Lets talk GEC!

[rpstrimple]

The thing is that with every new release, it seems that GEC are attracting new people, which is a good thing. However, these folks are brand new and are often seeking older patterns that simply aren't available any longer. This leads to people attempting to buy them but none of the collectors, or, shall we say hoarders lol are selling. It creates an atmosphere of "man, I better get this next one because once it's gone, it's gone."

I received my 33 yesterday and like it so far. I will be getting a B&S 35 because I like that it is different. Is it the most practical knife? No. But I have a lot of other knives that can cut. It's the uniqueness that I like. And I'm pretty sure the rumor mill has confirmed that there will be a 35 cattle knife among other options. It's going to be an interesting year for GEC, and I am looking forward to what they release. But this phenomenon will continue so long as some patterns are nest egg worthy lol.

 

[Quiet]

I am fairly new on the traditional knife side and have had much fun learning about and adding some GEC's to my knife collection. I realize why they call the 14 Pattern a Boys Knife. This knife is puny in my large fat hands. My first reaction was " I paid how much for this knife?". Still a great little knife tho. View attachment 1401165 View attachment 1401166

This is why I don't own a single 14, but own virtually all of the #86 Jack variants. I had this same complaint.

 

[Texoma]

As a second blade on the 15 I like the cap lifter, it seems to fit real nice but I'm not sure I would like to see it on a 73 or 74.
I know many use their pocket knife to cut food and enjoy the cap lifter, go for it, I'm not saying it's wrong but I only use my pocket knife for work related tasks.

 

[EngrSorenson]

This is why I don't own a single 14, but own virtually all of the #86 Jack variants. I had this same complaint.

@Tigerden The #14 is definitely small which has it's problems, but definitely has merits. Nothing disappears into my pocket like a #14. I love the one I got in 2018- so much so, in fact, that she's getting a make over because the current covers and fit-and-finish just didn't do it justice. (@jsdistin )

What constitutes a "large enough" knife is different for everyone, but for me a knife is sufficient when it has at least 1 blade that can cut halfway through an average apple with enough space to keep from getting juice in the joint. The #14 is right on the edge (no pun intended).

 

[Scott J.]

As a second blade on the 15 I like the cap lifter, it seems to fit real nice but I'm not sure I would like to see it on a 73 or 74.
I know many use their pocket knife to cut food and enjoy the cap lifter, go for it, I'm not saying it's wrong but I only use my pocket knife for work related tasks.

I use the cap lifter in my SAK's all the time for other tasks like prying open paint cans, tightening screws etc. You'll probably find uses for it.

 

[Texoma]

GEC/Bean baby, I agree those folks are out there, not me, I buy lots of other knives besides GEC and only buy what I like to use or collect.
I've paid a premium for a lot of GEC knives, for the most part that has stopped, mostly because I'm retired now but I also think we're at the peak of the GEC bubble.

 

[JohnDF]

I went through a period of "gathering" all the different patterns I could.
Not because i wanted to collect them all, but because I wanted to try them all.
Those that I liked a lot stuck around, and those that I didn't like went back down the road.
Through this trial and error process I found that I like Jacks the best and a size range of 3" to 3-3/4".
So now if a pattern comes out that fits that criteria, I'll try to get one. If not, I'll gladly let it pass on by.
I think a lot of new GEC customers go through this same process, some send the losers down the road, some become collectors.
The one exception to the above rule is I just had to have one of the new #33's. I'm not a Pen Knife fan but felt i wanted one for specific situations.
Also, when the Beer and Sausage knife was introduced, I thought I wanted one of those new and quirky knives. I soon came to my senses... Only Jacks!

 

[akaMatt]

...
What constitutes a "large enough" knife is different for everyone, but for me a knife is sufficient when it has at least 1 blade that can cut halfway through an average apple with enough space to keep from getting juice in the joint.
...

Lol, that is the same criteria I've set! And part of the reason my 14s went on the exchange to fund another purchase. I sometimes regret selling the antique yellow... but then I remember the apple juice in the joints!

