Traditional Knives - Rare and/or Limited Editions

[Hale Storm]

Just got my first GEC knife. A Tidioute Frontier. LOVE IT! As a newbie, I have some questions and would like to see more of what's out there.

I managed to get #02 and my understanding is that GEC always keeps #01 for their catalog/showroom, etc. Is this true?
I could care less what it's worth so I don't think I'm breaking the rules here. It's a keeper and I plan to carry it tomorrow to work. I'm just wondering if having #2 is a big deal? Should I buy another one to carry and put this away for a son or grandson?

Also, I really want a TC Barlow or maybe some other type of TC but I'm not up to speed on what is out there yet and they seem hard to find. Are they rare?

Lastly, I like to have blades (when possible) that are 1st runs, limited editions, serial numbered limited. You get the idea.

I'm hoping the community will post some pics of some limited runs of traditional knives and the TC series as well. I saw a bunch of them in the "What ya totin' today" section but I'm only interested in GEC for now but my wife would say different.

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[Hale Storm]

I was hoping to get some feedback tonight to decide if I should carry this beauty tomorrow. :grumpy:

 

[Bob W]

All of my GEC knives have been cataloged into the Collection/Accumulation and will not be used. Nothing special about Great Eastern in that regard though; nearly all of my knives are saved in unused condition, Limited Edition or not.

These won't be used either. Ever. Never. Not in my lifetime:

 

[waynorth]

You can always use a knife, but it is only mint when it is unused. What's the hurry? Buy a used one for way less, and use it. In fact use it up!!
I have old knives worth a few hundred, even several hundred, because they are unused.
You have heard the saying "use it or lose it"? That refers of course to your physical condition, and other things needing exercise.
In knife collecting, it is "use it and lose money"!
That refers to new desirable knives. Use a used one and lose nothing!!
Your knife is a collectible. Some people value the number "2"s.
Rush out and get some patina, and it's just another nice Jack knife!!

 

[SAK Guy]

Sorry bro, no experience in this area but I would save it and buy an non serialized version if it were me.

I buy mostly used and usually carry knives that are 10-25+ years old so I don't have this problem. My main concern is that I have nice spares to the knives I like so in case of loss, theft or....fire, I won't be without one.

Hope that helps...some.

Edited to add, I do have knives that I just keep in my collection that will never get used..I just buy lots of the ones I will use (if I can afford/find them).

That makes less sense than my first answer...

 

[meako]

 

[meako]

 

[kamagong]

Only you can answer this question, and it requires a bit of self-awareness. Do you consider yourself a user or collector? Once you determine that, everything else is easy.

- Christian

 

[black mamba]

I'm hoping the community will post some pics of some limited runs of traditional knives and the TC series as well. I saw a bunch of them in the "What ya totin' today" section but I'm only interested in GEC for now but my wife would say different.

Here is a link to an older thread all about small run GECs. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/837498-Rare-GECs?highlight=GEC
When GEC started out they made runs of 75 to 100 knives, so early on, runs of 25-35 seemed like really small runs. But in 2010 they began to make runs of 25-50 knives much more common, and also produced some very small runs. Now I would not consider a run a small run unless it had significantly fewer than 25 knives, and some runs are only in single digits. Here are a few of mine.

#53 Cuban Stockman with smooth ram's horn, only 11 made.

#48 Traditional Trapper with smooth interior ram's horn, only 9 made.

#53 Cuban Stockman with green mountain stag bone, only 9 made.

#53 Cuban Stockman with river blue stag bone, only 9 made.

The second knife from the right without a shield is a #53 Cuban Stockman in Ancient Kauri wood, only 4 made.

#61 Half Congress with tortoise shell acrylic, only 4 made.

 

[pmew]

Here is a link to an older thread all about small run GECs. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/837498-Rare-GECs?highlight=GEC
When GEC started out they made runs of 75 to 100 knives, so early on, runs of 25-35 seemed like really small runs. But in 2010 they began to make runs of 25-50 knives much more common, and also produced some very small runs. Now I would not consider a run a small run unless it had significantly fewer than 25 knives, and some runs are only in single digits. Here are a few of mine.

