Modern GEC Hybrid Line

ATwistedStaple

ATwistedStaple

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I like the custom maker trend of using modern handle materials and blade steels in traditional knives. I've been on the lookout for a slippie with Emerald Silver Twill forever it seems.

I'm pretty sure there's a largely untapped market for a production line in the same vein. Case makes some G10 models, but I don't trust their QC enough to ever buy one online. What I'd like to see is GEC coming out with a new line of knives of this type. G10, Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber, M390, S35VN, etc. Hopefully if we can show enough support for such a line it'll happen. Hence the thread.

What do we think folks?

Personally I want to see a single blade #92 with Orange G10 or a #42 with Emerald Silver Twill first.

I've mentioned the idea to GEC and the good folks at KnivesShipFree.com. Time to put some pressure on.

PS: I quite like 1095 and don't really care much about the use of higher end powdered stuff, but I think it might help the line succeed. What do we think?
 
As I understand it, the whole vision behind GEC is to make traditional knives using traditional methods and traditional materials. What your proposing would not just add another line of knives to their business, it would completely rewrite their business model. I'm not against it, mind you. I just want you to understand that you're climbing a pretty steep hill on this one.
 
While it would be a nice idea to add powdered metallurgy, as someone who gravitated here from modern knives I don't care much for carbon fibre, G10, etc/ with powdered metallurgy comes severe price increase. GEC doesn't work in anything other than 440c, 01 and 1095. As Cory said, they stand by a traditional mindset on knives, the tried and true.

The only company that does so is Queen as noted with the Northwoods Indian River Jacks. Queen is not quite up to GEC's fit and finish so you would be giving up a increase in price, and you wouldn't have GEC's patterns (the main point behind this post)

I suppose GEC might entertain the idea of powdered steels but the costs would go significantly up. For myself, if I'm going to be spending over 160$ on 1 or more knives, I would just save up for a custom of my own specifications and steel. Many custom traditional makers work in cpm154, ats-34, m4.

All in all, it's a nice idea and I'm on board for the possibility higher end steels (cpm154, s30v, ats-34)
 
I think it'd be awesome. I think most of my knife purchases would immediately move to that line. I also think it will never happen.

It's just not part of GEC's vision, and certainly not feasible with the traditional machines that they use in their production process.

But we can dream.
 
Ryouchijtx said:
While it would be a nice idea to add powdered metallurgy, as someone who gravitated here from modern knives I don't care much for carbon fibre, G10, etc/ with powdered metallurgy comes severe price increase. GEC doesn't work in anything other than 440c, 01 and 1095. As Cory said, they stand by a traditional mindset on knives, the tried and true.

The only company that does so is Queen as noted with the Northwoods Indian River Jacks. Queen is not quite up to GEC's fit and finish so you would be giving up a increase in price, and you wouldn't have GEC's patterns (the main point behind this post)

I suppose GEC might entertain the idea of powdered steels but the costs would go significantly up. For myself, if I'm going to be spending over 160$ on 1 or more knives, I would just save up for a custom of my own specifications and steel. Many custom traditional makers work in cpm154, ats-34, m4.

All in all, it's a nice idea and I'm on board for the possibility higher end steels (cpm154, s30v, ats-34)
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^^^This. :thumbup: I'd like my 3 favorites, M390, CPM-20CV, and Elmax. I love the GEC line and many others. My issue is I live in the deep south. This morning it was 85* and 95% humidity. If you look at a Carbon blade the wrong way down here, it will rust. :D
 
I agree with Cory and Tim. Im not sure GEC even has the equipment to handle steels such as M390 and they would have to invest a lot onto a line of knives that kinda go in the opposite direction of holding true to older techniques.

I love M390 but that is pretty much all that I agree with in your OP. I do however, personally, do not want to see M390 on a GEC knife.

I think it would be easier to get Benchmade to make more of a traditional style knife than to get GEC to make a more modern hybrid.
 
It's hard enough trying to get them to make more knives in 440C, but if your going to wish, wish BIG! :)

I do however agree that this thinking is a 180 degree opposite of their mission statement of producing traditional knife patterns with traditional materials...
 
