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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 Jan Carter on July 4, 2012 at 19:10

We wish you could be there with us Stephen

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 6, 2012 at 17:31

So who is meeting us there?

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 6, 2012 at 18:18

Me.

I'll be there for sure.

I hope we can get a few more IKC members to show up, it's worth the travel and it's a great time. I know a few people who will be there, but lets get some more IKC people.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 6, 2012 at 18:51

I'm thinking of sending ya'll my picture, so I'll be there.lol Ya'll have fun gang!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 7, 2012 at 18:36

You do that Robert and I will get pics of you all over the factory

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 7, 2012 at 19:52

Bless ya'll hearts, they'll be some Cajuns all over the place...lol We love to pass a good time, so we'll do what I can...love ya'll

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 15, 2012 at 20:29

Donnie thinks we should have an iKC meeting at your house Robert. We can call it a Rendevouz in the swamp. I will see if I cant get a few pics of the local Cajuns for us Robert

Permalink Reply by J. Dan Skean Jr. on July 15, 2012 at 20:33

That's my son and I in that photo with Vman. We'll be there again this year! Will clues on the rendezvous knife be appearing online tomorrow? I'm definitely getting fired up!! Best, Dan

Jan Carter said:

As the tour begins Vman tells some folks how GEC made an old Metallurgy building their own.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 17, 2012 at 5:37

Dan,

We made it to Charlotte yesterday. Talked with Chris last night, no clues yet :(

We are getting a later start this morning, waiting for JR Cigars to open in Statesville and then it is off to Titusville. Cant wait to see the gang at GEC, just 500 miles to go!!!!

Let us know when you and the family get in Dan, have a safe trip

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 17, 2012 at 14:11

Ya'll becareful on that highway! Tell Donnie, we'll rendezvous by boat...lol Ya'll pass a good time!

Permalink Reply by J. Dan Skean Jr. on July 17, 2012 at 20:46

Jan - Hope you and Donnie have made it in or are almost there! We probably won't get there until mid-morning Thursday, but will be up early Friday for the annual knife. We'll be looking for a photo early Thursday!! Travel carefully. Best, Dan

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on July 18, 2012 at 1:49