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Knife Thoughts 2021 GEC Rendezvous Retrospect

This past weekend Great Eastern Cutlery held their yearly open house gathering for enthusiasts, which they call the Rendezvous. I always look forward to the Rendezvous with great excitement, and was sorely disappointed that it had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. I was able to attend this year, and I want to share my experience here; there was a lot of what makes me love the Rendezvous that was the same, but there were also some new aspects to this year’s event.

What is the Great Eastern Cutlery Rendezvous?

The Rendezvous has always been the best time for Great Eastern Cutlery enthusiasts to gather and discuss the knives they love, and also an opportunity to obtain some of the more rare and unusual knives by GEC. I have gone to the Rendezvous each year since 2014, and you can read about why you should go to the Rendezvous at this link. I love the Rendezvous because it brings together a wide range of people all with one thing in common – a love and appreciation of the best production traditional knives being made currently, at the place of their manufacture. Everyone is willing and ready to show off their collections, discuss past and future knives, and everything else GEC and traditional knife related. You also get the opportunity to “see behind the curtain”. Bill, William, Joan Mae, and other employees are welcoming and magnanimous with their time. You get the feeling they are proud of the products they make and happy to discuss them with their most loyal customers. Finally, there’s the opportunity to meet and talk with GEC’s dealers. Aside from the people, which are the true draw of the Rendezvous, attendance also gives access to purchase the Rendezvous Special and SFA knives. The Rendezvous Special is a knife made in limited numbers and released in part on each day of the event to commemorate the gathering. I’ve collected them since 2014, and they’re usually rather unique with special cover materials or shield and always an etch signifying the year. SFA stands for Special Factory Assembly, which are knives made from parts from previous runs of knives in unique configurations (formerly called parts knives, which you can read about at this link). These SFAs are some of the lowest production number knives, often falling between 2 and 20 made of each configuration, and therefore highly sought after and honestly just really cool. Both the Rendezvous Special and SFAs are only available during the Rendezvous at the factory store. So there’s a lot to love about the Rendezvous as it’s always been that draws regulars back, and new people out, every year!

  • The ticket system was a great call by GEC
  • Bill showing off the Rendezvous Special

What made the 2021 Rendezvous different?

Being that the last was 2 years ago due to the pandemic, I expected some changes for the 2021 Rendezvous. The first change was in the date of the event. It had always been the first full weekend in August. I believe that was chosen because it coincided both with the Titusville Oil Festival and, more importantly, the Queen Knife Show. However, with Queen out of business since 2018 and the Oil Festival cancelled both in 2020 and 2021, there’s no longer any particular reason to have it then. They moved it to June, the weekend after Blade Show. When I asked why that date was chosen they indicated it was for the nicer weather, which is a pretty solid reason being that much of the event happens outdoors. This year did end up having beautiful weather throughout both days of the event. Another difference was in the line for the event. As crazy as it sounds, people line up outside the factory overnight to get in line early enough to get the Rendezvous Special and best picks of the SFAs. 2014-2016 I didn’t line up, just rolled in and was lucky to get the Rendezvous Specials. However, 2017-2019 I lined up about 2am, 12am, and 10pm respectively and was always well under 10th in line. I drove up after work the day before this year, and on the way saw online that there were over 10 in line already. I expected it to be much busier this year, but not so much earlier than normal. To be honest, I was shocked and concerned I wouldn’t be able to get a Rendezvous Special. Thankfully, not many came after that post before I made it there and I ended up under 20th in line (which gave me a good shot at the Rendezvous Special). As the night progressed more and more came, especially around 4am. The discussion between those waiting overnight is always enjoyable and interesting, but it’s still a long wait. At about 6am, an hour before the store opened, Bill Howard (GEC owner / president) came out and showed the Rendezvous Special knife and described their new system for purchases at the event. For 2019 they had indicated they would use a ticket system to order the factory sales during the Rendezvous, but didn’t end up implementing any system. Although no major issues arose, there was some definite jostling and even I think some position pilfering. So I was happy to hear that they were using a ticket system this year. Each person in line was given a ticket, like those used for lotteries and 50/50s, denoting their place in line. 5 people were allowed in the store at a time, and each time someone left the person with the next sequential ticket was allowed in. As you left the store you were able to take another ticket so that you could go in again, but only after everyone who was there had a chance to go in once (special thanks to Rosie for handling the ticket system all day both days). I think this ticket system worked brilliantly; it allowed attendees to be able to mill around and talk and see the displays rather than holding their place in line, it made the experience in the store less stressful because it wasn’t so crowded that you could barely move (like recent previous years), and it made for a fair system for those who came later to still get a chance to go into the store while allowing those who arrived early to go back in if they desired. Speaking of going back into the store a second time, like in 2019, they enforced a limit of 2 knives per purchase. So if you wanted to buy more than two knives you’d take a second ticket on your way out and then were allowed back into the store once that ticket was called.One other big change for this year was the time of the picnic on Saturday. Previous years the picnic, which is the last portion of the event, was always at lunch time. This year they moved it to 4pm, with the factory store closing at 1pm. I am not sure whether this was a positive or negative change, as it does give some rest time for attendees and preparation time for GEC staff between the show and the picnic, but it also makes for a longer day and some down time. I think this year’s Rendezvous kept much or all of what I’ve always loved about it, but with some changes that made for an overall even better event.

