GEC Auctions of Note

[gsmith7158]

The #77 frame appears to be quite versatile spawning several different styles of knife. I see that the current 77 SFO for CK is already sold out before the knives have been delivered.

[Tsar Bomba]

Greg, that Northfield #77 for $570 ! I do not understand why some people need that knife that much. This is why i started this thread, to note these very highly priced ones to see if we can figure out WHY ?

I suspect some of this may be a market overreaction to the cessation of operations at DFC/Queen, one of the only real "premium" American cutlers still out there trying to navigate a dwindling market. The GECs that just aren't being made any more are seeing huge upticks in value. I feel lucky that I managed to get a #15 TC sheepsfoot in ebony just before so before many completed auction prices climbed to well over double what I paid (which to me at the time was stiff but fair).

I think we are at that point in GEC's corporate growth and development, however, that most of the new runs will be numbered in a way that prevents the lolly scramble on the aftermarket so soon (pump n dump flippers, selling knives not even in hand yet, etc.) because the first-run dealers get just enough to handle initial demand and the supply keeps GEC's coffers happy while frustrating the dash-for-cash payoff that doesn't benefit GEC in the slightest. I'm sure GEC has done the market research already.

In other words, expect to continue paying custom prices for those beautiful Whalers and Ancient TCs ( ) but maybe don't count on a 200% profit from that camel bone #43 going forward.

The #77 frame appears to be quite versatile spawning several different styles of knife. I see that the current 77 SFO for CK is already sold out before the knives have been delivered.

The #77 NF Barlow appears to share the #15 TC Barlow's desirability both in first-run and on the secondary market. The Washington Jack built on the same frame but with an endcap bolster is also widely popular, though I don't think it fetches the same 200%+ price on the secondary market just yet. The only 77 one I own to date is the 2016 when I just so happened to be in my office when the alert came (though I am grateful to have two reservations for forthcoming 2018 NF Barlows in hand). Despite the impetus to lock them away in a climate-controlled safe due to that desirability I plan to make at least one of them a user. Let that first bolster scratch be easy to handle.

[kootenay joe]

I just read a post at BF in which a poster states that he has been able to get an example of the #43 in every handle choice offered except for one SFO.
I think in part this is what is driving the GEC secondary market to high levels. If your compulsions dictate that you need 'one of everything' of a certain pattern and all you need is 1 or 2 specific examples to complete your set, then you might bid quite high esp. if the needed examples are not often seen.
I think in a few years ( about 5 ?) the fascination of having so many GEC knives of the same pattern will wane and these dedicated GEC collectors likely will be selling some knives at a loss.
kj

[robbobus]

An oposite eBay listing of note. Auction number 152989840742. Would have been nice to see this buy it now first.

[gsmith7158]

Here's one to marvel at. A stag 43 at $394 with 4 hours to go.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Great-Eastern-Cu ... %7Ciid%3A1

[Tsar Bomba]

Considering I recently saw a #15 beer scout in draft beer acrylic listed in the AAPK store for $288 (yes, the same variation that is still available at first-run dealers for regular retail price), I'll believe just about anything on the GEC secondary market these days.

[robbobus]

The buyer of the above lot I noted has all 5 knives for sale. The 15 starts at 200, the 35 at 92, the 99 is bid up at 112, the 78 at 116 [it will be a high selling price] and the 21 is at 100. 4 days to go,

[Tsar Bomba]

An oposite eBay listing of note. Auction number 152989840742. Would have been nice to see this buy it now first.

eBay can't seem to find auction number 152989840742 in its advanced search. Got a link? I'm interested to see this seller's other items.

Here's an Ironwood #77 with 12 bids, high bid currently $240 with over 2 days to go.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-EASTERN- ... 3627596744

Elderberry camel bone #77 with a BIN price of $325. Good luck...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Eastern- ... 2739573951

The #47 Viper with "blade play" at the half-stop for $215 is interesting, too.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Eastern- ... 2583675587

Oh well. Screw it. I like my new #77s too much to flip them, even for $100-200 profit. And nobody's getting their hands on my Viper.

