Is GEC the only game in town for you?

[joeradza]

GEC is simply out of my Price range, I like to stay under 75 bucks. I been a Old Timer man along with Case and Buck for years .

If you really cared to purchase a GEC, price is not your problem Delta. Both of the knives in my pocket were purchased in the last year for less than $150 total.

 

[kamagong]

Someone suggested above that a modern factory could make great traditional knives, with modern materials. It can't happen, in my opinion. They might make a highly functional knife, but they will miss the aesthetic that is created by human hands, as well as compromising to suit the machines.

Exactly so Charlie. Companies whose forte is making modern knives may be able to make slipjoints, but they won't be able to make traditional knives. It's beyond their core competence. Of course this could just be another regrettable case where the word traditional is used as synonym for slipjoints.

 

[blademan 13]

Charlie, you hit the nail on the head. My interpretation of a traditional pocket knife is that resembling those produced during the Golden Age of cutlery. That means a knife produced utilizing designs, materials and methods as close as possible to those used during original production. Everyone's definition is their own, that's mine. To me, just because it is a slip joint in a recognizable pattern does little to qualify a knife as being "traditional". It may nail the design qualification but the method of manufacture and materials used are not even remotely associated with being "traditional". No need to discuss this aspect further as Forum guidelines have been established. Regardless, these are my criteria for defining traditional. As such, GEC may not be the only game in town, but they are very close.
The wildcard here is aesthetics. Some companies hit the mark most of the time, some companies some of the time, some never come close to replicating the artful elegance of yore. Most are unattractive to my eye. Life is too short to buy an ugly knife. Overall, traditional folding knife manufacturing has been on the decline since the 50's. Everyone has their favorites whether it is a Imperial, Buck, Queen, Case or Schrade made during that period. There were some nice patterns made and new designs marketed, but the overall product lines were suffering. Most still haven't rediscovered their Mojo and some are no longer with us other than by name. Big problem.
The best overall offerings from the 1980's thru 2005 were the Black Box Winchesters. Great designs, great construction, true to their traditional roots and well executed. They remain an absolute bargain today IMO. Then a long lull until GEC surfaced. Quite simply they have brought new life and excitement to the traditional folding knife market unlike anything I have seen. Best value knife, opinions vary. Best made knife, opinions vary. Too old school and plain Jane, opinions vary. One thing that is not of question is that they can readily market what they produce. In this sense, they are currently at the top of the heap.

Only game in town, no. Just the most sought after ticket.

 

[sticktodrum]

Only game in town, no. Just the most sought after ticket.

That's some Thoreau-level stuff right there.