What did I take away from this year’s Rendezvous?

I took away a treasure trove of experiences and lessons from the 2021 GEC Rendezvous, not to mention some incredible knives! I really just thoroughly enjoyed seeing and talking with the Rendezvous regulars. The density of Great Eastern Cutlery and traditional knife knowledge gathered at the Rendezvous can’t be found many places, and certainly isn’t something I have gotten to experience with such a community vibe in any other setting. I also felt that there were a lot more people going around to the table displays at this year’s Rendezvous, and I got to meet a lot of new GEC enthusiasts. I’ll be honest and admit that I greatly appreciated the comments from several people who said that they enjoy Knife Thoughts, and even heard a really touching story about how reading my blog and watching my videos helped a fellow enthusiast through some tough days. A lesson I’m taking from this year’s Rendezvous (that I also took from 2019’s but didn’t implement) is that I need to prepare my Knife Thoughts display better. I should plan, for sure, what knives I want to sell and how much I want to charge for them. I had a box of knives I was considering selling, but ended up deciding not to sell some of them (one of which was after someone had decided to buy it). I also only had a general idea of what I would charge for them, when I should have had a price sheet made ahead of time to reference. I ran out of stickers to give out towards the end of the first day, which I use in place of business cards. In the future I’ll order extra ahead of time, and I also want to get other Knife Thoughts swag to give out. I also meant to have Waynorth Cutlery shirts (available here) for sale, but didn’t order them in time. Having a second person to tag team watching the table would be really helpful, so that each of us could go in the store or walk around and talk without the table being unattended. By the way, huge thanks to Dan and Ben for watching my table some. Finally, I’d like to get a banner to better show that the table is “Knife Thoughts”. I ended up not going to the picnic this year, but next year I’d like to plan my time better so that I can be rested and ready to attend and enjoy the picnic.

I had a great time at the Great Eastern Cutlery 2021 Rendezvous. If you enjoy these knives and it’s feasible for you to come to Titusville, I think you’d be happy you did. I have started a (completely unofficial and unaffiliated with GEC) Facebook group for those who plan to attend the 2022 Rendezvous, which you can find at this link. Make sure to check out the video below where I show and discuss the knives I got at this year’s Rendezvous. I hope to see lots of new faces mingled among the regulars at the next GEC Rendezvous!

