And French Kate reveals herself!!
Okay, anybody surprised????
TSA Knives Great Eastern Cutlery Blog
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TSA Knives Great Eastern Cutlery Blog: And French Kate reveals herself!!
Actually, I am quite surprised. I will pass on this one, too.
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OOOOO-MMMMM-GGGGG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Is that a "good" omg or an OMG!!!!!
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Greg,
To be very honest "I don't like it".
I'm sorry GEC, but it's just TOO much
for Me !!!!!!!!!!!!
Morrie
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Love it. The craftsmanship is this pattern is another great example of how good GEC's cutlers really are. The boot tip is one of the nicest I've ever seen, even on antique knives, and far surpasses anything I've seen produced by other companies in recent years. The button holes and groove in the boot tip reflect great attention to detail. Two thumbs up.
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I gotta say, I'm with Steve on this one.
This is the best example of this style of knife I've seen. The good detail and attractive design are impressive.
While it isn't exactly "my kind of knife", (and I'll pass on it, thanks), I have to give GEC credit for doing an outstanding job on an old pattern. I'll give it another two thumbs up!
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I agree with Steve as well. It won't suit everyone for sure. But none can deny that this is one of the finest interpretations of this very classic pattern... ever... made. I think GEC has a ready made opportunity for handling material options. The black and red stripe (that we saw on that oh so scarce Templar) would be a perfect fit for the Kate. A Lacewood with a pearl inlay. A glitter gold to really retro it out. And a seashell perylic matched with a seriously black ebony because every red-blooded American boy has a thing for a lady in stockings.
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If the French Kate thread running over at the Blade Forums 'Traditional' board is any indication, this pattern isn't receiving a very warm reception, to say the least (Kate is getting a unanimous "I'll pass" so far, and I can't say I blame 'em). A little novelty ladies leg that can't even serve as a bottle opener seems to have a very limited appeal these days.
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Rick..
That's funny a bottle opener...but what if it now becomes a very limited build after all the responses any takers then......
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Looks to me like it will lift bottle caps.
S.
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The photo (and one important detail) of the Fuschia #28 posted on GECs site is not the same as the one posted here on the blog. Will the real Kate please stand up and click your heals. Notice the difference?
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heels.....I didn't win any spelling bees in school.
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The one in this picture won't lift bottle caps, the one at GEC will
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I just noticed that!
One has a more or less flat heel and one had/has a "hook" on the heel that looks like it was designed to open bottles.
They had the photo off the website this afternoon for an hour or more this fternoon and did a switheroo.
What's up, Greg?
I want the one that opens bottles.
S.
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I grabbed the first photo that was available and it cut part of the boot off. I'll try to get it updated tonite or first thing in the AM.
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I think it is a wonderful example of a leg knife. As you said, the attention to detail is amazing compared to other makers that have tried this pattern in the recent past. I for one am glad to see GEC doing a few knives for the collection. I know that Ken Daniels and Bill Howard have always felt that a knife should cross over both side, User and collector. That is the reason that even on these few peices we see as collectibles the quality, fit and finish is still up to GEC standards.
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I had a feeling this was gonna be a love/hate relationship. Ain't gonna be any middle ground!
My first thought when I saw the photo was Ralphie and the 'old man' would have loved this knife right up there next to the old man's major award (his leg lamp).
I can't wait to pull one of these out at the next family gathering and use it to lift a bottle cap or maybe trim the end of my stogie. I'm willing to bet that more then a few guys are gonna want to check it out and I'll also bet they ask where I got it. And they'll be in luck!!!
They're not for everyone and that's okay. But it looks like a conversation starter to me.
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Fra-gee-lay. It must be Italian.
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You got it!!!
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I always applaud GEC for being bold and adventurous-whilst maintaining quality as they always do. It's good they offer a wide spectrum of knives and this grows all the time, but this is a pattern that although it has pedigree and credibility, leaves me completely un-interested. FK and the Templar are knives that don't knock on my door, or if they did, I'd hide....Never mind, I KNOW GEC will keep on pushing forwards and will offer knives I enthuse over and others will probably hate, this is another of their many strengths. I just wish they'd turn their attention to the Teardrop pattern or, better still, the Norfolk, because I know their rendering would be sensational.
In life, you live and hope, with GEC you live and expect!
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William,
We would like to see a GEC Teardrop pattern also. Not to worry, we know they will make more of the less whimsical patterns soon
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Actually, they are already making one. The bladeforums 2011 forum knife is a GEC teardrop EZ open jack with a spear blade and a can opener. They will most likely make more, for us, once they finish that run.
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While the Bladeforums reception has been nearly all negative, I think what's been said there is quite undeserved. This is easily the best rendition of this whimsical pattern I've ever seen. It's great that GEC has a sense of humor, and that it includes their fine workmanship and attentionto detail.
I'm sure that GEC will keep up their fine work and continue to bring us excellent knives in a wide selection of scales, while continuing to bring us new and maybe even amusing patterns.
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You make a great point. You can get a bit stale if you're doing the same patterns over and over. First, I want you to think about how much fun was had speculating just exactly what we could expect French Kate to be. I'm really interested to get my hands on one to see just how it feels and check out the detail. Plus, I think it's something I can have some fun with.
Would I want to collect every handle material. Nope. Am I anxious to see if they make a two blade version or put a wharncliffe blade in it? NO. That's not the point. Sometimes it's just fun to do something just for the hell of it without any real purpose. Yah know what I mean??? That's the type of thing that makes life interesting.
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Exactly!
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I can sure relate to this, in a rather lopsided way.
When I look back over a lotta years I can see I've lived my whole life "just for the hell of it", and far too many times without any real purpose. But I have to say, it's been a real blast!
And I don't plan on changing anything any time soon.
Dr. Greg, you hit it dead on. Maybe you should consider "head shrinking" as a second career.....
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Being kind of a forward thinking type of person, I've already settled on the epitaph on my tombstone.
Well, I didn't get very far, but it was one helluva ride!!!
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Love it!!
I'll drink to that!
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TOO PERFECT!!!!
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Nice epitaph. You just might wanna go ahead and spell-check it before you get it engraved in stone...or tattooed on something.
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That's part of my problem. Having way too much fun to get ground up in details.
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More "French Kates" revealed themselves today.
Some pretty attractive colors abound. If that knife had a different blade, I'd almost be persuaded.
(Like maybe the nice little Muskrat blade from the #66 Mink Skinner.....)
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That would have definitely been nice.
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The Northfield blades will dress her up a bit, but a modified clip/muskrat would enhance her lines for sure. The acrylics are great...like dance hall stockings.
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