GEC #71 Bull Nose issue

sjhong

sjhong

Joined
Jan 28, 2010
Messages
299
I just got a GEC Bull Nose 715117 and the blade is touching the inside of the backspacer in the closed position. Since the action is so strong, the edge is chipped in that area. I don't know why it would be, but is it normal for this otherwise excellent knife?
 
It happens sometimes on GEC knives, it's from the pin that runs through to seat the back spring, the axis from which it "springs". It probably is not resting on that little hump in the spring, they call this "blade rap" where the blade just smacks into that part when it slams closed from half stop.

I've had several knives that do it. Usually it resolves itself by sharpening the factory edge off, just removing a little metal. For a little while, you can close the blade carefully and not let it drop. Sometimes they come from the factory like this. If the chip is very deep, meaning something is abnormal, then GEC will make it right for you.
 
I had the same issue on an older 71. Unfortunately it lasted until the day I lost the knife. The chip wasn’t big enough to warrant a trip to Titusville, but it was big enough not to be quickly sharpened out. I kind of just got used to it though. It was a beater.
 
I've had blade rap issues on an number of knives over the years. GEC's definitely have the issue more frequently than other manufacturers. But it's a bit of a trade-off really. GEC's usually have stronger walk and talk, and fuller blades than other manufacturer's knives, so their knives are more prone to this issue. I guess you take the good with the bad. I personally am very comfortable reprofiling blades, and prefer to set my own edge angles, so it's not even remotely an issue for me. But I could see the problem being quite problematic for others.
 
Seems like once you think it thru, it is the lesser of two evils. If they peeled that edge back far enough that there was no chance of a minor rap, you would lose a couple years worth of blade use. Look at Case's 88 Congress and Gunstock models... When a GEC comes back to the factory with a little rap, what do you think they do to resolve it? Five seconds on the belt and a lot of user steel goes up the vacuum tube. I don't like seeing the tiny perf either, but I appreciate the attempt to deliver as much steel as possible.
 
That's what their customer service told me to do as well. Easier said than done though, considering that the spring is so strong with this model.

Not gonna send it back. Just sharpen it whenever I notice the ding on the blade.

This is my first slip joint. How does it break in with use? Does it get easier to open and close?
 
What everyone said is true. I’ve had a couple do it and in time it stops. Even if you don’t control it all the way down, bringing to about 1/4 open (halfway from half stop to closed) then releasing is usually enough.

As far as getting easier. Not anytime soon. Only ones I’ve had get easier are ones that had years of use. The only consistent way to make it a little easier is to keep the joint oiled. When dry, they’ll be a little harder i find.
 
sjhong said:
That's what their customer service told me to do as well. Easier said than done though, considering that the spring is so strong with this model.

Not gonna send it back. Just sharpen it whenever I notice the ding on the blade.

This is my first slip joint. How does it break in with use? Does it get easier to open and close?
Click to expand...

Maybe get an older and/or used #71. In my experience, some of the older knives had softer pulls when new. If you add in the fact that a user has started to be broken in, you'll probably find it's easier to open than new knives from the 2017 run.
 
I have to wonder sometimes, exactly what makes some knives so special that customers make excuses for the manufacturers like, "The lesser of two evils" and "I kind of just got used to it." The knife has a total of two moving parts and GEC can't build it within tolerances. I'm not impressed.
 
I suppose I could stop buying knives, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.
 
Reitwagen said:
I have to wonder sometimes, exactly what makes some knives so special that customers make excuses for the manufacturers like, "The lesser of two evils" and "I kind of just got used to it." The knife has a total of two moving parts and GEC can't build it within tolerances. I'm not impressed.
Click to expand...
You should check out the GEC factory tour on youtube. I found it very informative and it gives you real insite into how much work really goes into each knife. The machinery they use to make the knives is very old, but tried and true. Yes they certainly don't have modern cnc tolerances, but each knife is made by a person using a tool, not by punching nubers into a cnc (not saying thats easy just different). In the end you get a traditional knife that has a little character built into it. To each their own but I find GEC knives to be a great value when you consider the time invested to make each knife.
 
Reitwagen said:
I have to wonder sometimes, exactly what makes some knives so special that customers make excuses for the manufacturers like, "The lesser of two evils" and "I kind of just got used to it." The knife has a total of two moving parts and GEC can't build it within tolerances. I'm not impressed.
Click to expand...

My gut is telling me not to respond to this, but I’m going to do it anyway.
The 71 with the blade rapping issue I talked about was a PHENOMENAL knife. It was some of the best fit and finish I had seen on a GEC. The pull was incredibly smooth. The transitions were some of the best that I had ever felt. The spring was dead flush open and closed. This knife cost almost half of some of my other GECs new. I’m willing to put up with minor issues for a knife of that price. As was already mentioned these knives were largely made by hand with old style equipment.
When I buy a GEC(or any non custom traditional for that matter) I’m not buying engendering perfection.
As with any product there is a certain threshold for acceptable flaws. I think this degree of blade rap falls within this threshold.
 
The sharp edge of the blade striking the spring is not exactly PHENOMENAL fit, but then, I haven't joined the GEC cult.
 
Reitwagen said:
The sharp edge of the blade striking the spring is not exactly PHENOMENAL fit, but then, I haven't joined the GEC cult.
Click to expand...

