New Additions and a short run Stag 235212EC

Greg — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:28:50 GMT

Finally put the latest 235212's in the store this morning. In the lot are a group of Burnt Stags. There were a total of 11 plus a prototype made with Burnt Stag handles. It's another batch of nice chunky stag. Worth noting is the fact that this is the first run of 2 bladed Northfield Burnt Stag 23's we seen since 2009. Furthermore, we've seen very few 2 bladed 23's run in the last couple of years in any handle material.

The two blade 23's have always been popular and it's good to seem more come through!

This Finally got around to updating the "Current Inventory" list this morning. My apologies it's taken so long as I know there are a lot of you that check it on a regular basis. There's just been so many coming in and going out the last week or two I haven't taken the time to update things. But as of this moment....it's current.

This Paul sends me a set of rattles and then this photo. There has to be a way to use this photo in a GEC promotional ad. Wait a minute Sue, I think there could be the seed for a new GEC label here!!!! Chris, if you're looking for the name of a new knife model, how about......... The Diamondback! or maybe the Rattler and then a smaller knife called The Baby Rattler????

So whaddya think gang? Paul, I think you may have inadvertently stumbled onto something here .....hmmmmmmm......

Actually, I believe this may have been the prelude to a fresh batch of chili. I may use the picture as a screensaver to look at this winter when it's -40F to remind myself, this is why I live where I do!!

This Just a friendly reminder that bidding ends at 12 Noon CST TODAY for the Wounded Warrior Project knife. Don't wait till the last minute to try to get your bid in. To see the knife being auctioned off and to place a bid, go to: Wounded Warrior Project Auction. The current high bid is $200.

Remember, if you're not interested in the knife or just can't afford to place a bid you can still send a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project on your own. Visit their website, check 'em out. They do great work for people that truly deserve our help.

This Just an update to the Wounded Warrior Project Auction. The bidding is up to $200 and I want to remind everyone, you have until Noon CST Monday, May 22 to place your bid at: Wounded Warrior Project Auction.

I'm really pleased that we're gonna raise another nice bit of cash to help these guys and gals out!!!!

This I picked up a bunch of 73 Standard Green Tea's and added them to the store this morning. Also came across a nice looking 2006 Chestnut Bone #73 Tidioute.

And a bit of a rare GEC 2010 toothpick in Grape Jig Bone. One of just eight made. In fact, the bolster is engraved 07-08.

This As promised, with Memorial Day just around the corner it's time to try and raise a few dollars to help our Wounded Warriors. Please take a minute to check out the Wounded Warrior Project website. If you don't want to bid on this auction, can't bid or are outbid, how about considering making a donation of any size on your own to them. It's a great organization.

Here are the terms of the auction:

To place a bid, fill in the info at the bottom of this post in the leave a comment area with your bid amount.
Bidding starts NOW and bids will be accepted until Noon Central Standard Time Monday, May 22, 2012.
100% of the winning bid proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project

Fair warning, don't wait until the last minute to place a bid. This isn't an Ebay type of auction where bids show up immediately when they're placed. If you haven't posted on the blog before and occasionally even if you have, posts are randomly subject to approval before they show up on the blog. So if I'm not sitting by the computer, you might place a bid and if I don't approve it for a couple of hours, it won't show up right away.

So what are you bidding on??? TSA Knives, is putting up for auction a 2006, Great Eastern Cutlery #23 Smooth White Lasered Bone serial #203, with 440C blades. Great Eastern made just 81 of these in '06. So how did it end up with serial #203?? In 2006, all of a pattern were consecutively numbered without regard to handle material. For instance, in '06 they made a total of 227, 440C GEC's in 4 different handle materials. All of them fall within the same serial number range. This knife was obviously made toward the end of the run.

This Just wanted to let you know I'm back at my desk!!! Got called in yesterday for our first trial and they released us by 9:30 when the defendant reached a plea agreement. Today, after getting grilled by the judge and attorneys, it appears I and 5 others were determined to be unnecessary for today's trial. Think I could have passed muster until they made us all raise our hands and swear to answer their questions honestly. Went pretty good when they asked my name and what I did....but then things starting going down hill fast!!!

