Case vs GEC and why?

[Will Power]

They're obviously very different from each other, and this is a positive thing.

GEC's mulish aversion to stainless which implies that carbon is the only real steel, dismays and incenses me by turns.

CASE often goes in for garish and kitsch themed runs of knives which also appall me

Those are the primary negatives.

On the positive note, CASE knives are usually obtainable with some patience. They are superior to GEC in smaller patterns, they feel and look credible whereas many of GEC's small knives are toy like.
CASE has a long distinguished pedigree, they have very good customer service-vital for a non USA person like me. GEC has displayed nonchalance towards me when I've asked about repairs and never bothered to reply to my positive e-mails congratulating them on individual knives I've bought from them. That's disappointing and rude. GEC has revived interesting and obscure patterns, they've really made their mark since 2006 and on larger knives they put CASE in the shade. Quality and usually tasteful scale options, vastly superior Stag to anything I've come across from CASE and a grand selection of attractive acrylics and micartas. Much better bolsters than CASE offer (hate those vulgar scrolled bolsters from CASE) lined, Rat-Tail and others.

But CASE can and do offer a very attractive and value for money knife, the Swayback Jack, Penknife, Peanut and Small Stockman have all pleased me a lot for not a lot of money. True, GEC's can usually be resold at a good price (let's ignore the flipping) if you don't use them. I am not actually convinced that GEC are any more durable in construction than CASE, except say Field & Farm lines.

They don't really compete directly with each other as their 'flavours' and approach are different, this too is welcome for the knife enthusiast.

The OP stated that you can more or less get a custom for the cost of some GECs, yes SFOs can be a flipper's lifeline and why somebody would pay 300+ USD for a rather ordinary carbon knife is beyond rational but there's customs and customs some are exceptional but some are rather so-so and not worth the money I'd have to say

One thing unites the two companies, when you get a knife you really like from either of them, it's a piece of treasure!

Thanks, Will

 

[brownshoe]

Just curious your thoughts. I carry mostly customs, but I have my share of both CASE and GEC. Just curious what you like and dislike about them and why. My only gripe with GEC is the price. For the price of a couple you can have a custom. Though I do like their selection. CASE to me just seems like the all American classic and a piece of history so I'll always have a place for them.

For me I it's about asthetics, I think Case patterns and materials are more pleasing. I've never seen a GEC knife that called to me to come home I like Queen & Case the best. Case is a knife I like to give to non-knife-knuts.

 

[navaja]

Honest question. I've never owned or held one. Why?

For me, they just have a cool factor. Just like people who collect antiques, classic cars, or other old collectibles, there's just something about owning something that was "made like they used to" and when they used to. Granted, that's the quality level that GEC brings to the table now, just without the heritage...yet. Every slipjoint fan should own at least one vintage (70s and older) knife from Case, Cattaraugus, Robeson, or maker from that era. They were made with a quality and pride of craftsmanship that you can truly appreciate.

 

[singin50]

Like many here, I started with Case knives. My grandfather and father carried them. But when GEC came on the seen in 2006, I was immediately intrigued. The first two Trappers were the first to be produced and were stellar. Since then they have continued to offer very limited runs in each pattern, up to the present. They're quality control is second to none out there for production knives. Obviously the owner, Bill Howard, has a lifetime of experience (used to work at Queen Cutlery) with building and creating fine cutlery and the fact that they make all their knives the old way matters too. Case had their almost 100 year run of wonderful knives, the 1970s 10 dots being the last great days of their glory, but now the torch has been passed to GEC, for my money anyway.

 

[Shurke]

Funny, I'm the opposite of brownshoe above. I can't remember the last time I saw a Case knife that got my heart going.

But apart from aesthetics, there's another reason I gravitate toward GEC over Case. When I was growing up (late 80s, early 90s), it seemed like all the knife and outdoor magazines relentlessly pushed Case knives in kitschy limited edition sets, which led to me thinking of them (unfairly I'll admit) more as Beanie Baby style collectibles than as actual usable knives. That was my first impression of Case, and it's been a hard first impression to shake.

 

[Will Power]

Shurke I understand your reaction, those kitschy endless 'collectibles' than CASE churns out-good for profit I suppose. But there is much more to CASE, just spend a bit of time looking at some of their regular runs.

One thing CASE does that GEC doesn't, sunk-joints, the pocket's real comrade in arms.

Thanks, Will

 

[supratentorial]

I'm in the traditional forum since I care about traditional knives. I don't see any good coming from putting one company on a pedestal and beating down the other. With so few American companies left, maybe we should appreciate them before we lose another one.

 

[Railsplitter]

Just curious your thoughts. I carry mostly customs, but I have my share of both CASE and GEC. Just curious what you like and dislike about them and why. My only gripe with GEC is the price. For the price of a couple you can have a custom. Though I do like their selection. CASE to me just seems like the all American classic and a piece of history so I'll always have a place for them.

What I like about Case is that they have more patterns and cover choices that appeal to me. I also like the history behind the brand.
What I don't like about Case is that they stopped pinning the shields on regular production knives 40 years ago.

What I like about GEC is the top notch quality and the consistency of that quality. I also like GEC's "make em like they used to" approach.
What I don't like about GEC is that few of their patterns appeal to me and I wish they could offer more stainless steel options. I dream of the day that every pattern comes in your choice of 440C or 1095 but I understand why that will never happen.

Thank goodness I can have both and I don't have to choose one over the other.

 

[pholder]

i own several of both and prefer gec, i rest my case

 

[Shurke]

One thing CASE does that GEC doesn't, sunk-joints, the pocket's real comrade in arms.

Well, I am a sucker for sunk joints. That was one of my favorite aspects of many Canal Street designs.

