#35 Beer and Sausage Bar Tool Knife

[Camillus]

Not sad about the knife, sad to have lost some of the magic that used to make GEC collecting really special to me. I won’t get into that as some of it is personal.

As for the knife, the concerns really are about what it isn’t, not what it is, but that aside it’s the humour and the BRR tool that don’t do it for me.

But, those who like the B&S knife don’t let me stop you- please you enjoy it and use it as you see fit!!

 

[knife_bro69]

Congrats! It is a cool acquisition, and hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

Thank you, I know it’s been a weird release but I only got it to use it as an EDC, I dont think Id ever use the fork unless Im scraping something though...

 

[knife_bro69]

Not sad about the knife, sad to have lost some of the magic that used to make GEC collecting really special to me. I won’t get into that as some of it is personal.

As for the knife, the concerns really are about what it isn’t, not what it is, but that aside it’s the humour and the BRR tool that don’t do it for me.

But, those who like the B&S knife don’t let me stop you- please you enjoy it and use it as you see fit!!

I think I understand what you mean. This isn’t a “sprint run” or a limited edition release, but it feels like one. That is precisely the reason why I do not buy Spydercos anymore, too much of that going on. I wouldnt be sad if instead of the fork they went with the beer scout cap lifter design with the screwdriver ending to it. But as is, I use the comb and the knife, cleaning both as I go of course. I know gec tries to do historically accurate stuff, but I cant really see this being one of them. But I dont know much about traditionals, maybe they did some wacky stuff back then too. I know they make hobo knives and this reminds me of that style.

 

[Will Power]

400 of each scale type is hardly that limited an edition for what is a special or acquired taste knife.

If people are unable to buy despite having everything 'loaded' and it sells out in a few seconds it means that people-even other dealers....with more sophisticated gadgetry are buying them all up. Clearly Fear Of Missing Out Flipping FOMOF

 

[SnackPack]

To me, the jig bone is the penultimate version of this knife. It just oozes that fall/Oktoberfest vibe.

 

[Jiki]

penultimate version of this knife

2nd to last?

 

[Jiki]

If people are unable to buy despite having everything 'loaded' and it sells out in a few seconds it means that people-even other dealers....with more sophisticated gadgetry are buying them all up. Clearly Fear Of Missing Out Flipping FOMOF

This is not untrue, however when the drop is 10 knives I don't believe you can make an educated analysis of the situation.

2-3 weeks ago I made the statement that this what the supply/demand purchasing reality of GEC is in its current state and I got shouted down by a few different members, I think I was fairly accurate and If the hints of upcoming production are accurate it is not going to change soon. We just got a peek at the next short run of 74s during CK's early reserve. (Commenting on human behavior on your system or methods Mike knifeswapper ) Gone in seconds, faster than the system would allow Mike to control.

 

[knifeswapper]

Randy Bell (GEC Engineer) posted this on facebook and I thought it might be interesting in this thread.
----------------------------------------
Before the Governor's decreed exile the plan was to make the 35 square tang spear & pen Maher and Grosh knives. There was not a die for the square Tang so we decided to waterjet them out because they were under the build a die cut off point.
Our version was to be round Tang which we had dies for except for a secondary spey. The die was built. The existing dies were for a spear and a secondary sheep foot. Yes indeed ladies and gentleman, a cattle knife. That was the plan and then God stepped in.
During the covid-19 damage shut down I was discussing with some of you online friends about a potential knives. The best brain fart and the one that I was going to push to Bill was the Beer Boat. This was to be a quick and dirty knife to generate cash.
The beer boat consisted of the 16 Little Indian Canoe which would maintain its spear but instead of having a pen blades in the other end it would have the 15 lifter. I still like that idea better than the beer and sausage. When I presented it to Bill he said, "I've been thinking about a cap lifter in the 35.
I don't want it to end with a screwdriver I want it to end with a spatula like a doctor's knife." I thought that would be kind of cool so I ran with it. Before it was done Bill said we could put a wire stripping notch in it also and I did.
Then later he came back and said we need one more tool than that. My proposal was put in a long pull match strike. He replied that's for Northfield.
I rebutted with I don't care if it's for Northfield you said you wanted another tool and that's another tool and it's easy enough to do. He said he would think about it. never in a million years did I dream he would come back with what he did.
When he did come back he said take out the wire stripper and turn that spatula into a fork (a forking fork God fork it). I felt like we were boarding the Crazy Train.
But as you know it only gets better. Bill later came back to me and said I want you to design a comb out of the spring steel we use for the liner locks.
Not only that but I want you to nest them such that when you cut the teeth on one comb you're cutting the teeth on the other comb. I was now living Ozzy Osbourne's nightmare.
"Crazy, but that's how it goes.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train."
Later when Bill proudly announced I have a name for this comb. I am going to call it a beard refuse removal tool I knew Bill had lost his mind.
I pleaded with him "Bill, I don't like the mental pictures that paints" to no avail. So to wrap things up we were going to have a cattle knife we could have had a cap lifting doctors knife but we got the Beer and Sausage knife.
My intentions were to buy a cattle knife for a user and not a safe Queen. I wanted to replace the queen knife my grandfather had bought me that was lost but this would be a better knife than that one. However that was subverted to, "I'll buy one of these and then when everybody is done bitching and starts screaming for them years from now I'll be sitting pretty."
Alas this does not seem to be the case. Apparently Bill did not lose his mind and is instead a marketing genius. I'm afraid the beer and sausage is here to stay.
------------------------------------

