My Great Easterns

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:18 am

thanks for the reply knifeaholic. i have seen it on other knives as well. usually very subtle. just looked at some of my shatts and there are some subtle indentations at jigging points on the bolsters. never considered a problem. but they're not divots. i'm not wore out yet, i ordered a chestnut 73 and can't wait for the postal person. i know it's just a crapshoot when you can't hold em before ya buy but.........MY NAME IS JOHNNIE AND I'M A KNIFEAHOLIC TOO.

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:45 am

I'm glad we're getting this hafted ...er hashed out I mean. Thanks to knifeaholic for the explanation on the "sucking out marks".

While not classified as an error, I must say that I would prefer a knife with less pronounced marks ...or even better, a knife with no marks at all to one with deep marks.

Just like everyone else who has looked close, I have seen these marks on Case, Queen, and other manufacturer's knives. Perhaps this phenomenon warrants a look at the design process. Why not create handle scales with jigging that tapers off and stops short of the bolsters? Just like GEC did with the chestnut bone example shown by Mint Set Man.

I would much prefer that finish over the examples seen on Hukk's knives. (not trying to knock your knives Hukk

). Obviously, it would not be practical to expect every jigging design to stop just right, but I think it would be possible to keep the jigging more shallow toward the bolsters to avoid deep sucking out marks such as those seen on Hukk's specimens. (again... sorry Hukk

).

I am really pulling for this company to succeed and thrive. I hope everyone sees these posts as constructive critisism and not a blatant attempt to bash GEC. I feel confident that we all want quality US manufactured knives and GEC is one of our greatest hopes.

Bryan

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:52 am

correctomundo bryan

oldknifeman · Post by **oldknifeman** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:39 pm

These two guys from Great Eastern told every one 2 years ago, that they were starting a new factory. They said they were going to make knives the old way. So far every thing that I have seen has been excellent. I own many mint Green bone Case tested, Bullet Remington's. The old company's used to pride them selfs on giving you jigged bone, that went all the way to the bolsters. By doing this, when the bolsters was buffed you get what us old timers call jig hafts. I will not even buy a old knife that does not have this, if it is not there the bone has been changed. All your other company's today dress the bone down at both ends till it is smooth, so they don't have to work at it so hard. That is the reason there is no jig hafting marks on there bolsters.They have made thses knives with 1/2 stops, which you never see any more. Also they are finishing there blades with a crocus finish. Laying a #23 GEC up next to a mint bullet Remington will blow your mind on how close they are. As I said I love my GEC knives & will be buying many more that go along with my collection. All I can say about the nick picking I have read. That if you want a CUSTOM knife at factory prices. You are hurting.

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:20 pm

Bryan; "I'm glad we're getting this hafted ...er hashed out I mean. Thanks to knifeaholic for the explanation on the "sucking out marks".

Yes I too note them. But now I will be getting two S&M's re-handle-ed and thinking

..Will this be a problem to have the small dents show on different scales that will not match those dents?

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:31 pm

oldknifeman wrote:These two guys from Great Eastern told every one 2 years ago, that they were starting a new factory. They said they were going to make knives the old way. So far every thing that I have seen has been excellent. I own many mint Green bone Case tested, Bullet Remington's. The old company's used to pride them selfs on giving you jigged bone, that went all the way to the bolsters. By doing this, when the bolsters was buffed you get what us old timers call jig hafts. I will not even buy a old knife that does not have this, if it is not there the bone has been changed. All your other company's today dress the bone down at both ends till it is smooth, so they don't have to work at it so hard. That is the reason there is no jig hafting marks on there bolsters.They have made thses knives with 1/2 stops, which you never see any more. Also they are finishing there blades with a crocus finish. Laying a #23 GEC up next to a mint bullet Remington will blow your mind on how close they are. As I said I love my GEC knives & will be buying many more that go along with my collection. All I can say about the nick picking I have read. That if you want a CUSTOM knife at factory prices. You are hurting.

Thank you all for responding as I didn't know how they made them the old way, I now understand. They are very well constucted, no denying that. I applaud these gentlemen for openining a knife factory in these times.
I now would like to open the spey blade on the Horse cut without severe grinding, that will not go away with time. I would also like that clip blade replaced, if you can run your nail down the blade and feel the ridges, there is no finish on that particular one, the other blade is just fine as far as finish goes.

I have purchased more and I fully believe that these 2 knives were an anomaly, that they represent the worst case as far as quality goes with the BLADES.

If I want a custom knife, I will make my own. I can make it exactly how I want so I do not expect that at all from GEC or anyone else.

I will be speaking to Bill Howard next week hopefully.
What do I want, I can live with the red diamond jig except the spey blade has no finish, not when you can feel the ridges along the blade, on the front side.
On the Horsecut, the clip blade also has this problem and the spey blade can not be opened without severe grinding, maybe the wrong shim was used, the grinding will NOT work itself out.

Once again, these blades on the knives (well 2 of them) are not represenative of the standard GEC quality, even the seller agrees. These are worst case blades as far as quality goes, that I believe.

Do I want these back, you bet.
Will I buy more, yes, I've done that.