 

[MCar]

I'm in the traditional forum since I care about traditional knives. I don't see any good coming from putting one company on a pedestal and beating down the other. With so few American companies left, maybe we should appreciate them before we lose another one.

This is ridiculous. It's bladeforums. The reason we come here is to talk about knives. So we can talk about them, as long as we don't compare them? We can talk about them as long as we don't critique them?

This is why there are different threads in a forum. You can self-select the kinds of discussions you want to engage in.

 

[jc57]

I own both brands (and others). Carry both brands (and others). Overall, I prefer the feel of Case knives. I carry them more than anything else. I am not going to go into it in detail, I just like what I like.

 

[Lansky1]

I've had great luck with late model Case's ... as well as the few GEC's that I have. Now, you have to be a bit selective when buying sight unseen - I probably re-eBay 1 out of 3 Case's due to poor snap. Those that I keep are solid. I can get 3 Case's for 1 GEC, so thats pretty much why I prefer Case ...

 

[22-rimfire]

I am still seriously considering a Case Peanut. Yeah, Jack knife, I will eventually get one. GEC doesn't make one. The #14 is about the closest thing to a peanut that GEC makes. The last time I looked for one, I couldn't find one that I liked at SMKW who carry a huge selection of Case knives and ended up buying a Hen & Rooster small (3 blade) stockman with elk scales. Been pleased with that little stockman, but in the back of my mind, I feel like I'paid a big bonus on the knife just because it says "Germany" when I fully believe that knife was made in China.

 

[The Fort]

To me the Case knives from the 1970s, and earlier, are the muscle cars of the knife world. The true classics! GECs, in my opinion, are the modern versions of them. Different strokes for different folks! An old Hemi Cuda will get my heart pounding, any day, more than a new "Hellcat" Challenger. That being said, I love them both. The newer Case knives don't interest me as much. So as far as current production goes, I choose GEC, but my absolute favorites are the earlier Case offerings. Your mileage may vary!

 

[johnny twoshoes]

Case offers a large selection of patterns that are constantly stocked and restocked thanks to automated production means that allow them to reach a huge market and reproduce as needed, but that comes with a sacrifice of overall quality when there is less focus on individual knives.

I feel as though Case and GEC both rely on collectors, but Case has the ability to flood the market with a lower priced pocket knife for the “Everyman”. GEC’s attempt with the farm and field line to produce a lower priced working knife was never going compete directly with Case as GEC doesn’t have the means to flood brick and mortar stores and offer their knives at a price most non knife collectors would be willing to spend even if they tried.

I think Case makes a great knife for their price point, I think GEC makes a better knife and that’s reflected in their price, a price I’m willing to spend.

Mr Howard at GEC makes knives the way I want them to be made, pinned shields, strong pulls, extra attention to detail and primo stag, those are the things that matter most to me.

Truth is I’ll take a Case and a GEC and I’ll get the job done either way.

 

[t.willy]

They're obviously very different from each other, and this is a positive thing.

GEC's mulish aversion to stainless which implies that carbon is the only real steel, dismays and incenses me by turns.

CASE often goes in for garish and kitsch themed runs of knives which also appall me

Those are the primary negatives.

On the positive note, CASE knives are usually obtainable with some patience. They are superior to GEC in smaller patterns, they feel and look credible whereas many of GEC's small knives are toy like.
CASE has a long distinguished pedigree, they have very good customer service-vital for a non USA person like me. GEC has displayed nonchalance towards me when I've asked about repairs and never bothered to reply to my positive e-mails congratulating them on individual knives I've bought from them. That's disappointing and rude. GEC has revived interesting and obscure patterns, they've really made their mark since 2006 and on larger knives they put CASE in the shade. Quality and usually tasteful scale options, vastly superior Stag to anything I've come across from CASE and a grand selection of attractive acrylics and micartas. Much better bolsters than CASE offer (hate those vulgar scrolled bolsters from CASE) lined, Rat-Tail and others.

But CASE can and do offer a very attractive and value for money knife, the Swayback Jack, Penknife, Peanut and Small Stockman have all pleased me a lot for not a lot of money. True, GEC's can usually be resold at a good price (let's ignore the flipping) if you don't use them. I am not actually convinced that GEC are any more durable in construction than CASE, except say Field & Farm lines.

They don't really compete directly with each other as their 'flavours' and approach are different, this too is welcome for the knife enthusiast.

The OP stated that you can more or less get a custom for the cost of some GECs, yes SFOs can be a flipper's lifeline and why somebody would pay 300+ USD for a rather ordinary carbon knife is beyond rational but there's customs and customs some are exceptional but some are rather so-so and not worth the money I'd have to say

One thing unites the two companies, when you get a knife you really like from either of them, it's a piece of treasure!

Thanks, Will

Well put Mr Power I agree 100%.

 

[Bartleby]

I am not going to go into it in detail, I just like what I like.

Well put, I agree. Both have their supporters for good reason.

 

[joeradza]

To me the Case knives from the 1970s, and earlier, are the muscle cars of the knife world. The true classics! GECs, in my opinion, are the modern versions of them. Different strokes for different folks! An old Hemi Cuda will get my heart pounding, any day, more than a new "Hellcat" Challenger. That being said, I love them both. The newer Case knives don't interest me as much. So as far as current production goes, I choose GEC, but my absolute favorites are the earlier Case offerings. Your mileage may vary!

And then there's me who likes a restomod. Old school body with modern upgrades.

 

[sXePhenomenal]

I don’t like that many GEC patterns great quality tho 1095 isn’t my favorite. Case is good for the money but the Case/Bose knives are the best non full customs out there. So Case I guess.