2022 GEC #36 ElephantToenail/Elephant Toe/Sunfish Thread

[dirc]

I admire many gec designs, I would be a customer, if there was any sanity & availability involved, ... there isn't.... so I'm not. Sad, tbh

 

[stagmeister]

Looking back at the early reserve message from CK, they said the number they expected to get for all variations was "very small" so it's possible that the entire run is low production.

The numbers are on the lower end of what they have putting out recently, but not miniscule. They are more labor intensive due to the size and material involved. This is also reflected in the price seeing it's still a single blade. There a four handles on this model, and combined they add up to a solid run. I haven't seen many saying they're opting for the jigged bone example, so maybe that may be a little easier to snag.

 

[stagmeister]

I don’t think it’s good protocol to discuss this here, but shoot me a PM and I’ll see if I can give you some ideas or just increase your frustration more.

Good advice and it's nice to offer your assistance with this. I am just one of the fortunate. I've had a longtime relationship with my source that actually goes deeper than just being my dealer. They said they realistically get between emails and phone calls over 500 inquiries a week to buy GEC knives. I've heard that goes across the board with all the dealers to some extent. He said it's to the point where he can't answer them all anymore. They would like to be able to cater to everyone, but we know supply and demand just doesn't allow it. It's frustrating for them too, and there is no doubt these dealers are working hard for their money. Hearing some of the stories, I don't envy them. Even though it doesn't offer much solace when you can't score a knife, try to keep that in mind.

 

[bbfish]

Good advice and it's nice to offer your assistance with this. I am just one of the fortunate. I've had a longtime relationship with my source that actually goes deeper than just being my dealer. They said they realistically get between emails and phone calls over 500 inquiries a week to buy GEC knives. I've heard that goes across the board with all the dealers to some extent. He said it's to the point where he can't answer them all anymore. They would like to be able to cater to everyone, but we know supply and demand just doesn't allow it. It's frustrating for them too, and there is no doubt these dealers are working hard for their money. Hearing some of the stories, I don't envy them. Even though it doesn't offer much solace when you can't score a knife, try to keep that in mind.

It must be a massive headache. Also the fallout of people who think they got cart sniped and not understanding how online shopping carts work who call after their failed checkout must get mind numbing. I guess that's the cost of being able to sell something you know will sell out in seconds.

 

[JohnDF]

Call me insensitive, but I don't feel bad for the retailers who's stock is guaranteed to sell out in seconds.

 

[bbfish]

Call me insensitive, but I don't feel bad for the retailers who's stock is guaranteed to sell out in seconds.

Certainly a good problem to have. I'm just saying it would be exhausting to have 25 knives to sell, and have to hear grief from 200 people about it. Not sure of the real numbers, more speaking in hyperbole.

 

[stagmeister]

Call me insensitive, but I don't feel bad for the retailers who's stock is guaranteed to sell out in seconds.

Oh, I don't feel sorry for them on that front at all. I just know they feel bad they can't fulfill the orders for all their regular customers that buy other products and spend money with them and support their business. There just aren't enough to go around.

 

[cigarrodog]

Call me insensitive

 

[Lander boy Matt]

I'm fortunate to live relatively close to Titusville, so I took a ride today to visit the GEC factory today. The 36 is a pattern that seemed like a novelty piece to me, mostly due to what I've read here about its size and weight. What draws me to them is the amount of real estate the knife provides for handle covers. After handling one today I had to have it. Fit and finish I believe was absolutely perfect on the ones I was shown, possibly the best I've experienced on any production slipjoint. Having no ebony in my collection sealed the deal. No gaps anywhere, perfectly flush in all three positions of the blade, and the inletting of the shield is flawless. Pull is stout but completely manageable, in my opinion perfect, and very snappy.While it is substantial in weight, my example is still a half ounce lighter than my 23 LL, coming in on my scale at 4.4 oz. While it still may be a sort of novelty, I'm extremely happy to add it to my collection, and I can see this getting some use at some point, probably when I start wearing overalls more often.

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

Certainly a good problem to have. I'm just saying it would be exhausting to have 25 knives to sell, and have to hear grief from 200 people about it. Not sure of the real numbers, more speaking in hyperbole.

Thought you might be interested in some real numbers.

An email sent out for a drop:

"Great Eastern #77 - Available in Sawcut Bone & Cocobolo.

Read after they sell out:

We have a total of of 61 knives between both handle options. You are 1 of 2,430 people on this email list. We will never have enough for everyone, and these will sell out fast as I'm sure you have already seen."

Maybe more than 200 people giving them grief. I made it to checkout, pushed the button to purchase - Sold Out. Grief from me, no, disappointment, yes.

