Case vs GEC and why?

Ron Sabbagh said:
For you Case lovers out there, are there models/patterns from the regular Case line up that rival the Case/Bose collaborations for fit/finish, etc?
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Case's fit and finish vary with model and price. For the price range, I believe you get value. Their Bose line is custom qualty. Their yellow slimline CV trapper has great fit/finish for $33.
 
Old Hunter said:
One thing that will come out of the aftermath of the entire COVID-19 pandemic will be an examination by manufacturers as to what state they are located in. The same thing has happened in the gun manufacturing industry - manufacturers have moved from anti-gun states to pro-gun states. Don’t know if knife manufacturers can economically afford to do that but I’m sure they will examine the feasibility. Buck Knives has been able to maintain their production while PA has been much tougher on what industries can operate. It will be a decision point on future location searches in all industries. OH
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Buck doesn't make guns, and they didn't leave California because it was anti-knife. They left California because it was anti-business. Your point still stands. When the cost of remaining exceeds the high cost of moving, most companies will bolt for the door. Texas and the South in general seem to be top picks for those who prioritize low costs. The non-coastal West for those who prioritize recreational opportunities.
 
Nope, Buck has never made guns - point was they left CA because the business environment was not good. In the aftermath of the pandemic I expect other companies (maybe some knife manufacturers, maybe not) will examine the different state responses to the pandemic as part of their decision making process as to what constitutes a good business environment. I expect over time the higher regulatory states will loose out to the lower regulatory states. OH
 
I vote Case over GEC. My story…I used a Case medium stockman for 15 years, everyday in my pocket. True Sharp stainless steel was hard for me to sharpen however it never failed to open my mail or peel an apple. Thinking I needed a bigger knife I researched on the web and bought a large GEC stockman. Beautiful knife however 1095 steel rusted rasily. First weekend I carried it to beach the blade started to pit. I attempted unsuccessfully to remove the spot only to learn from GEC that in order to protect from rust they recommended I put a patina on it. I submerged the knife in apple cider vinegar then rinsed in water and dried it. This took all the shiney out of my new knife. I also noticed the bolster rattled when I set knife down on coonter. This was a $160 limited edition knife. I later learned GRC sometimes has stainless steel knives however I could not find any. I have since purchased a large Case stockman. Not the quality of first Case. I then bought a Benchmade 940 and later a Spyderco PM-2. I prefer the PM-2. Still looking for better knife. Case vs GEC. I vote Case.
 
This is a tough question. I usually carry a Case Sowbelly or a GEC 2007 Cuban Stockman. Both are really solid knives with minor cosmetic issues if you are really picky. I have also received dogs from both companies and great customer service in getting them resolved. In todays market I would say Case just from availability and prices, especially if it is a user. I'm have no desire to stalk drops or pay secondary market prices for a GEC. I no longer collect. I sold most of my collection except the ones I actually use, a lot. The sad part is the number of traditional manufacturers closing down or selling their trademarks.
 
Flatfisher2 said:
After over an hour searching I could not locate one single stainless GEC slipjoint and there were very little 1095s. I found plenty of the Sold Out versions. I am not a collector. I buy them to use as tools. I refuse to buy anything other than USA Made.
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Yep, that’s my problem too. I am not a collector really. I just carry them and use them. Buying GEC has been unattainable for me for several years now. But they sure are nice.
 
Flatfisher2 said:
After over an hour searching I could not locate one single stainless GEC slipjoint and there were very little 1095s. I found plenty of the Sold Out versions. I am not a collector. I buy them to use as tools. I refuse to buy anything other than USA Made.
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Depending on the type of knife you want, you should check out a Case Tribal Lock. They are available in stainless (tru sharp) or carbon steel, and I have yet to see one that wasn't just great in fit and finish. I own two of them, and they would be difficult to beat as a daily lockback knife.
Mine are both carbon steel, but Case's tru sharp is a good working steel as well...

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If you want more than one blade, you might look at the Case copperheads.... those are usually very nicely done, as well....

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My favorite knives by far are GEC. I think they provide the best value of build quality to price, as long as you're not buying on the secondary market. My only issue is that I like to use my knives as well and GECs quickly become irreplaceable bc I refuse to pay the scalper prices on the secondary. So recently I've been getting more into case since i don't have to feel bad putting them through a beating and if I lose one it's easy to replace.
 
We are fortunate to have both companies in operation. The patterns from the 2 companies are pretty different overall and I like supporting both. Case is currently the better value and GEC is better quality, in most cases. You can go buy a brand new CV or stainless Case Mini Trapper for $55 and get by pretty well. I carried one for my EDC for a few years and it served me well, then I gave it to my friend at breakfast one morning. He carries it as his working knife and has for about 7 years now. If you are collecting, GEC gets the nod from me or the pre 1980's Cases.
 
Primble said:
We are fortunate to have both companies in operation. The patterns from the 2 companies are pretty different overall and I like supporting both. Case is currently the better value and GEC is better quality, in most cases. You can go buy a brand new CV or stainless Case Mini Trapper for $55 and get by pretty well. I carried one for my EDC for a few years and it served me well, then I gave it to my friend at breakfast one morning. He carries it as his working knife and has for about 7 years now. If you are collecting, GEC gets the nod from me or the pre 1980's Cases.
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That sums it up pretty well. 🤠:thumbsup:
 
Leslie Tomville said:
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Amen Brother Primble! Primble Primble

It is not Case or GEC, it is Case and GEC! They are both great, and we are fortunate to have them.
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How does that cap lifter work on the case jacknife? And does it second as a flat head screw driver? The beer scout is impossible to get and I don't intend paying the crazy inflated costs on the secondary so I was considering trying out the case.
 
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AZCoyote AZCoyote , the caplifter works okay. It does slip a bit, but certainly gets the job done. I believe you could use it as a screw driver, but I have not tried it. I don’t know if it will be easy finding one however. Case did not seem to make a lot of them. I was lucky to find mine here on the Exchange, but it took me a while. The good news is that if you can find one, it will certainly cost a fraction of what a Beer Scout would cost. Have you considered one of the recent GEC 85 Crownlifters? I like that one every bit as much as the Beer Scout. They cost more than the Case but less than a Beer Scout, and they seem to be offered for sale quite often. My favorite is the Cherry Bone.
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