Lets talk GEC!

So, the Smith & Sons Mudbugs have dropped, the M&G 35s have dropped, I hear that the Northwoods are dropping soon - will this be it for the SFOs? Seems like we've had nothing but SFOs since the "no more SFO" edict was communicated.

I also wonder if they'll announce the next knife in the schedule soon - seems like it will be a 74 Mustang from the bolster photo that showed up a couple weeks ago but I guess that's not a given. For people's sanity I hope the numbers produced and distributed are such that it's not quite so contentious.

It's been an interesting few months since they've returned from the Covid lockdown that's for sure. All told, I bought 7 GEC knives (or maybe 8 depending on when I paid for the Waynorth Black Jack) this year which is about what I was allowing myself for the entire year. Unless they really knock my socks off I'm hoping to spend my excess income on a couple of tools and some truck accessories instead of knives for the bulk of the year.
 
rpstrimple said:
I did not realize how close to the original these were. Glad I ordered an ebony and cocobolo. The etch is wonderful and I do appreciate the historical value of it on the M&G knives. I have all of the 29 M&Gs and those are wonderful. I am excited to get the 35s in hand to compare. I was hoping to get two 35s, then wait a few weeks, and get the other two. But I should've known better. Based on pics alone, I would say the M&Gs are my favorite of the run so far. Still waiting on my reserves to come through on my BS.

The only shoe left to drop is the NW it seems.
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Same here. It's an absolute classic! I hope M&G are able to find another cutler to work with to continue recreating these throwbacks.
 
I am still holding out hope that the "no SFOs" policy is only temporary - as evidenced by past conversations with Bill by another member here.

I know SFOs and the demand they create is a somewhat divisive issue but without the ability to have them built, we lose out on some of the very finest knives - M&G, Waynorth, Northwoods, etc.
 
AnW said:
So, the Smith & Sons Mudbugs have dropped, the M&G 35s have dropped, I hear that the Northwoods are dropping soon - will this be it for the SFOs? Seems like we've had nothing but SFOs since the "no more SFO" edict was communicated.

I also wonder if they'll announce the next knife in the schedule soon - seems like it will be a 74 Mustang from the bolster photo that showed up a couple weeks ago but I guess that's not a given. For people's sanity I hope the numbers produced and distributed are such that it's not quite so contentious.

It's been an interesting few months since they've returned from the Covid lockdown that's for sure. All told, I bought 7 GEC knives (or maybe 8 depending on when I paid for the Waynorth Black Jack) this year which is about what I was allowing myself for the entire year. Unless they really knock my socks off I'm hoping to spend my excess income on a couple of tools and some truck accessories instead of knives for the bulk of the year.
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Man I hope its a stallion but it seems everyone says its to be a mustang.
 
Goose 7279 said:
Man I hope its a stallion but it seems everyone says its to be a mustang.
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Including GEC itself. But I still hope there are more variants coming!
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EngrSorenson said:
I keep looking at them- I like them, and I want to love them, but I’m also concerned that the kicks don’t have much to file before the nail nicks start getting obstructed. Likewise spear points tend to show proud tips sooner than other blade styles. Eh... they sure are lookers though. Hard to pass up, but I figure if I don’t love it, it’s not worth the premium price.
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This type of kick is pretty difficult to file in the first place...

Augie said:
Picture of the original blade and etch they used for the new M&G, they got it pretty close.


View attachment 1416598
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Wow! I love how true to the originals they stay

AZCoyote said:
I'm kinda surprised these didn't fly off the shelves since they're one of the last SFOs. I'm very tempted myself, the 35 is one of my favorite GEC patterns but I already have a beer and sausage on the way and I don't see myself carrying this M&G over my Churchill. I think the blade combo on the churchill was perfect to me. I much prefer an equal end with blades on opposing sides.
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It's ridiculous. I mean they did sell out in like a day, but considering how fast normal GECs go... it really doesn't make sense. These are an SFO, have great character and history, and are a really practical pattern. I hope people realize how cool they are.

