Lets talk GEC!

[cbr1000]

I have a couple of 71s that I got from this latest run. My second one should be in my mailbox at this moment. More thoughts on those a bit later.

I wanted to switch gears a bit and talk about GEC as a factory and I feel this an appropriate place to do so. I know the annual forum knife discussions tend to bring out the more strongly opinionated of us, but this year especially has seen a rather extensive amount of shade being thrown at them and their supporters for what I cannot deem as being any good reason.

Sure, there are certainly legitimate criticisms to be made, for no one and no entity is infallible. Things such as lack of steel variety, limited runs, wobbly lock backs, and such are all legitimate points to discuss. And if we were strictly speaking about such, I guess the animosity might make a little bit of sense. But I am seeing a lot more than that and it really puzzles me.

I am a rather objective person in general but I fail to see the reason for such vitriolic opinions. I get that someone may not like GEC, but to give no good reason as to your distaste, or to simply drop in a thread, voice your baseless displeasure and then bounce out seems to be in poor form. I like a good discussion and perhaps there are plenty of things about GEC that I am unaware of but I am always happy to learn. My collection is rather meager compared to some but I still have close to 30 GEC knives and though not all of them are perfect, some I like more than others, the company itself has given me no reason to be dissatisfied or bored with them.

I guess my point is this: The recent discussions are bringing out a fair bit of anti-GEC sentiment and I'd like to know why. Beyond the obvious, such as blade steel and sunken pins, the animosity seems to run deeper. Or are we simply seeing folks who are being contrarian for no other reason than the fact that GEC is popular?

Now that I think of it, I wonder if my points are better suited for the Feedback sub, I suppose I will find out soon enough.

My overall feeling about this, a few people complaining in the forum knife thread over a couple days does not represent the sentiment of everyone.

Edit: lol, the very next thread I clicked on was complaints about GEC and the forum knife. So, point taken. Don't know what to add other than people just like to complain when they don't get their way. Maybe it's not so much about GEC, but more about the individual who is posting the complaints? I did not want a Buck knife as the forum knife this year, but it looks like it is shaping up to be a very nice knife and am starting to look forward to it (if it's not burlap micarta!).

 

[knifeswapper]

Forums, much like countries, many times have a silent majority and a boisterous minority opinion. There are those that have no memory of anything done in the past and only condemnations for things not done today. They have no respect for a company's desire to keep their mouth shut and do their job in an industry that is now being dominated by spending money being loud and proud and adding that cost to the price tag.

 

[DelOro]

“I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”

― Helen Keller

 

[mugwump867]

My #71 from this run is super gritty and the walk in talk is just nasty. Gonna try some compressed air and wd-40 hopefully that helps. Or I may just end up selling it...I haven't really decided yet. Plus my #43 just blows it out of the water as a "working" knife.

I got a nice deal on a new OD green #71 that someone decided to pass along so I can't complain too much. I really expected to like the knife and make a user out of it but with the trio of recently purchased #43s staring it down it just isn't measuring up. I'm going to give it a good cleaning and force myself to carry it all weekend but after that it might be on to it's third owner.

 

[BetterCallSal]

I now have a reasonable number of GECs and this number will continue to grow in the future. I always have this childish joy in opening the tube and unpacking the knife from his greasy paper. The price-quality ratio is just perfect for me and it is with a certain enthusiasm that I follow the production schedule. The quality of workmanship, the carbon blades and the patina that its knives take in use gives them an outdated charm that I love. And concretely, it is not on this type of blade that I will be steel geeck. Spyderco gets my attention more for this type of addiction. For traditional patterns, the 1095 Carbon Steel is perfect and does not impact the price.
The only concern I have with the brand is that too much release fuels my lust and that I don't have the financial means to achieve my cutlery ambitions...

 

[Modoc ED]

Good looking group, Ed!

Was it a Bull Nose that you left on the roof of your woodshed for several months, or was that a Smith & Sons Mudbug?

It was a Mudbub

After it had been on the roof in the direct hot sun, then snow for 43-days.

Cleaned up

 

[Pàdruig]

Some of the discussions today are not doing my blood pressure any favors. Going to get back to talking about things that make me happy, like knives.

The very first GEC that I bought for myself was a #71 Bullnose in Green Linen Micarta (my first GEC was gifted to me earlier). It was a 2017 release and it didn't take me long to really like the knife and pattern in general. After getting a number of other GECs over the months following, I let my Bullnose go in a trade and have pretty much regretted it ever since. I was very pleased to find out that a 2018 run was in the works and I promptly put a couple on reserve, one in Natural Canvas and one in Red Linen.