Sorry for the breakup, they were passages on individual photos (just scenic shots of the autumn leaf version).

 

[hornetguy]

It’s an unusual situation where people are allowed to openly praise Collector Knives, but anyone who disagrees and who has had a (very) different experience gets told to go post in whine and cheese! So I guess that means I have to bite my tongue.

Anyway I will say that this is a forum where we get to express views, and I am happy to not agree that this situation is as rosy as others (who may have vested interests) make it out to be. There are a bunch of happenings in the last few years that aren’t positive, and I think this knife is one of them. I don’t agree that the knife is a hit, and remain a bit sad about how things are currently going.

hmmm... must have missed it. The only ones I've seen being told to go to Whine and Cheese were because of some vulgar comments about the beard tool....

 

[Snodgrass]

Randy Bell (GEC Engineer) posted this on facebook and I thought it might be interesting in this thread.
----------------------------------------
Before the Governor's decreed exile the plan was to make the 35 square tang spear & pen Maher and Grosh knives. There was not a die for the square Tang so we decided to waterjet them out because they were under the build a die cut off point.
Our version was to be round Tang which we had dies for except for a secondary spey. The die was built. The existing dies were for a spear and a secondary sheep foot. Yes indeed ladies and gentleman, a cattle knife. That was the plan and then God stepped in.
During the covid-19 damage shut down I was discussing with some of you online friends about a potential knives. The best brain fart and the one that I was going to push to Bill was the Beer Boat. This was to be a quick and dirty knife to generate cash.
The beer boat consisted of the 16 Little Indian Canoe which would maintain its spear but instead of having a pen blades in the other end it would have the 15 lifter. I still like that idea better than the beer and sausage. When I presented it to Bill he said, "I've been thinking about a cap lifter in the 35.
I don't want it to end with a screwdriver I want it to end with a spatula like a doctor's knife." I thought that would be kind of cool so I ran with it. Before it was done Bill said we could put a wire stripping notch in it also and I did.
Then later he came back and said we need one more tool than that. My proposal was put in a long pull match strike. He replied that's for Northfield.
I rebutted with I don't care if it's for Northfield you said you wanted another tool and that's another tool and it's easy enough to do. He said he would think about it. never in a million years did I dream he would come back with what he did.
When he did come back he said take out the wire stripper and turn that spatula into a fork (a forking fork God fork it). I felt like we were boarding the Crazy Train.
But as you know it only gets better. Bill later came back to me and said I want you to design a comb out of the spring steel we use for the liner locks.
Not only that but I want you to nest them such that when you cut the teeth on one comb you're cutting the teeth on the other comb. I was now living Ozzy Osbourne's nightmare.
"Crazy, but that's how it goes.
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train."
Later when Bill proudly announced I have a name for this comb. I am going to call it a beard refuse removal tool I knew Bill had lost his mind.
I pleaded with him "Bill, I don't like the mental pictures that paints" to no avail. So to wrap things up we were going to have a cattle knife we could have had a cap lifting doctors knife but we got the Beer and Sausage knife.
My intentions were to buy a cattle knife for a user and not a safe Queen. I wanted to replace the queen knife my grandfather had bought me that was lost but this would be a better knife than that one. However that was subverted to, "I'll buy one of these and then when everybody is done bitching and starts screaming for them years from now I'll be sitting pretty."
Alas this does not seem to be the case. Apparently Bill did not lose his mind and is instead a marketing genius. I'm afraid the beer and sausage is here to stay.
------------------------------------

Sorry for the breakup, they were passages on individual photos (just scenic shots of the autumn leaf version).

