Case vs GEC

Jake, I actually am unaware of the age of the bone.
Thats actually a good question for Mr. Howard, I will ask him the next time I see him.

I understand that GEC uses a source from Rhode Island and I am happy to see them turning to another American company.
It's my own assumption that the bone sold is aged specifically for knife scales.
 
Will do, I would e-mail them directly if it wasn't for the fact that I would be putting Chris into a strange position trying to relay info between myself and Bill.
 
I carry a GEC everyday,(actually 2) and have for some years. I used to collect Case knives exclusively, but honestly, I can't see myself buying another,.. in the near future anyway.
 
Coyote3855 said:
I've worn out a couple of Case knives. Took 20 years each. My high dollar GEC lasted a couple of months before the scale cracked. I sent one GEC back for blade wobble. Spent hours on the second because the back ends of the blades were not finished and the scales didn't fit the bolsters. Case all the way. I have limited experience with GEC, but my impression is they are made for display in collections and are not working knives.
Click to expand...

My 1 month old GEC #72 arrived with a tight, though flexy, blade, but after 3 whittling sessions on a piece of pine the blade has gone loose. I've no choice but to send it back for repair. I hope this is not indicative of GEC's overall quality, because I have a couple more on the way. My latest Case, a Texas Jack, is rock solid.
 
FW JSB said:
My 1 month old GEC #72 arrived with a tight, though flexy, blade, but after 3 whittling sessions on a piece of pine the blade has gone loose. I've no choice but to send it back for repair. I hope this is not indicative of GEC's overall quality, because I have a couple more on the way. My latest Case, a Texas Jack, is rock solid.
Click to expand...

not what i want to hear. i only own one case but i've been hearing alot of "case isn't what they used to be". i was hearing alot of good things about gec and i've been looking at the wide variety of models and have been very curious, but hearing about this....
 
Rick said:
If the comparison was between GEC and pre-1970 Case, it would be a tough choice, but for my tastes, GEC has rendered current (standard) Case offerings irrelevant. Case is still surprisingly competitive in terms of value, but IMO, their knives look and feel like toys compared to their equivalent GEC patterns.
Click to expand...

^^^this sums up my sentiments perfectly
 
I think the Case/Bose knives are at the same F&F level of some of the new GECs that are coming out. The colabs do have more premium blade steels but GEC is coming up fast. My last three Case/Bose knives all had blade play that was pretty bad. My last two GECs are perfect except for the obtuse primary bevel.
 
tomsch said:
I think the Case/Bose knives are at the same F&F level of some of the new GECs that are coming out.
Click to expand...

Sheesh, I hope so, considering that you can buy three Great Eastern knives for the price of a Case/Bose! :eek:
 
For what it's worth, I've only purchased around 75~80 GE products, and that's a rough estimate. I've gifted most of them, and only have 18 in my possession.

However, out of all of them, I've only had one that had any problems, and their customer service via Ms. Christine corrected to my satisfaction.

I have owned many more case products, with nowhere near the same track record.

Granted, there is a substantial price difference between the two for a comparable product, but in my opinion there is no debate regarding quality of product.

I have grown grouchy in my old age, and would much rather spend a little more to get what I expect the first time, rather than bother with multiple returns through cutomer service.
 
lightskyam said:
not what i want to hear. i only own one case but i've been hearing alot of "case isn't what they used to be". i was hearing alot of good things about gec and i've been looking at the wide variety of models and have been very curious, but hearing about this....
Click to expand...

I should've mentioned that my other 3 GEC's have been near perfect, a White Owl, a Pemberton and my just-arrived #33 Whittler in blood red. But I haven't used any for whittling so I don't know if things will hold up under harder use. I hope so because they're beautiful knives. I'll send the lockback in and see what happens.
 
richstag said:
My grandfather always taught me to buy the very best that I can afford. He also taught me that if I can't afford it now, save and afford it later. He always told me to buy quality and what I like. He said otherwise you will just keep buying lesser items due to unhappiness and lacking quality and performance and premature failure. He would instil this logic in me to almost everything. When I went to buy a pistol I could have afforded a springfield armory 1911. I waited over 2 years to afford a Les Baer Custom. I only have the one. I could not be happier. Thousands and thousands of rounds at the range, holster worn, MY pistol. Some may say its a collector gun, I say I saved and bought what I want. High end lasting goods tend to hold their resale value, this is another logic he always instilled in me.

If I want a 70$ GEC over the 35 dollar case I will save until I can afford it. I will buy the one I want and be happy. I will use it for everything and be satisfied. This is all such a personal thing. To me the logic of buying two cases instead of one GEC is almost a collectors type mindset. Just buy one GEC and use it.

Sometimes only the rich can afford to use expensive goods, but sometimes an average joe will save his pennies and get what he wants and really, can't afford NOT to use it.

This is just how I was raised.

Kevin
Click to expand...

I just have to say that I admire your philosophy and the funny thing is that I also think that it is exactly what both companies are going for. Particularly GEC they will try to make the best knives for people at a price fair for the company but still not out of wack. In all honesty I should learn to be more like you Kevin. My grandfather taught me the same philosophy but consumerism and marketing sometimes can get the best of me. Both Case and GEC knives are made to last and they are both very good manufacturers. The only downside that I have found is that my GEC #15 is a nail breaker for sure.
 
It seems to me that now, at least, Case caters to a slightly different consumer than GEC. To me GEC is an absolutely amazing value compared to what you get! Case makes an attractive knife that seems to be directed more at collectors than users. Not a bad thing but still what I perceive. Some of the Case patterns are just amazing...I just wish they would use more CV!!!!!!!
 
