Lets talk GEC!

[rdave]

Seems like you have an axe to grind. I’m having trouble following what your point is, as well, other than trying to insult.

So I ask simply, does the "new BF member" lack credibility because he is new? That is my point - no axes or grinds and pretty easy for you to understand...Do we respect all under this tent or on this porch?

 

[mrknife]

There's gotta be a GameStop/wallstreetbets joke in here somewhere...

if they "held their knife?"

 

[knifeswapper]

For a retail customer (assuming you mean a customer who purchased it from an authorized distributor), we have no idea what the value of the knife is because at $64 they sold out in seconds and fippers are getting 3x that. If they were selling at anywhere near market value you’d still have some in stock a few days later. I routinely see GECs going for $250+ on eBay all the time.

Flippers can be a serious threat to any business. I suspect that’s why so many of us feel so uneasy about this current situation.

I agree wholeheartedly that flippers are hurting the perception of the brand. As I mentioned before, I have discussed this with Bill on many occasions over a couple years. They have made several changes to their processes and are in the process of making more. Specifically they are no longer shipping directly to retail customers from the factory store. They are also decreasing variants and increasing production numbers for the remaining variants. He also eliminated (is eliminating) sfo's because they seemed to be see the biggest margins for flippers. But it takes time to find the right solution to a problem that came on relatively quickly. I don't agree with some of the moves and have some ideas that he has no interest. But I respect his opinion on the best solutions for his business - even the ones I don't agree with.

 

[rdave]

They have made several changes to their processes and are in the process of making more. Specifically they are no longer shipping directly to retail customers from the factory store.

My apologies, at the risk of being contrary, I have receipts showing retail purchases shipped from GEC in the last 2 weeks and in 2020. And unless "elementx" is a dealer he/she buys knives and resells them on an auction site regularly.

Love this #78

 

[Peregrin]

This thread is on the verge of being closed. If we can't have a civil, respectful discussion, there'll be no discussion.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Besides the whole “civility” thing, we’re really good at beating expired horses instead of burying them. If there’s still more to be said here perhaps there should be (or already is) a knife business discussion which could be more dedicated to the interesting (yet never ending) topic?

 

[Jiki]

If you bought just one of these knives and carried it every day, how long would it last you? 10 years? 20, 30, more?
If I said you were going to buy only one and carry it for 20 years but it cost $200, would you? For less than 3 cents a day? I would.

But we are talking about collections and multiples.

Who is Bill making knives for? Users or collectors?

 

[Norcaldude]

 

[r8shell]

if they "held their knife?"

Don't sell GEC short.

I'm thinking if I can get a #15 Huckleberry, I might pay one of our fine modders to have it re-covered in glitter gold. I think that cover would best suit a Boys Knife like the #14, but don't think I can bear to change out the ebony covers on mine.

Does anyone know if the new #15s will all be single bladers?

 

[untytled]

Don't sell GEC short.

I'm thinking if I can get a #15 Huckleberry, I might pay one of our fine modders to have it re-covered in glitter gold. I think that cover would best suit a Boys Knife like the #14, but don't think I can bear to change out the ebony covers on mine.

Does anyone know if the new #15s will all be single bladers?

As much as I enjoy the glitter gold. Don't... Please don't that knife is not deserving. Its perfect as is.

But hey it's your knife lol.

 

[Norcaldude]

I'm thinking if I can get a #15 Huckleberry, I might pay one of our fine modders to have it re-covered in glitter gold.

Some superglue and gold glitter and you can do it yourself!

 

[untytled]

If you bought just one of these knives and carried it every day, how long would it last you? 10 years? 20, 30, more?
If I said you were going to buy only one and carry it for 20 years but it cost $200, would you? For less than 3 cents a day? I would.

But we are talking about collections and multiples.

Who is Bill making knives for? Users or collectors?

Both? ....I think

 

[r8shell]

As much as I enjoy the glitter gold. Don't... Please don't that knife is not deserving. Its perfect as is.

But hey it's your knife lol.

Oh no, I couldn't do that to this one. Too much sentimental attachment, and the ebony is perfect. I'm thinking if I pick up another one with less perfect covers.

Some superglue and gold glitter and you can do it yourself!

Ya know...I could try it with some old cell handled ruin.
I really want to see some glitter gold with patinaed carbon steel.

 

[Jake Dudley]

And unless "elementx" is a dealer he/she buys knives and resells them on an auction site regularly.

He's a dealer
IMG_E0852 by jacob dudley, on Flickr

 

[rdave]

He's a dealer
IMG_E0852 by jacob dudley, on Flickr

thanks for the info Jake - GEC declined to confirm

 

[rdave]

Who is Bill making knives for? Users or collectors?

For All, anyone and everyone - the knife goes out the door, Bill has been paid, the money is in the bank and life goes on...

 

[Elgatodeacero]

I truly miss the SFO’s and private label knives. They always had unique shields and extra special covers and features. These knives always seemed to be made just a little bit nicer than average.

I enjoy the inside baseball that Mike and others share about GEC in the thread, so I hope it remains open.

Also, it is fun and interesting to hear everyone else’s terrible ideas for “fixing things at GEC”, though a bit frustrating that my own brilliant ideas are ignored by Bill H. and everyone else.

Given the current frenzy, GEC should seriously consider selling itself at an absurd multiple to someone with more money than sense.

 

[mbkr]

Who is Bill making knives for? Users or collectors?

Yes.

 

[knifeswapper]

My apologies, at the risk of being contrary, I have receipts showing retail purchases shipped from GEC in the last 2 weeks and in 2020. And unless "elementx" is a dealer he/she buys knives and resells them on an auction site regularly.

Was told by GEC that they were no longer shipping retail from the factory store. Called just now to get clarification and was told that until all dealers orders are satisfied and the knives are on dealer shelves - the policy is correct. For example, she said they did have some #62's, etc. that are a little behind the production curve that the factory has shipped. So, either they are lying to me or you must have picked something up that was not exactly current release.

Yes, as mentioned, element.x is a dealer but he changed his eBay id a good while back. There are at least two others, but they have their names on their store.

Also, it would really help to tell what is your post and what is a quote if you could use the "+Quote" in the bottom/right of the quoted post box. That way it highlights it as a quoted post instead of just copy/paste, which is not discernable from your own content.

I enjoy the inside baseball that Mike and others share about GEC in the thread, so I hope it remains open.

With the events unfolding in our country today, I have started easing back my participation in social media along with many other things. For different reasons GEC is not interested in a social media presence beyond what they do now (announcements, etc.). I must say, they seem like the smarter for it. Factories and Dealers are like children of old - to be seen and not heard. Before becoming a dealer I had collected knives for decades, but every thing I say in forums, etc. gets taken as a sales pitch or just my job as a factory apologist. I have had a great career, I do this for fun and to help as many as possible get access to the toys that make this hobby so great. But, dealers really should just take the product to eBay. I could clear $300+ per TC barlow instead of maybe $10; $6000 sounds a lot better than $200. For that kind of money I could go to a psychologist and get programmed to not give a flying flip what anyone else thought.

 

[mbkr]

I love mine, but I'm not sure I love the antique yellow bone. It's alright, but if it was a little darker or more brown it would be perfect.

I keep flirting with the idea of dying it, but I've seen some recent posts which seem to show dye staining on the steel. I'm not sure I want to screw up the knife that commemorates my paternity leave with my son, but part of me likes the personal touch.

Funny thing - I looked at the jigged bone and would have preferred more yellow