GEC Farm & Field Tools, what can we expect?

[FortyTwoBlades]

Very nice! Loving the sheepsfoot and pen version too, but I can't say as I like the looks of the hawkbill. Way too extended of a nose for me. I much prefer the shape of the pruner in supratentorial's image. That's pretty much spot on with what I like in a hawkbill. A short beak with EITHER the spine or the edge tracing close to a 90 degree radiused turn (in that example the spine being the one meeting that criteria) and a fairly straight edge at the base of the blade. I find them much more versatile than most would figure, but only if they are of particular form.

[biglmbass]

They look historically accurate to me...

Where is the catalog cut from? What manufacturer?

[pinnah]

This little knife is absolute perfection! Not only from the standpoint of Fit n' Finish, but also from the price point perspective. $53 bucks for a knife this nice that is made in the good ol' United States of America is spot-on in my book. It's not often nowadays where I feel like I got my money's worth. But I most definitely do with this knife!

It's a really wonderful looking knife.

But just to underscore the price pressure facing GEC, you can get the Buck 112 for around $45 regularly.


And if you can get the Ecolite 112, which is more comparable to the Bullnose, for around $30 regularly.


And you can deal with "ugly as a cinder block", you can find the Bucklite Max for under $20 regularly.


All these knives are made in the US (and all of them lock).

Please note, I'm not attacking GEC in any way here. Just emphasizing that there are already great traditional knives made in the US targeted to tough working conditions and they are already coming in at a lower price point than GEC is hitting at. And while we may quibble about fit and finish issues [1], it's really impossible to argue that GEC is going to produce a more durable product than Buck or beat Buck in terms of customer service.

[1] - in my experience, quasi-handmade shops can achieve higher levels of fit and finish but also tend to have wider variance in quality control whereas more highly automated shops tend not reach the upper levels of fit and finish but tend to be much more consistent in terms of quality.

[mnblade]

HAYN’ HELPER WITH LONG SHEEP FOOT AND PEN BLADES

This combination looks AWESOME!

-- Mark

[FortyTwoBlades]

Not to derail, but pinnah--last time I checked the Bucklite Max folders were assembled in the USA with "US and foreign parts."

[pinnah]

Right. Blades are definitely made in the US. Not sure about the handles. My understanding from discussions on this subject in the Buck sub-forum is the issue is things like pins, bushing and clips.

Supply-chain purity is a sticky wicket. But if the Bucklite Max is to be excluded from the Made in the USA (and it's not, legally) then a whole bunch of US made things aren't made in the USA either.

Regardless, the Buck 112 and Ecolite 112 have no such caveats.

[FortyTwoBlades]

My understanding is that certain percentages have to be met in order to qualify an item as having earned a "made in the USA" mark, so I'm pretty sure there IS an official metric for it. But regardless, you have a valid point about the Buck 112 and EcoLite 112 are excellent knives for the money, but they ARE distinctly different to my eyes at least. I personally prefer the look of the Bullnose and would find it more useful around the homestead. Slippies are great for convenience of putting them away vs. traditional lockbacks. At least for me. When you aren't pressed for one-handed opening and will be making only one or a few quick cuts then re-pocketing the knife a good slipjoint is very pleasing to use.

[Mad_Maxx]

looks goo in the pics!
I want GLOW pics! just ordered 2..

[supratentorial]

Where is the catalog cut from? What manufacturer?

The Hawkbill is from a 1910 Thomas MFG catalog. The New England Whaler is from a 1905 Logan-Gregg Hardware Co. ...The manufacturer was not listed in the Thomas MFG catalog. The New England Whaler is branded Sterling Warranted. Looking up "Sterling" I found a "Sterling Cutlery Co" imported by McIlwaine Linn & Hughes (c1895-1914) but I'm not sure if it is the same. I think both the hawkbill pruner and the New England Whaler were patterns that were manufactured by many companies. I had a "whaler" made by Schrade that I gifted to a forum member.

[supratentorial]

Here are photos of a Schrade New England Whaler (shown with some Case Swayback Jacks) and a Shapleigh Hawkbill.

[richstag]

I think in this world of disappointment you tend to get what you pay for. Sure, I have gotten a few SLIGHTLY flawed knives from GEC but they are all beautifully handmade knives. When I ran my own little business I payed my guys MORE as opposed to LESS. Made for some happy and motivated employees. I will gladly pay the SLIGHT difference to put a couple extra bucks into the pockets of hard working Americans to help put food on their family's plates. I get a little tired of always seeing people wanting EVERYTHING for less. Maybe I am just a sucker willing to pay 50 for a GEC sodbuster...