KBA said:
I agree with Cory and Tim. Im not sure GEC even has the equipment to handle steels such as M390 and they would have to invest a lot onto a line of knives that kinda go in the opposite direction of holding true to older techniques.

I love M390 but that is pretty much all that I agree with in your OP. I do however, personally, do not want to see M390 on a GEC knife.

I think it would be easier to get Benchmade to make more of a traditional style knife than to get GEC ro make a more modern hybrid.
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*Emphasis added

Great point! The problem is that GEC's manufacturing standards are just so much higher than many other companies because of low output and large product variety within a (relatively) small variation in production processes. To add all new equipment and processes, which would be necessary to undertake all the modern materials mentioned, would plain out destroy the business model that gives GEC such advantage.

But it'd certainly be awesome to have a GEC #15 with lightning strike carbon fiber covers, superconductor bolsters, and m390/xhp/elmax steel.
 
My thinking is that they've proven that traditional for traditions sake can still be successful. They can keep up their current lines of traditionals while introducing a whole new product essentially to the market. There's no real competition at the moment and I think the amount of time it takes Davison to sell a knife(3-4 minutes) alone proves the market exists.

My reason for the push is that I want to see GEC fill it. Call me a fanboy or whatever, but I'd be far less excited about Case, Queen, etc. hitting the market first.
 
Plus, the point of the thread isn't to discuss whether or not you THINK they will, but whether or not you want them to. Remember also that, as I've proposed it, it would be a completely new line not just different runs of Tidioute or something, so there'll be no sullying of a brand name. Back to the Future knives!(that probably won't be it)
 
ALLHSS said:
*Emphasis added

Great point! The problem is that GEC's manufacturing standards are just so much higher than many other companies because of low output and large product variety within a (relatively) small variation in production processes. To add all new equipment and processes, which would be necessary to undertake all the modern materials mentioned, would plain out destroy the business model that gives GEC such advantage.
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Completely agree.

I don't want GEC to grow into a large mass produced company that has to push out hundreds and hundreds of the same pattern. Modern technology, modern materials, modern steels may be to tempting to taken on a modern money hungry business model imo where quality goes down.

From my understanding there is a real passion for traditional knives and taditional techniques at GEC and I don't want them to lose that passion because a crowd gathers demanding change.
 
I would personally just like them to make more 440C.

Why can't they, or won't they, do that?

Eric
 
ATwistedStaple said:
I like the custom maker trend of using modern handle materials and blade steels in traditional knives. I've been on the lookout for a slippie with Emerald Silver Twill forever it seems.

What do we think folks?
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I think you should seek out a custom maker to make that slip joint with Emerald Silver Twill that you've been looking for forever.

GEC does a fine job with their traditional line and what with their constant introduction of different patterns, cover materials, and the various blade steels they offer they are showing no signs of going stale and languishing in a stagnant market.

Keep it up as is GEC!!!!
 
I'm quite happy with GEC as it is. They make some micarta scaled models, which is as modern as I'm currently up for. No need for super steels or pocket clips or thumb studs. Next thing you know, they change their name to cold steel.

More 440C would definitely be nice though. I love 440C.
 
Buzzbait said:
I'm quite happy with GEC as it is. They make some micarta scaled models, which is as modern as I'm currently up for. No need for super steels or pocket clips or thumb studs. Next thing you know, they change their name to cold steel.

More 440C would definitely be nice though. I love 440C.
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I agree, their micarta scaled knives are my favourite and as far as I would go in terms of a 'modern material'

I agree with Modoc ED OP, I've been waiting for GEC to introduce a Lanny's clip in OD Green micarta but I know it won't happen so I shall be joining a maker's list in the future to make such a thing happen. Jim Dunlap works in carbon fibre and silver twill though, I suggest you contact him~ Plus there's the added benefit of it being a 1 of 1 just for you.
 
I have no interest at all. I think they're doing everything right just the way things are. Keep doing what they do best. I think if they branch out too much, quality control can suffer. There are other companies doing it and I hear more complaints about those companies than I do with GEC. I like that they have a specialized niche market.
 
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