Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC)

GEC #15 Tidioute Boy’s Knife

I was just reading some statistics about Great Eastern Cutlery: in 2007 GEC produced approximately 7300 knives whereas in 2017 it’s nearly 30,000 pieces. This is remarkable in today’s hyper competitive EDC pocket knife market. That’s a 310% increase over ten years for a traditional knife company. Admittedly, these numbers are based on hearsay, but a glance at the production totals on GEC’s site show there’s some basis for them.

Buy the Boy’s knife at BladeHQ | KnivesShipFree | GP Knives

I’d like to think that the focus on traditional knives is born out of a perspective shift within the EDC community, perhaps away from the overbuilt tactical to the purpose-based smaller utility folders? It’s hard to say at this point, but just from observing the ripe secondary market it’s clear that slipjoint fever is on fire these days.

Today, we’re looking at the GEC #15 Tidioute Boy’s Knife, a well rounded and sized EDC slip-joint at a very accessible price point. Based around the traditional “Sleeveboard” pattern, these are sometimes also made into barlows with full steel bolsters. A “Boy’s Knife,” is generally characterized by their diminutive size (generally between 2.75″ and 3.25″ closed), the idea being these could be a child’s first pocket knife. These were most often spearpoint bladed pieces, but we’re seeing a lot of variety now in the modern iterations. But, before we get too far into that, let’s hit some specs:

Blade: 2.5”
OAL: 6.187”
Thickness: .43”
Blade Thickness: .09”
Steel: 1095 Carbon Steel
Weight: 1.8oz
Lock: Non-Locking Slipjoint

(These are my personal measurements made with my calipers and my faithful (pink) ruler. The manufacturer’s published numbers may vary.)

Blade

The #15 pattern by Great Eastern Cutlery is an amalgamation of several different knives they offer in the same size. I’m aware of a Wharncliffe version (Navy Knife), Wharncliffe with a cap-lifter/prybar type tool (Crown Lifter), Special Run Barlows (TC’s), and then the Spearpoint (Boy’s Knife) featured here. There are very likely other versions that I am not aware of out there, the world of GEC’s is deep and wide.

In my opinion the Boy’s Knife in spear point offers one of the more versatile blade shapes out of the GEC offerings. The blade has a straight back for nearly three-quarters of the length before descending into a fine point. GEC has also opted for a small swedge running nearly the entire length of the blade. I think that this offers a little dimensionality to what would otherwise be a very simple blade shape. In practice what I have found is that most of the knives that Great Eastern makes have very nice, thinly ground blades. Case in point, the #15’s blade I have has been taken down to .012 behind the edge… this thing screams through paper.

In practical use, I’ve found the #15’s blade to be a generally good fit for most of what I do. I think the spear point works well for piercing tasks and the thinness of the edge really excels for slicing. I wind up breaking down a lot of boxes at work and it only takes the lightest touch to break the tape.

As for steel, 1095 is a tried and true performer, high carbon, generally taken to 58-60HRC, I’ve had great experiences with it both in cutting and sharpening. It will stain or rust, so I’d suggest oiling the blade and spring with mineral oil or something similar (but not too much, some good use patina is cool.)

Handle and Ergonomics

The Boy’s Knife handle is a simple teardrop shape with micarta scales and a short steel bolster over steel liners. Construction is pinned. There are many options for scale material, but I opted for a micarta handle.

The handle offers a full grip for me, which is surprising to me since the knife appears to be so small on paper. The small teardrop shape doesn’t offer what I’d call a “secure grip,” but in the use case scenario for a small slip-joint, I tend to think this is more than adequate. When the #15 gets put to work cutting up cardboard boxes I’m careful with it as this is a smaller handle and the grip is not as secure as a full size knife.

I’d recommend a full size GEC if you intend to use the knife routinely for harder tasks like breaking down lots of boxes, but this knife is fine for light EDC use and the occasional package.

There is no pocket clip on this knife, so no need to comment on that. Often these knives are carried in leather slip sheathes. Either way this will be a small and slim carry.

Another option with this knife is to pick one up with a bail and chain. This is kind of like a wallet on a chain. It won’t walk off on you. Traditionally these bail knives were for sailors, and they continue to practical for marine applications and other times when you want to keep your knife on you.

Walk and Talk

Talking about the “lockup” on a traditional folder like this always presents a challenge, but I think it might be more applicable to talk about it’s fit and finish since those will directly relate.

The areas that are often talked about with traditionals generally are flushness of the spring and centering. I would expect a handmade custom Slipjoint to be flush in all three positions and perfectly centered, whereas I give a little grace to production knives.

The #15 is flush in the open and closed, but the spring does stick up a little at the half-stop. This would only become apparent if you stopped mid opening or closing to look at it. Centering, however, is right on the money.

Since this is a non-locking slip joint, we don’t talk about deployment and lockup. Instead we talk about “walk” and “talk”. The walk is the feel and tension of the blade moving against the spring, while the talk is the sound of the knife snapping open/closed.

