Lets talk GEC!

[Ryouchijtx]

Actually Tim, there has been more than 1 run of #92s so far... The JBFs and 2 blade ones without end caps were the first run. The second run came as two blade models with end caps. The third run were single blade spear and wharncliffe models. I don't believe there's been a fourth run yet. The first two were in 2013 and the single blades were 2014.

Haha I mis-spoke. I was hinting myself at something Barry mentioned a little while ago about the possibility of 92's.
Great looking JBF Champlin pieces you have btw Trand~

Was going to say something else but Mike seems to have covered all that I was thinking.

 

[texmex03]

I can definitely see how they would want to limit SFO, even though that is 95% of my collection. I have a place at the lake very close to one of Case's largest showroom dealers in the country. I asked him why he only had 7 GEC knives. He mentioned he had dealt with them before and they always had issues keeping specific knives and knives in general in stock. I went by the other day and he doesn't carry any GEC now. I wanted to run by there one day and bring him all the various ones i had to show the variety and quality but I understand his situation.

With Case he can keep almost every model in every color in stock on the shelves, with GEC it might be hard for a showroom based store. Just a different model.

As for me I like everything GEC is doing just as they are.

 

[rockgolfer]

Pretty easy as consumers to sit back and arm chair how or why a company does things. I enjoy this conversation greatly and think the speculation from every angle makes sense. It will be interesting to compare this year's production numbers with past and see what direction they truly go in. From my own examination of the company over the years I doubt GEC wants to hurt in any way the relationships they have in place with current dealers and let's remember, the same dealers that helped them grow! My own selfish wishes implied, I hope this means more patterns per year as I usually don't buy multiples of a run.

On other current GEC moves, I dislike the new coyotes in stag with no shield. I understand why they did it. The knives just look more plain to me I guess. To each their own.

 

[Old Engineer]

Until GEC can increase their capacity , I see no reason that they should change anything other than reduce the number of New Knife Models in a year and increase the size of their runs if possible .New model start ups is a real drag on productivity. The TC & NF Barlow SFO's should not be much of a problem by now. Every company should be so fortunate as to be able to sell all that they can make. Right now , it would be a very interesting place to work to try to make a good shop better.

Harry

 

[Will Power]

Just thinking aloud, selfishly.... I'd realy like to see a run of single Spear blade 92 Talons, Barehead of course, just can't seem to get a bone one anywhere. Didn't actually like the acrylic on that run, but another colour would be really welcome, or Zebra or Bloodwood. Then you could have a stainless option too... And for the Eureka Jack, why not a Drop-point or Clip Master if it's possible. It's a really remarkable pattern and great credit to GEC for reviving it, never seen one before. On that point, they could do a Barehead Coffin-Jack, I'm certain that pattern would go down a storm

 

[MerryMadMonk]

Al, that's a nice group there, loaded down with SFO's!

I look at the bright side. The SFO's will be that much more collectible now.

Thanks, Steve. I like to look at the bright side, too. :thumbup:

If they were new to GEC they would not be able to tell the difference. With that in mind, if you told them you will give them 10 knives in this picture, I bet they would pick out 10 SFO's.

Mayhaps, mayhaps not... but point taken

And now who else besides me is sitting here trying to decide which ten they want?

I do the same thing when I see other group shots

So, I just have to ask... (jokingly) Did you place each knife there or dump them out on those bricks like a bag of candy?

No way any sane minded knife guy would dump all those beauties on the ground!

I'm not completely sane, but I did ease them gently into their places

 

[Buzzbait]

I can see how cutting down the small run SFO's would give them the ability to produce more knives per year, thus increasing profit without having to necessarily increase the production environment. It makes sense.

I also like the idea of being able to get my hands on more knives. Some runs are so hard to come by. It's like they're all sold before they even ship. That can be awfully exasperating for a person without the resources to get their name in to the right people.

But...... The SFO's often seem to be much nicer than the production runs. The SFO's have more flair and imagination to them, and nicer options as well. I wouldn't have my nicest GEC's if it weren't for the SFO's.

I'm torn. But it's not like I'm gonna buy fewer GEC's because of the change. I can only afford a handful per year anyway. And no matter what happens, I'm still getting a far better knife than what anybody else is producing right now.

