The Great Eastern Cutlery #43 'Oregon Trapper' Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

[@traviswrigg5158]

I'll never understand everyone's preconception that a traditional knife is by default small. People in the era before one hand opening knives had just the same desire for a bunch of functional blade and a handle that filled the hand as us 2018 people. The knives that sold the most when slipjoints were about the only form of folding knife you would bother with were Sodbusters and Barlows with sodbusters generally having a blade of ~3.6 inches. Yes. Now that people carry a traditional knife as a secondary knife to a main knife, the smaller ones in the peanut sizes sell better, but anytime I look at someone's traditional collection from modern knives were a thing are usually about this size

[@Go4Bro]

Yeah I like the 3in to 3'5 blade on a traditional

[@epicsasquatch452]

I definitely understand that, my great grandfather's old imperial is around that size. Still restoring the thing.

[@Youtube-Censorship-Police]

my fav. traditional is my gec97, love the coke bottle handle and the big capable clip point blade

[@zosonte129]

My eyes widened and my mouth hung agape when I saw this in my feed Nick. I also knew exactly what you'd say about it. Traditional slipjoints are less convenient these days compared to modern folders, but they have history and tradition behind them that modern folders never will never have, and that's why I and a lot of others collect them.

[@Mike-ul1xn]

I really hope GEC makes some plain-jane barlows available next year

[@porkfat8109]

Yes, a Barlow

[@slick_slicers]

My favourite design since 1670! Thank you Obedia!

[@twilightshooter4990]

I doubt that , maybe in a few years. CASEXX is releasing some really nice Barlows this year. I just bought a superb looking Schatt & Morgan Grand Daddy Barlow with spear blade and spaulted maple scales.

[@KosherCookery]

I confess to being a slipjoint guy and I had the same visceral “that is just gorgeous” reaction to the #43. So now it’s my fancy dress knife. Good review as always.

[@coryalansmith]

I like a great steel as much as anyone else, and I think the 1095 on GEC knives is pretty great. It's easy to sharpen and if it stains, a quick buff with a cape cod cloth has it looking like new in under a minute. If you hate the billboarding, you can spend two minutes with a cape cod cloth and it'll be gone. I have a benchmade in my pocket today and I like it for what it is, just like I like my GEC knives for what they are. Long live 1095!!

[@smalls03]

What is Cape cod cloth?

[@liammarden7066]

Regarding the non stainless blade, it is sometimes preferred over stainless because it will form a patina over time. I think these types of knives look better with a patina especially when the light hits it just right. Also it shows character. It shows that you actually use your knives. They’re not just an accessory that sits in your pocket and never comes out. That just my two cents.

[@thibs8839]

That is a beautiful knife! I'm not usually a fan of traditional grandpa style folders, but this is certainly an exception. Thanks for another awesome review Nick!

[@bourbonandblades7909]

You are NOT kidding about these being hard to find. I love the pattern and shape. Been scouring the net trying to find one in cocobolo. Nada. Though their Huckleberry Boy's Knife in micarta does have a certain appeal...

[@franksalem8580]

I own one and love it. I am a big fan of cocobolo and this is gorgeous. Good review,

[@SHADOW-ke6xz]

There's really something to these kind of knives that has been appealing to me lately, I saw kyle noseworthy open a beautiful case cutlery warncliffe in a crazy blue color that will defiantly make it into my collection.....as soon as I can find one. Have a great new years Nick.

[@slick_slicers]

I’m pleased to see lighter springs. I’m fed up breaking nails on my favourite traditionals, which is a shame because I really love them.

[@richarddimeo1417]

Nick, You hit the nail on the head pertaining to the "spec market" that has emerged on the GEC product lines. Recently got "my face ripped off" buying the latest Wall Street #99 wharncliffe. I tried to scratch the traditional itch with a Case Copperlock Wharncliffe (only available in Burnt Blue Indigo Bone ) but I ended up biting the bullet and purchasing the GEC. By the way the Case is a very nice budget-ish ($60) piece. and it is a back lock. Happy Holidays....

[@twilightshooter4990]

I bought that copper-lock burnt indigo wharncliffe knife. I saw one sell for over $150 on EBAY. I love my CASE XX knives. I own American & German traditional folders.

[@The4cp]

That's a beautiful traditional knife. As much as I love my modern knives the artist look of traditional can't be beat.

