All About Pocket Knives

I'm wondering how many of you guys out there would consider buying a GEC #98 Texas Camp Knife that is 4-7/8" closed length. That's a BIG knife. I can understand something like a Case Medium Stockman that's around 3-5/8" or even 3-7/8" closed, but 4 7/8" is huge. So let's hear it: Yes or No?

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Mike

To carry? No! For the accumulation? Maybe. Depends on the pattern. I'm kind of hooked on 4½" English Jacks but for carry, mostly my taste runs from 3¼" closed to about 3-7/8" closed. More towards the middle/bottom of that range. Everybody has their own opinion.

As far as the GEC #98 Texas Camp Knife is concerned, I think they're kind of neat and I might buy one for the pile but it's way down on my wish list.

Put it on the belt in one of their new belt pouches!! A GEC in a GEC!!! John

I missed out on the 98 Camp knife, but I did get the 98 Cattle knife in red linen micarta. It is my most carried knife. I also like carrying a Case 6392 which is 4 1/4 inches so I am comfortable carrying a large-ish pocket knife. Even so, I was concerned about whether I would want to carry the GEC at 4 7/8". For me, the size of the 98 is comfortable (and reassuring) in in large pockets such as jeans and cargo shorts.

Because the Camp knife has a bail, the pocket feel might be significantly different.

If I could afford one, not going to happen, I'd pack it. In the front pocket too. I like a big a big knife.

Inspired no doubt by the original Remington bullet R4231 camp knife. Nice looking knife. I've back pocket carried a knife that length or thereabouts for years, with a lanyard attached to the bail for easy access. But it's always been a single blade lockback (thinner) and able to be opened with one hand. So FWIW this GEC Texas camp offering isn't a likely candidate for me to carry.

Ken

That puppy is way too big for my pocket.

I've got one of those Remington 4231 knives and I would not carry it because of its size either.

Thru a lot of trial and error, I have concluded that I like a 4-inch folding knife to carry, or slightly shorter. Anything bigger is too much. I currently pack a GEC 72 single-blade folder, right at 4 inches, one husky blade, flat in the pocket.

When GEC came out with that frame I jumped on the whittler and was glad to get one in ebony. As far as a daily carry it would not be my first choice. I can't see it being much more of a "pain in the pocket" than the 23 or a large folding hunter for that matter. Mike

probably not ... I have a Case gunboat canoe - it's huge. I've tried carrying it in a front pocket - feels like a roll of quarters. I love the knife & won't sell it ... maybe I'll find a nice sheath for it one day & it'll get more use.

I bought one and am very pleased that i did. It is a beautiful knife and it feels like the smoothest, best made 4 blade Utility knife i own. (with apologies to my 1930's Sta-Sharp Camp knives). It is a joy to own if you are a knife lover.
I don't like things in my pants pockets so i often carry a folding knife in a belt sheath and then the large size is no different from a belt sheath with a smaller knife.
It is a serious knife that could really help you on an overnight or longer bush trip.
kj

Yep, that's a BIG knife. I must admit it looks good though. Thanks for comparison photos K-Joe.

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Mike

i just bought a 98 catlemen that is a second in Kingwood! I bought one of there large sheaths for it and it is a superior combo!
!t is a pleasure to carry. All the rest of my GEC knives are safely stored in there own tubes in my safe. I carry this in the sheath and its no different then carrying a BUCK 110 OR A CASE or Queen folding hunter!

During deer season, whether in the woods or not, I usually carry an old Queen #39 folding hunter in my right front pocket. A big pocket knife is not uncomfortable to me, but to answer the main question, no, I wouldn't consider buying a GEC # 98 Texas camp knife, nothin' against that knife, I just simply don't need one.
Treefarmer

I don't own one, but if I ever do get one I would carry it. Either in a belt sheath or front pocket. I would just have to try it out.

I don't own one but I am interested. I am not liking the covers I am seeing, but if I see some nice handles I might pull the trigger. I am not bashful about carrying pockets full of all manner of truck- dinasaur gizzard stones, big knives, pistols, silver dollars, rifle shells, phones, a pound of keys, perhaps a small dead animal of some kind.... I have always had this problem, but I am comfortable with it. I have a fanny pack (my Goodwife calls it my purse) that handles the overload.

Cal, mine is such a well made knife that i am sure you would enjoy owning it. I very much like both the jigging and the color of the bone handles and jigged bone is very traditional for the 4 blade Utility pattern.
What handle material would you like to see ?
How about top quality Pearl and have all 4 bolsters engraved ? Family heirloom i'd say. The knife is well made enough to merit such fancy treatment
kj

If the cap lifter and the bail are not needed, the 98 cattle knife is the same size as the 98 camp knife with the same punch, sheep foot, and clip. Plus the 98 cattle knife is still available from dealers.

I would carry it for sure, out in the woods when I'm tent camping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPAodzud1vs

kootenay joe wrote: What handle material would you like to see ? kj

I would like to see smooth yellow bone with their "yellow rose" shield, long pull, add a pen blade alongside the punch, and mill the liners. Might as well make them nickel silver. I am talking cattle knife here, not the camp knife. Nothing wrong with a little fiery pearl, popcorn natural stag or elephant ivory either! I like Great Eastern's bone but I don't always like the jigging. I am waiting for payday; I may spring for Tidioute Gabon ebony, but I do like my long pulls. Decisions, decisions.

The knife was based on a Utica camp knife with the buffalo head shield . It was purchased by Charlie Campagna from my friend Tom Crites last year at the GEC Rendezvous and it wasn't cheap! Charlie gave Bill Howard the knife the next day to study.

I own a whittler in that pattern. It is a sleeker knife than the camp knife.I expect the cattle knife is a dandy also.

I'm like Jerry,I used to collect English jacks and Anglo Saxon whittlers,so the size for collecting is nothing new. If I was to carry the camp knife ,I'd want a belt sheath.

Daddy had a Japanese made big camp knife we used when ground hog hunting ,fishing,and camping. Mostly for eating and opening cans or bottles of pop. It came with a belt sheath,but I don't remember if Daddy used it or not. He was 5' 7" and he carried a 5" folding hunter in his pocket when hunting something to skin.

I would have preferred the whittler's shield was centered.

I'm with you Lyle. I prefer the long shields be centered.

Lyle, what is the knife above the 98 Whittler ?
kj

kootenay joe wrote:Lyle, what is the knife above the 98 Whittler ?
kj

Looks like a #73 in stainless?

I wouldn't mind tot'en that little bugger a bit, I like to know a knife is in my pocket, somrtimes 2,3, 4 or more. Little 3 1/2 inch and below in the watch pocket.