GEC Rendezvous and Picnic!

[Stropping Young Lad]

Ahh so you and the other 2 guys were the one that hovered over Patty's case! Ha ha. I could not even get in there! I was 4th. I came with my mother.I will just have to get myself in on that case next year. Ha ha. That long bearded guy went in before me and I was there before him. Also the guy who kept talking about "Nam" got in line ahead of me.

Friday, not Thursday. The guy with the long beard got there 2nd after me on Friday.

I'm a pro hoverer, but I wasn't one of those guys, haha.

 

[mrknife]

I always show up too late but after I found out what the knife was, Im totally ok with missing it

 

[Sabercat]

I was there at 7:00am Thursday, was probably 24th in line, and just missed out (that day) on the Rendezvous knife. While waiting, I got the chance to meet mrknife for the first time (thanks again for the beer, Jack!) and got to chat a little bit with Charlie and Lyle.

I'm sure there were some amazing knives that disappeared from the shelves while I was in line, but I still got some ones I really like (a buffalo horn #57, a #74 cotton sampler, and a #25 Unicorn)...I'll try to post photos soon. I'm not sure if there was a nifebrite single blade #15 one armed razor, but that's about the only one that seems like reasonably MIGHT have been there that I've been hoping to find. Regardless though I was much more happy to meet new folks and catch up a bit with past acquaintances than to get more knives. I was VERY happy with what I got though.

Heck, in the final hour on Saturday I bought a Pony Jack for my son, and there were still some nice knives left...if only I had sold more knives beforehand...

 

[NewBlades16]

Friday, not Thursday. The guy with the long beard got there 2nd after me on Friday.

I'm a pro hoverer, but I wasn't one of those guys, haha.

Gotcha my friend. Thank you!

 

[pertinux]

This thread has been terrific to read through. Sounds like a lot of great folks gathering in an equally great place, I am thrilled that you all had an excellent time, or most of you, at least.

In fact, this thread has motivated me to start the preliminary stages of planning a trip next year....

That would be great!

I mean, I can't know what the next year holds for me, let alone anyone else, but it sure was good to be with everyone in Titusville again, and I will do what I can to return.

I'm a pro hoverer, but I wasn't one of those guys, haha.

Not that there's anything wrong with taking one's time to purchase a knife. For many of us, this remains a big decision! I myself wasn't aware of overt lollygrabbing, although it's becoming clear there was some of that mentality and action present. ... What a grand thing it is, to see a GEC knife in person, in juxtaposition to others for the immediate comparisons and contrast, and make an informed purchase!

Stropping Young Lad , you mentioned this earlier, but I too am sorry I missed seeing you and meeting your wife when you doubled back 'round. I made the mistake of not stopping for lunch on Thursday, and in fact hardly moving from a prime position near Charlie and Lyle (aka, the Sole Padded Bench Seat), and perhaps overcompensated on Friday by going for a walk(!) and actually eating (gasp). My 100 minutes away seem to have cost me more than one hoped for (re)connection.

[Nice glasses. ]

(@kenspen , I am of course very sorry to have missed your return, if indeed you and your son made it back to the factory?!)

I was there at 7:00am Thursday, was probably 24th in line, and just missed out (that day) on the Rendezvous knife. While waiting, I got the chance to meet mrknife for the first time (thanks again for the beer, Jack!) and got to chat a little bit with Charlie and Lyle....

...Regardless though I was much more happy to meet new folks and catch up a bit with past acquaintances than to get more knives. I was VERY happy with what I got though.

Heck, in the final hour on Saturday I bought a Pony Jack for my son, and there were still some nice knives left...if only I had sold more knives beforehand...

Very well said! Thank you.

~ P.

 

[Sabercat]

That would be great!

I mean, I can't know what the next year holds for me, let alone anyone else, but it sure was good to be with everyone in Titusville again, and I will do what I can to return.



Not that there's anything wrong with taking one's time to purchase a knife. For many of us, this remains a big decision! I myself wasn't aware of overt lollygrabbing, although it's becoming clear there was some of that mentality and action present. ... What a grand thing it is, to see a GEC knife in person, in juxtaposition to others for the immediate comparisons and contrast, and make an informed purchase!

Stropping Young Lad , you mentioned this earlier, but I too am sorry I missed seeing you and meeting your wife when you doubled back 'round. I made the mistake of not stopping for lunch on Thursday, and in fact hardly moving from a prime position near Charlie and Lyle (aka, the Sole Padded Bench Seat), and perhaps overcompensated on Friday by going for a walk(!) and actually eating (gasp). My 100 minutes away seem to have cost me more than one hoped for (re)connection.

