GEC #71 with hard pull

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knifegirl1

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Aug 4, 2019
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I have a #71 bullnose and it is almost impossible to open the hardest of any knife I have ever handled. Is there someway I can loosen it up? I could send it to GEC but, I've heard it takes along time so I'm not sure if I want to was hoping there is some kind of easy fix. Thanks.
 
I have a few 71s and they all have a hard pull. I’ve had some luck leaving the blade partially opened ( between half stop/ closed position) for a few days/week. This has lighten the pull, but not very much. Do so at your own risk, some say this puts a lot of stress of the backspring. This pattern is considered a work knife, I’m guessing that is why GEC makes the backspring so strong.
 
Has anyone sent a knife back to GEC and if so how was the experience? As is the knife is useless to me I cut my thumb trying to open it its just too hard. Thinking maybe I should just send it back. They did tell me no warrany though even though the knife is new b/c I bought it second hand and to send $20 in. How has anyones experience been with sending a knife in i saw a youtube video where it took like 6mths. That just seems unresonable.
 
I've sent a couple into GEC over the last few years. Usually about a two week turnaround time in my experiences.
 
That is just how GEC makes that pattern, with a stiff spring. Many of us prefer them that way.
Does it sound reasonable to you that they should customize it to your liking, for free nonetheless (under warranty) oh, and make sure you do it quickly too... :rolleyes::D
I'm sure you could sell it and get your money out of it, then look for a different brand with weaker springs. Or pay a knife mechanic to fix it up the way you want it, although I doubt that will happen for $20 or have a faster turn around time.:thumbsup:
 
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I agree with Ramrodmb.... my 71 is not that difficult to open. You apparently just got a tough one. I'd look around and try to swap it for a different one, if the trick suggested by JaxBaron doesn't work.

Didn't you buy two of them in that purchase? I think I remember seeing that in the sales forum.... If so, how does it compare to the other one?
 
I wouldn't expect GEC to fix a second hand knife no with apparent defects.
I'd just sell the knife again and save your $20.00 plus postage.
 
The most recent iteration of the 71 came with a stiffer pull than the earlier ones did. I have several of the earlier ones with 01 blade steel and the pull is significantly lighter than the newer one with 1095 steel. If i were going to put a number to it on a 1-10 scale I would say pull is about a 5-6 on the 01 version and 7-8 on the 1095 version. If you can find an earlier one it might be worth a try if you like the pattern.
 
If you can't find a 71 with a lighter pull the current production case sodbuster jr usually has an easy pull.
 
A couple of other options are to file the corners of the tang, to round them off a bit. A second option is to add a easy open notch, so that you can pinch it open.
 
I was gifted one,and it was a bit stiff at first. But it was ok with me as I have strong nails and fingers. I will say that with regular use it has gotten noticeably lighter,but still firm. I now often pinch it open. But again my fingers are fairy strong,but if your having trouble to the point of injury that is a problem. I would suggest wrapping the blade in tape and putting a good amount of oil in the joint and work the blade back and forth. Being well oiled helps a bunch, and you may notice it flushing crud out.
 
Ramrodmb said:
… Does it sound reasonable to you that they should customize it to your liking, for free nonetheless (under warranty) oh, and make sure you do it quickly too... :rolleyes::D
Click to expand...

That's a bit harsh. There are plenty of people who find that GECs pulls are ridiculous. I'm one of them.
 
dsutton24 said:
That's a bit harsh. There are plenty of people who find that GECs pulls are ridiculous. I'm one of them.
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The statement you highlighted has nothing to do with the pull strength. It's about wanting something fixed under warranty that is not a defect.
Its like saying- I don't like the color of these scales. Please replace them under warranty.

To each his own.
Not me.
Lots of other brands to explore made with weak pulls.:thumbsup:
 
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I have had luck putting a dab of 3-6 micron diamond paste where the tang meets the spring and cycle it many times.
Then flush that with oil then go to hot water.
 
pistonsandgears said:
The most recent iteration of the 71 came with a stiffer pull than the earlier ones did. I have several of the earlier ones with 01 blade steel and the pull is significantly lighter than the newer one with 1095 steel. If i were going to put a number to it on a 1-10 scale I would say pull is about a 5-6 on the 01 version and 7-8 on the 1095 version. If you can find an earlier one it might be worth a try if you like the pattern.
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Thanks for that. I only have one 71 and it is from the earlier run with the O1 blade. I wasn’t really understanding what all the fuss was about. I would agree that my early 71 has a pull of about 5, nice and firm, but not hard to open at all.
 
knifegirl1 said:
I have a #71 bullnose and it is almost impossible to open the hardest of any knife I have ever handled. Is there someway I can loosen it up? I could send it to GEC but, I've heard it takes along time so I'm not sure if I want to was hoping there is some kind of easy fix. Thanks.
Click to expand...
How long have you had it? If it has only been a few days, then you can send it back to the dealer. All the dealers have nice simple return policies.
 
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