Are people still collecting GEC?

[HiPower]

i'm not near an xpert on knives as many of you guys but think the smaller patterns although of high quality just do'nt do it for me. 3 &3/4 in. seems to be my lower limit. sunday knives have a place but really are a small niche in the overall market.[ i.m.o.]
i gravitate towards the larger old timey patterns which can always be called to duty if one wants to show off a great knife if only to shine in deer camp.--HiPower

[lxplumm]

Call me a sissy if you want, but my upper limit is 3 1/2 in.. In my urban environment I just feel more comfortable carrying a smaller knife.

[PigSticker]

I like all sizes--The biggest reason I haven't ever bought one is they're all #'d like that makes them more special or something I guess there's some that aren't #'d but it's always a less desirable knife I do like them a lot I just don't buy knives that tagged as collectable before they're even made--1 of 50 or 1 of 25 when they're brand new They try to make them collectable before they ever hit the street and I think it's worked but I'm not getting in that line--just my opinion

[lxplumm]

I suppose GEC gains some customers by the things that they do and loose some customers for the same reason. There are so many GEC's out there with numbers on them I really don't think that they mean much anymore. I buy (and use) the GEC's that I like, and I really don't care if they have a number or not.

[lxplumm]

Some interesting thoughts,Lane ___this issue/question was just asked/discussed on another forum ___what some GEC Collectors said *******___link to topic below******


http://blog.tsaknives.com/2013/02/26/an ... ymore.aspx

Thanks for pointing me to Greg's blog, which tended to confirm some of my suspicions. If dealers have to carry an ever growing inventory just to maintain there current level of sales, at some point they may decide the cost of doing business may just be too high. Again, I may be wrong, but I don't see this market growing a lot. We know for sure that at one time the world was almost exclusively populated with slip joints, and eventually replaced by the Buck 110, Spyderco and Benchmade. Would it be fair to assume that slip joint collectors are mostly older knife users who have held on to there old ways or feel nostalgia for their youth? If that is the case, then when you're gone, Big Monk, the whole GEC economy will probably collapse like the crash of '29. (See! You know what I am talking about.)

[big monk]

Well__________I missed the "'Crash of 29"" ______by a few years ___and I don't think me""going"" __ is gona' stop a train, to no-where***** I agree,that most of the ""traditional slip-joint"" followers may be a little older bunch of folks,but these same folks have other interest too !!!! (see below**)_______ if you haven't noticed, the ""Baby Boomers"" are spending lots of money to keep this country going in many areas, (cause we made lots of money during the good times *****)__and they are working longer (because the younger folks don't seem to care for work**)___maybe we are a little ""Nostalgic "" in our ways__but we seem to adjust to the flow,as we get older???? ____Maybe Great Eastern will adjust, too ???? ____after all__a couple of old geezers, started that company !!! ____ because all the other knife companies ,were closing or moving production to China___we'll just have to wait and see___

PS___ Lane,I checked your profile and,you sir, at the young age of 68___ know exactly, where I'm coming from !!!!!

[lxplumm]

WHAT?? I'm SHOCKED!!
OK, OK, I have a couple of those too (not as many as you, I'm sure).

I'm probably a little premature in predicting the demise of all slippies. There still seems to be plenty of them around and I'm sure they'll still be here long after I'm gone.

OK, kid, I'm glad to know you didn't take my comments too seriously.

[On Edge]

This is a very interesting thread ...

As some of you here on AAPK know, I have been a pretty steady GEC collector for some time, but some of the twists and bumps I've encountered lately have slowed that a bit (read: almost completely). Thought it was just me that was slowing down and/or getting more selective, but now I see this may be a trend among the traditional collector crowd in general … ???

I truly do appreciate the quality and robustness of GEC's offerings, and would also like to see them adapt and thrive, but I must agree with others here that in order to successfully fill the 'discriminating collector' niche, it takes the production of consistently outstanding product, as well as keeping your ear to the ground …

~ Edge

[HiPower]

i started with the black knives way back about 1980 & still use a bunch of them. when i was still cleaning carpet a one hander work knife was all that made sense. sold a large collection of older knives , razors,& swords about 2004, saw my 1st great eastern about 2009 or 2008 & went crazy all over. the old timey look & quality really appealed to me. in honesty i can say i've seen very few black knives that have any beauty but i have owned hundreds.the beauty is in the function & the fact they are one handers. there is an old adage --"dance with who brung you" that maybe gec should think about.[i.m.o.] i do'nt think you need to bring out a new variation every week to keep collector interest high, just vary handle material on the 20 or so greats they have produced. case certainly brought out many ,many models but that was over a hundred year span. i could be way off only time will tell. i certainly hope gec survives & prospers. HiPower

