GEC 86’s for 2023

Well... I am speechless...

When the 86s started running, the only thing I had my eyes set on was an ebony rider. It would be my first knife in ebony, my first harness jack, my first waynorth cutlery, my first empire shield, and my first Oil The Joints tang stamp.

I knew it would be tough bordering on impossible to get, and I missed out on all of the drops. I was still incredibly disappointed, somehow, thinking this one slipped away. This was the most stressful GEC release I've been a part of without question. But, like Charlie said earlier in this thread, keep trying!

Someone must've been looking down from above, because about a week ago I got an email from a great dealer with an invoice. I don't know if an early reserve fell through or what. Either way, I was blessed with the opportunity to get, what is to me, a true grail knife. I honestly thought at first I was being scammed... taken advantage of. But, a few days later the dealer confirmed it was from them. I paid, but still wouldn't believe it until it was in my possession.

Well, this morning the miraculous occurred. I drove to the post office and I am astonished to have this knife in hand. It was heftier than I expected, in a great way. It is one beefy knife, clearly designed for work and meant to last! Fits great in the hand and feels nice and sturdy. The ebony is unlike anything I could've imagined... The fit and finish is perfect across the board. Can't find a flaw in it. Even spring termination and positions at the half stop. The threaded and pinched bolsters are very pleasing. The main blade with the long pull and the punch with the easy open notch are both knock outs. Amazingly stout, but not too stout, pulls. Needs a little flush, but I can tell the walk and talk is going to be perfect. Great etch. Just a well designed knife all around. Even the tube and the pin are a fantastic touch.

I stated earlier in this thread when I missed on the drops that I was going to step away from GEC for a bit and focus more on vintage knives. And, that is still true. Just too much unneeded stress around the scramble for me and I don't want to resent others getting knives I could not. This is a place I enjoy and I want to keep it that way! Getting this grail knife will make that a little easier, and I can always live vicariously through the gorgeous photos our fellow members post of future GEC releases!

I cannot thank you enough waynorth waynorth for organizing this SFO. It is one I will cherish forever and always make me think of you and the great community here on BladeForums.

Here is a picture of the ebony rider and my leather kit with two very simple slips I made; one clearly carried more than the other 😝

yQhBj50.jpg
 
Last edited:
lithicus said:
Well... I am speechless...

When the 86s started running, the only thing I had my eyes set on was an ebony rider. It would be my first knife in ebony, my first harness jack, my first waynorth cutlery, and my first Oil The Joints tang stamp.

I knew it would be tough bordering on impossible to get, and I missed out on all of the drops. I was still incredibly disappointed, somehow, thinking this one slipped away. This was the most stressful GEC release I've been a part of without question. But, like Charlie said earlier in this thread, keep trying!

Someone must've been looking down from above, because about a week ago I got an email from a great dealer with an invoice. I don't know if an early reserve fell through or what. Either way, I was blessed with the opportunity to get, what is to me, a true grail knife. I honestly thought at first I was being scammed... taken advantage of. But, a few days later the dealer confirmed it was from them. I paid, but still wouldn't believe it until it was in my possession.

Well, this morning the miraculous occurred. I drove to the post office and I am astonished to have this knife in hand. It was heftier than I expected, in a great way. It is one beefy knife, clearly designed for work and meant to last! Fits great in the hand and feels nice and sturdy. The ebony is unlike anything I could've imagined... The fit and finish is perfect across the board. Can't find a flaw in it. Even spring termination and positions at the half stop. The threaded and pinched bolsters are very pleasing. The main blade with the long pull and the punch with the easy open notch are both knock outs. Amazingly stout, but not too stout, pulls. Needs a little flush, but I can tell the walk and talk is going to be perfect. Great etch. Just a well designed knife all around. Even the tube and the pin are a fantastic touch.

I stated earlier in this thread when I missed on the drops that I was going to step away from GEC for a bit and focus more on vintage knives. And, that is still true. Just too much unneeded stress around the scramble for me and I don't want to resent others getting knives I could not. This is a place I enjoy and I want to keep it that way! Getting this grail knife will make that a little easier, and I can always live vicariously through the gorgeous photos our fellow members post of future GEC releases!

I cannot thank you enough waynorth waynorth for organizing this SFO. It is one I will cherish forever and always make me think of you and the great community here on BladeForums.

Here is a picture of the ebony rider and my leather kit with two very simple slips I made; one clearly carried more than the other 😝

yQhBj50.jpg
Click to expand...
Congrats, that's a beautiful example!
 
lithicus said:
Well... I am speechless...

