Does anyone have personal experience with GT button lock manual

Jeff - the GT button lock manuals are quite solid knives. Though the handle may look a bit strange initially, it it definitely one of the more comfortable handles I've wrapped my hand around. The button lock is a very safe mechanism - you do not put your fingers in the path of the blade, and the lock is very solid. I was able to pound the spine of the blade numerous times without the lock failing.

But the one thing I do not care for on the knife is the funky clip. It's difficult to "stretch" the clip out like regular steel clips to adjust tension. But then again, GT is the only company out there with a matching anodized aluminum clip. If you're at the newsstand, you may want to check out the June issue of Knives Illustrated - I've a review of this knife in there. Hope this info helps.

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Dexter Ewing
Knife Reviews Moderator

"The keystroke is mightier than the sword"

 
All I've done is play with the knife in a shop, but I second that about the handle. I was shocked that it could be that comfortable; frankly it looks like an ergonomic nightmare but it fills the palm beautifully, which I rarely find for hands my size. The finger area is as flat as it looks but you hardly notice it because there's such an extreme angle to rest your index finger against.

The lock I'm not so sure about. Was I right to figure you have to push the button and open the blade at the same time? That was the only way I could open it. Seemed like a slow, inconvenient, two handed way to open a knife, but I've since wondered if there isn't a "trick" I didn't know. The guy at the store didn't know--I got the new guy!

Anybody have any experience with the Auto? I'd like one for my dad; he couldn't carry it but he loves those cheap Mexican switchblades and I think he'd have a stroke if he opened a "real" auto next Christmas.
 
The GT button lock I believe works like the Gerber Paul Knife's button lock. Solid lock and does hold tight. I don't have the Paul knife, but did hold and play with it once at a knife store.

Dexter is right, the handle has a very nice feel when holding it but is somewhat weird in looks. The clip is funky as Dexter mentions, but still works nicely.

The thing I don't like too much is the blade to handle ratio. Not only does it make the knife look a little strange, but when holding or using the knife there is alot more handle in the hand compared to the blade length which I find cumbersum when doing smaller or more precision cutting. Maybe it's just me that notices this, but it does make this type of cutting for me somewhat harder.

Overall, GT did make one fine solid built knife, and most of all I love the Tanto Blade it supports!

Mark

P.S. Please do pick yourself up a copy of that Knives Illustrated Mag. Dexter did do a real nice and informative review of this knife as well as another!
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[This message has been edited by Mark W Douglas (edited 16 April 1999).]
 
The GT manuals I have handled allowed for pushing the button and flinging the blade inertially. If not ,a drop of Chris Reeve`s teflon oil in the syringe should d o the trick. I own an auto and my beef is that the pocket clip is so strong it is difficult to draw quickly.Also re- placing it in the pocket brings one very close to a "self-pants-ing" experience because of the downward force required.Mine is for sale
davidb415
 
The early GTs worked just like the Gerber Paul -- you had to push the button to open OR close the knife. But GT long ago came out with versions where you don't have to push the button to open it. In other words, opens just like any other thumb-stud folder. Push the button to close.

I'm a fanatic about well-done clips, which is why I don't own more GTs (they seem to be going out of their way to beat Microtech for worst clips). Otherwise, they're very very well done.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
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