The walk and talk on most GEC’s I’ve handled is pretty decent. My only gripe is that I don’t think that nail nicks are a viable method to open knives. My only interest in a nail nick is if it allows some portion of my finger to “stick” to the blade so I can pinch the knife open, and it barely functions as such on the #15. I’d love a more pinch-able blade.

GEC #15 Tidioute Boy’s Knife Review – Final Thoughts

All in all, my experiences with the GEC #15 have been very good. It’s a solid knife that performs well in the context that I think it was designed for. I think that most traditional knives perform pretty light duty tasks for everyone. Slice an apple here, open some mail there, maybe break down a few boxes as the need arises, but most of us won’t be carrying a GEC for a survival knife except perhaps as a tertiary backup to other gear. GEC’s have also maintained a good collector base, so if you’re the “Gotta Catch’em All,” type you will do well in this world.

If you are looking for a small and simple GEC slip joint, the #15 Boy’s Knife is well worth considering.

GEC #15 Boys Knife
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the GEC #15 Boys Knife at BladeHQ, KnivesShipFree, or GP Knives. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Great Eastern Cutlery #71 Bullnose Review

by Benjamin Schwartz 3 Comments

Traditional knives are like genre fiction: they’re expected to follow certain tropes. These conventions are more restrictive than those we impose when we say things like ‘tactical knife’ or ‘EDC knife,’ maybe because they’ve been cultivated over a longer period of time. However, as with a fantasy or horror novel, it’s possible for a traditional knife to transcend its label and achieve greatness, whether it’s working outside of its associated tropes or within them. When a traditional becomes great outside its tropes you get things like the Spyderco Roadie. When it achieves greatness within them, you get Great Eastern Cutlery.

Buy the GEC Bullnose at BHQ Buy the Bullnose at KniveShipFree

GEC makes traditional knives, not as they actually were back in the day, but as we fondly remember them to be (or are told to remember them). Operating out of historic Titusville, PA, GEC turns out batches of knives ritualistically grabbed up by collectors and enthusiasts eager to own these tangible remembrances of a perceived better time.

But GEC doesn’t just peddle nostalgia porn. They make truly great knives, with fantastic fit and finish, in a variety of materials both man-made and (sadly) natural. And among patterns both original and obscure, GEC also puts out classic styles, often with some slight tweaks to them. Such is the #71 Bullnose, which is GEC’s gentle revision of the Sodbuster pattern.

I picked up a Bullnose in 2017. GEC produces their knives in batches, and the latest run of Bullnoses has hit the market. Should you buy one?

General Dimensions and Blade Details

GEC’s Bullnose has a blade length of 3.1 inches, a handle length of 3.8 inches, and a weight of 2.4 oz. It is made in the United States.

This take on Sodbuster doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but you get a few little perks not seen on most Sodbusters: a wider butt end, and a big lanyard hole. The Bullnose hovers pleasantly in that arena of decent-sized knives that still maintain high pocketability. It can tackle most any cutting chore and yet drops into a pocket without a second thought.

Superlative fit and finish is a hallmark of a GEC knife. These are lovingly crafted knives, pleasures simply to hold. I’ve had some very nice GECs including two different Tom’s Choice Barlows, and they’ve all been beautifully finished, but my Bullnose is the nicest of the lot. The layers are airtight, the corners chamfered, the blade centered. The swedges are somewhat uneven, but I haven’t seen any outfit get something like that consistently perfect. Basically it’s all good, no matter which way you turn it or where you look.

Presumably we get the name ‘Bullnose’ from the blade shape: a drop point, but with a squat front end, squashed in like the face of a pug. I suppose the idea is to add some meat to the tip without compromising piercing power, and it mostly succeeds in that. The Bullnose isn’t exactly a needle point but it punches through material easy enough. Another effect of the blade shape is to reduce the belly to a compressed section just below the tip, meaning that most of the working edge is a straight line. Not a bad thing, and when I needed the extra cutting muscle of a belly I angled the knife so that portion was pushing down into the material and went to town.

1095 steel is one of the traditional knife tropes. It’s a carbon steel, so you have rust to worry about – but you know that going in so I’m not going to fault it for that. Once you get a patina forming, the blade turns a smoky, cloudy gray and receives a noticeable boost in corrosion resistance. It holds an edge well if you’re cutting softish things like thread or food, but on rougher media like cardboard, edge retention isn’t going to be phenomenal.

Simply put, 1095 is mediocre. Not bad, but not great – not even merely good. GEC used to implement 440C on some of their blades and I would like to see that on the Bullnose, at least as an option for those who want it. If the Bullnose is sincerely meant as a working knife, I think the rust resistance and boosted edge retention would be worthwhile.

On a side note: I think I’m alone in this, but this is my fourth GEC and I’ve always found their 1095 exceptionally difficult to sharpen. Like, harder to get sharp than VG-10. From what I understand they run the steel a little harder than normal, and maybe this, combined with the thin edge geometry on these traditional blades, stymies my sharpening skills. But it’s definitely another black mark against the steel choice.

