Each of us have been in a situation where we said "if I could do that again I would do it a lot different". Well, I expect that is what the good people at Great Eastern Cutlery would say about their pattern identification schema.
Great Eastern started with two frames, and really two patterns in three brands. The 73 (Scout) and 23 (Pioneer) frames in the Northfield UN-X-LD Cutlery, Tidioute Cutlery, and Great Eastern Cutlery brands. Now there is speculation over where these pattern numbers came from; but why get bogged down into trying to understand the thinking (steam will eventually come out your eyes if you dig too deep).
In The Beginning: 2006
Although there are knives dated 2006, Great Eastern didn't actually start shipping knives until 2007. There were approximately 250 sets of each blade pair produced with 2006 stamps; and from each 250 they would comprise 2-4 handle materials for each. So there would be @250 Northfield #73's, @250 Tidioute #73's, and @250 GEC #73's. Same for the #23's, for a total production of approximately 1500 knives. They didn't start the serial numbers over when they changed handle materials, so the serial numbers on the 2006 models has little to do with how many of that actual variation was produced only the sequence that a particular knife was made on that frame / brand combination. But Great Eastern did commit to only serialize the first 250 of each frame/brand combo. Since there were a few extra parts produced for anticipated flaws, there were some non-serialized variants made from these parts at the end of production. Thus, this is one situation where documented non-serialized models were very rare birds and highly sought after. Because for each frame/brand run of 250, there may be only a handful of overruns.
These 2006 models were shipped in the tubes like you see today, but no COA. Even the label on the tube was very naive to begin with. For example: "Burnt Stag 171" (for serial# 171 Burnt Stag Pioneer) - didn't even have the frame number on them, because you could tell by the size of the tube.
So distributors quickly had to improvise their own unique identifiers for reference when selling these 2006 Great Eastern knives.
Note: I have seen Bocote spelled at least three ways on these 2006 tubes! Bocote, Bocate, Bokate.
Transition knives: At the end of 2006 production there were some blade sets left over. These were used on 2007 models by just adding a "2007" date below the 2006 date. They were called transition dating knives and came as Primitive and River Valley Green #23's.
Now We're Rolling: 2007
New patterns and new variations of old patterns required a little more detail in identifying the Great Eastern patterns produced in the second half of 2007. They didn't really have a set production number that they were shooting for on any particular variation. Thus, they did start serializing each unique run; but there may be 5 or 350 made. There were a couple of examples of non-serialized overruns, but I don't know how they came to be.
Still no COA's, but the tube labels would now be more informative. For example: "#53M 2007 Exotic Mexican Bocote 017" for serial# 17 Bocote Cuban Muskrat. The cuban frame was new and named after the "cigar" equal ended frame. Only two variants were introduced in 2007; the straight #53, which was a stockman, and the #53M Muskrat. Great Eastern also added an "EC" suffix for a #73 variant with an "end cap" (bolster on non-pivot end).
Although it was not consistent, they did produce several one bladed scout and pioneer patterns and even some with the large spey blade that might or might not be marked with a "SB" on the label.
Inadvertently, some #23 stainless blade sets had the pull stamped on the wrong side. Waste not, want not; these were called left handers and released as "23M" models (M = Muskrat Clip) in three bones. They weren't actually assembled as left handers, just standard knives with the pull on the wrong side...
Let's keep fixed blades separate and discuss them later, but they did release some in 2007.
It's Too Stinkin' Complicated: 2008
Finally, Great Eastern was figuring it out.... In 2008 they implemented a few changes that made their life much simpler (maybe it wasn't simpler than before, but it was much simpler than it would have been). The pattern number schema was born. FFMBYY (FF = Frame number, M = Main blade style, B = # Blades, YY = Year) was introduced. Now I think it may be tuned a little in the future, but for the most part it has been very accommodating.
They also decided to limit the serialized versions to the first 50 in most runs (stag, primitive, etc. had some exceptions). They could charge a little more for the serialized models; or a little less for the non-serialized, depending on how you look at it. You also received a little COA in the tube with the serialized versions.
New frames were introduced: #36 Sunfish, #54 Cigar, and #25 Barlow (and other names). I'm not sure why they grew the cigar frame into a new pattern number, as the 53 and 54 are exactly the same chassis.
New suffixes showed up: "L" = linerlock, "J" = jack, "LP" = long pull, "W" = whittler layout. There was a suffix of "B" added to some of the #25 patterns; don't really know why other than to note it was an original barlow frame.
Now Let's Really Complicate Things: 2009
The 2009 production year saw many new variations that had to have qualifiers put on the pattern numbers. But for the most part the schema put in place was working as planned.
New frames introduced: #12 Toothpick, #26 Sleeveboard, #61 Congress, and #89 Melon/Executive. The 26 frame was really just a reverse variation of the 25 frame, but different enough to justify a new number.
New suffixes for 2009 were: "SAB" = Saber ground, "EO" = EZ Open, "DP" = Double Pull, "FT" = Furtaker (Improved Muskrat / Wharncliffe blade), "BHM" = Big Horn Moose (large clip on both ends), "BJ" = Moose blade set on same end, "FB" = Flat Bolster, and "LH" = Left hand model. Whew....
Now, when you start compounding the suffixes for variations you get craziness such as "734209JFB" and "541209LPBHM", etc.
Another confusing point is that each year Great Eastern did not finalize the previous years production count until May or June because they would still be using blades stamped with the previous year. Instead of making them transitions knives as they did in 2006/2007, they just held the production numbers until they had all of the previous years blades moved thru the factory. Other makers do this, but they don't get caught as much because they don't publish production numbers each year. For example, I get Case knives all the time with an April date on the box; but blades from the previous year on the knife.
Here We Are: 2010
Many collectors were opting for the non-serialized versions, which were generally in short supply due to the first 50 being serialized. A lot of runs would not even make it to 50, thus there would be no non-serialized models at all. Thus, the factory decided to serialize on the first 25 in most runs going forward. Exceptions will be burnt stag and other runs that there is anticipated increase in demand. Also, primitive bone, genuine stag, and other exotics will all be serialized as before.
So far we have new frames: #48 Trapper, #66 Serpentine, #72 Lockback, and #56 Reverse Dogleg.
Now new suffixes yet, but the year is not over yet....
Fixed Blades: A League of Their Own
Although demand has not yet gotten red-hot on the fixed blades, Great Eastern does have a handful of very nice offerings. The #10, #50, and #60 were released in 2007. In 2010 there will be the H731, H732, and H733 frames. They are based on the #73 frames, but in a fixed blade setup. They did realize they needed a mind-numbing pattern number for these as well, thus they will have a similar schema to the rest of the line; just minus the number of blades qualifier but a leading "H" for Hunter. The H731 is a Bird/Trout style, H732 is a Canoe (drop point type), and the H733 is an Upswept Skinner style.
Blade Steel: As of 9/15/10 !!
Generally, the Tidioute and Northfield brands are 1095 carbon steel and the GEC brand is 440C stainless. But that would be way too easy. Great Eastern has made some special run knives that were GEC branded but 420 stainless; and now they are producing fixed blades that are GEC brand and 1095 steel. But, as of today, there is still two hardfast ways to tell. If they are marked Cyclops Steel Works they are 440C; and if they are marked Titusville Iron Works they are 1095 carbon.
There have been calls to simply mark the steel on the blades, as there are contract runs (other brands produced for the trademark owner) that were made in 1095 and advertised for 3 years (and hundreds sold) as stainless.