Lets talk GEC!

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knifeswapper said:
It may not be representative these days, as the largest GEC dealers now were not carrying the brand 6+ years ago. But those that have been with GEC since day one do remember how slow SS models moved. I am actually thinking of a time well before the Navy knife. There was a time when SS wasn't relegated to niche knives (Navy knives, Bird Hook Trapper, etc.); and they would sit on shelves for months.

Things may be different today, maybe not. You only find out by making a few thousand SS knives and hoping they find a market. But, that is a game of chance, which some don't have a stomach for. Sure, there is a lot of posts about wanting stainless; but that is not a new phenomenon - and it doesn't historically correlate into volume purchases. Then, as is already being mentioned in passing, there will be the conversation about "why not use a good stainless"; which has been well discussed. Or, "I don't want that pattern, but if they make this pattern in SS - I 'd buy several".

I too would like some SS models; but since the recent history is still within the bounds of my memory - I don't push it with GEC. Just like I don't request more of my favorite pattern - the canoe. Another knife that was well chattered about on the forums right up until release; then crickets chirping. And the Lady Leg, the GEC let a large blue reseller talk them into - then crickets. I don't think everyone realizes the implications of small companies having tens of thousands of dollars worth of product sitting for months on the shelf.

In 2014 I had accumulated some cash in the business account and contacted GEC about buying some of their inventory. When the box arrived, it had a large percentage of 3-4 year old varying SS models. So they were carrying a lot of them on their books for several years. Thus, you can somewhat see justification for pause from them in a time where their runs need to be 2-3k knives for economy of scale.

2018 is a new day in traditionals and the SS market may be gang-busters now. And my actual experience may not be representative of others expected experience - but in my mind history still needs to participate in the thought process.
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You have personally proven that there is now a viable market for traditionals with better steels with your Roundhead/Shuffler/Dom. I'm sure that you would agree that these knives would have been a much tougher sell if they were made in carbon steel instead of M390.

And look at the demand for good steels with the 2018 Forum Knife. The top two steel choices are CPM154 and 20CV with nearly 90% combined.
 
WoodManGM said:
You have personally proven that there is now a viable market for traditionals with better steels with your Roundhead/Shuffler/Dom. I'm sure that you would agree that these knives would have been a much tougher sell if they were made in carbon steel instead of M390.

And look at the demand for good steels with the 2018 Forum Knife. The top two steel choices are CPM154 and 20CV with nearly 90% combined.
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Oh, I think the market is there. But these steels are not even part of the conversation. GEC uses 440C and 1095 (in disproportionate amounts); they don't have the capacity to use anything harder.
 
Nature Boy said:
Pinched and threaded on the elk 89s.
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Not the first time I stand corrected, but I have to say I’m a bit jealous!

I guess when I think of their stainless knives this one makes its way into my mind...
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If it weren’t for the ugly wave bone and the funky patterns that usually get chosen, I’d probably buy more of the stainless.


I actually do own some of the stainless knives but none of them really do it for me.
 
Camillus said:
The last one of these is my second ever GEC, that I took about two weeks to deliberate over while it sat in Bob Andrew’s store, and the navy knife is still widely available in stores. The little burnt orange bone clip 15 has to be one of the most photographed knives on these forums (not by me - its new owner loves it!).
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I think you're sorry you sold it!!!
 
One can see that GEC has listened to their dealers, and certain customers I suppose, and increased the number of knives per "run".

Now, certain patterns, heck, most of em it seems, are in stock for a much longer time. It's nice to be able to recommend a GEC to a new knife fan and they can actually obtain a trapper or stockman now. When the 43s finally disappear, it will be a sad day, but they have been very available. Still hungry for a short run? Whalers!

I reckon the 44s should be available for a while as well. :thumbsup:
 
Kiteman72 said:
One can see that GEC has listened to their dealers, and certain customers I suppose, and increased the number of knives per "run".
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Actually GEC has "Open" runs and "Limited" runs. The #44 was an open order; which means they took dealer orders and scheduled to that number (plus a little overhead for themselves). On limited runs they make a certain amount and take dealers orders, but limit them if the count is more than scheduled production. They also have "Short" runs, where they don't ask for numbers from dealers; just allocate them proportionally.
 
I dont 3680 bolsters is very many knives.

That is about 400 per cover for the two brass bolstered knives, as each knife needs 4 bolsters.

I think if you want a 44 model you better pre order.
 
Elgatodeacero said:
I dont 3680 bolsters is very many knives.

That is about 400 per cover for the two brass bolstered knives, as each knife needs 4 bolsters.

I think if you want a 44 model you better pre order.
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I don't see any bottom bolsters in that bin, only top ones. So two per knife. That works out to 920 for each Northfield option if they are split equally and if the stag examples don't end up using these bolsters. That's a decent sized run imho.
 
gusnuts said:
I would much rather have stainless steel GECs over carbon steel. My favorite GEC is my #15 boys knife with a stainless clip blade. I think the stainless knives that aren't selling are strictly because the patterns aren't popular. A stainless 6, 14, 15, 25, 38, 68 etc... would fly off of shelves. Even a stainless barlow run would sell out immediately.
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I would expect that any run of Barlows to sell out immediately regardless of blade material . I would just like for them to make some more decent sized product larger than 3 & 1/2 inch .

Harry
 
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