Gap between liner and backspring

[hlee]

I recently purchased a Northfield #73 in burnt stag (three actually). It is the prettiest knife that I have ever owned. Pics to follow sometime in the future. However, there is a slight gap between one liner and backspring. Again, pics to follow. Is this common? Do you find this acceptable? At what point does a gap become unacceptable? It should in no way affect the function of the knife, and is smaller that what I can imagine pocket lint could wedge into. I am curious however, as the two other #73s that I purchased have zero gap. Is this something that can be easily fixed. I'd hate the scales to be trashed because of such a small imperfection. If it is a "well this needs another tap with a hammer" it is one thing, if it is total rework, that is something else entirely. I contacted GEC earlier today about this, so hopefully I will hear from them in the near future. Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[texasflyfisher]

None of the GECs I have have visible gaps but one has a tiny micro pin hole that can only be seen when held up to a light from behind. Not a big deal at all.

I tolerate a certain amount of gap. I have one Queen that you can visibly see a gap between one spring and liner for half of the length though not bad enough that you can see through the gap unless you the backlight test. I love the knife as it has great bone on it and great walk & talk and is virtually flawless with everything else.

I would be bothered though with a knife that I could stick a sheet of paper through the gap. Otherwise, if smaller than that where you can only see though it by holding it to a light, I don't get too upset over it.

Side-to-side blade play and weak springs/snap bother more than a tiny gap.

I would be interested to know what GEC replies.

 

[hlee]

I'm sure the gap is not wide enough to put a piece of paper through, and I'm not sure that it is wide enough to see through. You just can see that there is a dark line between the liner and backspring, which is not visible on the other liner/spring junctions. I'll try the light test tonight.

 

[rmfnla]

I have the same knife and it came new with a wobbly blade and gaps at the butt end between the scale, liner and backspring on one side.

I sent it back and they tightened up the blade but the gaps are still there. It looks like they hand-peened the pin a bit but if so it wasn't enough, and it is big enough to slip a piece of paper in.

I love the knife but this does bug me. I've been planning to fix it myself but I haven't gotten to it yet.

 

[hlee]

Ia this a fix as simple as giving it a few hits with a rubber/wooden/other mallet? I don't know, I'm not a maker. I'll post pics tomorrow and let the rest of you decide if I am too critical. Rmfnla, did you need a return merchandice code do send it back, or did you just send it back with a note?

 

[Peter Parker]

I agree with what texasflyfisher said. It's hit and miss but if you getting a quality piece Case, Queen, GEC etc. it will be more hit then miss. Thanks knarfeng!

 

[knarfeng]

I agree with what texasflyfisher said. It's hit and miss but if you getting a quality piece Case, Queen, GEC etc. it will be more miss then hit.

I'm not sure what you said. Could you try that one more time?

 

[hlee]

Okay, here are some pics. The knife in question is on the right. The gap in question is at the top of the last pic, between the scale liner and the topmost backspring.

 

[brownshoe]

Its a production knife that costs $120. You've got a nice bit of stag. If the only thing wrong is a gap you cannot see light through, forgetaboutit.

 

[hlee]

That's pretty much where I am at. The more I look at it the less I see the gap. I was wrong about the light thing, though. I can see a bit of light throuh the gap if I hold it to a light. At the rear I can just slip a piece of printer paper through about 1/2 inch of the gap. The stag is much nicer than I expected. If the difference is between a new knife with lesser stag and this one with the gap, I'd take this one every time, and twice on Sunday.

 

[rmfnla]

That's not much of a gap; mine is signifacntly worse.

To answer your question about returns, I called the number on their website and they told me what to do; very nice but not much help with the gaps.

Maybe I'll try to fix it myself this weekend...

 

[hlee]

Let me know how it goes. Before and after pics would be cool. In this thread would be cool too, but might get it moved to "maintenance and repair."

 

[DennisStrickland]

not aceppable in that price .

 

[hlee]

It seems that the gap may be a function of the knife not having an endcap. The two with end caps that I bought (one for my dad and one for me) are gapless. I have two without endcaps and both have small gaps on that end, one on one clip blade side of the knife, the other on the spey blade side of the knife. Perhaps one can be a bit more forceful when pinning a nickel silver bolster than one can pinning a stag scale. That extra force allows the maker to close up the gap in the one but not in the other. I'm not a maker so I could be talking out of my rear. However, the conjecture is consistent with the observations. I called GEC and they said send it back and they'll ty to close the gap up. I'm going to put them in the mail and see what happens. I'll post pictures when I get them back.

 

[cj65]

not aceppable in that price .

I fully agree. I buy knives used on ebay, and so far lucky that I have no liner gaps. If I bought a new one, I would be dissapointed as well. Good luck, please post what correspondence between you and manufacturer had. I would politely tell them that I was not satisfied with it, and please send a replacement. I have some good quality Case knives, and none of them cost me 120. Thanks for the objectivity.

 

[Rusty McDonald]

It is difficult to get the back pin peened when there isn't a bolster it just may have come loose. Peen too much and the handle material will crack, too little and you get a gap.

 

[Fort Henry Custom Knives]

I fully agree. I buy knives used on ebay, and so far lucky that I have no liner gaps. If I bought a new one, I would be dissapointed as well. I have some good quality Case knives, and none of them cost me 120. Thanks for the objectivity.

cj - If you have any CASE in this pattern with Stag of this Quality I think we could be talking Apple to Apples. Talking ramdom knives between Companies is no comparison. As an aside, It's been years since I've seen any CASE knife with good Stag, alot of years.

HLee - As Rusty has stated, you were correct in your assumption on the Bare Head versus Capped. To me, I would not worry about the Gap - esp so if you plan to use it but if you do send it back I would not ask for a replacement, as that Stag is Premium.


Beautiful knives and your Dad is lucky to get this kind of Gift!