I still think GEC ought to make a budget line

[mnblade]

There is a small buy very loyal GEC following who would, will and is buying GECs that they feel better about putting to hard use. ... But this falls short of GEC producing a made in the US knife targeted to laborers.

Now, this is all in fun -- just guys gabbing around the water cooler. But who ever said anything about a knife targeted to laborers? Not me.

The Buck 112 and the Case Sodbuster are what I would consider real work knives sold at prices that make sense to most working people.

Do you have any idea what those knives cost!?! Why, I can get a serrated, tanto TruckStabber 3000 at the gas station for $4.99 THAT'S a work knife that makes sense to most working people!

-- Mark

 

[Hammer67]

Why should GEC dabble in a price point that is already well covered by others? In my opinion, this wouldn't be a decision that would support the existing brand, but dilute it. Not every company needs to be everything to everybody.

 

[rma100]

I would be willing to wager that GEC will never,ever mass produce ANY knife the way Buck and Case do.

 

[pinnah]

Mark, my apologies. Not meaning to put words in your mouth.

My recollection was that the this old thread took place at the same time as some other threads about knives for working folks. I thought this is what you referring to by "you skeptics".

Can't emphasize it enough... I think you nailed the market for the F&F knives. A lower cost alternative for fans of GEC.

 

[black mamba]

I think if you look at the history of Queen Cutlery you'll see what happens when you try to compete with the mass producers. They made knives with the most expensive materials and manufacturing methods, but tried to keep their prices competitive with Case. Couldn't be done. They started cutting corners and lost their QC, then some/many of their loyal followers. I don't think GEC will go down that path.

 

[richstag]

The GEC Farm & Field Line IS doing quite well. And they are solid,well made work knives. Also they have made,and will make several very traditional patterns in this line,ie: the Bullnose,Hawkbill and coming soon a two blade Fish Knife with Clip Blade and Scaler/Hook Disgorger Blade with caplifter. These knives are all that could be hoped for from a Top of the Line American Manufacturer: quality construction,materials,traditional patterns and reasonable cost! A Winner all the way around!

I agree.

 

[JB in SC]

No matter the materials used, a well fitted and finished knife takes the same amount of time to complete. GEC's are a great value and have a vintage feel. My advice would be to not change a thing.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

IMO, GEC is doing right in general. I don't see any need for a budget line beyond what they have now. They are doing their own thing, which is making old fashioned knives in a old fashioned way. If the F&F is too expensive for a $50 work tool, there are other options below that price..... some are American Made at that.

 

[richstag]

IMO, GEC is doing right in general. I don't see any need for a budget line beyond what they have now. They are doing their own thing, which is making old fashioned knives in a old fashioned way. If the F&F is too expensive for a $50 work tool, there are other options below that price..... some are American Made at that.

This is exactly how I feel. Instead of wanting GEC to copy Buck, Case, Queen just buy a Buck, Case or Queen. There would be no reason to go for the GEC if they were essentially a Buck knife with a GEC badge IMHO. I would rather have options available than four or five cutlers doing the exact same thing.

Kevin

 

[Woodrow F Call]

This is exactly how I feel. Instead of wanting GEC to copy Buck, Case, Queen just buy a Buck, Case or Queen. There would be no reason to go for the GEC if they were essentially a Buck knife with a GEC badge IMHO. I would rather have options available than four or five cutlers doing the exact same thing.

Kevin

I bought my Case Sod Buster Jr. for about $25 new and honestly, it's about all the pocket knife you ever need.

 

[bewing3]

I believe this would just be the start of there downfall, they would just start getting lazy and before long they would just be like case where sometimes you get a decent knife and sometimes you don't. A budget line would just be the beginning of the end.

 

[mnblade]

No matter the materials used, a well fitted and finished knife takes the same amount of time to complete. ... My advice would be to not change a thing.

IMO, GEC is doing right in general. I don't see any need for a budget line beyond what they have now.

There would be no reason to go for the GEC if they were essentially a Buck knife with a GEC badge IMHO. I would rather have options available than four or five cutlers doing the exact same thing.

I believe this would just be the start of there downfall, they would just start getting lazy and before long they would just be like case where sometimes you get a decent knife and sometimes you don't. A budget line would just be the beginning of the end.

Guys, Please remember that this thread was started in September of 2011 before GEC launched what has since become their Farm & Field line. There's no need for conjecture here. We can look at A) what they've produced, B) how well they've sold, and C) how it's affected the rest of their product line. My understanding thus far is that A) the Farm & Field line are very fine knives, B) generally priced at $50, they're selling like hotcakes, and C) not at all. If I'm wrong in those assumptions, I'd love to hear more.