When the 86s started running, the only thing I had my eyes set on was an ebony rider. It would be my first knife in ebony, my first harness jack, my first waynorth cutlery, and my first Oil The Joints tang stamp.

I knew it would be tough bordering on impossible to get, and I missed out on all of the drops. I was still incredibly disappointed, somehow, thinking this one slipped away. This was the most stressful GEC release I've been a part of without question. But, like Charlie said earlier in this thread, keep trying!

Someone must've been looking down from above, because about a week ago I got an email from a great dealer with an invoice. I don't know if an early reserve fell through or what. Either way, I was blessed with the opportunity to get, what is to me, a true grail knife. I honestly thought at first I was being scammed... taken advantage of. But, a few days later the dealer confirmed it was from them. I paid, but still wouldn't believe it until it was in my possession.

Well, this morning the miraculous occurred. I drove to the post office and I am astonished to have this knife in hand. It was heftier than I expected, in a great way. It is one beefy knife, clearly designed for work and meant to last! Fits great in the hand and feels nice and sturdy. The ebony is unlike anything I could've imagined... The fit and finish is perfect across the board. Can't find a flaw in it. Even spring termination and positions at the half stop. The threaded and pinched bolsters are very pleasing. The main blade with the long pull and the punch with the easy open notch are both knock outs. Amazingly stout, but not too stout, pulls. Needs a little flush, but I can tell the walk and talk is going to be perfect. Great etch. Just a well designed knife all around. Even the tube and the pin are a fantastic touch.

I stated earlier in this thread when I missed on the drops that I was going to step away from GEC for a bit and focus more on vintage knives. And, that is still true. Just too much unneeded stress around the scramble for me and I don't want to resent others getting knives I could not. This is a place I enjoy and I want to keep it that way! Getting this grail knife will make that a little easier, and I can always live vicariously through the gorgeous photos our fellow members post of future GEC releases!

I cannot thank you enough waynorth waynorth for organizing this SFO. It is one I will cherish forever and always make me think of you and the great community here on BladeForums.

Here is a picture of the ebony rider and my leather kit with two very simple slips I made; one clearly carried more than the other 😝

yQhBj50.jpg
Click to expand...
Glad you got one, and that you like it!!!
And I humbly Thank You!!
 
I offered a few people to help to get them one, but everyone seemed good (not that I have any influence you understand).

After waiting to give everyone in the UK a chance to buy one I ordered the white and the red one (looks like the last available) for myself.

I just like the Rider HJ so much it had to be done,plus I believe in 3s (which is a burden at times}

A single blade wood would have been nice as I find them easier to open but they where all accounted for.

Mike has been very patient and helpful with the latest GECs.
 
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Johnnythefox said:
Did anyone miss out on what they wanted?
Click to expand...

Oh definitely. While searching the web over the weekend I came across a Redit thread full of hate and vitriol because people couldn’t land the CC Rider. It was pretty nuts. People were so mad. I was searching because I’d love to have one, beautiful clip and perfect punch, but these folks were just rabid!

I quickly headed straight back the porch to enjoy everyone happily sharing their HJs. Good reminder for me not to wander off again.
 
rishma said:
Oh definitely. While searching the web over the weekend I came across a Redit thread full of hate and vitriol because people couldn’t land the CC Rider. It was pretty nuts. People were so mad. I was searching because I’d love to have one, beautiful clip and perfect punch, but these folks were just rabid!

I quickly headed straight back the porch to enjoy everyone happily sharing their HJs. Good reminder for me not to wander off again.
Click to expand...
I am not a person who has hate in their heart. I could never be mad at a human, an individual, for getting lucky with a drop. But, I did wonder how dealers were distributing these releases. And, I didn't like that corporate enterprise tin foil hat attitude my mind was toying with. This was a stressful release for many, but I think people (myself included) need to get their mind right.

I'm so happy to have gotten mine. Again, I truly feel lucky and blessed. And, I'm very sorry to all of those that didn't get one. I felt your pain.

But, if one thing is certain, we should all appreciate what (and more importantly who) we have. There is no room for hate and vitriol in this world. Especially over something as silly and as simple as a tool (albeit very well built one). This community has been great to me. And, if we weren't great to each other this community wouldn't exist. As lucky and blessed as I feel for landing a rider, I feel even luckier to have this community and to be able to be a part of it.

I'm glad you found your way back to the porch, R rishma 😃 It always feels like home 😁
 
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