New knife - GEC Northfield #25 Jack

Daniel said:
I like that pocket sheath! How is it working out for you?
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The sheath didn't come with the knife. Looks like they sell them for $17.95. The description didn't specifically state that the sheath came with the knife, however including a picture of the sheath in the background could possibly be construed as a sort of false advertising. I wasn't expecting the sheath since it wasn't mentioned in the ad, and the knife was competitively priced with other vendors I checked. As a side note, it does look like a pretty nice sheath.
 
I was under the impression that GEC doesnt own the cripple creek name,but are making them for the people that do. Just like they are doing for bulldog brand, and schrade auto's. Can anyone confirm or deny that?
 
coyote711 said:
The sheath didn't come with the knife. Looks like they sell them for $17.95. The description didn't specifically state that the sheath came with the knife, however including a picture of the sheath in the background could possibly be construed as a sort of false advertising. I wasn't expecting the sheath since it wasn't mentioned in the ad, and the knife was competitively priced with other vendors I checked. As a side note, it does look like a pretty nice sheath.
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I saw those sheaths earlier and thought that it looked like a good way to protect it in a pocket. I was hoping to see how well folks liked them. I guess that they are pretty new from knivesshipfree, so there might be few users now.
 
Classic Case said:
I was under the impression that GEC doesnt own the cripple creek name,but are making them for the people that do. Just like they are doing for bulldog brand, and schrade auto's. Can anyone confirm or deny that?
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I was under that impression, too. If GEC's making knives with "Cripple Creek" or "Bulldog" on them on their own, then I can understand the concern, but if Cripple Creek & Bulldog (Or Whoever owns the name) is having GEC make them, then I don't see the issue. As has been mentioned, GEC made knives for Cripple Creek have the year stamped on them. That & if anyone's been knows the current U.S. made slip-joints, shouldn't have a problem telling a new version Cripple Creek from an old one.

Personally, I'd rather have one of GEC's brands in 1095 or 440C vs their Cripple Creeks in 420HC.
 
glocktenman said:
I bet that GEC paid a penny or two for the rights to use the Cripple Creek name.
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Couple of clarifications - a) GEC does not own the name, they are simply making the knife on contract for SMKW / BRK; and b) Queen is also making some of the patterns, to include the barlow pattern.

Note to the quality - In a couple of reproduction's case, the new one is made much better than the original. And the reproduction lines have in some cases brought significant interest back to the originals....
 
That's real nice. If you buy one of these "painted to kinda look like Cripple Creeks" I hope you enjoy it. I am sure they are nice. Just don't be beaming with pride when you break it out in a room full of knife collectors ( thinking that it is the real deal ) and get mad at everybody for laughing at ya. We learn by our mistakes and this would be a great way for a hand full of people to start.
Greg
 
I have no plans to purchase any,Not really a cripple creek collector.But I remember about 15 or so years ago,when I was buying case classics,people laughed at me,.."those arent made by case you know".Not too many of them are still laughing, so I guess you never really know. /shrug
 
That's right. I like what the Case Classics have done as well. They were produced by Jim Parker and under a license agreement with Case. Completely above board. They are also stamped different from the originals.
Greg
 
mckgreg said:
That's right. I like what the Case Classics have done as well. They were produced by Jim Parker and under a license agreement with Case. Completely above board. They are also stamped different from the originals.
Greg
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OK, now I guess I don't understand the problem as well as I thought I did. It is not like Jim had the blessing of the current WR Case at the time to make the Case Classics; he owned the copyrights and contracted them made (mostly by a WR Case competitor). They were marked with the date to insure they were not confused with the originals. Now, Cripple Creek knives are being produced by the people that own the copyrights utilizing American manufacturers. Probably not with Cargill's blessing. And they are marked with the date to insure they are not confused with the originals. Please clarify as to what you see as the big difference.

I too wish there were fewer reproductions, just for brand reproduction sake. But there is a huge collector market gobbling them up. And those laughing long term collectors will probably not feel as smart when the newbie sells his 2 year old Colonel Coon stag on eBay for $800 and they are sitting with those $350 30 year old models. It's a crazy hobby and there is just no way to accurately speculate the right decisions; otherwise everyone would have the exact same knives in their collection.
 
