Bull lock no longer made? And thumb studs?

[minimize]

Hi. 2 quick questions if I may.

1. Is the Bull lock no longer made? Its been hard trying to locate one. There seem to be "GEC", "Tidioute", and "Northfield" versions which is really confusing. None of which are available anywhere. Anyone know of the difference, and where I could find one?

2. For the guys who hate nail nicks, have you found a solution? I remember there being a thumb stud that you could screw onto the blade that helped with grip with two fingers.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!

 

[GaiusJulius]

Here’s the deal with Great Eastern Cutlery (usually abbreviated GEC.) They have four “product lines.” Northfield is the fancier trim level, usually polished blades and lined/pinched bolsters/endcaps. Tidioute is the more plain trim level, usually satin-finished blades and plain bolsters/endcaps. “GEC” is the stainless steel blade line. “Farm & Field” is the very basic utility line with Delrin/Micarta handles and no end caps or bolsters. Almost every knife GEC makes is made in a Northfield and Tidioute trim. Rarely is one made in “GEC” trim, and only occasionally are some patterns offered in F&F.

The way GEC makes knives, is in batches. They also almost never make the same identical knife design twice. So, for example: they’re getting ready to do a batch of “#33 Conductor” pattern. This is a small penknife pattern. They last did these in, I think, around 2012. And the colors/trim on these will probably be different than what they did 8 years ago.

So, your guess is as good as anyone’s when they’ll do another bull lock, lock back, or other type of locking knife. They are currently making a 23 with a linerlock. These are available now, but they will sell out probably pretty fast, and this type of knife (big trapper single blade with a lock) might not be made again by GEC for a long time. Maybe a year, maybe 2, or more. Your odds of finding an older run bull lock or lock back, new in stock at a dealer, are basically nil. You may be able to find one on secondary market but that may take months of searching. Even then one may not come up for sale. Older GECs are quite the collectible these days.

 

[Prester John]

Hi. 2 quick questions if I may.

1. Is the Bull lock no longer made? Its been hard trying to locate one. There seem to be "GEC", "Tidioute", and "Northfield" versions which is really confusing. None of which are available anywhere. Anyone know of the difference, and where I could find one?

2. For the guys who hate nail nicks, have you found a solution? I remember there being a thumb stud that you could screw onto the blade that helped with grip with two fingers.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!

I don't think anyone here in Traditionals hates nail nicks. It's thumb studs most of us don't care for--and they are not even allowed in this sub-forum.

 

[afishhunter]

I don't think anyone here in Traditionals hates nail nicks. It's thumb studs most of us don't care for--and they are not even allowed in this sub-forum.

There are those"hate" nail nicks on knives that you can pinch the blade open.
Maybe he is referring to them?

 

[JohnDF]

Sorry... Double Tap.

 

[JohnDF]

For the guys who hate nail nicks, have you found a solution?

Yes... Modern Knives... they don't have nail nicks.
But seriously, traditional back spring knives come with nail nicks, it's a thing.
If you have to have a traditional knife, and hate nail nicks, look for one you can pinch open.
Or if your into Buck knives, those brass bobbles you can add to the blade seem popular with the modern guys.
And finally, if you want modern conveniences and a traditional look, Case makes the Trapper lock.

 

[Prester John]

There are those"hate" nail nicks n knives that you can pinch the blade open.
Maybe be is referring to them?

Maybe. But traditionals usually have nail nicks. Or long pulls.

 

[minimize]

Here’s the deal with Great Eastern Cutlery (usually abbreviated GEC.) They have four “product lines.” Northfield is the fancier trim level, usually polished blades and lined/pinched bolsters/endcaps. Tidioute is the more plain trim level, usually satin-finished blades and plain bolsters/endcaps. “GEC” is the stainless steel blade line. “Farm & Field” is the very basic utility line with Delrin/Micarta handles and no end caps or bolsters. Almost every knife GEC makes is made in a Northfield and Tidioute trim. Rarely is one made in “GEC” trim, and only occasionally are some patterns offered in F&F.

The way GEC makes knives, is in batches. They also almost never make the same identical knife design twice. So, for example: they’re getting ready to do a batch of “#33 Conductor” pattern. This is a small penknife pattern. They last did these in, I think, around 2012. And the colors/trim on these will probably be different than what they did 8 years ago.