[Nice glasses. ]

(@kenspen , I am of course very sorry to have missed your return, if indeed you and your son made it back to the factory?!)



Very well said! Thank you.

~ P.

And of course I forgot to mention that I got to have a quality ten minute chat with you Sarah about 25's, beautiful Lancaster County, PA, and our fondness (you much moreso than me I'm sure) for the too few blue bone GECs. It was a pleasure as always!

 

[B.F.U]

Couple thoughts:

It was great meeting so many people. I have a really tough time making and keeping the connection between face, name, and screen name. I wish I could do a better job of it. I look forward to seeing everyone I met this and previous years and meeting new people I didn't get a chance to talk with this year at all the upcoming Rendezvous.

The red sawcut TC looks amazing. I wish I had paid more attention and gotten in on the forum knife, but I think I got a TC and it's gonna be a great one. The forum knife looks like a great classic barlow. I think everyone's gonna be happy.

I mentioned to a few people that I noticed the tang on the can opener on my Texas Camp Knife was more rounded than the other blades, and being that it was my only can opener for about 6 months, thought that it was from use. However, Randy ended up explaining the intricacies of designing #98 camp knife and let me know that he designed the tang to be rounded on the can opener so the pull wouldn't be too strong. Just another great part of the Rendezvous. I also didn't know the blades of the #18, #22, and #06 are interchangeable. I love those little patterns. Randy is always an interesting person to talk with.

B B.F.U I'd be curious to hear what the issues with the Ivory Acrylic were. (I had assumed there had been some sort of problem, which of course happens from time to time, especially with a "new" material, but I haven't heard anywhere what the actual trouble with this one was.)

Glad to hear everyone's having a good time! I hope to make it up that way one of these years.

Like Stropping Young Lad said, Bill mentioned that they had trouble both with cracking around pins and shattering/chipping. He said it came that way from the producer. I think less than half were usable to a final product.

Glad they found your knives L.H.S . !

Thanks! Me too. Hopefully Bill and everyone at GEC gets a kick out of seeing my measly collection haha

B B.F.U . - Young man it was a pleasure meeting and talking with you at the Rendezvous on Friday and Saturday! I am so thankful they found your knives for you. That just goes to prove what an outstanding group of individuals we Traditional lovers are.
PS: @paulhilborn - You can have the Oil Sucker TC, I want that Ivory Northwoods Madison Barlow he showed me today!!

It was certainly a pleasure meeting and talking with you also! I hope I didn't hover around you and @OldEngineer too much, I was just amazed at all your wonderful knives.

haha Thankfully, being that the Ivory Madison belongs to my brother, I kept it close by in my pocket all day.

My heart dropped when I read that, glad it's accounted for!!

Mine too! I felt like the Twilight Zone theme started playing.

I had that happen once with a well-worn and much-loved baseball glove. Never saw it again. (Ok, so it's not the same as potentially losing a full knife roll, but still…). Glad to hear that your knives were found!

It's always a bummer to lose something you have a sentimental connection with, whatever it is. Sorry about your glove.

LHS - mate - I did see you around - but regret not getting to see more of you and chatting - what a busy time. We all were concerned for your worries knowing that once you had found that your knives were missing - Oh my!!!!
Good result.

LOTS of knives coming back to New Zealand - thanks to many - which will be coming up in further posts.

Well - with a heavy HEAVY heart I said goodbye to our friends today.
The generosity- man.... in a way love ( sorry to weird ) - that this group of friends share - and I felt this so much in the midst of Charlie - Joanne, Ron and Pam, Harry and Nancy, John and Donna, Sarah, Paul, Jack, Dave ( Knowtracks ) Lyle and Jan, Russell, Ryan and his lovely boy, Tim, Jeff etc
PLEASE - please forgive me my friends because I know I have missed some names - it is 3.52am and Paul and I have been travelling for a few hours already and now sitting at the Airport.

Then there is Bill and his son William- Christine and Patty and the amazing close unit Staff at GEC.

What a life trip for me - to be repeated in the next five years.....
I'm struggling emotionally leaving my friends- their support/ friendship/ amazing generosity- was so heartfelt - that I believe that we at Traditionals share something quite unique.... this comes back to the installation of Traditional respect that Frank and Gary work SO SO hard to maintain- and keeps the amazing Traditional morality at its best.
I'm so thankful to all of my friends - to whom I spent an amazing time with - and can I say I feel very close to you guys- this can only be explained I guess if you were there.
Take Care everyone- PMs and posts to come in the near future.
Once again a heartfelt thank you to everyone at 2017 GEC Rendezvous

I'm sorry we didn't get to meet. I noticed you around also, but in the bustle I never got a chance to introduce myself. I'm glad you had a great first experience of PA!

