GEC: Rhyme or Reason...

stevekolt

stevekolt

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Jan 9, 2007
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Just an observation. Some of these GEC patterns sell out in minutes, while others get dusty sitting on shelves. There are a boat load of 06 and 97 still available, but 93's sell out as soon as they hit the shelf, if not sooner. Looks like the new CK SFO will be sold out as soon as Mike puts the word out. I realize that it is due to personal preference, but is there any particular rhyme or reason to this? Closed size, blade shape, etc...
 
The smallest and the largest patterns of just about anything are the least in demand, bell curve and all that. The 3¼ to 4¼ inch patterns all sell pretty well, unless they have strange blade combos. It does seem that straight-edged blades are all the rage right now.
 
^^^ Echo Jeff. Sometimes there's a release where the blade shape or handle slabs just aren't as desirable, like the #38 Special. If that knife had the "full" clip from the Grinling whittler, those would be long gone. Sometimes it's the pulls, too - there are a lot of 66s left, but the most popular GECs are 1 and 2 blade knives, and the last 66 run got a lot of flack about light pulls. Then there are folks who don't like having a 3rd blade they don't use. Still some of those stockmans hanging around dealers. The #15 is one of the most popular patterns ever, but the ones with the bail and chain are still available because of that bail and chain. Bullnoses were in high demand when there wasn't enough supply, but then there were runs several years in a row with basically the same handle slabs, so not much compelling collectors other than the last digit of the tang stamp/tube label.
 
Single blades seem to sell better than multiple blades.
Acrylic handles hang around longer than other handle materials.
SFOs fly off the shelves the fastest it seems. I think a Northwoods 38 Special would still have sold out quickly. I think perceived collector value has a lot to do with it.
 
And yet they keep putting the French Kate out?;)

With the 06 and 97 you have two extremes: tiny knife and monster knife, kind of acquired tastes but good we get a chance at them. With sell out 'popular' patterns they are usually SFO derived and therefore they've been talked up a lot prior to release, so it's an irrational fashion aspect to an extent.;). Some popularity might be because of flipping potential it has to be conceded. Certain people are just drawn to what they perceive as being currently popular, kind of group-think in fact. However, reputation is also earned or generated by SFOs and people like and develop a taste for various styles and wish to extend this- which is why they collect.

Why do I prefer Penknife patterns to Jacks? The looks and slimness, Jack fans will also cite looks but appreciate the more bulky feel. So it's personal preference, this too governs the sales numbers.

At the end of the day who is not excited by the prospect of a new knife arrival? Exactly:cool:
 
Scarcity or perceived scarcity... or even the expectation of scarcity (i.e., FOMO) increases demand. I would have a hard time believe that there are as many 93s being made as there were 97s.
 
tstaut said:
Scarcity or perceived scarcity... or even the expectation of scarcity (i.e., FOMO) increases demand. I would have a hard time believe that there are as many 93s being made as there were 97s.
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Now that would be a relevant statistic to know. And why the disparity?
 
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stevekolt said:
Now that would be an relevant statistic to know. And why the disparity?
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They will produce ~2400 Ramsfoot #93's (~600 each material). Plus ~100 of each SFO and ~500 of the Lambsfoot (total between the two materials).
They produced over 5000 #97's between the different materials (if memory serves me). In the case of the #97, I am pretty sure GEC polled the dealers to determine total quantity.
 
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This begs the question of why not reissue, or produce more, of a given pattern that is selling well? I'm guessing that GEC is not big enough to support too many knife variations in the production line so that may be the answer.
 
I don't know what everybody else's problem is. I buy them all o_O

On that note, the single blade 06 is a winner in my book.

It felt like they made the 97 for half a year. So I'm not surprised they are still around.

In the end they all sell out. Some sooner, some later, but the end result is the same.
 
waynorth said:
You hit the nail on the head!!!
Bill loves making a good, no great, knife!!!
But he's very egalitarian - gives every pattern a chance!!
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Yes. I got that sense after acquiring a few Great Eastern Cutlery knives and watching that Crawford County YouTube video (three parts) in which Bill takes us through the entire process involved in making a knife. Incredible quality and hand craftsmanship, and craftwomanship go into each knife. That is the main reason why I have sold almost all of my modern knife collection in favor of getting some GEC knives when I can.
 
You know, I tell Bill almost every time I see him, single blade 15, 48, 77 always sell like hot cakes. Bill is a man of principle tho, still wont accept silver slabs for a sterling TC barlow. Kidding aside, certain models are just adored and are belles of the ball. People will pay hand over fist for em, primary market, secondary market you name it. While others are just not such hot sellers. If GEC was driven by profit, we could have months and months of 15 runs or 77s and everyone would have one, or two or seven and get bored very easily. Id like to say, Bill knows what hes doing.
 
mrknife said:
You know, I tell Bill almost every time I see him, single blade 15, 48, 77 always sell like hot cakes. Bill is a man of principle tho, still wont accept silver slabs for a sterling TC barlow. Kidding aside, certain models are just adored and are belles of the ball. People will pay hand over fist for em, primary market, secondary market you name it. While others are just not such hot sellers. If GEC was driven by profit, we could have months and months of 15 runs or 77s and everyone would have one, or two or seven and get bored very easily. Id like to say, Bill knows what hes doing.
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The single blade 48 is def my favorite GEC.--KV
 
kvaughn said:
The single blade 48 is def my favorite GEC.--KV
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tied for almost one of the first GECs ive bought, the dam broke when I saw the 15s, i even kept a tally of how many when I first got into GECs, couldn't help myself.
 
mrknife said:
... If GEC was driven by profit, we could have months and months of 15 runs or 77s and everyone would have one, or two or seven and get bored very easily...
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Dunno about that. Scarcity drives people nuts. If you could buy 15s and 77s off the shelf whenever you wanted, much of the luster would be lost.
 
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