 

[Markeologist]

Tend to agree, the FOMO Factor seems to corrode things very badly, can't admire it.
Initially at least, the new business model or strategy appears only to be stoking the FOMO hysteria. Look at the 33 Conductor run: 400 Bone 400 Stag, not long ago that would've been more than enough for some time, especially such a large issue of Stag. But there's been fearful talk generating yet more panic buying that everything will be sold out in 23 seconds...

absolutely agree...these production totals dwarf what we used to see and yet they seemingly are not enough to meet demand. Although I said I would like to see GEC make enough to meet demand, I likewise don't want to see GEC knives being sold in blister packs at Walmart. Thought about this some last night, flippers probably help GEC in that they take on the stock...an unsold knife sitting on GEC's shelves doesn't help GEC. Scan the listings on the big auction site and you mostly see releases from the last couple of years from many of the same sellers. If the knife is priced right, the knife sells, if too high it sits.....the flippers have their cash tied up in unsold knives, not GEC Its us, the ultimate consumer who sets the price in the market. I set my price for what I'm willing to pay...if others are willing to pay more than me, that's their prerogative.

 

[Markeologist]

huh, interesting. I saw a Giraffe Esky bid for over $1000 early this year.. figured if that's the bid then it sold for that much.

there were a couple Esky Zulus a couple months back, one giraffe and one mammoth, that ran way high early in the auction and then somehow the price dropped significantly afterwards...I don't know how the big auction site recalculates the bids after a potentially fraudulent bid that's only intent may have been to drive the price up is recalled...kind of like unscrupulous real estate agents who bring in folks to pose as potential buyers at an open house...real buyers panic and pay too much.

 

[TheJon]

.....I also think we're at the peak of the GEC bubble.

Not to randomly jump in the conversation, but I was actually thinking about this last night, and was actually wondering if its the opposite. What if it's the modern folder market that was in a bubble? Maybe it's just me but I feel like the modern folder scene has gone a little stale and slowed. I think people are over saturated with modern stuff and naturally turn towards traditional knives.

For example I don't necessarily think that the problem is just that collectors not selling, but rather people who own only a handful essentially taking knives off the market. Whereas before collectors traded back and forth with each other, now random joe who is just looking for a knife can come in and buy it, only he's not going to eventually put anything back in the market.

Anyway just my worthless two cents.

 

[Pàdruig]

I remember a couple of years ago where I had expressed some curiosity for GEC's fixed blade line. The general consensus at the time was that they did not have nearly the same appeal as their patterned slip joints.

Well, I found an H40 for a pretty stellar price here and so I decided to go ahead and give it a look-see. Having not handled any from this particular line, I am really happy that this one ended up being the larger of the three sizes made last year and even so, it is rather small - dainty even...

I get why there isn't a lot of demand for these - there really isn't a lot that makes it "pop". That said, it has a broad, thinly ground blade with a guard and a full tang. It's slim profile makes it very easy and lightweight to carry on the belt and the 1095 steel that GEC uses is already proven to take a keen edge with little trouble. Plus, it comes with a half decent leather sheath that is attractive in its own right.

Though this may never be my "go-to" fixed blade, it still will see some good use when I want something light and unobtrusive on my belt. It will get the job done.

Compared to some of my "users" (#33 is new, obviously).

Despite having a larger blade, it is still shorter overall than the #97.

 

[sitflyer]

It's a hobby and interest. Entertainment even. Once it becomes more trouble than I deem it worth, you can count me out.

Best not to take things too seriously unless you make your living from knives.

That is a big part about why I walked away from the hobby for a year or two, I realized I was obsessed and wasn't enjoying it any more. I settled on a single knife which I carried daily, and only occasionally took out knives to admire or carry a different knife for a day or two. Now I have no desire to get on waiting lists to get a new knife but at the same time can again enjoy looking at the photo's here and there on this section of the forum.

