GEC -The Beginning

wolfeknives

wolfeknives

Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
482
A good friend and long time knife collector visited for a few days last week. We spent nearly all our time talking knives!!! Being relatively new to traditionals, it was a true learning experience. My friend not only has a huge collection, but has been involved with many of the people producing and marketing knives for many years. It was great to get the poop about knife history and people from someone who has been involved.

He brought with him a couple of very, very generous gifts. Knowing that I am very taken with GEC produced knives, he gifted me the two very first knives produced by GEC. Both knives were made from start to finish by Bill Howard. Blades are 440C. Both knives are marked with the Great Eastern and Cyclops Steel Works stamps, but no pattern number. These became the 23 pattern knives.
When I started collecting GEC's, I went back in the forums to the date when GEC made a first appearance. People were not thrilled with the quality. In fact a number of posters swore they would never purchase one. It seems that Queen was king at the time, along with Case. The two knives shown here are not up to the standard of todays production, but fit and finish is still excellent. From reading archived threads, I can only assume that quality slipped somewhat when the knives went into production. The knives came with a letter of authenticity. It is interesting note that the knives were sold to a collector in 2007, and then purchased back by Daniels in 2009.
In any case, I am happy to own these. I will now have to look for a couple of 2006 production 23's.

Wolfe





To make things even better, my friend included an original Remington 1123, which was of course was the inspiration for the GEC 23's.




 
Last edited:
Most interesting, I suppose these were kind of trial/pilot knives as the company began to get off the ground.

I've always really liked the Acorn shield and regret its demise.

Thanks, Will
 
Those are beautiful. I really like GECs 440C and the acorn shield is a favorite.

Jim
 
Astounding. A great friend you've got and you should definitely make it down to the Rendezvous someday and show those off :)
 
That is a true friend to be bearing such beautiful gifts. I find that those that truly love knives are some of the most generous and thoughtful people I have ever encountered and far from the stereo type of crazy, people slicing nut jobs the rest of the world believes we are. So glad you had a great time with your friend. :cool: :thumbup:
 
Wow, your friend has given you an actual slice of cutlery history. :)
Thanks for showin em. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Nice. Those knives look fantastic.

All my GEC have been top quality. I own a few of their earlier knives, and the quality is spot on. 2007, Fire and Ice made for Schrade. Those knives really set the tone for every traditional I've purchased since then. Grinds, fit, pull, action, bone.

I'm very pleased they apear to be doing so well!
 
Very nice, thanks for sharing! Interesting what you found about the tepid response to the company...how times have changed!
 
That was a very generous gift. It is pretty much an instant collection ...and one that will be the envy of many. I do hope you keep them and enjoy them as you see fit (whether that be using them or preserving them).

I've heard that in the beginning, GEC crawled out of the primordial soup (Queen) :D :p ;) just teasing
 
GEC would be the Cutlers to Her Majesty in the 21st century.

Glad you are interested in folders,bodes well for the custom market.
 
silenthunterstudios said:
That's really cool!

You said Daneels, is your buddy Ken Daniels of Queen?
Click to expand...

No, I don't personally know any of the people associated with Queen or GEC. But it is interesting to know the history of ownership and philosophy of of the owners, as it affects the knives they produce.

Wolfe
 
wlfryjr said:
GEC would be the Cutlers to Her Majesty in the 21st century.

Glad you are interested in folders,bodes well for the custom market.
Click to expand...

In the past half year I have gained a deep appreciation for these traditional knives. I consider myself a very lucky person to have friends who have very kindly gifted me some very nice vintage pieces. These, along with a number of recently made knives I have purchased, helped me to develop a feel for what makes a great knife.
In between the knives I have to make to fill my orders, I have been working on several slipjoints. Most are very traditional.
Over the years I have had many conversations with well known makers of traditional folding knives regarding the possibility of finding a market for upscale, unique slipjoints. It is an area not explored at this point. I am working on such a piece to display at the upcoming Solvang Custom Knife show. It is of my own design, fileworked and decorated to the same standard as my lockbacks. It will be very interesting to see the response from upscale collectors who do not typically collect traditional.

Wolfe
 
Again Wolf, awesome post!
They may not be the best from GEC, but they are the first!!!
It's great to see these early knives from GEC, it reminds me of how far they have come and how things have stayed on path as they continue to thrive as a company!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top