Caring for my new GEC

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galactorrhea

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
462
Hi all,

So, I'm typically fixated on modern folders (especially Spyderco), but I have just traded for a GEC Northfield trapper. I poked around and did some research and I see on GEC's website it describes the blade and the "back spring" as 1095. I have a few carbon and nonstainless steel knives and have never had a problem with them, but the part about the 1095 "back spring" made me curious.

I've got a growing collection of (mostly modern) slip-joints now, but I'm not 100% sure on the anatomy. I'm assuming that the GEC literature is referring to the spring that provides the slip-joint tension and is involved in opening/closing the blade. So, should I try and apply oil or Tuf-Glide to this area somehow -- presumably by placing a couple drops in between the handle scales? I'm familiar with oiling my blade and pivot, but wasn't sure if I need to worry about treating this as well. I'm also planning on purchasing a Case Swayback Jack soon, so I figured it'd be prudent to ask.

Thanks!
 
The carbon steel back-spring will darken/patina with use but you shouldn't have any significant rust problems... :)

Enjoy that GEC!

-Brett
 
Most of us here just take the knife every couple of weeks and clean it out with a cotton swab or toothpicks, and put a drop of oil in the joint/pivot area and work it in.

These old time knives are pretty simple like that. Now just use it and wait for a nice patina to start to form.

Hope this helps!
-Dan
 
Thanks, guys. No worries about patinas and such, just wondered if I would need to worry about the spring operation.

Sounds like it's mostly as I figured, thanks! Very much looking forward to my first nice traditional.
 
The 1095 definitely starts to darken and take a patina pretty quickly, especially if you carry it in your pants pocket without a leather slip/cover. My Northfield #55 is rapidly taking on a darkening from perspiration/dampness in the pocket this time of year (July). I give it a wipe-down with an oily rag each day and that's about it. Just remember 1095 takes on a personality of it's own over time.
 
Out of curiosity, and since I imagine myself getting quite a few more traditional/carbon steel knives: where is a good place to get some leather slips/pocket sheaths?

(apologies if this may warrant a search or a new thread, but I believe it's still on topic!)
 
galactorrhea said:
Out of curiosity, and since I imagine myself getting quite a few more traditional/carbon steel knives: where is a good place to get some leather slips/pocket sheaths?

(apologies if this may warrant a search or a new thread, but I believe it's still on topic!)
Click to expand...

Knives Ship Free is an excellent place to look... :thumbup: Derrick has a good selection of traditionals too!

-Brett
 
Great, thanks Brett. I've done some business with KSF. It seems most of my regular dealers don't carry traditionally oriented items. I actually didn't mean to ask for dealers--bit of a faux pas there-- but then again I guess I'm not sure what I meant ;) I suppose there are probably a good many people in the craftsmans' quarters of the forums who may help, too. Funny how just switching 'genres' in the knife world can be a whirlwind. Now I guess I'll just have to double-check the dimensions of this GEC and get something that fits...!
 
The only Slip I have is for my Barlow and that was gifted to me by a member here. Not sure if he makes them or has a source he gets them from. I really like it though, keeps the knife from getting thrashed by coins, keys, nail clippers, etc. If I don't have a slip for a knife then it resides ALONE in the pocket without any other items, this avoids it getting beat up by other oddball items in the pocket.

GEC sells a nice leather slip but they're out of stock til sometime next month. I plan to get one then for my #55.

#15 TC Barlow with leather slip...
 

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My GEC's have had only minor rust problems. Some minor surface rust on the blades, easy to remove with very fine sandpaper. A little rust isn't going to destroy the blae, but I don' like letting red rust sit. For me it has to go, so I sand it off. 1000 grit, 1500 grit, anything around there has worked for me without removing much metal, but takes time to get that rust off. Now I use 400 or 600 grit and try not to sand more than needed. My GECs that get carried and used most have deep patinas now and rarely have rust even begin to build. The backsprings, at least the portions that are visible when opening the blade, show deep patina but no rust. The insider liners of the knives is where I get some patches of red rust periodically, very annoying. But at least it's easy to remove as I described above. However, while I don't like to force a patina and never do on a blade, I'm willing to try forcing a patina on the inside of the liners to prevent this rust. My point being the rust on GECs 1095 is a minor, minor concern.

On a side note, I bought my first Case recently, a medium stockman with a punch instead of the spey blade and yellow delrin scales. My first experience with CV steel, and after a few days of carrying it I seen lots of very red rust on the inside of the backsprings when opening and closing the knife. I sanded off what I could reach and liberally used WD40 to clean out some more, but there's nothing more I can do about the inside of the backsprings. Hopefully it won't get deep enough to cause a break, but I doubt it will. My own fault really, never bothered oiling it when I first got it.

Just wipe down and oil your knives until that patina develops and your rust issues will be minimal or nonexistent. GECs 1095 patinas well and quickly and seems to resist rust well once that patina is in place if you provide even a minimal amount of maintenance.
 
galactorrhea said:
Out of curiosity, and since I imagine myself getting quite a few more traditional/carbon steel knives: where is a good place to get some leather slips/pocket sheaths?

(apologies if this may warrant a search or a new thread, but I believe it's still on topic!)
Click to expand...

Here is a pic of our new one....I love it. It is called the Main Street PocketSlip

mainstreet_600.jpg
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the carbon steel. It has been used for a very long time and people have used rather than collecting them for most of that time. Keep it clean, Keep it sharp, oil it occasionally and you will be fine. :)
 
Just an occasional tiny drop of oil on the joint. Work it in, then wipe away any excess.

I make my own slip sheaths. A fold of leather and thread. Some contact adhesive (not strictly necesssary for a slip sheath on a folder). poke the holes, stitch and voila!

The sheath subform has all the advice you need to make your own. I make them for fixed blades, and holsters for guns too............

This site truly is a forum for information!
 
Thanks, all! I'm pretty good about maintaining my equipment, but I do see the merit in a pocket slip -- especially now that the summer is getting hot with 70-80%+ humidity some days.

Thanks Derrick for the input! I checked out your pocketslip earlier and I'm a fan! I'm not quite up for the DIY route yet -- definitely at some point -- so I'll have to pick one of those up.
 
okbohn,

Ref the leather slip you show, what thickness is the leather? Is it relatively soft/flexible or is it stiff and thick?

Anyone else is free to comment on this sheath or any others you can think of.
 
arizonaranchman said:
okbohn,

Ref the leather slip you show, what thickness is the leather? Is it relatively soft/flexible or is it stiff and thick?
Click to expand...

Please take this part of the discussion to email or PM.
 
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