Ken Daniels leaves GEC

[Rusty1]

TSA knives has issued a note that as of the 31st of December 2011 Ken will no longer be involved with the operations of Great Eastern Cutlery. He has sold his shares to Bill Howard.
Ken has bought the rights to Tuna Valley Cutlery and future endeavors will include knives made in the USA of various blade materials.

I wonder how long this has been coming?

Russell

[Gunstock Jack]

Wow! I'm shocked! After only 5 years?

It'll be interesting to see what changes are made at GEC, if any, and what becomes of Tuna Valley knives. I sincerely hope that things work out well for everyone concerned.

[johnny twoshoes]

I truly believe it will fine for both parties, I don't see there being any strife with Ken's departure. Especially because he sold his rights to Mr. Howard and is staying connected through Tuna Valley.
I would have loved to have seen everyone stay with GEC, especially because things just seemed so great for them. Ryan Daniels would be a huge piece of the company to lose as well, I hope he will stay. There are reasons behind this that we may never know, but I wish the best for everyone and maybe we'll see another factory???

Tuna Valley Knife CO.

[2Dead]

Wow! I'm shocked! After only 5 years?

It'll be interesting to see what changes are made at GEC, if any, and what becomes of Tuna Valley knives. I sincerely hope that things work out well for everyone concerned.

I hope everything works out for all parties as well. I never spoke to Ken or Ryan face to face but through email. Ken was kind enough to sell me his #48 Snakewood trapper when they were sold out everywhere else.

[Earl]

I wonder if Ryan is leaving as well? Bad news for GEC IMHO.

[johnny twoshoes]

This is from a very reliable source.

"I have had an opportunity to speak with Ryan this morning. He did ask me to convey some things for the Daniels family. First the answer to the burning question will he be staying the GEC. As a direct employee of the company no. He will still be involved as a sort of freelance sales. Has has asked me to let you all know his number has not changed. The Daniels family has asked that we extend a warm & genuine Thank you to all the folks here, without your support..nothing would have been possible over the past 5 years. Without sharing too many future plans...although they are sorry to see the end of this era with GEC they are looking forward to some exciting changes. Those include not only a new knife family for us all to enjoy (Tuna Valley) but also a new baby for Ryan and Courtney. I have gotten confirmation that the Daniels Family will still be attending the shows for this year and they will still be offering Great Eastern Cutlery products at those shows. In our eyes this is a wonderful step for both groups and a true win for those of us that love thier knives. "


I know, I have way to many questions myself?????????????

[Earl]

Thanks for posting that Caleb. As you, I have some questions.

No good can come from speculating about the "why's" and "how comes" of this.....on a public forum imho. Out of respect for the Daniels,Bill and GEC I'd hope members would keep conjecture to PM's. jmho

[johnny twoshoes]

Straight from the factory.



"A message to Great Eastern Cutlery customers, friends, fans, and family!

In 2006, when no one locally or in the cutlery industry would take a chance on a new start up cutlery manufacturing company, Ken Daniels was the only person who wasn’t scared by the challenges. He shared my dream and together we created Great Eastern Cutlery.

He has been integral to the company, but as with all things there is change,
and as of December 30th, 2011 the company has purchased Ken’s shares
and he is no longer a partner in Great Eastern Cutlery.

In the years since our establishment, Ken has been an asset to the company, managerially, and as the company representative in the industry. I and Ken share the same values, authenticity, quality, honesty, and loyalty. With much help from Ken, we have built the Great Eastern Cutlery reputation on these values. As we go forward, we will miss Ken but our values as a company will not change.

I and all the other GEC employees owe Ken a big THANK YOU for all that he has done for this company and we wish him the best. We still expect to see him here often and also expect to have a good business relationship with him in the future.

Bill Howard

President

Great Eastern Cutlery"

[TripleF]

Hmmmmmmmmm..........

[Trip]

Ryan is my best friend and the person who got me started in the crazy life of knives.He is also my business partner in selling and trading knives and collectibles I know we will be selling Great Easterns for a long time to come and even Though Ryan and Kenny no longer are owners of Great Eastern they still plan on working with GEC in the future and I am sure both parties will continue to make a quality product that many people love.

