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GEC vs "golden age" slipjoints
- Thread starter TheChunk91
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Perusing the daily carry thread, it seems like there are more non-GEC knives in the pocket than the page overall would indicate. GEC dominates because every time a new knife comes out, a thread is devoted to it. The way to counter is to post non-GEC knives to bump the pics, and either bump or begin non-GEC threads. But a discussion in a thread with "GEC" as the first word won't do that.
afishhunter
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I'm rather fond of the 'Rough Rider and Related' thread, myself.
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It's a fun ride for knife collectors. I'm surprised that more manufacturers haven't tried to follow the same example, especially Queen and CSC.
Forum discussions will always be dominated by popularity even in such a small niche. And the regular releases and WIP photos help feed the enthusiasm. Outside the small world of the Traditional Forum, GEC and CSC aren't going to be familiar to a lot of folks. A lot of folks won't have heard of Queen either eventhough they've been around a lot longer. GEC is putting out a good product but the internet has really helped them.
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As long as it is within the traditional realm, you are free to start a thread on any brand you want. Then it's pretty much up to other posters to determine how long that thread runs.
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Thanks for all the answers and opinions everybody, I appreciate it. The main reason for the question I asked is because I was curious if any of the old premium brands ever achieved perfection from a production standpoint in manufacturing, I chose gec for comparison because they are the closest to that I have seen in a slipjoint. But dont think I only care about gec's, I have more old slipjoints that were made before I was born than gec's, queen's and new production case's. I can thank schrade for most of that.
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Uh. Oh. Here we go again. :yawn:
Yes, unfortunately
Here's a link to the discussion from a couple months ago...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...0-1900-s-did-they-expect-Fit-amp-Finish-we-do
GEC makes some great knives. But it is possible to enjoy collecting GEC knives without putting down every other knife from every other time in history!
:thumbup:
My jaw hit the floor when I read this, and I think it's going to be there for the rest of the day (I keep thinking there's a typo involved or that I've misunderstood it)!
I love my GEC knives, and I think they're probably the finest factory-made knives being produced in the world today, but I've also had examples that you would have been whipped for in 19th century Sheffield!
Personally, I'd rather not get into that discussion, so I'll just quote Jake again...
GEC makes some great knives. But it is possible to enjoy collecting GEC knives without putting down every other knife from every other time in history!
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The "Golden Age" of the knife industry was a very special time. Companies actually brought skilled people in from around the world to use their talents in the process. The way knife design is going now you have to wonder what will be the collectible in 80 or 100 years.
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That's right. Sadly, that large pool of skilled cutlers is no longer there, and it hasn't been there for a very long time. It's also hardly the most glamorous or best paid job after all. So the owner of a small cutlery business has to hire whatever labour he can get, and train them, as best he can, to operate a particular machine or carry out a particular process. Those folks aren't going to suffer the long hours, back-breaking work, and low pay that the old cutlers had to put up with, nor are they likely to have the same work ethos, and they certainly don't have the skills. Companies like GEC are doing the best they can, given these and many other factors, and for the most part they produce a good product for the price. In some ways, we are seeing a new 'Golden Age' of traditional cutlery, with old designs being revived, and quality knives produced, but it in no way compares to the 'Golden Age' of the past, nor could it possible do so :thumbup:
When comparing the knives from then and now we should also compare the price/cost to customer. I'm not so sure GEC would have been successful/as successful in the "golden age" of pocket knives.
I've only ever owned one GEC and that has since been given away. For the price of GEC's offerings, I'd rather spend much less on so many great vintage knives which are still readily available and inexpensive. I get a kick out of seeing posts like "I wish GEC would make a camper/scout knife". I just chuckle. Such a GEC would likely cost a pretty penny, and there are many excellent vintage examples available that cost WELL UNDER under what GEC would likely cost a customer. I'm not anti-GEC. I'm just not one of those who think GEC is the be-all, end-all, and last word in pocket knives.
I've only ever owned one GEC and that has since been given away. For the price of GEC's offerings, I'd rather spend much less on so many great vintage knives which are still readily available and inexpensive. I get a kick out of seeing posts like "I wish GEC would make a camper/scout knife". I just chuckle. Such a GEC would likely cost a pretty penny, and there are many excellent vintage examples available that cost WELL UNDER under what GEC would likely cost a customer. I'm not anti-GEC. I'm just not one of those who think GEC is the be-all, end-all, and last word in pocket knives.
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It's going back a bit (
), but in 1695, a Sheffield cutler named Lewis Nawl died leaving seven GROSS of spring knives. They were valued at 36 shillings! Currently £1.70 Sterling - $2.58 US!! 
Augie
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I don't know if you can directly compare Gec to the golden age slip joints but one thing I give GEC credit for is giving me a deep appreciation for those vintage knives. GEC's willingness to reintroduce scarce patterns such as the Farmers Jack or Washington Jack has been a huge benefit to all us knife collectors and made fairly recent collectors such as myself aware of uncommon patterns.