This Believe it or not, Memorial Day is only about a week and a half away. As you all know, I hold all of our military veterans in the highest esteem and Memorial Day is a particularly touching day to me. Not only is it a day to remember the service men and women that have passed on, but it's an even stronger reminder we need to continue to take care of those still fighting their own personal battles.

For the last few years, the Wounded Warrior Project has specifically been an organization that I try to help support financially as I think the work they do is fantastic. Check 'em out. And now, here's your chance to get involved!!!

Starting tomorrow, Thursday May 16th, I'll be dusting off a 2006 knife I found in my archives and placing it up for bid. It's not a super rare piece, but it's one you don't see offered very often and a lot of newer collectors may not have run across one. I think you'll like it.

So keep an eye out probably around noon tomorrow and we'll get the ball rolling. Also, bear in mind that 100% of the proceeds from the auction go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

This I was struck by the lack of comments regarding the upcoming 45 Roughneck. I'm wondering if a lot of you are in a wait and see pattern or if you feel this is just another big knife. Couple of days ago I had a conversation with a friend and I think he hit the nail on the head. Why in the world did GEC put that big pen blade in there alongside that little clip blade? Wouldn't a big clip have balanced that knife better than the big pen?

So what's the general consensus on the 79 Montana Whittler? Typically, I'll get a sense of the interest level based on requests from customers to have me let them know when the first one's come out. Again, the reaction has been a bit muted and I'm wondering if folks feel it's a hybrid 73/54W cross, a cigar pattern redux or just too early to really pass judgement?

Personally, it's been frustrating in that I think there have been so many good ideas offered up for new patterns here and on other forums that we're still waiting for! A 23 Lockback, don't think we'll ever see it happen. A 65 lockback, I think we'll see it, but I picked up a Tuna Valley with the ATS34 steel and I love it. A nice drop point blade in the 73 or 23. How about a camp knife, fishing knife, etc, etc. Is it just me???

This I finally received the 23 GEC's yesterday and got them listed in the store. The American Walnut is a stunner. These have some of the nicest grain you'll find in even furniture grade walnut. In the knives I received you'll find the grain running vertical or horizontal to the knife, there's some with a little burl and some that even looks like quarter sawn. They came through with a really nice smooth finish that just begs for a coat or two of Rennaisance Wax. Really pretty wood!!!

The American Elk is another great looking material.

And finally, the Pioneer Bone. It's a nice looking handle material. I've had people ask me what the difference is between the Pioneer Bone and the Frontier Bone AND is the Pioneer Bone going to be a replacement for the Primitive Bone! All I can say is.... not much and I don't know.

This Hey gang, I'm gonna be out of the loop for the balance of the week. I got notified this afternoon that I've been drawn from the Jury Pool for a trial this week starting bright and early tomorrow AM. SO.....unless they find me unfit to serve (which is highly probable), don't need me (I hope) or they get things settled before the trial starts (fat chance) looks like my calendars filled in for the next 4 days.

Anyway, the phone will be shutoff but I'll be checking in each evening to follow up on the days events!

This #45EC Roughneck Northfield 2 blade (spear and clip) smooth bolster, smooth cap end

Jigged Bone – color to be determined

King Wood

Snakewood

#45EC Roughneck Northfield Single Blade (spear blade), smooth bolster, smooth cap end

Jigged Bone – color to be determined

King Wood

Snakewood

#79 Montana Workhorse Whittler – 3 backspring, spear blade, clip blade, sheepfoot blade

Tidioute – Smooth bolster, smooth cap end

Jigged Bone – color to be determined

Ebony Wood

Canvas Micarta

Red Abalone Looking Glass

Smooth Black Buffalo Horn

Northfield – Lined bolster, lined cap end

Smooth Amber Bone

King Wood

Jigged Bone – color to be determined

Burnt Stag

Genuine Stag

Primitive Bone

Ancient Kauri Wood

This Thanks to several friends and customers in Germany, the first TSA Knives, LLC advertisement just came out in the current issue of Messer Magazin. Andreas was good enough to shoot a photo of the ad along side his GEC 66 and forward it to me.

