Why doesn't GEC produce Sodbusters?

S

soulogun

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Jul 27, 2009
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Unless I've missed something this is a pattern GEC doesn't make, but why? I'd imagine that anyone with any interest in the pattern would pick up at least one. GEC uses a lot of acrylic, this would be tough enough for a bolsterless (shadow) pattern, right? They could produce the standard yellow and black, then maybe different runs of their other color patterns, dead skunk soddy jr anyone? I'm guessing it comes down to cost, since the sodbuster seems to be most makers least expensive pattern. What are your thoughts?
Rick
 
I think it'd be good business for them to do it. If nothing else, a delrin soddie in the $40-$50 range might entice some curious customers to take their first plunge on a GEC. Then, once they see that quality up close, they're more likely to A) spread the word about how great GEC knives are and b) buy more.
 
Maybe they just haven't gotten there yet.
GEC always seems to put their own spin on traditional patterns so it would be interesting to see what they would do with a sodbuster.
 
Maybe they don't have the equipment set yet on the soddie. Would be really interesting to see GEC making one if they did, especially if the price was right.
 
i love my CASE CV, not crazy about the Queen Version so it'd be nice to have another domestic option but it would have to be in the same price range as case... Be tough to beat the CV soddie for sure!
cheers
gene
 
I would love to see a GEC sodbuster. I think they could make a pretty interesting take on a sodbuster. Even better if they could squeeze a lanyard hole into the handle; I feel like that would be a nice addition to a sodbuster.
 
Give them time. They're still a fairly new company, it will take them a while to get a full roster of patterns together. If GEC does make a sodbuster, I imagine it will be higher end than the economy models already on the market. Sodbusters with GEC's fancy acrylic scales, those would be something to see! Some bone-scaled versions would be very cool, especially if they dropped the point just a smidge, to give the pattern a useful tip!
 
I would buy one. I also just sent GEC an email to mayhaps get them thinking about it. :D
 
That would a be NICE soddie to own, GEC Sodbuster
Stag, With Carbon blade steel! I'll take 2 please!
I bet it happens sooner or later!

Jason
 
mnblade said:
I think it'd be good business for them to do it. If nothing else, a delrin soddie in the $40-$50 range might entice some curious customers to take their first plunge on a GEC. Then, once they see that quality up close, they're more likely to A) spread the word about how great GEC knives are and b) buy more.
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Maybe....

On the other hand, it would be tough indeed to sell a "workingman's knife" knife that would probably be at least double the price of the venerated CASE, or the Queen Country Cousin. Brand new, about $26 for the astute shopper.

I just bought a little soddie jr. Bulldog brand knife in 1095. It was $22, with spiffy red scales. F/F, pretty good, about
85% of perfect. I wouldn't be on the bandwagon for a knife that would probably be (considering their price model) 3 times as much when this one works quite well.

Out of my shoe box full of pocket knives, the soddie is one that gets used the hardest, with wild abandon and the least concern. Certainly a great deal of that mindset is due to its "$ mid twenties" affordability. That certainly throws it into the everyday "tool" category for me. I have no qualms about using a soddie on anything and having had several offerings from several manufacturers over the years I have never had one fail.

I would suspect that a GEC soddie would be more for collectors and light users that would be looking for great fit, finish, snap, blade alignment, etc., and not so much as the tool aspects. That GEC F/F/snap alone would put the cost out of the "I'll try a GEC for the first time" guy that thinks $35 is a lot of money for a pocket knife.

If I get a new soddie and the blade isn't perfect, it's charming. If I get one and the grinds aren't quite right, it's a workingman's knife and going on site with me anyway. If I get one and the blade isn't centered, or the springs aren't 100% flush when opened, I chuckle because that gives the knife character. Grinds a bit when opening? No problem. That will wear off soon.

But at three times what I am paying for a soddie now, those issues would be constitute a defective product.

As always, just my .02.

Robert
 
I have no sod busters yet but it is a pattern have on my list to buy. I'd just as soon have a good one to start with. Make mine a large please. :)
 
A GEC soddie with bone or stag handles in 1095 and with a pointy blade would be awesome! I'd be all over it.
 
I'm not sure they would even want to make a Sodbuster pattern. I kinda see it as a loss anyway; are they going to make money on a $20 knife? :confused:

Do you make a small one or a big one? Many people are only interested in one size or the other--not both.

Is a $50-60 Sodbuster going to compete with a $20 knife? Only among the few people who were going to buy a GEC anyway, it's not going to have a mass appeal. As to whether it would draw people into the GEC market...I doubt it. GEC is not in the $20 knife market, and $20 knife buyers are generally not in the GEC market.

No way to win here.
 
One question is how many knives does GEC make in a run? Cost on the equipment dies seems to be the big question here. I mean, I would love a GEC soddie, but if you are talking a new blade die and new forms for scales, that is a significant investment. They would have to sell several small 50 piece runs to make it worth their while. The cost to them means a cost to us. Even if you went with acrylics and woods, you would be looking at $50-60 soddies. I would probably get one, but does that really help GEC....not so sure.
 
I like the idea but really think the price would be way to high. If I want a different handled soddie I'll have a maker put them on a case soddie for me.
 
joe-bob said:
I'm not sure they would even want to make a Sodbuster pattern. I kinda see it as a loss anyway; are they going to make money on a $20 knife? :confused:

Do you make a small one or a big one? Many people are only interested in one size or the other--not both.

Is a $50-60 Sodbuster going to compete with a $20 knife? Only among the few people who were going to buy a GEC anyway, it's not going to have a mass appeal. As to whether it would draw people into the GEC market...I doubt it. GEC is not in the $20 knife market, and $20 knife buyers are generally not in the GEC market.

No way to win here.
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I think joe hit the nail on the head here. Why would a boutique knife company want to make a working class knife? And traditionaly that's just what the soddie has been.

It would be like Mercedes trying to make a VW beatle. Sure they can, but it would cost double what the competition does.

Carl.
 
joe-bob said:
No way to win here.
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Oh, I don't know. The only 2 Sod Busters I've owned have been customs, both by K.R. Johnson. I would imagine a mid-line (Or high-end for a Sod Buster) might do well.

It'd be interesting, that's for sure. With GEC having recently come out with their slim-line Trapper & now the Dogleg Jack, I'd look forward to their version of the Soddie.
 
jackknife said:
It would be like Mercedes trying to make a VW beatle. Sure they can, but it would cost double what the competition does.

Carl.
Click to expand...

Actually, Mercedes-Benz makes a whole bunch of working-class vehicles; base model cars, delivery trucks, vans, ambulances, and farm trucks (Unimog), etc., they just don't sell them here. Possibly the most common Taxi in the world is (was) a Mercedes 240D.
 
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