Lets talk GEC!

Thanks Bob for the info about my earlier request re Cyclops. Stiil wonder why the steel mill was called that, it's a most kool tang stamp in my view.

I thought it was obvious that GEC makes there own blades from American steel.......it says so on the 'tube'....:D:rolleyes: But it could be a conspiracy....:):D
 
For those that play on eBay, it becomes second nature to read what IS NOT said about the knife. Thus, having "Titusville, PA" instead of "Made in USA" on a tang stamp might seem like they are trying not to say something. But, I assure you, that is not the case. They change their tang stamps every so often to keep them fresh and look a little different. I suspect it was more important to have "Titusville" on the knife than it was "Made in USA"; and since the SS are Cyclops Iron Works instead of Titusville Iron Works (shortened to TIW), they put the location on the front of the tang.

Trying to find the logic in little things like that on GEC knives is an effort in futility. But take a few seconds to try and find the advantage of outsourcing blade production when you have the machinery and the access to the steel to do it yourself.... Not to mention trying to coordinate blades to backsprings to frames on a part that was brought in; if you know Bill at all you would see where that is a little laughable.
 
knifeswapper said:
For those that play on eBay, it becomes second nature to read what IS NOT said about the knife. Thus, having "Titusville, PA" instead of "Made in USA" on a tang stamp might seem like they are trying not to say something. But, I assure you, that is not the case. They change their tang stamps every so often to keep them fresh and look a little different. I suspect it was more important to have "Titusville" on the knife than it was "Made in USA"; and since the SS are Cyclops Iron Works instead of Titusville Iron Works (shortened to TIW), they put the location on the front of the tang.

Trying to find the logic in little things like that on GEC knives is an effort in futility. But take a few seconds to try and find the advantage of outsourcing blade production when you have the machinery and the access to the steel to do it yourself.... Not to mention trying to coordinate blades to backsprings to frames on a part that was brought in; if you know Bill at all you would see where that is a little laughable.
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Excellent post, Mike. Thanks.
 
The cost difference between O1 and 1095 is negligible. It was introduced more as an alternative steel that would not be a problem utilizing existing factory equipment.
 
"in 1916 Carl F. Boker put together a group of investors and purchased the Cyclops Steel Co. of Titusville, Pennsylvania - in whose factory today's Great Eastern Cutlery Co. produces some very fine traditional style knives!" - From Knife World

O1 is a much better edge holding steel than 1095 costs aside.
 
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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 jest checked GEC's website, but I couldn't find that information. Were did you find it?

I also hope for a hayn helper with something else than plastic covers.
 
I didn't see it on GEC's site but some dealers list the production schedule a little further out than GEC does...
 
I think some forget the purpose and the intent of GEC when it comes to the F&F line.



And for what it's worth, 01 is an excellent steel.
 
Always a good thing to remember Ed. I'm quite happy with micarta over delrin though. Delrin and the nitebrite acrylic get a little too slippery for me in a work knife.
 
First post! Might as well make it about my favorite pocketknife - my GEC #42. I had been looking at the Missouri Trader because I've always liked big lockbacks, and because I'm from Missouri. When GEC did a run of the Missouri Trader in the quintessential Missouri wood (Osage orange), I had to jump on it! I added the lanyard bead yesterday after I cut & buffed a piece of caribou antler I picked up in Alaska on vacation.

 
sogflash said:
I jest checked GEC's website, but I couldn't find that information. Were did you find it?

I also hope for a hayn helper with something else than plastic covers.
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Per Collectorsknives.net, the upcoming production schedule for the 99 is as follows:
Tidioute – Spear blade, bolster and cap end, 1095 carbon steel
Tidioute #99 Spear Jigged Bone – color to be determined
Tidioute #99 Spear Gabon Ebony

Tidioute – Clip blade, bolster and cap end, 1095 carbon steel
Tidioute #99 Clip Jigged Bone – color to be determined
Tidioute #99 Clip Gabon Ebony

Tidioute – Wharncliffe blade, bolster and cap end, 1095 carbon steel
Tidioute #99 Wharnie Jigged Bone – color to be determined
Tidioute #99 Wharnie Gabon Ebony