Thanks for that, I always figured this whole knife was just a marketing strategy to drum up hype and demand before dropping a large run. Not that GEC needs much help in the hype department these days.

I managed to snag the first two covers, hoping to complete the set. They are odd but they will be collectible, no doubt!

 

[NewBlades16]

I think there is simply a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to what it takes to run a business, particularly a cutlery manufacturer. The masses want a knife, they want it now, and they want it their way (I'm generalizing, of course). If GEC upped their output, then the small batch nature of their production runs might lose its luster. GEC knives are hot right now, they have been for some time and will continue to be so as long as they keep doing what they do best. I, for one, appreciate that they do not let their business practices be influenced by the contrary opinions of those who want them to do things differently, for one reason or another.

I agree. Heck, I bet Bill Howard pays absolutely no attention to BladeForums. Heck, when I talk to my reputable dealer, he is oblivious to what is said on the Forum; only of what is told to him, of course.

 

[Onearmbladenut]

I just dont agree with the low production numbers. Its what causes the outrageous aftermarket prices as well as cause flippers to buy a large portion of the supply.

its been mentioned the mustangs are also going to be low production numbers as well. I know of other manufacturers that are having difficulty keeping their production numbers up due to covid. Im not sure if that the same reason for gec making such limited numbers or if they are intentionally causing people to panic buy from fomo.

I don't mind 200 to 300 pieces per choice. But only four choices at super low quantities really stinks. Ten different choices at 200 pieces each choice would be 2000 pieces for the entire #74 Mustang run , would of been nicer. Give everybody a little better chance of scoring a few #74s. GEC dealers took a shut-down hit this year. The smaller GEC dealers need more knives to sell. I am glad GEC stopped the SFO program for now. The larger dealers hogging up the best "frame" and color choices. I am tired of GEC teasing on the production line photos. In 2019 GEC posted GEC#65 nifebrite production line photos with no caption. Those knives went to a PA Hunting club. I just knew a #65 run was coming up. I really wanted a nifebright #65 , that did not happen. GEC finally makes all four choices that I really like and now I won't be able to score all four. I put in a pre-order with my GEC dealer for every #74 when I spotted the lined Northfield bolsters. Now I am only getting one. My blade smith was going to make me a 52100 steel fixed blade knife this month. I postponed that knife for the #74 run. I will have to wait till January to have that knife made , he is super booked. If this low numbered run might be because of shortage of materials , well that would be OK. The "Things to Powder" clues showed a horse with a rider-less saddle. I just knew it was going to be a #74 Saddle Trapper Run. I still hope that a Saddle Trapper #74 run is next. I am not giving up on getting more #74 Mustangs. I hate the GEC teasing. I guess that is the "YANKEE" in Bill Howard coming out. If I can't buy from a GEC dealer , I don't need it. I wish GEC was more straight up with the truth without all the guessing and teasing garbage. Tell us ahead of time on a color choice so we can plan our GEC buying skills better. If the color changes and has to be better renamed. We'll that is OK , but show your customers more respect and stop the guessing/teasing. "Don't Dukey Where You Eat !"

 

[SteveC]

It sounds like maybe there is hope for an upcoming #35 Cattle knife when things settle down.