Kevin

[avoidspam]

It's interesting to try and work out where their Farm and Tool range would fit in... I'm guessing somewhere similar to the upper Mooremaker line? If say my son was starting a job on a ranch and I wanted to give him a slightly better quality knife to keep this would be a good choice.

Sam

[supratentorial]

Here are some more examples of a New England Whaler... one from Schrade (etched!) and a beauty from Remington

...

...

...

[Currahee]

A few more pics of the #71 F&F Bullnose to whet your appetite...






















Cheers!

[FortyTwoBlades]

Very nice! I wish them a lot of luck with this line--it's right up my alley. May have to snag one.

[pinnah]

I think in this world of disappointment you tend to get what you pay for. Sure, I have gotten a few SLIGHTLY flawed knives from GEC but they are all beautifully handmade knives. When I ran my own little business I payed my guys MORE as opposed to LESS. Made for some happy and motivated employees. I will gladly pay the SLIGHT difference to put a couple extra bucks into the pockets of hard working Americans to help put food on their family's plates. I get a little tired of always seeing people wanting EVERYTHING for less. Maybe I am just a sucker willing to pay 50 for a GEC sodbuster...

Kevin

Well said.

I would add that I am willing to pay a premium for a knife whose manufacture is tied to it's heritage. I'd pay more for French Opinel than, say (and I'm making this up), a Spanish Opinel. I'd pay more for a Swedish Mora than a Russian "Mora". When I look at patterns closely associated with American culture, I want American manufacture.

FWIW, everything we just said (and agree on) equally applies to Buck and Case and Bear and Sons. Even at this mid-level price point ($35 - $60), there are cheaper imported alternatives. And that is the challenge facing GEC, and Queen too as they've announced they will have knives at all price points (as has been reported on this forum).

Isn't it wonderful that we're talking about legitimate choices of American made knives at this price point?!

[avoidspam]

I think I'd be really proud for GEC if I was American. I still hope that a similar revival might happen with Sheffield steel over here. I'm not Nationalistic (is that a word...?), I have respect for any well made product but I can understand that sense of pride that comes from something well made in your own country.

Sam

[pinnah]

Sam, I think it's the relationship to the culture that is key. As popular as the Barlow became in the US, I think an English made Barlow is simply different and more authentic in someway than any US made one. That's not a ding against the US.

[Humppa]

I see it same way like Sam. The same thing for me with well made german knives. As well as I like US-made knives, the same way I like german-made. I have no knife from Sheffield, UK yet.

[supratentorial]

Sam, I think it's the relationship to the culture that is key. As popular as the Barlow became in the US, I think an English made Barlow is simply different and more authentic in someway than any US made one. That's not a ding against the US.

Which ones aren't authentic?

Here's a favorite, which kicked off a spate of Schrade collecting for me. It is so nicely made, I have purchased several more Schrades.

Sorry, the tang is blurred in this scan, but it is A Schrade Cut. Co.

And then there are these;

Nice Barlows everyone! That CJ is great s-k. I have 2 of them, but the bolster stamping isn't nearly as clear on mine.
Nice stag on that pair, Bill!
Greg, what can I say. If I asked people to post left-handed, upside-down stock whittlers, you would probably show us some beautiful Cripple Creek examples !
Very nice. I love Barlow threads sunnyd, Thanks for starting this one, and with a worthy knife, and a tale of generosity!!

A few more to keep the ball rolling!

Those Queens are beautiful, Thomason. I like the dyes they used in those days, and the fact that they improved the barlow, your "basic" pocket knife, by sinking the joint with that bolster projection!
For any newbies in attendance, a "sunk" joint hides the "run up" or back point of the tang to protect your pocket from wearing out. A classy detail on a common knife.
One of the things I like most about collecting Barlows is the variety of bolster stamps. The marketing effort to sell these knives, arguably the most common sale for a cutlery company, so their "bread and butter", led to putting a fancy mark on them to make them attractive.
So we see logos, pictures, initials and "tag lines". This makes for a nice, attractive collection.
Top that off with the blade variations, and it is almost endless. Case XX barlows have tang stamp variations on otherwise identical knives as well. A barlow collection can keep you busy for many years!!
Some of these were posted in another Barlow thread, so please excuse the repetition. Here's another bunch;