[robbobus]

It works for me when I type in advanced search and click completed auctions.

[Tsar Bomba]

It works for me when I type in advanced search and click completed auctions.

Ah, didn't scroll down far enough to notice it wasn't including completed listings. It seems the other auctions have ended as well.

Let's hope he finds 5 more GECs he needs to get rid of quickly. What a deal!

[knowtracks]

Another TC.........
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Eastern- ... true&rt=nc

Dave

[robbobus]

In the current mad-barlow market that one might have been a bargain. I don't know the totals made, but you had to be at the OKCA show to pick that one up. "Soup bone, clip point, long pull are 3 of the most desired traits of the TC series.

[kootenay joe]

Here are 2 more high dollar GEC's.
A #72 from 2012 for $370
But this one takes the cake: a #77 from 2015 for ---- $494 ! basically $500 for a #77 Barlow. I wished i would have known this back in 2015.
kj

[kootenay joe]

Northwoods Scagel large Barlow: $521.42
I sold one of these with equivalent Stag about 2 1/2 years ago for $80 in an ebay auction.
kj

[gsmith7158]

Northwoods Scagel large Barlow: $521.42
I sold one of these with equivalent Stag about 2 1/2 years ago for $80 in an ebay auction.
kj

Roland I saw this scagel and went to KSF to look through the archives. Derek had two similar to this ,one was a 2010 custom and the other was I believe a 2011. They were for sale $350 each but they are gone now.

[kootenay joe]

852112, E.O. Northfield with super ugly bone handles, sold ! for only $586.
Blade is also ugly due to "Prototype" covering most of blade surface.
Those of us who have been collecting for longer than GEC has been around are jaded as to significance of "prototype" thanks to the multitude of Parker Prototypes. I see "Prototype" as lowering the value of a GEC as i would rather have an example from the run of knives.
kj

[Tsar Bomba]

I'm starting to suspect shenanigans. I don't know enough about the ebay seller checks to say HOW it's being done, but I can come up with a few likely ways in which a seller or accomplice(s) can bot-up the price when a legitimate buyer is "on the hook" and run a zero-risk all-reward proposition where either the buyer wins and pays an exorbitant amount or a "bot" wins and no money exchanges hands.

I wonder if ebay has algorithms looking for "sold" listings -> new listings afterwards. Probably not, because it doesn't help the Bottom Line.

[robbobus]

There is a Fayette Jack in giraffe at $610 with ~18 hours to go.

[kootenay joe]

Wow. Please be sure to post final price. At $610 it is already the 'Top Giraffe'.
kj

[knowtracks]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Eastern- ... 1438.l2649
Another TC, from the 1st run I believe

Dave

[kootenay joe]

Dave is referring to "Tidioute Cutlery 151112 Sawyer Barlow knife, Antique Amber" which just sold for only $458.
kj

[knowtracks]

Yes that is the knife Rolan, except that the seller has it in the wrong tube.....or at least the wrong label on the top. It is a Copperhead not an Antique Amber...still it brought a pretty penny!

Dave

[kootenay joe]

Dave, does the handle material make much difference in today's selling prices for the 2012 #15 Barlow pattern knives ?
kj

[knowtracks]

Not really Rolan! It all depends on what the customer is looking for to complete his collection. The Antique Amber was only made with a single blade. The rest of the cover choices were made in both 1 and 2 blades. The more scarce in a single blade is the Antique Yellow with 20 made. The 2 blade Copperhead had only 5 made!
The 2 blade knives are a little harder to come by because there were less made than the single blade versions. But none of them come up for sale often!


Dave

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Dave. I appreciate these details because i want to understand why some of these patterns are so sought after. Seems to me it is Barlow patterns on a 15 or 77 frame that are in hot demand ?
kj