 

[Quiet]

I don't mind 200 to 300 pieces per choice. But only four choices at super low quantities really stinks. Ten different choices at 200 pieces each choice would be 2000 pieces for the entire #74 Mustang run , would of been nicer. Give everybody a little better chance of scoring a few #74s. GEC dealers took a shut-down hit this year. The smaller GEC dealers need more knives to sell. I am glad GEC stopped the SFO program for now. The larger dealers hogging up the best "frame" and color choices. I am tired of GEC teasing on the production line photos. In 2019 GEC posted GEC#65 nifebrite production line photos with no caption. Those knives went to a PA Hunting club. I just knew a #65 run was coming up. I really wanted a nifebright #65 , that did not happen. GEC finally makes all four choices that I really like and now I won't be able to score all four. I put in a pre-order with my GEC dealer for every #74 when I spotted the lined Northfield bolsters. Now I am only getting one. My blade smith was going to make me a 52100 steel fixed blade knife this month. I postponed that knife for the #74 run. I will have to wait till January to have that knife made , he is super booked. If this low numbered run might be because of shortage of materials , well that would be OK. The "Things to Powder" clues showed a horse with a rider-less saddle. I just knew it was going to be a #74 Saddle Trapper Run. I still hope that a Saddle Trapper #74 run is next. I am not giving up on getting more #74 Mustangs. I hate the GEC teasing. I guess that is the "YANKEE" in Bill Howard coming out. If I can't buy from a GEC dealer , I don't need it. I wish GEC was more straight up with the truth without all the guessing and teasing garbage. Tell us ahead of time on a color choice so we can plan our GEC buying skills better. If the color changes and has to be better renamed. We'll that is OK , but show your customers more respect and stop the guessing/teasing. "Don't Dukey Where You Eat !"

Some of us enjoy the "teasing" (as you put it) pics of works in progress.

So many folks here who seem to really dislike GEC and how Bill Howard does things, it's a wonder they sell any knives at all.

 

[JoKr]

...I hate the GEC teasing. I guess that is the "YANKEE" in Bill Howard coming out. If I can't buy from a GEC dealer , I don't need it. I wish GEC was more straight up with the truth without all the guessing and teasing garbage. Tell us ahead of time on a color choice so we can plan our GEC buying skills better. If the color changes and has to be better renamed. We'll that is OK , but show your customers more respect and stop the guessing/teasing. "Don't Dukey Where You Eat !"

I love these 'THINGS TO PONDER!?'
for me thats part of the game and without teasing and guessing that would mean half of the fun to me

 

[GE Jr]

Bill later came back to me and said I want you to design a comb out of the spring steel we use for the liner locks.
Not only that but I want you to nest them such that when you cut the teeth on one comb you're cutting the teeth on the other comb.

Sounds like a mfg idea Henry Ford would come up with.

 

[rpstrimple]

I received my two ebony B&S knives last week. Upon closer inspection of one, I noticed a small crack in the cover at the pin. My first reaction was "well s$#t." How do we all feel about a small crack at the pin from the factory? Should I contact GEC? Should I let it ride (this is where I am currently)? Other than the crack, it's the better example of the two. So I am hesitant to send it in or return it. Here's a pic.

 

[GE Jr]

Weird - I wouldn't expect to see a crack across the grain like that, but I'm no expert. Could it be a scratch/small gouge? I think superglue might work to fill it.

 

[knifeswapper]

I received my two ebony B&S knives last week. Upon closer inspection of one, I noticed a small crack in the cover at the pin. My first reaction was "well s$#t." How do we all feel about a small crack at the pin from the factory? Should I contact GEC? Should I let it ride (this is where I am currently)? Other than the crack, it's the better example of the two. So I am hesitant to send it in or return it. Here's a pic.

Is it for sure a crack or might it be a scratch? Cracks usually go with the grain (and the weakest path to the edge).

[GE Jr beat me to it]

To answer your question - that is up to you. But you probably won't get a replacement from a dealer and my guess is the factory would just have the dealer refund you.

 

[rpstrimple]

Weird - I wouldn't expect to see a crack across the grain like that, but I'm no expert. Could it be a scratch/small gouge? I think superglue might work to fill it.

I didn't even think of that, could be a scratch, I will have to take a closer look at it. Thanks!

Is it for sure a crack or might it be a scratch? Cracks usually go with the grain (and the weakest path to the edge).

[GE Jr beat me to it]

To answer your question - that is up to you. But you probably won't get a replacement from a dealer and my guess is the factory would just have the dealer refund you.

Thanks! Yea that's what I was afraid of. I am not unhappy with the knife, I will have to take a closer look at it. It's the first time this has happened to me on any of my wood GECs, and since it was so close to the pin, just assumed it was a crack. But it not going with the grain didn't cross my mind.