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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How to Build a GREAT Every Day Carry for Under $100

In this article I will recommend to you the best gear for building a complete, functional, high quality every day carry setup for under $100. All of the gear I recommend here I have used and found to be a good value and up to the tasks of EDC. Part of what makes building a complete every day carry fun is expressing your own tastes and preferences in the gear, so I’ve given at least a couple options in each category. I didn’t include every possible item that could be considered part of an EDC setup (E.g. wallet, keychain, pry tool, etc.) but stuck with the most essential tools. No matter which option within each category you choose, you should be able to build a complete and really effective every day carry setup for a budget friendly price.

Knife

Ah, my passion. I am a knife enthusiast through and through, above and beyond my enjoyment of other EDC tools. So what knife(s) do I recommend for a high value / low cost every day carry? I don’t think you’ll be surprised.

Some (well used) top tier budget knife options

If you want a modern knife, with one hand opening and a lock, I recommend the Ontario Rat 1. Classic design, consistent quality control, and proven utility come together in an extremely high value package in the RAT 1. There’s a reason it’s, almost for sure, the most recommended modern knife on the market. I have had several of these, I give these as gifts to family and friends, and I’ve only had good experiences myself and gotten good feedback from others. For about $25 you have a great all around knife.

Whether due to local laws, your aesthetic preference, or a desire for more tools, another great option is the Victorinox Huntsman. For less than $35 you get an incredibly well made knife with two blades, a saw, scissors, screwdrivers (which can pry), bottle opener, can opener, awl, corkscrew, tweezers, and last but not least (maybe…) a toothpick. It’s an extremely versatile tool. Of course, Victorinox has a huge variety of models with different tool combinations. Another I think makes a great EDC is the Pioneer, if you don’t need the scissors and saw.

If you’d like to go traditional but don’t want, or need, all the extra tools I recommend the Case Sod Buster JR. It’s not the fanciest looking traditional out there, but it doesn’t sport the abysmal unpinned shield that most Case knives have and it’s an extremely utilitarian and proven design. For under $30 you get an American made knife with a great warranty that will last a lifetime.

Finally, some prefer the dependability and simplicity of a fixed blade. There are a lot of great budget fixed blades on the market, but nothing can beat the Mora Companion. For around $15 you get a knife that is extremely strong and durable, cuts well, has a great design, and comes with a really nice sheath (for the price). The Companion is just an all around winner, and any knife or EDC enthusiast should have one.

Flashlight

I have to admit that I have yet to nail down my ideal flashlight EDC. I have carried several different lights, but have carried a FourSevens Preon more than anything else combined. I’ve tried it in pocket, on my keychain, and in my bag. Unfortunately, the newer and currently only available version of the Preon is too expensive to include in this article. I’m going to give a recommendation for a light for each type of carry: Bag, Pocket, and Keychain.

A headlamp option is very functional

For bag carry, I think a flashlight that doubles as a headlamp is extremely useful. A headlamp is much more practical than a handheld light when camping and working. I have been using the Wowtac A2S, and think it’s a good value. It seems well made and sturdy, has a really useful moonlight mode, can be super bright, and comes with a nice headstrap. The only downsides are that it doesn’t come with a pocket clip and the beam could be wider for general use. Still, at under $30 I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again. If you’d prefer a model with a clip and forward facing (rather than 90 degree) head, and don’t need the headlamp capability, the WowTac A1S is a good option for the same price.

For pocket carry I like a thin light. Flashlights that use 18650 batteries are more powerful and longer lasting, but I think AAA based lights make for less obtrusive carry. With that in mind, I’d recommend the Lumintop IYP365. It is relatively bright, has a great look, and is easy to carry. It doesn’t use rechargeable batteries, but it’s less expensive than the above options that do, at about $20.

