Lets talk GEC!

[btb01]

Not to take anything at all from the wonderful #77 SFOs from Charlie, but I wholeheartedly agree with you Barrett! Whether in Northfield or Tidioute trim, the Yankee Jacks were definitely some of the most beautifull and classic looking Jacks ever made by GEC! But that’s just this old mans humble opinion!

That’s a great looking knife, too, Ron! I don’t know that I’ve seen that one before. That run of #77’s came shortly before I first discovered GEC (maybe a few months?), but it was still at a time when knives didn’t instantly fly off dealer’s shelves, and I was able to to grab that Northfield Yankee Jack, a jigged bone Tidioute version (to be fair, not one the most attractive GECs ), and even a Washington Punch Knife!

oh my word... those pictures... I’m going to need a second to collect myself.
*cough*
Gorgeous knives, uplifting post. What is the blade combo on this (presumably) #15 in antique yellow bone? Clip and... can’t figure the last one. Looks like she’s seen some use and it’s made her prettier.

Can you pop that one open?

Anyone else just feel the impulse to go buy more GEC’s?

Thanks! That’s a #15 Farm Boy; full-size clip and spey blades. One of my favorite GEC patterns!

The barlows are on a 14, 15, or 77 frame. The bolsters and blade types will vary. I was told the punch blade on the 98 pattern was done by a different company but have never confirmed that with GEC.

Don’t forget the #25 Barlows.

I know I sort of jumped to the defense of GEC’s non-SFO offerings yesterday (and I stand behind that), but I should say that, like most people, I think some of the SFOs that GEC has made — for Charlie, Mike, KSF, and many of the other dealers — are fantastic, as well. And since this thread has been a bit word-heavy lately, I thought I’d post some of my favorite SFOs, too.

The one that got away.

 

[btb01]

here is a fond memory of the proud papa holding his new born fresh from Bill's hands

@waynorth usually doesnt like to be in the photos and had requested I focused on the knife.

I remember that knife, Jack! First one off the line!! Thanks for the picture!!! That's still one of my favorite shirts!!!!

I was going to include the BF TC in my previous post, but I hit the limit on how many photos you can post. So it gets its own post.

 

[Spaten]

That’s a great looking knife, too, Ron! I don’t know that I’ve seen that one before. That run of #77’s came shortly before I first discovered GEC (maybe a few months?), but it was still at a time when knives didn’t instantly fly off dealer’s shelves, and I was able to to grab that Northfield Yankee Jack, a jigged bone Tidioute version (to be fair, not one the most attractive GECs ), and even a Washington Punch Knife!



Thanks! That’s a #15 Farm Boy; full-size clip and spey blades. One of my favorite GEC patterns!

Don’t forget the #25 Barlows.

I know I sort of jumped to the defense of GEC’s non-SFO offerings yesterday (and I stand behind that), but I should say that, like most people, I think some of the SFOs that GEC has made — for Charlie, Mike, KSF, and many of the other dealers — are fantastic, as well. And since this thread has been a bit word-heavy lately, I thought I’d post some of my favorite SFOs, too.

The one that got away.

I’ve never seen a curved TC before!

Coooool

 

[Old Engineer]

I have gotten in on a few SFO's and these are most of my favorites .

Among them is this one


With this one as the most wanted one .

But this is a heckofaknive .

Then there were these

And the Northfield 23 in Mesquite is in the near future

Harry

 

[Half/Stop]

That’s a great looking knife, too, Ron! I don’t know that I’ve seen that one before. That run of #77’s came shortly before I first discovered GEC (maybe a few months?), but it was still at a time when knives didn’t instantly fly off dealer’s shelves, and I was able to to grab that Northfield Yankee Jack, a jigged bone Tidioute version (to be fair, not one the most attractive GECs ), and even a Washington Punch Knife!

Thanks for the compliment on my #77 Osage Orange Barrett! I bought that one on the secondary market. And yes it took a BIG bid to get it. But at today’s inflated prices it was a bargain! I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve posted that 1 of 1 elusive #74 TC in Ebony! The knife that all die hard collectors dream about when their head hits the pillow at night!

 

[Markeologist]

Now i would LOVE to get my hands on the BF 85 cap lifter.
I barely missed out twice last year on the sales forum.

The cap lifer on the 85 was a dud from what I understand, needed a little file work to get to work correctly. They once could be had fairly cheaply...those days are gone but I don’t regret not having one.

I only have two SFO crown lifters, Charlie’s 2014 Diamond Radio Jack and Mike’s 2015 version of the Beer Scout which affectionately has become known as the “Soda Scout.” These two, along with the 2015 Rendezvous Beer Scout parts knife are some of my most prized knives (I get more unsolicited offers on the Rendezvous Beer Scout than any other knife I own).