A Brief Digression into Warranty Stuff

You may be able to tell from my pictures, but there’s a nick in the blade of my Bullnose. Turns out that the blade was smacking against a portion of the backspring in the channel, where it rises to accommodate the pin that keeps it in place. Basically, it folded over a bit of the cutting edge.

Once I figured this out, I sent the Bullnose to GEC, and they called me when they received it with a diagnosis. They said they could fix it, but because they don’t have a dedicated warranty department the turnaround wasn’t going to be lightning quick. A few weeks later, I got it back, and it seems like they fixed it, seemingly by sharpening the blade itself down a bit – not an elegant solution. The fold wasn’t completely sharpened out, just enough to stop it from happening anymore.

All of this isn’t to hate on GEC’s warranty work. Given the nature of how they operate, the full fat warranty departments of the big production companies isn’t feasible. But just be warned that if you have an issue, the resolution of that issue is going to be a little more homespun than what you’d get with LifeSharp, for example.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The Bullnose’s handle starts with a sizable butt end that tapers into a narrow, square neck. The finger side of the handle describes a gentle arc from tail to tip, with a flattened region just below the pivot where your index finger goes in a natural grip.

That’s a lot of words to describe what, in practice, is about as simple a handle as you can get – and the simplicity works. I was worried the beak would bite into my largish hands, but there’s enough room so that it keeps my hand in place without digging into it.

GEC releases its models in a gaggle of different handle materials, so the ‘grippiness’ of your particular choice may vary from my own. I chose the natural canvas Micarta which, despite its burlapy appearance, is pretty smooth – there’s just a hint of traction, more than enough for my uses, but you can probably find grippier options in the lineup. Something that may not be clear in pictures is that the Bullnose is a thick knife: the handle is half an inch wide. Wideness doesn’t always equate to comfort, but in this case it does. All work knives should be comfortable and the Bullnose handily makes the grade.

I lavished many words on the Bullnose’s simple handle, so I’ll be more concise in describing how it carries: perfectly well. Drop it in your pocket of choice and forget about it.

Deployment and Lockup

We’re back into trope land here – nail mark, two-hand deployment; you know the drill. I don’t really get nail marks. And I don’t mean that I find them outdated. For me, they just don’t work well. Is there any knife where sliding your stubby, frangible nail into a shallow divot is easier than just pinching the blade and pulling?

Well, I guess you can deploy the Bullnose either way without undue fuss. Pull is a stiffish 7, about perfect for a knife of this size and intent. I also appreciate the half stop. We’ve all had regular folding knives come down on our fingers when we close them negligently – but imagine the blade coming down with the force of a backspring behind it. Half stops are a safety feature that makes sense to me.

The strong backspring keeps the Bullnose’s blade open with surety, too. We associate the term ‘hard use’ irrevocably with locking knives, but the Bullnose feels like it could do rigorous chores without any danger of failure, as long as it’s used sensibly.

GEC #71 Bullnose Review – Final Thoughts

The Bullnose is without a doubt my favorite GEC knife. I don’t truck with multibladed traditionals, and while GEC makes quite a few single blade patterns, the Bullnose in particular enjoys a harmonious alchemy between size, utility, and (most importantly) affordability.

It checks all the GEC boxes – old school materials, delectable fit and finish, refined traditional patterns – without any specialized characteristics and extras, and it comes out in a large enough quantity that you can get one without having to queue up in a raffle or face a hardy gouging on the secondary market. You may end up getting more GECs after the Bullnose, but I don’t think you’ll ever find a better one.

GEC #71 Bullnose
From: KnivesShipFree

Editor: I recommend purchasing the GEC 71 Bullnose at BHQ or KnivesShipFree. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Great Eastern Cutlery Tidioute 43 Oregon Trapper Review

by Aaron Shapiro 1 Comment

I’ll never forget when my family was cleaning out my late Grandfather’s house after he passed. I found an old band-aid tin that was full of a variety (in both style and age) of small multi-bladed slip joints. They were all he carried and on most of them one blade was worn down to a nub, whereas the rest were shiny and like-new. He was a true EDCer, he didn’t think about the concept of carrying things like I do, he just made sure he had what he needed. A traditional knife was always included.

Buy the GEC Oregon Trapper at KnivesShipFree or GPKnives

Slipjoints, or traditional knives, have seen a bit of a resurgence in the last couple years with the knife community at large. So much so that you see dedicated slip joint knives being made by brands like Spyderco, Benchmade, and Lionsteel.

Great Eastern Cutlery while being relatively new on the slip joint scene when compared with the likes of Queen, or Imperial, have been generating new levels of interest and collectibility with traditional knife collectors since their founding in 2009. They’ve reborn some classic brands such as Northfields and Tidioute and honor a lot of the classic production patterns that have been in pockets for decades. All that to say, today we are going to be looking at the Great Eastern Cutlery Tidioute 43 – Oregon Trapper. Now, before we get too far into this review, I want to be upfront and say that I am not a history expert on traditional knives, so please forgive some discrepancies in that regard. This review will take into consideration actually putting the knife in your pocket and carrying it in your day-to-day life. So, without further ado, some specs:

Blade Length: 3.25”
Closed Length: 4.25”
OAL: 7.5”
Steel: 1095 Carbon Steel
Weight: 3.8oz
Handle Materials: “Frontier Bone” handle scales, I think this is just a form of cow bone, but I’m not sure.

