GEC Rendezvous 2023 Announced

Augie said:
Have spent quite a bit of time with Bill and the others over the years talking vintage knives. Watching Bill study and comment on the construction of a hundred year old knife is a learning experience.
5 or 6 years ago I showed Bill an unusual Queen made barlow and asked him if he knew anything about it, he looked it over for a second and said yup he knew about it and walked away. Surprised me a little for sure. Later on after we had eaten and a lot of us were sitting at the table Bill sat down and proceeded to tell us all about his time in the cutlery business including Queen and starting up GEC.
It was fascinating and all of us there were hanging on very word, when he got close to the end he said " and that brings us to your knife". He stated they had a customer that always demanded prototypes, Bill stated they hated making prototypes because it was a pain to set the machinery for only a couple knives. Apparently the customer was the one involved with the black box Winchesters and wanted a barlow so they made some prototype Winchester barlows that never went in production.
When I asked Bill how many were made he did not remember but it was never more than 5 and if they could get away with less they would.
I'm pretty sure all of us that were there at the table that day will agree that was one of the most interesting encounters we have ever had at the Rendezvous, listening to Bill recount his time in the cutlery industry was fascinating and we were hanging on every word.View attachment 2182831View attachment 2182832
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Wow, what a find!!!
 
All plans are aligning to me being able to make it; it’ll be my first time going, so I’m excited for the experience, knives, and of course to meet some of you fine folk in person.
 
wlfryjr said:
Oh boy. I'm coming up early. I've got a couple new farmers jacks, well one is supposed to be here tomorrow.
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Hope the back holds up Lyle, we were all looking forward to seeing ya last year! Bill was especially the disappointed when I broke the news last year that you were sitting it out.
 
As we get closer and closer, more memories!

My first and only rendezvous knife, courtesy of wlfryjr wlfryjr who was able to make it to the factory that saturday morning in time. I showed up a bit later after breakfast at the cross creek resort.

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