So, your guess is as good as anyone’s when they’ll do another bull lock, lock back, or other type of locking knife. They are currently making a 23 with a linerlock. These are available now, but they will sell out probably pretty fast, and this type of knife (big trapper single blade with a lock) might not be made again by GEC for a long time. Maybe a year, maybe 2, or more. Your odds of finding an older run bull lock or lock back, new in stock at a dealer, are basically nil. You may be able to find one on secondary market but that may take months of searching. Even then one may not come up for sale. Older GECs are quite the collectible these days.

INCREDIBLE reply! Thank you! Wish I could hit the "like" twice. Really appreciate the clarification. I was really confused by the three being different, but identical.

I had no idea about how the process happens. I guess I need to really jump on that #23 Beaver, single blade, liner! Its so hard finding in stock, and then on top of that I am reading people say its really tough to open! I will worry about that after I secure one. Seriously, thanks again!

I don't think anyone here in Traditionals hates nail nicks. It's thumb studs most of us don't care for--and they are not even allowed in this sub-forum.

Poor choice of words, perhaps. I have been reading a lot of threads on BF lately trying to learn about traditionals. I am seeing a decent amount of people having issues with some nail nick openers being a "9" in difficulty to open or it being a nail breaker. I also am not a fan of hard pull blades.

Thumb stud, not to make it a modern knife, but to have a point to get a better grasp on the blade to pull open, while maintaining its two handed opening.

There are those"hate" nail nicks on knives that you can pinch the blade open.
Maybe he is referring to them?

Yes! Pinch to open! Thank you!

Yes... Modern Knives... they don't have nail nicks.
But seriously, traditional back spring knives come with nail nicks, it's a thing.
If you have to have a traditional knife, and hate nail nicks, look for one you can pinch open.
Or if your into Buck knives, those brass bobbles you can add to the blade seem popular with the modern guys.
And finally, if you want modern conveniences and a traditional look, Case makes the Trapper lock.

Hi. Thats what I would like, a traditional with a blade that can be pinched open. Sadly, I am having a tough time finding one just like that. I love the new GEC #23 single bladed Beaver but I am reading they are a really tough pull. Was hoping there was a forum approved remedy. Thanks again!

 

[Rockon75]

Figure out what blade style you prefer, drop, clip, sheep, etc and then large, medium or small frame. Then PM me. I have a lot of user gecs. Ill loan you one or three to see how you like. Then send them back and you can start your hunt......

 

[kvaughn]

Most single blade traditionals are pretty easy to put an easy open notch on. I've done a few with with just hand tools, which I prefer. Less chance of screwing up.-KV

 

[GaiusJulius]

INCREDIBLE reply! Thank you! Wish I could hit the "like" twice. Really appreciate the clarification. I was really confused by the three being different, but identical.

I had no idea about how the process happens. I guess I need to really jump on that #23 Beaver, single blade, liner! Its so hard finding in stock, and then on top of that I am reading people say its really tough to open! I will worry about that after I secure one. Seriously, thanks again!



Poor choice of words, perhaps. I have been reading a lot of threads on BF lately trying to learn about traditionals. I am seeing a decent amount of people having issues with some nail nick openers being a "9" in difficulty to open or it being a nail breaker. I also am not a fan of hard pull blades.

Thumb stud, not to make it a modern knife, but to have a point to get a better grasp on the blade to pull open, while maintaining its two handed opening.



Yes! Pinch to open! Thank you!



Hi. Thats what I would like, a traditional with a blade that can be pinched open. Sadly, I am having a tough time finding one just like that. I love the new GEC #23 single bladed Beaver but I am reading they are a really tough pull. Was hoping there was a forum approved remedy. Thanks again!

My pleasure in helping someone who is new. I’ve been a fan of GEC for a number of years but compared to companies like Case, or many makers of modern folders, GEC’s whole approach is ...different.

I’d suggest visiting the GEC website and perusing their dealer list. They have a number of dealers, some of whom get a lot of forum love and others who don’t. One of the lesser-trafficked ones may well have one of the single blades in stock. Also keep an eye on the exchange here. Good chance someone may decide this pattern isn’t for them. And if you pick one up from the exchange or a dealer and decide it’s not for you, you should have no trouble moving it along if you wish. Finally, remember that GEC isn’t the only game in town. This is the Traditional forum and although I think GEC makes a fine knife, there are other knives by Buck or Case that might be easier to find to get your feet wet with traditionals, especially of the locking variety.