I’ve owned a handful of GEC’s knives over the last few years, even been able to get my paws on some of their much sought after Tom’s Choice (or TC by the cool kids) special factory runs. So, when I got the Oregon Trapper in hand I was struck by one thing right off the bat, this knife is large for a slip joint. I was, obviously, aware of the size when I ordered it. The specs were clearly listed on knivesshipfree.com but it wasn’t until I got the knife that I realized exactly how big it is. Now, depending on where you fall in the slip joint community that could be a good thing, or that could be a bad thing. As a tactical knife carrier in recovery, I dig the larger size. I think it’s easy to feel, “under-gunned,” for some reason when you’re carrying a small slip joint knife by itself, but this Oregon Trapper dispels that feeling.

GEC’s chosen steel is the venerable 1095 high-carbon steel. 1095 is like a bowl of vanilla ice cream when it comes to knife steels. It’s really all ya need, but there’s nothing really special here. It’s high-carbon, so it will take and hold a fine edge very well, but it will also stain and rust if you let it. To add onto that, there is also a whole “sub-culture,” that forces patinas on their blades, and I have to admit, a well-done patina (or a naturally formed one over a long period of honest use) looks really, really nice. The steel thickness on the GEC starts at 0.113” and is ground to a blistering 0.018 before the final edge. There are sharp knives, and then there are “sticky” sharp knives where when you lightly touch the edge your skin sticks to it. This knife is the latter.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

As I stated earlier the handles of the GEC 43 Oregon Trapper are made from a material GEC calls it’s “Frontier Bone,” which is a vaguely frightening term that makes you think of bleached buffalo bones in a sandy Arizona desert landscape, however, the truth is less menacing. Frontier Bone is a portion of light cow bone that’s burnt or toasted, and then polished. I think it looks pretty cool and is generally cheaper and easier to find compared to something like stag or jigged bone handles.

The one catch with GEC’s (and really all traditionals) is that these type of bone handles can vary greatly in thickness. Looking straight down at my example shows that the right-hand scale is slightly concave, whereas the left is convex. So that will always be a gamble with this particular handle material, something like micarta will not have this issue. The handle shape itself is simple, straight back with a slight swell and negative angle at the tail. This allows a solid purchase in hand but doesn’t have any choils or jimps to provide texture.

It terms of carrying the GEC 43, I use a leather pocket sheath. knivesshipfree.com include their own branded buffalo leather pocket slip, that I used for a while. I have a custom pocket slip made by a friend of mine that carries a slipjoint and a Muyshondt Maus. Due to the fact that the knife is a bit larger than your normal slipjoint it may not work with all your carry methods, but it seems to work well with these. I generally suggest some sort of pocket organizer to keep the knife vertical in your pocket, there’s nothing worse than knife sitting sideways in your pocket.

Walk and Talk

Lastly, the action. Slipjoints are measured on a scale of 1-10. 1 being the blade having zero resistance on it from the spring, and 10 being it needs the screaming He-Man strength to open it. Most GEC’s are a 6-7, they have a stronger pull than I like, but are usable and manageable. The Oregon Trapper clocks in at a solid 5, nice and smooth action with a pinch-able blade. I found the walk and talk to be a little spongey, but there is still a good positive half-stop and audible snap when closing/opening. Once opened the knife is solid and doesn’t have any movement side to side. For a production, this is perfectly acceptable.

Great Eastern Cutlery Tidioute 43 Oregon Trapper Review – Final Thoughts

So, would I suggest this to someone else? Sure, if what you want is a larger slip joint that could serve as your only EDC knife. I think the decision to transition from a locking folder to a slip joint as part of your EDC is one that takes some consideration. I would personally say that non-locking folder of any sort is more of a lighter-duty knife. So if you’re in law enforcement, construction, fire fighting, etc – I think that you’d need to think long and hard about what the lack of a lock would mean on your knife.

If you’re like me and you work in an office, and primarily open mail, packages, and cut food with your EDC knife, this is an obvious choice; and a great way to introduce some variety into your EDC rotation. As always our preferred source of everything sharp is either from knivesshipfree.com or bladehq.com both of which have this particular Great Eastern Cutlery 43 Oregon Trapper in stock.

GEC #73 Oregon Trapper
From: KnivesShipFree

Editor: I recommend purchasing the GEC 43 Oregon Trapper at KniveShipFree or GPKnives. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Great Eastern Cutlery #66 “Calf Roper” Review

by Grayson Parker 19 Comments

I have a small confession to make. Though my articles may not reflect this, I have a crippling addiction to Great Eastern Cutlery knives. For every modern knife in my collection, there’s a traditional knife (often in matching or complimentary colors), and I fear it won’t be long before the old timers actually outnumber the fresh blood. The latest addition to my little menagerie is the Great Eastern Cutlery #66 “Calf Roper” in olive drab canvas micarta. It’s far from perfect, but at the same time it’s often the first traditional knife I reach for before leaving for work.