There are a lot of really small, bright, easy to use keychain flashlights… but many of them have a flaw that keeps me from recommending them; their charging ports are covered only by a silicon plug. In my experience these plugs come loose easily, and render the light’s water resistance effectively null (plus they get in the way of holding the light). So I’m going to recommend the Olight I1R 2. It doesn’t have a clicky interface, which is a downside, but the twisty is nice and straight forward to use. The charging port is legitimately covered by screwing down the body. It has a low and high mode, which is all you need on a keychain light. For $15, it’s a good value.

Pen

In this category my main recommendation is an easy choice: the classic Fisher Space Pen. This is a pen that many have recommended, and for good reason; it works, all the time. I have used these through college, at work, in the outdoors, etc. and have always been happy with their performance. In fact, I’m always amazed at how long the cartridges last. At about $25 for the clipped version, which I much prefer, you’ll get a pen that will last a lifetime.

A good clip might bend, but it won’t break easily.

I will say though, the Zebra F-301 is a solid secondary choice. They have a nice look and solid feel with the stainless steel body, they have a strong clip, and they write well. You can get 12 for less than $20, so it might be a better choice if you tend to lose pens.

Notebook

Every now and then I decide it is more economical and convenient to just take notes electronically, and every time I do I stop taking notes. For some reason, a physical notebook just works better. I have used a huge variety of notebooks, and there are a lot of good ones out there.

I’m a big fan of Rite in the Rain

For a pocket carry notebook, I much prefer the Rite in the Rain Mini Stapled Notebook. They are pretty much completely weather proof, so you don’t have to worry about them turning to mush if you forget them in a pocket (or just get a little too sweaty). They have a universal pattern rule that makes them useful for any kind of note taking, including bullet journaling. Plus, you get 3 for about $9 so you can write to your heart’s content and not worry about filling too many.

If you’d rather have a larger notebook that you carry in your bag, I like the Moleskine Classic. It’s more expensive than some others on the market, and maybe kind of cliche, but I haven’t found a better option. At about $10 you do get a lot more pages and a classier feel. However, if you don’t care about looks and just want a notebook for in your bag you can always go with a $6 5 Star Composition Notebook (which can be bought for less in big box stores).

Lighter

I don’t personally carry a lighter in my true EDC, thought I do carry one in my bag every day. I just don’t need a lighter that often, and always just remember to bring one if I’m going camping or something like that. That said, I do think it’s a good idea to have a lighter around, even if it’s just in your bag or car.

A lighter in my EDC pouch

My recommendation for a lighter isn’t going to please those who are looking for something to add to their pocket dump pictures for Instagram, as it’s all function and no form; the Bic Mini. Why do I recommend the humble Bic? It’s small and easy to carry (fits with room to spare in the 5th pocket of most jeans), pretty much always works, and the fluid won’t evaporate. Plus, you can get 5 for well under $10.

Still, I don’t want to completely snub the classic Zippo. I don’t use a lighter frequently enough to keep the classic fluid from evaporating, but Zippo recently came out with a butane insert and rechargeable arc insert that mitigate that issue. If you’d rather have something that looks better (and there’s nothing wrong with that) or would rather have something reusable, the Zippo is tough to beat. I do think there’s something to be said for not throwing a chunk of plastic away, probably to find its way to the ocean or a landfill or something, every time you use up a lighter. Thankfully I don’t use them up often at all.

The links in this article are Amazon Affiliate links. That means that if you decide to buy any of the products through these links, I will get a small percentage of the sale. It does not charge you more, and they are the same products (generally) you’d find if you searched on Amazon. I encourage you to look around online for the best deals, but I do appreciate your support via the affiliate links. I was not paid or compensated to recommend any of these products.

P.s. I am not knowledgeable on watches, but many EDC enthusiasts appreciate them. If you just need something functional, I highly recommend the Casio F108WH. I purchased one over 3 years ago for a hunting trip expecting to lose or break it, but it has taken all kinds of abuse since then (from teaching martial arts to white water rafting) with no issues. For $15, it’s a great value.

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Bootleg 2020; A Smashing Success!

