Right tool for the job.
I'd have used my Stanley 10-499 box/utility knife instead of one of my GEC or other EDC.
A package of replacement blades for the Stanley costs a lot less than a new (or used) GEC, or most other brand and pattern knife.
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Yes, I could resharpen the GEC, no problem. However, every time you sharpen on a stone, you lose forever a tiny bit of blade steel.
It may well take a couple years of consistent use and sharpening's . to accomplish it, but I have less than zero desire to sharpen even one of my Rough Ryder, (SMKW) Marbles, or (Taylor/BTI) Schrade, that I might be able to replace, let alone one of my GEC's I know I'd never be able to afford to replace, down to a toothpick.
Those vintage/antique knives that have 1/4 or more of a blade or blades sharpened away I find depressing to look at.
Yes, they were probably "well loved" by the original owner (who likely enough only had one knife to drop in his or her pocket each A.M.; not a cigar box full or more to choose from and to spread the wear around) ... if it wasn't well loved, chances are it would have been "replaced" or regulated to "Go to Meetin'" only duty, long before there was any noticeable blade wear.
And, yes, they were used as a tool, as is only fitting, and yeah, the original owner probably "got his (or her) money's worth out of it" (always a "good" thing) before it was finally retired and replaced.