Buy the GEC Calf Roper at KniveShipFree

You may be asking yourself why I don’t review Great Eastern Cutlery products more often. The problem with reviewing their knives is twofold: one, they sell out quickly, and two, all of their knives are produced in batches. If a run of their knives is sold out, it may be years before they make another version; even if they do, there’s no guarantee that they’ll use the same blade configuration or handle materials. So before we get into the meat of the review, a word of advice: if you’re interested in it, go buy it. You can finish the review afterwards.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Great Eastern Cutlery #66 “Calf Roper” weighs 2.57 ounces and measures at a hair under 3.5 inches in the closed position. This particular version of the #66 has three blades: a clip point blade 2.5 inches long, a sheepsfoot blade 1.9 inches long, and a spey blade 1.8 inches long. If the #66 had just a single blade and weighed this much, it’d just be average, but as it packs three blades into the frame it’s nothing short of fantastic.

Of course, if those blades never get used, they might as well not be there. The clip point is the easiest to justify: it’s popular on single and multi bladed traditional knives alike. It offers plenty of straight edge for push cuts, but has enough belly to be the all-star of a picnic lunch. Consider it your go-to blade for most tasks. The utility of the sheepsfoot blade is similarly obvious: a short, straight edged blade is perfect for opening packages and breaking down boxes. Really, the only inclusion that I haven’t found an explicit use for is the spey blade. It’s fine as a pen blade, but otherwise is just a holdover from days when animal husbandry and horticulture was more common.

I’m a junkie for thin grinds, and the Calf Roper delivers that in spades. All three blades start as thin stock and are brought down to a fine working edge. The grinds are clean and even, though the cutting bevel itself is pretty narrow. While I don’t have any complaints, apparently enough people do that there’s a robust market for reground GEC knives.

The #66 features 1095 steel on all three of its blades. 1095 has been a staple of American cutlery since the early 1900s, though now it’s seen primarily on traditional pocket knives and large fixed blades. It’s a carbon steel, so without care it will rust, but there are steps that can ward that eventuality off. You can clean the blade off after use and keep it well oiled; or (my preferred method), you can use your knife on a lot of fruit and produce and let it build up a protective patina.

Edge retention on the #66 is passable. Great Eastern runs their 1095 at a Rockwell hardness of 57-59, which is a bit harder than the steel on Victorinox (Swiss Army) knives. In practical terms, this means that any blade getting regular use should be touched up on a leather strop two or three times a week. If pressed into work cutting cardboard or other abrasive media, more care will be required.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Carry

The #66 “Calf Roper” is listed as a Serpentine Jack; to be honest, I’m not entirely sure why. Given the blade configuration, most companies would list the #66 as a Stockman variant. My suspicion is that A.G. Russell cornered the market on the “Serpentine Stockman” quite awhile ago…but that’s just speculation. Regardless of the nomenclature, the handle is pleasantly simple. It’s a simple cigar shape with a subtle curve. Nickel silver bolsters pair well with the brass liners, both of which are given a brushed finish. A plain oval shield ties it all together. As this is Great Eastern, it should go without saying, but the handle is immaculately constructed. Using my fingernail, I can hardly tell where the bolster ends and the micarta begins.

If you follow me on social media or have read past articles of mine, you might have guessed that I have a small fixation with micarta. It is – bar none – my favorite handle material. Why shouldn’t it be? It’s light, strong, grippy, and has an organic quality rarely found in G10. The olive drab micarta on the #66 is perfectly implemented, left just rough enough to have some texture, but still smooth enough to not feel out of place on a traditional knife. Of course, if micarta isn’t your thing, the #66 is also available in ebony, acrylic, stag, and two variants of jigged bone.

Sadly, the ergonomics aren’t as good as the handle would suggest. While the handle shape is great, the sheepsfoot blade adds a sharp hump right where your fingers go if you’re using the clip point or the spey blade. Neither of those blades causes a similar problem when the sheepsfoot blade is in use. It’s not a crippling issue; you’d have to be gripping the handle pretty tightly to generate real discomfort. All the same, I can’t help but wonder how much better the #66 would be if the spey blade was removed so the sheepsfoot blade could ride lower in the handle.

At a closed length of 3.5 inches, the #66 is one of the most pocketable knives produced by Great Eastern Cutlery. Between the serpentine handle shape, the generously chamfered edges, and the modest size, it’s easy to carry the #66 however you’d like. It’s a touch large for smaller coin pockets, but only just. I carry mine in a leather slip, as I do with most of my traditional knives. A slip distributes the weight more evenly, and prevents the knife from rolling to the bottom of your pocket and generating discomfort. Is it necessary? No, but I’d recommend giving one a shot if you haven’t already.