I do thank you on the lesson about jig hafts, that is new to me and I would not have learned that if it were not for this post. That is why we have these forums, so someone with knowledge will come along and enlighten us. For that I and I'm sure many others are grateful.

Nit picking, OK some, BUT, if the question was never asked we would not have gained this information which you just shared with us. So, I thank you for that.

BY THE WAY, welcome to this forum and please come back. The sharing of knowledge is what we do. Thank you for that knowledge and post, it is helpful.

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:16 am

I just received a few 73 models with Herringbone cut scales in walnut color with 1095 steel blades. Overall, I am well pleased with these. The blade finish is much better than the first two knives I examined. The Jigged bone looks great to my eyes. The shield is a little proud. It sticks up a bit, but if that baby is pinned, I'll take it for a ride over a glued shield any day. Walk and talk is very good. I'll be looking out for more. Hopefully I'll be able to give another good report. Pictures are attached.

singin46 · Post by **singin46** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:25 am

You're right.

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:58 pm

Those look to be very nicely done, glad I have one of each on order

I will say once again, that the the knives at the start of this thread in no way represent the quality, fit and finsh of other knives I've seen from GEC. They are rather an aberration than a standard that represents GEC quality.

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:43 pm

Now you did it Bryan....

I have to go buy one now...

..The check is in the mail...

Sunburst

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:21 am

Folks,

I have held back on my comments becuase of my love and passion for Tidioute related knives. I recieve a FINE example and wanted to show you my latest photo of it. A gorgeous bone Tidioute Cutlery made by Great Eastern. What a super knife. I have absolutely no problems with this knife at all and I am truly proud to have it for my collection. Bill Howard is to be congratulated for doing not only the knife in a great fashsion but no one has spoken of the little extras that make it even better. THe super packaging the onion skin wrap, the old styling and I can go on and on. Thank you Bill and Ken. I for one appreciate what you have done and have no problem recommending you to others, Those that aren't quite happy yet, you have nothing to worry about. These fine people will solve any problem you may have. I look to these people to be around for a very long time.

(welcome Back Tidioute Cutlery Knives) I have missed you

And you guys know that I am not a new knife person at all. My mind has changed on this one.

GECTECHMAN · Post by **GECTECHMAN** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:31 am

First I must say that my coments are just that, My coments and MY thoughts. I am not speaking for GEC.

Knifemaking is a craft.
A craft needs to be mastered and then you are a master craftsman.
One master Craftsman does not make many knives though.
I saw a Loveless knife sell on E-Bay for $4150
Consider this please.
GEC has trainees who are not yet master craftsman.
Any new company is going to have a lot of new inexperienced employees.
The goal has always been and will always be to produce a top quality product and believe me every effort is made to provide this quality to its customers, and every effort is provided to correct any deficiencies found.

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:08 am

great knife pa. and thanks getechman, i appreciate your comments. i understand there is in a learning curve with a new company, new knives, new facility and all the other obstacles. and i have bought four great easterns so far. however, in MY opinion, quality control should not have been left to apprentices.

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:11 am

pa knives wrote:Folks,

I have held back on my comments becuase of my love and passion for Tidioute related knives. I recieve a FINE example and wanted to show you my latest photo of it. A gorgeous bone Tidioute Cutlery made by Great Eastern. What a super knife. I have absolutely no problems with this knife at all and I am truly proud to have it for my collection. Bill Howard is to be congratulated for doing not only the knife in a great fashsion but no one has spoken of the little extras that make it even better. THe super packaging the onion skin wrap, the old styling and I can go on and on. Thank you Bill and Ken. I for one appreciate what you have done and have no problem recommending you to others, Those that aren't quite happy yet, you have nothing to worry about. These fine people will solve any problem you may have. I look to these people to be around for a very long time.

(welcome Back Tidioute Cutlery Knives) I have missed you

And you guys know that I am not a new knife person at all. My mind has changed on this one.

PA, you sure that shield doesn't say "tiedout"?

Just kiddin' really great looking knives.

nmikash · Post by **nmikash** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:58 am

gectechman-
It's nice to hear a voice of the company even if its not official, I think that we are in full support of GE here & wish you the best. Its understandable that there is a learning curve to the trade, but as Johnnie said quality control should be of the utmost importance for any new company. Keep the quality consistent & hopefully there will be many more good reviews on their way.

Nick

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:46 pm

What does this shield stand for???

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:49 pm

un-x-ld was adapted in about 1876 by northfield. - goins

Classic Case · Post by **Classic Case** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:21 am

short for unexcelled?

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:35 am

Classic Case is right on the money. I was told that Northfield used the UN-X-LD on advertising material back in the good ol' days.

Unexcelled

Bryan

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:20 am

Thank you very much gentlemen, your help is much appreciated.

Sunburst

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:57 pm

I just received the White smooth bone 23 model in 440C and Bokote Wood 73 model in 1095 and I must say that the quality is excellent, furthering my belief that the first 2 model 23's I received were not examples of the standard quality of GEC knives.
The Bakote is excellent in fit and finish, has great walk and talk (both do) and is everything one would expect. That knife is certainly one of my favorites and does the Tidioute name very proud.

Needless to say, I'm genuinely very happy with both knives and GEC can certainly be proud of both of these knives. I will be collecting more - count on it.

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