Can I buy GEC anywhere these days?

Fred Sanford

Fred Sanford

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I have been out of the knife collecting for a year or two. And now see that it looks like every place I go to try to buy a GEC that I used to, is now completely out of stock. It looks like the only option is to pay exorbitant prices on eBay.

Is that what GEC has now been reduced to? ….the only people that can afford their knives are people that have a lot of money or spend a lot of time searching on the Internet?

So now what? Go back to Case, Queen, and the like?
 
We want the forum to focus upon the discussion of traditional knives...not the purchasing process, prices nor vendors and their websites.
 
Fred Sanford said:
I have been out of the knife collecting for a year or two. And now see that it looks like every place I go to try to buy a GEC that I used to, is now completely out of stock. It looks like the only option is to pay exorbitant prices on eBay.

Is that what GEC has now been reduced to? ….the only people that can afford their knives are people that have a lot of money or spend a lot of time searching on the Internet?

So now what? Go back to Case, Queen, and the like?
Click to expand...
The "old" ways have been long gone for many moons.

However, lots of options to purchase besides eBay - the Exchange, other forums, body-part-novel website and some online dealers that take knives on consignment.
 
How does anyone get anything when demand exceeds supply? GEC is not the only "brand" that's hard to come by.

When one can't get them them through normal avenues they can attempt to use the secondary market. If the price is too dear, as it often is, we do without.

This is nothing new...and unless you can convince GEC to up production or your favorite vendor to put one aside for you...well, it's catch as catch can.

Been there. Understand it. It may suck but that's reality.

(I'm not a GEC collector. The one or two pieces I have ever owned were a gift from friends several years ago.)
 
Contrary to what folks may say there are other options similar to GEC. They're a bit pricier but I'm really thinking of buying a Daniels Family knife soon. They're probably 50% more than a retail GEC but obtainable and appear to be good quality, their brands Titusville and Tuna Valley have some beautiful examples.

It remains to be seen if Coopers Cutlery will keep improving, I've not handled their knives but what I've read recently suggests they're getting good.
 
If you don’t want to jump through the hoops or pay the high prices then simply move on to different brands as you mentioned. It’s not that difficult to do.

I was a big fan of GEC several years ago but nowadays, I rarely even click on threads with GEC in the title. I have nothing against GEC. I simply came to terms with the fact that they aren’t for me anymore.

I’ve bought a lot of knives since I made that decision and not once have I wished that I would have bought a GEC instead.
 
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I've recently learned that it isn't wise (or easy these days) to lock onto any particular brand. As previously said, demand can exceed supply for any number of reasons. Such situations can ruin a fella's hobby if he is inflexible, busy, or on a budget. Sometimes, a maker can change hands or make design/production decisions that are counter to everything you liked about said manufacturer in the first place. This isn't aimed at GEC...I've never even seen one.

Try a knife from a different maker! There are a lot of knives out there.
 
Railsplitter said:
If you don’t want to jump through the hoops or pay the high prices then simply move on to different brands as you mentioned. It’s not that difficult to do.

I was a big fan of GEC several years ago but nowadays, I rarely even click on threads with GEC in the title. I have nothing against GEC. I simply came to terms with the fact that they aren’t for me anymore.

I’ve bought a lot of knives since I made that decision and not once have I wished that I would have bought a GEC instead.
Click to expand...
Very well said. I made the same conclusion.
 
Thanks all.

I apologize folks. I wasn’t trying to be a dick. Sorry for coming off like that. I appreciate you guys.

Blues, thanks for moving it to the proper spot.

David
 
David,
Even if you lucked out and were in the right place at the right time, new GECs aren't the bargain they used to be as most (I am reluctant to say ALL) dealers have increased their pricing significantly. I am lucky to have been a fan before the popularity explosion, as having "enough" made it easier to simply step away from the developing madness.
Unfortunately, the other knives I've found myself wanting weren't any easier to obtain; so I've lost interest in those, as well.

The answer - it's okay to be on the alert for something that appeals to you...but settle in find joy in the knives you have.
 
Fred Sanford Fred Sanford , David always various Facebook groups, but you have to be a bit lucky to catch the posts with decent prices. Unfortunately scammers have a bit of a presence in the groups these days. Also post in the want to buy forum on this site, although can also be a bit hit or miss. Anything specific you’re looking for?
 
I don't bother with GEC anymore unless it's the Forum knife.

I have no interest in buying raised prices on the secondary. They are nice knives, but not worth the increase to me.
 
Hatchet_Jack said:
I haven't got that up? Otherwise I would have grabbed one
Click to expand...
It may be filtering and only showing the site announcement if you were eligible to purchase for some reason even though it's now open to anyone. Would explain why they lasted so long.

Screenshot_20240101-215843.png
 
Microtech knives can sell out in minutes as well. Tough all over. That’s the deal anymore, and we choose to play or not. Sucks, but so it goes.
 
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