Lets talk GEC!

EngrSorenson said:
You’re correct, it’s not misleading. I was trying to use the language to sound less hostile and it backfired. I’ll say it plainly:

Favoring nickel silver over brass for the difference in shear stress handling at the pin is a decision made without much consideration of the use or magnitude of the applied forces.

And if GEC wants proof, we could talk about the number of failures they’ve had in the F&Fs or the #44’s with brass pins. I’m willing to gamble it isn’t happened.

so GEC, with this sole reason debunked, please make me some knives with brass bolsters and wood handles- please and thank you.
Click to expand...
Call them, I'm sure they will listen. Then Bill Howard will do what Bill Howard wants to do. Regardless of your debunking of their rationale. Oh, the fact that there are still brass bolster 44s still on the dealer shelves over a year later might be a rationale as well. But that's just my opinion.
 
Jiki said:
Call them, I'm sure they will listen. Then Bill Howard will do what Bill Howard wants to do. Regardless of your debunking of their rationale. Oh, the fact that there are still brass bolster 44s still on the dealer shelves over a year later might be a rationale as well. But that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I did forget to say thank you for asking someone at GEC with the good intentions of providing me an answer. Thank you!

I got too wrapped up in something I’m passionate about, and for that I apologize. The devil is in the details.
 
bbk357 said:
my dad just told me of an aluminum can shortage. Not sure for how long- but it guess it’s happening. I like beer best draft- but I prefer a can to bottle. Don’t tell my beer scouts.
Click to expand...

Canning beer is the direction seemingly all breweries are heading. Around here there’s even a portable canning truck that goes to breweries who don’t have their own canning/bottling outfit yet as a viable option.

Fear not, my friend- bottles aren’t going away! Avid home brewers cannot can like the pros can can. Bring your beer scouts over and we’ll put them to work.
 
bbk357 said:
Ugh, a ruined 77 with all that patina. I’ll pm you my address so you can rid of that hideous thing.
Click to expand...

LOL!!! No way it's priceless hahahah. Wouldn't give it away. :p:p:D

EngrSorenson said:
I love single bladed and two bladed knives equally and for different reasons. Hard to turn away the utility of a second blade, isn’t it? That’s also a winning combo: clip and sheepsfoot/coping. Beautiful knife, great patina.
Click to expand...
The best combo! A blade with some belly and a straight edge. I have enjoyed it Everytime I carry it. Strip it and keep it oiled.
 
gaj999 said:
Around here, we're about 50-50 cans-bottles for craft beers these days. Bottles are on the way out.
Click to expand...

Same here. Craft breweries (especially the smaller ones) all seem to be moving to cans, which is fine with me.

Prester John said:
You need a caplifter for Mexican Coke. It don't come in twist-off lids or in cans.
Click to expand...

That’s true! I’ve been slowly enjoying a case of Mexican Coke I bought at Costco a while back.

Wasn’t there (or is there still) a Dr. Pepper bottling co. in Texas that still made it with real sugar?

Sorry, getting off-topic. Here are some GEC caplifters.

1QTTh8y.jpg


Kk0fJyJ.jpg
 
btb01 said:
Same here. Craft breweries (especially the smaller ones) all seem to be moving to cans, which is fine with me.



That’s true! I’ve been slowly enjoying a case of Mexican Coke I bought at Costco a while back.

Wasn’t there (or is there still) a Dr. Pepper bottling co. in Texas that still made it with real sugar?

Sorry, getting off-topic. Here are some GEC caplifters.

1QTTh8y.jpg


Kk0fJyJ.jpg
Click to expand...
One more and you can use a fresh one for each bottle in the 12 pack. ;):D
 
JTB_5 said:
Is brass more expensive than nickel silver?
Click to expand...
Nah, if a knife supply place is to be believed, nickel silver is twice as expensive for the same bar stock as 360 Brass... but good thought.
Surprising really, when the only difference is about 20% nickel.
 
Nickel silver also doesn’t tend to corrode like brass. Brass gets a darker patina with time (which I dare say most don’t find pleasing, unlike the patina of carbon steel) and also forms green verdigris when in contact with leather. When I see a brass bolster I always think “cheap knife probably made in Pakistan.” Just not a fan. But some are, hence knives like the iconic Buck lockbacks.
 
I'm not part of the "Put a bottle opener on every knife!" crowd, but I do find them handy. I find uses for it, even if I don't encounter a bottle top in the course of a day:

Screwdriver
Scraping
Light prying
Pokin' at stuff...

Just like with an awl/punch secondary, I can save my main blade for cutting.

7tYReA4.jpg
 
EngrSorenson said:
I’m agonizing over those Northfield #44’s from 2018. Ultimately I never pull the trigger because I’m not the biggest fan of some of the design choices, however inconsequential they are. I just love the look of Brass on brass on brass with rich browns and yellows for handle covers. Brass bolsters and cocobolo look so sharp.

