Fresh out of the tube GEC: Is this normal?

I have filed a kick or two from GEC. Just a bit.

Of course, I've had to do a lot more on some other non GEC knives. I know how to vice and peen loose pivots, and such.

As to gritty walk and talk l. Toothbrush and hot soapy water, then get it dry and oil it.
Work the action a bit.

I had one 23 with a very stiff pull, and horrible walk and talk. After some working on the action by oiling and working it open and closed, it finally spit out a little metal filing that was jamming up the action. Very nice after that.

I've had a Queen that spit out sharp metal slivers for a while!
 
Peregrin said:
This kind of purchasing, ordering, returning, pricing stuff needs to be handled outside this forum. If it has something to do with purchasing a knife it doesn't belong here. Thanks!
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brownshoe said:
I agree. Better yet, contact the dealer before posting :) If you don't get satisfaction, start the thread in the Good Bad and Ugly subforum.

Whatever you do, if you soak it in mineral oil, file down the kick, etc. the knife is yours.
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Thanks for the advice on the knife. As for contacting them first... you might have missed where I said I did just that ;) Had no intention of using this thread to contact/work this out with the vendor so I apologize if I've stepped on any toes.

All good guys. I'm sure KSF will get back to me soon!
 
JasonWilliam said:
Thanks for the advice on the knife. As for contacting them first... you might have missed where I said I did just that ;) Had no intention of using this thread to contact/work this out with the vendor so I apologize if I've stepped on any toes.

All good guys. I'm sure KSF will get back to me soon!
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No harm, no foul! Just a friendly reminder about our guidelines on my part. I'm sure it'll all get sorted out. Make sure you let us see what you end up with.
 
My GEC Half-Congress had a proud pen blade, I finally decided to do it myself. Just took it slow an easy with a ceramic sharpening stone, with frequent checks in between. Mineral Oil, compressed air, and a bristle brush of some sort usually solved grittiness for me. The shield, no idea on that. All 3 together - either fix the kick an grittiness as I said and live with the shield, or send it back.
 
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The thread totally belongs here! (But the subsequent post which was flagged by Peregin doesn't).

Dude is an admitted newbie to traditionals and is trying to calibrate his expectations based on the greater experience of others here. If that kind of sharing of knowledge and experience is not appropriate here, then this place is useless.

I agree with many others here. The shield is within what should be expected for this kind of knife. The gritty action is not great, but it happens and can usually be fixed with a good cleaning and lube. But the proud blade tip is not acceptable, and for that alone I would return the knife.

Good luck!
 
Proud shield? Not a concern.

I might clean up the joints and get that gunk out that is causing the tang rub.... there isn't a bearing system, but a brass liner isn't going to mark up the steel. Steel liner might.... trash in the joint likely will.

If cleaning fixes the tang, I'd just file the kick.... provided there isn't another issue keeping the blade tip proud.
 
Guess it's just me, but I believe you should check with your supplier first if you have any reservations about a product. If your supplier blow smoke up your stack, check it out elsewhere. I know I would like my customers to call me first.
 
In general (not knives specifically) the last person that I would ever ask for advice is a seller. There are some knowledgeable dealers who are bladeforum members and knife enthusiasts themselves so it's not like calling the cashier at Megalomart (King of the Hill) for advice. We're fortunate. But I don't think it's a problem to ask questions about knives on a knife discussion forum. And even opinions among knife aficionados will sometimes vary. Some opinions in this thread vary. Some of the concerns may seem unreasonable to long time collectors but a new collector might not know what to expect. My own opinion about the "issues" is similar to what Ed and Derrick have already expressed. In my opinion, two of the issues aren't issues at all. The exposed tip could easily be fixed by most long time collectors and knife users. If the OP doesn't know how to proceed with adjusting the kick, he might want some additional advice. Eventually, it's something that he will likely need to do if he sharpens and uses knives regularly.
 
supratentorial said:
The exposed tip could easily be fixed by most long time collectors and knife users. If the OP doesn't know how to proceed with adjusting the kick, he might want some additional advice. Eventually, it's something that he will likely need to do if he sharpens and uses knives regularly.
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Bear in mind here , we're not talking about a $10.00 Rough Rider. The OP shouldn't have to fix this himself.
 
scattershot said:
Bear in mind here , we're not talking about a $10.00 Rough Rider. The OP shouldn't have to fix this himself.
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I agree. In my opinion, it was the only real issue of the 3. It shouldn't have left the factory like that but it is easily resolved. Of the possible options for resolution, I would choose to file down the kick rather than send it in to GEC so that they can file down the kick for me. In fact, I've been in the same boat. I've had the same issue on a GEC Abilene stockman, bullet end jack, and dogleg. It was a common problem on one run of knives... can't remember if it was the 1st run of the dogleg or the first run of the bullet end... or both.
 