You seem to have a different attitude in this thread Buck 112 Ranger. Did I get a lemon? where you are willing to accept the shortcomings of the knife and made modifications to it the correct the issue.

Are you a member of a “Buck cult”.
 
[edit and disclaimer]
I was being a jackass when i posted this originally and was called out for it by some members on the forum - rightfully so. There wasn't any need to call people out specifically while trying to convey my thoughts on the matter, but I did it anyways.

While i still stand by my thoughts I have to acknowledge that: A. they are, in fact, only my opinions and others are not right/wrong smart/dumb for disagreeing with me and B. There would have been better ways to say what i wanted while being constructive rather than an idiot.

I'm going to leave the original message here rather than just delete it because in my mind it's better to own a mistake and use it as a reminder rather than bury it and forget it happened.

This forum has done nothing but good for me (while i lurked for years, then finally made an account and lurked for more years) and I don't want to be the jerk that craps in the punchbowl for everybody else.

[end edit and disclaimer]



I just bought a 71 with a known blade rap issue off the exchange quite cheap compared to anything else GEC . It showed up today, blade rap and all... soon to meet with some stones.
A fair price and I'll fix a minor issue with some time and elbow grease... everybody's happy.

I really don't mean to come off as judgy or tryin to pick a fight... as said, I just bought one with a known issue and a price that reflected that issue.

I don't understand the defense of a knife that has a defect (with the cutting edge) from the factory.
I can get over centering issues or round tips (case) or gaps in bolsters and back spacers because it doesn't effect the function of a knife [edit: at a $50 price point]... but a knife that dings it's own edge when I close it? ... come on guys.

" The knife had phenomenal fit and finish" - except where the blade fubar'd itself when you close it normally.

That is not phenomenal fit and finish. That's "pretty" with mechanical flaws. Like a pretty lady with a lot of baggage... the damage is there, you just won't see it at first.

" The mfg wanted to give as much steel as possible"
That's a completely valid and understandable priority for a knife mfg to have, but I also have to assume it would have to be the #2 priority... behind #1: a knife that cuts things well.

Objectively, It boils down to a gap in a QA/QC procedure that resulted in defects being created and then being missed... even though they had the best intentions during the whole process.

I still like GEC, and I plan to buy more. But they aren't recreating the Mona Lisa each time they make a knife and i dont see the need to treat them as if they were.
 
Last edited:
strokednbored said:
I just bought a 71 with a known blade rap issue off the exchange quite cheap compared to anything else GEC . It showed up today, blade rap and all... soon to meet with some stones.
A fair price and I'll fix a minor issue with some time and elbow grease... everybody's happy.

I really don't mean to come off as judgy or tryin to pick a fight... as said, I just bought one with a known issue and a price that reflected that issue.

I don't understand the defense of a knife that has a defect (with the cutting edge) from the factory.
I can get over centering issues or round tips (case) or gaps in bolsters and back spacers because it doesn't effect the function of a knife... but a knife that dings it's own edge when I close it? ... come on guys.

" The knife had phenomenal fit and finish" - except where the blade fubar'd itself when you close it normally.

That is not phenomenal fit and finish. That's "pretty" with mechanical flaws. Like a pretty lady with a lot of baggage... the damage is there, you just won't see it at first.

" The mfg wanted to give as much steel as possible"
That's a completely valid and understandable priority for a knife mfg to have, but I also have to assume it would have to be the #2 priority... behind #1: a knife that cuts things well.

Objectively, It boils down to a gap in a QA/QC procedure that resulted in defects being created and then being missed... even though they had the best intentions during the whole process.

I still like GEC, and I plan to buy more. But they aren't recreating the Mona Lisa each time they make a knife and i dont see the need to treat them as if they were.
Click to expand...

I saw that same 71 on the exchange and almost scooped it up before you did but the one thing that held me back was that blade rap issue. I had a GEC 71 in green micarta from their most recent run that I absolutely enjoyed and I let it go to someone who 1.) really liked the knife and 2.) wanted to experience their first GEC. I had zero issues with that knife and it certainly didn't have the blade rap issue, so I know they can make the pattern just fine without incurring problems. When another comes up that doesn't appear to have any issues, I will be sure to try and scoop it up.

Though I certainly enjoy GEC knives, and am rather enthusiastic about the ones I have had the opportunity to handle/own, I certainly won't give them a pass just because I am partial to the brand. Since I know they can make a 71 with no blade rap, it seems it is just a matter of QC, which, in reality, can and does occur with just about every production knife company. To be fair though, GEC produces a fine knife at a competitive price point with superior overall F&F to any of the other production level alternatives.

I'd agree that they aren't producing Mona Lisa level works of art but I honestly think you have to be approaching the level of some, if not all, of the customs out there to make that comparison (plus, quality art is usually determined in the eye of the beholder...). GEC is a production level knife maker and not only does their pricing reflect that, but I think you will certainly see the occasional lemon slip past their QC as well.

Ultimately, GEC knives suit my sensibilities, come at a price I can afford with some regularity, and make for fantastic users, especially the patterns I like. I am certainly not in possession of any "cult-like" attitude towards them and will criticize when appropriate and give credit when it is due. Blade rap is certainly something worthy of criticism and hopefully is something that they can do better at avoiding in the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top