Great Eastern Cutlery Prices

glocktenman

glocktenman

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What is going on everyone? I hope everyone is doing good and getting closer to finding that grail knife on the horizon.

So, I've been looking around the secondary market for a few GEC knives I like and they're demanding custom knife prices. For example, a GEC 46 whaler single blade I looked at was several hundred dollars. Even some of the newer knives five or six months after release are several times their original retail price. I've always felt that GEC makes and sells a good volume of knives even when they produce a new model. I just didn't think they had that much collectability. I recognize they do make numbered lots and those make some sense to me to increase in prices even at dramatic levels. I'm just missing the common issue GEC knife increasing in price so dramatically.
I see GEC selling with the following attributes -
1- Well made
2- US made
3- Interesting designs
4- Variety
5- Use of good materials and steels
6- Fair retail prices
7- Good volume
8- Develops relationships with customers

Sounds like a solid knife company!!!

How many other knife makers can claim those attributes?

So, what is the reason for the crazy prices on the secondary market? People are obviously buying them at those prices or the prices would drop, correct?

What do you all think?
 
Hype, relatively low numbers, and very high demand. GEC makes an excellent knife, the best in an American made spring knife, but in no way are they worth custom prices.

Reason goes out the window when collectability is involved.
 
I'd also add that GEC doesn't seem to have the capability, or desire to meet the increase in demand for their product. They seem quite happy to continue to produce at the levels they do, and have nearly every run completely sell out.
 
CyberRacer said:
I'd also add that GEC doesn't seem to have the capability, or desire to meet the increase in demand for their product. They seem quite happy to continue to produce at the levels they do, and have nearly every run completely sell out.
Click to expand...

"A man's gotta know his limitations."

I respect Bill Howard for sticking to his guns. He doesn't feel that he can significantly increase production capacity while maintaining the high standards he demands, so he stays the course he has set for himself. Most companies prioritize maximizing profit above all else.
 
In before this gets moved to another forum...
kamagong said:
Hype, relatively low numbers, and very high demand.
Click to expand...
This is it exactly. I might also add YouTube and FaceBook medias.
GEC knives aren't worth the secondary market prices. Something else is driving the sales and i think you hit the nail on the head, my friend.
kamagong said:
Reason goes out the window when collectability is involved.
Click to expand...
So true. 🤣
That's why I've stopped blaming the flippers and started blaming the people willing to spend so much just to get a General-Run GEC.
 
glocktenman said:
7- Good volume
Click to expand...
Really? I wasn't aware that for other than the various Blade Forums knives over the years, they made enough in any run to meet demand.
Why/how else would/could some of the more popular patterns like the 15 sell out in three to five minutes or less, when released?

Low supply + high demand = high prices. It doesn't matter what the product is. Add in inflation and lets be honest, greed on the part of some sellers. For example the flippers (who somehow always manage to get several) then immediately list them on eBay for at least double or triple their cost the same day...

How do the flippers have their grubby hands on several of them the same day the run is released, to list on eBay anyway?
Are they actually a dealer? "Friends" with someone at the factory (perhaps someone in shipping?) to get a supply early?
 
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kamagong said:
"A man's gotta know his limitations."

I respect Bill Howard for sticking to his guns. He doesn't feel that he can significantly increase production capacity while maintaining the high standards he demands, so he stays the course he has set for himself. Most companies prioritize maximizing profit above all else.
Click to expand...

No judgements here. Just a simple observation. If that's the strategy that works then more power to him.

Just means there will always be a huge aftermarket.
 
I am going to be that guy and say that this is a topic that has been discussed ad nauseum.

We can point fingers all day long but in the end, it's simply a knife to be used and enjoyed - let's talk about that.
 
I bought two different GECs before things really got crazy. Since that time they've offered less in stainless (which for me is a must) and the prices are more than I choose to spend. They are now off my radar.
 
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I wish they would do something similar to Case. Stop the SFOs, have a basic line of 4-5 models that are always made in derlin or simple jigged bone. Do a vault or special released to please the collector and speculator. Maybe even start a collectors club or master dealer network for special releases. I like GECs but the Pokémon nature of the market has gotten insane.
 
are we doing this again?

there are people who scrounge up knives to force trades of the older knives from the older collectors. This adds to the secondary cost because of the added competition. You can see how many knives appear in certain facebook groups or even the f/s section right out of the gate, folks just dumping them for an extra $100 or $200 to the sale price. There are folks who dont care for the knife and grab as many as they can to sell for a profit. This one probably has been going on awhile tho. There are folks who overpaid, then get buyers remorse and try to sell it back. Of course those who got their knives at msrp, if they get bored and want to let it go, would they sell it at market value or what they paid like the old days. Why leave money on the table right? YMMV. For my sake, if i cant buy the knife from a dealer with at modest/fair adjusted price, I wont buy it. Its not worth the time and energy chasing these things.
 
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