Lets talk GEC!

Here she is.

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Leslie Tomville said:
wouldn’t it be nice to have a place to buy and sell knives among ourselves where the prices are reasonable for both parties? Where the emphasis is not on making the most possible profit. Where we can enjoy our hobby, because for most of us this is a hobby, not a business. A place other than evil Bay, home of the flippers, or the Exchange which has become a source of supply for the flippers.
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We are likely heading into waters that are best left to the GBU with regards to the natures of buying/selling GECs. However, I did want to say that though I understand your sentiments that I quoted above, I don't think it would solve the problem. Flipping has become a notorious enough issue that it is getting called out with more frequency here on BF - I think that is a positive thing. But even if we were to find a way to have a more private buy/sell/trade group (i.e. Facebook or the like (and they exist)), it wouldn't be long before it got infiltrated and the problem ends up repeating itself.

I've long held that building the relationships here has its rewards - in more ways than one. I've had folks reach out to me regarding knives I've been vocal about seeking (including yourself) and I've been able to acquire some great knives from folks I consider friends. It isn't going to net me every knife I am after but each one that I do, it is a far more rewarding experience than had I bought it elsewhere.

And a pic - (this is a GEC thread after all). I do love me some Red Sawcut...

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I respect your 2 cents, I knew there would be different opinions, I'm bad a debate so I'll leave it be but time will tell

TheJon said:
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. :rolleyes:
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rbeggs said:
Beautiful knife, I have one just like it that has had a little use but not much. It has the darkest, inkiest, most wax-like African Blackwood and I just love it. They are very hard to find.
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Thank you.
Love a nice dark ebony handle on almost any knife.
Would love to pick up one of the yellow rose Abilene someday, thinking about finding one someday is what keeps me in the game.
 
Pàdruig said:
I've long held that building the relationships here has its rewards - in more ways than one.
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+1. I was able to get two of GEC's most sought after knives, a #15 clip point barlow and a WCLF, because of the generous natures of friends. I wasn't even hunting, but friends took care of me because they knew I had long pined after those patterns.

Like all things, you get out what you put in. If all you care about is knives and money, your experiences will reflect that. If you make friends and people recognize you as a kindred spirit with a shared interest, you'll get much more out of the place.
 
Jake Dudley said:
I just recently discovered GEC's and I was immediately hooked. Of course the ones i want are the ones being sold on ebay for outrageous prices. Are there any knives comparable in quality that are regularly available? Im considering getting a #15 bail and chain and removing the chain just to get my hands on one.
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Yes! get one and removed the b&c, the 15 is a highly sought after model. one of the reasons those are still available is because of the bail and chain. A few members, myself included have gotten them and removed the bail and chain and done some neat stuff to fill in the holes.
 
mrknife said:
Yes! get one and removed the b&c, the 15 is a highly sought after model. one of the reasons those are still available is because of the bail and chain. A few members, myself included have gotten them and removed the bail and chain and done some neat stuff to fill in the holes.
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The bail & chain also adds significantly to the price of the knife. If I remember correctly, the 15s in that run without the B&C ran in the $65ish range - the B&C variants are around 30 bucks more.

Big price increase for someone who simply wants to mod it by removing the B&C - might make sense for Charlie's SFO as well as the M&G version but may not make a lot of sense for the standard run versions.
 
Pàdruig said:
The bail & chain also adds significantly to the price of the knife. If I remember correctly, the 15s in that run without the B&C ran in the $65ish range - the B&C variants are around 30 bucks more.

Big price increase for someone who simply wants to mod it by removing the B&C - might make sense for Charlie's SFO as well as the M&G version but may not make a lot of sense for the standard run versions.
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True and you are correct, but it does keep on the shelves and still availble. I have considered one of the ebonys with the bail and chain for a shield insert mods. They had clip versions as part of the parts knives special assembly and those were around that price point as well.
 
Jake Dudley said:
I just recently discovered GEC's and I was immediately hooked. Of course the ones i want are the ones being sold on ebay for outrageous prices. Are there any knives comparable in quality that are regularly available? Im considering getting a #15 bail and chain and removing the chain just to get my hands on one.
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If you can find one at retail, do so...you won't lose much (if any) money if you decide traditional knives are not for you...there is a M&G version for sale right now on exchange w/ bail already removed and a pin in hole...I have one of these and they are a lovely 15 w/ their shield and better than standard jigging.
 
I think that's what separates the "collectors" and the "users"...
Users are usually good with the general run knives and save a bit of money
Collectors are willing to pay a premium for something just a little different
 
@akaMatt i hear the disappointment and frustration in your post and I completely understand. I must say, I’ve been carrying my #33 and liking it okay, but it’s not the best pen knife I’ve ever seen. The design truly leaves a lot to be desired in a user. As I inspect the edge now I see a shine at the tip where it connected with the catch bit after I accidentally let it slam shut today. I’ll be sharpening that out only to probably have the same thing happen the next time. There’s plenty of great stag GECs that do not have the problems I see in the #33. I know you were looking forward to it, but take consolation that you have $100 towards a potentially better GEC!

Someone did you a favor.

Edit: I don’t like how that last line sounds bash-y, but hopefully it’s taken as a positive without negative connotation.
 
hose56 said:
I passed on the recent 2020 Tidioute 33 pattern and got a 2011 with a bail. A bit more money but I love the ones with bails and the whittlers.
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I mean... just mention 2 spring Whittler and I’m falling all over myself to be in the conversation. I have a passion for them, particularly divided spring variants. I have 2 of the #62 pocket carvers which I enjoy very much, but I’m still waiting for a Grinling, Geppetto or something other version I haven’t even considered yet.
 
If I know someone That is a regular contributor and is looking for something in particular and I have it I will hit them up and sell it for what I got it for plus maybe adding postage and fees to the price as others have done for me. I think that’s the only way to avoid flippers because once a place is identified as a place to buy and sell you’ll have people looking to do just that and profit will be the driving force.
 
jsdistin said:
If I know someone That is a regular contributor and is looking for something in particular and I have it I will hit them up and sell it for what I got it for plus maybe adding postage and fees to the price as others have done for me. I think that’s the only way to avoid flippers because once a place is identified as a place to buy and sell you’ll have people looking to do just that and profit will be the driving force.
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Yeah, good point. I realize we can't sell in this sub forum, but maybe if people don't want their knives going to flippers maybe a comment on a post like " wow, Joe your 33 sure is nice, sadly I'm going to have to sell mine soon" And then maybe ignore DM's from people with 0 forum posts.
 
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