Do you carry your GEC knives without sharpening (reprofiling) them?

Macchina

Macchina

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Apr 7, 2006
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Looking at a lot of the pictures around here and after purchasing many used GEC's on the exchange; it would appear many people on here carry and use these knives without ever sharpening them. Many of the pictures I've seen here show knives with genuine patina (showing they have really been used) but tend to also show factory edges. I may have just been unlucky but I consider 95% of the GEC factory edges to be hardly useable and always do a full reprofile on every blade before putting them in my pocket. With diamond stones this generally takes me an hour on a 3-blade stockman but I would consider most all of the GEC's I've received to be unusable with the factory edges.

So... Do you reprofile before you ever carry a GEC? If not, do find you are able to easily use the knife with the factory edge? Would you even sharpen something like a rare TC Barlow before carrying it? I would...
 
I have not received a GEC yet with an acceptable factory edge- and that's out of at least 10! At this point, the first thing I do when getting a new GEC is sharpen it to my standards. This is not a GEC specific issue- queen has the same issue from my experience.
 
Rarely do I get a knife out of the box that is sharp enough for my standards but it has happened before. Never with a GEC though. Not yet anyway.

I've gotten a few GEC's that were sharp enough to get by with but I've sharpened each one for my own piece of mind. Most of GEC's edges are OK, just not quite sharp enough for me. The only time that I won't sharpen a new blade is if the edge it came with is equal to or better than I can put on it myself. It has happened before, just not very often and never with a GEC.
 
My experience is the same. Usually tune them up on the lanksy fixed rod sharpener - doesn't take much to get them in shape. 15-20 passed on the diamond rod then 5-10 passed on the ceramic. I like to leaves some teeth on the edge.
- Rex
 
If it's going to be a user and not just a looker I reprofile all of my GEC and most other folders. Some of the Bohncliffe Northwoods are an exception..,those come with nice edges.

Mike
 
If I get one in and it has a decent edge, I'll strop it up until I need to reprofile it and on the wicked edge or the waterstones it goes 18DPS. The edge grind is so thin that the bevel becomes minute and a 18-20 DPS does great. No need to remove anymore steel my opinion. So far the 2015 models have had decent serviceable edges for me but nowhere near what I would consider a 'pocket laser'
 
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If I have one complaint about GEC, the factory edge would be it. Luckly they are pretty easy to sharpen.
 
GEC's factory edge is far from acceptable. Every knife I get, GEC or otherwise gets reprofiled and sharpened to a hair shaving edge. No exceptions.

Ryan
 
Ernie1980 said:
I have not received a GEC yet with an acceptable factory edge- and that's out of at least 10! At this point, the first thing I do when getting a new GEC is sharpen it to my standards. This is not a GEC specific issue- queen has the same issue from my experience.
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I couldn´t have said it any better. Not just on GECs; I´ve always done my own reprofiling on them. It is my tool so it needs my edge ;) It doesn´t matter which maker/cutlery.

Generally spoken: Sometimes there is a complete reprofiling needed and then just some stroping will get the job done (for the first few times).

I don´t own any customs, so I can´t speak of them.
 
What exactly are you folks who reprofile doing with your GECs?

I usually just touch up or set it to ball park 30 degrees and go with it.
 
I wish I could sharpen a knife to my standards. But, I'm getting somewhat better. Don't know if I'll ever reach my standard, though.
 
Woodrow - I'm with you. I go for 25 degrees most of the time. Anything less than 20 degrees doesn't seem durable enough to me. Once my edge is set I just straighten it out on a steel rod from time to time. You could call it KISS method.

Nugun - Now I gotta ask. What is your standard?

Funny thing is every time I think maybe I need to skill up, I manage to to put a nice gash in my hand. Seems like their cutting good enough.

- Rex
 
Yes and no. If there is any chance I will carry with the intention to use, I will sharpen.
 
Macchina said:
Looking at a lot of the pictures around here and after purchasing many used GEC's on the exchange; it would appear many people on here carry and use these knives without ever sharpening them. Many of the pictures I've seen here show knives with genuine patina (showing they have really been used) but tend to also show factory edges. I may have just been unlucky but I consider 95% of the GEC factory edges to be hardly useable and always do a full reprofile on every blade before putting them in my pocket. With diamond stones this generally takes me an hour on a 3-blade stockman but I would consider most all of the GEC's I've received to be unusable with the factory edges.

So... Do you reprofile before you ever carry a GEC? If not, do find you are able to easily use the knife with the factory edge?
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you. But then again, I think OOTB edges for all slipjoint manufacturers to be sadly lacking. It's usually not until I convex the edge of my slipjoints that they become acceptable.







Macchina said:
Would you even sharpen something like a rare TC Barlow before carrying it? I would..
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Why not? It's just a knife.



Do you see the recurve on the blade? That wasn't there before.

Woodrow F Call said:
What exactly are you folks who reprofile doing with your GECs?

I usually just touch up or set it to ball park 30 degrees and go with it.
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Some of us like our knives sharp. Not sorta, kinda, usably sharp, but SHARP!!!



- Christian
 
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Since I am not a Surgeon, and I do not shave with a Pocket Knife, I use 'em as they come. When they get dull I sharpen them freehand on Arkansas Stones.
 
If I can't shave hair with it when I receive it or it has a flat spot (look at those tips GEC) it gets stone and strop time. Strangely RR, Taylor Brand Schrades, and Opinels have been scary sharp right out of the box. Why are the cheap ones so sharp when the pricey ones are not so much?
 
What is arriving acceptably sharp? :confused: We all have different notions I'm certain. If it shaves arm hair with no effort then that's enough for me, but not many GECs do arrive that keen. Last week's Osage Orange 73 did and the 38 Whittlers all good. Usually stropping is enough if it's that keen. Otherwise the DMT or Sharpmaker is what I use as my results are much better with these than using freehand.

If I'm not sure about a GEC and think I might park it for a bit, trade it or sell it later I will leave the edge alone for future owners to tackle. Seems people prefer this in a sale, not surprising when you consider that somebody may have called in the 'services' of a power-tool....:eek::eek::D

Regards, Will
 
I don't have a tons of traditionals, I beleive I am at around 8. If they cut paper cleanly, into the pocket. If they don't I give them a few swipes on a sharpmamer ans that seems to do the trick. Then it's a quick strop once in a while.
 
EyeDog said:
Some of the Bohncliffe Northwoods are an exception
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Hahaha! Bohncliffe... I think you have just coined a new blade shape name, my friend. Good stuff.
rotfl.gif
 
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