Anyone know if there’s a rationale why we don’t see brass more often for bolsters and shields?
Click to expand...

I'm with you. I just got a bone version and I'm absolutely kicking myself for not getting a cocobolo when I could. When there's a knife out there that would probably be my favorite of all time, and I can't get one...well, that stings a little.
 
From an engineering standpoint there are possible improvements to the materials used in traditional folders....... But then you wouldn't have the authenticity that GEC is known for.......
Brass comes in many forms and with varying hardness...... A very hard brass won't rivet worth a damn...... The mushroom will fracture before forming..... All this is known quite well by the knife makers.... It is what is endearing with GEC knives.....
I also have modern folders; LionSteel, etc but I look at those in an entirely different manner than GEC...... Keep making traditional folders with traditional materials and keep the bloodlines pure..... If you want the latest gee-whiz materials buy a LionSteel or Viper....
 
GaiusJulius said:
Nickel silver also doesn’t tend to corrode like brass. Brass gets a darker patina with time (which I dare say most don’t find pleasing, unlike the patina of carbon steel) and also forms green verdigris when in contact with leather. When I see a brass bolster I always think “cheap knife probably made in Pakistan.” Just not a fan. But some are, hence knives like the iconic Buck lockbacks.
Click to expand...

There's different grades of brass you could consider. Naval brass, for example, is made for salt water use and contains 40% zinc. I think you're point stands though. I wonder why they choose to pin covers on with brass and not nickel silver?

To your point regarding leather contact, I just noticed this phenomena when I left my early 90's Camillus scout knife which I carelessly left in my leather belt sheath (shame on me!). It has nickel silver bolsters, and it formed green nickel oxide. Just figured I'd throw that out there due to the timely nature of my observation and your comment.

Anyway, maybe making knife bolsters out of brass doesn't make sense.
 
Prester John said:
You need a caplifter for Mexican Coke. It don't come in twist-off lids or in cans.
Click to expand...

I haven't had a soft drink in decades. It's weird. I didn't make any effort to stop, but when I retired it became inconvenient. Once I got out of the habit, I found that I didn't really like it that much. Now when someone offers me one, I pass. If someone offers me a beer, I don't pass. Unless it's Miller. Or Coors. Or Bud. But calling those beer is like calling a 99 cent gas station special a knife.
 
HEMI 49 said:
..... If you want the latest gee-whiz materials buy a LionSteel or Viper....
Click to expand...

I do. I wish there were more available. I'm getting burned out on GEC, there's no compelling reason to buy yet another 1095 knife, and I find that I'm carrying knives with better steel more and more. If GEC comes out with a pattern that speaks to me, like another Cattle Baron or the same blade set on a Sowbelly frame, I'm in, but otherwise I'm mostly watching from the sidelines these days.
 
gaj999 said:
I'm getting burned out on GEC, there's no compelling reason to buy yet another 1095 knife, and I find that I'm carrying knives with better steel more and more. If GEC comes out with a pattern that speaks to me, like another Cattle Baron or the same blade set on a Sowbelly frame, I'm in, but otherwise I'm mostly watching from the sidelines these days.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. Variation is nice, especially when we're buying things we don't "need" in the strictest sense of the word. I bought an S35VN ESEE 3 just because I could justify a legal carry (in CT) fixed blade and the stainless steel for wet work where I don't want to be concerned about taking steps to prevent my knife rusting or getting soaked. I've also never owned a premium steel. I payed about $20-$30 more than the GEC fixed blades in 1095.

I'm not saying GEC would (or even should) go that "modern materials" route, especially if someone else is doing it successfully already, but a few more options in 440C wouldn't hurt! Don't get me wrong, I love my 1095- it's dependable and does what I need 99.9% of the time.

My wife doesn't know a lot about knives, which makes it even more painful when I show her a knife I want and she asks, "isn't that just like a knife you already have?" and I have to respond, "... well... yeah, I guess, but... well... it looks different!". She never stops me, but I sure do think a little harder about it.
 
Jiki said:
One more and you can use a fresh one for each bottle in the 12 pack. ;):D
Click to expand...

I’d need three more, now. I let a couple of the Beer Scouts go (the Draft Beer Acrylic and Golden Ale Jigged Bone from the second run).

EngrSorenson said:
I swear it’s like I’m seeing Rockettes doing a kick routine.
Click to expand...

That was the idea. :D

r8shell said:
I'm not part of the "Put a bottle opener on every knife!" crowd, but I do find them handy. I find uses for it, even if I don't encounter a bottle top in the course of a day:

Screwdriver
Scraping
Light prying
Pokin' at stuff...

Just like with an awl/punch secondary, I can save my main blade for cutting.

7tYReA4.jpg
Click to expand...

That last one is my favorite use for it. :) :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top