I am looking forward to getting mine!
 
Peter Cho said:
Would the mustang be pinchable?
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Probably not. I have a stainless and it isn’t pinchable. Even with a patina it would be tricky. The blade sits pretty low, which is awesome.
mbkr said:
Is there any difference between a stallion and a mustang other than blade shape?
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I’ve never seen a mustang in Tidioute trim, whereas they have done the stallion in both Tidioute and Northfield trim.
 
L.H.S said:
This type of kick is pretty difficult to file in the first place...

...considering how fast normal GECs go... it really doesn't make sense. These are an SFO, have great character and history, and are a really practical pattern. I hope people realize how cool they are.
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excellent point about the kick. Really we’d end up filing the point down.

I feel like I’m an average knife enthusiast- I think the asking price being 1.5x the average GEC gives me pause. If I loved it I’d get one, but it’s enough cool factor to know these faithful reproductions exist.
 
The M&G 35 knives are definitely Northfield trim level. With the average price for Northfield GEC knives more like 100-140 depending on number of blades, etc. the SFO 35’s seem fairly priced for all the features they have.

The M&G 35 frame knives are probably their best creation with GEC so far (the 29’s are close behind), and if they sold out in less than 24 hours it seems the pricing was acceptable to the public.
 
Elgatodeacero said:
The M&G 35 knives are definitely Northfield trim level. With the average price for Northfield GEC knives more like 100-140 depending on number of blades, etc. the SFO 35’s seem fairly priced for all the features they have.

The M&G 35 frame knives are probably their best creation with GEC so far (the 29’s are close behind), and if they sold out in less than 24 hours it seems the pricing was acceptable to the public.
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Well I’ve yet to see a regular run 3 blade Northfield exceed $130 and usually those feature Stag or rarified handle material. These are definitely without a doubt more expensive than regular GECs.

no argument, however, that they didn’t ask too much. They all sold, so the proof is in the pudding. I think what I was getting at was it slows down the rate of sale. Higher prices appeal to smaller and smaller populations.

edit: I have seen some exceed $130 at some locations, but I’m assuming we’re talking about typical experiences and not price gouging.

also, for the record- they are handsome knives in my opinion. I was even tempted.
 
The recent 2 blade 23 trappers in Northfield trim were between 140-160, and while the 35 M&G’s are smaller they do have fancier features (bolsters, cover materials), so they seem right in line.

I think it is easy to forget that two and three blade knives, fancy bolsters, custom etches, etc. are a lot more labor intensive to manufacture.
 
I opened up the Ebony #35 page about four times... just couldn't pull the trigger.
I think I'm getting to the point where I know what I like and have most of the ones I want.
The Beer and Sausage is unique, but just wouldn't get used. The Mustang is too close to the #73.
The last two I bought, the #33 and Eureka, just aren't getting used much and probably will just go down the road.
 
JTB_5 said:
Probably not. I have a stainless and it isn’t pinchable. Even with a patina it would be tricky. The blade sits pretty low, which is awesome.
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P Peter Cho I have to correct myself here. I took out my mustang to carry today and tried to pinch it. It wasn't the easiest, but it was possible.
 
mbkr said:
Is there any difference between a stallion and a mustang other than blade shape?
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74 stallion is a clip blade and the 74 mustang is a drop point. But, the clip blade changes the entire dynamic of the 74 frame its more ergo and its pinchable clip does not require a eo notch or relief in the scale once the knife has worn down. Not to mention the aesthetics of the clip is better imo. I feel like its almost a GEC lannys clip. The mustang drop point is reminiscent of the sodbuster/ff to me. One of the popular mods to the drop point is a clip point mod like the one DUE SOUTH offered. I feel the curved handle lends itself better to the curves on the gec 20200912_124329.png 20200912_124158.jpg gec74sfo-1__37002.1484690608.jpg clip point.
 
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