Lets talk GEC!

Interesting discussion. One point that I either don’t grasp (or don’t agree with) is the suggestion that it is not (or is no longer) cost effective or possible for GEC to do runs in a wider variety of different handle materials. There is plenty of historical evidence to show that GEC was once producing short handle runs - at a time when there was much less customer demand. Surely the impost is on setting the machinery up for a new pattern, not producing that knife in a different handle?
 
traumkommode said:
In terms of the 2017 knives, I agree. But GEC bought new equipment and hired new staff, and had to figure everything out. I noticed with the 77 barlows this year that something started to change. I've owned some 14s and 85s, and now a 44 and the quality on all three of those recent patterns - the fit a d finish, the pulls, the blade sharpening, has been on par with the 2013 TCs, and everything I've had prior to late/mid 2016 manufacture.

I think they're coming back strong, and will get back to the quality and inspiration with which the company originally set sail. It has to be disconcerting to not be able to produce what your customer base demands, and frustrating to try and keep up with things when your star staff are all retiring at the same time that demand is increasing.

I don't like the pattern quite as much, but this cocobolo 44 I just received is every bit as finely finished as my 77 Washington Jack.
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JTB_5 said:
I don’t get the impression that Buzzbait Buzzbait is being overly critical, so much as he is comparing GEC to its own standards set in earlier runs. If anything I’d say that’s probably what GEC has been doing to have been producing the quality it has been for as long as it has been. If you don’t keep high standards then you won’t produce high quality.

I haven’t been around long enough to compare but it seems fair to do that, especially since it isn’t apples and oranges.

I think @traumkommode is right about the mid year change at GEC making a difference. The run of 14s seemed pretty flawless if you exclude the Cripple Creek shield failure on a few. The 99s and 85s also seemed to be well done. The earlier 43s had some weaker pulls but were a nice pattern and had good fit and finish. The biggest difference seems to be the size of runs and limited options, which is consistent with higher demand and limited expansion of equipment and workforce. To stay at market demand and keep the quality you either have to add highly skilled workers or produce higher volumes of a pattern to keep efficiency up, I’d wager.
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Thank you both for your insight. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I wasn't aware of new equipment? Mostly I've noticed GEC's are a little tougher to purchase (meaning they sell out quicker :eek:).

What I can say, is that the #44 Buffalo Jack's, the #85 Bullet Jack's & the #82 Dixie Stockman's are as nice as any GEC I've bought and just incredibly sharp right out of the tube. I now keep Band-Aids, Cotton Balls & Rubbing Alcohol handy! ;)

Frankly, my #46 Whaler was a little iffy as far as the satin finish, but I assumed it was mostly because of the size of the blade?

Besides being the *BEST* cigar cutter ever, it's also a bunch of fun using it to cut fruit. :D

I learn something new everyday about this hobby! :)

- Del

[random afterthought: I am getting quite fed up with crooked tube labels! :p:p:p]
 
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Camillus said:
I like the beer scout just the way it is. I wouldn't change a thing about it :rolleyes:

Except the color!!
Nice job, I really like the way yours came out! I dyed a Golden Ale Beer Scout too, came out somewhat similar to yours...mine has a wee bit of green in mix (previously posted image).

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Leslie Tomville said:
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These range from 2014 to 2018. I think the quality is very consistent. In fact, they are all just about perfect, including the 2018 TC. GEC is growing, and that is a good thing. Bill Howard has to make the best business decisions he can. Judging from his record so far, I think he will do just fine. We may not have as many knives to pick from, but I am certain we will have some excellent ones coming our way.

( Buzzbait Buzzbait , you sure were singing the praises of your 2018 Ironwood 77 a few months ago. Did y’all have a falling out?)
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Leslie,

Exceptional Barlows :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

There's also this knife that was a very nice *mistake* with the dye (similar to the #77 Elderberry Camel from the last run).

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I mention it because I changed my reservation to a single blade right before Mike closed the reserve page. :eek:

Still to this day, I think that was and/or is the best looking NF Barlow. :D

In other words, I suffer in silence with a single blade. :p

Have a Good New Year,

- Del
 
DelOro said:
In other words, I suffer in silence with a single blade. :p
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LOL. You must truly be suffering with the single blade.

But seriously, the 2-blade was indeed like magic. Almost mystical to look at. Truly glorious, and so few made. We all wish we’d preordered that one instead.
 
Buzzbait said:
LOL. You must truly be suffering with the single blade.

But seriously, the 2-blade was indeed like magic. Almost mystical to look at. Truly glorious, and so few made. We all wish we’d preordered that one instead.
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That was a great run of NF Barlows :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The micarta was stellar and the african blackwood seemed to have a touch of purple grain, just beautiful IMHO.

Don't get me started on the stag! ;)

I always count my blessings and love the two singles I have, but I do kick myself just a little over the 2 blades. :eek:

Have a Great New Year,

- Del
 
Of the 2018 production, I picked up 5 14s, all winners. 3 44s, sublime. 4 whalers, pinchable mains and functional pens. Not my favorite pattern but executed very well. 3 43s, numerous 15s, bunch of 56s, 85s, 1 or 2 of all the Northwoods, a 77 barlow, handful of 78s, plus whatever else I'm not remembering.

