Lets talk GEC!

One of a kind. Never took to the 2 blade 73, too heavy&bulky for my needs. As I'm very keen on their scarce 440c stainless I decided to have this one converted. My gratitude to Glenn for the magic.

IMG_3495.jpg
 
Just another update-Got a replacement for my #73 OD Linen Micarta from dealer this weekend. This one is perfect-now just working on loosening up the pull a bit. Not sure how far I'll get with that as it looks like my #77 1b is due to arrive today!
 
i took out my 48 single blade to fondle yesterday and I compared it to my other single blade trappers. GEC finishes their blades in a very smooth way, its not polished like Queen's D2 but it felt very very smooth. The swedge of the clip blade is rounded and very nice compared to Queen's which is more angular. I thought this was a nice touch. Noticed this across the board on all my GECs. Does this finishing apply only to their 1095s (Tidiuote and Northfield) or is it all including the stainless GEC?
 
GEC's fit and finish is consistent between their brands for the most part. Certain knives might be a little different depending on the pattern. The Farm and Field line isn't as nicely finished as they're meant to be lower cost work knives.
 
GEC is really hitting the mark this year, with the new run of 77's, the Beer Scouts, and the Ancient Barlows. I'm starting to wonder if we'll look back ten years from now, and fondly remember 2015 as "The Year"; the magical year when GEC made all of those awesome editions; that Golden Age of GEC when they transcended the production knife market and could seemingly do no wrong. We'll be writing about how broke our bank accounts were that year, and how we could never possibly afford all of the great GEC's being made, because there were so many awesome patterns in so many exquisite handle materials.

If you've been around traditional knife collecting long enough, you know that GEC is really doing something special. Something we haven't seen in a long time. Maybe something we've never seen before.

I sincerely hope that I'm wrong, because I'd like every year to be as special as this year has been thus far. But I'm very thankful for 2015.
 
2Dead said:
GEC's fit and finish is consistent between their brands for the most part. Certain knives might be a little different depending on the pattern. The Farm and Field line isn't as nicely finished as they're meant to be lower cost work knives.
Click to expand...


ah i see, someday i hope to get a 48 single blade in their 440c version so i wouldnt mind using it. actually the maroon linen micarta blade and the northfield blade differed in finishing and its very nice as well
 
I think we should not overlook that we are mostly looking at their SFOs in these days. Strange somehow as I think at some points. To me, an SFO is something special. Something I use to carry for special occasions. No question, the #15 is a great frame, as it the larger #77 frame.
But I miss the love and the attention for their more "regular" knives. Like the #12 or #73 or #54 ... there are so many great looking pattern of this great company. I suspect or better fear that in future some of their old patterns won´t see any comeback. Will there be a new run of #85 or #12 or #9?
If we are just limitating ourselves on a few of the pattern types - many will disappear again as they almost did in the past.

I really hope to see GEC is bringing back many great ol' patterns from the abyss as they did in the past.
 
Very eloquently stated Andi. I think GEC has said they don't intend to be a SFO manufacturer, I guess we will have to see what the future holds.
 
As I've said in other threads here at BF, I REALLY like my new Mudbug, and the best thing about it is that you can pinch it open. I love that, and it's very thin.

I'd like to see them do a smaller model of it as well.

The #38 Chapman is slick too. They have many more that I'd like to own, but you gotta use your head.
 
Humppa said:
I think we should not overlook that we are mostly looking at their SFOs in these days. Strange somehow as I think at some points. To me, an SFO is something special. Something I use to carry for special occasions. No question, the #15 is a great frame, as it the larger #77 frame.
But I miss the love and the attention for their more "regular" knives. Like the #12 or #73 or #54 ... there are so many great looking pattern of this great company. I suspect or better fear that in future some of their old patterns won´t see any comeback. Will there be a new run of #85 or #12 or #9?
If we are just limitating ourselves on a few of the pattern types - many will disappear again as they almost did in the past.

I really hope to see GEC is bringing back many great ol' patterns from the abyss as they did in the past.
Click to expand...

