Defective GEC Question

draggat

draggat

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Jul 26, 2010
Messages
3,068
Hi all,

This is the first time I think I've posted in the traditional section. Hopefully this is the correct place for this thread, if not, could a mod please move it where it should go. I've been collecting traditional knives for only a few years and GEC & CSC make up the bulk of my collection thus far.

Yesterday I received a GEC #89 from a reputable paid forum dealer (who shall remain unnamed). It obviously has a defect, but my question is, can this type of defect be repaired by GEC or is this a candidate for a full replacement? I suppose my concern is that A: GEC knives tend to be very limited and B: I really like the coloration of the calico bone covers. The defect is that the secondary blade moves freely with no spring tension about 3/8" in the closed position. This causes the point to hang down about 3/16" past the edge of the frame. You can see where it hangs in the pic. I hate sending brand new knives to the manufacturer immediately upon purchase, but GEC did handle warranty service within 2 weeks for me previously. I am also currently dealing with a horror story from a reputable manufacturer who has had a knife I sent immediately upon receipt for warranty service (they have had my knife since the middle of August 2013 and I'm still waiting) and I admit, I am a little worried that might happen again. I have sent an email to the dealer, who I expect will probably not reply until tomorrow, but I'm really curious if any of you wise gentlemen know if this type of defect is repairable or if I should just insist on a replacement from the dealer.

Thank you for your time.

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PS, my apologies for my dirty, unkempt fingernails!
 
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Wow very nice knife - and i can see why you like that bone. Now your dilemma here is yes, the dealer could just take it back as a return - but is there another to replace it and will you like the bone on that one as much as this particular knife??

It sounds like you really favor the color on this bone, so in your case it would be best to return it to GEC so that you get YOUR knife corrected. How long will their turn-around time be? Others can answer this with the most current times, but 2-4 weeks seems to be what I've heard in the past.

Good luck with your knife and report back with your experience :)
 
My, that is so obvious, how in the world did that one slip past everyone at GEC? That is a very nice knife BTW.
Bob
 
Give the end cap a light squeeze in a vise or put the end cap between two books and give the it a light tap with a hammer or just send it back to the dealer for a replacement.
 
That looks like it should never have been sent out. I'd say to email Christine at GEC first and see what she said. If they can fix it and you can wait the couple of weeks, then send it in to GEC. If not, send it to the dealer for replacement.

Edit: I just read Ed's comment. How's the tension after you open it up past that point? Tightening the bolsters should keep it closed so it doesn't flop but if the tension is screwy then GEC should fix it.
 
GEC will fix it. I absolutely would not return it to the dealer as then you'll lose the knife you like and the dealer will likely make GEC repair it anyway.
 
2Dead said:
That looks like it should never have been sent out. I'd say to email Christine at GEC first and see what she said. If they can fix it and you can wait the couple of weeks, then send it in to GEC. If not, send it to the dealer for replacement.

Edit: I just read Ed's comment. How's the tension after you open it up past that point? Tightening the bolsters should keep it closed so it doesn't flop but if the tension is screwy then GEC should fix it.
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I think this is what I will do. I've adjusted a lot of my modern style knives, but never a slipjoint and I'm hesitant to do that, especially considering that it's brand new. The tension is fine after that point, but it's zero before that. Also, both blades have what I would consider to be very light pulls, especially compared to all my other GEC knives, which is actually okay by me. I would rate them around a 4. Also, this knife does not have half stops, which I must say is a plus in my book.

Thanks for the advice everyone!
 
I would definitely NOT attempt to repair it yourself! If you do that, and you are not satisfied with result, then the Dealer might not be willing to take back a knife that has been tampered with. Or GEC might not give Warranty Service on a knife that has been abused. IMHO.
 
rma100 said:
I would definitely NOT attempt to repair it yourself! If you do that, and you are not satisfied with result, then the Dealer might not be willing to take back a knife that has been tampered with. Or GEC might not give Warranty Service on a knife that has been abused. IMHO.
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+1

I know how hard it must be for you with such a gorgeous knife, but sending it in seems like the best choice out of the crappiest of options.
 
rma100 said:
I would definitely NOT attempt to repair it yourself! If you do that, and you are not satisfied with result, then the Dealer might not be willing to take back a knife that has been tampered with. Or GEC might not give Warranty Service on a knife that has been abused. IMHO.
Click to expand...

Plus 2. Trying to fix it yourself could easily void any warranty.
 
knarfeng said:
Plus 2. Trying to fix it yourself could easily void any warranty.
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rma100 said:
I would definitely NOT attempt to repair it yourself! If you do that, and you are not satisfied with result, then the Dealer might not be willing to take back a knife that has been tampered with. Or GEC might not give Warranty Service on a knife that has been abused. IMHO.
Click to expand...

black mamba said:
+3. Call first, then send it to GEC.
Click to expand...

All of you guys have a good point but for the time and effort involved in sending it back for such a minor problem, I'd go ahead and give it a squeeze or tap.
 
I second the tap or squeeze at it has fixed plenty of knives for me.
 
Return it to the dealer for replacement or to GEC for warranty, but don't hit it with a hammer! lol It will be made right, I'm sure.
 
I'm leaning towards sending it to GEC. Sent them an email a little while ago explaining the issue. I had to send a knife back to them last year and they were excellent with communication and turnaround time was pretty quick. It sure is annoying to immediately send a knife in for servicing when all I really want to do is stick it in my pocket and use it! I don't think I could bring myself to tap it with a hammer and I feel that it should have spring tension holding it completely closed. When you buy as many knives as a lot of us do here, the occasional lemon slips through. I'm sure GEC will make it right.

Aside from this minor problem, it's a gorgeous knife and anyone who is on the fence with this one should snap it up before they're gone! It's very slim and thin, and a 3" blade is the perfect length for me.
 
I must say, tapping the bolster is not going to relieve this problem, in fact, it will most likely aggravate it. Send it back to GEC, they'll make it good as new.
 
I don't know a lot about how that fix would go, but I know from experience GEC has no equal in the quality of their work, the speed of their turn around, or their general friendliness. I'd send it in.
 
beautiful knife....let us know what happens. (I'd just send it to GEC. They quickly repaired one of my knives in the past.)

Peter
 
in the OP's position I would definitely send it back, and ease the pain of waiting for its return by buying a new one in the interim :)
 
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