Advice on my first GEC?

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KrunchyNacho

Joined
Nov 2, 2020
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So I have just received my first GEC and I'm super excited. It's a #62 in Sambar Stag. It's beautiful and I intend to use it as my EDC knife. Unfortunately, I've run in to a problem. I bought this knife brand new from a GEC distributor, but within the first few minutes of handling the knife I noticed some scratches on the primary blade. I'm somewhat disappointed since I bought this knife with the expectation of an almost perfect traditional knife. What would you guys recommend I do? I left a picture of the scratches down below.
2qL8v7U

blade_scratches
 
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I can't see your picture but I understand your concern. If you're anything like me you don't mind scratches themselves. You just want them all to be yours. I totally get that because I'm the same way.

If I've got that wrong then I wouldn't worry about them one bit unless they are terrible. You'll eventually cover them up with other scratches and you'll forget all about it.
 
I understand that it's disappointing to receive a less than perfect knife. But as long as it's just a minor cosmetic flaw, It hardly seems like a problem. You said that you bought it to carry and use, and a user knife with carbon steel blades will get scratches and patina very soon anyway. I'd drop it in my pocket and use it to peel some fruit.
 
I can't see your picture yet but unless the scratches are atrocious, the more you use the knife, the less noticeable the scratches will become. If you intend to use the knife everyday, it will pick up more scratches over time. I had similar expectations for new knives when I first got into traditional knives, but since then I've learned that there is no such thing as a "perfect traditional knife". If i am critical enough, I can find a "flaw" in every one I have. The perspective that helps me is to remember that these are handmade items and not to expect perfection.
 
No pics. Any use will cause scratches. Only worry about it if you plan to keep it mint for later resale.
 
It may very well be blade rub. It is on the side of the blade that sits beside the secondary blade. The scratches are also vertical.
 
Railsplitter said:
I can't see your picture but I understand your concern. If you're anything like me you don't mind scratches themselves. You just want them all to be yours. I totally get that because I'm the same way.

If I've got that wrong then I wouldn't worry about them one bit unless they are terrible. You'll eventually cover them up with other scratches and you'll forget all about it.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I am upset. I wanted to be the one who put the scratches there. What would you do in my situation?
 
KrunchyNacho said:
That's exactly why I am upset. I wanted to be the one who put the scratches there. What would you do in my situation?
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I would probably accept the scratches unless there are other things I didn’t like about the knife.

If I liked the handles and the blade action I wouldn’t want to trade those off for an unscratched blade.
 
KrunchyNacho said:
So I have just received my first GEC and I'm super excited. It's a #62 in Sambar Stag. It's beautiful and I intend to use it as my EDC knife. Unfortunately, I've run in to a problem. I bought this knife brand new from a GEC distributor, but within the first few minutes of handling the knife I noticed some scratches on the primary blade. I'm somewhat disappointed since I bought this knife with the expectation of an almost perfect traditional knife. What would you guys recommend I do? I left a picture of the scratches down below.
2qL8v7U

blade_scratches
Click to expand...

If it’s going to be a user, I’d say it’s a non-issue. It’s going to get scratched. Just use it.

By the way, your photos aren’t showing up because you need to link directly to an image (URL ending in .jpg or similar). Your links are to an Imgur “post”/gallery and a Reddit post, neither of which will show up as images here. On Imgur, use the “direct link” share option, or (even easier) the BBCode, which adds the IMG code for you. :thumbsup:
 
You said it is going to be a user, after seeing the photos that misplaced was able to copy, don't worry about it. Think of it like the new car smell, as much as we try to preserve it, it eventually goes. Your knife will eventually mark and patina up, so just enjoy your new purchase.
 
I agree with the above comments. It looks like blade rub, it's possible it came when you opened the knife the first time. I know I scratched my first single spring #66 the first time I opened it years ago.
 
On a user knife you don’t want to get picky about scratches and dings. Otherwise you’ll be distracted or scared and never enjoy it. Use it and put your own marks on it, then it will have character.
 
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