Kenneth,

I agree.  If we go back to the first years of GEC, the handle materials were distinct to that company.  No one else was offering Primitive Bone, Bubbinga wood with a Beaver shield, snakewood, the looking glass materials.  All of those in 2010 meant Great Eastern, Northfield and Tidioute.  So yes, better choices not more grew them, it should be able to sustain them

Makes total sense to me. I mean the SFO's are certainly a cool collector aspect but that stuff has to be a logistics nightmare from a production standpoint and if it's watering down/ hindering the GEC brand itself by consuming material priorities then that's definitely a potential marketing issue in the long run.

Here's my 23's so far. I was on the list at Frank's, but didn't make the cut.

Yes, Richard, they are double bladed. You bring up some great points. It does seem to be difficult right now to get these great knives. I think limits of production is most of the cause for availability. (However, in pre-Covid times I have had trouble securing a particular GEC pattern just because they were so popular.) It is hard to preorder a knife under the conditions you mentioned, but most of us are familiar enough with the pattern and the past quality to not hesitate. I too am eager for the single, liner lock 23's to arrive, hopefully the scales on some will be of different materials.

UPDATE! At approx. 5:30pm CST, Frank's sent me a purchase invoice for the GEC 235220 Exotic India Jigged Bone Trapper SFO, which I immediately paid for. (ALLLL RIGGHHHTTT!!!!!!!) Since my post 1 hour ago, I had given up on this knife.

Hello 2 AllI considered myself lucky to start collecting knives a few years after Great Eastern got rolling. The history of pocket knives and all the great American manufactures of days past, holding one of your knives ya knew you where holding a quality knife. I had difficult time choosing a paticular pattern. But the whittler is a knife I like, the handle material ebony wood & Ivory cherished. I've stopped collecting it's been years since I've bought a knife but here are a couple that I think are fine examples of Great Eastern's work. Thanks to the men and women responsible for producing two knives that to me are a art form to create.

The CKs SFO #23LL Mesquite wood pre-orders sold out in 10 minutes.  You can buy one from an Evil-bay flipper for $200 to $300 if you like being a sucker.  Why do that when you can  buy 2 to almost 3 knives for the same money.  The GEC#23LL single blade liner locks in Beaver gnawed jigged cherry-wood , Antique Autumn natural bone , and the #23LL red-tail (sierra red-brown)jigged bone Bullet Trapper are so superb. Don't get hooked on what you can't have.  I  am on GEC FaceBook about ten  times a day listing available knives and what dealers have them in stock..  I can help you find new released GEC knives.  GEC releases a first batch and it is crazy to obtain a knife. 2nd batch and sometimes a third batch is released.  Things do slow down a bit.  Single blades always sell out faster than multiple blades.   "GEC knife collecting is war !"  I do try to buy from dealers that support iKC.  

Mr Frank is sending me the darkest , thickest ,most Winterbottom looking #23 in the bunch .  My knife is half way to me now.  I also bought a #23 two blade natural bone and it will be sent to Darren Orrell.  Darren will remove the main blade and easy up that bear trap snap.  I have one arm.  I hold my #23s with my feet and open them up left handed with a CASE XX blade pick.  Go buy yourself a CASE XX blade pick for the #23 knives.  They are nail breakers.  Most dealers hate to cherry pick knives for me.  It is not about looks , thicker scales work better for one arm me. 

I have two #23s in my possession .  I have three more #23s in the mail to me now.  I have an Allegheny Mountain Club Knife, that should be shipped next week. I have all four #23LLs on pre-order.  Maybe I will receive the two SFO #23LL liner -locks.  I believe those will be the last SFO knives produced for dealers.  

I hate KnivesShipFree .  I begged them to help me obtain the Northwoods #86, #92 and #93 knives. I just wanted one of each.  KnivesShipsFree holds back some of their SFO knives and they will release those at higher prices with newer models.      They could of been cool and help me obtain one. How can a buyer obtain four Northwoods knives in 30 seconds and I get blocked out every time. Answer : " Pirate Buying Software"   I have one arm "left hand" and an old head injury , I am too slow.  KnivesShipFree is a bunch of heartless , selfish , skunks.  KnivesShipsFree sold over a 1000 Northwoods GEC made last year.  And they could not sell one me one #86 frame Northwoods , #92 frame Northwood and one #93 Northwoods. They take advantage of the GEC SFO production.   Dealers should only sell a 100 SFO knives a year , because SFO knife production is killing the smaller GEC dealers. The big GEC dealers could care less about you , because the demand will replace you. The Smaller GEC dealers are so nice and iKC supporter dealers are wonderful.  I will never buy a Northwoods knife. I won't except a free one neither.  Northwoods will be making their own knives in the future .  I will be supporting GEC and the GEC dealers that I like. All the GEC dealers took a  big hit this year ,because of the woohan virus.  GEC is fighting for their lives and we need to support them fully.

Hey Fred Kemp ,That Northfield #23 Pioneer Trapper Antique Autumn Natural bone knife is "SICK" !  I hope I get a thick dark one.   That phat spear blade makes a great chore knife.  Take that yellow polishing cloth "FRANKS" and wrap it around one blade.  Watch TV, work that blade back and forth a 1000 times.  Repeat if you have to at another time.   The more you use the big #23 knife , the more you will enjoy it.  

Thanks Kenneth. I look forward to seeing some pics of the 23's you'll be getting soon!

Here's the Frank's #23 that came in the mail today.