Deployment and Walk and Talk

There’s no two ways about it: compared to modern folding knives, any traditional knife is going to be less convenient to pull out and use. Before I can actually use my knife, I have to pull the slip out of my pocket, pull the knife out of the slip, put the slip down (or back in my pocket), and then use two hands to open whichever blade I need. In the office or around the house, those extra steps aren’t an issue. When I’m in the field, I want quick, convenient access to a blade that I know won’t close on my fingers if I torque it in a weird way. I still carry a traditional at work, but only so I have a knife on me that I know won’t frighten anyone.

There’s no grit in the action, and the blades snap crisply into place, whether in the open or closed position. None of the blades have any side-to-side play or worrisome wiggle. The pull on the clip blade is about as strong as it is on a Swiss Army Knife, while the spey and sheepsfoot blades only need about half as much effort to open and close. A half stop would be a welcome addition, but isn’t a necessity.

Great Eastern Cutlery #66 “Calf Roper” Review – Final Thoughts

Even accounting for the vestigial spey blade, the funky ergonomics, and the lack of a half stop, the Great Eastern Cutlery #66 is a personal favorite of mine. It’s handy, pocketable, and beautifully finished, with subtle touches of modernity that grant it a timeless appeal. The only competition that comes to mind is the aforementioned A.G. Russell Serpentine Stockman, but I don’t know if that comparison is entirely fair. The Serpentine Stockman is a fine knife – I owned one – but it’s larger and made with cheaper materials. Between the two, I’d pick the #66 every time.

If traditionals don’t interest you, I don’t know if this should be your first. Single bladed traditionals are often a better way to test the waters. That said, once this run is sold, it’s unclear when Great Eastern will produce another run of the #66. If you like the design, or even think you might like the design, pick one up. They’re easy to sell on the secondary market should you be disappointed. Clearly, I’m not.

GEC #66 Calf Roper – From $109.00
From: KnivesShipFree

I recommend purchasing the Calf Roper (and any of its derivatives) at KniveShipFree. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Great Eastern Cutlery #73 “Cody Scout” Review

by Grayson Parker 8 Comments

Last Update: August 11, 2019
Just a few years ago, it seemed that fans of traditional pocket knives and modern “tactical” folders didn’t intersect. Enthusiasts of modern designs (myself included) were often leery of the carbon steel, clipless carry, and two-handed opening. Before the days of Instagram, the most popular way for people to show off their everyday carry was via forum posts; and while it wasn’t uncommon to see something akin to a Case Peanut pictured alongside a Paramilitary 2, traditional knives were largely relegated to a back-up role. It didn’t help that more than a few of the companies producing traditional knives were bought out and had their labor outsourced to China, which meant that (at the time) quality of materials and manufacture plummeted.

Buy the the GEC Cody Scout at KnivesShipFree

However, over the last few years, companies like Great Eastern Cutlery and Queen have been taking up a larger share of the market for pocket knives. One of the first patterns produced by Great Eastern was the #73, which is based on the two-bladed trapper pattern, one of the classic American traditional knives. I went with a single blade pattern in green micarta. The blade pattern sacrifices some traditional flare in favor of greater utility, while the scales avoid some of the wear problems associated with the natural materials more often used with this type of knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The “Cody Scout” has a single clip point blade, measuring at 3 1/8 inches of 1095 high carbon steel, with a closed length of 3 ¾ inches, an open length of 6 15/16 inches, and weighs in at 2.25 ounces. Oftentimes, clip points come with an exaggerated top swedge, but fortunately Great Eastern chose a sleek, useful blade profile. The already thin stock is taken down to a very fine edge, though yours may need some reprofiling. Evidently Tom Krein is offering regrinds of several GEC knives. Personally, the stock is thin enough that I can’t see the value in having the blade reprofiled, but if anyone can do it right it’s Tom Krein.

Once I had the edge established on mine, it performed with aplomb at slicing tasks, though the 1095 needs regular touch ups. I’ve had better luck with my Sharpmaker than I have with my strop but your mileage may vary. 1095 is frequently seen on traditional folders, and all knives produced by Great Eastern under the Tidioute Cutlery brand make use of it. This steel tends to deform rather than chip out, so those of you who are tired of dealing with S30V’s chipping problems may be intrigued.

As for rust resistance, the steel on my #73 has performed admirably. If needed, I wipe down the blade after use. A dark patina has developed, which helps prevent the iron-like taste high carbon steels can leave during food preparation, and also protects the knife from the more serious red rust. It may sound odd, but I’ve had more problems with rust on 440c and Aus8a blades (both of which are technically stainless). This iteration of the #73 lacks most of the branding typically seen on knives produced by Great Eastern Cutlery. Apart from a tang stamp on each side of the blade, there are no markings, even on the shield inlay.

Handle, Ergonomics and Carry

Many traditional knives feature natural materials such as bone, stag, or wood as the covers (for you modern knife guys, scales). These materials are beautiful, warm to the touch, and offer an additional element of refinement over the usual selection of G10 and carbon fiber. However, as natural materials, they are more subject to warping and deformation, which may or may not be a concern to you. I live in what is essentially a desert, complete with triple digits, extreme aridity, and the occasional dust storm (a la The Mummy), and felt more comfortable with micarta. It is a material I never tire of, as it has an organic appearance (similar to bone or wood) but with most of the rigidity and resilience of synthetic materials.