[Quick Steel]

[img]]%20i%20do'nt%20think%20you%20need%20to%20bring%20out%20a%20new%20variation%20every%20week%20to%20keep%20collector%20interest%20high,%20just%20vary%20handle%20material%20on%20the%2020%20or%20so%20greats%20they%20have%20produced.[/img]

Exactly correct I believe. I can understand how the dedicated GEC collector with abundant financial means may enjoy the numerous short runs. But I think this works against the growth of their market. There are so many variations in such small quantities that few new people are exposed to them. The focus on the brand is diluted. Years Ago some marketing guru said producing excessive models is like "pissing in the soup."

Tracking GEC seems an almost full time job.

Someone recently suggested GEC should do some significant advertising. I concur. The more casual knife person must be drawn in.

[gino]

I still buy the occasional GEC but I have seen a major interset in Queen knives lately.

[singin46]

I still have a strong desire to collect these beauties but have been so busy lately that i haven't kept up very well with the newer SFOs. If I miss any, I usually get the ones I want from MONK!

[Cooter Brown]

Exactly correct I believe. I can understand how the dedicated GEC collector with abundant financial means may enjoy the numerous short runs. But I think this works against the growth of their market. There are so many variations in such small quantities that few new people are exposed to them. The focus on the brand is diluted. Years Ago some marketing guru said producing excessive models is like "pissing in the soup."

Tracking GEC seems an almost full time job.

Someone recently suggested GEC should do some significant advertising. I concur. The more casual knife person must be drawn in.

I agree with this. I have seven and they are all users. Of course some get used more than others, one in particular (a 23). I think with more exposure to the general public they would expand their market, as they are offering patterns that have worked for people for a very long time. It's a little frustrating when they introduce a pattern in a handle material you like and they sell out before you can get one. Making something like an ebony dogleg or stockman a stock item would please a lot of people, me included.

Case sells plenty of classic knives, and in my mind GEC has a better selection of classic patterns like the swell end jacks, doglegs, and the 23/73 patterns. People will pay for quality--look at what some of the "tactical" knives cost, some of which are so bulky and thick that opening an envelope is a chore.

[HiPower]

ditto cooter-HiPower

[Ramrod]

Arent the GECs basically handmade? Alot of individual hand processes? Maybe they dont have the ability to pump out hundreds or thousands of the same pattern? I think they are doing exactly what Cooter mentioned with the bullnose (sodbuster). Producing alot of them, and at a cheaper price point. Thereby introducing the brand to alot more people?


Just thinkin out loud here.
Mark

[whitebuffalo58]

There does seem to be a fine line for companys like GEC, Tuna Valley and now to some extent Queen/S&M, to try and walk in the direction that collectors want and need.
On one side of the line is the concept of producing small quantities of high end collectable knives, which have the most appeal to dedicated collectors. On the other side of the line is growth by producing larger quantities that appeal to the masses. Producing limited quantities may keep them out of the limelight, but mass producing may very well take away the collector base that has put them where they are today.
One of the key problems with higher production, is lower quality standards. It's never as easy to Q/C 3500 items as it is 35, and almost impossible when you start talking about 10,000-35,000 of any one item.
How do you keep your name associated with the best of the best, and still find a way to grow to the point of becoming a household name? As the producer of a custom product, it's a dilema i've had to face for the past 35 years. Mass production for the masses vs. the highest possible quality for the few.
At this point, I honestly believe these companys are walking that line the only way possible. However, over time feedback from the public is bound to dictate which direction they take. I guess it's up to those that buy their product now, to determine what that direction will be. Do they become another W.R. Case and Sons, or stay on the straight and narrow of producing limited numbers of some of the finest cutlery available? Personally, I vote the straight and narrow.

WB

[Cooter Brown]

WB, you make a good point. At some point there is a transition from a high end, limited run almost "custom" item to a commodity.

As Ramrod said, the sodbuster styles they are making are an attempt at higher production/lower cost.

I'd be very happy if they made a couple of other patterns "stock" items, which would not preclude them from making the limited runs they do now. Of course expanding production is very expensive in terms of plant and equipment, not to mention labor.

They are in a bit of a tough market and have to balance these things very carefully. As we can see from this thread even serious knife nuts and GEC lovers can be fickle and their focus can change quickly, and walking that fine line perfectly would require a crystal ball.

