I learned that Canal Street is to close/has closed, from a blog post from Bob at oldhundredcollectibles, a GEC dealer. I assume that any available ones will go up in price soon. I do not have any of their products, yet.
From allaboutpocketknives it seems that they have actually stopped working on the 13th of November.
Here is the blog post with HIS thoughts on the state of the knife industry:
I'm sure that by now most of you have seen or heard about the reports that Canal Street Cutlery will soon be closing their doors. This is indeed a sad day for Traditional Knife Manufacture in the USA. It also is indicative of the state of Manufacturing in the US today in general. And of the challenges faced by Small Business. I do not plan to go on a geo-political rant here, but I will leave each of you to your own thoughts on the subject. And I will not by any means attempt to bash Canal Street for how they did, or did not, manage any part of their business. I will comment on the challenges of operating a Small Business.
Only about 50% of Small Businesses survive for 5 years. Only about 33% survive for 10 years or more. The numbers are against you right from the start. Also, with a small manufacturing business, there are a host of challenges that need to be overcome. Building a Nice Knife sometimes is just not enough. You have to be able to Staff, Maintain and Operate a Factory. You have to find, hire and keep highly skilled workers. You have to have a steady supply of the raw materials needed. You have to maintain, repair and replace equipment and machinery. AND you have to maintain a certain level of production. BUT production alone doesn't pay the bills, doesn't meet payroll. You also have to have Marketing, Advertising, SALES! And not just one product! So now you need Product Development. And so on, and so on.
Operating a Small Business today is a challenge. Operating a Small Manufacturing Business is almost an overwhelming challenge. The American Knife Industry is a history of Companies whose light shined bright for a short time and then sputtered and was extinquished. Long term success is the exception rather than the rule.
and from allaaboutpocketknives, their thoughts:
Canal Street Cutlery is going out of business,,,I believe they ceased operation on 11-13-15,,,these great quality knives we have enjoyed since 2006 are No More" It is such a shame that an All American company like this is another in a Long line of American outfits a victim of cheap imports...I feel 100% that Canal Street knives will be a great collector bet for future investments !!!
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