What do you like or what makes you pursue a GEC knife?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on December 28, 2011 at 16:34

I guess hearing what everybody was saying is how I got started looking. I took a while to decide just how bad I wanted a knife, especially because I was a huge Case fan. Spending what seemed like a lot of money on a "new" brand scared me. But I took the plunge, I got a #23. It was huge and it left me with the desire for another GEC, but I wanted one more pocket friendly. So I ordered the #73L, when I got it I was hooked. The quality was ten times better than a lot of the knives I already had. I loved the good snap and the smooth function of the knife. From then on they had my trust and my knife money. : )

The more knives they added to their selection the more I got involved. I wanted to try every pattern, but the wallet doesn't permit me to spend recklessly. So I research and read what people have to say about certain patterns, I decide wether or not I think a knife would be good for me, then I order. I really don't have a disappointing pattern for my uses, some do the jobs exceedingly well though. It got to the point that I decided to share my opinion and feelings about these knives, it lead me to here and I'm so thankful. 

I have met a lot of people that are involved in this GEC addiction and they are all great. 

So the people have as much an affect as the knives themselves. They got me started with their praise and they keep me coming back with their company. Getting a quality knife at a great price is all part of the fun, I really enjoy testing the new ones out. 

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on December 28, 2011 at 20:57

I got started by hearing how good they were. They sure seemed expensive for pocket knives when I priced them. I finally decided to buy my first one which was a sleeveboard done in the tractor green jig. That was all it took to catch me hook, line and sinker. I decided they were well worth the money and that they are the best built slip joints that are made in the USA. As far as I'm concerned, nobody even comes close to their quality. Queen has some that might be close, but they are hit and miss on quality the same as Case is getting to be. So far the #73 is my favorite pattern.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on December 29, 2011 at 6:29

That #73 will get you every time, just a wonderful knife. Thats another thing I love about GEC, when I order a knife I don't worry. I had to when I was buying Case knives, lots of wriggle in the blades and that is the one thing I can not stand.

Permalink Reply by biglmbass on December 29, 2011 at 8:11

I can only echo what Billy & Johnny posted.  What first caught my eye were the good looking handle materials and unique patterns.  I researched and read all I could on GEC & kept hearing good things about them and finally pulled the trigger on a 3 knife order.  I was blown away at the quality.  Minimal to no gaps, no lazy blades, great walk & talk, firm pulls, and reasonably sharp (early GECs were lacking here).  Overall just solidly built knives.  The quality is what keeps me coming back.

Permalink Reply by Handmade Blades on December 29, 2011 at 8:43

Thanks guys , I agree on the points you make on quality. My first was the buffalo horn #36 Sunfish that we did here. I thought it was a bit pricey as well , but having never handled a sunfish , I was pretty excited. When I got it in the mail , I was thouroughly impressed. This was the largest pocket knife that I had ever had in my hand. Fit and finish were superb. I like that the logo is stamped and not just etched on the blade. It wasn't razor sharp when I got it but it only took 2 minutes on the strop to get it that way. The high carbon tool steel ads to the nestalgia for me. Since that first purchase , I have bought 2 more # 36 an I carry one of them. The blade is razor sharp and starting to take on a nice patina. Edge retention on these knives has been great , only needing a touch up once in a while. Then I bought a #23 and #23L . I carry the #23L , Its like having a steak knife in your pocket :)!!  When the Whalers came out , I was astounded at the size of the master blade and couldn't wait to get my hands on one. I now own five of those. I guess what has me hooked is that with GEC  I am carrying a substantial knife of great quality that will handle the task with ease. Have'nt found a practical use for the whalers yet but I sure like to look at them :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on December 29, 2011 at 17:29

From the very first I have said "put one in thier hand and they will never look back"   That is what hooked us first.  The fit, the finish, the substantial feel of one in your hand.  Like Johnny, part of what kept us involved was the people.  This is a young company that listens to its users and its collectors.  The owners and the workers at the factory are just wonderful down to earth folks that take pride in what they produce and honestly like the poeple they produce knives for

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on January 1, 2012 at 9:46

Edge retention is something that gets me too. I have used a GEC for many jobs and I'l always pleasantly surprised by the great edge that remains. My #73 did 2 deer this year without asking for a touch up and with a blood and fat caked blade, it took hairs off my arm. I really like that I can trust a knife to hold an edge all day.

Permalink Reply by tom white on January 5, 2012 at 17:37

well the reason i buy GEC best U.S.A. made knife,i like all kinds of knives but when it comes to my money GEC gets my dollars.tom

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on January 10, 2012 at 18:21

I got started in '08 I think. I can't remember exactly which one was my first but I think it may have been my Tractor Green jigged bone #54W Whittler. I loved the solid feel of the knife and the UNXLD shield. I was just starting knife collecting and the GEC's seemed a bit pricey to me but I heard that once you pulled the trigger on one that you would understand (and I do at that). I like that they make smaller runs of high quality knives. Within a few months I had seven Northfields. I struggled with which GEC brand to collect, I liked them all but really fell for the detailing in the Northfields with their long pulls, pinched bolsters and swedging. I didn't get to know any of their people until later. I still have only talked to Chris and to Pat Vroman but one day I called and the lines were tied up and Pat picked up my call and we talked knives for 45 minutes! I was astounded, at what other knife company would a person have the chance to do that? He asked what I liked, didn't like, what I wanted to see more and less of - it was so cool! I am dying to make it up to a Rendezvous. Our family has had some challenges that have not allowed me to do this yet and the wife and kids are not knife lovers like I am - but I am working on them! Most of my GEC's are in my collection but I have about a dozen that are in my EDC rotation. I decided to mostly carry Tidioutes and to save most of my Northfields for collecting. My eldest son got me started collecting knives and he collects mostly Case but I have bought him a few Northfields and he has commented that GEC's quality surpases that of Case in many ways. I am working on him to jump ship and stay with GEC knives & maybe some day he will. If not he and my younger son will split & inherit my collection. I will have to think about that and who will get what....

Permalink Reply by perry coleman on February 3, 2012 at 0:36

Been with them since the very beginning, 2006. In my opinion, they make one of the best knives in the country right now.

I don't know of any company producing knives today, that can get the blades to rest in the slots perfectly with zero tolerance and zero scratches caused by blade rub. That and the incredible walk and talk of the knives are second to none! Snap is clean and precise. Fit and finish is perfect too. You can literally compare these to Case XX dots from the 70s and you'll hear the same snap and feel. I have never gotten a loose handle or anything suspect about any of their patterns. That's enough for me! Well done GEC.

Permalink Reply by Handmade Blades on February 3, 2012 at 18:21

Amen , Perry
 
perry coleman said:

Been with them since the very beginning, 2006. In my opinion, they make one of the best knives in the country right now.

I don't know of any company producing knives today, that can get the blades to rest in the slots perfectly with zero tolerance and zero scratches caused by blade rub. That and the incredible walk and talk of the knives are second to none! Snap is clean and precise. Fit and finish is perfect too. You can literally compare these to Case XX dots from the 70s and you'll hear the same snap and feel. I have never gotten a loose handle or anything suspect about any of their patterns. That's enough for me! Well done GEC.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on February 4, 2012 at 5:01

Handmade Blades,

We would love to see your EDC #36.  The patina these knives take on is always of interest here, it is such a beautiful addition to an already amazing knife.

 

Perry,

I second the Amen!!  Well said.