I attend the Great Eastern Cutlery Rendezvous every year. It’s a gathering of traditional knife enthusiasts at the GEC factory to show and discuss knives, take tours of the factory, and get some unique knives. You can find more information in the following article:

Why All Traditional Knife Enthusiasts Should Attend the Great Eastern Cutlery Rendezvous

Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus crisis, Great Eastern Cutlery decided to cancel the Rendezvous this year. It was a big disappointment to me, and I’m sure to many others, but I understand why they had to make the decision.

Relatively quickly after this decision was announced, some regular attendees set in motion to organize an unofficial gathering in place of the Rendezvous. Jesse W. contacted the location and caterer that was always used for the Saturday picnic and, along with contributions from Gary K. and Darren O., set up a replacement gathering. Setting this all up was no small feat, I’m sure, and set the stage for the success of the event.

In the process of being setup the event began to be called “Bootleg”. I decided that if we couldn’t have a Rendezvous Special knife, it would be nice to have at least something to commemorate the event. Since GEC often includes pins with their knives and has been making special pins for the last few years’ Rendezvous, I decided to make pins for all the attendees. I’m no graphic designer, by any stretch of the word, but I came up with something and got a bunch made by Sticker Mule (who I’ve used for several sticker designs). I was happy to make a small contribution, and I was surprised to find Randy (an engineer at GEC and fellow knife enthusiast) laser etching the logo onto all kinds of things: slips, sheaths, and even knives! It was a very nice gesture that allowed people to go home with mementos of the event.

The event was well attended and a whole lot of fun. A significant group of regular Rendezvous attendees, as well as some GEC employees, showed up. The hours rushed by while we all showed and discussed our knives, knife history, and all kinds of knife related topics. I had a great time, and I think others did also.

Still, I’m looking forward to next year and having the full Rendezvous. If you plan to attend next year’s Rendezvous, consider joining this Facebook group. I’ll be there!

I sincerely thank you for your time, support, and interest! Don’t forget to tell your friends about KnifeThoughts.com, subscribe via email, and share this article on social media. You can find Knife Thoughts on YouTube where I have hundreds of knife videos, as well as on Instagram and Facebook! You can find all my latest links at LinkTr.ee/KnifeThoughts

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Great Eastern Cutlery Cancels 2020 Rendezvous

If I’m being honest, I saw it coming; Pennsylvania has extended the state of emergency, safety measures that had been relaxed have been reinstated, and the Titusville Oil Festival (with which the GEC Rendezvous was always concurrently held) was canceled. Still, I’m sure it was a hard decision for Bill and everyone at GEC to make, and I’m very crestfallen.

If you want to learn more about the Rendezvous, check out the article at this link.

The perfect meme for this news

I collect the Rendezvous Special knives, which you can only get at the Rendezvous. Check out this link and this link for videos on those knives. Still, worse than not having the opportunity to obtain this year’s piece of that collection is the missed discussions with other enthusiasts (and many collectors with much more knowledge than me, from whom I’ve learned a lot at past Rendezvous). However, it would have been difficult to maintain the current safety protocols and enjoy the Rendezvous as it has been in the past. Hopefully GEC has something else fun up their sleeve, and hopefully this isn’t too much of a blow to them.

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All Aboard! Next Up for Great Eastern Cutlery is the #33 Conductor Pattern

Great Eastern Cutlery has been knocking the #23 Pioneers out of the park since reopening after the Pandemic Shutdown, and it looks like they have another hit on the way! They’re through most of the double blade #23 versions and working on the single blade liner lock versions.

Today they posted a teaser picture of what is coming after the #23s!

The #33 Conductor is a small swell center pen knife style pattern. It’s an insider favorite for its ease of carry and practical blade combination.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing what handle / cover materials they offer. The teaser shows stag and what looks like a jigged bone (or maybe micarta?), but I’m sure there will be lots of other options including SFOs.

If you like small practical traditionals, keep your eyes peeled!