Lets talk GEC!

JTB_5 said:
After holding a couple 78s I loved the action but didn’t care for the spear, but that ironwood always makes me smile when I see one.
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Being a fan first and foremost of knives that slice, while I don't prefer spears, I can get behind them on a knife like that. I have a Northfield 78 just got, too, that, with the long pull, I intend to grind down to a clip point whenever I get out of this dang hospital. I am a little spear heavy lately, with all these new additions.
 
redsparrow said:
Get well fast! We want to see that mod. ;)
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Here she is!

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Does anyone know if the 82 possum skinners that are about to be released are single or double spring? I am guessing double but i cant tell for sure.
 
rbeggs said:
Cool, I think it would still be pinchable if it were a single blade 78. I like the coping blade too.
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I just tried, and with the patina it is, with some slight effort, pinchable even with the secondary (probably because I dropped the secondary kick a hair). I've found the 77 barlows from this year to be pinchable with patina on the main, too, but they had slightly lighter pulls than these Northfield 78s...
 
Is it just me or did GEC seem to hit their zenith between 2015 and 2016? It seemed like almost every run in that period was amazing. They had that big run of Huckleberry Boys Knive's. There was that first incredible run of Beer Scouts and soda scouts. We had 2 or 3 runs of stainless knives. The somewhat controversial Zulu spears appeared. The spear point Northfield Barlow's were some of the most perfectly manufactured knives I've ever held from GEC. There was even the crazy Texas Camp Knife run, as well as the gorgeous 85 EO Bullet Jacks. And don't forget the first run of TC Ancient Barlows. Every knife I held seemed to have perfect walk and talk. No glaringly soft pulls. Lots of really cool looking jigging and impressive dye jobs. There were lots of other runs too, that I just wasn't able to lay a financial finger on. We were assaulted with so many different breathtaking knives.

I still love GEC dearly, but I can't help feel that they've lost a step the last year or two. Much of the jigging has lost its artistry. Cover materials have become standardized and a bit repetitive. Pulls have become less than favorable on many runs. No stainless. I'm not saying that it's all bad. There have been some excellent runs the last couple years. But it feels as though some of the magic has been lost.

I don't know. Maybe the increased production has dulled the short run fun a bit, or perhaps I'm just looking at those years through rose colored collector's glasses. What do you think?

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It's just a different business model I think. Just think how cherished and collectable the last run of #66s would be if they were limited?
The last run of #15s had some pretty run-of-the-mill handles, but the fit and finish, and pulls/snap, were all about perfect.
 
Buzz, We must be looking through the same glasses. I agree with you and I think you are very right, indeed. Just an array of fantastic knives and materials through the time period you mentioned. Not to say I don't still love them, because I do, but I feel they have lost a bit of magic with the increased production and I fear it getting worse with the proposed 5k+ runs that are coming. I have seen a few flaws in the finish of my most recent purchases, as well. Mind you, I am being very picky when I say that. I miss some of the mirror finish blades and some bolsters have seen very limited time on the buffer, it seems. The 82 Copperhead I just received only had 3 of the 4 bolsters polished.o_O One bolster was almost matte finish. No problem as I have a nice buffer and now it shines like the sun!
I thought I would add a few more pictures from the time period you mentioned that are favorites of mine.

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Looking over the production totals for 2015 just now and wow, what a lot of different, great knives put out that year in many different materials!:thumbsup:
 
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