[@petergalione9704]

I have a JE Made Zulu with a pocket clip. It is awesome, because the blade hole is further down the blade. This enables a pinch opening with more leverage.

[@MrGeerbear]

Nick- i bought this in seven iterations. Just a great traditional slipjoint. Had to face reality and sold six of them.

[@rbs1889]

Beautiful knife, Nick. I have a bone version but this cocobolo wood is something else👍In a way I secretly hope the "Great Chinese Cutlery" starts making traditionals like these cause it is so frustrating getting a GEC... Regards, Ron

[@slidetek]

This is beautiful in the wood finish. I have 2 versions of this, a Northfield and Tideoute. It's on the large side of slippies, and a bit weak on the walk. Mine have a _lot_ more of a patina on the blade though! I'm so old I'm good with the old steels. A quick strop and it's good as new. This is one you can pull out at a restaurant to cut your steak (or black bean loaf if you live in Southern California) and not scare the normals.

[@twilightshooter4990]

I own 2 GEC #43s with "S" stamped on the blade. They both look and work perfect for me.

[@LaughingKrow]

An update for anyone trying to find one of these things like me. After scouring the net, it seems the only ones for sale anywhere are on Ebay for around $250 or more. I'm betting all from resellers. Really hoping they do another run of this pattern.

[@matthewjones6010]

Great review. I have a few GEC knives and I love the quality and the old school aesthetics. As a UK resident old school slipjoints are much easier to edc in a legal and socially acceptable sense. I would also argue that for the average city dweller there’s not a lot you need an edc knife to do that you can’t do with a slipjoint. Thanks for the videos and entertainment Nick, hope you had a good break.

[@slick_slicers]

Matthew Jones if you’re in to UK legal designs, please drop by my channel. It’s not desperately exciting, but I’m putting out videos on the UK legal knives I own and carry.

[@slick_slicers]

The only place I know of in the UK is mikesknives.co.uk

[@matthewjones6010]

Mine were all bought through a collectors group on Facebook. Mikes knives is the only UK seller that I know of also Lamnia has a small range and are Finland based.

[@CoolHandJD]

If you can get a hold of one, I’d be very interested to hear your take on a Case Trapper Lock. To me it’s the perfect balance of modern and traditional knives. Love the channel Nick! Thanks bud!

[@kennymason3518]

Nick, I hope you get your hands on a Thorfire flashlight soon. I recently purchased their TG06S and I find the quality astounding.

[@renechavez870]

Love nick vids!!! It’s like Christmas you tube time!!

[@shubbagin49]

Mike Latham who owns collector knives and basically corners the market on GECs does not ship to UK. As has been mentioned in another comment these trad folders are perfect for UK edc. In my opinion GEC produces some of the nicest Trad folders and it is a shame us Limeys have to go through some convulsions to get a hold of one. Nice to see Nick showing off some classy stuff, they are a bit like a classy watch, impressions count.

[@55okmymy]

Try www.mikesknives.-co.uk

[@powerfulsauce5777]

How was everyone's day?

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Not bad yours???

[@powerfulsauce5777]

@@Keith_the_knife_freak it was alright

[@SHADOW-ke6xz]

Jesse Johnston great thanks, you?

[@powerfulsauce5777]

@@SHADOW-ke6xz It's ok I guess

[@GoldBold563]

Pretty decent actually. Yours?

[@bradleyh8044]

I have the lock back version of this. Prettiest clip point on the market in my opinion. Hearing you talk about GEC eventually discovering M390: I wonder whether making these in super steels is even possible for a company that is literally using 100 year old machines in some cases. I have no idea what retooling costs, but I bet it is non-trivial. Think about the jump in machining costs that folks experienced with s30v.

[@svent1000]

👍

[@davidmarshall7752]

I have this one, handsome gent's working knife. The strawberry bone is also gorgeous. I can't agree GECs are hard to find: certain runs are rare and do sell out quickly but KSF and CollectorKnives always have some patterns left, and Olde Towne Cutlery often has rare runs or factory seconds available. One other thing-- Longer fingernails are not what you want for opening trads, *short nails* are far better as you can dig into the nail-nick without that terrible bendy-breaky sensation.