I just hope they figure out a way to keep making the fine knives they are making. Even though I can't afford every one I want, it's good to know that there are people in this country still making classic knives of such excellent quality. Frankly if I had the bucks I'd buy a bunch to give to friends and family, especially young folks, to try to instill an appreciation of the handling qualities and practicality of the old patterns and the quality that can be achieved by people who care about what they are doing. Most of the younger people I know carry a big tactical type thing, as did my nephew before I gave him a Kamp King. He fell in love the the old patterns and now rotates the King, a stockman I gave him, and a barlow his step-grandfather gave him. There's certainly a GEC or equivalent in his future, hopefully before I keel over and he gets all mine.

Sorry for the long post.

[jerryd6818]

The knife collecting/accumulating community is small in comparison to the general population and within that small circle, those who frequent forums is an even smaller number. I think those are the ones who are familiar with and collect GEC. It's been my experience that the general public, who in most cases, buys one knife to carry, doesn't have a clue who GEC is. Sometime back, I mentioned GEC to the guy here in town who has a brick & mortar store and always has several tables at all the local gun/knife shows. He got a blank look on his face and said "Huh? Who dat?". As evidenced by the posts in this thread, it's a multi-layered issue.

[lxplumm]

I also stand with whitebuffalo58. In my worst nightmare, GEC finds cheaper and faster ways to make knives, starts running full page ads in Knives Illustrated, decorates their knives with ‘I love Mom’ slogans, gets bought out by a conglomerate that only cares about maximizing the bottom line and then starts importing knives from China.


There has to be another road.

[knifetime]

Now Robert**** I didn't get em' all just these few lately,that I liked ____there have been quite a few of the, ""SFO Knives"" lately and the GEC releases,have all been ""small"" knives or something that didn't flip my switch ___ I have six(6) more of the "'SFO"" knives on order__so I guess there is still one (1) GEC Collector that will ""FESS UP """ ________________________Monk

All great knives Monk,I think they make some of the best looking knives on the market.

[HiPower]

i do'nt believe gec will ever go the china route; if they do i have a large number of their real knives which maybe someday will be worth lot of money to the hardfast quality collectors.---HiPower

[IMBand]

I am trying to buy GEC, but it's tough to stay excited when the best knives are 'reserved' only for the few customers that their distributors cater to......after spending over $25,000 on GEC in 25 months I still can't get the knives I really want, unless all of the 'cool kids' are taken care of first. Things said in emails don't count as someone's WORD looks like.

Going to take a break from GEC and work on my switch pile I guess..........

IM

[knifeswapper]

I am trying to buy GEC, but it's tough to stay excited when the best knives are 'reserved' only for the few customers that their distributors cater to......after spending over $25,000 on GEC in 25 months I still can't get the knives I really want, unless all of the 'cool kids' are taken care of first. Things said in emails don't count as someone's WORD looks like.

Going to take a break from GEC and work on my switch pile I guess..........

IM

TC, since you are referring to me in this post and posted again in the Cody Jack thread, I will respond there to this issue which has caused you to get aggravated. But I have gone out of my way many times, as I am sure others have, to get you exactly what you wanted. And thought I did again, only to get a call that your were trashing me on a forum. You were on an Early Reserve and NOBODY got in front of you!

[IMBand]

I am trying to buy GEC, but it's tough to stay excited when the best knives are 'reserved' only for the few customers that their distributors cater to......after spending over $25,000 on GEC in 25 months I still can't get the knives I really want, unless all of the 'cool kids' are taken care of first. Things said in emails don't count as someone's WORD looks like.

Going to take a break from GEC and work on my switch pile I guess..........

IM

TC, since you are referring to me in this post and posted again in the Cody Jack thread, I will respond there to this issue which has caused you to get aggravated. But I have gone out of my way many times, as I am sure others have, to get you exactly what you wanted. And thought I did again, only to get a call that your were trashing me on a forum. You were on an Early Reserve and NOBODY got in front of you!

I should be able to get EXACTLY what I want......shouldn't I...?
You seem to feel that honoring your Early Reserve feature is some kind of favor to me. I didn't realize that. Make up an Invoice for whatever time you spent 'going out of your way for me' and I will get it paid ASAP.

IM

[knifeswapper]

I wasn't referring to the Early Reserve. I was referring to the many times you ask if I can get or hold something for you. You have been a good customer and I have done my best. Sorry for the miscommunication.