Can someone please educate me on an aspect of GEC knives?

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on_the_edge

on_the_edge

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I like to think that I like GEC knives as much as the next person. While reasonably familiar with their different models and the prices they go for, I am far from being an expert about them in any way. Hence, this background and question:

I recently saw someone asking what I considered to be a highly inflated—dare I say exhorbitant—price for a 152112STL single blade copperhead saw cut bone barlow. He wanted $395 for it. After choking a bit, I thought, “No way in hell is that thing going to sell at that price.” Then...it sold. :confused: The same seller also offered a GEC JBF Champlin Eureka Jack with rosewood handles for $385. In doing a little research, it appears that the 15 went for less than $100 new from a dealer and the Eureka Jacks went for $155.

I am trying to understand why a fairly recently released $100 knife can suddenly command a price of nearly 4 times its original cost. I am not looking for a debate about whether it’s right or wrong, good or bad, etc., and I don’t care about answers like, “It commands that price because people are willing to pay it.” That tells me nothing. I simply want to know what it is about a $100 knife that makes it worth nearly 4 times that price to some people, or why a $155 knife is now potentially worth 2.5 times its original price. Why not by a custom slipjoint instead? And before the question comes up, no, I am not judging here. I’m just trying to learn something about an area of which I clearly know very little. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. :thumbup:
 
Hi Chris, I hope your doing well buddy. Very fair question. I know it's been talked about before but I like your honest curiosity and not wanting a debate. My take in regards to the Barlow is its extreme rarity. One may want to complete a collection or help someone complete a collection. The custom route will allow one to obtain a knife meeting their specs but the rarity issue wouldn't be addressed in the scenario I mentioned above.

This is just my opinion.
 
Yes. In short, rarity. And desire. And quality.


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I think I saw both knives you are talking about. They were advertised for those prices or best offer If I recall correctly. They may have been sold for a lower offer and I'm thinking they probably were, but I have no direct knowledge. I guess what I'm saying is they probably didn't bring the asking prices but we will never know.
Take care,
Rick
 
I bought the knife because in 2012 the first run( I may be wrong on this - but on the right track ) of Copper Bone TC's were 12.
With the expectation of another run the first 12 were either gifted or sold with none being kept for even the birth father of the TC's and a couple of very highly regarded peopl who have made a 100% commitment to obtaining every knife from the TC realeased.
These people who really deserved them missed out because that other run never happened.
This knife is as stated rare- Because of the initial oversight.

If you own something you can name your price- if someone wants it - they will pay.

Please OP - don't let this turn into a negative thread with people coming in with such comments of unfairness - rip off etc as it has done in the past.
A very generous guy has also helped pay for this knife - and it goes to the person who deserves this more than anyone imo.
Let's leave ALL names out of this. This knife is worth every penny because it fills a gap that has been existing in a great guys collection from day dot.

I myself would love this knife and own many TC's but I have too many gaps and would gladly step aside for the person who desperately and deservedly wants this piece to complete a very important collection.

It's more than a knife in this case because personalities come into this- a person who has helped out hundreds of folk and in my opinion - this knife should have been placed in this persons hands a long long time ago.

I actually get very sick and tired( not you op ) of moaners who miss out on the first run- then run around bellowing like a lost calf because they have to pay more to get it from someone else.

It's so so simple - if you want it - buy it- if you don't - don't and be quiet don't make yourself look like a sore looser.
 
I know in the case of that particular Barlow, Paul is absolutely spot on.
In general terms, this is also typically the situation as well.
 
Campbellclanman said:
I bought the knife because in 2012 the first run( I may be wrong on this - but on the right track ) of Copper Bone TC's were 12.
With the expectation of another run the first 12 were either gifted or sold with none being kept for even the birth father of the TC's and a couple of very highly regarded peopl who have made a 100% commitment to obtaining every knife from the TC realeased.
These people who really deserved them missed out because that other run never happened.
This knife is as stated rare- Because of the initial oversight.

If you own something you can name your price- if someone wants it - they will pay.

Please OP - don't let this turn into a negative thread with people coming in with such comments of unfairness - rip off etc as it has done in the past.
A very generous guy has also helped pay for this knife - and it goes to the person who deserves this more than anyone imo.
Let's leave ALL names out of this. This knife is worth every penny because it fills a gap that has been existing in a great guys collection from day dot.

I myself would love this knife and own many TC's but I have too many gaps and would gladly step aside for the person who desperately and deservedly wants this piece to complete a very important collection.

It's more than a knife in this case because personalities come into this- a person who has helped out hundreds of folk and in my opinion - this knife should have been placed in this persons hands a long long time ago.

