2016 GEC Rendevous Dates

jmh33

jmh33

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August 11,12,13 2016.. Whos going??? Hope to make it this yr!! Missed last.. John:thumbup:
 
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I'm planning on either Thursday or Friday. Gotta see what life throws at me between now and then.
 
Titusville, Pa.. At their factory..

Yep.. Listed on their web page.. John
 
I'd love to make it. It's hard to plan anything that far out, though. I have a hard time figuring out what I'm doing this weekend, much less 8 months from now. :D

Maybe I can make a camping trip out of it and bring the family along. That would drastically increase the odds of me being able to go.
 
I'll be there as usual.
It's always a good time to talk with friends from the factory as well as the forums. It's well worth the trip if you have any interest.
 
Now since I just got into traditional knives just last year what does this event consist of as in tours, great deals, guest speakers etc etc.
 
gonebad395 said:
Now since I just got into traditional knives just last year what does this event consist of as in tours, great deals, guest speakers etc etc.
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gonebad395, you may best be able to get a feel for the event by reading this thread:

Rendezvous 2015- Anybody makin' plans?

My own description of the Rendezvous, from early in that thread:
pertinux said:
I was almost taken aback by how laid back this "event" is, the first time I went. There is no show, no pretense, no gimmick, just straightforward people making straightforward knives.

So in essence, yes, it's simply a set of circled dates on the calendar when one can not only meet the GEC folks and watch their work in progress (Thursday and Friday-- although GEC gives tours year 'round on every working day, except maybe Fridays?), but have a great(er) chance to interact with others who are drawn to the knives and the people.

The last two years, one Big Draw (beyond GEC Proper) has been Charlie Campagna himself, the man, the legend, the knives. He has debuted some of his TC barlow releases at this event, as well as displayed his collection of barlows and other knives and just generally been Charlie. There are fewer exclamation marks in person, but the interactions are no less rewarding. ;) No idea what his plans are this year, other than I know he'll be there.

... I'm not sure it is possible to quantify the bounty that is ours, as knife knuts, that is due to the productive partnership of Charlie and Bill Howard. Me, I just like listening to them talk knives. :)

Charlie will be there again this year. Don't miss him, if only to say, "Thank you."

My second year, I met Lyle (wlfryjr), who gave me an education that has transformed my appreciation for knives. I will never recover from being in the presence of Lyle, loving his (Farmer Jack) knives.

[An amazing opportunity, to talk knives with those who love and study and carry them in their hearts.... I'm sure it happens in other venues and via other orchestrated gatherings; for me, it has happened at GEC.]

Last year, GEC added a picnic to the proceedings (instead of just an endless supply of hot dogs and popcorn, and a gradual fading away toward the end, burping), providing a means for all of us-- GEC employees and visitors alike-- to eat and play together. Grand fellowship, and a lot of fun.


Translation: it is possible to attend GEC's "Rendezvous" and be very, very bored. For hours.

Or maybe intrigued for 45 minutes, and then Done.



Me, I rejoice in the opportunity to (re)connect with friends old and new over a shared passion-- the knives-- and marvel at the risks taken and excellence pursued, day by day, by the people who labor in what looks to be a knife factory museum, but is an actual working knife factory(!).

Last year, on short time, I made people a(n unregretted) priority and missed more time looking at the knives: right there in person, the displays of the knives produced in GEC's history, the array of available knives in GEC's "store" (which consists of three or more display cases and Chris Tucker riffling through stapled-together printouts of current inventory). This year, I'm aiming to be there a little longer.

So:

Good people making good knives, and inviting us to come see, and share, and play.


There is also Bob.




... It's a highlight of my year.
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It's all true. :)

-- Thanks for the heads up on the dates, jmh33. Hotel reservations made. :cool:

~ P.
 
I tried to make it last year but it didn't work out, unfortunately. I'll try again this year and have already put the dates on the calendar. SWMBO needs plenty of notice!;)
 
gonebad395 said:
Hey man thanks for the link I'm going.to sit back and read for a bit
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Pertinux (Sarah) is a woman Keith!

Cory, GEC isn't that far from the Allegheny National Forest which has some great hiking if you decide to camp somewhere.



I do plan to go again this year. Not sure what day...weather might play a role as I prefer to ride the Harley there!
 
Thanks for the headsup, Jake. We have a two week out west camping trip planned for this summer so I just have to see how the timing between the two works out. If the timing is right we might just make a long weekend out of an out east camping trip. :D
 
I would like to go but it all takes some planning as it is not just a hop - skip & a jump from Knoxville,Tn. to Pa. ya know.!
Will have to see what I can do.**
 
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