#53 Cuban Stockman with smooth ram's horn, only 11 made.

#48 Traditional Trapper with smooth interior ram's horn, only 9 made.

#53 Cuban Stockman with green mountain stag bone, only 9 made.

#53 Cuban Stockman with river blue stag bone, only 9 made.

The second knife from the right without a shield is a #53 Cuban Stockman in Ancient Kauri wood, only 4 made.

#61 Half Congress with tortoise shell acrylic, only 4 made.

This about sums it up. Look at the production numbers on the GEC website, and you will be able to tell if it's rare or not. Nearly all GEC knives have an element if collectibility about them - it's just how they do.
I use all my knives, regardless of collectibility. If I wanted to make money, I'd import coffee. I buy traditional pocket knives because I like using them. But that's me

 

[Hale Storm]

Thanks for the advice pmew and the pics are awesome. I'm gonna put this #2 away for one of my boys. It's a 1 of 50 run and GEC says 49 made in '08. I have a few around the house I will post up for trade tonight or this weekend in the proper section and maybe I can get a nice user.

I MUST put a Tidioute in my edc rotation. Everyone knows how that is..............


Just off the top of my head I know I have a SAK Camper and a '63 Cattaraugus 22772 (I think '63 but I know it's no younger than that since I believe they stopped making them in '63). i have some more to offer but can't remeber at 5:00 in the morning.

 

[Stich2442]

This topic seems to come up often, I'm not a collector, I accumulate to use and tryout different patterns, I think of pocket knives as tools of efficiency, making task easier and plain and simple I like knives. I also never understood collecting as a investment, but you are free to do so, I've never met someone who has said "yep sold my knife collection now I'm living the good life" get yourself a financial adviser and work hard stay out of debt, make sound investments and don't try to keep up with the Joneses, don't live above your means, that's a sound way to make money.
I would think you originally purchased the knife because it triggered or stimulated you in some way and wanted a nice knife to carry and use, if so use it enjoy it, it was meant to be used as a tool, if you purchased to start a growing collection to put on display then do that, that is ok also, it is ultimately your choice. I have a #54 from '08 that is serial #4 ( of 50) and a #62 from '11 serial #10 ( of 25) and a few others with serial #'s all get used. I carried the same 2 knives for about 20 years, and about 5 years ago started buying more for pleasure, and to try patterns if always admired, any money spent has been recouped through the joy of use, the #62 serial #10 was a gift from my family for my first Father's Day, I get great joy out of carrying and using it, it even has a small crack on the mark side center pin now. I look at it this way, I was gifted my grandfather's hand tools, a man I am named after but never met, it was really cool seeing older versions of tools I use with patina from him using them, don't know if I would have felt the same connection if I was given them and they were still new and unused.

Gratuitous knife content

The #62



The #54


Pete

 

[joeymoey]

I have a #02 GEC 48 in burnt stag. I carry it and use it all the time.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I am a user trying to get rid of a collector mentality. I'm thinking of forcing a patina on everything.

 

[Hale Storm]

I get it now. Eyes wide open.
I shot my first deer at 11 with dads Remington Model 788, 30-30, that he bought in '63 before I was born. Over the years I've had many whitetails and other critters fall when it went boom.
Dad is gone now and the rifle is mine (along with his name, I'm a junior). That old rifle means more to me than any other knife or gun I own (and will go to my son, who is the 3rd man to carry the name), and I have several guns and knives that cost more than that gun.
I'll use the 02, and someday when it's passed on, they can look it up and know it was the first of something. Everything else about it, every scratch, all the patina, will be part of ME.

THANKS BF!!!

