GEC 85 blade question

C

CoffeeCat2112

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2007
Messages
2,339
I know if you close the blade slowly, it's ok, how much of an issue is the blade hitting the inside backspring otherwise? Does this seem be an issue with all 85s, or just random, depending on how the parts were ground on each knife? When the blade does get dinged, is it a big mark or just a little spot? How much have you had to sharpen to remove it, and also to get the knife to the point where it no longer happens?
 
I always close my 85 harness knife slowly. My partner closed it with a snap once and the blade just touched the back spring making the slightest mark in the edge. I never let my slippies snap closed.

Regards

Robin
 
The blade should not hit the backspring. That is the function of the Blade Kick. The raised part on the front of the tang.
 
rma100 said:
The blade should not hit the backspring. That is the function of the Blade Kick. The raised part on the front of the tang.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't but it's a known issue on spear blade 85s. It's not a big ding/dent. It's actually very small and minor and wouldn't take much sharpening to remove it.
 
Probably don't need to actually "sharpen" the blade to remove it... I'd venture a guess that the edge just rolls, and that a few strokes across a butcher's steel would set it right again.
 
I've heard quite a few others report on this problem. But, none of the 3 I have display it. With a broad leaf-like spear this could happen if the kick is inuifficient. Sharpening ought to take care of it I assume. I know you shouldn't let them snap shut but I get puerile glee from doing this, whack! Can't do THAT with any of the CSs I used to own or a Queen or two either...:D:D
 
I've found that with the factory edge this isn't a problem, but when I sharpened the knife and thinned out the edge the ding became more apparent.
 
I have 3 of the ebony 85 easy open single blades. One I carry, the other my dad uses and the third will end up most likely as a gift one day.

The two that have been used both got dings from the backspring. The dings are substantial and my father's still has a mark but mine I have sharpened out. It took a little less than 1 mm off the edge on mine before it stopped hitting.
 
Let's drift the thread a little bit. What are everyone's impressions of using that broad spear main blade?
 
LOVE the spear blade. AWESOME!

I have carried and used mine a ton and it cuts anything that gets in its way. I'm carrying a clip blade knife now but I do miss that full leaf spear of my 85.

I'm not knocking the knives. My 85 is my longest running, most used GEC EDC.
 
Take a look at this pic I took for you. Its lousy in quality but it shows quite a bit.

Look at how much fuller the blade is on the factory fresh 85. This is the knife I learned to peen pins on. You can see how I had to sand off some depth of the serial number to clean up my learning work. The satin finish is not showing through the patina that took a long while to form through use and carry. I worked over the entire knife, but I NEVER stained or did anything to darken the wood, but it darkened from hand oils, grease, grime, dirt and sweat. I sharpen ONLY with a translucent Arkansas stone and finishing strops. I never over sharpened, I have practice with that and I don't just sit there honing away wondering why its not sharp yet. The knife has been through a lot, dropped in water, dropped on concrete multiple times. Talk about not letting a blade snap shut, give me a break. I use this knife and I don't care to have to use two hands to close it. Grab it, open, cut, snap closed on my jeans...

L1000988.jpg


Kevin
 
richstag said:
Take a look at this pic I took for you. Its lousy in quality but it shows quite a bit.

Look at how much fuller the blade is on the factory fresh 85. This is the knife I learned to peen pins on. You can see how I had to sand off some depth of the serial number to clean up my learning work. The satin finish is not showing through the patina that took a long while to form through use and carry. I worked over the entire knife, but I NEVER stained or did anything to darken the wood, but it darkened from hand oils, grease, grime, dirt and sweat. I sharpen ONLY with a translucent Arkansas stone and finishing strops. I never over sharpened, I have practice with that and I don't just sit there honing away wondering why its not sharp yet. The knife has been through a lot, dropped in water, dropped on concrete multiple times. Talk about not letting a blade snap shut, give me a break. I use this knife and I don't care to have to use two hands to close it. Grab it, open, cut, snap closed on my jeans...

Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin,

Thanks for the pic - that helps. You user is gaining a lot of good character!

May I ask why you did the work on the knife yourself instead of sending it back to GEC? Did you want the experience of doing it yourself, or were you concerned that GEC would not address the issues to your satisfaction?

Also, could you give me an idea where on the blade the infamous ding actually occurs?
 
Blaine,

I have done a lot of work with knives over the years but I mainly keep it to myself. Doing the work myself I actually enjoy and I can contour and finish the materials exactly how I want. I have sent back knives to GEC and I trust them, they are masters of this trade IMHO. I just sent back a Scagel for a cover pin to be tightened, I just don't trust myself with that. I have lots of blade grinding experience, handle making, now peening of bolster pins, but thin stag and a cover pin I just didn't want to learn on that knife.

The infamous ding shows up directly above the mainspring pin (in the bladewell at the hump).

GEC has the ability to do work that I do not, but when I can I always prefer to do it myself.

If the scagel wasn't brand new and mint I would probably have jumped into learning to spin pins :)

Kevin
 
Thanks, Kevin! You and everyone in this thread have really helped me. I'm contemplating either the bullet jack or a TK Cuban, both in ebony. I am leaning towards the jack, since I already have a Cuban in bone.
 
Your welcome, Blaine, always a pleasure. If you don't have an 85 I would suggest trying the pattern. I only have experience with the one I showed here, but if you have reservations there are a few over the top dealers that will sit on the phone with you and absolutely nit-pick a knife to death making sure it will get the nod when received.

I hope you find a good one, keep us posted please!

Kevin
 
One thing that I've learned here about the blade edge hitting the spring (besides not letting it snap shut which I love doing with all my knives) is that you can put something like a match stick on the spring's hump inside the handle. The blade edge would now hit something soft which won't damage the edge.
 
bwperdue said:
I just wish I could get ebony and long pull on the same knife, like on my boys' knife...
Click to expand...

You may want to reach out to these guys to see if they still have any... Just note that "Warranted" is stamped not etched.
IMG_3640.jpg
 
bwperdue said:
I just wish I could get ebony and long pull on the same knife, like on my boys' knife...
Click to expand...
The 1st run JBF Champlin by GEC came in ebony and long pull, only 50 made though. Very nice knife, all steel.
edit- 2Dead beat me to it

Kris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top