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The rendevouz as I look back

Well Day one was just Marvelous. We were able to spend a little time in the morning with Roger Cunningham and Ken Mundhenk. If you ever get a chance to sit with these gentlemen and talk about the knife world and knives , take it. Both are simply wonderful and always willing to share what they know. We thoroughly enjoyed the time on the porch with them, just don’t get to see them enough.

By late morning Johnny TwoShoes had arrived with his family. Two wonderful brothers and a special young lady they all call Mom. This is a family that instills pride in small town America and raising your family the old fashion way. These gentlemen were grateful for any knowledge they could gain and even Mom took pride in going on the tour and seeing Americans’ hard at work making a product that makes he son so happy.

Donnie made Johnny give him a penny when he presented him with the fixed blade Donnie had made. He was happy to give up the penny and we all explained to him why he had to give up a penny. He thought that little bit of Indian lore was fascinating. Right behind that Ryan asked for a coin and that mans hands shook as he handed over his quarter. His whole body froze in place when Ryan handed over that #12. But the best part was the look on Donnie’s face when Johnny asked for his penny back!!

Donnie handed over the penny very confused until Johnny placed in his hand a 73Liner Lock in black buffalo. This was one of Johnny’s users that he was giving Donnie. He was speechless and looked like a young man when he walked up to me with that knife laid out in both hands. It has a place of honor in his heart and his collection.

The Rendezvous knife came out and the 10 allotted for the show that day sold out very quickly. The 5^th Anniversary was going very fast at that time also. Courtney was hoppin’ in the store but was lucky enough to have Joe, her dad, there to help. Donnie’s job was to entertain, talk with all the customers, make everyone feel at home and keep an eye on the Casey dog.

In the early afternoon Russell came by from Southwest PA, you know I can’t resist a man with an English accent. I was doing some work off and on in the factory and store but he and Donnie spent a good deal of time on the porch talking knives and playing with Casey dog. Riley ran Case’s little legs off and when we got home all he could do was sleep.

Things settled down after the beautiful trip back to Erie through the gorgous PA countyside and it was time to get some rest with day two looming on the horizon.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Russell Eric Lown on August 4, 2011 at 20:56

Yes Indeed I did Jan, I just sent for a Walnut Stain Bone Whaler, that model has really caught my eye!! did not go for the Rendezvous Whaler last week..............Although somehow regretting it...slightly. I did get the 5th anniversary whaler though last Thursday.

Jan Carter said:

Russell, Did you order a whaler?

Biglmbass, There is alot to love about those beavertails. They are light weight to carry, not every pattern gets to be a BT. BT usually ONLY come out when there is a new frame model. They are my favorite carbon steel, 1095. And they are an eye catcher when you hand someone your knife. But I am partial :)

Johnny,

Thanks, now I am trying to figure out what to use to display the Primitve bones!?!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 4, 2011 at 21:12

Good for you, let us see a picture when you get it. I will be posting more over the next few days. Join us in the chat please?

Permalink Reply by Russell Eric Lown on August 4, 2011 at 23:22

Missed the op there!! came back to late.

Jan Carter said:

Good for you, let us see a picture when you get it. I will be posting more over the next few days. Join us in the chat please?

Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on August 5, 2011 at 9:22

Thanks for the stories and narration, Jan. I enjoyed every bit of it. It sounds like everyone had a great time .

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on August 5, 2011 at 18:50

Jan,

Enjoyed all your recounting of the Rendezvous - Days 1-3. It must have been an awesome time. I need to figure out some things for the wife and my son (who is 11) and daughter (who is 14) to do if we come next year. I will be like a kid in a candy store but I'm worried that my wife and kids will be feeling the way I do when they force me to go to JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels (which I call - "Man Hell"). The side trip to the Steeler's camp in Latrobe sounds good. I wouldn't mind going on a tour of the Rolling Rock brewery in Latrobe but the kids wont like that either! I might be able to put the kids to work helping out for awhile but I need some other wife & kid friendly destinations nearby. My family has yet to warm up to fine cutlery to the extent that I do. I have no idea why this is????

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 5, 2011 at 19:23

The local park has a pool with water slides, there is a train ride through the valley by the Caboose motel. Casey dog is usually available to play. Erie is only 40 mins away, there is a big state park there and of course the lake. Also a water park. Lots of shopping also

Permalink Reply by Tom Peterson on August 5, 2011 at 20:28

Thanks for the info Jan. My daughter Emily could spend the whole day playing with Casey (as long as there is no asking are we there yet ? ). I could probably con Emily into helping cook she really seems to enjoy that too. I have a year to plan. I have friends in Pittsburg too so we could work in a stop there.

Permalink Reply by Chris Stookey on August 6, 2011 at 1:02

I wish that I lived closer; I would have loved to have made the event!!!!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 6, 2011 at 14:29

Chris,

I sure wish you could make it also. You know, when everyone says that a visit to GEC is like visiting family it's true. I know many of you have met Ken and Ryan at shows. I have heard many times that it is good to see father and son working togeather. I dont know that we have discussed Bill Howard lately, he is the other partner. If you were at the show you may have taken a tour conducted by Bill. I call Bill the man behind the designs and a friend. What many of you may not know is that his son works at the factory also. I took a picture of young Bill and Ryan togeather. He also is a nice young man and from what I can tell a hard worker.

It IS nice to see young men and their fathers working togeather..