 

[Mescladis]

As far as I'm concerned I can't buy a knife and not use it. I'm a collector, but above all a user
I understand people who buy knives and put them on display because they make them dream or travel, but I just can't do that myself. Because I see the tool before the work of art. If I had the money there would be a few expensive knives I would get - customs and one of a kind pieces - but I would still use them. To me a knife, however beautiful, is a tool, and use and patina is what make them look alive and beautiful. An unused knife kinda makes me feel a little bit sad, or frustrated. I like to look at my knives and remember what I've done and where I've been with them. And if I'm to give one to someone dear to me, I like to give a part of my life with it and an object that carries a deep meaning. I would love to pass on a beautiful used knive to a child or grand-child - a knife that would have been used but taken care of, a knife that would be full of memories.

I don't like the "investment" part some see in collecting knives, but it's just me and I've no problem with those who keep rare editions and wait for the best reselling price, it's just another point of view. Maybe it's because it's really difficult for me to part with a knife I've owned, so when I buy a knife it's meant to be a keeper

Just my two cents, and to sum up I would say that if I were you I would use this #02, maybe not as often as a less rare or cheaper knife, so that it can take some sentimental value - giving it to one of your children will be even better! But you seem to already have made up your mind

 

[rma100]

It's true that GEC keeps all the #01 knives in their Factory Collection. They do not necessarily number the knives in sequence as they are completed. They number the knives as a a tray of knives is completed. The number 02 may or may not be the second knife completed and placed on that tray. That tray of knives may or may not be the first tray completed.

 

[jon_slider]

I really want a TC Barlow...they seem hard to find. Are they rare?

Yes, they are limited production runs that sell out quickly. The current run is a spear point with crescent nick. To buy one contact waynorth, gunstockjack, or one of the other dealers whose username is in Green

For more pics and info on TC Barlows see this thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1009441

There is a historical digest of that thread here
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1156593

 

[B.F.U]

You are correct about #01. That means yours is the first that is in the public. And it was 50 knives at most, so it's naturally rare. If I had the money I'd save it and buy another to carry, but I'd do that with a lot of knives if I had the money.

The TC barlows are hard to get because they are all special factory orders in limited quantities.

 

[knifeswapper]

I managed to get #02 and my understanding is that GEC always keeps #01 for their catalog/showroom, etc. Is this true?

GEC serialization will be offered on campuses near you one of these days. Originally (2006/2007) everything was serialized regardless of how many were made. In 2006 they didn't re-start the numbers just because the slabs changed either. So the first chestnut bone variant may be serial#75. Then for a while they serialized the first 50 of each variant. But today they have an actual algorithm (lifted from my FAQ's)
-----------------------
Q: Why are some GEC's serialized and some not?

A: It is mostly to do with demand for serialized models, but Great Eastern actually has a general rule on serialization. A) If there will be less than 50 produced, none will be serialized. B) If there will be more than 50, but less than 75 produced, the first 25 will be serialized. C) If there will be 75 or more produced, the first 35 will be serialized. D) Genuine Stag, Natural Stag, Primitive Bone, Snakewood, and some other prime handles will always be serialized. There are periodically other exceptions (SFO's, etc.); but these are the general rules.
-----------------------

So, for collectors, most of the shortest runs were not serialized. But I still get a kick out of some sellers that will be selling a 2008 knife without a serial number and say that it is only one of three made! But there were 50 serialized and 3 non serialized. So technically, yes - reality, no.

As to serial #1 and serial #2. The factory collection of serial #1 knives got really big, really quick. So most general production runs these days do not even have a #01. Maybe one variation in a new run. Special factory orders will many times be serialized and the contractor has the right to #01, so they do show up periodically; but are actually more rare than prototypes. Serial #02 is just a number, but it does signify the first knife to be serialized in a given run and does carry a little prestige. I think the thought is that it was the first one made before the workers got tired, but it is just pulled out of one end or the other of a tray once the machine is setup.

The dealer in me says "you better get another one to use" But the knife lover, for the tools they are, in me says put that fellow to work.