You may notice, all my GECs are bone...no acrylic, no micarta, no wood. Keeps me from wanting/chasing too much!!

 

[JohnDF]

What's the story on this one?

 

[JTB_5]

What's the story on this one?

Looks like a Darren photoshop special.

I'm hoping that new pattern is a sowbelly or a zulu spear (technically the esky zulu isn't GEC, right???)

 

[btb01]

Thanks for the compliment on my #77 Osage Orange Barrett! I bought that one on the secondary market. And yes it took a BIG bid to get it. But at today’s inflated prices it was a bargain! I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve posted that 1 of 1 elusive #74 TC in Ebony! The knife that all die hard collectors dream about when their head hits the pillow at night!

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Ron, but that #77 of yours has a hotdog shield, so it’s probably not worth even half of what you paid.

Seriously, I’ve never really understood the hatred for the hotdog shield, but I have a theory that it wouldn’t be so disliked if GEC had decided to call it some variation of a bar shield (which is what it is, really) instead of “hotdog.”

I’ve never seen a curved TC before!

Coooool

What's the story on this one?

That one’s an elusive and rare SFO. #74 Curved TC Barlow. 1 of 0.

I keep it stashed away in a special place, with my Double Beer Scout.

Looks like a Darren photoshop special.

Hey now, I photoshopped that one myself, thank-you-very-much!

 

[EngrSorenson]

Seriously, I’ve never really understood the hatred for the hotdog shield, but I have a theory that it wouldn’t be so disliked if GEC had decided to call it some variation of a bar shield (which is what it is, really) instead of “hotdog.”

My first GEC, an often used and much beloved #35 Churchill, has the dreaded hot dog shield. I bought it just thinking of it as a banner type shield and never thinking twice about it, as it looks good on the cigar pattern. Once I read someone call it a hot dog I had two thoughts:
1) crap... it’s definitely a hotdog and
2) I’ll never unsee that.
Didn’t stop me from capturing a wild #93 with the same shield though. Maybe not my favorite shield, but at least it’s not offensive. Fairly vanilla, which has it’s place.

 

[JohnDF]

Hey now, I photoshopped that one myself, thank-you-very-much!

I figured it was a photoshop. You're a man of many talents.

 

[Half/Stop]

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Ron, but that #77 of yours has a hotdog shield, so it’s probably not worth even half of what you paid.

Seriously, I’ve never really understood the hatred for the hotdog shield, but I have a theory that it wouldn’t be so disliked if GEC had decided to call it some variation of a bar shield (which is what it is, really) instead of “hotdog.”

Some of my favorite GECs are Tidioute’s with the hotdog shields. Personally I happen to like them!

 

[EngrSorenson]

Hotdog shields incoming!!!
Zooooooom! ratatatatatatata!

 

[JohnDF]

Hello... My name is John... and I like hot dog shields.

 

[5K Qs]

...
That one’s an elusive and rare SFO. #74 Curved TC Barlow. 1 of 0.

I keep it stashed away in a special place, with my Double Beer Scout.
...
Hey now, I photoshopped that one myself, thank-you-very-much!

Barrett, do you still have that unique bearhead knife you've posted in the past?

- GT

 

[GaiusJulius]

I don’t dislike them but it’s hard to get excited about them.

 

[redsparrow]

Some of my favorite GECs are Tidioute’s with the hotdog shields. Personally I happen to like them!

Well, you're not alone Ron, I like 'em too!

 

[Old Engineer]

You folks can have your Hot Dogs . I much prefer the :
Corset
Diamond
Bar
UNXLD
In that order

Harry

 

[cbr1000]

H



Hilarious. So Howard changes GEC business plan out of concern for his scrambling customers? Would you think Howard's primary concern is to produce profitable knives that sell in quantities. And Howard must be crying about the non-nimble slobs (of which I am one) who can't pound on their keyboards fast enough or are not fortunate enough to get on a preferred buyers list or find a dealer to sell them all four flavors at a time or have slow wi-fi which prevents them from spending their money on their grandkids - really?

Would you think Howard would be equal opportunity, all inclusive, when it comes to selling knives GEC builds, supporting his organization and 30 some employees and paying his mortgage and having a few bucks left over to leave for his grand kids?

I'm not sure what you're getting at. I'm expressing my opinion that I'm not happy about the loss of Northwoods, Charlie and Mike's SFO's. Your post comes off like your mad about something.

 

[Half/Stop]

Well, you're not alone Ron, I like 'em too!

Looking good!

You folks can have your Hot Dogs . I much prefer the :
Corset
Diamond
Bar
UNXLD
In that order

Harry

I knew that!