A couple of things that endeared the 71 to me in the first place was its no-nonsense design, its comfortable ergonomics, the heavy pull, and hearty snap. After some use and a break in period, it smoothed out and it was simply a joy to have on hand for chores, hiking, or just to have a knife in the pocket. I surely did miss mine and I am super happy to have a couple in its stead.

No surprises on these knives. They are sturdy, have the heavy pulls I have come to love, and possess a good healthy snap. Both could benefit from a flushing and stropping but overall, I am very happy with them and do not plan on letting them go this time around. I need to find some good lanyard material and then they will all be good to go.

 

[hamsco]

I have a couple of 71s that I got from this latest run. My second one should be in my mailbox at this moment. More thoughts on those a bit later.

I wanted to switch gears a bit and talk about GEC as a factory and I feel this an appropriate place to do so. I know the annual forum knife discussions tend to bring out the more strongly opinionated of us, but this year especially has seen a rather extensive amount of shade being thrown at them and their supporters for what I cannot deem as being any good reason.

Sure, there are certainly legitimate criticisms to be made, for no one and no entity is infallible. Things such as lack of steel variety, limited runs, wobbly lock backs, and such are all legitimate points to discuss. And if we were strictly speaking about such, I guess the animosity might make a little bit of sense. But I am seeing a lot more than that and it really puzzles me.

I am a rather objective person in general but I fail to see the reason for such vitriolic opinions. I get that someone may not like GEC, but to give no good reason as to your distaste, or to simply drop in a thread, voice your baseless displeasure and then bounce out seems to be in poor form. I like a good discussion and perhaps there are plenty of things about GEC that I am unaware of but I am always happy to learn. My collection is rather meager compared to some but I still have close to 30 GEC knives and though not all of them are perfect, some I like more than others, the company itself has given me no reason to be dissatisfied or bored with them.

I guess my point is this: The recent discussions are bringing out a fair bit of anti-GEC sentiment and I'd like to know why. Beyond the obvious, such as blade steel and sunken pins, the animosity seems to run deeper. Or are we simply seeing folks who are being contrarian for no other reason than the fact that GEC is popular?

Now that I think of it, I wonder if my points are better suited for the Feedback sub, I suppose I will find out soon enough.

I really like GEC knives. And I like a lot of different knives from different makers and companies. I hope we have a BF knife for 2018, I might get one if I like it . I don't car for shadow patterns, so I did not get the CSC knife, but I do have 3 forum knives. I really appreciate the work that the people do behind the scenes to make the BF knives happen. Sounds like a lot of work. So thanks Mike. Thanks Charlie. Thanks Barry. Thanks anyone who helped. I hope people don't get to cynical and ruin a good thing.

 

[NJBillK]

All this talk of the #71 is making me miss my old orange. Especially the pinching open chatter.

Mine was smooth as glass and opened much easier due to a simple mod. Invisible to the hand while in use, since it landed right under the ring finger and wait wasn't that deep.
O1, Small EO notch, a slightly dropped tip, and I redid the slight swedges that it had. It made this little soddie a dream to carry.

 

[Peregrin]

Some of the discussions today are not doing my blood pressure any favors. Going to get back to talking about things that make me happy, like knives

Sounds like a good plan for all those posting here.

 

[btb01]

It was a Mudbub

After it had been on the roof in the direct hot sun, then snow for 43-days.

Cleaned up

Looks good to me, and I bet it'll still cut.

Some of the discussions today are not doing my blood pressure any favors. Going to get back to talking about things that make me happy, like knives.

The very first GEC that I bought for myself was a #71 Bullnose in Green Linen Micarta (my first GEC was gifted to me earlier). It was a 2017 release and it didn't take me long to really like the knife and pattern in general. After getting a number of other GECs over the months following, I let my Bullnose go in a trade and have pretty much regretted it ever since. I was very pleased to find out that a 2018 run was in the works and I promptly put a couple on reserve, one in Natural Canvas and one in Red Linen.

A couple of things that endeared the 71 to me in the first place was its no-nonsense design, its comfortable ergonomics, the heavy pull, and hearty snap. After some use and a break in period, it smoothed out and it was simply a joy to have on hand for chores, hiking, or just to have a knife in the pocket. I surely did miss mine and I am super happy to have a couple in its stead.

No surprises on these knives. They are sturdy, have the heavy pulls I have come to love, and possess a good healthy snap. Both could benefit from a flushing and stropping but overall, I am very happy with them and do not plan on letting them go this time around. I need to find some good lanyard material and then they will all be good to go.

Dylan, I completely agree with your assessment of the Bull Nose. No-nonsense describes it just about perfectly.

All this talk of the #71 is making me miss my old orange. Especially the pinching open chatter.

