Lets talk GEC!

black mamba said:
Logan, I think it was just about the same time frame, early to mid '08. They started out using Culpepper's, and I have 53/54 framed knives from '08 that still have Culpepper bone, but maybe starting with the #25s in 2008 GEC started using their own. Again, just a hunch from what I've seen, and from the order of the production totals in '08.

Maybe Mike from CK.net (knifeswapper) will chime in, he probably knows the details.
Click to expand...

I can remember some 07 knives where they started trying some of their own bone. And I can remember many patterns well into 08 where they were using Culpepper - to include 25's, 53/54's, and 36's. So, I would guess there was an 18 month timeframe where they were getting their own slab factory tuned in.

Of course there are always exceptions, because I remember some 2010 knives with Culpepper bone...
 
black mamba said:
2006 and 2007 knives do not have the 6 digit model number stamped on them anywhere, just the year. I have a 2008 #23 Pioneer linerlock that also just has the 2008 stamped on the tang, but other knives from later in the year have the full 6 digit model number. Also in 2008 they changed from running consecutive serial numbers on all knives of the same pattern, even though they had different cover material. My linerlock is serial #29, but they only made 19 with burnt stag covers. I also have quite a few 2007 Cubans with the serial number higher than the production total for that cover. By the end of 2008, knives were serialized consecutively only within their own cover material. All of these changes took place early in 2008.

Now, look at the production total pages from GEC's website: http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/production-totals-06-present/
From 2009 to present, they list the knives in numerical order of the pattern number (23s before 48s before 73s, etc.). But from 2006 through 2008 they are listed differently, and I believe (no proof of this) they are listed in the order they came off the production line, with the #73s first, followed by the #23s, then the rest of the patterns. So it makes sense that the 2008 #23s and #73s still were stamped under the old system of the p
Click to expand...
 
Thank you very much for the info, I appreciate it. I feel lucky to get it, I will post some picture when it gets here.
 
black mamba said:
Logan, I think it was just about the same time frame, early to mid '08. They started out using Culpepper's, and I have 53/54 framed knives from '08 that still have Culpepper bone, but maybe starting with the #25s in 2008 GEC started using their own. Again, just a hunch from what I've seen, and from the order of the production totals in '08.

Maybe Mike from CK.net (knifeswapper) will chime in, he probably knows the details.
Click to expand...

Thanks! The early history is really interesting, especially with the Culpeper bone and many handle materials.

waynorth said:
Two private label (GEC-made) knives from 2009 and 2010. Is the Bradford handled in Culpepper's bone? The horn on the Bulldog is nicely fitted and tight; too bad it can be troublesome. I'd love to see more of it!
View attachment 943876 View attachment 943877 View attachment 943878
Click to expand...

Awesome! I had the 23 and 73 version of the Bradford knives. Very nice knives.

I've never had a horn handled knife, but they look great. Sounds like GEC isn't likely to use it again...

black mamba said:
I agree with you, Barry. GEC made very few bone handled knives in the first two years, and many of those had stag bone covers in various colors. Culpepper was the master of those.

VY3eDzG.jpg

2008 Green Mountain, 2008 Carved Pumpkin, 2008 River Blue, 2007 Brimstone
Click to expand...

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Those all just look so great. Especially the river blue.

black mamba said:
Thanks welder, the carved pumpkin is a particular favorite.

Y7eVHyO.jpg
Click to expand...

singin50 said:
Wow, those are all very nice examples, guys! Somewhere round here I have some bone that GEC used in the early days. I did have a buffalo handled #23 but unfortunately it had to make a trip back to GEC for new covers, a few years ago.
The handles started pulling away from the frame, but they did a great job, replacing it with stable bovine/cow bone covers.
But nothing like what Charlie and Jeff are showing!:cool::cool:
Click to expand...

Again, it's too bad they've had trouble with the horn handles. Sorry to hear yours had to be replaced. May I ask with what it was replaced?

knifeswapper said:
I can remember some 07 knives where they started trying some of their own bone. And I can remember many patterns well into 08 where they were using Culpepper - to include 25's, 53/54's, and 36's. So, I would guess there was an 18 month timeframe where they were getting their own slab factory tuned in.

Of course there are always exceptions, because I remember some 2010 knives with Culpepper bone...
Click to expand...

I hope people really in the know, like you, are writing this stuff down! It's knife history for sure.

knifeswapper said:
View attachment 944173
Click to expand...
 
Been carrying my #83 around this week. Love this little guy. I hope at some point GEC runs this pattern in non-lockback (presumably with a square end). Seems like something they would do, given the different variations of the larger versions we've seen (42, 43 and 72, 73). Don't know what they would number it though since #82 is already spoken for. Could just stick with 83 I guess.
View attachment 944681
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top