I actually get very sick and tired( not you op ) of moaners who miss out on the first run- then run around bellowing like a lost calf because they have to pay more to get it from someone else.

It's so so simple - if you want it - buy it- if you don't - don't and be quiet don't make yourself look like a sore looser.
Click to expand...
Perfectly stated my friend! :thumbup:
 
Simple question to answer...People want what they can't have. [emoji6]


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Paul & Duncan, thank you for your thoughts and answers. You too, Bob. The one thing I was not familiar with about that TC was how many were made. That it is rare explains some of it, and that some folks want one to fill a hole in their collection also makes sense to me. It sounds like there may be a little more backstory on that TC besides it just being rare, one that I don't fully know, but I at least I feel like the price makes more sense to me. Wtlj's response explains some of it too. Thanks to everyone who answered.
 
Collectors are another breed entirely. Not being one, I have trouble understanding their thought processes when on the hunt. That's ok, but it is something you have to keep in mind.

The simple fact of the matter is people place different values on things.
 
I couldn't agree more with what Duncan has said (except for the bit about if you want it buy it because for many of us that is not possible-but there y go it is simple really) I know for a fact that I have purchased more than one GEC under the pretext of "but Sweetie if I didn't buy it now they won't be around later" cue lost, scared puppy face-usually works.
Now my greedy little capitalist mind is wondering what my ultra rare GECs are worth.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 
The TC Barlows are released in limited quantity and have somewhat of a cult status. They are highly sought after by some collectors, and there may also be some self-reinforcing speculative demand because they can be flipped for a huge profit, such as the one you saw. Sort of a Dutch tulip bulb thing.

Personally, while I like GEC knives, I would never be willing to spend that much on one. I own two GEC #15s which are essentially the same knife as the Barlows but don't have the long bolster and TC logo. They each cost me around $75 or $80 new, which I thought was a good value for some excellent knives.

So other than rarity, collector desire, and some demand driven by speculation, I do not think there is an intrinsic reason why TC Barlows command such a high price on the secondary market.

They are certainly great knives, just not that great.
 
Let's put it this way - if I saw a neighbour who used his car to help deliver meals on wheels ( do you have that in the states? - it's a charity for delivering meals to the hungry elderly) and one day this lovely chaps car was gone- for whatever reason - and he couldn't affird to replace it...

Then I know for sure I would grab that kindly person who is worth his weight in gold and take him down to a car lot and I would buy him another second hand car.
Why? Not because I have a lot of money because I don't- it's because it's an investment to preserve that persons belief in helping out others-
In this particular case it is EXACTLY the same.... I hope that explanation helps all understand.

I don't care if others who don't or can't understand collectors - I use AND Collect knives- I collect knives so one day in say 5 generations people will flip over my knives I have preserved - there's not a user out there who doesn't collect knives who doesn't appreciate looking at a 150 year old knife that is mint......

That's why I collect - because when I look at those knives- today I flip out and thank the person who had the love for that knife all those years ago that he or she preserved its beauty so I could appreciate it so so much.
 
meako said:
Now my greedy little capitalist mind is wondering what my ultra rare GECs are worth.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Click to expand...

I sometimes wonder this myself. Truth be told, some of the rare ones that I consider gems sat on the exchange for several days before I came along and claimed them. Even some that I see people posting about how much they wish they had one. Most GEC's tend to hold about their initial value and most a little less. The Barlows, 15's and Northwoods are the exceptions. I'm not really sure why that is.

Beauty definitely is in the eye of the beholder.

PS: I wish I had known this knife was going to a particular collector here on the forum. I saw it on a dealer site last week for substantially less.... with plenty of opportunity to buy it. :(
 
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;)Trend and group-thinking play a role.

I agree with John's analysis too. I have several 15s and two TC Barlows, they are essentially the same knife but the latter are 'sought after'. This can sometimes explain the suspension of rationale when it comes to paying huge prices. The Barlow was after all, the most proletarian of knives....;)
 
Plus, Charlie uses mind control through the Internet to force us to do his bidding. ;)

Duncan - I wasn't questioning your individual purchase nor the reasons behind it. Sounds very worthy and admirable. I was just commenting on the broader topic of why some GEC models sell for a great markup on the secondary market.

I still own every GEC I ever bought, and try to ignore their potential resale value so that I can enjoy them for what they are - very nice, fun to own, and fun to use pocket knives. The few SFOs I have been lucky enough to score during the initial purchase window, get carried and used like their designers and makers hoped they would.
 
Duncan, excellent post first time around and a noble deed. However, I think the OP was poorly executed. The specifics effectively named you and I'm disappointed that you were put in a position where you felt obliged to explain yourself. GEC demand and pricing has been discussed to death in various threads here on the porch and i don't think it's constructive at all.
 
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