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Who is coming to Titusville 2012?!!!!

GEC Rendezvous will be held on July 19 – 20 - 21

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Factory tours will be 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Woohooo....It is that time of year again. As you know this is an annual drive for us from FL to PA. Beautiful country to see on the way there and back but the destination is the highlight of course. This year we will stay just a few miles from Titusville in Oil City. Located at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Oil Creek in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. I have spoken with a few folks in the area and this sounds like a nice little piece of history. A history dating back to the discovery of oil near Titusville, Pa. They have been called the"Valley that changed the world".

I do know they that they are talking about the oil boom, but I see it just a little differently. In this area many knife companies were born, cutlers trained and the history of the knife industry in the US evolved. There is so much knife history here in such a small geographical area, that you can not help but want to take it all in. Of course in Titusville, there is the main attraction GEC!!! There is also Queen Cutlery. Although they only have their open house every two years and this year is not on their rotation, just going to see the famous building is a nice side trip. Case is just a couple hours away in Bradford and this is their year for a show. Great Eastern always tries to be certain that folks that have to travel to get to the Rendevous can make the most of their time and see as much knife history as possible.

Right down the road from Titusville is the wonderful little town of Tidioute. Be sure to stop by the hardware store and talk with the owner. The folks there love to tell about the history in the area and they are some of the nicest folks you would ever hope to meet.

One of the places I have always wanted to go while in the area is

Salamanca Antique Mall: 100 Main Street: Salamanca, New York

The Salamanca Antique Mall is located in Salamanca, New York just South of Buffalo near thePennsylvania line. Salamanca Antique Mall is a huge mall with hundreds of cases containing all manner of smalls.

I can only imagine the wonderful knives you could find if given the time to go through some of those small vendors.

But again the main attraction for us for that weekend is the folks at GEC and the people we meet there. Among those we have met, Johnny Twoshoes and his family, Bob Andrews, Ken Mundhenk, Roger Cunningham, David Anthony and his lovely wife Debra, Knifegirl888, Brent888 and their family.

So join us in PA, meet our favorite knifemakers. See how your knives are made, have a seat at the table, talk about the knives we love (bring your favorite to show off). Dont forget to pet Casey the Dog.

Will we see you there?

Tags: Cutlery, Eastern, Great

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on July 18, 2012 at 2:02

This is what I'll be watching on Saturday...

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 18, 2012 at 5:33

JJ,

That is a worthy way to spend a Saturday and we wish them the best....

We made it into Oil City last night around 6pm. We have a room there with a lovely view of the Alleghany River. Last night we were on the balcony, watchin the river go by talking about getting some wharnie geppattos made for JJ LOL. Passing the word on those this morning JJ!!! Any other requests we should pass on to Bill? Dont be shy now, this is the time

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on July 18, 2012 at 8:56

The wharnie Geppettos be just fine. The clip blade variants are nice, but the wharnies are more useful to folks that actually would use them.
Y'all have fun...

Permalink Reply by stephen tungate on July 18, 2012 at 10:11

glad to here you'all made it there jan.i know you and donnie and the rest of the group will have a great time.i would like to see a a mammoth trapper;;;;;;;

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 18, 2012 at 15:35

Stephen,

Wow, I would like a mammoth trapper also!!

JJ, talked with Bill about Wharnies today. I will keep putting the bug in his ear!

The factory is buzzing. Everyone is working on something special for this weekends Rendevouz. I think I have seen Bill Howard at every station and every step of production today. It's nice to see an owner so hands on with his product.

He did take a moment to spend with us on the front porch. Donnie took advantage of that moment and presented Bill with a knife he made for him.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 18, 2012 at 17:40

What, Miss Jan, I just saw the Rendevzous Knives and they are a set. Can I buy just the Trader and not have to buy the set. If not, is there anyone that would want the trapper and I'll take the trader? Please check for this ole Cajun. Ya'll pass a good time with our yankee friends...lol

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 18, 2012 at 19:02

Robert, are you sure you want one with a Rendezvous etch, or do you want a different lockback if they have it?

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 18, 2012 at 19:45

They do come as a set Robert. But that knife with a different handle and not a rendevous knife will be available as a single. I will see if I can get you a list of handles coming soon :)

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 18, 2012 at 21:18

Yes Mam, I think I got too excited, when I saw this years knives where the ones I have been waiting on. I think, you are right, I should wait and get one of the Cocabolo handles. I really want it as a user, ya'll just gave this old timer a scare. I love their knives so much. They pulled a fast one one me, I was waiting for them to come out next week as a regular run of knives. Bless ya'll hearts, and have good fun.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 19, 2012 at 5:47

Glad to know we can still that ticker an extra beat Robert. That knife is gonna be just what the Dr. order to make it better. I'll get some good pics of the trader for you today. I will be serving popcorn and hotdogs at the front door today...Ya'll come by and say hi!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 19, 2012 at 14:02

Wow! Hot dogs served by Miss Jan, herself. What could be better than that, great knives and hotdogs. I was just thinking Miss Jan, GEC, has the Rendezvous knife every year and thats great but some other companies have a Presidents Choice knife every year. What if GEC were to have a President's Choice around Chirstmas every year. It could be Mr. Bill's favorite knife pattern for that year. Well just a thought, another way to have a special knife. Tell everyone this Ragin Cajun, says hello.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 20, 2012 at 13:07

Robert, I will pass that on, I like the idea. Ms. Chris says hello and I have some pics of the 42 Traders that were run today for you (ebony and a BEAVERTAIL!)