All they had to do was the right thing with Bob Cargill. Now look folks, there is no money in this for me one way or another. If you want to buy something just buy it. Make up your own mind. I am not a internet knife dealer, selling knives or promoting them for sale. I am not trying to get in your pocket or seperate you from your money on the latest and geatest pocket knife. I am using this space for what it is intended for, to show, talk about and educate each other about knives. Just know what your getting for your money and spend it where they give it to ya straight.
Greg
 
OK, that makes more sense. Some kind of royalty or recognition for the originator of the newly acquired trademark. I understand that concern and wish someone could come forward and provide actual facts for how / when the trademark was acquired; as I have seen speculation discussed in other threads.

It is simply a discussion and a desire to understand exactly what others are saying and why they are saying it. I think we all agree it is not intelligent to just take what someone says as all-encompassing truth, regardless of agenda or personal beliefs versus consensus and real world application. As in most hobbies, education many times comes expensive; and the more we can do here to assist those new to the hobby, the more fun and productive the hobby is for everyone...
 
I just want to say that I wasn't trying to stir up anything.My only point was that you never know what might become more valuable,and that a well built knife,is a well built knife.I think GEC makes a well built knife.
 
I don't think you have stirred anything up; this is good conversation and I count Greg as a friend in our hobby. One thing [as a knife dealer trying to get into your pocket ;) ] that I enjoy delving into is what / why perceptions and opinions get formed and the facts behind them. It is a great hobby, that in an overwhelming fashion, is supported and enjoyed by fine people.
 
"I bet that GEC paid a penny or two for the rights to use the Cripple Creek name." My words were just speculation.....understanding that GEC is now making Cripple Creek.
 
[/understanding that GEC is now making Cripple Creek.
This is where the confusion is. GEC is only making GEC knives. They are making GEC knives with "look-a-like" Cripple Creek decals for the people
that lifted the rights to use the decals. Later, Queen could be making them. A lot like brands that were made by Camillus and so on. Real Cripple Creek knives were made by a man in his shop.
The name Cripple Creek and the 3 legged buffalo shield were the creation of Bob Cargill and the identity of his knives . He chose this logo due to the fact that he lost a leg in a car accident which made the name and logo of his knives about as personal as you can get. Also shows a wry sense of humor.


Greg
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Queen and GEC were contracted at the same time to make Cripple Creek knives and both have versions on the market today. They are tang stamped and shielded as the original versions, but dated with current tang / blade etching.

Queen Made Barlow & Stockman are last two on this page....

And although Houston Price (as found in Levine's) does mention the lost leg and wry sense of humor as being the basis for the buffalo shield; Bob himself attributes it to his daughter bringing the rare error 1937 Buffalo nickel to his attention. Also, Bob himself sold the trademark to BlackJack when he was unable to produce the knives due to physical limitations. He later got it back, but could not continue it himself.

Bob's Own Website with history

Thus, although I wish Bob still owned the trademark himself - and at least could oversee the production of the trademark forged by his blood & sweat, the rights have gone elsewhere. Again, I have seen neither an official word from Bob nor the new owners as to the circumstances. But think that getting it from someone that knows would be very beneficial.

But, as it stands, every collector has the right to decide whether buying one will honor the trademark (and the man) or defile him. I personally would rather save a few dollars and buy the same model with the original manufacturers name on it. Or for that matter, pay a lot more and have an original in my collection.
 
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It's informative threads such as this one that allows folks to know what they are buying and who to give their money to. This thread has also made it quite obvious that knowledge gained from real life experiences and personal contacts can far exceed anything that someone can merely read in a book or find on the internet. For the most part, this thread should be useful.
Greg
 
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3 or 4 wks. ago i bought a Bulldog { same mdl. as gec 23] it was carbon steel & real ramshorn] . the reason i bought was because ramshorn is hard to find in single blade 23. it was marked in ad as made by gec so i did'nt worry about the quality. the knife was so well made & beautiful that my brother immediately went to bedroom & got some cash, told me he had to have that knife. i sold it for a small commission added to cost. a gec is a gec regardless of how its marked.
 
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