The Who, What, Where, and Why for Great Eastern Cutlery Knives

When it comes to purchasing knives, everyone has their own preferences, especially when it comes to brands. Some classics are TOPS, ESEE, Fallkniven, White River Knives, Spyderco, Kershaw Knives, OKC, and Buck Knives.

However, there is a newer brand that has recently caused a stir in the pocket knife industry: Great Eastern Cutlery Knives. But who exactly are they, what makes them so special, and what is the best place for you to purchase them? Let’s take a “stab” at it!

What is Great Eastern Cutlery Knives?
In August 2006, Bill Howard and Ken Daniels started Great Eastern Cutlery Knives in Titusville, PA. Since its inception, the brand has quickly risen to be one of the best brands for functional and high-quality knives.

They create various types of knives, including kitchen knives, fixed blades, and pocket knives. Their pocket knives in particular, however, are of specific merit. This is because Great Eastern Cutlery Knives (GEC) has meticulous processes to create their pocket knives– 200 individual processes for each knife to be exact!

Every knife from this brand is created with expert craftsmanship and traditional materials. They opt for a synergistic combination of authenticity and modernism, as they desire each pocket knife to perform, look, and feel like authentic American pocket knives from the 19th and 20th centuries while using modern and efficient techniques to create them.

Why Are Their Pocket Knives so Great?
We know what you’re thinking: could GEC possibly be so great for being such a young company in the knife industry? Could they really be that influential and dependable, especially when it comes to their pocket knives?

Yes and yes.

Unique and Meticulous Processes
GEC, as mentioned above, takes any and every pocket knife that they construct seriously. Almost all of their craftsmen have been with them since the very beginning, harnessing and improving their trade daily. Plus, their facilities utilize efficient manufacturing processes, both by hand and by machine.

Every knife goes through 200 individual processes (as noted above) in order to ensure that the brand’s high standards for quality are efficiently attained.

Stainless Steel and High-Carbon Steel Blades
What’s so unique about this particular brand is that they do occasionally use stainless steel in their blades, but they also very often use the more classic blade composition: 1095 carbon steel.

Carbon steel is the material that pocket knife blades were traditionally made of. While high-carbon steel may be slightly more of a nuisance to clean (GEC has a guide for cleaning carbon steel knives), they are famous for being able to hold its edge, take a keen edge, and attain a beautiful polish.

For many knife enthusiasts, having a pocket knife made of high-carbon steel is a special treat in another way: watching the patina change over time. It’s natural for carbon steel to gain a patina as time progresses, making the color of the blade slightly change.

Many knife owners thoroughly enjoy this process, as it adds a bit of unique character to the blade. However, there are still others who prefer a more uniform appearance for their blade. Fortunately, for those who prefer to rid their blades of a patina, the patina can simply and easily be polished off.

Quality Knife Handle Materials
It’s not only their blades that are of particular marvel. Each knife’s handle is made with durable and dependable materials, which could be exotic hardwoods, cattle bone, stag antlers, and synthetic materials, like orange Delrin and micarta.

What Pocket Knife Should I Buy from GEC?
Granted, we aren’t here to tell you which knives you should and shouldn’t buy. That decision is ultimately up to you, your preferences, and your knife requirements. However, we can at least make one solid suggestion for those looking for an extremely convenient GEC pocket knife in both usage and transportation.

#05 Keychain Knife

The #05 Keychain Knife is a prime sample of their folding knives. It has a 1.75-inch spearpoint blade made of 440C stainless steel, which provides its users with a dependable and sturdy blade that is exceptionally resilient to corrosion.

The handle is constructed with sambar stag antler, which makes the knife have a unique aesthetic while providing a durable and dense handle for optimal use.

The overall knife only weighs .6 ounces, making the use of this pocket knife easy and efficient. You can then carry it around in your pocket or on your keychain, having it readily available to you whenever you need it.

Where to Buy GEC Knives
When purchasing Great Eastern Cutlery Knives, you need to go through a retailer. Fortunately, you are on the website of one of the best retailers for GEC knives right now! Here at The Knife Connection, we proudly “connect” all of our customers with the top knives and accessories on the market today.

If you have any questions about our offerings, don’t be shy: give us a call at (866) 336-2834. We can’t wait to help you find the right knife to add to your collection!