The 2016 knives have landed!

Hey guys, I mentioned this in the other thread, but after talking w/ Chris this morning, I'm hoping we will see the rest of the club knife order come through that will have the punch mod. as early as next week, but no promises as they are really busy with the 15 production too. :o

I'm sure glad GEC is willing to produce such a small order as the 2016 BF knife for us knife-nuts here on the porch. Go ahead and feel special! :)

PS: I know where to find a couple of CC's ebony versions. Shhhhhh...... ;)
 
Thanks for the update. I'm not in a hurry, appreciate the efforts, but was starting to wonder if I got lost in the shuffle. Maybe I will have it to pick my nuts around Thanksgiving :)
 
Vaporstang said:
My main blade actually had one "patina" spot on it right away... kind of a blessing in a disguise. This has been carried this past few days with now worries now.
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I fully understand! I mean I knew I'd get to using mine eventually, but I always seem to miss that pristine phase when they're brand spankin' new. I figured I'd prolong the inevitable on this one.
But like you, mine is now tossed in the pocket with no worries whatsoever.
 
R8shell-yah, two springs with the spey tight against the spear master and opposite the punch. The Spey can be difficult for me to open with short nails, as the nick sits low and doesn't have any kind of "easing" in the frame for access. I really like the pattern (equal end cigar-type cattle knife), but I tend to carry a large Queen with a punch simply for the D2 steel. It's on the Queen #49 frame, so I occasionally switch off for the room in pocket. Another reason I'm eager to get my forum knife-size! :D
Thanks, Neal
 
gunstockjack said:
I'm sure glad GEC is willing to produce such a small order as the 2016 BF knife for us knife-nuts here on the porch. Go ahead and feel special! :)
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That remark makes me think maybe GEC is grumbling about our business behind the scenes. Are we more trouble than we are worth to them?

I am glad they are building these knives, and I am even more glad that you and Charlie, and anyone else behind the scenes is willing and able to keep this tradition alive and I would be truly saddened to see it end. I am willing to do anything I am able to do to help it keep going.
What I don't appreciate is being made to feel like a beggar when it comes to getting a "small order" of what? 300+ identical knives built. An order so small that I can't find an order that large for a single knife in all of GEC's production for 2015. Yes, they do have runs of more total knives in some models (like the #15 as an example), but not all in the same scales. 300+ would still be an above average run it looks like.

Forgetting the size of the order, I wonder what percentage of GEC's total yearly production is purchased every year by the same people who are buying this knife? I doubt they could survive, and certainly not thrive, without that business and is it really too much to ask for an annual special order (that was always pre-paid in full before production started), if for nothing other than a thank you to what almost has to be the largest single identifiable group of their VERY LOYAL customers?

I'm sure they are taking the time necessary to provide the best possible product, and I know from experience they will "make right" any knife returned for service.
I am not sure if the "be glad we are even deeming your weak little pain in the a** order worthy of our time" attitude is coming from GEC or you, but if it is GEC's feelings on the matter they can keep their knives as far as I am concerned.
 
You know folks, humans are actually highly dependent on voice intonation and facial expression when communicating. It is difficult to convey exact meaning in a written format. I struggle with it, and writing precisely is one of my core skills for my job. I have years of experience and I still struggle.

So it is often best not to make too much of a single remark, and give the poster the benefit of the doubt.

I have no doubt that GEC appreciates us. I've dealt with enough forum knife projects to know they have repeatedly bent over backwards to help us get what we want for a very fair price. I further have no doubt that Charlie and Barry have done awesome by us repeatedly.

I understand the bumps in the road are irksome. But let's not make a mountain out of a single comment.
 
FLymon said:
That remark makes me think maybe GEC is grumbling about our business behind the scenes. Are we more trouble than we are worth to them?