As a thanks to you overseas GEC collectors and welcome to TSA Knives I'm offering free First Class International shipping through June 1. In addition, if you'd like to upgrade your shipping to Priority International, the cost will be a flat $8.95. This applies whether you're in Germany, New Zealand, Tahiti or anywhere else in the world. Many thanks!!

This I'll admit I haven't paid a lot of attention to the upcoming 45 Roughneck or the 79 Workhorse until the last few days. A few of you have chatted with me on the phone and by email about them. Some of the comments have been what I'd call moderately interested and a few more have been less then excited.

When the 2 blade Lumber Jacks came out it was a really neat off the wall concept that I still like. The single Blade Lumber Jack was met with a little less excitement and I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the 45 Roughneck. From what I can gather, it's a rework of the Lumber Jack with the saw blade replaced with a clip blade and no lock.

So, is it more of the same? Could be kinda neat? Or the neatest thing since the invention of sliced bread????

This I listed a fairly large group of GEC's last evening including some of the American Elk, plus some really nice Burnt Stag Northfield 73's. This has to be some of the nicest stag to come through recently. In fact, it seems to me that the stag we've seen on the last few runs has all been pretty nice looking!

There are also a handful of New/Old stock knives that went in this morning as well. Among them are some really nice Genuine and Burnt Stag knives. This is a 620311W Genuine Stag #9 of just 8 knives made. Say what?????

This deserves an explanation. I talked to Chris this AM and she confirmed that what will happen occasionally (particularly on very short runs like this) is that GEC will skip serial #1. #1 is normally kept 'in house', but if there's a severe shortage of handle material, #2 will actually be the first number in the series. As a result, you'll see a situation like this. I know I've explained in the past that sometimes you'll run across serial #144 in run of just 75 of a handle material. That happened primarily in 2006 when all of a pattern run was consecutively numbered without regard to handle material.

This Everyone's generosity is pretty overwhelming sometimes. The things I've received over the years have been, well, occasionally....astounding. Let's see: there's been caps, hats, hand made knives, cigars, fishing tackle, pistol grips, some of the most incredible smoked salmon I've ever eaten, a gorgeous cedar sign, but without a doubt the most unusual arrived yesterday.

Yup, some genuine Texas rattlesnake rattles. Actually, there's a little story behind these. They were removed with a Great Eastern knife. Paul, many thanks, and I know it's the thought that counts, but I'm not quite sure where I'll display these!!

This Hey, wanted to let everyone know that if you're in the area this weekend, there's a nice little gunshow in Detroit Lakes, MN at the Nat'l Guard Armory. It's only around 120 tables but it's always sold out and well attended. I'll be there with a few of the GEC's and miscellaneous other treasures. Always look forward to seeing a few of you anyway!!

On another note, I went through the inventory last nite and posted an updated Current Inventory list this morning. Kind of took my breath away when I realized I had over 1600 GEC's in the store and another 130+ not listed. I've been aggressively buying any collections or odds and ends that have been floating around since the first of the year and I think it may be time to slow down a bit!!! It wasn't that long ago I had a goal of having around 1000 on hand and then I figured 1500 would be a good number. Now I'm rapidly closing in on 2000!

What's really concerning is how many there are filed away that aren't on the list or in the store!!! Every now and then, a knife will slip through the cracks and end up on my desk, in a drawer or file without getting inventoried. And of course, there's always a few that were sold and didn't get removed from the list. You can't believe how bad I dread dragging everything out and cross checking the storefront and inventory list.

The positive side to this is that business has been fantastic. One of the more fun aspects has been the growth in overseas customers. After Joachim published his article in Messer Magazin on the 73 GEC, I've had the pleasure of getting to know even more avid GEC fans stretching from South Africa to Finland. It's about time somebody started a GEC club. Believe me, there are more than enough fans to get a club going.

This They've finally arrived. American Elk, American Cherry and Amber Jig Bone. We haven't seen any GEC trademarked knives in a while and these are a welcome arrival!!

This Forgot to mention that GEC is going to be running a few more of the H73 series knives in the next week or two. Something worth noting is that they'll have 440C blades.

This

TSA Knives Great Eastern Cutlery Blog

New Additions and a short run Stag 235212EC