Lets talk GEC!

Thanks. I've heard of it being scarce, I didn't know it was basically extinct. Disease of some sort if I recall. I guess I should have just searched it. I will now. Nice looking knife.
 
Angry Angus said:
Thanks. I've heard of it being scarce, I didn't know it was basically extinct. Disease of some sort if I recall. I guess I should have just searched it. I will now. Nice looking knife.
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Yea some kind of blight brought over from asian chestnut species. Pretty interesting to read about, theres apparently a few untouched mature trees somewhere in michigan if I recall. The blight doesnt kill the root system so these century old root systems keep throwing up new shoots only to be taken down by the blight again.
 
I had a couple of the GEC fixed blades from 2016. One of the caps said American Chestnut and the other said Chestnut Wood. They looked identical to me, so not really sure why they were named differently.
 
I think the historicity of Chestnut is neat. Can’t say it’s a particularly pretty wood though. But I’d always prefer wood to acrylic if I had a choice.
 
One interesting thing is the 89 Fruit Knife appears to have stabilized chestnut covers, and I think previous knives have had normal chestnut wood covers that were not stabilized.
 
I highly doubt I'd be able to get the upcoming busters (my frickin favorite pattern)...I missed the collectorknives early reserve and every drop at dealer seems to be randomly timed (understandable) and disappear in about 5 minutes...

Heres hoping the 50 something dollar won't get marked up too bad...if I dont F5 fast enough, snag a micarta one for me guys 🥲
 
Good luck Charlie, waynorth waynorth , with your upcoming procedure, hope all goes smoothly. I don't envy you on your future project of polling for the covers of the upcoming release. Trying to appease the masses, we have a saying over here " You Can Have That On Your Own ". 🤣 🤣 🤣 All the best, and take care mate.🤝
 
There’s a few places I’ve been in West Virginia and Vermont that are actively growing American Chestnuts with the goal to eventually restore the species. Maybe our great great grandkids will see saplings all over.

I’m usually torn when GEC offers knife covers in woods that are getting harder and harder to come by. I do see some benefit to going for something less exotic and more sustainable, like red oak, maple, or walnut. At risk of sounding like a hippy, I do like how they recycle wood sometimes as a great alternative.
 
Basically all chestnut wood comes from old barns and houses that are torn down and the beams are reclaimed for various uses like flooring, cabinet facing, counter tops, and a few scraps for knife handles.

Nobody cuts down an old chestnut for lumber anymore, but back before the early 1900’s before the chestnut blight came, chestnut wood was prized for its long life and rot resistance. There used to be 3 billion chestnut trees east of the Mississippi River, and the American chestnut was the most common tree. After the blight, Americans used the standing dead lumber for barns, homes and similar construction because the wood was so good and strong.

www.appalachianwoods.com

Antique Wormy Chestnut Lumber

Reclaimed wormy chestnut lumber. Available in 4/4 or 8/4 thicknesses. Perfect for furniture, trim and many other applications.
www.appalachianwoods.com

www.glumber.com

Reclaimed Chestnut Wood Countertops, Wood Bar Tops

Information with photography about Reclaimed Chestnut wood countertops, Wood bar tops crafted by Grothouse
www.glumber.com www.glumber.com

 
EngrSorenson said:
There’s a few places I’ve been in West Virginia and Vermont that are actively growing American Chestnuts with the goal to eventually restore the species. Maybe our great great grandkids will see saplings all over.

I’m usually torn when GEC offers knife covers in woods that are getting harder and harder to come by. I do see some benefit to going for something less exotic and more sustainable, like red oak, maple, or walnut. At risk of sounding like a hippy, I do like how they recycle wood sometimes as a great alternative.
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I have , if I remember correctly , a 2016 GEC 74 with re-claimed Old Barn Chestnut Wood . The blade is Stainless .

Harry
 
Old Engineer said:
I have , if I remember correctly , a 2016 GEC 74 with re-claimed Old Barn Chestnut Wood . The blade is Stainless .

Harry
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I like that. To be clear, I don’t think GEC is cutting down American chestnuts, or more accurately, sourcing from someone who does. I’m sure it’s reclaimed, and I approve of that. Same with oil sucker rod- it’s a great way to get more out of quality wood.

Ebony, Bloodwood, etc. are a little more rarified than we’d all like, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Obviously makes gorgeous covers- I just wonder if it’s a good idea. Maybe I just worry about nothing!
 

Yup, its timbers on CITES such as blackwood, ebony, cocobolo, rosewood (don’t flame me I didn’t check them all) that cause issues. As an international purchaser, I am very wary of not having a CITES authorisation. Although I trust GEC, I know they are a long from the actual forest where the timber is felled, so its not clear whether their timber is ok

Also, at least in Australia, the way our Customs treats CITES changes a lot, makes it hard to keep track.
 
EngrSorenson said:
I like that. To be clear, I don’t think GEC is cutting down American chestnuts, or more accurately, sourcing from someone who does. I’m sure it’s reclaimed, and I approve of that. Same with oil sucker rod- it’s a great way to get more out of quality wood.

Ebony, Bloodwood, etc. are a little more rarified than we’d all like, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Obviously makes gorgeous covers- I just wonder if it’s a good idea. Maybe I just worry about nothing!
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I am not a Tree Hugger but I do have the same thoughts about that .

Harry
 
Camillus said:

Yup, its timbers on CITES such as blackwood, ebony, cocobolo, rosewood (don’t flame me I didn’t check them all) that cause issues. As an international purchaser, I am very wary of not having a CITES authorisation. Although I trust GEC, I know they are a long from the actual forest where the timber is felled, so its not clear whether their timber is ok

Also, at least in Australia, the way our Customs treats CITES changes a lot, makes it hard to keep track.
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Very interesting, do you know if kingwood has the same issues? I believe it’s a rosewood same as African black and cocobolo as well.
Edit: and of course East Indian Rosewood
 
Does anyone have any photos of their new 89 in chestnut? I’ve been pretty excited about these mostly for the different looks of chestnut covers.
 
Sorry, I don’t know. You need to look up CITES and then check your own Customs rules. I doubt it’s ever an issue for domestic US puchases.
 
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