As far as if they are better, most of my GEC's have been close to perfect for a factory produced knife, maybe I've just been lucky. My collection of vintage knives in comparison does not show quite the level of fit and finish, however in function several of them still surprise me how well they work after many decades of hard use.
As far as if they are better, most of my GEC's have been close to perfect for a factory produced knife, maybe I've just been lucky. My collection of vintage knives in comparison does not show quite the level of fit and finish, however in function several of them still surprise me how well they work after many decades of hard use.
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I think the GEC SFO's have been particularly good Augie, reintroducing relatively obscure patterns, and allowing folks to handle new versions of knives we might otherwise not be able to find :thumbup: Their recreations of old working patterns have been excellent for the most part, though I don't see them producing something like a Coachman's knife or an Exhibition knife anytime soon :thumbup:
:thumbup:
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I can't speak at all on the "golden age" knives as I don't have any. But, I share your sentiments. GEC does make some fine looking knives, at least from the pictures I've seen. Most of GEC patterns are not in my range of collecting. I prefer single bladed locks.
The most expensive trad I have though is a Mudbug (made by GEC) from S&S. It's very well put together.
On the other hand, I have a 80s era Camillus TL-29 that I bought for 10 bucks and it hasn't left my pocket since I bought it. I'm not exactly sure what my point is here, haha. I guess maybe, that quality can disguise itself sometimes.
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I don't know if you can directly compare Gec to the golden age slip joints but one thing I give GEC credit for is giving me a deep appreciation for those vintage knives. GEC's willingness to reintroduce scarce patterns such as the Farmers Jack or Washington Jack has been a huge benefit to all us knife collectors and made fairly recent collectors such as myself aware of uncommon patterns.
As far as if they are better, most of my GEC's have been close to perfect for a factory produced knife, maybe I've just been lucky. My collection of vintage knives in comparison does not show quite the level of fit and finish, however in function several of them still surprise me how well they work after many decades of hard use.
I think the special orders are nice examples of what GEC is capable of producing. And they've been extremely successful. I do think Charlie and Lyle had a lot to do with that particular run and both are COLLECTORS OF OLD KNIVES. I don't think that's a coincidence. There's a rich history and we are fortunate that these collectors are sharing their experience with us and GEC. I hope that their passion for these old knives will be shared by those enjoying the reproductions.
Hard to say as most of the 'golden age' has long since rusted away and what remains is either very used antique exhibit stuff or the highly rare pristine unused examples - another type of 'exhibit'. Additional factor could be the fog of nostalgia obscuring things. Knives were used a lot more in the past and users might not have had the fussy eye of the enthusiast or collector of today for faults and roughness. There were many different companies and many varying grades of construction quality, so not all old gear was so wonderful. However, there clearly were certain gems amongst the mass of knife brands.
I agree with Robin, GEC has implemented high standards of finish and a serious feel to the knife both as genuine user and showcase exhibit. They have introduced many patterns in nine years which have otherwise been 'extinct' or very hard to come by and this is an attempt to emulate the rich variety of old cutlery. In this they succeed. So I would feel their ambition to pay homage to the past by producing high quality pocket-knives is a way of making 'golden age' style knives available to the contemporary market. It's making a future now, a golden age today. If GEC didn't exist, my collection of knives would be smaller and far less interesting. I might have more money though...but so what?
Will, you have an elusive nail right on the head. The fog of nostalgia does wonders for covering up the harsh realities of life and stuff in general of log ago times. Sometimes the gorgeous thing that was your hearts desire don't look so good in the sunlight the boring after. As much as I love old cars, I'm glad I have a nice modern car for traveling and everyday use. When coma red to the cars of my youth, the modern car is almost trouble free in use. Steel has come a long way as well. The smelting and blending of steel in this day and age makes the knives of old times obsolete by performance alone. But Grandpa carried a brand X knife, so it holds a special place in our hearts, as does dad's knife or a favorite uncles knife.
Sometimes the love of a simpler time where values were different and on a higher level, the things from that time can make us look back with well deserved nostalgia. Is a Case from 1940 really any better than a new one? It will all depend on what color glasses we're wearing at the time. But in those long gone days, a pocket knife was an item of everyday use as a tool, and many times used hard. If it broke or the blades got ground down to skinny toothpicks, a new pocket knife was bought. The old one got tossed into a drawer and forgotten until discovered after the owners passing, by a nephew or son, and then it becomes a valued family heirloom because old Uncle so-and-so carried it so many years that he wore it down.
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I really don't understand bemoaning (or even comparing) the two things. If you really want a fair comparison, you should compare the "golden-age" slipjoints to Kershaw, Benchmade, or Spyderco folders, as those are knives made to be used by people who need a daily knife. Slipjoints used to be made for people who needed a knife in their pocket; now they are made for people who like slipjoints.
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Very well said Jake :thumbup:
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While gec is my favorite brand I agree they are not the be-all, end-all, and last word. Some of the best knives I have had are schrades and camillus (including the bucks they made) for well under $40 on all of them. Its so hard to beat that kind of quality and value in a slipjoint.