- Joined
- Dec 1, 2016
- Messages
- 11,013
This thread has become prodigious and exhausting. I admire everyone's tenacity...
That being said, one of the things that continues to rub me the wrong way is the simple fact that there continues to be thinly veiled aspersions cast towards GEC. It is one thing to point out the failings of a cutlery firm, and we all know that GEC isn't infallible, it is quite another to continue making misleading statements towards their "disinterest", their "lack of accommodation", and their seeming refusal to bend to a rather small, yet vocal, string of demands. I laud the efforts of Leslie to talk with Charlie and Bill and I appreciate him sharing his findings with us. I just wish that folks would apply some perspective to the views they are sharing.
Buck is a rather large company, especially compared to GEC. They employ well over 300 people (last I checked) and they have several different production lines, a custom shop, and their knives are generally always available. GEC, on the other hand, is a very small firm, and I find it rather remarkable that they can produce the number of knives that they do, with the limited staff that they have, and still are able to produce one of the highest quality American production level slip joints available. It has to be taken into account that they simply cannot drop everything they are doing simply to accommodate our demands for a brand new pattern. Plus, why is it so objectionable to have our forum knife coincide with their current production plans? Buck isn't planning to bend over backwards for us (everything that has been proposed as possible is well within their current capabilities), why the double standard when it comes to GEC?
Before I get labeled as some sort of GEC shill, let it be known that though my meager collection is largely comprised of GEC knives, I appreciate cutlery from any firm that makes a quality knife, be it Buck, Case, Queen, etc. The fact that my collection is largely GEC-made speaks to a higher standard applied that many would be very hard pressed to dispute. Still, I am not opposed to a Buck made forum knife, but just because a superior steel and fancy covers are being proposed, it doesn't mean that should simply end our debate here. We now know that a GEC 14 is possible and possibly even a different unknown pattern. The 14 is a popular pattern and, correct me if I am wrong, a clip point 14 has long been touted as a desire in other threads. The mystery pattern is, of course, rather intriguing.
I guess my point in all of this is that we are still a ways off from any decision and I do look forward to the polling when it occurs. I just would like the endless needling towards GEC, and even Buck, for that matter, to stop. Two completely different companies, both very admirable, and both should be lauded as fine examples of American made cutlery. Should also be pointed out that just because one company favors the use of one steel over another, particularly one that an individual may hold in disfavor, that shouldn't give cause for ire. We should be grateful that there are still multiple firms to choose from.
That being said, one of the things that continues to rub me the wrong way is the simple fact that there continues to be thinly veiled aspersions cast towards GEC. It is one thing to point out the failings of a cutlery firm, and we all know that GEC isn't infallible, it is quite another to continue making misleading statements towards their "disinterest", their "lack of accommodation", and their seeming refusal to bend to a rather small, yet vocal, string of demands. I laud the efforts of Leslie to talk with Charlie and Bill and I appreciate him sharing his findings with us. I just wish that folks would apply some perspective to the views they are sharing.
Buck is a rather large company, especially compared to GEC. They employ well over 300 people (last I checked) and they have several different production lines, a custom shop, and their knives are generally always available. GEC, on the other hand, is a very small firm, and I find it rather remarkable that they can produce the number of knives that they do, with the limited staff that they have, and still are able to produce one of the highest quality American production level slip joints available. It has to be taken into account that they simply cannot drop everything they are doing simply to accommodate our demands for a brand new pattern. Plus, why is it so objectionable to have our forum knife coincide with their current production plans? Buck isn't planning to bend over backwards for us (everything that has been proposed as possible is well within their current capabilities), why the double standard when it comes to GEC?
Before I get labeled as some sort of GEC shill, let it be known that though my meager collection is largely comprised of GEC knives, I appreciate cutlery from any firm that makes a quality knife, be it Buck, Case, Queen, etc. The fact that my collection is largely GEC-made speaks to a higher standard applied that many would be very hard pressed to dispute. Still, I am not opposed to a Buck made forum knife, but just because a superior steel and fancy covers are being proposed, it doesn't mean that should simply end our debate here. We now know that a GEC 14 is possible and possibly even a different unknown pattern. The 14 is a popular pattern and, correct me if I am wrong, a clip point 14 has long been touted as a desire in other threads. The mystery pattern is, of course, rather intriguing.
I guess my point in all of this is that we are still a ways off from any decision and I do look forward to the polling when it occurs. I just would like the endless needling towards GEC, and even Buck, for that matter, to stop. Two completely different companies, both very admirable, and both should be lauded as fine examples of American made cutlery. Should also be pointed out that just because one company favors the use of one steel over another, particularly one that an individual may hold in disfavor, that shouldn't give cause for ire. We should be grateful that there are still multiple firms to choose from.
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