First GEC (#43): Disappointing fit, finish and back spring

E

edgecentricity

Joined
Feb 10, 2018
Messages
90
Hi all,

I recently received my first GEC -- a #43 Oregon Trapper in Natural Micarta. Hate to say it, but after reading so much about GEC's high standard of quality, it's rather a disappointment.

  • The blade doesn't sit flush with the back spring in the open position
  • The bottom corner of the ricasso is crudely cut -- one corner is rounded, and it looks like there's a little chip in it.
  • The curbed portion of the back spring, at the butt end of the knife, is cut unevenly, on an angle.
  • The shield and one of the bolsters have scuff marks on them straight out of the package.
  • And most bothersome is the back spring -- it's on the weak side (I can easily push the blade closed with my thumb), and sluggish, barely snapping closed, and not at all without some encouragement.
A pity -- the rest of the knife is quite well done, but for seventy-odd dollars, I expected better, doubly so from a company known for its good fit and finish. I'm debating whether to return the knife, or oil, flush and clean it, then sand down the rough areas.

Thoughts?
 
edgecentricity said:
Hi all,

I recently received my first GEC -- a #43 Oregon Trapper in Natural Micarta. Hate to say it, but after reading so much about GEC's high standard of quality, it's rather a disappointment.

  • The blade doesn't sit flush with the back spring in the open position
  • The bottom corner of the ricasso is crudely cut -- one corner is rounded, and it looks like there's a little chip in it.
  • The curbed portion of the back spring, at the butt end of the knife, is cut unevenly, on an angle.
  • The shield and one of the bolsters have scuff marks on them straight out of the package.
  • And most bothersome is the back spring -- it's on the weak side (I can easily push the blade closed with my thumb), and sluggish, barely snapping closed, and not at all without some encouragement.
A pity -- the rest of the knife is quite well done, but for seventy-odd dollars, I expected better, doubly so from a company known for its good fit and finish. I'm debating whether to return the knife, or oil, flush and clean it, then sand down the rough areas.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Return it. You're entitled to a premium knife for a premium price. If purchasers just accept poor fit/finish the manufacturer has no incentive to improve.

Just my $.02.
 
Sounds like you got a dud. Check the 43 thread and see that many folks have no issues with the 43. I’ve had two and the only problem was a little blade rap and light pulls. You should try another one.
 
Don't give up on the pattern. I have had the opportunity to own several and hold several others and they were all very nice. Unfortunately you got the exception from the norm.
 
Lostball said:
Don't give up on the pattern. I have had the opportunity to own several and hold several others and they were all very nice. Unfortunately you got the exception from the norm.
Click to expand...

Perhaps. I had my heart set on one in Natural Micarta, of which there seem to be few, if any, available anymore. The vendor I purchased from has only the jigged cherry wood and jigged red and antique bone handles in stock. All cost more than the Micarta, and don't appeal much. I did dig the look of the camel bone, though...
 
Don't send it to GEC unless you like waiting. Send it to the dealer...been my experience anyway. I sent a 43 stag back for my son about a month ago. Blade had slop and the worst centering of any knife I've seen . Rubbed its way closed. Actually layed pressed against the liner when closed. He was going to keep it and use it and I said no damned way, they only made 125 and there's no excuse for shipping a knife out that way. Hope he gets it back.
 
That said, I have several 43s that are all absolutely perfect. Just had to rant on that one..sorry
 
If the dealer will give you a refund you may snag a micarta on the secondary market. I just saw one on instagram #knifesale for $90.
 
ccsavage said:
That said, I have several 43s that are all absolutely perfect. Just had to rant on that one..sorry
Click to expand...

Heh, no prob. I contacted the vendor, looking for a refund, or an exchange for a #71. Sending things back is a double-nuisance when you're across the border, but hopefully I'll get full cooperation. I hope my observations haven't made it seem that I have unrealistically high standards, but for all the emphasis on GEC's American-made, hand-assembled quality, I don't think it was crazy to expect better attention to detail -- and in the case of what is ostensibly a knife built for work, a stronger and snappier back spring.
 
JTB_5 said:
If the dealer will give you a refund you may snag a micarta on the secondary market. I just saw one on instagram #knifesale for $90.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up. I might try out the Bullnose (see my post above) before deciding to give the #43 another shot. Let's see what the vendor's able to do.
 
edgecentricity said:
Heh, no prob. I contacted the vendor, looking for a refund, or an exchange for a #71. Sending things back is a double-nuisance when you're across the border, but hopefully I'll get full cooperation. I hope my observations haven't made it seem that I have unrealistically high standards, but for all the emphasis on GEC's American-made, hand-assembled quality, I don't think it was crazy to expect better attention to detail -- and in the case of what is ostensibly a knife built for work, a stronger and snappier back spring.
Click to expand...

I don’t think you’re being unrealistic. It sounds like your knife snuck through QC. I hope you get a good replacement!
 
edgecentricity said:
Heh, no prob. I contacted the vendor, looking for a refund, or an exchange for a #71. Sending things back is a double-nuisance when you're across the border, but hopefully I'll get full cooperation. I hope my observations haven't made it seem that I have unrealistically high standards, but for all the emphasis on GEC's American-made, hand-assembled quality, I don't think it was crazy to expect better attention to detail -- and in the case of what is ostensibly a knife built for work, a stronger and snappier back spring.
Click to expand...
The 71s are the strongest feeling gec knifes I've tried so far. You shouldn't be disappointed with one of those.
 
The Bull Nose #71 is quite a step down from what you got already. I'd take the #43 any day over the #71.
 
The Bullnose, at least the examples I've handled, have good strong backsprings. On returning one to GEC for attention....I've had good luck with that. Usually a 10-day or so turnaround.
Good Luck,
Rick
 
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