Okay Guys, after another great trip to GEC and another awesome tour, I have decided that this is my favorite knife company.
As if that wasn't obvious enough already.
I enjoyed speaking to Mr. Howard about his company and his plans for the future and I can tell you from our conversation, it's going to be an awesome time keeping up with them. More SS will be coming out soon, so stay tuned for that guys.
I've learned from talking with Bill and seeing the shop first hand, that it's not really easy for them to bring out new patterns constantly, like we would love to see. Right now they focus on bringing out a new pattern, then adding different blade combinations as time goes on. With a total of 21 employed it's amazing to think that only a handful of people make all these wonderful knives. I think that we have to remember, that as big and as well known as GEC has become online, they are still a fairly small company, but I think that allows Mr. Howard to focus on the knives that come through the company.
I asked Mr. Howard what his favorite pattern was, and of course, it's "the next one". So bringing out a new knife is as exciting for them as it is for the collectors here online. Seeing the place and meeting the people that work here really opens the eyes as to what it takes and to how big it is for everything to come to completion. It's hard to imagine, but lots of people in the little town of Titusville still know nothing of Great Eastern Cutlery. Hard to imagine, I know.
We spoke briefly about Mr. Howard's time at Queen and the things that jump started his ideas as to starting his own company. His drive for better is no less American than his knives and it's refreshing to see in today's world, but today's world doesn't seem to really take affect on the company. It's almost as though you have taken a step back in time when you enter the door. Everyone has friendly smile or a firm handshake to offer, they are proud of what they do and they are more than willing to talk about their processes.
BH