 

[kamagong]

For example I don't necessarily think that the problem is just that collectors not selling, but rather people who own only a handful essentially taking knives off the market. Whereas before collectors traded back and forth with each other, now random joe who is just looking for a knife can come in and buy it, only he's not going to eventually put anything back in the market.

Random Joe here. That's a good observation. I don't buy many GECs and any I acquire won't likely make it back onto the market for another three decades or so. And if I have my druthers, those knives will be well worn by then.

 

[TheJon]

Random Joe here. That's a good observation. I don't buy many GECs and any I acquire won't likely make it back onto the market for another three decades or so. And if I have my druthers, those knives will be well worn by then.

I put myself in that category too! My wife makes sure I stay firmly out of "collector" realm. But I get more enjoyment out of using them anyways.

 

[TheJon]

Compared to some of my "users" (#33 is new, obviously).

Despite having a larger blade, it is still shorter overall than the #97.

I always forget how LARGE the 97s are.

But the fixed blade is nice actually. I wasn't a fan of that material on the 23's scales but it works well on the fixed blade.

It is interesting how some models become popular and others don't. In another thread I made a comment about the GEC 54 Big Jacks, you don't see them very often, I'm not sure why, I mean they're definitely on the heavier side, having two full sized blades but still you'd think they'd be more popular.

 

[Pàdruig]

I always forget how LARGE the 97s are.

But the fixed blade is nice actually. I wasn't a fan of that material on the 23's scales but it works well on the fixed blade.

It is interesting how some models become popular and others don't. In another thread I made a comment about the GEC 54 Big Jacks, you don't see them very often, I'm not sure why, I mean they're definitely on the heavier side, having two full sized blades but still you'd think they'd be more popular.

I am certainly a bigger fan of micarta on my fixed blades than I am of it on my slipjoints. I think with GEC's fixed blades, they don't offer a lot that an already extensive market provides with regards to such blades. I think they are functional knives that will stand the test of time just like their slipjoints but there isn't anything particularly "sexy" about them.

That said, the fixed blade market is saturated with thick "life/stupid" proof blades - if someone wanted an efficient, everyday cutter, these GECs will fit the bill. They will slice for days with that nice thin blade.

To your point regarding the 54 Big Jack - I actually had one of those and though I liked it well enough, I found that for a big knife, I actually only used one of the two blades. I would have much preferred it to have had a sheepfoot or coping secondary blade rather than having two mains that potentially serve the same purpose.

 

[TheJon]

To your point regarding the 54 Big Jack - I actually had one of those and though I liked it well enough, I found that for a big knife, I actually only used one of the two blades. I would have much preferred it to have had a sheepfoot or coping secondary blade rather than having two mains that potentially serve the same purpose.

I get that and agree a coping secondary would have been better. I have the same opinion on the new 23, I just can't wrap my head around the two blades.

obligatory picture

I've actually thought about modifying a blade to be a coping or sheepsfoot.

 

[kamagong]

That is a big part about why I walked away from the hobby for a year or two, I realized I was obsessed and wasn't enjoying it any more. I settled on a single knife which I carried daily, and only occasionally took out knives to admire or carry a different knife for a day or two. Now I have no desire to get on waiting lists to get a new knife but at the same time can again enjoy looking at the photo's here and there on this section of the forum.

Good for you. These are just knives we're talking about. It makes little sense to stress over them.

It is interesting how some models become popular and others don't. In another thread I made a comment about the GEC 54 Big Jacks, you don't see them very often, I'm not sure why, I mean they're definitely on the heavier side, having two full sized blades but still you'd think they'd be more popular.

My first GEC was a #54 Big Jack from their initial run. Both blades opened from the same end. It was made well enough, but that knife suffered from the same malady that plagued most early GECs. The proportions weren't right, the knife just looked off. I didn't enjoy it as a result, so it move on.

 

[sitflyer]

Despite having a larger blade, it is still shorter overall than the #97.

Thanks for that side by side shot, it really put that fixed blades size into perspective for me.