Richard, sadly I don't know the complete history about this cool knife. I believe it was released pre-2008. I first saw it on a knife website several years ago and tried to find out some info, but couldn't find any. So, I began to periodically search for the knife on different knife sales sites. Finally about eight years ago, best I can remember, I came across  one on ebay and immediately bought it.

If anybody else knows anything about this knife and owns one, how about some info and some pics?

New Microsoft Edge has goofed up my computer.  "No More Kenny Pictures !"   My #23 Antique Autumn Natural Bone & my #23 Franks knife came in early this week.  My #23 red-tail jigged Bullet knife and "Sharpest Knife in the Drawer" XXL t-shirt comes in tomorrow.  

Fred, I do have some archive info on that 23 I think but it will get to me a lot easier if you can give me the numbers on it.  That's what I have it all filed under

Kenneth. What's up, I dont want you blocked from adding pics!

Thanks Jan! The only numbers on the knife are '1 of 250' on the secondary blade, which is also stamped '2006'. This blade is also stamped, on the other side, with 'GREAT EASTERN CUTLERY' with 'TITUSVILLE' underneath.

The main blade has the above lettering on one side with 'CYCLOPS STEEL WORKS' on the other side.

Richard, that Liner Lock looks great! The sheath idea is a good one.

I just received my Kifer Cutlery invoice for the SFO Blue Camel bone GEC#23LL knife.   I think these knives should be released on 7/17/2020.   It is good to support a iKC -- GEC dealer.   

Kenneth,

Thank you for always going the extra mile and supporting iKC sponsors!

Fred,

Although that knife reads 1 of 250 in reality in 2006 the smooth white laser GEC knife production total was 81.  It was also the first laser handle done by GEC..  That much I am sure of, what comes to mind but I cannot find verification of it is that this was the first GEC 23 made with no shield.

In 2006 GEC branded knives were made with 440C stainless steel blades, given the trademark acorn shield and Cyclops Steel Works tang stamp.

Jan,

That's some great info! It's weird to me that it's not listed in the book,"Great Eastern Cutlery- An American Tradition".

Also strange is that on the bolster, which I forgot to mention and is visible on the pic I submitted, is the number 176. Which means there must have been more then 81 produced?

Fred.... I have found that there were quite a few styles that are not mentioned in the book. I have a few short runs not mentioned. 

Jeff, I didn't know that. Not sure what the process was for that, I would think the serialized knives would always be listed, on the website at least. Although it's kind off fun researching a GEC knife, it would be nice to see some referencing from the maker. In the case for this knife, #23 oak leaf, researching has been tough!

Just scored a #23 Woodland Micarta Liner lock at DLT Trading! They have 7 left.

Under production totals on the GEC website, let me see if I can add it from my phone

2006.pdf

In the early years the 250 would usually mean they made 250 but not all with the same handle material

More Blue Camel Bone Kifer SFO GEC#23LL Knife photos are on the Great Eastern Cutlery web-sight.  The Kifer shield really looks awesome on the un-buffed blue knives.  I hope mine is a stone washed blue .  

Thanks Jan for the info. I finally emailed GEC, which is what I should have done in the first place. They answered back! I sent them some photos they requested, so we may have some further info soon.

Fred,

If they say something other than what is on the website I would be surprised but you never know.  They are good with communicating

Kenneth,

I cant wait to see that Blue with the Kifer shield!!!

Thanks to these two GEC knife experts, Jan Carter and Joan Mae Howard from Great Eastern Cutlery, we now have some further info about the #23 oak leaf knife posted about a few days ago:

-- In 2006 GEC did 81 knives with a Smooth White Laser Handle. Back then the serial number would run straight through the pattern. In other words, mine is the 176th #23 to come through.

-- It was not an SFO knife.

--The oak pattern on the handle was done with a laser, and it was the first laser handled knife GEC produced.

Fred!

Thanks, it is good to know the little bit on the site could jog up a few correct facts from an old memory!  It is a great knife by the way

Here's a pic of the Kifer Cutlery SFO. Wish I could have snagged one!

I received my 2020 AMKCA club #23  with black bear shield knife today.  (#05 of #35 )

Fred,

Those are just gorgeous.  I see that being a high dollar from the flippers on the after market side

Cant wait to see it Kenneth

Jan...Absolutely, those are tinted perfectly! I'd like to see more of the blue bone on other patterns, as long as the coloring doesn't become too dark.

I have one arm left hand with a soft thumb nail.  I open my gator snap knives with my feet and a CASE XX blade pick.    New knives have to be loosened up or the stay tight forever.  I put an old t-shirt in my lap.  I wrap an old polishing cloth around the blade.   Work the blade back and forth.  Lube the knife after you are finished.  I own a large GEC Sheath.  I am going for twelve GEC#23/23LL knives on this run.  I sent my #23 Northfield Antique Autumn Natural two blade to Darren O. in California. Darren will remove the main blade and the beefy spey blade will remain.  

I own two GEC blue camel bone knifes.   A GEC#93 and a GEC#62 , both a stone-washed blue.   I am a dark blue fan.   I own CASE XX Blue giraffe bone knives too.  I was so happy to contact Kifer Cutlery in minutes after the GEC #23LL posting.  I spotted a factory production line photo of the Mesquite #23LL on another Knife forum.   

I have a real problem.  I just bought my second GEC#23LL Beaver gnawed jigged cherry wood knife.  I also bought two bottles of honing oil , so my shipping was free. I should end up with thirteen GEC#23/23LL knives.  I have blade sickness , awful ! 

Kenneth I know what you mean. It is an addition.