More and more new knives.... too many???
In the last couple of weeks, we've seen so many new knives coming through it's really been difficult to comment in a timely manner. We've seen 23's, 73's, linerlocks, 56's and we'll soon see another release of 25's and then the much anticipated #33.
The latest 56 with a main spear blade lives up to expectations.
It's a great size for a pocket knife with a pair of really popular blades.
The 23's and 73's are always a welcomed release as they've proven to be two of the more popular and the oldest patterns from Great Eastern. It can just get to be a bit overwhelming for collectors to have so many great knives coming through in such a short time.
So my question is, are the new releases coming out too close together?
The latest 56 with a main spear blade lives up to expectations.
It's a great size for a pocket knife with a pair of really popular blades.
The 23's and 73's are always a welcomed release as they've proven to be two of the more popular and the oldest patterns from Great Eastern. It can just get to be a bit overwhelming for collectors to have so many great knives coming through in such a short time.
So my question is, are the new releases coming out too close together?
Posted by Greg at 2/23/2011 11:09 AM 
Categories: New Great Eastern Knives, Collectors Comments
Tags: Collecting GEC Knives Great Eastern Cutlery Production Schedule
Categories: New Great Eastern Knives, Collectors Comments
Tags: Collecting GEC Knives Great Eastern Cutlery Production Schedule
It would be nice if they were staggered once a Month, or every six weeks or so.
The ole CC takes a real beating having to grab the nice ones.
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For me, I say the more the merrier! I get what I like and let the rest go. I love this size of knife, and only wish GEC would make some Barlows in 3 1/2 range. The 3 inch seems a bit small to me.
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No, I think it's a good sign and much better than infrequent releases!
What is important though is that GEC sets aside time for re-runs of models that have proved popular and eluded people first time round. That and er, this is a personal view, hold back on that gold spangly acrylic......
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Just a few words about "the gold spangly acrylic"
Back in the early part of the 20th century,when celluloid was a brand new material,one of the first colors of this amazing new material used on knife handles was Sparkle Colors. There was Red Sparkle,Blue Sparkle,Christmas Tree Sparkle,and the Most Popular was Gold Sparkle.I think this handle material on GEC's is an excellant tie in to their commitment to old time quality."Pocketknives the way they USED to be!"
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I like the fact that most of the runs are around 25 knives. Several years back the runs were much larger. I think they should keep doing what they are doing as long as the knives are moving.
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I would have to agree with both sides of the fence on this one guys and gals. Ya see there is believe it or not an overwhelming difference between Production and just making some knives. Its my belief that if you put a good solid product out there in which i think are's is there !! Everything in the manufacturing of these knives goes so fast meaning time wise that there is no slow up or down it's just moving forward trying to achieve greatness in our product. Back in the day we were still moving as fast, as far as new patterns are concerned we just had a schedule that incorporated more private label jobs to allow that time the way it was. So as it stands we now are usually putting out a new pattern moving on to the next , wait 2 or 3 patterns down the road and if it worked for you guys and gals from purchasing them we'll make them again with maybe different blade configurations along that line. My personal belief is that the newer ones are just stepping stones so to speak and the older ones are well the obvious foundation that allows us to keep coming back to say the original Scout and Pioneer patterns.I can however say without any hesitation or reserve that in doing this job i would challenge anybody to say that they had a better way of living as far as job goes than us here at GEC. There is always a challenge everyday, new patterns almost every month or sooner, and having people like you folks who care about a tradition that has outlasted most things ever made back to the cave man days well in this case our Chris's days lol shh.. anyway thanks for your thoughts much appreciated from one knife addict to another.
Pat Vroman @ Great Eastern Cutlery
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I KNEW IT!!!!! This is all about a bunch of folks out in Pennsylvania having a lot of fun at the expense of the rest of us!!!! And I'll correct you, no one's got a better job than I do. Ken and Bill probably went into the knife business with the intention of making some money some day, hell, I got into it for the fun of it and actually ended up making a little money in spite of myself.
