Recommendation? GEC Factory Second?

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ErikMB

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Jul 27, 2017
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I just acquired a gorgeous GEC 35 factory second. It looks PERFECT to me but there is a letter S stamped on the tang of the sheepsfoot and the red dye is almost black, not sure if that is the "defect" or not. I think it's beautiful, though.

I am wondering if it is likely to appreciate in value the same as a regular GEC. Does anyone know?

If it is not likely to appreciate then it may just become my new daily carry ... it's simply stunning!
 
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ErikMB said:
I just acquired a gorgeous GEC 35 factory second. It looks PERFECT to me but there is a letter S stamped on the tang of the sheepsfoot and the red dye is almost black, not sure if that is the "defect" or not. I think it's beautiful, though.

I am wondering if it is likely to appreciate in value the same as a regular GEC. Does anyone know?

If it is not likely to appreciate them it may just become my new daily carry ... it's simply stunning!
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If you like it that’s what counts. As far as appreciating in value is a crap shoot. If you’re looking to be a collector keep it as is if not use it!
 
Seconds can only be purchased at the store, as I understand it. The guy who sold it to me said it was a second, that he bought it at the store, and it auctioned off for about $60 less than others on that well known website. That's all I know.
 
ErikMB said:
Seconds can only be purchased at the store, as I understand it. The guy who sold it to me said it was a second, that he bought it at the store, and it auctioned off for about $60 less than others on that well known website. That's all I know.
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Frank.K said:
I think the “s” stands for “store” meaning it’s direct from the store. Not 100% on that. I have seen many posts where people can’t tell any defect on their s models.
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afishhunter said:
GEC has factory seconds?!?😳
I never knew that.
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My Blade Forums Barlow from a few years ago was a second, and it was offered here after the regular orders went out. As far as I can tell, it was a second because the saw cut was a little off on this side. You can see the "S" on the secondary blade.
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Ironbut said:
My Blade Forums Barlow from a few years ago was a second, and it was offered here after the regular orders went out. As far as I can tell, it was a second because the saw cut was a little off on this side. You can see the "S" on the secondary blade.
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? BladeForums
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One of my 2021s had a wishy washy dye job more pink than hemlock...but I soon fixed that....
 

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I got a couple of 71s several years ao that were marked as S, but coild not tell the actual issue with them.

On the other side, CK had some 81s for sale, a few days ago, that were about $20 cheaper than the regular ones as the wood had cracks. I do not remember what markings they had.

It is funny that GEC sometimes sells S marked models with no obvious defects, whilst at other times they will sell models with obvious defects as regular models (the cracks on the flag model covers come to mind, as well as cracks on wood, occasionally).
 
I think the models vary in appreciation when marked “S”. Obviously some models are more desirable than others. If you have a desirable model…I’m sure it will appreciate.
 
The ''S'' mark means ''Store'' Model/ Knife, but these ''S'' knives were and are also offered and sold through dealers.
''S'' is the GEC designition for ''cosmetic'' imperfections and perceived aesthetic flaws like mismatching covers, scratches,... but also cover cracks.

Important to know! Any GEC made knife with an "S" (or "2") stamp is not covered by the warranty.

That is what i found out about GEC ''S'' Knives.

To add to the confusion there are also knives marked ''2'' 😄
 
Since appreciation of value is completely based on what you could get someone to pay, it’s too difficult to predict. The bottom could fall out of recent traditional knife popularity driving the value to rock bottom.

I always hate the “what’s my knife going to be worth?” questions, because if you ask me, any knife is only worth what you use it for. Throw that bad boy in your pocket and be a witness to it’s true value.
 
I think I found the cosmetic defect. Something I would notice as I built a knife but not something I would fuss over as a user.

There's a little bit of bone chipped off by one of the pins on the side without the Tidoute shield. It's less of a defect than what's on my excellent Case sowbelly stockman of similar design.

I guess this one goes in the pocket as opposed to the display case. Maybe. 🤣

I have plenty of stuff in the collection, enough that my wife wants them to start paying rent. I told her that the really nice ones appreciate in value over time, like the art our brother-in-law collects and sells.

So, that's why I want to be deliberate about this decision as opposed to just falling in love with it like I did with my 20 year old Opinel. Make sense? It's always about keeping the wife happy, somehow....
 
ErikMB said:
I have plenty of stuff in the collection, enough that my wife wants them to start paying rent. I told her that the really nice ones appreciate in value over time, like the art our brother-in-law collects and sells.
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Well why didn’t you say so?
OF COURSE it will be more valuable in 10-20 years, especially if you use it. Collectors will pay 30 times what you bought it for.
Just tell her you hear it from a guy on the internet.

My 2017 #35 is one of my favorite all time knives.
 
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There's the cosmetic error, by the pin.

Good Lord, the world is on fire and we're all going to burn... 🤣🤣🤣

Now, I need to come up with a name for her, something American, snobby, bourgeois... anyone got an idea? Phillipa?

Maybe Rocky since GEC is in Philly, I think.

For example, my Italian Lionsteel is Giuseppe, my German Böker is Gertrude (which means Loyal/True Spear in very, very old German), my favorite Opinel is Jean-Claude-Jacques-Pierre, so y'all can see where this is going. 🤣
 
Sometimes, It is difficult to discern exactly what makes a S knife a store knife other then the fact that you bought it from the S counter of the shop instead of the main counter. Ive often speculated these were knives they found in the safe and didnt sell when they came out as a certain rendezvous had a ton of goodies that were all marked S but had no readily identifiable issue. Some knives the only reason they are an S seems to be because it was just stamped on it. I remember talking to Patty about this at the most recent rendezvous as I was able to score another 14 ebony clip due to foolishly letting my spare go a few years back during a 14 purge. There was practically nothing wrong with it, except it was marked an S and was stored in the S cabinet. Spring was fine and still better than the most recent 14 run, no issue on the blade besides the aforementioned S, no cosmetic defect on the ebony etc. Ive asked William and Christine the same thing at various rendezvouses. In any case, enjoy the discount and enjoy the knife.
 
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