-- Mark

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Guys, Please remember that this thread was started in September of 2011 before GEC launched what has since become their Farm & Field line. There's no need for conjecture here. We can look at A) what they've produced, B) how well they've sold, and C) how it's affected the rest of their product line. My understanding thus far is that A) the Farm & Field line are very fine knives, B) generally priced at $50, they're selling like hotcakes, and C) not at all. If I'm wrong in those assumptions, I'd love to hear more.

-- Mark

I'm thinking the conversation has gone to the idea of a cheaper than $50 knife. My comments are based on the fact that the F&F has come about and if GEC were to try to make a "cheaper knife" then they would just be doing something that other companies already do. I think that GEC is doing fine with what they are doing right now.

 

[richstag]

Guys, Please remember that this thread was started in September of 2011 before GEC launched what has since become their Farm & Field line. There's no need for conjecture here. We can look at A) what they've produced, B) how well they've sold, and C) how it's affected the rest of their product line. My understanding thus far is that A) the Farm & Field line are very fine knives, B) generally priced at $50, they're selling like hotcakes, and C) not at all. If I'm wrong in those assumptions, I'd love to hear more.

-- Mark

Seeing as this has been a while since the original BullNose Test run it does seem a great time to reflect. My point was not to mess with GEC and their current strategy. If it ain't broke don't fix it..

I pushed very hard at the beginning (not that it did anything) for the bullnose and the last thing I want to do is see this line fail.

There was no conjecture in my statement.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I would like to see their Farm and Field series sold in stores like Tractor Supply, Granger, Home Depot, Lowes etc, but I don't think that that will happen. For knife nuts that want a well made knife that will take a beating and come back for more, they are selling great. No, they are not pretty to look at like GEC's regular line up (they are neat looking), but they are functional. I have heard that this line is what the big hats at GEC were looking to produce since day one. Keep the knives they are producing, but the big part of their line will be the Farm and Field tools. At about 50 bucks, they are the low end of the GEC spectrum, but, they are still more expensive than a Case or Queen sodbuster. They are also banking that users will carry a sodbuster instead of a one handed wonder, razor knife, or their father's old slipjoint.

The knife nut community has been able to support Great Eastern, but will the working man pay for one of these knives? I have heard in the past few years, from the same family members and friends that would buy a $5 flea market junker, and replace it with another when it gave up the ghost a couple months later, that they will buy quality products. Now, how many know a quality knife when they see it? That Case sodbuster may not be of as high a quality as the Farm and Field, but will the working man care? It's made in the USA, it's stainless steel and it is made by Case. It is a good knife too.

I wish GEC all the luck in the world, and hope their line does well. I will stick with their bone/wood line, but hope that the Farm and Field line takes off. It seems to be going gangbusters with knife nuts, how will it do with the public?

 

[rma100]

I would like to see their Farm and Field series sold in stores like Tractor Supply, Granger, Home Depot, Lowes etc, but I don't think that that will happen. For knife nuts that want a well made knife that will take a beating and come back for more, they are selling great. No, they are not pretty to look at like GEC's regular line up (they are neat looking), but they are functional. I have heard that this line is what the big hats at GEC were looking to produce since day one. Keep the knives they are producing, but the big part of their line will be the Farm and Field tools. At about 50 bucks, they are the low end of the GEC spectrum, but, they are still more expensive than a Case or Queen sodbuster. They are also banking that users will carry a sodbuster instead of a one handed wonder, razor knife, or their father's old slipjoint.

The knife nut community has been able to support Great Eastern, but will the working man pay for one of these knives? I have heard in the past few years, from the same family members and friends that would buy a $5 flea market junker, and replace it with another when it gave up the ghost a couple months later, that they will buy quality products. Now, how many know a quality knife when they see it? That Case sodbuster may not be of as high a quality as the Farm and Field, but will the working man care? It's made in the USA, it's stainless steel and it is made by Case. It is a good knife too.

I wish GEC all the luck in the world, and hope their line does well. I will stick with their bone/wood line, but hope that the Farm and Field line takes off. It seems to be going gangbusters with knife nuts, how will it do with the public?

I've been a Distibutor of GEC for almost 4 years now. I have no idea who the "Big Hats' you are refering to are. The folks at GEC are just working folks like us,regular people.
The F & F Line,as previousley stated,has already "Taken Off" and as also, as previousley stated, is diong very well with the "public" ie; non knife nuts.

