This is your go-to space for all updates and discussions about the AAPK Club Knife. Stay informed on announcements, pre-orders, designs, and timelines, and connect with fellow members passionate about our annual tradition.
I would have to agree GEC is nice but an Albers club knife would be very nice Let's pre-order with an ETA at year end... so that Eric can have enough time to let his thumbs heal from time to time.
My 93 showed up in perfect condition. Thank you Bryan and Tom and Brandon... and anyone else that made this possible... much appreciated
Numbers 3 and 4 arrived today, safe and sound.
A big THANK YOU to ALL who were involved.
Attachments
Kid: "Wish we had time to bury them fellas."
Josey Wales: "To hell with them fellas. Buzzards got to eat, same as worms."
Clint Eastwood-The Outlaw Josey Wales
doglegg wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 11:58 am
I wonder if our own EA, Eric Albers would take on that project?
I like GEC, but my goodness... If Eric could take on a project like this, that would be the best club knife ever. I've always wanted to get one of his beautiful knives, but have never even got close to scoring one.
My only knife made by Eric. It's a beaut!20250102_100318.jpg
knifeaddict1965 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 3:09 pm
I like GEC, but my goodness... If Eric could take on a project like this, that would be the best club knife ever. I've always wanted to get one of his beautiful knives, but have never even got close to scoring one.
My only knife made by Eric. It's a beaut!20250102_100318.jpg
And then there was 1…..made it to Oakland CA and then decided that a Hawaiian vacation was in order so it scooted off to Honolulu. Today it arrived back in Oakland and hopefully on its way to its new home in Berkley CA.
All other situations have been successfully resolved so it looks like we are in the home stretch with last years club knife. I’m starting to document lessons learned so if you have any input, please share them here or via PM if you want to stay private with your feedback.
Thank you again to everyone that purchased a knife, I hope they have added some joy to your life and are getting along with others in your collections!
bestgear wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2025 1:54 pm
And then there was 1…..made it to Oakland CA and then decided that a Hawaiian vacation was in order so it scooted off to Honolulu. Today it arrived back in Oakland and hopefully on its way to its new home in Berkley CA.
All other situations have been successfully resolved so it looks like we are in the home stretch with last years club knife. I’m starting to document lessons learned so if you have any input, please share them here or via PM if you want to stay private with your feedback.
Thank you again to everyone that purchased a knife, I hope they have added some joy to your life and are getting along with others in your collections!
Peace
Tom, what are you going to do with all this time on your hands? Thank you for a well run sale.
QTCut5 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2025 3:14 pm about how long it took in totality, from conception to completion, to orchestrate this singular symphony?
I first contacted GEC in early May and placed the order on August 1st so it took about 3 months to settle in on pattern, blade, etch, handles, bolsters, shield and packaging. Not a simple process but not GEC’s first SFO rodeo.
All 227 knives are in the hands of the purchasers. USPS domestic shipping and UPS to Canada success rate was 100%. It’s been a journey that in a few month will start again. Your support, patience and feedback have fueled my desire to keep this project off of Bryan’s plate and coordinate the 2025 club knife program. Much has been learned and it will all be reviewed in the coming months.
In the meantime, enjoy your new AAPK knives and keep the pictures of them coming.
The pattern choice isn’t as simple as “we’d like x”. In January of this year I analyzed all the GEC patterns offered and subtracted the patterns that we’ve previously ordered and the patterns that GEC has made in the last 3 years as Bill Howard at GEC likes to cycle through their pattern portfolio. From the remaining patterns I proposed our 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice and they were all shot down
The ball is in GEC’s court to propose to me the patterns they are willing to make for us this year and we’ll go from there. I’m hoping to wrap up that exercise this month but also am realistic that I don’t control GEC’s schedule.
bestgear wrote: ↑Tue Mar 18, 2025 4:18 pm
The pattern choice isn’t as simple as “we’d like x”. In January of this year I analyzed all the GEC patterns offered and subtracted the patterns that we’ve previously ordered and the patterns that GEC has made in the last 3 years as Bill Howard at GEC likes to cycle through their pattern portfolio. From the remaining patterns I proposed our 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice and they were all shot down
The ball is in GEC’s court to propose to me the patterns they are willing to make for us this year and we’ll go from there. I’m hoping to wrap up that exercise this month but also am realistic that I don’t control GEC’s schedule.
Wow what a pain Tom. Thanks for all the hard work! Are there any options for builders or just GEC?
To those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected ones will never know.
RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 6:49 pmAre there any options for builders or just GEC?
we are very brand loyal based on the groundwork laid by Bryan, our founder. That said, we’ll stay the course with GEC and go at their pace and rhythm. Other options may look attractive but with GEC, expectations are easily managed and coordinated and that’s worth a lot!
I would have to agree GEC is nice but an Albers club knife would be very nice 
Let's pre-order with an ETA at year end... so that Eric can have enough time to let his thumbs heal from time to time. 
https://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/patterns/
