If Case could drop 90% of its product line and return to its old patterns that would be something special.
Once again, Travman speaks wisdom.When I grew up in the 80’s people collected Cases. A lot of these tacky collector sets really turned me off to traditional pocket knives. They all seemed to have floppy action, weird colors, and tasteless etches (e.g. 1 of 25,000 Limited edition) It wasn’t until I discovered early Cases and GEC that I learned what made a pocket knife special. If Case could drop 90% of its product line and return to its old patterns that would be something special.
GEC make bespoke collector knives at bespoke collector prices.
...they probably employ 95% of the genuine cutlers in America or maybe the world.
I just posted a picture of that one as a representative of one of many patterns that Case could bring back. But yes, there are other Case patterns that would have broader appeal.It is difficult to tell if you are being ironic by illustrating this thought with a rope knife! I personally am fond of the pattern, but it is difficult to see where Case would find a market if they were to bring them back. On the high end of the market GEC makes bespoke sheepsfoot utility knives, on the low end usable versions of the pattern are imported under several names (Canon comes to mind), and in the middle price point good users by Wrights and Otter are obtainable. Those who collect Case can find these in very good used condition for less than a new GEC. I would pick up a Case rope knife if they produced them "out of the vault" but I have a hard time seeing enough of a market for them to do so. But if you are passing around a petition...sign me up!
Stop it. 95%? I understand you are a GEC enthusiast, but that is pure nonsense. The folks at GEC aren't the only ones who know how to make a good knife. What about Renaud Aubry and the folks in France making their fine Laguioles? What about the Boses, Jared Oeser, or Hiroaki Ohta? Are they not genuine cutlers?
calling them bespoke is needless hyperbole.
GECs are production knives, even if they are made in limited numbers.
i did say “in America” so that rules out Aubrey and Ohta. You named a couple others, but excusing my literary license, I don’t think the math is very far off.
If you aren’t willing to invest a bit in something really special just stick with Case.
Yes. All hyperbole is needless.
As is oxymoron.