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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 johnny twoshoes on July 20, 2012 at 16:08

Hey Guys, leaving today, can't wait.

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

Come on, we are waiting! I hear knives calling your name. Have a safe trip

Permalink Reply by Scott Rauber on July 21, 2012 at 7:40

Mega Steel Sahlute to whomever is posting all the pics to the GEC site!!! Thanks!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 21, 2012 at 10:33

I think I'm gonna get the Cocabolo, will it have a swedged blade?

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 21, 2012 at 19:57

Robert,

The Northfield will have a swedge, the Tidioute does not. Donnie said to tell you he had one in his hand today and it was mega beautiful and he is fairly certain it is a Northfield :)

Scott,

My pleasure. They are more to come when I make it home this week. I have some great stuff to share, I think I can take you all on a factory tour with me!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 22, 2012 at 18:50

I'm buckled up and ready for the tour, Miss Jan, bring it on, my dear...lol

Permalink Reply by Gary Thomas on July 23, 2012 at 9:16

Next year! I'm making my plans to be there . . . next year. Been looking at all the pictures. Next year! I trust all of you fine folks had a great time. Good for you! Next year. :)

Permalink Reply by David L. Anthony on July 23, 2012 at 14:15

Hey Gang,

Sorry we didn't get to see all our friends at GEC this year. When we didn't get an invite for GEC we figured we would represent Knife World Magazine over at the CASE reunion in Bradford. Of course we had a great time as we always do where ever we are. Hopefully in 2013 GEC will have us back and we can renew old frindships. My best buddy from my childhood Mark Fredericks, call me and said the weekend was top notch. He's hooked on GEC and that's a GOOD thing. I was pleased to hear about all my friends visiting the shop. We missed not being there.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 23, 2012 at 14:27

That sounds great David, did you get any pictures of the Case reunion. I am sure everyone would love to see some.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 23, 2012 at 21:29

David,

We missed you also! Just made it home a few moments ago. We did finally make it to Pithole this year and had a good talk with David Weber about that area. Have some stuff to share this week