Here, the green linen micarta has been sanded down to a smooth polish. The chamfering on the handles combined with the simple trapper frame makes the knife a pleasure in the hand. I’ve never had hot spots develop in use, and the blade is finished so well that it makes a fantastic worry stone (though I can’t advise that in public). Apart from a hairline gap between the back spring and the brass liner (which is only detectable by holding it up to the light), the quality of manufacturing is immaculate. The #73 is a popular pattern in the GEC line-up, so you will likely be able to select the cover material that suits you best.

I purchased a leather slip case along with the #73. Prior experience with traditionals and large Swiss Army Knives has shown me that clipless knives (barring exceptionally odd dimensions) tend to roll around in the pocket in the course of a day, and quickly become a hassle. The leather pouch is made by KnivesShipFree and distributes the weight of the knife in pocket. While it does add a step to accessing the blade, it makes a knife that I would normally consider unpocketable quite pleasant. Besides, if you are interested in quick access, a traditional is likely not the correct call to begin with. The quality of the slip case is excellent, but one of the nylon stitches (melted together) came loose. Quick application of Fabri-Tac solved the issue, though it’s something to be aware of. I opted for the weatherproof finish for this pouch, but that costs extra.

Walk and Talk

The pull on the Cody Scout is smooth, snappy, and very stout. Many reported that the #73 (not the Cody Scout in particular) was a “nail-breaker,” though mine isn’t nearly as tough. It’s worth noting that many of my friends have a hard time opening this knife. If you are acclimated to slip joints, you should be fine, but keep in mind this knife has a reputation for being a bear to open. I prefer to get the pull started with my thumbnail and pinch the blade from that point, as I find the extra purchase helps me open the knife in a more secure fashion. The half-stop doesn’t jerk the blade away from your fingers, which is a concern for some. I prefer slip joints with a strong pull, but that doesn’t mean this knife is safer because of it. As always, use knife sense and exercise caution.

GEC #73 Cody Scout – Final Thoughts

Traditional folders also exist in a space that many knife companies are leaving behind. As framelock flippers have taken over the market, we’ve seen a massive spike of options in the $200 plus range, while the options at less than $100 have stagnated. The average knife from Great Eastern Cutlery will cost you between $70 and $100, which undercuts many of the new offerings from Spyderco, Benchmade, and Zero Tolerance. Although the materials are not bleeding edge, they are from an era when knives were used much more frequently.

One of the reasons folks tossed a small traditional in their pockets on top of the modern knife they were carrying was that traditional knives have a very nonthreatening appearance. Modern folders can attract funny looks in the wrong environment, but traditional folders and multitools don’t seem to suffer from the same problem.

Whether due to clever marketing, an oversaturation of titanium framelock flippers, or a good value proposition, traditional knives are making a comeback. The tight manufacturing tolerances of companies such as Great Eastern and Queen lead me to believe that the resurgence of traditional knives will last.

I’ve been more than satisfied with the #73 in the month or so that I’ve owned it. The 1095 requires regular maintenance, but apart from that, this is close to my ideal everyday carry knife. If you’re the type to fuss over natural materials but want to give traditional knives a try, consider this blade. Personally, the “Cody Scout” seem more timeless than many traditional knives in production, which appear to be thoroughly grounded in the early twentieth century. Even if you’re only looking at traditionals as back-ups to more modern pocketknives, I’d point you to the #73. It possesses enough charm to put all but the most fervent of anti-knife folk at ease, but also wouldn’t be out of place next to a Sebenza.

GEC #73 Cody Scout – From $82.53
From: KnivesShipFree

Editor: I recommend purchasing the Cody Scout (and any of its derivatives) at KniveShipFree. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack Review

by Dan Jackson 13 Comments

I have been interested in traditional slip joint knives for a while now. I am not alone. Many have come to enjoy the pocket friendly lines of a simple slip joint, and the thinly ground blades cut like nothing else. Some might find the absence of a lock unnerving, but in my experience most of the time a slip joint is more than enough knife for normal utility tasks.

Buy the Northwoods Indian River Jack at KnivesShipFree

As I wandered down the slip joint rabbit hole I eventually came across the Northwoods Knives Indian River Jack. Here is a simple single blade pattern, but with an upgraded blade steel (in this case, CPM-154). No other bells or whistles to speak of. Some might refer to this as an ever elusive “perfect EDC knife”.

The Northwoods Knives brand was purchased by Derrick Bohn of KnivesShipFree sometime around 2010-2011. Northwoods were originally made by Great Eastern Cutlery and Queen Cutlery (2 American companies specializing in traditional folders), and Derrick has continued the tradition of having the knives made in the USA by these manufacturers. The knife in this review was made by GEC, although the current version of the knife is made by Queen (at the time of writing this article, mid 2015). IRJ’s are released in small batches. Due to the limited supply and unique selling proposition of a 154CM blade, demand for the IRJ is out of control. The knives quickly sell out every time a batch hits Derrick’s website.

