Gec newbie!

totkst1

totkst1

Joined
Oct 14, 2016
Messages
437
most of my experience with traditional knives is Case xx but recently I have taken a very strong fancy to GEC. I admit full force that I know very little about the brand indeed and have tried to read some of the information on their blog to try and catch up but I am still missing some things I believe.

I believe that on the bullnose #71 I purchased recently that it is a 2017 year because that is the last two digits of the pattern stamp on the tang. But I have seen other examples that had full years stamped on them so I am not sure of the difference or if I am even correct.

If this isn't posted in the correct place mods I apologize sincerely and also if this has previously been discussed I also apologize I tried a search and couldn't find the answers anywhere.
 
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It's about the buying process, so you may have feedback from the mods. I will PM with some information. I had to learn the same things also. It's a little confusing. No, it's actually very confusing.
 
AShearer said:
It's about the buying process, so you may have feedback from the mods. I will PM with some information. I had to learn the same things also. It's a little confusing. No, it's actually very confusing.
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That works for me thanks and I will edit that part out of my post as I do not want to break the rules in a place I have come to love
 
Also are there any made prior to 2006 and is there a chart that shows all the patterns and what they look like in one place that I won't have to click each pattern on the gec blog separately
 
Requires a secret handshake and a hazing ritual. There is a lengthy apprenticeship.

No, seriously - go to the GEC web site, look up their dealer list, and go to the dealer web sites (or just call them) to find out if they have pre-ordering, early reserve, or just a notification system where you have to make the mad scramble at that exact moment to get your knife. Sign up with one or more dealers of your choice and then keep an eye on the GEC site or your dealer's web page about upcoming releases.

It is unfortunate that you can't leisurely browse dealer inventory and select from a variety of recently produced patterns still in stock. But the total popularity of the brand and their products has exceeded production capacity, so they are somewhat constrained. Seems like that change started somewhere in the 2014-2015 time frame. The good old days were maybe 2011 - 2013 where GEC had hit their stride with really good patterns, but before they became quite so popular. Plus it was the later years of the recession and some people were still too broke to buy pocket knives. Everybody is apparently rich again.
 
totkst1 said:
Also are there any made prior to 2006 and is there a chart that shows all the patterns and what they look like in one place that I won't have to click each pattern on the gec blog separately
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None under their brand names before 2006. The history of GEC is very interesting. It's all out there on the internet.
 
I agree with 2014-15 being the timeframe when they took off. I bought my first in early 2014, they were plentiful in dealer stock back then.
 
The history of GEC and how it formed is indeed rather interesting. Author David L Anthony wrote a couple of good books on cutlery that relate to GEC's history. I've read them both and they are both very good reads. Highly recommended.

Something that I learned recently that is both interesting and a little humorous is that the GEC Crown Lifters were given that name as a friendly jab at Queen Cutlery. Ken Daniels who owns Queen now used to be part owner of GEC alongside Bill Howard. Queen's logo includes a crown and the Crown Lifter name is Bill's way of saying that he has lifted Queen's crown in victory, so to speak. (those are my own words and should not be taken too seriously)

All in good fun and kind of neat because the name actually fits the knife very well in the first place.
 
One very nice thing I appreciate about GEC, also as a relative newcomer, is that there is so much quality to all of the knives, not just the limited editions and expensive ones. Yes, I wish I could have bought some of the outstanding SFOs from past years, or even some recent ones. But I take great pleasure in the Farm and Field knives, and the Tidioutes, and they are very easy to acquire from the GEC dealers. The Bullnose is a great example. Also lots of Beer Scouts and Crown Lifters are still available from last fall. The 13s and 48s this year have been great, and are still readily available. So although perhaps there may be more of a scramble now than in the past for limited editions, I make a virtue of necessity and enjoy the still outstanding common knives.
Here's an example:
nSDDcTi.jpg
 
I'm not pleased to see GEC increasing the quantities of specific runs. They must of produced 100's on the most recent 48 stag thus making then less valuable to the collector. Low production numbers are what collectors are looking for. Disappointing. They do make a fine knife.
 
image.jpg Building a deck today my bullnose and my southern grind Jackal are my carry options
 
hose56 said:
I'm not pleased to see GEC increasing the quantities of specific runs. They must of produced 100's on the most recent 48 stag thus making then less valuable to the collector. Low production numbers are what collectors are looking for. Disappointing. They do make a fine knife.
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For the most part, GEC does not cater to collectors. I have a collection (if you can call it that o_O), but I'm not a collector. I believe their aim is to make and sell as many knives as they are capable of. That's what will keep the majority happy.
 
BigBiscuit said:
For the most part, GEC does not cater to collectors. I have a collection (if you can call it that o_O), but I'm not a collector. I believe their aim is to make and sell as many knives as they are capable of. That's what will keep the majority happy.
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With the exception of the first couple of years their posted production totals reflect low production numbers on many patterns and styles. I agree that they produce as many as possible, that's why they are in business. Low production makes them more desirable to collectors. I don't think anybody argues that. I see Schatt & Morgan has several new knives out that are 1 of 30 etc. This is obviously the reason makers serialize some of their knives. They are targeting collectors. I never said I wanted them to make less knives as someone else mentioned. Best to you
 
hose56 said:
I never said I wanted them to make less knives as someone else mentioned. Best to you
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Actually you did which is what prompted me to make my initial response to your post. And that's fine if you feel that way. I just don't believe it to be the main objective to any high production manufacturers goals.
 
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