[@midamort]

I have the 43 in natural micarta and it’s just as beautiful, however, GEC sharpens their knives with such a small secondary bevel I’ve had reprofiled all of my GEC knives to make them easier to resharpen. Kind of a pain if you don’t have a good sharpening system already. Also on my 43, if you let the blade slam shut on it’s own it’ll roll the edge in the middle of the blade which is why I don’t carry it any. This isn’t the case on my Bullnose, which I keep in my pocket ever single day. Great review Nick!

[@billcall9063]

There will be Blood reference? Very nice, didn't think I'd hear that today, especially in a traditional knife review

[@carlb2727]

Always a good review when you break out the Voyager for comparison.

[@powerfulsauce5777]

Congrats on the birdshotiv gaw, have fun with that tangram

[@e.t.preppin7084]

Carl B you are correct!!!

[@JoelHunterGun]

Great and fair assessment. Thanks!

[@brentledford1560]

What leather pocket sheath does he have for this knife?

[@mityjoeyoung8855]

Holy cow a knife ! A real knife. Not some tactical tool that tries to be a knife.

[@jhonis]

Shabazz is slowly starting to understand the appeal to traditional style slip joints. may take another year or two but soon Nick will be all about traditional pocket knives.

[@slick_slicers]

There are a few British traditional knife makers, but they fall in to two groups, the super perfect, hugely expensive (Taylor’s Eye Witness Premium knives - £120 - £210) and the lazy, inconsistent (the cheaper Taylor’s Eye Witness, Arthur Wright). I’ve a few of each, and I love them all, but I wish they were all as well made as the very rare, very best.

[@LuisGonzalez-gl4wc]

I see your point with Great Chinese Cutlery. It is only a matter of time.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Nice blade.. thanks for the review..

[@HouseofJello]

I have a feeling that the blade (1095 Steel) would have patina'd quite a bit more if you were actually cutting apples with it... but that's nona my business.

[@blitzbbffl]

Gorgeous knife. Frankie & Bird have/had one that is very, very similar! 😉

[@Daniel_DiSanto]

Hey Nick, will traditional and traditional-ish knives continue into the Gem Hunter phase of Nick Shabazz? Happy New Year!

[@NickShabazz]

The JE Made Slipjoint 2.0 is getting reviewed New years Day!

[@bramstaal156]

Do you stil have the zt 0452cf?

[@killabee-2384]

Hey nick since you gave your KME to Pete did you get another one or did you go with a different system?

[@NickShabazz]

Oh, I gifted him one. My KME remains mine.

[@killabee-2384]

Nick Shabazz awww what a sweetie pie. Good to know you stuck with the KME I got one after your review and It works great.

[@AntOfEgypt]

Marbles tried to eat up the traditional market about 9 years ago but even with good fit and finish it didn’t go nearly as far as expected in surprising US companies. Something about rooting for the home team and the company history paired with the different blade and knife shapes just makes more sense. I mean, think about carrying a congress or a senator that has “Made in China” stamped on the tang...it just doesn’t fit.

[@randywess1352]

Nick the Oregon Trapper would make a great starter knife for my grandson who is 15years old,

[@Dmhlcmb]

I wish they would use D2 sometimes and I wish they would try to do something about the scalpers but otherwise the knives are excellent.

[@chef9524]

Completely off topic of this video, but I just got a para 3 for Christmas and I love it.

[@ScottyBennitone]

man that #99 with the ez open is saweet...

[@runrin_]

really hate when they etch their blades personally. love their work otherwise. also, want to point out that michael christy who is an amazing knife tester dude on youtube has noted that he has had many burnt edges from GEC, where they've ruined the heat treat from grinding, and it takes him many sharpenings to get a good edge.

[@svent1000]

nice one. I used slipjoint longer then knives with lock, and has never kutt myself because the knife collapsed. Its a myth, at least if you use a knife to cut with. I really liked both the knife, and the prize on this one.

[@craiglachman1379]

Not a myth! In my youth, first in summer camp and again in college, I was an example of the kind of idiot that can find a way to harm myself. To be clear, I find a way to injure myself with locking knives too! My idiocy is not domain-specific, but more generalized.

[@svent1000]

In general its pretty hard to do, if not impossible

[@555Gear]

Love my Oregon Trapper! Quintessential slippy.

[@555Gear]

@@TheMartialist thanks!

[@sawmanchris]

GEC knives are works of art

[@meccagold2009]

I always carry my voyagers xl's. You just don't take it out unless you absolutely have to.

