G.E.C. Factory Seconds?

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MercyfulfateXX

MercyfulfateXX

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where are they sold? are the knives, barlows included have some form of marking maybe on the blade to tell? And are there different markings for different types of things?And maybe a pic to show what the markings look like?
 
I bought one off gunstock jack before. Mine had a 2 stamped beside the model number. I've heard others that have a nick filed in the tang. Not sure if there's a difference in the markings, from what I've seen they are always small cosmetic faults. The TC barlow I purchased had a small flat spot in the bone that was unjigged near the spine.
 
They usually have 2 stamped over the tang stamp on the (main) blade. Some dealers occasionally have them as do the folks having SFO runs made. I've had a few. On most I couldn't find the cosmetic blem. When I did it was minor. I still have couple and can get you a pic of the stamp tomorrow.
 
GEC "seconds" have a number 2 stamped on the tang. GEC "store knives" have an S stamped on the tang. I'm not sure there's any real difference between the two, and many times it's difficult to impossible to find the 'flaw' that made the knife a second. Usually it is a minor cosmetic issue and nothing that would affect the knifes operation.

You can see the '2' cold stamped over the tang stamp on most, although the far left knife was Charlie's call and it is marked with a file nick on the tang.

 
great examples gunstockjack thanks! and thanks everyone else.
when you say it although the saw cut red was Charlie's call and it is marked with a file nick on the tang,are they all like that? and why is it? I get the 2 stamped on the blade but the file mark not sure?
 
There are only a few TC Barlow 'seconds' marked with a file.

Charlie made the call on a few early TCBs and I received the knives marked only by a paper 'flag' on the tube. He asked that I mark the tang to avoid anybody trying to sell one as a first quality example on the secondary market. Since I don't have a '2' stamp, I used a file to mark the tang on probably less than a half dozen early models. Later examples are marked with a "2" at the factory. :)
 
gunstockjack said:
There are only a few TC Barlow 'seconds' marked with a file.

Charlie made the call on a few early TCBs and I received the knives marked only by a paper 'flag' on the tube. He asked that I mark the tang to avoid anybody trying to sell one as a first quality example on the secondary market. Since I don't have a '2' stamp, I used a file to mark the tang on probably less than a half dozen early models. Later examples are marked with a "2" at the factory. :)
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Thank you again Sir! I appreciate the info as im sure others will as well.
 
Check with your choice of GEC dealer. Some of them list them as "EDC" knives in the description. We aren't supposed to discuss the "where to buy" topic here, as you should already know.
 
jc57 said:
Check with your choice of GEC dealer. Some of them list them as "EDC" knives in the description. We aren't supposed to discuss the "where to buy" topic here, as you should already know.
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duly noted, and corrected to reflect thus
 
The one I have is marked by a dot underneath the tang, and a dot on the tube cap.
 
Here's a couple of my factory seconds.

IMG_2709_zps34c9b2b6.jpg~original
 
jprime84 said:
The one I have is marked by a dot underneath the tang, and a dot on the tube cap.
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The 'dotted' models were on the 38 frame. They are so close to factory perfect that Bill H. didn't want to label them as seconds, so they just got a 'dot'. The covers on these were a couple thousandths short, and that is the only issue.
 
If I may add a little Bill Howard anecdote here. Once upon a time, a Customer handed Bill an "S" stamped knife and asked if Bill could tell him what was wrong with it. Bill took a minute or two to carefully examine the knife. Handing it back to the customer, Bill replied " I'll tell you what's wrong with it! Somebody stamped an "S" on the Tang!".
 
I've only had one. a TC Genuine Barlow in Chesnut Jigged bone. It was marked with a 2 on the secondary pen. Only 'flaw' was that the covers were a touch thin but on a 2 blade knife that's perfectly fine and possibly desired.

Many seconds have little to no flaws on them.

Not sure where they're sold though. I've heard they only passed through GEC to employees. From there on..secondary market perhaps.
 
I have only procured one #2. It was an ebony Radio Jack (clip). With Christmas coming, and the gr8 price, I gave it to my favorite older cousin who you will never find without a pocket knife or three. I'm glad he has it, but an ebony clip radio.........wish it was in my pocket.
 
rma100 said:
If I may add a little Bill Howard anecdote here. Once upon a time, a Customer handed Bill an "S" stamped knife and asked if Bill could tell him what was wrong with it. Bill took a minute or two to carefully examine the knife. Handing it back to the customer, Bill replied " I'll tell you what's wrong with it! Somebody stamped an "S" on the Tang!".
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Bob, thanks for the story; that's the best laugh I've had all day!! :D:D
And I can relate to that story; I have a buffalo horn 85 with an "S" stamped on the tang, and I have no clue what its "flaw" is. :confused:

- GT
 
I have had a couple of knives marked "2", but could not find the flaws!
But I am fairly forgiving of production vagaries.
 
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