 

[Your Name Goes Here]

Exotic Indian jigged bone, not sure what to think of this jig, I like the color.

I like the way the pattern "flows" in different directions. Slightly on the fence until the final product is revealed (assembled and polished). In the picture, it looks like there are some dark (black ?) scales in the background and to the right a light colored scale.

 

[stagmeister]

I'm fortunate to live relatively close to Titusville, so I took a ride today to visit the GEC factory today. The 36 is a pattern that seemed like a novelty piece to me, mostly due to what I've read here about its size and weight. What draws me to them is the amount of real estate the knife provides for handle covers. After handling one today I had to have it. Fit and finish I believe was absolutely perfect on the ones I was shown, possibly the best I've experienced on any production slipjoint. Having no ebony in my collection sealed the deal. No gaps anywhere, perfectly flush in all three positions of the blade, and the inletting of the shield is flawless. Pull is stout but completely manageable, in my opinion perfect, and very snappy.View attachment 1756339View attachment 1756340While it is substantial in weight, my example is still a half ounce lighter than my 23 LL, coming in on my scale at 4.4 oz. While it still may be a sort of novelty, I'm extremely happy to add it to my collection, and I can see this getting some use at some point, probably when I start wearing overalls more often.

Congrats on your score at the store! Did they have any of the smooth bone available? I don't really think it's quite a novelty knife. Maybe if you put a comb or fork on the other end. If you can deal with it's weight, I think it could conquer most anything you put it to.

 

[hank_rearden]

I'll always prefer the unxld version: NS bolsters on both ends, nice shield, bone or antler inserts, long pull nick. Now please GEC:

DEEPEN YOUR LONG PULL NICKS. My thumb nail is always in danger of slipping with a stiff blade like my #23.

 

[JohnDF]

I'm fortunate to live relatively close to Titusville, so I took a ride today to visit the GEC factory today.

The next time you go, let us all know so we can put our orders in with you.

 

[Lander boy Matt]

The next time you go, let us all know so we can put our orders in with you.

I actually had the thought on my drive home, I wish I had the financial means to buy everything in the store and offer them up to my friends here at my cost. If I could I certainly would. Not only that, it's always a guessing game what will be in the store for sale.

Congrats on your score at the store! Did they have any of the smooth bone available? I don't really think it's quite a novelty knife. Maybe if you put a comb or fork on the other end. If you can deal with it's weight, I think it could conquer most anything you put it to.

Nope, no smooth bone available that I am aware of. I consider it somewhat of a novelty knife simply because it's just not as practical as the knives I choose to carry. Definitely not in the same category as a comb or fork knife though

 

[stagmeister]

I actually had the thought on my drive home, I wish I had the financial means to buy everything in the store and offer them up to my friends here at my cost. If I could I certainly would. Not only that, it's always a guessing game what will be in the store for sale.

Nope, no smooth bone available that I am aware of. I consider it somewhat of a novelty knife simply because it's just not as practical as the knives I choose to carry. Definitely not in the same category as a comb or fork knife though

I'm surprised you got a regular model. Usually they will only put out the "S" knives at least until they're gone, unless they just didn't have any.

 

[stagmeister]

I actually had the thought on my drive home, I wish I had the financial means to buy everything in the store and offer them up to my friends here at my cost. If I could I certainly would. Not only that, it's always a guessing game what will be in the store for sale.

Nope, no smooth bone available that I am aware of. I consider it somewhat of a novelty knife simply because it's just not as practical as the knives I choose to carry. Definitely not in the same category as a comb or fork knife though

Yep, I think a 7" hunting knife is like a novelty too. I could skin and dress a Buffalo with a 3 or 4" blade, but people still buy and use them. If you need to chop wood, get a hatchet. Different strokes for different folks they say.

 

[stagmeister]

I like the way the pattern "flows" in different directions. Slightly on the fence until the final product is revealed (assembled and polished). In the picture, it looks like there are some dark (black ?) scales in the background and to the right a light colored scale.

It will look different when finished. Just google GEC exotic india jigged bone and click one of the pictures and it will show you different patterns with it from the past.

 

[Lander boy Matt]

I'm surprised you got a regular model. Usually they will only put out the "S" knives at least until they're gone, unless they just didn't have any.

There's a display case with only store knives and a separate one with non "S" model knives. I think they probably keep a few non store models to have for sale in house. I also picked up an "S" model #77

 

[stagmeister]

There's a display case with only store knives and a separate one with non "S" model knives. I think they probably keep a few non store models to have for sale in house. I also picked up an "S" model #77

That's cool. I imagine Joan Mae or Sue waited on you. Both nice gals. Did you get the bone or cocobolo #77?