I am glad they are building these knives, and I am even more glad that you and Charlie, and anyone else behind the scenes is willing and able to keep this tradition alive and I would be truly saddened to see it end. I am willing to do anything I am able to do to help it keep going.
What I don't appreciate is being made to feel like a beggar when it comes to getting a "small order" of what? 300+ identical knives built. An order so small that I can't find an order that large for a single knife in all of GEC's production for 2015. Yes, they do have runs of more total knives in some models (like the #15 as an example), but not all in the same scales. 300+ would still be an above average run it looks like.

Forgetting the size of the order, I wonder what percentage of GEC's total yearly production is purchased every year by the same people who are buying this knife? I doubt they could survive, and certainly not thrive, without that business and is it really too much to ask for an annual special order (that was always pre-paid in full before production started), if for nothing other than a thank you to what almost has to be the largest single identifiable group of their VERY LOYAL customers?

I'm sure they are taking the time necessary to provide the best possible product, and I know from experience they will "make right" any knife returned for service.
I am not sure if the "be glad we are even deeming your weak little pain in the a** order worthy of our time" attitude is coming from GEC or you, but if it is GEC's feelings on the matter they can keep their knives as far as I am concerned.
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Wow, you sure read a lot into that remark. I only meant that I feel lucky that they are willing to work with us. My feelings are my own so back the truck up, please.
 
I'm sure that GEC appreciates the order and the loyalty of their customers. After all this is a niche business with limited clientele. I only wish they had added blade opening and closing to their QC routine. After all, a knife has limited function and it starts with being able to get the darn thing open. Mine got shipped back yesterday after trying unsuccessfully to fix it myself. Looking forward to getting it back. It's a really great knife.
 
I think the point was taken wrong. When GSJ said we should "feel special", my impression is he is saying we should feel special to have input to the design and production of a specific product by a major manufacturer for just us. I think we should feel special for that. GEC is a busy company and have done just fine doing runs of their choosing. Plus, the knife is a bit cheaper than what it would normally go for. We get a unique tang stamp, covers/blade configuration that were decided by a poll... Anyway, what Knarf said... seems like just a miscommunication.
 
gunstockjack said:
Wow, you sure read a lot into that remark. I only meant that I feel lucky that they are willing to work with us. My feelings are my own so back the truck up, please.
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If I read too much into that, my apologies to GEC. Maybe I have an inflated opinion of this community and the fine people in it and I don't think we deserve, nor should we tolerate, being marginalized in any way by the businesses we patronize and collectively provide immense daily support and promotion to with our activities on this site.
GEC has earned their place by building a great product. It is understandable that they are in high demand and I hope things stay that way.

To be clear, you and Charlie, the mods here, the site owner, and everyone else who has worked for us over the years to keep this tradition going are the champions here. Issues with individual knives or delays (real or perceived) in production are not at all what my comments were about, and have zero to do with you and your efforts. That stuff happens and reflects solely on the manufacturer.

You feel we are lucky for them to work with us, fair enough and thanks for clearing that up. While I don't disagree, it should be a two way street with them being more the "lucky ones" in my opinion.
 
I would re-iterate that my opinions are my own and GEC has nothing to do with my personal opinion, nor do I have any influence on the opinion of GEC management. GEC has said nothing about the manufacturing to me, as far as that goes, but I can imagine Bill is less than happy with having to re-work much of the order, even if it is the company's problem.

Here is the point I was trying to make: we are lucky to have a US manufacturer that is willing to work with us. 350 may sound like a lot of knives, but it isn't profitable to set up machinery to produce that few in number. In fact, Charlie had to order 150 extra knives on his own to have the requisite number of knives required (500) to produce any sfo by GEC. GEC likely made zero profit on this particular order.

Also, no other knife exactly like the 2016 forum knife exists, with the exception of the 150 ebony versions. It is NOT just a factory production model with a different tang stamp.

