Lets talk GEC!

I was wondering why it is called Cyclops Works? Anybody have the background on this? Not because of one-eyed giant cutlers surely:D:eek::eek:
 
Cyclops Works was the name of the now defunct steel mill where the GEC Factory is now located.
 
So what do you all think of the upcoming 99 run? Looks like we'll see this previously F&F only pattern expanded into the Tidioute and Northfield lines, with a variety of blade shapes too. Personally I think this bodes well - I got into GEC because of the F&F line but never really got a taste for them because they had plastic-only covers. The addition of micarta to the 71 was promising, and now the broader 99 run (including some F&F in micarta) looks like the next logical step. Surely we'll see a micarta Hayn Helper in the not-so-distant future...

Another thought on the F&F line... I read somewhere that the use of O1 steel adds costs and a negligible performance difference compared to 1095. Would any of you care if GEC switched to 1095 for the F&F line? I personally wouldn't mind at all, especially if some of the cost savings can be passed down to the buyer.
 
CapitalizedLiving said:
So what do you all think of the upcoming 99 run? Looks like we'll see this previously F&F only pattern expanded into the Tidioute and Northfield lines, with a variety of blade shapes too. Personally I think this bodes well - I got into GEC because of the F&F line but never really got a taste for them because they had plastic-only covers. The addition of micarta to the 71 was promising, and now the broader 99 run (including some F&F in micarta) looks like the next logical step. Surely we'll see a micarta Hayn Helper in the not-so-distant future...

Another thought on the F&F line... I read somewhere that the use of O1 steel adds costs and a negligible performance difference compared to 1095. Would any of you care if GEC switched to 1095 for the F&F line? I personally wouldn't mind at all, especially if some of the cost savings can be passed down to the buyer.
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I think the O1 actually reduces production costs. That's the reason they used it on F&F line in the first place.
 
CapitalizedLiving said:
Another thought on the F&F line... I read somewhere that the use of O1 steel adds costs and a negligible performance difference compared to 1095. Would any of you care if GEC switched to 1095 for the F&F line? I personally wouldn't mind at all, especially if some of the cost savings can be passed down to the buyer.
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rma100 said:
I think the O1 actually reduces production costs. That's the reason they used it on F&F line in the first place.
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Yes 01 costs more from a raw material and a heat treat standpoint (20 minute oil quench). 01 is better at holding an edge than 1095 and is not much different than D2, both are tool steels.
 
Hmm. Maybe we can get an answer from an insider on this one? I thought that the F&F line were essentially lower cost (no bolsters, lower cost covers) "beaters" and that the icing was the use of steel liners and tool steel for the blade. I know I was initially drawn to GEC knives because of their use of O1, so maybe it serves a purpose as a "gateway drug," but I'm also positive that I will never come to appreciate any differences between 1095 and O1 in actual use.
 
My new # 47 Maroon Micarta G.E.C. has the Cyclops Steel Works brand on it. G.E.C. makes everything but the blade. I did a search on Cyclops Steel Works and I guess its in Sheffield England?
 
Sonnemann said:
Look a few posts up on this page:
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on the G.E.C. website when they are describing the G.E.C. brand they say they like keeping them as American as possible by using American handle materials etc. That leads me to believe they are not entirely an American made Knife and there is no Made in USA on the blades anywhere?
 
GEC does their own stamping on all blades, springs, liners, etc. They outsource their heat treat locally. Sounds like USA made to me.

1095 steel sharpens easier than 01 steel, its physics. ;)
 
Markesharp said:
GEC does their own stamping on all blades, springs, liners, etc. They outsource their heat treat locally. Sounds like USA made to me.

1095 steel sharpens easier than 01 steel, its physics. ;)
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how come the blade doesn't say MIA? the rest of the G.E.C. line does. And why would they say they like to keep the G.E.C. line as American as possible by using American handles etc?

just trying to get it right here. maybe Derrick B. will chime in.
 
Markesharp said:
GEC does their own stamping on all blades, springs, liners, etc. They outsource their heat treat locally. Sounds like USA made to me.

1095 steel sharpens easier than 01 steel, its physics. ;)
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how come the blade doesn't say MIA? the rest of the G.E.C. line does. And why would they say they like to keep the G.E.C. line as American as possible by using American handles etc?

just trying to get it right here. maybe Derrick B. will chime in.
 
MercyfulfateXX said:
how come the blade doesn't say MIA? the rest of the G.E.C. line does. And why would they say they like to keep the G.E.C. line as American as possible by using American handles etc?

just trying to get it right here. maybe Derrick B. will chime in.
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They do buy exotic woods not found in America and Mammoth Ivory not found in the US.
 
Markesharp said:
They do buy exotic woods not found in America and Mammoth Ivory not found in the US.
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of course they do that ,they have to like everyone else. Just curious about the not having the Made In The USA on any of the blades? And who Cyclops Steel Works are? Not that any of this matters too much just curious.My G.E.C. SS Maroon Micarta # 47 is awesome. Too much Carbon Steel for me. I love the SS blades. Low maintenance.
 
On GEC's website, under About-- About Our Brands:

... our new knives have blades made with high quality American made 1095 carbon steel and handled with a variety of materials that include the traditional materials, North American cattle bone and Ebony wood.
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I'm going to venture that it has not occurred to anyone there to spell out that all the steel is from the USA, in each particular.

But that's just my educated guess. :cool:


~ P.
 
MercyfulfateXX said:
of course they do that ,they have to like everyone else. Just curious about the not having the Made In The USA on any of the blades? And who Cyclops Steel Works are? Not that any of this matters too much just curious.My G.E.C. SS Maroon Micarta # 47 is awesome. Too much Carbon Steel for me. I love the SS blades. Low maintenance.
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Mine all have Made in USA stamped on the blade tang.
 
MercyfulfateXX said:
My new # 47 Maroon Micarta G.E.C. has the Cyclops Steel Works brand on it. G.E.C. makes everything but the blade. I did a search on Cyclops Steel Works and I guess its in Sheffield England?
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Sonnemann said:
Look a few posts up on this page:

rma100 said:
Cyclops Works was the name of the now defunct steel mill where the GEC Factory is now located.
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MercyfulfateXX said:
of course they do that ,they have to like everyone else. Just curious about the not having the Made In The USA on any of the blades? And who Cyclops Steel Works are? Not that any of this matters too much just curious.My G.E.C. SS Maroon Micarta # 47 is awesome. Too much Carbon Steel for me. I love the SS blades. Low maintenance.
Click to expand...

rma100 said:
Cyclops Works was the name of the now defunct steel mill where the GEC Factory is now located.
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GEC makes the blades themselves from steel manufactured in the US. The GEC factory is a building which was once the Cyclops Steel Works.

And should you doubt the source, rma100 is a GEC dealer.
 
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