Thanks for the tour. Glad they still make them like they used to and traditional craftsmanship is still alive. Bill Howard is very helpful and I hope their business thrives.
I've had a love affair with traditional American pocket knives for my entire life and I've just begun collecting GEC knives. So far I'm very impressed with their quality and it was really exciting to see the operations involved in making GEC knives. Thank you for the factory tour!
Very good vid. Interesting for sure. I have 3 of theirs. Many hands on these through the process. Amazed. Great to see OLD school skills still out there. Thx again.
I have thoroughly loved this factory tour. I have been bitten with the knife collecting bug for about two years and have refined my keepers down to a top ten that I love. My collection to this point is all modern tacticals. Uh-oh. I just discovered the world of traditionals. I am awaiting my first order, a GEC Northwoods Forest Jack. I pray for self-discipline, but I have a bad feeling!
This company reflects the historical, world-class quality that this nation has lost over the last half-century; a difficult obstacle to overcome in the current climate of business and manufacturing in America. You cannot truly appreciate that statement, without holding one of their products in your hands. I am in fact, waiting for the next run of one of their models as I write this; and although waiting may not be the most enjoyable aspect of the relationship, receipt is indeed the pinnacle of pleasure. Best wishes for continued success in bringing us the best that money can buy…….
really amazing, thank you for making this video. I have quite a few GEC knives, it is brilliant to be able to see how these are each made! Unreal the attention to detail and time that is put into each of the knives. Very impressive.
I have about 20 GEC knives in my collection, and I can't understand how they can keep their prices so reasonable when you consider the quality of the materials and the hand work that goes into each one. Great company, intend to keep buying their products as I can.
After seeing the process of making a great knife one appreciates the processes which went into the making of your pocket knife, and the hours of work put into it by the workers at the factory. I have to look for a knife on their web site and find one which I want to buy and add to my collection. Thanks for the tour and I wish everyone concerned a great day and week.
I honestly thought I posted a comment here long ago when these videos were first made & posted. ( Perhaps my comment is under one of the other parts?) I love GEC and their knives so much, I now own a huge collection of them. There simply isn't a better made traditional factory pocket knife made anywhere today. I hope to travel all the way from Florida to personally thank everyone at GEC for still caring about old-world craftsmanship and "making them the way they used to". Folks, when you get one of these gems in your hand, only then will you truly appreciate what a high quality pocket knife is suppose to look, feel and perform like. These knives are not only fine enough to collect, but they are built to be used. No other company compares to GEC. Thank you!!!
What a great tour! I got a Beer Scout Knife with the chestnut sawcut bone handles for Christmas, and was stunned. I had no idea traditional pocketknives of this quality were available. Thank you so much for doing what you do. Although I have no doubt this knife will last my lifetime, I'm confident this will not be my last GEC.
I have a model 42 Missouri trapper that is my first GEC. The quality of these knives cant be understood until you hold one. I cherish mine and its amazing to use and just look at
A pleasure and a privilege to make your acquaintance from across the pond Bill, even just by watching this video series. I'm up to three of your knives now and I'm chuffed to bits with them. Not easy to obtain here in the UK, but worth the effort. I've been looking up the history of the creation of the 'original' Northfield company, a story of men who decided to go it on their own rather than just moan about their bosses. GEC shows that same spirit. As well as creating a successful business you are also doing a very fine thing, and I salute you sir!
Much of the work shown in this video is pretty specialized work that requires quite a bit of skill to do well. Sure, on the surface it might appear that not much skill is required to perform the basic operations, but to do them well and consistently enough that the resulting knife is high quality with no gaps, walks & talks, can shave hair out of the box, and last a lifetime without breaking down, is actually not so easy and requires quite a bit of skill.
I wish you had a little better quality control. I have purchased two knives I fix played in a 23 bullet and the fix blade is so doll on the front half and sharp on the back half. And the 23 has a gap in between the handle and the inside flat piece of metal next to the blade for about a half inch on one side that a piece of paper can fit through. So sad to see quality like this. I have heard nothing but praise but from several years ago. I have a third knife on the way from a vendor off your website authorized dealer for a 97 Coke bottle Beavertail, I hope this one is better. I really wish your model 85 Beavertail would be available for purchase soon however if this third one doesn’t take the cake I’m done. Thank you for making it in America at least, now just make us proud of the quality...
I buy from lots of different companies. No one makes production knives with the AMERICAN HAND MADE quality GEC puts out. If you want mechanical perfection there are always CNC made products.
Just out of curiosity, what is the pattern that is handed to Dwayne as the final product in the third part of the video? It almost looks like a Northwoods pattern but for the Tom's Choice badging on the bolster...
Thanks for the tour. Glad they still make them like they used to and traditional craftsmanship is still alive. Bill Howard is very helpful and I hope their business thrives.
Thank you for the kind words David.
very interesting process, truly handmade and I notice how polite the employees were treated. impressive to say the least
How can there seriously be a "dislike" for this video?
I've had a love affair with traditional American pocket knives for my entire life and I've just begun collecting GEC knives. So far I'm very impressed with their quality and it was really exciting to see the operations involved in making GEC knives. Thank you for the factory tour!
Very good vid. Interesting for sure. I have 3 of theirs. Many hands on these through the process. Amazed. Great to see OLD school skills still out there. Thx again.
I wish buying a GEC was still as simple as giving them a call or going on their site
I have thoroughly loved this factory tour. I have been bitten with the knife collecting bug for about two years and have refined my keepers down to a top ten that I love. My collection to this point is all modern tacticals. Uh-oh. I just discovered the world of traditionals. I am awaiting my first order, a GEC Northwoods Forest Jack. I pray for self-discipline, but I have a bad feeling!