 

[Elgatodeacero]

The forum approved remedy is to carry a second knife like a Victorinox, and use the screw driver to open the blade, or maybe the pliers.

 

[JohnDF]

Not all GEC knives are nail breakers, in fact most of them are quite easy on the thumb nails.
If you find something available, and you're interested in it, just ask here and we can tell you if it's easy enough to open.

 

[btb01]

I guess I need to really jump on that #23 Beaver, single blade, liner! Its so hard finding in stock, and then on top of that I am reading people say its really tough to open! I will worry about that after I secure one. Seriously, thanks again!

Good luck!

I love knives that can be pinched open. Here are some pinchable GEC’s.

#71 Bull Nose and #21 Bull Buster:

Sheepsfoot #15’s are easily pinchable:

The EO notch helps, but even this one is easy to pinch open.

These three don’t look very pinchable, but they all have lighter than average pulls for GEC, and can be pinched open fairly easily.

#72:

#43:

#99:

The EO notch on this #85 was factory:

This one was added (#25):

 

[minimize]

My pleasure in helping someone who is new. I’ve been a fan of GEC for a number of years but compared to companies like Case, or many makers of modern folders, GEC’s whole approach is ...different.

I’d suggest visiting the GEC website and perusing their dealer list. They have a number of dealers, some of whom get a lot of forum love and others who don’t. One of the lesser-trafficked ones may well have one of the single blades in stock. Also keep an eye on the exchange here. Good chance someone may decide this pattern isn’t for them. And if you pick one up from the exchange or a dealer and decide it’s not for you, you should have no trouble moving it along if you wish. Finally, remember that GEC isn’t the only game in town. This is the Traditional forum and although I think GEC makes a fine knife, there are other knives by Buck or Case that might be easier to find to get your feet wet with traditionals, especially of the locking variety.

Thanks for another helpful post. I really do appreciate it. I actually have GEC's site bookmarked and have gone through their entire list of dealers more than once. So far no luck. I will try again.

I have been reading as much as I can, and check out all the photos. So many options. I ordered a Case Russlock and a Case Cheetah in a root beer colorway. Pretty excited. Really want to find a Bull Lock, even though its sounding near impossible now. haha! Thanks again for all the helpful tips.

Not all GEC knives are nail breakers, in fact most of them are quite easy on the thumb nails.
If you find something available, and you're interested in it, just ask here and we can tell you if it's easy enough to open.

Hey, very kind of you! Thank you!

 

[minimize]

Good luck!

I love knives that can be pinched open. Here are some pinchable GEC’s.

Wow.. incredible post. I am loving a few of those. That Beer Scout looks awesome and has an awesome name to go with it. That GEC 43 and that Tidioute 72.. I have a feeling this is going to grow into a lot bigger hobby than I was anticipating. I am going to check those models out. Thank you!

 

[Camillus]

If only you had bought some of those early GECs when you joined Bladeforums in 2007!!!

$$$!!!

No one could have predicted their popularity.

 

[Wild Willie]

I know it isn't a gec, but the Mercator black cat is a lock back and can be pinched open...not to mention you can buy three or four of them for the cost of some of the gecs.

 

[minimize]

If only you had bought some of those early GECs when you joined Bladeforums in 2007!!!

$$$!!!

No one could have predicted their popularity.

Haha! Good call. Back then all I cared about was tacticool. Sad. Now I am finding all these traditionals I want, only to find out that they are no longer available. So exclusive. Love it.

I know it isn't a gec, but the Mercator black cat is a lock back and can be pinched open...not to mention you can buy three or four of them for the cost of some of the gecs.

Thanks for the suggestion. Don't think I'd carry it with a cat on it though. haha Just preference.

 

[minimize]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. Really welcoming sub forum. I appreciate the help. My first piece just got in and I'm really loving it. Thin from scale to scale. Solid lock up. Really nice aesthetic. No hot spots. The back lock needs to be pressed all the way, but maybe that will loosen up a bit. Wanted to try a Cheetah but wasn't sure which. I went with this because it was called a "ROOT BEER"! Ha! I love root beer. Thanks again everyone.