GEC -- any pattern repeats?

pertinux

pertinux

Joined
Feb 1, 2012
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Has GEC produced any of the same patterns in later runs? If not, is there any reason to believe they will or will not, based on their history and/or information from the company?

For example, have Serpentine Jacks (on the #66 frame) been done more than once? Little Carvers (#26 Sleeveboard, wharncliffe)? If not, might GEC return to either, or move forward by creating new patterns on those frames for a next release?

I'm just curious if there are any patterns that have made repeats, or if every year's release so has been "new" in some aspect of configuration if not frame, and whether or not anyone knows what to expect next (beyond the patterns already listed for 2012).

Thanks!

~ P.
 
I know they have done the 66 in BJM twice now. And the 33 was done both early and late last year. Not sure of any others though. There were some cosmetic differences in the Northfield of the BJM, slanted versus straight bolsters and handle materials.

Sorry I don't know more about it than that.

Will
 
GEC has made exact duplicates of knives years apart but not very often. One example is the Ebony #66 Calf Roper released in '11 and again earlier this year. Its possible that they didn't plan on using Ebony again but had a bunch left over when doing inventory. They definitely use the same patterns over many years like the #23, #73, #12, #53, etc. but sometimes they change things just a little bit by either using different handle materials or something on the blade/handle. For example, single blade #73s were released without a lanyard hole and then with a lanyard hole in jigged cherry, cocobolo, and burnt stag.
 
Hmm, so I guess it's fair to say the answer falls somewhere between "We don't know" and "Sometimes, sort of"? :)

In other news, I just read about GEC's Rendezvous, which contrary to popular legend isn't the affectionate name GEC knives have given to Trand's House, but rather an annual(?) Open House, with tours.

I'd like to try to get there if possible, to see (and ask Things) for myself.

~ P.
 
pertinux said:
Hmm, so I guess it's fair to say the answer falls somewhere between "We don't know" and "Sometimes, sort of"? :)

In other news, I just read about GEC's Rendezvous, which contrary to popular legend isn't the affectionate name GEC knives have given to Trand's House, but rather an annual(?) Open House, with tours.

I'd like to try to get there if possible, to see (and ask Things) for myself.

~ P.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: I'm hardly in the lead. I know guys with 2-3xs as many GECs :D One more thing with the Rendezvous, they usually have specially made rendezvous knives that can only be purchased from GEC during those 3 days. And usually not many of them. I think last year's was a schrimshawed bone whaler.
 
Not to be off subject here, but the Rendezvous is awesome.

I have been there the last three years and I am going to be there again this year. They are great people at GEC and the Rendezvous gives you a chance to really see that.
The tour is very in depth and as interesting as could be if your a knife nut. They have a great selection of knives for sale as well.

It's definitely worth the trip!!!
 
Another reissue example: the #89 pattern was originally issued as a "Melon Tester Whittler" in '09, and then reissued essentially unchanged as an "Executive Whittler" in the following year. I had one example from each release in Primitive bone, the only difference being that the cloud shield from the first run was changed to an "UN-X-LD" shield for the second batch.
 
And occurring now on their production update the #53 Moose Pattern.....
 
Small request. You guys that go on the rendezvous. Please mention that some guy in Alabama is waiting on a #12 jack in elk :D
 
Rick said:
Another reissue example: the #89 pattern was originally issued as a "Melon Tester Whittler" in '09, and then reissued essentially unchanged as an "Executive Whittler" in the following year. I had one example from each release in Primitive bone, the only difference being that the cloud shield from the first run was changed to an "UN-X-LD" shield for the second batch.
Click to expand...

Nice to know- I always thought the melon tester was a spear point and the executive Whittler is a wharncliffe. I know the executive Whittler (wharncliffe) was produced in consecutive years, but I'm not sure if handles were the same. My Whityler is great btw!
 
Okay, thanks for the additional input. The wee chunky 25s currently have my attention, maybe even more than the 26s. There seem to be a decent number still out there now so maybe some (or even, the right One!) will still be there later, or maybe GEC will return to smaller knives in the future. I'd love to be able to compare some of the different iterations in-hand.

In the meantime, I think I'll mosey on over to the Rendezvous next month.... :)

~ P.
 
biglmbass said:
Which is odd, since heretofore their big moose has been a 54.
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The difference between the #53 and #54 patterns has been the half-stops on the 54s, with the 53s being smooth pulls.
Maybe more people have wanted the smooth pulls . . . or it could just be a typo!
 
2Dead said:
:rolleyes: I'm hardly in the lead. I know guys with 2-3xs as many GECs :D One more thing with the Rendezvous, they usually have specially made rendezvous knives that can only be purchased from GEC during those 3 days. And usually not many of them. I think last year's was a schrimshawed bone whaler.
Click to expand...
GEC makes a total of 30 Special Rendezvous Knives. They are released 10 pieces per day on a first come, first served basis over the three day Rendezvous. Generally no information is released on these knives prior to their unvieling on the First Day of Rendezvous.
 
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