Mine was smooth as glass and opened much easier due to a simple mod. Invisible to the hand while in use, since it landed right under the ring finger and wait wasn't that deep.
O1, Small EO notch, a slightly dropped tip, and I redid the slight swedges that it had. It made this little soddie a dream to carry.
View attachment 895667
View attachment 895675 View attachment 895677 View attachment 895676

I remember that one. Did something happen to it?

 

[TheChunk91]

Some of the discussions today are not doing my blood pressure any favors. Going to get back to talking about things that make me happy, like knives.

The very first GEC that I bought for myself was a #71 Bullnose in Green Linen Micarta (my first GEC was gifted to me earlier). It was a 2017 release and it didn't take me long to really like the knife and pattern in general. After getting a number of other GECs over the months following, I let my Bullnose go in a trade and have pretty much regretted it ever since. I was very pleased to find out that a 2018 run was in the works and I promptly put a couple on reserve, one in Natural Canvas and one in Red Linen.

A couple of things that endeared the 71 to me in the first place was its no-nonsense design, its comfortable ergonomics, the heavy pull, and hearty snap. After some use and a break in period, it smoothed out and it was simply a joy to have on hand for chores, hiking, or just to have a knife in the pocket. I surely did miss mine and I am super happy to have a couple in its stead.

No surprises on these knives. They are sturdy, have the heavy pulls I have come to love, and possess a good healthy snap. Both could benefit from a flushing and stropping but overall, I am very happy with them and do not plan on letting them go this time around. I need to find some good lanyard material and then they will all be good to go.

The bullnose is a winner in all variations. I have a green one that I’ve used on and off for years, it’s an ideal work knife.

 

[NJBillK]

I remember that one. Did something happen to it?

Yep, priorities did.
I went out of work due to a surgery, and I needed some funds. Next thing I know, a few posts on the exchange happened, and I was a few knives lighter, but my daughter was a few meals heavier.

It was worth it, and I will eventually own another. But, I have since acquired a JH Lloyd Sowbelly (that I sought since 2016) and I am content with it, so I am not really considering carrying a different traditional for quite some time.

 

[Kiteman72]

Now that it's been established that a run of 14s is coming, I wonder if any dealer latched on to the "rotten banana bone" option.

R.I.P. Bob Andrews, the 2 blade version of the spear 14s from 2016 was a standout of that run and one of his greatest SFOs.

 

[flatblackcapo]

The Canvas OD Green was in O1 still if I recall correctly also. I had one and flatblackcapo still posts it sometimes, I'm glad it's being used and enjoyed.

I just wanted to say also, I've never had bad service in purchasing GEC knives from a dealer. I've purchased from different dealers at different times for different reasons, but I have no complaints about the service I've received. Just putting it out there. Sometimes tone and intention doesn't come through well through text and I didn't mean any negativity.

Ya know you are right about it being O1. I had to check the tube because I thought that it was 1095 for all this time.
I do still have it and it is still rockin' your lanyard too.

 

[t.willy]

Forums, much like countries, many times have a silent majority and a boisterous minority opinion. There are those that have no memory of anything done in the past and only condemnations for things not done today. They have no respect for a company's desire to keep their mouth shut and do their job in an industry that is now being dominated by spending money being loud and proud and adding that cost to the price tag.

Well said Mike well said indeed

 

[B.F.U]

Well I showed my brother my OD GREEN #71 last night and my girlfriend asked what color it was and to her great vindication he said brown

They BOTH must have something wrong with their eyes haha looks green to me

Ya know you are right about it being O1. I had to check the tube because I thought that it was 1095 for all this time.
I do still have it and it is still rockin' your lanyard too.

Awesome! Hope mine looks that good after so much use.

 

[Leslie Tomville]

View attachment 895891 View attachment 895892

People will remember the 77 Barlows for decades Mike. Well done. And you are correct about the silent majority. knifeswapper

 

[draggat]

Step away for a day and all kinds of crazy happens! I will admit to being a bit critical of GEC occasionally, but the ultimate truth is they continue to manufacture excellent knives and I hope they continue to do that for many years to come.

knifeswapper just want to say that I appreciate having you around here. You have a lot of knowledge and are a great dealer.

While the 71 Bullnose isn’t my cup of tea, I enjoy seeing all the pictures you guys have posted here. Gotta say, that Bob Andrews SFO is a real standout.

Leslie Tomville i think you are right about those barlows. Looks like you’re certainly enjoying yours!!

Can’t ramble on forever here without posting a picture. These are from a great run 3? Years ago.

 

[LastRodeo]

I’m going camping this weekend and celebrating my birthday. I was hoping to not see any snakes.