Bob Andrews
Old Hundred Collectibles
http://oldhundredcollectibles.com

 

[rma100]

I would like to see their Farm and Field series sold in stores like Tractor Supply, Granger, Home Depot, Lowes etc, but I don't think that that will happen. For knife nuts that want a well made knife that will take a beating and come back for more, they are selling great. No, they are not pretty to look at like GEC's regular line up (they are neat looking), but they are functional. I have heard that this line is what the big hats at GEC were looking to produce since day one. Keep the knives they are producing, but the big part of their line will be the Farm and Field tools. At about 50 bucks, they are the low end of the GEC spectrum, but, they are still more expensive than a Case or Queen sodbuster. They are also banking that users will carry a sodbuster instead of a one handed wonder, razor knife, or their father's old slipjoint.

The knife nut community has been able to support Great Eastern, but will the working man pay for one of these knives? I have heard in the past few years, from the same family members and friends that would buy a $5 flea market junker, and replace it with another when it gave up the ghost a couple months later, that they will buy quality products. Now, how many know a quality knife when they see it? That Case sodbuster may not be of as high a quality as the Farm and Field, but will the working man care? It's made in the USA, it's stainless steel and it is made by Case. It is a good knife too.

I wish GEC all the luck in the world, and hope their line does well. I will stick with their bone/wood line, but hope that the Farm and Field line takes off. It seems to be going gangbusters with knife nuts, how will it do with the public?

I've been a Distibutor of GEC for almost 4 years now. I have no idea who the "Big Hats' you are refering to are. The folks at GEC are just working folks like us,regular people.
You will never see them in Tractor Supply or WalMart as that would require Mass Production.
The F & F Line,as previousley stated,has already "Taken Off" and also, as previousley stated, is doing very well with the "public" ie; non knife nuts.

Bob Andrews
Old Hundred Collectibles
http://oldhundredcollectibles.com

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I like Great Eastern products, they are my favorite manufacturer to acquire and use. I heard through the grapevine that the Farm and Field tools were what the owners wanted to make from day one. I'm glad that they produce the knives that they do. I'm glad that they have taken off, and that they have gone over well with the non knife nut public. I wish them all the luck. I support them with my hard earned dollars, and support their dealers too! You mistook my big hats remark, I surmise that you thought I meant that the company is made up of high rollers. That was not what I meant. I meant the "top brass", the bosses, the ownersl.

I also realize that to get their product into the big box stores would require mass production, at the very least taking away time and energy from their standard fare and devoting it to the FF line. "Selling their souls" to the man, too. I also realize that you may have taken this comment as a slight against yourself and other small dealers. It was not meant to be. I realize that GEC would probably not be able to meet the high production demand for the Tractor Supply chain, let alone a Home Depot or other big box store. I would still like to see their FF line offered in at least TSC. I see Smith and Wesson, Taylor Schrade. I also see Case and Leatherman, but I would like to see Great Eastern, among other companies, represented. A pipe dream for a knife nut, to see their favorite company represented in a farming oriented store.

I am a GEC user, all three lines, and will continue to buy their products and recommend them to others.

Dan

To add, the FF line will be a gateway drug. Someone looking for a good knife will use their FF knife, whichever model that may be, and decide to jump to the next level.

My name is Dan, and I am a Tidioute/Northfield addict .

 

[wouldestous]

I would like to see their Farm and Field series sold in stores like Tractor Supply, Granger, Home Depot, Lowes etc, but I don't think that that will happen. ...

The knife nut community has been able to support Great Eastern, but will the working man pay for one of these knives? ...

interesting revisit of a previous discussion.
i will say i dont own any great eastern products. i do have a queen cutlery sodbuster that i have carried a little but im on the fence as to whether i like the pattern or not.

i do not think that your regular working guy will spend $50 on a great eastern farm and field knife. not when they could get two case for that price or as many as four or five quality knives imported from asia or latin america.
from what i read here i do not think great easterns business model would allow them to manufacture the quantities necessary to get their products into national chains like tractor supply.
what i think great eastern (or queen or canal street or other high-end production cutlers) could do if they want to grow their business is position themselves as people who make a 'boss-mans' knife. they already appear to have a reputation as a company who uses superior materials and attention to detail. great eastern farm and field knives would be most properly marketed to foremen and site superintendents, project managers and consultants, engineers and field technicians. people in those sorts of jobs are in a position to give fifty bucks for a knife made with old school quality and steeped in tradition.

 

[rma100]

Some mechanics use tools they pick up at the Flea Market or Dollar Store. Some mechanics use only Proto or Craftsmen Tools.