I'm really happy to see some of the 'old' models being revisited. Personally, while it's fun seeing new patterns, there are some knives like the 23's and 73's that really deserve another run.
In fact, if you guys aren't already working on it, I think it would be a huge disappointment to me and a lot of other folks if we don't see some sort of 5th year anniversary knife. Anyone else interested??????? Maybe a special release #23 with a special shield commemorating the 5th? You know, I vaguely remember that wood and silverware are used to commemorate a 5th wedding anniversary. How about a #23 Beavertail with an engraved "silver" shield? Waddya think Jan???
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I would have to agree that you both have wonderful jobs. If you love what you do, its almost always fun.
I agree that we are seeing alot of knives lately and I too would like to see the new patterns once a month or so. I also agree that when GEC is re-running the older patterns, making them in the smaller runs is the way to do it. It allows pattern collectors and also handle material collectors the opportunties to grow the collection.
Now that 5th anniversary beavertail. Yes, Yes and Yes. Pat, get me number 5 please. I have an entire colony of beavertails now. They need more company. I have I am certain we can drum up some business for that.
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great idea, greg.
an anniversary knife would be awesome.
you are correct - wood is the traditional 5th-year gift, while silver is the modern standard.
i think they should find some really special AAA burl wood for the handle, like padauk or ironwood.
your idea of a sterling silver shield is perfect.
like you said, the 23 is the obvious choice of pattern, but it would have to be all decked out with swedges, matchstrike pull, fancy bolsters (maybe even engraved?), etc.
sign me up for one!
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THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED GREG
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Wait 'til Chris reads that last bit of Pat's good message. I fear we have heard the last of my good friend and fellow woodsman Pat. Too bad too, he was a great guy and I enjoyed his company both here and on the GEC Forum.
R.I.P. V-MAN.......We'll miss ya!
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You are right Dave, V-MAN is no more....lol
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oooohhhh Pat......., I've gotta feeling you're gonna be looking over your shoulder for a while till this blows over!!!!
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I'm curious Chris. How did you do the deed?
Was it a bloody affair using a #23 with the "Christine" shield, or was it home made cookies laced with rat poison, (seems like that always works)?
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Well Greg that is for sure Chris and i have been working together for some time and one thing that you can always count on is razing it kinda makes the days go by if ya know what i mean? so very true i can honestly say that i've gotten her much more in the past than her i but one thing you guys may not know about Chris is she's very passive and takes it all in so one day i'm sure she will get me back but i don't think anytime soon for i have cat like reflexes and we all know how the older we get is like ?? lol anyway lets compare apples to oranges so to speak !! Its like the ole Beaver barely building a dam and the younger Beaver building a castle and helping the ole Beaver finish er's lol i'll stop now for fear of the Beave. Thats what we can make out of this Greg FEAR THE BEAVE Posters or something lol thnaks for playing along Chris
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Word on the street is, Don't mess with "old" people!"
"Old" people are fed up with "the system", have nothing more to lose, have run out of passive acceptance, and are just waiting for someone to push them just that final inch too far. Punishment? How you gonna punish someone with nothing left to lose?
In all seriousness, we recently had an incident here in my own community where a homeless street person tried to mug a 70 something year old lady in the supermarket parking lot. The "old" gal pulled a legally carried gun and shot the sucker dead! How's that for "old" folks? She is now a local hero!
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WOW, she's my hero also!! Pat, love ya honey but I am sure Chris can take you so just be careful. Donnie says to tell you everytime he gets a new GEC he feels younger. Keep 'em comin Greg! Just think if he had as many as you do I would have to drop him off at school everyday.
Pat and Chris - Thanks for the fun...It's great to have you here
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Well, I'm not sure about that. You saw the picture my wife took of me cleaning the snow off the driveway and I'm.... well... a lot younger than I look!!!
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So, if you was to drop Donnie off at school everyday.......would that make you a "Cougar"....??
Just a thought.
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Dave,
LOL. You know at work we name our teams. I am on the Cougars.
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LOL. Well there you go!
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