GEC worth the money?

navihawk said:
The guys with a collection of GEC can answer better because they have handled more of them. I sent my 56 in for repair because it didn't have a smooth walk and talk and it was starting to affect the nail. Case customer service seems to be better, but they are a larger manufacturer. GEC must be waiting to do a run of 56's to fix mine. I called after a few weeks and they said they wouldn't get to it for a couple of more weeks. Has anyone else had any experience with GEC returns?
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I've sent three knives in to GEC. Two of three times the problems were mostly my fault. The longest wait including shipping I've had was a little over 2 weeks.
 
ALLHSS said:
I've sent three knives in to GEC. Two of three times the problems were mostly my fault. The longest wait including shipping I've had was a little over 2 weeks.
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A little over 3 weeks now. If I seem impatient its because it is one of my favorite knives. If they make an improvement I'll like it even more.
 
My only beef with GEC is that many of their knives are too big for pocket carry, at least for my taste.
 
I do like their product very much. The only knife brands I own are Chris Reeve (a small sebenza 21), and 6 GEC's.
 
Yes, yes, yes! The UN-X-LD and Tidioute branded knives are of excellent quality - and a great value, too - IMHO:



And don't forget about the GEC-made line of Northwoods knives - they are most excellent as well - highly recommended:

 
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Georgia woodsman said:
I'm looking into buying a GEC, particularly the #42 northfield un-x-ld. I like the fact that's it's 1095, but is their quality worth the money over 1/3 price cv copperlock. Any help greatly appreciated.
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Just be aware that GEC lock backs are known for having some vertical blade play. I have two (a 42 and a 72) and both had to be sent back because they rattled when shaken, while open and locked. The 42 is now solid , but the 72, while it was returned to me with no play, has since developed a bit of vertical play with only light use. I have eleven Case Copperlocks and none have any blade play whatsoever. Just my personal experience. :)
 
are G.E.C. Knives worth the money? heck yea, they are the best in traditionals you can buy, ive never had to send one in. and no I don't work for them.

 
Woodrow F Call said:
Quite a few of the newer models are really a pretty nice size for pocket carry compared to the earlier ones.
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Not just that, the GEC #25 was introduced in 2008. Certainly easy to carry in the watch pocket, let alone regular pocket.
 
To answer the title question, they are if they are to you, simple as that. The more expensive any knife is, the less "worth it" they are to a certain number of people. While I have quite a few customs, and think every one is worth what they cost, I personally have never bought a Case/Bose Collaboration knife. I just don't see that they are 3 times the value of a GEC, while I can easily say that GECs are 3 times the value of a $35 Buck. Just depends on what you put value on.
 
Worth it? You tell me.....:D

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In my experience, having owned Case and other production knives, GEC, and my share of customs as well....GEC is definitely worth it. A noticeable step up from most other production level knives at fair prices. I think they represent a great value and access to traditional knives at a quality level like they were made long ago. Their variety of patterns and handle scales just add to their value and keeps it interesting.
 
pertinux said:
Does it come with the corduroy? That could be the clincher....

~ P.
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Well yes and no..this is a very special factory order with a COA accordingly, already sewn on! No boring old tubes here:D:D

As Madonna says " Get into the Groove.."
 
Cory Hess said:
I'd have to agree with Frank, it's hard to say what's worth it to somebody else. If you're looking for a knife to use as a tool, I don't think that there's anything about GEC that makes them that much more valuable from a usefulness standpoint. There are plenty of Cases out there that have outlasted their original owners and still have plenty of life left in them. If you're looking for a knife that you can take some pride in, or just plain enjoy using every time you pull it out of your pocket I would say that the GEC is definitely worth it. It all depends on what you prefer. An Escort will get you where you're going just as well as any other car out there, but a Town Car will make the trip a lot more fun. It's worth it to me, but may not be to you.
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As usual, I'm a little late to this party, but I thought I should weigh in as one of those who has decided that, for me, GEC is not worth the money. But, as Frank and Cory have pointed out, that's just my opinion for my own situation. And I have to confess that I've come to that opinion without actually ever handling a GEC product. One of my current "goals", vis-a-vis pocket knives, is to acquire representatives of as many different patterns as I can, preferably by picking up used knives that need some minor TLC to make them suitable for EDC, and to do it within my arbitrarily-chosen budget of about $20/month. I'm not getting any younger (62) and I'm a little impatient, so I'd rather pick up 1 or 2 knives each month at $10-20 apiece than save up for a new GEC once or twice a year. In terms of Cory's analogy, my approach is consistent with much of the rest of my lifestyle; I don't drive an Escort, but my most recent car purchase was a 3-year-old Focus.:D

Having laid out my philosophy, I have to admit that it's not working out as well as I hoped.:( I've bought more new knives (without busting my budget) than I ever planned to (Rough Riders, SAKs, a couple of cheap Bucks), and have had very little success finding what I hoped for at countless yard sales, flea markets, pawn shops, etc. Even though I'd rather handle a knife before buying, I guess I'll have to start sitting' at the dock of the 'Bay, watching the knives roll away.:eek:

And I'm glad lots of folks have decided that GECs are worth the money for them, because I sure enjoy looking at all the photos they post, and "hearing" the excitement and pride when they post about their newest acquisitions!!

- GT
 
Got my 56 back on Monday. They removed the blades and got rid of the flat spots on the tangs and the rocking. It's much smoother now and they engraved the 05 on the bolster. Sorry GEC for my impatience.
 
I received my first a few months back, a #92, and it's a very well put together knife. I was surprisingly impressed. I've since ordered a Northwoods Fremont Jack made by GEC and hope it's delivered today. These are my first "traditional" knives that aren't SAK's.

If pride of ownership is important to you, knowing that the knife was made in small batches and hand finished in the USA, then I say go for it.
 
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