GEC Farm & Field Tools, what can we expect?

rockgolfer

rockgolfer

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Mar 1, 2008
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The Sodbuster knife is what launch's this line of tools. What else can we expect to see? I am going to guess that they will be re-creating some of their patterns with cheaper (less cost, not less function) materials? Is their some other patterns built closely in construction to the Sod buster that I am not aware of? They have me intrigued to say the least. I can attest first hand to GEC's quality and first class function.

I want to embrace the word "Tool" for a moment and offer out a suggestion. As a fan of edged tools, I find myself hoarding more then just pocket knives. In fact many of my cutting tools have numerous different blades for different uses. From the Skil saw to the jig saw, you need different blades for different jobs. One such tool that I have many variations of and uses for is the traditional utility knife. Used by craftsmen for generations(Stanley's first in 1935) on the jobsite and in our pockets. I can not work without one. It has too many uses and the added benefit of a new blade being just a quick change away is priceless most days on most jobsites. I guess I am surprised that major knife manufacturers dont offer a more elegant option for this? Talk about a way to get your brand out there! It could start as a Farm & Field tool but could grow into the Northfield line easily. I can not speak for anyone else but, a stag handled expertly engineered slip jointed utility knife would not only be something I would use every day, it would be something I used for the rest of my life. This might be a bit of a stretch and if I am out of line I apologize and mods please move this somewhere more appropriate. I guess I like to dream and while I look forward to what surprises lay ahead from Great Eastern Cutlery, I also want to hear what other traditional patterns we might see from GEC in this division. They outlined in the printout above that they can not compete with China on cost. I say its about time someone bit down on that bullet and just made the product anyway, higher cost then China or not. It can not be ignored how successful this line is already, so where does it go from here?
 
I have no idea, but when I think "farm tool", I think Stockman.


A large GEC stockman with O1...well that would be my perfect work knife, I think.
 
Great point Tripton, the stock knife is a great guess. I would like to know if O1 is cheaper then their standard 1095? If not then why use more expensive steel for your budget line? I would ask that if the stockeman knife where used as another pattern(really any pattern could be plugged in here) I am going to assume that it would have delrin or the like as its scale material? Would this not mean that most of these knives would be bolster-less? I am ok with that. An orange stockman with O1 tool steel for less then the 66 frame would be a nobrainer in my book.
 
I want to see their O1 blade steel applied to more patterns. I'd love to have a #48 Slimline Trapper ( a dandy pattern for general use and certainly worthy of the Farm and Field moniker IMHO) in O1 and Redneck Orange. Such a knife would be a grail knife for most of my intended uses.
 
Stockmen always look wrong to me with no bolsters, but I'd be happy to see a #72 or #73 as part of the Farm and Field Line.
 
Buying it in small amounts O-1 always cost me more than 1095. O-1 was one of if not the biggest reason I was attracted to the Sodbuster. We'll see if they use O-1 or not in the less expensive line. I'm curious to say the least. I much prefer O-1 to 1095 and think it's more consistent from lot to lot. It sure takes nice edges too.

Joe
 
I'm not sure what to expect from this line...but I'll throw in my two cents.
Probably, simple patterns, mostly single bladed. A Barlow? something on their #23 or #73 frame? time will tell.... :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
When I think farm tool, I think of a pruner or hawkbill. There is hardly a more specific knife for crop growing than that one.
Would love to see GEC's interpretation of that model, or even a cotton sampler.
 
I think a #66 stockman with O1 blades and delrin or glow handles would be a big seller... it might be tough to keep the price down though.
 
comoha said:
When I think farm tool, I think of a pruner or hawkbill. There is hardly a more specific knife for crop growing than that one.
Would love to see GEC's interpretation of that model, or even a cotton sampler.
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I think you're dead on with this statement. I would love to see something along these lines. I also agree with the statement that since this is a budget line and they are trying to keep cost down that they will probably keep these to a one blade knife, maybe two if we are lucky. No matter what comes out it will be be nice to see some options, hopefully they keep trying different handle material for the Bullnose and eventually down the line have a few special runs with some natural handle material.
 
comoha said:
When I think farm tool, I think of a pruner or hawkbill. There is hardly a more specific knife for crop growing than that one.
Would love to see GEC's interpretation of that model, or even a cotton sampler.
Click to expand...

Aw man I'd love if they did a one-blade hawkbill - a mushroom knife! I'd be all over that...
 
To me the ultimate tool knife is the soldier. If they can crack the code on that one with the F&F line, look out.
 
GEC did produce a hawkbill pruner with 1-, 2- or 3-blades. There hasn't been much talk about it on the forums... I assumed it wasn't very popular.

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I'd definitely pick up something from this line. A two-blade jack of some sort with rugged polymer covers? Sure, sounds dandy (as long as it's not along the Case Caliber lines...).
 
supratentorial said:
GEC did produce a hawkbill pruner with 1-, 2- or 3-blades. There hasn't been much talk about it on the forums... I assumed it wasn't very popular.

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I think they'd sell a bunch of them if they got rid of those horridly coloured scales, plain old black would be better. It could do with a lanyard hole too in my opinion.
 
abcdef said:
To me the ultimate tool knife is the soldier. If they can crack the code on that one with the F&F line, look out.
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I'd go bananas over that, +1 on this.


In terms of what we should expect, I think it will be more of the same that we have been experiencing with GEC. They seem to have been doing a good job of 'reinventing the wheel' so to speak from what I have experienced so far on the forum. I bet we will see more exotic handle material options (especially their acrylic) and frame configurations (like the Maverick - congress frame, but it is a stockman). I mean, I love how much GEC is able to flawlessly mix it up and put their own spin on traditional patterns and make it exiting. Heck, I hope to see more O1 in the rest of their lineup. Would I be willing to save up my pennies for a #85 in O1? You bet!! In the future, I think that GEC will have a lot to offer the community.

***Now, take my opinion with a grain of salt, since my first GEC will be shipping here soon. I do not have enough credibility to form an opinion about the company if I do not even own a piece of their work. My opinion has been formulated from what I have witnessed here on the forum and constantly lurking on their site.
 
jacknife said:
I think they'd sell a bunch of them if they got rid of those horridly coloured scales, plain old black would be better. It could do with a lanyard hole too in my opinion.
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They offered the knife with several other handles, including ebony, stag and many others: http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/patterns/56-reverse-dog-leg/

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Hawkbills have a very specialized use and I just don't see them being a very popular pattern. But the "Weaver Jack" started around $60 shipped so it would be easy for them to make a budget version.

Campbell's Farmer Jack would be a nice pattern to rebirth: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/984761-Hawk-bills!

cnas122 said:
I'll post this farmer's jack 100 times if I have too....it's my favorite hawkbill!!!
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The micarta bullet end was another pattern that might be easy to remake as a budget knife.

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I can't really say that I'd be excited about those patterns though... a stockman with O1 blades would be more exciting for me.
 
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