All About Pocket Knives

Being new to GEC I thought you might be interested in my first impressions of the 262212 Sleeveboard that I recently purchased. My initial reaction was that compared to the small (read ‘unscary’) pen knives that I regularly carry, this knife is MASSIVE. If ‘light-weight’ is a priority for you, this is definitely not your knife. It takes me back to the days before plastic, when everything was steel and cast iron. Personally, it makes me feel like I really got my money’s worth.
The next thing that I noticed was the hard snap when I opened it and how strong the lock up was (kind of like a lockback without the lock). I’m sure the short wide blade contributed to this, but I can’t imagine this knife ever closing up on me during use.
When I tested the sharpness I was very impressed. I can’t tell you how well the edge will hold up long term, but out of the box this is knife is as sharp any knife that I have ever purchased. I was reminded of the reviewer who referred to his GEC as “a razor blade with a handle”
One thing that I thought was a little odd about this knife was all of the little scratches on the blades and bolsters. I assumed that since I bought it from a dealer, the knife was brand new. I plan on making the knife an EDC, and it will end up looking like that anyway, so I guess it really doesn’t matter.
Despite its small size and good looks, I see this GEC primarily as a heavy duty work knife. While ‘Pioneer’ users may snicker at that suggestion, I feel that this knife could handle almost job that it needed to do. I spend my days setting in front of a computer and I will probably never test its full capabilities, but this knife has given me a better picture of why knife collectors are raving about Great Eastern.

Knice review!

i lust bought a new easy open 85 gec. i noticed all the would be scratches on the blade and the bolster, until i took a cleaning colth to it. it was just loaded up with oil, which i liked that they did ship it that way...hopefully that is the case with your knife.
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As far as rubs go, I think most have them. GECs are not customs and every little rub and scratch are not necessarily buffed out before shipping. They are handled a lot, I'm sure, during finishing and packing. Lots of knives are put on trays and they may rub a little. And while the blades rarely touch other while closed, the opening and closing will cause blades to touch each other a little and cause rub marks. Especially since the dealers open them an take pictures and such, as they are expected to do these days.

I have that same knife, but with the clip (and a bunch of others) and it has some blade rubs from opening, while the blades don't touch while closed. There is also a bolster rub and polishing swirls that I am sure are caused by handling along the way somewhere, in the factory, dealer and who knows were else.

The oil can also sometimes make it look like it has rubs and scratches that are just a little dried oil, but I'm sure that is not what you are referring to.

The bolsters can easily be perfected with some polishing compound.

And yes, they typically come shaving sharp these days.

And, I really like this version of the sleeveboard. I am not certain, but I think it is one of only 22 (11 clip, 11 spear) with the coping and the secondary blade. Most sleeveboards either have both straight blades or both belly blades.

Not trying to be an apologist on the rubs, just saying.

GECS ARE FOR THE MOST PART NOT REALLY POLISHED OFF AS WELL AS SOME OF THE HIGHER END FACTORY KNIVES. HOWEVER NOW & THEN I GET ONE THAT IS PRETTY BRIGHT. REALLY THIS DOES'NT BOTHER MYSELF SINCE THE OVERALL QUALITY & THE GREAT HEATTREAT ARE MORE IMPORTANT IN MY OPINION. I WOULD RATHER SEE GREAT QUALITY & PERFORMANCE IN PLACE OF SHINE. NO GEC WILL EVER BE BRITE AS A CROCUS BRUUCKMANN BUT THEY WILL CERTAINLY OUTPERFORM THOSE GREAT OLDER KNIVES.--HiPower

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I only mentioned the scratches in passing and I hope that I made it clear about how much I really like this knife.
A couple of quick comments:
1) This knife actually had zero blade rub. In my experience, pretty unusual for a pen knife.
2) Eric, you are correct. This knife was listed as a short run.

Congratulations and nice review!



If you get a chance, take a look at / handle the Courthouse Whittler ...



~ Edge

Postscript

Whenever I buy a new knife, I normally carry it for a few days, then move it into my regular rotation. I am finding, however, that this sleeveboard is the only knife that I want to carry. I am beginning to think that the only way that I will ever get it out of my pocket, is to get another GEC.

On Edge wrote:
If you get a chance, take a look at / handle the Courthouse Whittler ...



~ Edge

Homer

* lxplumm fwiw Edge is one of our resident CH Whittler freaks,have to get him to post some pics for ya

Alone no more.......

While I like the Courthouse Whittler, I have a preference for small knives.

Well those 25s certainly fit the bill on that preference.

For years I carried a Dozier D-6 until someone in my office complained about my "dangerous weapon". After that I went out and bought a Tiny Trapper. I've been collecting small slipjoints ever since.

lxplumm wrote:Alone no more.......

While I like the Courthouse Whittler, I have a preference for small knives.

These are pretty nimble and quite pocket friendly (or so I'm told … ) …
~ Edge

Very tempting. I really like the stags. Nice collection, Edge.

He's right. The #62 Courthouse Whittler/Easy Pocket Congress (3-3/4" Closed), #33 Conductor (3-3/8" closed) and #68 White Owl (3-1/2" closed) are all pocket friendly and non-threatening in the work place. With the wide range of handle materials offered by GEC they make excellent choices for EDC. Get one in one of the several acrylic patterns offered and all the ladies will be saying, "Oh, my. What a pretty little pocket knife you have." They're pocket jewelry.

While I have seriously looked at all three of these knives, I have been kinda' afraid to venture outside my self imposed three inch range. Maybe I just need to rethink my idea of 'small'. Great photos!

You were just teasin' me with those stags, weren't you Jerry...

Nice knives, Jerry!

lxplumm, If it's the size that makes you hesitant, I can promise you that the #33 conductor is a nice small pocket knife. It will not be quite as "chunky" as the 25s and 26s that you have. (I am also a big fan of the GEC 25s).

The conductor is just like the Queen #48 if that helps. Get one in your hands, I'm guessing you'll like it …



~ Edge

The Conductor is smaller than the Camillus 72 (Schrade 863, Ulster 63, etc). I broke my 3-1/2" minimum rule for that little puppy and I'm glad I did. Love it.

The Conductor certainly fits the bill size-wise and it is definitely a knife that I am proud to own, but for some reason those two chunky guys keep jumping into my pocket (a latent fondness for Whalers?).
In the forward to 'Collecting Case Knives", by Steve Pfeiffer, John Sullivan wrote, "collect what you like - and enjoy.", and though my tastes have changed over time, that's what I (and most people) end up doing.

I couldn't agree more … but interestingly enough, what I like and tend to EDC seems to shift around from time to time, and from a higher perch, it seems to be cyclical … as in:

I am into the 25s for a while, then the 73's, then the 33s, then the 61/62s, then the 53/54s … then the 66s, and then one day, I re-discover the 25s!

Could be just me, but time has taught me to hang on to whatever I can, because tomorrow might bring a different perspective …



~ Edge