While I would love to satisfy all the answers with corresponding details I can only pass on what I know to be true.  Bill Howard will continue to make the quality, fresh look old patterns that the Great Eastern group is known for.

I have not heard any talk of a new factory for the Daniels family, though to be honest I have not been given the details as to what direction they will ultimately go.  Only that it will involved their ownership of the Tuna Valley Line 

I do not beleive there is ill will.  No one I spoke to today had anything but great thoughts for the past and the future for everyone involved.  I know that Ryan, Ken and Courtney will still be selling Great Easterns at the shows and Ryan will be a freelance seller. 

So what does this mean to us as GEC collectors?  For Donnie and I- it means more wonderful great easterns and very possibly more Tuna Valleys

Ken owns a very large company in an unrelated industry, and I always wondered how he had the time anyway.  Whether there was a difference in opinion or just a decision to free up some weekends, I don't think it really matters.  Bill and Ken have been friends for a long time and I haven't heard anything that makes me think that has changed.

I haven't talked to anyone that thinks Ken will open his own knife factory / business.  Although he has always been involved in SFO's and the industry in general.  He is a great promoter of our hobby.  The Tuna Valley is a nice old trademark and Perry simply didn't have enough time to promote it to its full potential (in my opinion).

Thus, I don't think trying to figure out any underlying stories that may or may not exist is a good use of time.  But my time isn't worth anything anyway ;>

Very well put, I think as a collector we try to figure out and possibly read into what is is going on. It's the need to know in us, but too often we get to speculation, which often times leads to rumor. Lets just take their word for it and be thankful for everything that has happened since GEC incorporated.

Looking back in the history of knife manufactures, splits are not unusual.  Lets just go with...Our GEC company will remain and we can look forward to new great patterns with them.

The Daniels family has not left our industry or our hobby. 

Lets just be supportive and wish everyone the best of luck in all future endeavors

No worries.

None what so ever Luca!!  Any new knives to show?

Jan my friend, still haven't pulled out the camera to take pictures, and even though I'm a professional, I'm lacking the props and the personal sensitivity to the art form that our friend "Johnny" so clearly displays in most all of the photos of his knives. I'll get to it eventually...

On the other hand I did check out the "What's Happening" section on the GEC site, which was refreshed today, and interestingly enough I saw a new bunch of Tuna Valley #72 knives being made there. How's that for new knives? A happy sighting.

Now, as far as new knives, I'm just hoping that GEC takes my day dreams seriously, shared by Brent, and might make a Paul Bunyan version of the new and as of yet unseen Lumberjack with a #46 and a #36 blade combo, which would be huge, in hand, in the pocket, and on the market IMHO. Even if they make it just for fun, knowing full well it would be a break from the traditional. Still, I can't wait to see what the new Lumberjack will be as they've designed it.

Other than that I'd love to see a new herd of Moose charging out of the GEC factory... not that Moose form herds, so OK even just a special Moose or two? 

I'm still waiting for my Bull Nose, but everybody needs a break, even the post office. : ) 

I'm patient.... enough. We'll see if I don't have a new knife and new pics tomorrow. 

Can't wait to see 'em. As you know, I'm a fan!

Well that certainly looks like the best of 2 worlds to us ...YAHOOOOO

Mike Latham's GEC sfo "Farmer Jack" was just posted as the first 2012 date released knife of the year. Nice knife Mike!

I like the long pull on it!

Does anyone know when the shipping date is for the new club knife?

We dont have it yet Robert but will let you know when we are very close

I always get excited when waiting on a new knife. I guess, I'm not the only one that gets the new knife excitement, you know, counting the days....when will that special knife get here. Come on...I can't wait no longer.....lol

I'm kinda enjoying this wait, I'm testing my other knives in the meantime. I plan to put this #72 to work, I really think it will prove to be a great knife and one that will remind me of this place and you guys. 

I must say this is a very attractive looking knife. At first, I really didn't like the big spear point, but I couldn't pick a better knife. This one should be perfect for skinning out a deer or two.

I'm SO eager to see the new Lumberjack! I wish GEC would post another teaser image. I sure hope they might consider making it a Jumbo Jack with huge blades! Or a Super Moose with the #36 and #46 blades! I'm dreaming about it now! Sweet dreams...

What...did you say Moose...what, now I'm not gonna sleep, and I have to leave for the camp tomorrow. How can they do this to me ...lol

Robert, actually you are responsible for this latest obsession of mine, and I can't sleep for thinking of a beautiful new Moose, swedged polished blades and all! Thanks! I don't have one and all I can think of is getting my hands on one, and though there are some very nice Tidioute Moose kives out there, my heart is with and in the Northfield Moose with the swedged and polished blades and above all those long pulls. Personally I don't like the diagonal bolsters and I don't like the pinched bolsters, which in the earliest GEC versions they didn't do. Keep it plain and simple on the handle and turn it up to 11 on the blades. How about a UN-X-LD blade stamp on the main blade rather than any blade etch? OK, now I really can't sleep 'cause the level of desire is driving me crazy! Moooooooooooose!!!!