LastRodeo said:
Very eloquently stated Andi. I think GEC has said they don't intend to be a SFO manufacturer, I guess we will have to see what the future holds.
Click to expand...
I asked once (earlier in this thread) about whether GEC puts a limit on SFOs so as not to starve out the other resellers who don't participate. Mike Latham responded that GEC is aware of that concern and tries to keep it balanced.

In fact, this is what he said: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1081593-Lets-talk-GEC!?p=14176168#post14176168

An excerpt:
knifeswapper said:
...They do not want to be the back-end manufacturer for somebody with deep pockets. But, they are not going to turn down the no-risk/immediate full payout work just to do what they want to do and hope it sells; then have to inventory what doesn't.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for clarification, John :)

Much appreciated. Good point of dicussion. I´m glad I´m not the only one who almost asked these questions.

I remember the time when GEC came out with a bunch of new pattern each year; must have been 2012 or 2013. They were doing them fine and I liked the way they did it. Most of the patterns they release nowadays are based on an almost existing one. Don´t get me wrong; I have no problems with SFOs or anything like that. If an SFO (like last years Forum Knife; or the 2013 Congress Jack #13) cause a new pattern it is just wonderful.

And the new runs of the #66 Serpentine Jack were really great looking knives - as were the penknife editions of that one (#66 Slim).

I´m just curious of what we will see in future of "really new introduced" patterns or some new runs of older patterns. The #76 was a great gunstock pattern. Why no more new runs of a Gunstock Jack or its Moose edition?

Just some initial thoughts of the great diversity GEC has offered some years back.
 
I’ll go ahead and say it, I really like the new 77 SFO.

However

I remember when I first started on the forum the SFO fever took over. Later on I ended up needing the funds and sold all of them. I remember before that Trand asked me if I had any regular production knives. That kind of hit me with a bit of truth in why I really had what I had.

Here are a few regular produced GECs to lift your hope in more regular produced knives. Sorry, I don’t have a 12. I can tell you this, I enjoy all of these more so than my old SFOs.

Here’s to more regular produced patterns. I’d love to see the 81, 62, and 85 coming down the pipe soon.





 
Will Power said:
One of a kind. Never took to the 2 blade 73, too heavy&bulky for my needs. As I'm very keen on their scarce 440c stainless I decided to have this one converted. My gratitude to Glenn for the magic.

IMG_3495.jpg
Click to expand...

Very cool Will!!
 
Some excellent examples in your pictures Brett.:cool:

I was a little bored by the seemingly endless SFO variations of 15s :yawn: (why no Wharncliffe though??) until I bought a Beer Scout. I don't 'collect' in the way I want a complete set of handles, frankly not interested in that, but because I like the particular option and hope to put it to use. I have been really pleased with the Ivory Bone BS and it's seen very regular use since its arrival. But I can't really see myself wanting the other handle options, not much point I'd rather have a different knife instead.:D The 'full set' mindset which SFOs can promote is not for me, but it appears to guarantee good and necessary income for GEC. The recent 83 lockback, a regular line and not an SFO so far, impressed me a lot and I was fortunate to access a very good stag example, this too is in near daily use and I'm delighted with it. I think there is healthy scope yet for more patterns from GEC (Swell End, Surveyor, shadow knife, tip bolstered knife, bigger Norfolk, the 13 frame coming out of mothballs plus many others that people have proposed) Certainly some re-issues of say the 33, 66, 09, and I'd like to try a single blade 12 and see a stainless Gent's Knife. I am looking forward to the 25 coming out again later this year and can see that doing very well.

Thanks, Will
 
Thank you Trand really pleased how it turned out and find their stainless to be very tidy indeed.
 
mrknife said:
ah i see, someday i hope to get a 48 single blade in their 440c version so i wouldnt mind using it. actually the maroon linen micarta blade and the northfield blade differed in finishing and its very nice as well
Click to expand...

Ah, thought you were talking about the level of fit and finish... typically, Northfield would be a polished blade finish while Tidioute would be satin. GEC's 440C is closer to a polished 'very fine orange peel' finish to me. It's not as flat a polish but not satin either.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top