Northfield – Spear blade, lined bolster, smooth cap end, 1095 carbon steel
NF #99 Spear Jigged Bone – color to be determined
NF #99 Spear Burnt Stag

Northfield – Clip blade, lined bolster, smooth cap end, 1095 carbon steel
NF #99 Clip Jigged Bone – color to be determined
NF #99 Clip Burnt Stag

Northfield – Wharncliffe blade, lined bolster, smooth cap end, 1095 carbon steel
NF #99 Wharnie Jigged Bone – color to be determined
NF #99 Wharnie Burnt Stag

He also has a sample pattern pic posted

99s.jpg


This definitely makes things interesting in regard what direction they may go in regard to some of the F&F line. I'm hoping they throw some premium scales on the Bullnoses, though my pocket book hopes not:D
 
trevytrev said:
Per Collectorsknives.net, the upcoming production schedule for the 99 is as follows:
Tidioute – Spear blade, bolster and cap end, 1095 carbon steel
Tidioute #99 Spear Jigged Bone – color to be determined
Tidioute #99 Spear Gabon Ebony

Tidioute – Clip blade, bolster and cap end, 1095 carbon steel
Tidioute #99 Clip Jigged Bone – color to be determined
Tidioute #99 Clip Gabon Ebony

Tidioute – Wharncliffe blade, bolster and cap end, 1095 carbon steel
Tidioute #99 Wharnie Jigged Bone – color to be determined
Tidioute #99 Wharnie Gabon Ebony

Northfield – Spear blade, lined bolster, smooth cap end, 1095 carbon steel
NF #99 Spear Jigged Bone – color to be determined
NF #99 Spear Burnt Stag

Northfield – Clip blade, lined bolster, smooth cap end, 1095 carbon steel
NF #99 Clip Jigged Bone – color to be determined
NF #99 Clip Burnt Stag

Northfield – Wharncliffe blade, lined bolster, smooth cap end, 1095 carbon steel
NF #99 Wharnie Jigged Bone – color to be determined
NF #99 Wharnie Burnt Stag

He also has a sample pattern pic posted

99s.jpg


This definitely makes things interesting in regard what direction they may go in regard to some of the F&F line. I'm hoping they throw some premium scales on the Bullnoses, though my pocket book hopes not:D
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I think you missed a few:

Farm & Field – Spear blade only (as previous runs)

Orange Delrin
Black Delrin
Nifebrite Acrylic
OD Green Linen Micarta
Maroon Linen Micarta
 
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rma100 said:
I think you missed a few:

Farm & Field – Spear blade only (as previous runs)

Orange Delrin
Black Delrin
Nifebrite Acrylic
OD Green Linen Micarta
Maroon Linen Micarta
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You are correct Bob, thank you catching that!

The clip point seems intriguing to me for sure.
 
I don't know for certain but I would guess about a month or longer on those before they starting to hit the dealers. There are a few knives that appear to be in line for production before the 99's. There is the new Bullbuster #21, the Bullbuster lockback SFO and the 42's that probably will be produced before the 99 comes up.
 
polymerhead said:
First post! Might as well make it about my favorite pocketknife - my GEC #42. I had been looking at the Missouri Trader because I've always liked big lockbacks, and because I'm from Missouri. When GEC did a run of the Missouri Trader in the quintessential Missouri wood (Osage orange), I had to jump on it! I added the lanyard bead yesterday after I cut & buffed a piece of caribou antler I picked up in Alaska on vacation.

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Welcome :) I just got my first #42 as well, I've already put photos up in two other threads, so won't add any here, they are great patterns, especially the tidioute models. I am looking forward to seeing the next batch of them come out soon.
 
I can't wait for the new batch of #42s! I picked up one from the previous one in OD green linen micarta and SS blade, and now I would love a carbon blade. This knife has perfect shape and size!
Now this #99 seems really sweet too... I may try one or two (can't decide between the spearpoint and the wharncliff!) if funds allow it :-)
 
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