Yea Luca, I'm with you, I agree with your changes, with plenty of handle materials to choose from...it's got to be a winner!

That is indeed a wonderful image in my head.  I am getting very excited an wish we had more teaser images too

Okay Guys, LumberJack, or #72 club knife?

Well, I'm back from the camp, what's the news on the Lumberjack? Moose or no moose? We have to know.

Luca, it's great to have another Moose pattern collector, we are rare. Please come join us at the Moose pattern Mini Group and we'll collect them togrther.

I'm there Robert, thanks to you. Johnny, waddya mean, I thought the #72 club was in the bag and the Lumberjack was in the works????

Mooooooose!

A Giant Moose! A #46 and a #36 spear blade set, OK I can dream can't I?? So it's never been seen before, except every night in my dreams! And I also really really want a regular #54 Moose Northfield!!! You know, for my day to day needs...

A Lumber Jack is a Moose made by Remington, maybe it'll be a Moose made by GEC. The wait is killing me....lol

A Lumberjack and a Sunfish.?

Alan, thanks for the reality check. And thanks GEC for the teaser. If that's a Sunfish #36, then the Lumberjack is HUGE. It could be a #26? But those bolster stamps look kind of big for a #46 Whaler blade, which was the first tease. I don't have a #26 to compare. Go big!

Robert, I like the Northfield Moose better than any other moose out there, and the earlier straight unpinched bolstered  better. Swedged polished blades, long pulls. You pick your handle material. I like it much better than the Remington with the squared off bolsters, and I prefer the equal end #54 cigar profile. That's just me.

Now I'm starting to think that Jan's thinking that it might be a Clasp type knife could be prescient, 'cause those bolsters look big to me, but then again it could be a #26 Sleeveboard blade paired with a #46, and sounds to me like a jack set up based on the hints dropped so far. But who knows? Unless, somebody out there also likes a Moose set up and jumps up and down and clamors for it? Thanks, Robert.

You know what? I'm gonna tag these knives on to the GEC 2012 production schedule in my dreams:

Lumberjack, can't wait to see it.

Jan's Clasp Knife, think big

johnny twoshoes Fishing Knife, stainless, fresh and salt water, just add fish

Robert's #54 Northfield Moose, classic, pick your handle material

Luca's #46 and #36 Bladed Northfield Super Moose. They'd fit on the Whaler frame, I think? The ultimate "surf and turf", Whaler and Sunfish, in a Moose pattern.

And since Bill Howard would be designing and building them all with the active participation of the whole GEC staff, then whatever knives they want to make. I trust them, their taste, and their commitment to their craft.

And I almost forgot, two sizes of "Sodbusters", not just one. I like orange, but this knife would look good in almost any color, finish, and handle material.

 If that's a Sunfish #36, then the Lumberjack is HUGE

My guess would be a big sleeveboard sunfish, with a #46 blade on one end and one, maybe two # 36 blades on the other. If done right that could be really interesting. Ever see a Schatt and Morgan Wildcat Driller? A huge sunfish whittler would be too cool.

Google Remington Lumberjack and see what thiers looks like.  VERY interesting

I checked it out Jan, I think Remington's Lumberjack looks like a Moose. I wander what GEC has up their sleeve on the sleeveboard as well???

I like the production quality better on the GEC Moose, Tidioute or Northfield better than any Remington, Case, Winchester, or Queen put together. Aahhhh. Now I said it. I feel better now. And I'd like to see GEC make it again. Please?

In  a cigar and a swell center frame variations, 4 1/8" long. 

I always like the quality better on any GEC product.  The pattern on the Remington is interesting though.  It will be wonderful to see what Great Eastern does with this name and what pattern it will finally be.  One of the great things about this company is their ability to bring an old pattern back to life with its own special version.  I also love that they bring us along on the journey to a new pattern

I'm starting to get really excited about the club knife. I already love the #72 frame and lock, so trying out the spear blade really sounds great. 

The new and improved #26 also sounds interesting to me, I think maybe a bail will be added?

and anniversary edition

Now we have a new one to think about also.  Anyone know anything abot a wrangler??

Production Schedule 2012

Wrangle, hmmm, sounds like another stockman maybe???

That would be awesome with me!!! 

That is what I am thinking Johnny, wonder what scales though

We may have to wait to get our Moose but that's what makes collecting them so much fun....their hard to get! 

Robert, why wait when we could talk to GEC and see about getting an SFO Northfield Moose or two made and organize that effort here on iKC? All those in favor say, "Yes" or "Yea"!

I have thought about special orders and how many and how much it would cost. Someone had some special cotton cutters made and then sold them, whats up with that?  I think the name was Craker Jack.

Yes, Cracker Jack did have some done a couple of runs if I remember right but the same man has had others done by them also