I would also add that Queen declined to work with us this year, and Canal Street went under, as you know. So what other US or even global cutlery manufacturer is even on the short list to make our yearly knife? I can't think of any, as Case surely is too big to worry about such a small order and the remaining US manufacturers are into the tactical market more so than traditional patterns. Rough Rider? Not for me, and besides, we'd have to order 10,000 so everyone would have to buy 30 knives to make the project feasible.

So yeah! Feel special, because Charlie's efforts and expertise combined with Bill Howard's willingness to get involved is a very special event. Don't take for granted that this will be the case in the future.

Myself, I feel pretty darn special to have one of 350 knives made especially for us. :D
 
gunstockjack said:
In fact, Charlie had to order 150 extra knives on his own to have the requisite number of knives required (500) to produce any sfo by GEC.
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Is 500 really the minimum number of knives for a GEC Special Factory Order?
 
Barry, I just want to commend you again on all of the hard work you have put into making this forum knife possible. It disappoints me that you have had to spend so much time defending yourself and GEC. Everyone, please remember that these knives are a privilege, not a right. There was a small hiccup in this year's run of forum knives but it is not the end of the world. In my opinion, we are very lucky that GEC took this project on for us. I for one love the forum knife and everything that it stands for. I'm afraid that if GEC would ever choose not to help us out we would be SOL to find another quality US manufacturer willing to do such a small, unique run.

Again, thank you to Barry, Charlie, GEC, and everyone else who made this knife possible.
 
abiggs said:
Barry, I just want to commend you again on all of the hard work you have put into making this forum knife possible. It disappoints me that you have had to spend so much time defending yourself and GEC. Everyone, please remember that these knives are a privilege, not a right. There was a small hiccup in this year's run of forum knives but it is not the end of the world. In my opinion, we are very lucky that GEC took this project on for us. I for one love the forum knife and everything that it stands for. I'm afraid that if GEC would ever choose not to help us out we would be SOL to find another quality US manufacturer willing to do such a small, unique run.

Again, thank you to Barry, Charlie, GEC, and everyone else who made this knife possible.
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Well said, and I thank you. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Jack Black said:
Is 500 really the minimum number of knives for a GEC Special Factory Order?
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Yes sir! That is GEC's current policy on sfo's, although on certain runs they allow dealers to change the covers or possibly some other minor change on quantities between 50 min. and 100 max. such as the recent 14's. No more special shields unfortunately, unless you are a large (volume wise) enough dealer to finance the 500. (Let's see... 500 knives @ $90 ea. = $45K, for example.) Kinda puts 'em outa reach for me Jack. :)

Just to add: GEC expects the money on delivery, so financing is on the dealer. :eek:
 
gunstockjack said:
Yes sir! That is GEC's current policy on sfo's, although on certain runs they allow dealers to change the covers or possibly some other minor change on quantities between 50 min. and 100 max. such as the recent 14's. No more special shields unfortunately, unless you are a large (volume wise) enough dealer to finance the 500. (Let's see... 500 knives @ $90 ea. = $45K, for example.) Kinda puts 'em outa reach for me Jack. :)

Just to add: GEC expects the money on delivery, so financing is on the dealer. :eek:
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:O and I bet they don't keep the Juice running, COD is intense for $45k, and some can go higher im sure. Thank you Barry, Charlie and everyone else who gets involved to make sure we have these nice SFOs for the forum knife. And thank you all especially for putting up with the extra headaches when things go a little wonky
 
I'm not a mod by any means but I think if this it continues is should be moved. There are 4 topics being discussed: First, the knife itself. Second, how we all are privileged that GEC will work to output a forum knife along with others who help make that happen. Third, would GEC be doing as well if it were not for this forum, those of us on here who buy multiples, get on the reserve, may actually keep GEC open and is GEC appreciative of that. The fourth is now the SFO order details.

Anyways
 
I'd be interested to know why Queen declined to get involved with the forum knife. From what I remember, they weren't interested last year either. Is there a reason given, or do they just say no thank you?
 
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