I can't weigh in on which is better as I've not owned or used any Case knives, at least not yet. I can't say which is better, let alone comment on modern vs pre-70s Case. I do wish to get some Case knives though, and while I haven't, for the most part, made up my mind as to which patterns of theirs I'll try, I do firmly plan to get a Case yella Peanut, in CV.

That being said, I do have some experience with GEC and I'm very much impressed by their quality and performance. Granted I've only got four knives from them, but the fact that my GECs amount to roughly 40% of my entire (small though it is) collection and I'm having to force myself to look at other manufacturers is some indication of my satisfaction with them. Still need to get a Case though (and a few other brands besides!).
 
akadave2 said:
It seems to me that now, at least, Case caters to a slightly different consumer than GEC. To me GEC is an absolutely amazing value compared to what you get! Case makes an attractive knife that seems to be directed more at collectors than users. Not a bad thing but still what I perceive. Some of the Case patterns are just amazing...I just wish they would use more CV!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I read a post on this forum about Case being the beanie baby of the knife world. With all the colors and the majority of bades in SS (to ensure they stay shiney), I kind of feel that this is correct (I do like Case). I like quite a few of their knives, but I do think the bright colored options just don't speak to me. In my mind, GEC makes a knife that has more of what I want in a collectable knife.... wide variety of patterns, often duplicate runs have some small detail of change (blade types being the main one), wide variety of handle materials, while still remaining somewhat traditional..... Just cool stuff.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
I read a post on this forum about Case being the beanie baby of the knife world. With all the colors and the majority of bades in SS (to ensure they stay shiney), I kind of feel that this is correct (I do like Case). I like quite a few of their knives, but I do think the bright colored options just don't speak to me. In my mind, GEC makes a knife that has more of what I want in a collectable knife.... wide variety of patterns, often duplicate runs have some small detail of change (blade types being the main one), wide variety of handle materials, while still remaining somewhat traditional..... Just cool stuff.
Click to expand...

GEC really listens to their customers as well. I think that is important. The limited runs also make sure that the quality is high and it helps with collectibility. Its all good.

Case is still a quality product. I think they make a very consistent product. When I get a Case knife its always good.
 
tomsch said:
I think the Case/Bose knives are at the same F&F level of some of the new GECs that are coming out. The colabs do have more premium blade steels but GEC is coming up fast. My last three Case/Bose knives all had blade play that was pretty bad. My last two GECs are perfect except for the obtuse primary bevel.
Click to expand...

Last three Collab knives with blade play that was pretty bad?? That's a pretty bad statistic in itself for a knife costing 300USD or so. Haven't YET had any play with the GECs I've bought.
Actually I think the simpler CASE knives in cv or those with authentic handles are where the real value lies. CASE also retains atmosphere/carisma with some of their patterns. Take the Slimline Trapper for example, yes both GEC&Queen make similar knives with superior steel and finish but CASE's pattern is impossible to dislike, simple uncluttered and tested.

GEC makes a much heavier knife. This is good and bad in a way. Good that it's robust and QC issues are far rarer on their knives than with CASE, but they do weigh the pocket down more on the whole, and this can at times be negative.

Regards, Will
 
Here's maybe a little different perspective.

I grew up in a very agriculture oriented environment in the 80's and 90's. Knives pretty much, without exception, for my family, meant Case and Buck. When I first started getting into knives myself it was around the time that I discovered spyderco and other modern locking folders.

My search for a good folding carving knife had me looking in the direction of slipjoints for the first time a couple of months ago, and I picked up a Rough Cut (I think it's called) Camillus slippie at the local swap meet. A very modest knife to be sure.

I had never heard of GEC in my life until someone mentioned it in a random thread, which is when I sought out some information on the company and their knives. So while I'm familiar with the Case knives from the 80's it's really GEC that has got me excited. I really cannot wait to own one...

I'm getting the same vibe from other guys who are just coming into this segment of knives too. As someone said in another thread, GEC really seems to have their finger on the pulse of what the knife community wants. ;)

Edit: and another thing to consider is that the modern crowd is very much use to paying over $100 for a decent knife. If the quality is there with a GEC I can see them doing very well.
 
Last edited:
willgoy said:
Last three Collab knives with blade play that was pretty bad?? That's a pretty bad statistic in itself for a knife costing 300USD or so. Haven't YET had any play with the GECs I've bought.
Actually I think the simpler CASE knives in cv or those with authentic handles are where the real value lies. CASE also retains atmosphere/carisma with some of their patterns. Take the Slimline Trapper for example, yes both GEC&Queen make similar knives with superior steel and finish but CASE's pattern is impossible to dislike, simple uncluttered and tested.

GEC makes a much heavier knife. This is good and bad in a way. Good that it's robust and QC issues are far rarer on their knives than with CASE, but they do weigh the pocket down more on the whole, and this can at times be negative.

Regards, Will
Click to expand...

Case has "Mojo" is what you are saying :)

I would be seriously put out if I had gotten a Case/Bose colab with play in it! That is completely and utterly unacceptable at that price point. That being said I have sent back 2 GEC knives out of my 16 for adjustment.
 
I will echo the sentiment of most of the posters in that GEC is definitely winning me over. I have collected Case knives for a couple years...mostly pens and mini copperlocks. I can't tell you how many times I have fallen in love with the color and/or jigging on the scales of a particular knife based on the catalogue image only to receive an ugly cousin version of it in the mail. I have also received new Case knives with significant scratches on the bolsters and blades. This is very frustrating particularly in light of Case's marketing campaign, which is based (in part) on knowing that an individual, hardworking American is making "your" knife. Recently I have been purchasing GECs and have not found any of the above noted issues. The knife in the pretty picture is what I receive in the mail. The quality/weight/feel to comparable Case patterns is significantly better. I still like Case knives, but have gravitated to only purchasing older models. Love the GECs and well worth the extra $30 over most Cases.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top