All About Pocket Knives

If you could only use one GEC knife for the rest of your life, it would have to do everything you do: hunt, fish, carpentry, farm, cattle, camp, etc. And furthermore if it had to be a single blade knife, which GEC would you pick ? You might want to think about it as it would be a lifelong commitment.
I know which one it is for me. It is a knife i just received and it got me thinking about "The One Knife" thing.
It is a GEC 235109ECL
4 1/2" so a good size but it is slender so o.k. in pocket or belt sheath
3 7/8" drop point blade, right profile & size for field dressing deer and enough blade to be mostly there after many sharpenings
The liner lock is 100% solid. Your hand is safe when using the knife.
Has end caps: looks better and bone will not crack when dropped on end.
I cannot think of a better single blade GEC Do-It-All knife. I hope you can or this will be a short thread.
kj

Great looking knife. Too bad it's not drilled for a lanyard. Would make a perfect backpocket carry if it was (or if it had a bail).

Ken

#73 Scout for me**

Yeah, it should have a lanyard hole.
And it looks like the blade on the 73 is the same profile as on my 23. If so it is basically the same as my liner lock 23, but scaled down a bit.
kj

I shall play. I could live with any 14 or 15 most practically. But if it were up to me I would go regular 2 blade jack, but alas. I am a toss between my 73 liner lock and a 43. They are both exceptional.
So I went and pulled out the tub of GEC and had a look. These 4 jumped out, I could live with any. The 48 would be a pick in 40 years as awesome as it is. The 43 is likely a bit big. That 73 would work as would the 55. Both a good size for the pocket. But then I thought of another. Rare, beautiful, pocketable and has a quality that brings a smile to my face. I choose the 641113LBSG in Genuine Stag.
It locks up tight, the stag goes beyond and is plain cool. It's a hair less than practical but I can't foresee being down to just
one.

64 Swing Guard ! I did not know of this knife. Great blade and a guard for safety. Good choice i say.
kj

Well, I actually only own one single blade GEC, so my choice would have to be this Northwoods bullet jack in cocobolo. Great little knife that actually packs a lot of blade into a small frame. Solid as a rock, half stop, bery snappy and quite capable. Very pocket friendly too of course.

Kootenay Joe that's a good looking knife. Well seeing as I have 2 43's I'd say it's this one. I really like this little 38 but it's blade would be to fine for a one knife for the rest of my years scenario. Glad I don't have to make that choice.

The #43 at 4 1/4" is a good size for a knife for life. So far no one has selected a 54 frame which is 4 1/8". Maybe there are no single blade 54's ?
kj

Man you don't make this easy. One single blade would probably be this one.

kootenay joe wrote:The #43 at 4 1/4" is a good size for a knife for life. So far no one has selected a 54 frame which is 4 1/8". Maybe there are no single blade 54's ?
kj

Ooh, the DLT sfo single blade 54 from last summer would be a dandy pick. I prefer to the 78 singles personally.

I'm learning here ! Did not know of the 2017 DLT single blade #54. Now i'm looking for one.
Alfred E. is your pick a #77 ?
kj

The only single blade GEC I have, so at present anyway this is it. But it's a dandy!

Ken

Mumblety-peg: That sure is a fine one. I almost bought one of those instead of the 43. Then the Gunstocks and the temptation is strong again.

A #14 would work but shorter edge = more frequent sharpening, still plenty of blade for 1+ lifetimes.
kj

KJ, this question makes me sweat but I'll play. But wait, are we talking GEC's that I actually own, or is the aperture open to GECs that I've drooled over in pictures only? And does it have to be a GEC-branded knife, or can GEC-made private label knives be in the running? First, the GEC branded singles that I own, which aren't that many:

43 Oregon in Frontier Bone
78 SMKW SFO single in "Pennsylvania" peach seed jigged bone
71 Bullnose in red linen micarta

So for GEC branded singles I own, the 71 Bullnose is the reluctant winner because it's in a medium-large size that looks classy in red micarta, yet can totally work like a rented mule.

And here are the GEC-made private labels that I own:
(21) Smith & Sons Mudbug in maroon linen micarta
(79) NW Fremont Jack in red linen micarta

If my house were on fire and I could take one knife and one knife only, I'd grab my Fremont Jack and run. Someday, somebody will face the unenviable task of prying my Fremont Jack out of my cold dead hand.

Yet, if I could cross my arms and blink and get the knife I want but don't have...the 77 BF SFO PPP stag clip single (I think) 2014. That would do the job nicely because of it's medium size, dream clip blade, and tough yet nice-enough-to-present-to-the-President stag.

How's that for an equivocal answer?

Lee

m0nk, you thought about it which is what i was hoping people would do.
My intention was: any knife made by GEC regardless of how it is branded or whether or not you own it.
I would not choose a Warncliffe blade for my one & only knife.
kj

ONE KNIFE???

Impossible!!

Well . . . . .maybe. . . . .

I am up for the challenge of surviving in the city with this one.
But if we are going post-apocalyptic, then it would have to be a #23 sized knife at least!!

upnorth wrote:ONE KNIFE???

Impossible!!

Well . . . . .maybe. . . . .

I am up for the challenge of surviving in the city with this one.
But if we are going post-apocalyptic, then it would have to be a #23 sized knife at least!!

Charlie, I presume? If that's you, why am I not surprised at your choice of TC barlow? I know Charlie C. SFOs are sold at several distributors, but getting ahold of one is like trying to grab a gnat out of a swarm, a swing and a miss. The #15 is a great size, not too big and not too small. Just today I was appreciating how nice my Beer Scout feels in my pocket.

Lee

Charlies Barlow looks like the famous Ol'Boily of 2012.

Well I know there aren't many fans of the pattern 'round here, but I'd certainly have no problem calling this my only knife. A Northfield #12 Powderhorn in burled Cocobolo. 1 of only 7 made, or I'd probably be carrying it now.

WB

Beautiful handles on that one Rob.

Thanks Phil! I've worked with quite a bit of Cocobolo over the years, first burl I've seen though.

I got it from our ol' buddy Trevor.(imband) I haven't heard from him in a long time, hope he's doin' alright!


WB

Mumbleypeg wrote:The only single blade GEC I have, so at present anyway this is it. But it's a dandy!

Ken

That sure is a good looking little guy on that tube.

wlf wrote:

Mumbleypeg wrote:The only single blade GEC I have, so at present anyway this is it. But it's a dandy!

Ken

That sure is a good looking little guy on that tube.

Yes indeed - and he's a dandy too!

Ken