[coffeecup]

Oh dear, I hope this isn't my fault . . . back in mid-December I was out shopping and ran into Santa Claus. He asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I told him that after a year of trying to get some information from GEC, all I wanted was for them to get someone in management who'd answer their email!

[TripleF]

Amennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn COFFEECUP!!!!! Preach it brother!

I can't tell you how many unanswered emails I have......

[Ramrod]

Why do you have so many questions?
Maybe you could ask them here and get answers.
Do you think the Owner of the company has better things to do, than answer emails?
Mark

[knifeswapper]

If you have a specific question, this forum is just the place to ask it. The company may or may not chime in, but I talk to them 3-4 times a day and would be glad to get a response for you. I know they have been swamped lately because an injury to a key administrative employee, and everyone else taking up the slack.

[chetr1200c]

each time i went to the cyclops factory i bought a knife from ryan. each time i met ken at a show 1 bought a knife from him and i have seen him many times give knives for a buck or less to young collectors. i enjoyed their company when i was with them. i hope all goes well with their future plans, and i also hope that gec stays in the top notch production cutlery company that it has become under the guidance of the daniels.
good luck to the daniels family, we can be sure they will not stay still in this business. the future holds a very pleasant mystery indeed for us all.

[Trip]

Well if anyone has a lot of questions and live in Cincinnati area Ryan & myself will be set up @ Wilmington OH OGCA show this weekend so come by and say Hello I'm sure Ryan would not care to answer all quest ions you have..

[coffeecup]

I'm not sure how "so many questions" would be measured--ultimately, I've only got three. To be credible, answers are probably going to have to come from someone authorized to speak for GEC. The questions were addressed first to Ryan Daniels--twice--and then to anyone at the company.

I don't know if Ryan was an owner at the time or what, the thought didn't cross my mind. I was writing to someone at the company who invited correspondence by posting contact information on the company webpage. I didn't figure his time is any more important than my own, but then again, I was just a customer with a problem.

[knifeswapper]

I'm not sure how "so many questions" would be measured--ultimately, I've only got three. To be credible, answers are probably going to have to come from someone authorized to speak for GEC. The questions were addressed first to Ryan Daniels--twice--and then to anyone at the company.

I don't know if Ryan was an owner at the time or what, the thought didn't cross my mind. I was writing to someone at the company who invited correspondence by posting contact information on the company webpage. I didn't figure his time is any more important than my own, but then again, I was just a customer with a problem.

Well I can't address the past, or what others did / didn't do, but my offer stands if you still have questions. The company can probably give fairly credible answers; but if you want to ask them directly they will answer the phone every time you call between 8am and 4pm eastern.

Ryan was not onsite and had another job as well. Although he probably would have been happy to answer a question if you caught him; he was never the technical or production contact for the company.

[coffeecup]

Knifeswapper, I appreciate the offer, really. I'm seeking clarification of something I was told in a previous phone conversation w/GEC, so a written reply would be best to avoid ambiguities. That's all I was seeking in my emails to them.

Regarding the departure of the Daniels from ownership in the company, like all changes it could be good or bad. My initial post on this thread was born out of both good hopes for the future and past frustration with the company.

[JAYLUPARK]

You can't get in to the Wilmington Show Trip. Got to be a member.

[Trip]

You can't get in to the Wilmington Show Trip. Got to be a member.

I'll be working the table with Ryan.

[boggs]

What a "Motley" pair of characters....can't image how GEC does it with Hooligans like this.......

[Trip]

What a "Motley" pair of characters....can't image how GEC does it with Hooligans like this.......

Come on we don't look that bad do we?

[hookblade]

hey trip, is that pic from columbus? remember me? you and ryan signed my book. and i bought, i think 4 knives the first day and brought the kids back the next and bought a dead skunk calf roper. was a great weekend. hope ya get back to old cowtown soon. and hey everyone, these are a great two guys. and good luck and sales in wilmington. i,d pop in, but ya gotta be a member. crazy! hookblade--aka eric

[coffeecup]

Come on we don't look that bad do we?

Which is which? I'd hate to mistake Trip for Ryan . . .