2020 GEC #19 Little Rattler Thread

[Pàdruig]

You are entirely correct, it's not GEC's fault.
But if something just gets too frustrating or too expensive to justify a purchase, you end up writing it off.

I completely agree. I know my limits as a consumer - once they are surpassed, whether it is the fault of the brand or not, I'll have to look elsewhere.

 

[cudgee]

I know my limits as a consumer

That is a well known business/marketing rule-Everything Has A Price Point.

 

[knifeswapper]

GP knives just emailed me back when I inquired about this.
They said their price was the newer pricing structure from GEC and other retailers just did not comply.

Not sure what to believe here.
knifeswapper ???

GEC did change some nomenclature. DSR (dealer suggested retail) is now SMR (suggested minimum retail); and MSRP (mfg suggested retail) is still the same. So, nothing really changed in that GEC still sets the min selling price. No numbers changed anywhere, just the column headers; but technically the factory suggested retail is now the only heading with "suggested retail"; and the column that has always been the standard pricing is now just the "minimum retail".

But, I will do some simple math here that most have probably already thought about. If dealer A sells a knife for $70 and makes a profit; and dealer B sells a knife for $100. Dealer B is making at least $30 more profit than dealer A on a knife that logic says costs less than $60 (because the $70 selling price includes $5 shipping, $3 rewards, payroll, materials, corporate tax, etc.).

 

[EngrSorenson]

So... You would hold the brand in contempt due to the actions of dealers that they cannot control?

oh I’m sure GEC could do something.

 

[knife_fan]

They can, they just haven't, or won't.

If this situation gets out of hand it could potentially hurt the brand's image. Didn't Bill say he wants to provide a nice working knife for a good value?

I hope the new S&M knives coming out have good fit and finish to compete with GEC. They need more competition to keep a level playing field.

 

[Matt_WY]

A $100 lil rattler is a tough sell for me, especially when I was just picking up the majority of the more desirable 74 mustangs covers for less than that.

 

[RBB2]

I hope the new S&M knives coming out have good fit and finish to compete with GEC. They need more competition to keep a level playing field.

As a relative new guy, this does seem to be the case. GEC is the only game in town for a truly premium quality, USA made slip joint. And pricing seems to be trending upward, as it should in a free market in that situation. What that higher price does, though, is create room for competition. Which is always good for the consumer.

 

[Fixall]

I posted a thread in the Feedback forum about authorized GEC dealers raising the price well above the minimum set by GEC so we don't incur the wrath of the mods.

 

[Railsplitter]

It's small indeed but I'm happy to own it.

My only gripe is that the tip rests just about even with the top of the handle when closed. It won't take much edge work to require filing the kick to lower the tip.

Great build quality otherwise. Light pull at about a 4 on the pull scale with good snap and of course, a pinchable blade. Nice little knife. I'll be keeping it for the foreseeable future.

 

[Spydergirl88]

Does anyone know if the snake etch is being applied to all the cover options or just Tidioute covers?

 

[EngrSorenson]

My only gripe is that the tip rests just about even with the top of the handle when closed. It won't take much edge work to require filing the kick to lower the tip.

That's something I was worried about with this knife. It's too bad you should have to file the kick so soon- I feel like when you get a new knife you shouldn't have to worry about that kind of thing for a long time. Regardless of why GEC insists on keeping the blade tips so close to the edge of the frame, I still think it's a flaw (albeit a small one) of the design.

 

[Railsplitter]

That's something I was worried about with this knife. It's too bad you should have to file the kick so soon- I feel like when you get a new knife you shouldn't have to worry about that kind of thing for a long time. Regardless of why GEC insists on keeping the blade tips so close to the edge of the frame, I still think it's a flaw (albeit a small one) of the design.

I was concerned about it too but I ordered one anyway in hopes that I was wrong.

I agree that it’s a flaw but a small one that should not have to be addressed so soon.

On the bright side, I was also concerned about blade rap and fortunately, I don’t see any signs of that on my example.

 

[EngrSorenson]

On the bright side, I was also concerned about blade rap and fortunately, I don’t see any signs of that on my example.

Has anyone noticed blade rap on their examples? I would be surprised, given both the distance of the edge to the center pin, the short and thin blade, and the pivot-heavy wharncliffe design.

Personally, I think the #19 is a challenged pattern shape. It's restrictive in a lot of ways.

A handle that swells away from the pivot provides more room for the blade in the blade well, such that you can protect the edge from rapping, and also keep the blade tip buried. The Grinling Whittler (same shape) works well because the secondary blades provide cover for the tip of the main blade.

A long, slender clip point would have worked better in this #19- a swoopy clip profile would keep that tip buried for the usable life of the knife. Bellies on smaller knives are important because it allows the user to work away from their hands a bit, but it's especially important on the #19 because of how big the swollen bolster is. I think it'd be a challenge to cut anything small on a flat surface and use much of the available blade.

 

[Pàdruig]

The first of the #19 Little Rattlers arrived today.

Though size can be a relative thing, I don't really consider myself an enthusiast of the more diminutive patterns that GEC has produced. That said, I find it interesting that certain knives appeal to me over others - for instance, I like a 2-blade #14 far more than I like a single blade #15 or I prefer the #06 over the #09. Preferences can be a fickle and strange thing...

