagmeister]

Jigging has some chips, the bone to end cap transition has a very slight gap, and the spring is ever so slightly proud. None of them are worth complaining about, it's only noticeable vs some of their others. They have set a very high bar for themselves.

Glad yours is spot on. Hopefully most are like that.

Chips and gaps really aren't acceptable in my mind. Call and see what they say if you're unhappy with it. Is the spring proud only at halfstop, or when open and closed too?

 

[stagmeister]

Delete.

 

[jeffsenpai]

My 94 arrived, I opted for an "A" marked flawed version. These were supposed to have minor issues with the acrylic. I did not notice any issues at all with the covers on my sample, at least, nothing that I know to look for.

I did see a marking error on the "don't tread on me" marking. The e was cut off. Perhaps this is the reason for the "flaw". Either way, the knife is excellent.

I found the markings curious. The tube cap has an "a" printed on it, and the blade is stamped with an "a" as well.

 

[JTB_5]

My garnet #94 arrived today and I've been doing a little examination of it and comparing it to my #15 boys knife, which is about as small as I like to go. First, a couple of solo shots. Really nice color:

The fit and finish are mostly good, but the shield is a wee bit proud on one side:


The first comparison picture here is the #94 on top of the #15. Pretty close in blade size, but the 15 has more girth laterally and at the butt. The side-by-side also reveals that the bolster is a bit different. The 94 has a longer bolster and a smaller bevel at the top (plus the extra line):

Here's another interesting look at the bolster and blade sizes. The blade stock is a bit thinner on the 94, but not by a lot. The knife itself is slightly thinner.


How did they get all that blade into the smaller package? It looks like the shaved a bit of backspring at the butt of the knife. It is really thin where it meets the end caps and has only millimeters (if that!) of overlap into the blade well.


I'm not sure this size is for me, but it sure is a pretty little thing.

 

[stagmeister]

I find it interesting that when they release a small pattern, many comment that they are too small for them (14, 15, 25, 33, 06, etc...) However, as time goes by, these seem to command pretty nice premiums in the aftermarket. I wonder if some of the 94/49's will follow that trend.

 

[JohnDF]

I wonder if some of the 94/49's will follow that trend.

Lately, they ALL follow that trend.

 

[Pàdruig]

I find it interesting that when they release a small pattern, many comment that they are too small for them (14, 15, 25, 33, 06, etc...) However, as time goes by, these seem to command pretty nice premiums in the aftermarket. I wonder if some of the 94/49's will follow that trend.

As I do not tend to grip my slip joints in a fist, rather more of a loose pinch grip, I can find quite a number of sizes plenty comfortable and useful. I've gotten a lot of mileage out of my first 14 (a 2-blade ebony jack) and have enjoyed the other patterns you mentioned as well. If the blade meets my needs and I can comfortably pinch grip the bolsters, while being able to have the frame noticeably nestled in my fingers, I can get a lot of use out of a knife like that.

Now that I think of it, I really can't think of a small knife that I have that doesn't meet that criteria. Obviously some frames provide better comfort than others but that tends to be more notable in larger frames. The 29 versus the 92 comes to mind - where the former is a pleasure to handle, the 92 hasn't quite clicked with me yet.

I find it curious that the 49/94 hasn't generated a whole lot of buzz. In my opinion, it is a slim, elegant pattern that packs a lot of blade in a smaller package. It might be one of those sleepers that become more desirable the further we get from its debut. Still, it's a swayback that comes in two different, yet desirable blade shapes - hard to see what's not to love other than its size, I guess.

 

[JohnDF]

I find it curious that the 49/94 hasn't generated a whole lot of buzz. In my opinion

I believe that retail costs have kept the casual user away from them for the most part.
Along with GEC's less than perfect F&F being reported, especially right out of the gate with the flawed acrylic.

 

[stagmeister]

As I do not tend to grip my slip joints in a fist, rather more of a loose pinch grip, I can find quite a number of sizes plenty comfortable and useful. I've gotten a lot of mileage out of my first 14 (a 2-blade ebony jack) and have enjoyed the other patterns you mentioned as well. If the blade meets my needs and I can comfortably pinch grip the bolsters, while being able to have the frame noticeably nestled in my fingers, I can get a lot of use out of a knife like that.

Now that I think of it, I really can't think of a small knife that I have that doesn't meet that criteria. Obviously some frames provide better comfort than others but that tends to be more notable in larger frames. The 29 versus the 92 comes to mind - where the former is a pleasure to handle, the 92 hasn't quite clicked with me yet.

I find it curious that the 49/94 hasn't generated a whole lot of buzz. In my opinion, it is a slim, elegant pattern that packs a lot of blade in a smaller package. It might be one of those sleepers that become more desirable the further we get from its debut. Still, it's a swayback that comes in two different, yet desirable blade shapes - hard to see what's not to love other than its size, I guess.

I agree with you on all the above. I could never warm up to the 33's for some reason and traded them away. All the rest work well for me. I got my 94 Blue Camel today and it's a real beauty. Deep dark blue as I requested. That one will go in my queen collection, but I'm using the garnet 94 and really enjoying it. I have learned to pinch it shut. Haven't done it, but as shallow as these are you will eventually catch a fingertip if you snap them shut .

 

[stagmeister]

I believe that retail costs have kept the casual user away from them for the most part.
Along with GEC's less than perfect F&F being reported, especially right out of the gate with the flawed acrylic.

Yes, you are probably correct. Retail-MSRP has become the new norm though as there are only a couple dealers left that sell at or near MAP. I saw another this week go to MSRP.
I'm sorry to hear people are having F&F issues. We know some of the acrylics had them, but they were sold that way. My bone examples are pretty much without flaw. I really hope QC waining.

 

[Pàdruig]

I believe that retail costs have kept the casual user away from them for the most part.
Along with GEC's less than perfect F&F being reported, especially right out of the gate with the flawed acrylic.

I don't know.... The costs have been what they are for quite some time and I've seen worse QC from GEC, as well as past issues with acrylic (some folks might remember the Ivory Acrylic 25s). Either 1.) (all of the sudden) the market is slowing down or 2.) folks are starting to care more about flaws or 3.) it's simply not a pattern that folks like as much (though there doesn't seem to be any problems with them being sold). I am thinking #3 to be the most likely culprit - it is on the smaller end and any knife that isn't a typical jack is not going to be as popular. Heck, I only started this thread because the pattern appeared to be completely slipping under the radar - it's too elegant a pattern to let that happen.