I have filed down the kicks on most of my user GECs, as I hate how close to proud traditional knife tips ride. Believe me, it's not just GEC. However, that is too much to file down without likely running into other problems, especially if you've never done it. I know I'm late to this thread, no ragrets.
 
Bob W said:
I'm 100% confident that your knife is not up to GEC standards. And I'm 100% confident that either your well-respected dealer or GEC will take care of the issue. :thumbup:
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Apparently it is, else it would not left have the manufacturer like that. Standards are not what you profess but what you allow, and threads like this one aren't that uncommon.
 
The OP's original question was "Is this normal?"

In my wide experience of GEC I'd certainly say no, never had one of their knives arrive with a protruding tip. If I got one I would absolutely return it, the remark about it not being a 10 Dollar RR is spot-on. As for DIY fixing it yourself, yes it's possible but potentially hazardous: all warranty would be void, you'll get filings down inside the knife which certainly won't enhance the W&T and, if you get it wrong you'll mess up the springs and get some horrid sunken spring on open, uncomfortable in the hand and very difficult to re-sell. I would not allow that to pass and that's why I'd return it, it's not good enough.

The OP is new to Traditionals and should not be put off by this.
 
ALLHSS said:
I have filed down the kicks on most of my user GECs, as I hate how close to proud traditional knife tips ride. Believe me, it's not just GEC. However, that is too much to file down without likely running into other problems, especially if you've never done it. I know I'm late to this thread, no ragrets.
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Ed had it right on post #25, but I have to say I completely agree with you here. I file my users a bit too. Sometimes I wonder how those old knives were carried..... the ones we see pictures of with the tip sticking up at least 1/4". Guess those folks didn't keep theirs as sharp as I usually do!

I got one GEC with a protruding tip but I filed it. The spring stayed flush on open and sunk just a hair on close.

I will say that GEC'S warranty service is outstanding. I've sent 3 knives to them and they all returned in perfect condition.
 
Normal? No. Less than perfect product is going to get past QC from time to time. If you think otherwise, you have little to no understanding of manufacturing processes. The people at GEC (and every other factory in the world) are, well, human. Ain't none of us perfect.

I've had one GEC (a 66 jack) that had a proud pen blade. The kick was completely untouched. A couple light passes with a file put it where it belongs.

If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, return it to the dealer (and hope they have another to replace it) or send it in to GEC and let them make it right.
 
Thanks again guys. To address a few comments and clear some things up.

-I certainly didn't mean to start a fire or fan any flames. Honestly, that's the last thing I want.

-I also didn't mean to step on any toes or cross any lines when I responded to Derrick. Next time, should a similar opportunity arise I assure you, I'll follow up via PM only.

-Again, I did reach out to the vendor before posting. I've spent a lot of money with them, and have ALWAYS received top notch service and support. But, I figured that asking you folks as well would only help serve to educate me further, and help define my future expectations.

-I am new to traditionals, but not knives in general. I have a modest modern folder collection that includes pieces across the price/quality board; from Kershaws and Cold Steels, to Bucks, to CRs to full customs. I know what to expect in each category there, but have no idea what to expect in the traditional arena. Hence my (perhaps unfair) surprise at what I found when I opened the tube, and subsequent questions here.

With all that said, this one is on its way back for a replacement or store credit. I'm just not ready/qualified to modify a traditional myself yet, to solve the proud blade problem. However, I do plan to pick up a well used example with a similar problem and give it a try on that; if I ruin it, no harm done. If I don't, then all the better.

Thank you again to those who chimed in. I've learned a lot thanks to this thread and you guys, and I now know what to expect in general. I'm looking forward to my replacement, and to my traditional collection growing as well!
 
It's good to hear you aren't giving up on traditionals. I hope they find a niche in your line-up/collection/ accumulation/hoard, and most of all in your pocket.
 
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