 

[supratentorial]

The SFOs are GEC's best work because a collector with an eye for detail and a knowledge of old knives is leading the way. As a collector that appreciates the oldies, I've primarily been interested in the SFOs for this reason.

GEC has learned a lot from Charlie's SFOs and we have already seen some of those things trickle into regular production. I hope they continue to improve their regular production with what they've learned from the SFOs.

 

[philllll]

I think we need to give Bill more credit here... the SFOs are great obviously but Bill Howard is a legend in his own right. I have quite a few knives with interesting embellishments that were regular production.

 

[supratentorial]

Just to make sure it's clear... My post was not about denying Bill credit for his accomplishments. It was about crediting Charlie for his positive influence. That is not limited to "embellishments" on knives.

 

[MerryMadMonk]

I agree that the SFOs are among the best* to which I would include, but not limit to, these regular production knives:

23 Pioneer/Bull Lock
33 Conductor
38 Grinling Whittler
47 Viper
55 Houndtooth
56 Dogleg Jeack
62 Courthouse Whittler
68 White Owl
73 Scout
76 Gunstock Jack
78 American Jack
92 Eureka Jack and Talon


*with the caveat that the definition of "best" is mostly subjective

 

[philllll]

Just to make sure it's clear... My post was not about denying Bill credit for his accomplishments. It was about crediting Charlie for his positive influence. That is not limited to "embellishments" on knives.

There's SFOs... and then there's Charlie's SFOs!

 

[pmew]

From a European point of view, I would welcome the change. Many of the dealers who produce SFOs do not ship internationally at all, and others charge ridiculous shipping fees.

Paul

 

[pmew]

As to the point that only the SFOs are the nice looking ones, that's simply ridiculous. As my right honourable friend before me said;

*with the caveat that the definition of "best" is mostly subjective

 

[pmew]

Goodness, my posts seem to have a lot of ridiculousness in them this morning.... Better have a coffee I think...

 

[supratentorial]

There's SFOs... and then there's Charlie's SFOs!

:thumbup:

I wonder how many antique knives from Charlie's collection have taken a trip to GEC for Bill to study....

As to the point that only the SFOs are the nice looking ones, that's simply ridiculous. As my right honourable friend before me said;

Goodness, my posts seem to have a lot of ridiculousness in them this morning.... Better have a coffee I think...

If "best" is subjective, then your opinion of what is best is of no greater value than any other opinion. Furthermore, what is "ridiculous" is also subjective. Let's get back on topic.

 

[Old Hunter]

GEC has really been a nice addition to the Buck and Case lines for me. I don't own that many GEC products, about ten, with most being SFO's; this Ole Jack being a regular EDC for me and one I simply enjoy looking at as well as using. I'm grateful for the combined efforts of the folks behind the SFO's for their imagination in bringing old classic ideas to GEC, and to GEC for building and offering them for sale - even though I have had to chase a few. OH

 

[pmew]

:thumbup:

I wonder how many antique knives from Charlie's collection have taken a trip to GEC for Bill to study....





If "best" is subjective, then your opinion of what is best is of no greater value than any other opinion. Furthermore, what is "ridiculous" is also subjective. Let's get back on topic.

Haha! Touché!

 

[supratentorial]

GEC has really been a nice addition to the Buck and Case lines for me. I don't own that many GEC products, about ten, with most being SFO's; this Ole Jack being a regular EDC for me and one I simply enjoy looking at as well as using. I'm grateful for the combined efforts of the folks behind the SFO's for their imagination in bringing old classic ideas to GEC, and to GEC for building and offering them for sale - even though I have had to chase a few. OH

Nice knife!

Haha! Touché!

Good sense of humor :thumbup: I was hoping it would be taken the way it was intended... and I couldn't find any more humor smileys to put in there.

 

[Jolipapa]

GEC has really been a nice addition to the Buck and Case lines for me. I don't own that many GEC products, about ten, with most being SFO's; this Ole Jack being a regular EDC for me and one I simply enjoy looking at as well as using. I'm grateful for the combined efforts of the folks behind the SFO's for their imagination in bringing old classic ideas to GEC, and to GEC for building and offering them for sale - even though I have had to chase a few. OH

Said it already, but I dig this knife pattern and the donkey is just awesome!