I was fortunate enough to snag one of the 2014 GEC manufactured IRJs, and have been carrying the knife for many months now.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The IRJ has an overall length of approximately 6.25″, a 2.5″ blade, weighs 2.2 ounces, and is made in the USA. This knife has a similar footprint to my cherished Victorinox Cadet, and is an ideal size for every day carry (EDC) in my book. Certainly, this makes for a fine gentleman’s folder. And given the limited quantities of the IRJ I would classify this as a collectible as well. As I try to compare the IRJ with other knives in my collection, I would almost classify this as a cross between the Cadet and CRK Mnandi.

The blade of the Indian River Jack is a simple drop point pattern. Again, it reminds me of the blade on the Cadet. Just dead simple. In this instance there is a very slight swedge. Still very simple. The blade has a full flat grind with satin finish, and is thin behind the edge. It is a beautiful slicer. Perfect for light tasks like opening mail and cutting up fruit, but certainly capable of tougher chores. It slides through cardboard, cuts rope, and whittles wood with ease.

My version of the Indian River Jack came in CPM-154 stainless steel. As much as I enjoy the charm of the high carbon steel blade on my GEC Viper, there is something to be said for the ease of maintenance of stainless steel. I can ride this knife hard, put it away wet (sometimes literally), and not have to worry about rust or heavy oxidation. I have been guilty of occasionally not cleaning and oiling my high carbon bladed slip joints as well as I should have, and coming back to find the blade covered with rust. Plus CPM-154 is just excellent steel. It takes an edge easily enough and holds it for a long time. Combine that with the super thin geometry of the IRJ’s grind, and you are left with almost unmatchable slicing performance.

Handle, and Ergonomics

The handle of the Indian River Jack is a simple pill shape, with nickle silver bolsters and brass liners. The handle comes in a variety of “covers” (handle scale materials). Mine happens to have jigged bone for the handle material, which is a handle material that I don’t have a lot of experience with. It certainly fits the traditional aspects of the knife. The nickle silver bolsters are highly reflective and lend a touch of class (and extra heft) to the IRJ.

Everything has been riveted together. Fit and finish is pretty good on my knife. The transition between backspring and spine of the blade on my example could be better, and there is a tiny gap between the liners and backspring. But beyond that the pieces line up and the finish work is nice. Given the price I am not disappointed.

In hand the Indian River Jack is a capable little knife. There is no jimping, no finger choils, no lanyard hole, no skull crusher pommel, no rubber inserts, or skateboard tape. Yet still the IRJ seems to work just fine. There is plenty to hold onto and I have enjoyed using the knife for a multitude of basic chores. As with any folding knife, it needs to be treated with care and respect.

While there is no pocket clip to speak of on the Indian River Jack, KnivesShipFree does include a leather slip case with the knife. The leather on the slip case is thick, and carrying the knife in the case is akin to carrying a small secondary wallet. Slip cases prevent the knife from getting beat up in your pocket, and I am a fan of these kinds of cases – especially for dressier pieces like this. It’s a nice touch and a great option for the IRJ, especially if you want to preserve the knife as a collectible.

Walk and Talk

I have disbanded with the usual “Deployment and Lockup” section since this is a slip joint. Instead, lets discuss the “walk and talk” of this modern traditional folder. The IRJ features a slim nail nick to access the blade. It is cut sharply and the knife is easy enough to open and close with two hands. This will never compare with the easy opening of a thumb stud, thumb hole, or flipper, but that is part of the charm of these older patterns.

The backspring on the IRJ is pretty snappy. I won’t proclaim to be an expert on the walk and talk of slip joints, but compared with some of my other slippies, I’d say it’s a on the strong side. The blade opens and shuts with a satisfying snap. There is no hard half stop, but the blade does seem to naturally rest in the half position. There is a little pinch of resistance there as you push the blade open or closed. All said the action on this slip joint is smooth and satisfying.

Indian River Jack – Final Thoughts

It should come as no surprise that I really like the Indian River Jack. The classic design, good fit and finish, and CPM-154 blade all serve to make it a winner in my book. Despite being somewhat rare and coveted, this is still a working knife at the end of the day. It isn’t perfect, but that makes it all the more endearing. Compared with the fancy folders of today, the $130 price tag is relatively modest.

In a way I have struggled to write this review. This knife is understated, but excellent. I wanted to give it the respect and appreciation it deserves without being over the top, because doing so would be incongruous with the knife. But maybe I should be over the top. This knife is worthy of the praise.

For those on the quest for the “perfect EDC knife”, the Indian River Jack could be a contender depending on your preferences. If you are like me, and gravitate towards small sleek knives for daily carry, then the IRJ checks a lot of boxes. Perhaps the limited availability is the biggest detractor to the IRJ. You have to scour the secondary market or keep an eagle eye on KniveShipFree (the only purveyor of Northwoods Knives) for when they get new shipments in. Regardless, the IRJ makes my list of best EDC knives. Highly recommended for fans of minimalist and traditional folding knives.

Indian River Jack – From $130.00
From: KnivesShipFree

I recommend purchasing the Indian River Jack at KnivesShipFree. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.