Enter the #19 Little Rattler - a new pattern for GEC - coming in to wrap up (for the most part) this rather strange and trying year. This is a small knife, measuring just a hair longer than the Pemberton but not enough for it to make much of a noticeable difference. Being a single blade offering, it is rather slim but despite its dainty dimensions, it is juxtaposed by a rather substantial blade - seriously, this is a lot of blade to pack into such a small package.

• Covers/Shield: I very rarely buy GECs in micarta. The 2017 Forum knife and the sod busters are the only notable exceptions. I decided to scoop up this one because I wanted the whole series for the purposes of Christmas gifts. However, I really do like the color of this micarta and it sets off the badge shield and satin finish very nicely. Speaking of the satin finish - I generally dislike it (a lot) but I will admit (begrudgingly) that it pairs really well with micarta.
• Frame/Shape: Out of all the small GECs I have (not many, to be frank), this one is easily the most comfortable, despite it only being a single blade. The large front bolster provides a secure grip when pinching and the rest of the frame just seems to nestle nicely into the curve of your hand. It's rather attractive - especially paired with the wharncliffe blade.
• Action/Walk-n-talk: The pulls on this dainty delight are around a 5-5.5 - rather perfect for a knife in this size range (in my opinion, of course). This knife snapped open and closed in all three positions quite nicely right out of the tube with not a hint of blade rap or wobble.
• Fit and finish: Overall, the fit and finish on this knife is pretty decent, though not perfect. Obviously the satin finish tends to amplify defects on the bolsters and shield and sure enough, as soon as I pulled it from the tube, I noticed some decent scuffing on the pile side bolsters. The shield is inlet perfectly and the transitions between covers and bolsters are nicely smooth with nary a gap to be seen anywhere.
• Points of note (nitpicking): A couple of issues for me regarding this knife - I don't generally have any issue with the spring being proud at the half stop (which it is on this 19) and I don't really have an issue with it being proud in the open position either. However, it is proud (ever so slightly) in the fully open position and this just tells me that the fitment wasn't quite perfect. The only other thing that kind of bugs me (if I let it) is that the tip is really, really close to being proud of the blade well - I can just barely catch a nail on it.

In summary, it is a great little blade and I am pleased to have been able to acquire it - I'm looking forward to the rest of the run as well. Stacked up against some of GEC's smaller patterns, I think it does really well - especially with that blade and comfortable frame.

 

[Scott J.]

I know I said I was done fighting for and stressing about trying to score a GEC, but I just happened to be on line when it dropped.
Seems like a nice little knife and I kinda dig the etch.

 

[Scott J.]

Like Pàdruig said above, there really is more blade than you'd think.

 

[sf fanatic]

Yes, it is small but I love the blade shape. View attachment 1453944

 

[Onearmbladenut]

The government tried price fixing between 1933 to 1945. Smaller businesses could not sell products cheaper than the big chains and corporations. The government killed small businesses in the 1930s & 40s. Competition is American and it works. "LET THE FREE MARKETS WORK !". If you do not like the price , don't buy it. We are not entitled to anything. I agree with GEC having a minimum price for dealers to charge. The smaller GEC dealers took a hit this year. Let them do what that need to do to survive. A GEC cap on higher prices means more profit for the E-bay flippers and we might lose a dealer or two. When taxes , energy prices , or material prices go up , guess who pays for that increased price ? "You do !" Life aint fair ! There is a not one GEC dealer that I will not buy from. I try to buy extra stuff or a CASE XX/GEC knife from them to help them out. I have lost my cool a few times and I am truly sorry for that. We all need to pray for every GEC dealer. We need to pray for Bill Howard and his 32 employees. Every knife that we receive is a blessing. The GEC dealer that has a batch with the highest price , still has them. Guess what ? Anybody that wants one can buy it now. "It is available !" GEC knives are flying of the shelves in minutes. I expect prices to go up in 2021. Right now , I can afford to buy knives every month. This world is turned up side down and we can still afford to buy knives. "Thank You God and Jesus !" If I get my left hand on a white bone #19 Little Rattler knife . I am going to dye it blue and that cost will me a little more money. "LET THE FREE MARKETS WORK !"

 

[22-rimfire]

A $100 lil rattler is a tough sell for me, especially when I was just picking up the majority of the more desirable 74 mustangs covers for less than that.

This is making me have second thoughts about getting one. $100 just seems like too much. Plus I know I am not likely to use the knife, so it's $100 dumped down a hole....

 

[Onearmbladenut]

Yes, it is small but I love the blade shape. View attachment 1453944

Beautiful knives you have there. I noticed the nail nick on the Little Rattler. I wish the nail nick was a little further down to the tip of the blade for easier opening. Sometimes Tidioute knives open easier than the Northfields , because the single nail nick is closer to the tip of the blade. I break more thumb nails on the Northfield knives , that does not keep me from buying them. The lighter pull knives I open between my thighs/knees and my left thumb. I use my feet and a CASE XX blade pick on gator snap knives.