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

Modoc ED said:
I just went over to the "GEC new #43 pattern, who’s excited?" thread and looked a many of the threads. I didn't see any "hard core" complaints about weak springs. They were more like "observations".

Spring pull weights are going to vary from pattern to pattern. That's just the way of knives.
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I would agree with the "observation" qualifier although the pull weights have seemed to be getting lighter overall regardless of the pattern. In the past, some were simply too strong. From a factory production point of view, I don't know if it is harder to have strong or light pulls. It is certainly easier to just slap them together like I believe Case does.
 
22-rimfire said:
I would agree with the "observation" qualifier although the pull weights have seemed to be getting lighter overall regardless of the pattern. In the past, some were simply too strong. From a factory production point of view, I don't know if it is harder to have strong or light pulls. It is certainly easier to just slap them together like I believe Case does.
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And Case does a very good job "just slapping them together"!!
 
22-rimfire 22-rimfire agreed the pulls overall are much lighter. The recent Moose pattern is super smooth and light in comparison to early GEC's. It still feels very solid to me. I have to say the recent GEC patterns I've owned had very nice fit and finish.

The Moose and the BF Barlow in particular were both excellent.
 
I have read this thread and I think that those who say the knife is acceptable and those who say the knife is not acceptable are likely both right.

It's a good indiciation of where we think the line should be set for GEC's QC for the price you pay for one of their knives.
 
Edgecentricity, rest easy in your decision to return the knife.

It is currently ~$100. Per your OP "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." This is not acceptable in a brand new $100 knife. I don't think a weak back spring is a matter of taste but safety. You shouldn't have to flush out & "fix" a $100 knife upon receipt to get an acceptable action. It's not a $30 knife.

Scuff marks on the shield and bolsters are good reasons for return as well. It's not a $30 knife. It should have a good finish.
 
7D2FAF85-917C-4B36-8C81-73A539F3A9F5.jpeg It is also good to keep in mind that each knife is different from every other knife even in the same cover and run of pattern. These are made by hand and so variations are part of the charm.

When 500-800 of a pattern is made it seems normal that a handful (especially the earliest covers of a pattern) will be at the poorly made end of bell curve. Usually these are marked by factory or culled by the dealers as EDC specimens.

Sorry your 43 isn’t up to your expectations, I am not being sarcastic.

I would send it back to the dealer or sell with disclosure, or..... use it hard until it wears out.

Here is a nice one that I carry every day, and it has held up well to 2 months of my abuse. Works pretty good with a fire steel. Haven’t tried to spark with a rock yet.

I added all the scuff marks.
 
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When it comes to the springs, it seems good to check the latest forum posts on the patterns to see what's what. I was extremely disappointed in my BF TC barlow when it arrived last year. My knife wouldn't even snap completely shut without a little nudge from me on a few occassions. I thought it was broken and concerned they were all sold out and best I could do was get my money back. Then I read up on the forums and saw many people complaining about the W&T but then mentioning they cleaned them out with soapy water or WD and then they were much better so I did the same. It's still a bit soft as I think all 15s tend to be, but it's very much "normal" and actually quite satisfying now.
 
This thread is really informative! I'm pretty new to traditionals too(GEC's especially) and I'll admit I thought their knives were knife gold from what I've read on this forum as well as everywhere else. I only have one myself and there were a few tweaks I had to do to it. The major one being filing down a burr on the tang that was screwing up my primary blade's action. I definitely didn't expect to have to do that, but since I'm a user more than a collector I figured it needed it done. Another thing I noticed was the pile side bolster sits a wee proud, can't detect it by sight, but I can feel it under my thumb.

That said, my 73's been in my pocket damn near daily and has been a great companion for whatever challenges I've used it for. It's definitely not perfect, and I'm cool with that. It really does remind me of the way knives are meant to be made. It's like carrying around the past in your pocket. If your 43 doesn't feel right to you, hopefully the next one will.
 
I may be the odd duck, but to me the 43 action which is noticeably lighter than most of earlier GEC's in this relative frame size. I can actually pinch my 43 open, I like that. This one and my recent 81 moose have similar actions, both are snappy on open and closing. Both actions are really smooth as well. While open, sure, I can put my thumb to the back of the blade and start it closed. That is not the direction of force when using these knives though:rolleyes:

I consider these traits an improvement in their design and fitting, these knives feel more like some of the Camillus knives I have, they to me, are more refined.
 
sitflyer said:
I may be the odd duck, but to me the 43 action which is noticeably lighter than most of earlier GEC's in this relative frame size. I can actually pinch my 43 open, I like that. This one and my recent 81 moose have similar actions, both are snappy on open and closing. Both actions are really smooth as well. While open, sure, I can put my thumb to the back of the blade and start it closed. That is not the direction of force when using these knives though:rolleyes:

I consider these traits an improvement in their design and fitting, these knives feel more like some of the Camillus knives I have, they to me, are more refined.
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The lighter pull on the 43 has not bothered me, either. I don't mind a strong pull (usually like the actions better), but I don't like breaking my nails opening a knife, and I've definitely had that happen quite a few times with the stiffer pulls. Would I prefer the 43 be a little stiffer? Sure, but I'd rather a touch lighter than a touch too firm if I had to choose which side of the spectrum to err.
 
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