Lets talk GEC!

I’ve spent most of this year hunting down GEC patterns to give them a shot. I am enjoying the process, but I can see where a custom knife or a cheaper knife in the same model is just better because of how the secondary market inflates GEC prices. Out of the factory, it seems that the extra cost comes from sticking to older traditions of knife-making that many folks appreciate, but not everyone cares. Those who do don’t mind the extra cost and enjoy the difference such traditions make for the product. Those who don’t care are going to have to find a cheaper alternative or a custom to satisfy them, or hope for a new company to come along, or be content with the market.
 
I believe that if GEC keeps up their slow and steady growth, that we will eventually arrive at a place where they have introduced most of the patterns that they want to make, and will then make larger runs of the more popular models. They've only been around for 12 years, just be patient!
 
It is fun sometimes to just drop in and see the statements made as if they were true. We all need to realize that our opinion is just as important as the next guy and the next guy's is just as important as ours, regardless of post count. And just because our friends may say it with authority, doesn't mean it is based in reality ;) An argument is not required, just laugh like the rest of us when you read left field remarks. We are still all bound as friends by this incessant passion.

Not responding to any particular post, just got a good chuckle catching up and thought it was worth saying.
 
knifeswapper said:
It is fun sometimes to just drop in and see the statements made as if they were true. We all need to realize that our opinion is just as important as the next guy and the next guy's is just as important as ours, regardless of post count. And just because our friends may say it with authority, doesn't mean it is based in reality ;) An argument is not required, just laugh like the rest of us when you read left field remarks. We are still all bound as friends by this incessant passion.

Not responding to any particular post, just got a good chuckle catching up and thought it was worth saying.
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Like this?

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LastRodeo,
could you elaborate on the Rotten Banana Bone being a mistake? I have seen pictures and really liked them, and was looking forward to a release with those covers.
 
To my knowledge GEC was getting ready to do a run of yellow rose knives and the dye was affected accidentally and caused the rooted banana bone.
 
It has been interesting following the discussion here and elsewhere over the past few months in regards to Great Eastern Cutlery.

I'll admit, some of the tone that has been struck has been a bit surprising. But one has to remember: Every brand has its fan boys/girls and detractors. You see this time after time with just about any notable knife brand out there and it even extends beyond the realm of cutlery firms as well.

Despite me being a fan of GEC, I do my best not to deem them infallible. It is a small firm, with work being done on old machinery and by hand, there are bound to be mistakes. Despite that though, they make a fine knife and one that I am proud to own and have in pocket and hand. I look forward to each production run and try to scoop up 1 or 2 from each accordingly. I've only been doing this for about a year and a half and as a result, I've built up a nice tidy collection, augmented here and there by my good fortune in securing some older releases.

One of the things that I have seen be the cause of much of the criticism GEC faces is in regards to their pricing. It is off-putting to many, whether that be because they cannot afford it, cannot justify it, or simply do not think it worth it, they deem GEC to be too pricey. Being someone who came from the realm of modern folders (where people EDC knives that cost in the hundreds, even thousands, of dollars), I do not think GEC is too expensive at all. Retail prices range anywhere from $50-$150, depending on the pattern, of course. I cannot justify spending thousands on getting every single variation from a single run like some here can, but I can certainly afford to spend a couple hundred if the covers appeal to me. They make a fine factory knife where the quality sometimes can rival that of a very expensive custom. (I say that having read in many cases where a custom develops blade play, has weak W&T, etc)

That all being said, the small runs do create a cause and effect sort of situation where high demand and limited supply inflate prices on the secondary market. The only way to solve this is by creating much larger factory runs where I expect the quality will diminish exponentially. I would prefer to enjoy the way GEC is operating now. I may miss out on some knives, but for the most part, I am happy with what I am able to acquire. A recent run of knives that I was very interested in but could not land is going for 3-4 times the retail price in some cases and people are actually buying them. I simply refuse to engage in that sort of buying practice but it comes with the territory.

Will I miss GEC if they were to fail? Absolutely. There isn't anyone out there producing a slipjoint of similar quality at their price point (retail). At that point, I am limited to customs and Case, or new old stock from failed companies.

I will continue to support GEC's success until such a time they either go under or change the way they do things in a manner I do not agree with.

Just my couple of copper pennies worth...
 
MerryMadMonk said:
Yeah, I saw that and just smiled. Bill Howard don't make no stinkin' mistakes! ;) :D
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Don't give Bill all the credit :rolleyes:

If I recall a prior post, Charlie said he requested the pull extend to the tang of the peachseed TC clip. Since then I have seen it on other GEC knives, but not before the TC.
 
I have a Rotten Banana Bone Northfield Jack from the first run of 66s this pre-dates all other RB. Nothing wrong with this one...:cool:

Of course Bill Howard makes mistakes :cool::D How about the extinction of stainless?:eek: Then there was that weird, formerly people might've said queer....;) knife that had a saw and was about as big as a trowel :D:D If you don't make mistakes, you're not human:)
 
Who's the resident banana bone expert (it's not me!);)?

Off the top of my head, there's a bunch of banana bone maybe 8 or so (very rough guessing.. really have no idea), and just 2-3 runs or so of rotten? Isn't the 66 Will Power Will Power just a regular banana?
 
I have the following Rotten Banana Bone GEC's:

#14 (SFO Old 100) Boy's Knife July 2016
#48 (SFO CK) Improved Trapper April 2017

Hope that helps ;)
 
I don’t question when a custom knife maker tells me his price, I either accept it, or I move on from placing my order, I don’t expect him to lower his price to fit my budget, the same applies for factory knives.

The cost of living is going up and I try to make ends meet, often times I’m robbing Peter to pay Paul, I don’t blame Great Eastern Cutlery for not making knives I can easily afford on a whim, or not making so many of a certain pattern that I can wait until I can purchase one. I don’t expect them to not be affected by the rising gas prices, the challenges of affording their employees an earned wage and the thousands of other contributing costs to running a successful business. They have to stay afloat and remain competitive in this shrinking market of American made pocket knives.

I don’t think they are close to pricing themselves out of business anytime soon, but my buying habits have to be reigned in by myself. I have to know my own limits.

Buy what you like when you can, otherwise it’s crying over something out of your control.

I just pre-ordered a brass #44 in golden rod jigged bone. It’s not the stag I wanted, but I’m tickled to have a #44 set aside.
 
Will Power said:
I have a Rotten Banana Bone Northfield Jack from the first run of 66s this pre-dates all other RB. Nothing wrong with this one...:cool:

Of course Bill Howard makes mistakes :cool::D How about the extinction of stainless?:eek: Then there was that weird, formerly people might've said queer....;) knife that had a saw and was about as big as a trowel :D:D If you don't make mistakes, you're not human:)
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I was just trying to smoke you out, Will :D:p
 
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