 

[Markesharp]

I have not had time to make any photos of all my Titusville souvenirs yet. But here is a souvenir that I will always hold near and dear. Pam took this photo of me between these two fine gentlemen while at the picnic. Paul to the left and Duncan to the right in the photo. I have so many experiences that I want to take time to write them all down to make sure I don't miss someone or something. WOW!!! This was an outstanding trip!

Hey you guys! Tom Brady called me wondering where his offensive line went!
I reassured him that you would return to practice ASAP.

 

[Augie]

Some more pictures of what really makes the Rendezvous special, the people, Donna took these, every year I go I swear i'm going to take more pictures of everyone and every year I spend all my time talking and looking and forget to take pictures.
I bet in the picture of Bill and Jack, Jack is trying to convince Bill to make nothing but single blades with a high polish finish

 

[mrknife]

ha ha you got me John! I was trying to convince Bill to let me send custom silver scales for a 15 clip!

 

[mrknife]

Hey you guys! Tom Brady called me wondering where his offensive line went!
I reassured him that you would return to practice ASAP.

there was someone tossing a football around! looked like father and son, so we didnt ask to join

 

[Ramrodmb]

I bet in the picture of Bill and Jack, Jack is trying to convince Bill to make nothing but single blades with a high polish finish

With end caps!!

 

[mrknife]

With end caps!!

well if it was a barlow, the sterling scales would be fine! its all end cap

 

[waynorth]

As I wrote to Jan,

"Somewhere, a knife guy is crying."



~ P.

Tears of joy, Sarah, tears of joy!
When some of our favourite knife people and their "friends" win, we are all happy!!
(those lucky dogs!!)

 

[Duper]

My friend John and I had a great time down in Titusville. It was well worth the drive down from Ottawa, Canada. I hope I get to return next year. I learned a lot and especially learned what a great effort the folks at GEC do in producing such a well refined and quality product. Our tour guide at GEC William sure knew his stuff. I am sorry I did not take the time to sit around and chat more but we were trying to take in as much in the area as we could in only a couple of days. The staff and visitors I did speak with at Case, Queen, GEC and all the locals were fun and friendly.

I hope our paths cross again some day. Thanks for being such great hosts.

,,,Mike in Canada

 

[knowtracks]

Wooooo congrats to Donna and Jan!!! so glad I didnt win because I wouldnt know what to do with those knives (well I actually do but )

What would you do with them Jack???????

Besides.........Make em all single blade knives????

Congrats to both Donna and Jan!!! The Women rule this year!!!!

Dave

 

[mrknife]

What would you do with them Jack???????

Besides.........Make em all single blade knives????

Congrats to both Donna and Jan!!! The Women rule this year!!!!

Dave

haha exactly Dave! you already know, all those knives had wayyy too many blades for me anyway

 

[Cutfinger]

Duper, I'm another Mike here in Ottawa. I'm up to my eyeballs in work, twelve hour days lately, worked all weekend, so no Titusville trip for me. Boohoo, I'm so jealous.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I have not had time to make any photos of all my Titusville souvenirs yet. But here is a souvenir that I will always hold near and dear. Pam took this photo of me between these two fine gentlemen while at the picnic. Paul to the left and Duncan to the right in the photo. I have so many experiences that I want to take time to write them all down to make sure I don't miss someone or something. WOW!!! This was an outstanding trip!

Ron my friend.
What a pleasure to meet a friend in person- you and your lovely Lady Pam were a delight to watch a couple whom loved each other's company - and we really enjoyed both of yours.
Thank you for such a amazing coin - that really is such a treasure for me to bring home.
These memories will be with me for life.
I will contact you once I am home and settled.
Thank to everyone for such an amazing time. Wonderful, Wonderful people involved with the Rendezvous.

To Bill, his son William and the magnificent team at the Great GEC factory - home of the best Cutlery firm in these modern times by far - THANK YOU for taking the time to stop and talk to us all personally- and help us with this amazing journey we are on - what makes this journey so amazing is people like Bill and his team.

 

[Campbellclanman]

When I get home , I will check out the pictures on the wall at the post office for matches of this !!!!!!!!
Many thanks to you guys for helping to make my days !!!!

Harry
What a delight meeting you and your lovely Wife Nancy.
Paul's photo should ring alarm bells - if we get a chance at turning him in - the Reward will bring in many-a- Knife.

I have a mission once I get home to source some Stag out my friend you must pm me your address details.

I would like to thank you in return for the memories and the Western that goes South with me to NZ.