[@e.t.preppin7084]

Blade advertising is a killer for me but I can fix that really quick. That is a beautiful knife however. I have no problem with 1095 either. We survived without modern steel for a long long time!!! I don’t particularly care for a strong pull and don’t plan to accidentally try and cut with the back of the blade causing me much discomfort 😂😂😂. Plus I’m a sucker for cocobolo 🥰

[@ocomegashadowstacking5886]

Really awesome knife!!!

[@tonywestin9018]

Love my Trapper. I have it in orange camel bone.

[@twilightshooter4990]

GEC will be making a trapper run in 2020. Stay tune.

[@Orochi_001]

If you know anyone willing to part with a #47 Viper (preferably the maroon micarta KSF carried), lemme know. It’s been three years since their last Wharnie, and I’m an addict for that blade shape. I only just rediscovered traditional knives, and it’s been nice.

[@g.graham3810]

The 72 is a lockback 74.

[@MikeMcCormick1325]

Love my micarta trapper!

[@stephensgate1]

I agree, they need modern steels. I love their look and finish, but they lose me on their less than desirable Steel choice. -Stephen, Ohio

[@bryanstone654]

Nice but I like my Opinel #8 in Bubinga wood

[@richklangen1833]

Love 1095

[@franknowakowski3103]

GEC....Please RErelease this pattern! And when You do, make a TON of them.

[@pzkpfw917]

So I love GEC knives. Too bad Nick doesn't like the traditional knives.

[@bryanstone654]

GEC 00043 High Speed Low DragTactical Weapon System !

[@JustIn-op6oy]

Low speed, high drag - the traditional ethos. And I say that as someone who has a collection which is 75% traditional.

[@JustIn-op6oy]

Have an old 3 blade Boker traditional in my everyday rotation along side things like a griptilian and a delica.

[@sextuspompeius1266]

🤓

[@FURNlSH]

isnt it counter intuitive to have a "Eastern Cutlery" make a knife called the Oregon Trapper?

[@clintonlewis3739]

Yeah I would prefer a back lock,pretty though.

[@Go4Bro]

Well GEC makes backlocks. I'm sure you can find something you'll like

[@Ondal1]

Where I live, knives are considered dangerous murder weapons, only psychopaths would carry one, and only when on the way to kill random people - it's rather annoying. However you hit the nail on the head, because not too long time ago, our grandfathers did carry a knife as a tool, so it's doesn't matter too much how large they are, if there's some wood and a visible nail nick, it's still acceptable.

[@bladecollector7]

Want to sell that 99

[@ChuckBeefOG]

Nice traditional folder Nick. Too bad the only thing being trapped in Oregon these days are Republicans.

[@3ckell3]

Chuck Beef hahahaha

[@chef9524]

Chuck Beef What’s so bad about republicans?

[@toejamr1]

Fooos do you REALLY want to have that conversation on KZbin? Lol

[@chef9524]

Brad Leonard Yes. Because I fight for what I believe and don’t stand down.

[@hiboucanne5662]

nice!

[@Go4Bro]

I like it

[@johnburns748]

There is no Chinese company in the world not now or ever that will have a detrimental effect on GEC, they'll just keep making and selling everything they make, I'm really surprised of your thoughts on that

[@johnburns748]

Watched this video a couple of times now more in disbelief than interest but picked up on another comment that I thought you'd have had more knowledge of that being the use of 1095 as opposed to M390 simple answer there is 100 year old traditional knife making machines can't cope with the hardness of modern super steel's and to be honest I'm sure if these steel's were used it would take the traditional aspect of the knife out the equation,best sticking to modern traditionals if you want super steel's,pocket clips and disasemblability in your word's

[@bensondowney7610]

I love in oregon

[@anthonyp7051]

Easy open notch yes,pocket clip no

[@ordinaryeverydayguy2593]

You want a pocket clip on a gorgeous traditional? Excuse me? That's like drowning a fine steak in ketchup so it tastes more like a hamburger. You just don't get it. Seriously, you've done too many reviews on "modern" folders that are so ugly and overbuilt, you could pry the armor off an Abrahams tank. You've become accustomed to knives that have no soul. Stay in your lane.

[@toejamr1]

Ordinary everyday guy yeah, because wanting to be able access your knife easier is such a crime! Lol you’ve gotta be joking.

[@ACDCRocks780]

You traditional guys get real high and mighty when anyone suggests improving a knife.