anybody else think GEC is losing it?

[bestgear]

... knives are not better in anyway, in fact for collectors of the 15 pattern, the general opinion is that they've gotten worse especially the walk and talk.

great post from a decade old collector, thank you!

GEC has it's challenges for sure and last year they produced approximately 100 finished knives/day. (23,000 knives / ~230 workdays = 100 knives/day). While that may sound like a small number, it's 100 finished every working day of the entire year, it's not a small feat to get done with the skeletal workforce that they have. Couple with that their locale and the availability of qualified personnel to hire capable of running wire machines, CNC machines, and grinding and polishing machines, it's almost amazing that they can produce 23,000 knives in 2024.

I'd rather see GEC reduce production numbers, increase finished quality and raise the unit price so they can maintain the same infrastructure and produce a better product. I believe some of the finished quality issue arise from being driven by the dealers to produce more and more knives at the expense of quality.

[justonemore]

correct, limited qualified personnel is definitely a major factor. I remember visiting from rendezvous to rendezvous staff would be different. Given also the population of titusville, selection is not a simple matter. It is good to hear Randy is back at the factory on a limited basis even though he retired

[SEArkHog]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but did anyone notice the pricing on the latest batch of GEC releases from BladeHQ?

[bestgear]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but did anyone notice the pricing on the latest batch of GEC releases from BladeHQ?

like this one that is sold out:

I know our club knife price went up 20% over 2024 pricing but we have multiple blades and a premium cover material. This is a smaller knife with synthetic covers.

[SEArkHog]

Yep that is the main example out of the latest batch. It took a few days to sell out but they did. I think they released 4 total knives and all are now sold out as of this morning. But I was very surprised at the sudden price hike from this particular retailer.

[bestgear]

Last night I watched a Facebook Live knife auction and the seller had multiple 2025 releases all at 2X+ the MSRP prices listed on the DLT Trading site https://www.dlttrading.com/great-eastern-cutlery which I have found to be reliable MSRP pricing. This video streamer IS NOT an authorized GEC dealer https://www.greateasterncutlery.com/gre ... tributors/ so he is either buying these from a dealer or selling them on behalf of a dealer.

The viewers were snapping these up and willing to pay a premium to secure one. My sentiments towards the video streamer are now negatively impacted because I view him as a part of the problem and not a part of the solution and all for the sake of profit. I’m perplexed as to why a 2025 factory produced knife would command such demand but they do as I witnessed last night.

Not to worry, there’s plenty of other Facebook Live and WhatNot knife sales every day of the week!

[justonemore]

those people are definitely part of the problem. they are the ones who constantly grab up knives for their stupid auctions which add to the inflated costs. and before any one goes "iTs jUsT CapItAlIsm" or "DoNt HaTe thE GaMe" realize, its due to these bad actors, why the prices have continually gone up over the years.

[1967redrider]

Is this etch supposed to be a dog in a spacesuit?

[bestgear]

Is this etch supposed to be a dog in a spacesuit?

interesting topic to pose your question John. Are you implying that GEC themselves created this etch and the absurdity of it leaves you questioning if GEC has lost it Is it a club knife for the AFAD, the American Federation of Astronaut Dogs?

[1967redrider]

Is this etch supposed to be a dog in a spacesuit?

interesting topic to pose your question John. Are you implying that GEC themselves created this etch and the absurdity of it leaves you questioning if GEC has lost it

Well, Tom, this seemed like an appropriate thread for posting this, without creating a unique one. I assume GEC did the etch, since GPknives is just a seller. But what is it exactly? GP says it's a Piasa Bird logo.

[Railsplitter]

Without looking it up, I don’t know the exact story behind the Piasa Bird but I live in the general area where it’s painted on the side of a cliff. Looks exactly like that etch.

My grandparents would drive by there sometimes on their way to other places with me in the back seat.

I do know that Piasa is one of the counties in Illinois. People around here pronounce it “Pie-Saw”.

[1967redrider]

Without looking it up, I don’t know the exact story behind the Piasa Bird but I live in the general area where it’s painted on the side of a cliff. Looks exactly like that etch.

My grandparents would drive by there sometimes on their way to other places with me in the back seat.

I do know that Piasa is one of the counties in Illinois. People around here pronounce it “Pie-Saw”.

Thanks for the info, Rick. It's definitely a new one on me.

[C-WADE7]

Thanks for the info, Rick. It's definitely a new one on me.

New to me too, but here it is.

[bestgear]

But what is it exactly? GP says it's a Piasa Bird logo.

I would say that GPKnives commissioned GEC to produce the etch in the same manner that AAPK commissions our etch on our annual club knife.

GPKnives says that their GEC knives feature its local Piasa Bird etch and based on local legend, the Piasa Bird mural painted on the bluffs of the Mississippi River was first documented by Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet during their journey in 1673. Father Marquette wrote of the bird that "was as large as a calf with horns like a deer, red eyes, a beard like a tiger's, a face like a man, the body covered with green, red and black scales and a tail so long it passed around the body, over the head and between the legs." The bird was given its name by the Illini Indians, "The Piasa", meaning a "bird that devours men" or "bird of the evil spirit".

Guess it’s not the American Federation of Astronaut Dogs

[1967redrider]

Very interesting picture and info. I like the odd, but will probably pass on this one.

[bestgear]

but will probably pass on this one.

ditto John!

[SEArkHog]

Very interesting picture and info. I like the odd, but will probably pass on this one.

Speaking of passing on that one, I have found myself passing on every GEC release for quite a while now. With the exception of Northwoods releases in which I always try to snag those. As much as I love GEC knives, the whole market for these continues to get more and more ridiculous.

I realize I am whining about the same things that have been said before but the secondary market for GEC knives is really the crux of the issue. Nothing can be done about it but the resellers are a major problem concerning the GEC brand. I'll gladly continue to purchase other knives without the stress and aggravation.

[OLDE CUTLER]

This Moose is the only GEC I have. The grind marks were never polished out near the shoulder on either side of either blade. Otherwise I really like the knife and carry and use it occasionally.

[1967redrider]

That's a sweet HAWG, as Mr. Blister used to say.

[Dinadan]

The grind marks were never polished out near the shoulder on either side of either blade.

Old Cutler - I think that is just the way GEC makes knives. After reading your post I checked my four GECs, from differeent years, and all have visible grind marks.

[OLDE CUTLER]

The grind marks were never polished out near the shoulder on either side of either blade.

Old Cutler - I think that is just the way GEC makes knives. After reading your post I checked my four GECs, from differeent years, and all have visible grind marks.
GEC12.jpg

Like I said, I only have one example. It is nicely polished under the blade etch, but not so much near the shoulder. You are probably correct in your assessment.

[bestgear]

GEC finishes most of their blades to 400 grit which will show grind lines. Other manufacturers today tumble their blades for a stonewashed finish that conceals grind lines. Almost none of my vintage blades have visible grind lines which leads me to believe they were finished to 1,000 grit or beyond.