I did not receive a knife which requires one bit of complaining. Even the duplicates have individual character personifying handmade excellence using natural materials. I personally love what is happening at GEC.

Happy New Year's.
 
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I can concur. The 2nd half of 2018, GEC was hitting home runs. The 15s (especially the clips) while kinda dull, we very well executed. The 44s had AMAZING F&F. The 14s were great. The 85s were just as well done as the 44s. The 99s were nice. Now while MY 82 is still very nice, it has a few minor F&F issues. But the more I see then on here, the more I believe mine was the exception to the rule. Everbody but me seems thrilled about their Dixie Stockman.

Compared to some 2017s and early 2018s, like the 48s, 13s, 56s, 35s, ect which are all still extremely nice knives, you can tell the folks in Titusville have markedly improved upon their product since the new folks were hired.

Now that's not to say they didn't produce any outstanding knives in those ~18 months. I have a smooth white bone 78 that is excellent. And over the weekend I recieved and Ebony Northfield #13 Clerk that is has flawless F&F, and undoubtedly the FINEST wall & talk of any slipjoint I own, from any manufacturer, from any year.
 
GEC dipped in and out of production perfection in the past, though. As a huge fan of the 57, the wharncliff whittlers suffered from proud bolster, shrunken scales, and very varied pulls. The Dixies I’ve had from this run vary in their pull weight, but the stag Dixie I had from the original run had proud bolsters.

GEC hit a sweet spot a few years back where production and demand were perfectly balanced, their workforce hadn’t turned over, and things just seemed to work. I’d argue that their current offerings, while not as varied, are better executed than their pre 2012 knives.
 
Pinemoon said:
I'd like to see a caplifter in place of the punch.
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I use the punch in my BF35 all the time and cant wait to get another knife with one! I do however have a thing for caplifters so I’d go for that too.
I think my dream GEC would be a 35 with clip main, wharncliffe(rather than sheepsfoot or coping)secondary, punch and caplifter. Would this count as a scout without a can opener? I have no use for a can opener. As much as I like a nice patina, this would probably be a good knife in stainless.
 
spyderg said:
I use the punch in my BF35 all the time and cant wait to get another knife with one! I do however have a thing for caplifters so I’d go for that too.
I think my dream GEC would be a 35 with clip main, wharncliffe(rather than sheepsfoot or coping)secondary, punch and caplifter. Would this count as a scout without a can opener? I have no use for a can opener. As much as I like a nice patina, this would probably be a good knife in stainless.
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Interesting idea.
The caplifter should appear in more patterns I think. Like in a stockman. Maybe in place of the sheep or spey.
 
Let's keep the discussion just on the knives, please. Keep the pokes at individuals out of the discussion. We're allowed our own opinions.
Don't get me wrong. Discussion is good. Just leave the finger wagging out of it.
If you feel like you might be one of those I'm referring to, you probably are.
 
Camillus said:
Markeologist Markeologist very nice job! That particular beerscout has got way to regular jigging, but IMO we both improved its looks!
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I have three golden ale Beer Scouts including a "S" model that I carry nearly everyday (I also have chestnut brown saw cut and one of the three blood red saw cut spear points). The one I dyed was not the "S" but it had some weird dark blemishes on covers. I had been planning on selling but since it sounds like there will be no more runs of the "Beer Scout Knife" I decided to dye it what I'm calling Black IPA. I used a mix of black and dark green dye as I didn't want a completely opaque black. What I love about figured bone covers (jigged or saw cut) is the color gradients. Your fade from black/brown to tan looks like a Black Stout to me! Very nice!!
 
Thanks, and sounds like you have a nice beerscout collection going there. I will have to dig mine out and have a look at them sometime. The one that I dyed was purchased for that purpose as I thought it would take dye well. I also sanded the scales on it slightly to expose some lighter bone and get more color variation. The scales feel and look very regular now!

The first beerscout came out around the time that saw a shift in GEC production that folks here are discussing - such a successful knife! Like the #98 it was a sleeper hit for GEC.
 
With talk going on about the 35 and yet more bottle openers...even though crown stoppers are getting rarer and rarer...;) My variant would be a small Pruner blade instead of a Punch at the other end. Could work very well with the 68 White Owl pattern too and a pruner or small Hawkbill is a real clam shell killer-and safely too:thumbsup:

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spyderg said:
I use the punch in my BF35 all the time and cant wait to get another knife with one! I do however have a thing for caplifters so I’d go for that too.
I think my dream GEC would be a 35 with clip main, wharncliffe(rather than sheepsfoot or coping)secondary, punch and caplifter. Would this count as a scout without a can opener? I have no use for a can opener. As much as I like a nice patina, this would probably be a good knife in stainless.
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Sounds a lot like the Texas Camp Knife tool configuration. But even better, GEC managed to combine the can opener and cap lifter into one tool. The design of this knife is absolute genius.

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Buzzbait said:
Sounds a lot like the Texas Camp Knife tool configuration. But even better, GEC managed to combine the can opener and cap lifter into one tool. The design of this knife is absolute genius.

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It’s one of my favorite knives, and the only “giant” with reasonable pulls!
 
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