What's Happening

[m0nk]

I haven't seen a place to comment or ask questions about the What's Happening on the GEC blog, so I'm starting a new thread. Did anyone else check it out today? They updated their production pics, and wow, our friends at GEC must be busier than the beavers they're putting on the 43 Oregons. They have no fewer than four patterns in production as of today: 43 Oregons, 77 Barlows (CK SFO), 46 Whalers, and 71 Bullnoses.

It seems like normally they have maybe two patterns going on at once, but four seems unusually busy. Has anyone ever seen four patterns in production simultaneously? Does anyone have any insight into what's going on at GEC? Are they surging, or did they ramp up their steady state production capacity? I wish I could stop in and ask questions, but I'm halfway across the country. One's imagination can run wild... Did they bring in some experienced cutlers laid off from Queen? Did they acquire Queen equipment or even factory space?

Lee

[313 Mike]

Yes, I checked it out today, and they do indeed seem to have A lot going on. I don't have answers to any of your questions, but I am looking forward to the 77 and hoping to score an Ironwood version. Also looking forward to the gunstock, but that one's not on the schedule yet.
Very surprised to see there is a Whaler in production, that's not even listed on the production schedule. Wonder if that's a small run SFO for someone?

[XX Case XX]

Lee:

It's ironic that you posted this because I was thinking the exact same thing about an hour ago. I too, was looking at the pictures of all the new knives coming out and I noticed one photo of the tubes for the new 43 Trapper. They had them all lined up so I tried counting them.

When I came up with a number, I added all the same knives I've seen for sale at KSF, Blue Creek, Gunstock Jacks, etc, and I figure they are making way more than their usual low numbers.

They used to make as little as 88 sometimes but now they're making much more. Either sales are that good or like you said they've stepped up production just because they could. Very interesting to say the least.

____________
Mike (Photo from GEC Website)

[kootenay joe]

Up to this point GEC has been making great knives with a low incidence of 'issues'. We all know how deep the disappointment is when a new knife arrives and it has some blade play or springs so strong your nails break, etc. But with GEC there is almost always delight and very rarely a disappointment. This is why we love them.
By increasing run numbers, maybe as much as doubling the numbers, will GEC be able to spend the same amount of time on every knife ? My concern is that the near 100% reliability of GEC knives might become a thing of the past.
So far it seems that the GEC 'mission' is to get very knife just right, quality being number 1 in importance. If 'growth' replaces quality as number 1 in importance, quality will suffer.
Nothing lasts forever but still "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
kj

[m0nk]

Big day yesterday, with the new production schedule released. It really helps in forecasting purchases for the next few months. So who else is excited about the #15 run? My plan includes a red linen 71 and a black linen 15 clip. Personally I see the 46 whaler as an oddity, something that will appeal to a certain clientele but not to me. Funny to think, when this schedule gets updated again, we'll be seeing production pieces that could go on my Christmas list!

Regarding the concerns about increased production numbers vice quality, check out the #77 photo album on the GEC Facebook page. GEC responds to some naysayers with regards to their numbers and their focus on high quality. Personally I'm glad to hear them address these issues, when oftentimes GEC seems rather secretive.

Lee

[gsmith7158]

If I am wrong here someone please correct me but I think the #77 run is a SFO for Ck and they are all spoken for via a lottery conducted by Ck. Does anybody have one reserved?

[m0nk]

Greg, you're right on both assertions. There's a separate thread for the #77 CK SFO reserve saga. Lots of lucky fellows reported getting a winning number. I ended up buying a NF 78 2-blade as a consolation, with no lottery, no waiting, and no drama of any kind. And, God forbid, should I drop my 78 on the floor, the big end cap will afford the bone handle cover some protection. With the recent trauma to my 43 frontier bone, I'm thinking twice about bare end bone knives, and leaning toward end caps for bone covers whenever possible... which is why I'm so excited about the upcoming #15 bare end single clip in black linen micarta! After buying and subsequently passing along a black canvas micarta 78, I've come to appreciate the difference between linen and canvas micarta.

Lee

[XX Case XX]

With the recent trauma to my 43 frontier bone

How bad is it? Do you have pictures? I have one too.

__________
Mike

[m0nk]

How bad is it? Do you have pictures? I have one too.

Mike, It's probably not that bad in the grand scheme of things. No pics yet but I'll post some next time I get the camera out. It's a corner crack where the knife end hit the floor and a crack from there back to the liner, above the lanyard tube. Makes me mad because I'm normally really careful with my knives and I wasn't paying enough attention when I dropped it. It slid out of a slick nylon knife slip that I was holding in my hand. This is a rather heavy knife and the bare bone end is just a little too vulnerable to damage for a knife that I want to carry and use occasionally.

Lee

[gsmith7158]

I noticed on the GEC production schedule that the #44 is on the line. Appears to be out of sequence but I have one ordered so I'm happy with that

[JohnR]

Going by the What's Happening page GEC does appear to have increased production with 3 models on the line at the same time, makes me wonder if they did pick up some of the more experienced laid off Queen cutlers.
I asked Bill at last years Rendezvous if they were running at capacity and he said no, the limits at the time were getting employes trained to GEC's level of craftsmanship. I'm sure there were a few good cutlers left at Queen and Bill would have known them as he worked for Queen for many years.

[Tsar Bomba]

My bank account heard the same thing and cried "MERCY!", John.

[gsmith7158]

It looks like the red micarta #15 with the clip blade is a pretty good looking knife.

[gsmith7158]

I noticed this picture in the What's happening section on the GEC website. It looks like a yellow jigged bone #15 with a clip blade. I've not seen this knife available anywhere. Does anybody know anything about them?

[Railsplitter]

I noticed this picture in the What's happening section on the GEC website. It looks like a yellow jigged bone #15 with a clip blade. I've not seen this knife available anywhere. Does anybody know anything about them?

Greg, it looks like Charlie Campagna's SFO.
http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/