This company reflects the historical, world-class quality that this nation has lost over the last half-century; a difficult obstacle to overcome in the current climate of business and manufacturing in America. You cannot truly appreciate that statement, without holding one of their products in your hands. I am in fact, waiting for the next run of one of their models as I write this; and although waiting may not be the most enjoyable aspect of the relationship, receipt is indeed the pinnacle of pleasure. Best wishes for continued success in bringing us the best that money can buy…….
sweat shops are still alive n usa, no one has called OSHA yet ???
Awesome process. Great video. Thank you for sharing.
I love seeing the boys knives being made! Also the Sawyer barlows!
Man there is a lot of hand finishing in these
Such an amazing process and a great final product. I’ve got several GECs and they are spotless when they arrive. Very impressive, thanks for the tour.
Thanks for watching and supporting our company.
OMG what I would do for a Barlow like that these days!!
really amazing, thank you for making this video. I have quite a few GEC knives, it is brilliant to be able to see how these are each made! Unreal the attention to detail and time that is put into each of the knives. Very impressive.
great videos. thanks for sharing and much respect to the workers and your company for putting out quality products
GEC is an awesome company and their knives are first rate. I love my #23 Pioneer,#47 Viper and #46 Whaler!!
Great Eastern makes some truly aamazing knives! Awesome video series!
Fantastic! I loved watching the birth place of my collection. Much appreciated.
Love my new model 82 possum skinner
Really cool! Thank you for taking us through the process step by step.
Thank you for this great set of videos and your great knifes!
I have about 20 GEC knives in my collection, and I can't understand how they can keep their prices so reasonable when you consider the quality of the materials and the hand work that goes into each one. Great company, intend to keep buying their products as I can.
After seeing the process of making a great knife one appreciates the processes which went into the making of your pocket knife, and the hours of work put into it by the workers at the factory. I have to look for a knife on their web site and find one which I want to buy and add to my collection. Thanks for the tour and I wish everyone concerned a great day and week.
I honestly thought I posted a comment here long ago when these videos were first made & posted. ( Perhaps my comment is under one of the other parts?) I love GEC and their knives so much, I now own a huge collection of them. There simply isn't a better made traditional factory pocket knife made anywhere today. I hope to travel all the way from Florida to personally thank everyone at GEC for still caring about old-world craftsmanship and "making them the way they used to". Folks, when you get one of these gems in your hand, only then will you truly appreciate what a high quality pocket knife is suppose to look, feel and perform like. These knives are not only fine enough to collect, but they are built to be used. No other company compares to GEC. Thank you!!!
+Howabouthetruth Thank you for your kind words, and for supporting our company.
make you appreciate the knife a lot more.
What a great tour! I got a Beer Scout Knife with the chestnut sawcut bone handles for Christmas, and was stunned. I had no idea traditional pocketknives of this quality were available. Thank you so much for doing what you do. Although I have no doubt this knife will last my lifetime, I'm confident this will not be my last GEC.
+David Herbst Glad you like it David, thanks for supporting our company.
I have a model 42 Missouri trapper that is my first GEC. The quality of these knives cant be understood until you hold one. I cherish mine and its amazing to use and just look at
Thanks for the video was very interesting
Hay man milt here I really injoyed the tour do you make the beaver knife I like that one thanks Milton
A pleasure and a privilege to make your acquaintance from across the pond Bill, even just by watching this video series. I'm up to three of your knives now and I'm chuffed to bits with them. Not easy to obtain here in the UK, but worth the effort. I've been looking up the history of the creation of the 'original' Northfield company, a story of men who decided to go it on their own rather than just moan about their bosses. GEC shows that same spirit. As well as creating a successful business you are also doing a very fine thing, and I salute you sir!
Good to hear from you! Have you checked out our U.K. distributor? www.mikesknives.co.uk/index.html
Wonderful knives!
Great series! I love these knives!!
If I lived in PA I would be in there everyday asking for a job.
Much of the work shown in this video is pretty specialized work that requires quite a bit of skill to do well. Sure, on the surface it might appear that not much skill is required to perform the basic operations, but to do them well and consistently enough that the resulting knife is high quality with no gaps, walks & talks, can shave hair out of the box, and last a lifetime without breaking down, is actually not so easy and requires quite a bit of skill.
I wish they start using good stainless steel as an option. There are so many excellent American and European steels.
GEC makes best knives out there. Won't catch me without my #54 burnt stag moose knife in my pocket.
I wish you had a little better quality control. I have purchased two knives I fix played in a 23 bullet and the fix blade is so doll on the front half and sharp on the back half. And the 23 has a gap in between the handle and the inside flat piece of metal next to the blade for about a half inch on one side that a piece of paper can fit through. So sad to see quality like this. I have heard nothing but praise but from several years ago. I have a third knife on the way from a vendor off your website authorized dealer for a 97 Coke bottle Beavertail, I hope this one is better. I really wish your model 85 Beavertail would be available for purchase soon however if this third one doesn’t take the cake I’m done. Thank you for making it in America at least, now just make us proud of the quality...
I buy from lots of different companies. No one makes production knives with the AMERICAN HAND MADE quality GEC puts out. If you want mechanical perfection there are always CNC made products.
Im curious what grit he is using when he sands bolster pins and handles before he begins polishing on a muslin wheel im assuming
Best company.hands down
Case has now only the reputation their knives are hit or miss,
Gec are better , and stand behind their products
Hard to find GEC in France , it’s a shame
We have distributors in Germany and the U.K.
Just out of curiosity, what is the pattern that is handed to Dwayne as the final product in the third part of the video? It almost looks like a Northwoods pattern but for the Tom's Choice badging on the bolster...
It's a #15 TC Barlow
Great Eastern Cutlery THANK YOU! Great videos by the way. This is why fans of GEC are fans and always will be.