GEC etches disappear

6

67nick

Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Messages
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I was going through my knives tonight, keeping up with oiling and such... And I noticed some of my GEC's with etches have lost the definition in their etches. Meaning that the etches have become very light or disappeared altogether. I'm not a fan of etches, so no worries. Have any of ya'll experienced this
 
I have, but a bit like yourself, I'm not a fan of etches on blades. I suppose as the patina wears in the etch just loses definition until it has been hidden altogether.

pmew
 
I find the etches are very light as well, I dont mind the etches, I guess some in the collectors mind - they have importance, such as the triple P for the first production run, or 1 of 15 etc,
I personally think the etches GEC use are pretty cool.
 
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does the etch remain beneath the patina ?
would it reappear if you cleaned the blade up?

not that I mind the etch.
 
It's like a t-shirt with advertising. Some products are worth it others are not. In GEC's case it's acceptable, but I'm not a fan of etching so much.
 
67nick said:
I was going through my knives tonight, keeping up with oiling and such... And I noticed some of my GEC's with etches have lost the definition in their etches. Meaning that the etches have become very light or disappeared altogether. I'm not a fan of etches, so no worries. Have any of ya'll experienced this.
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Absolutely! For the most part, it's a blessing-- I'm either neutral about or un-fond of many of GEC's etches, and were they not removable (or prone to fade with use and enveloping patina) I would have passed on certain knives.

On the other hand, there are some etches I'd love to keep. Unfortunately, there's no way to use the knife and preserve the etch, and my knives are users. :(

~ P.
 
I have only had two GEC knives so far but the etch didn't stay around very long. That was fine with me as I don't care about etch on any knife I have. The sooner it's gone the better.
 
I believe the etches and serial numbers serve collectors. They are indicators of how mint the knife is when it comes to resale or display. If you wanted a collection to simply show off, would you rather have serial #03 and crisp etches, or serial #24 with faded etches? Obviously, to a user, it makes little difference.
 
Yeah, it seems it only takes a few bunches of strawberries and a couple apples for the etches to get lighter. I used to not like them at all, to the point that they were one of the reasons I didn't own any GECs. Now, I think they look neat, especially as they get used and the patina overtakes them.
 
I like the fact that they fade and go away. Im not a fan of etching. I like the patina overtaking them like bwperdue said.:thumbup:
 
Flitz removes etches very quickly too. As I've recently learned, it seems that even a thin coat of oil, when wiped clean, tends to wash away etches over time... On GEC's that is.
 
Thanks for the etch removal tips guys. I used to dislike them and now feel quite the opposite.
I do have a few users and cheapies I'd like to experiment with. I need some fresh Flitz first, mine is all separated.
 
You won't find those Squirrel&Acorns etchings on the stainless GECs vanishing quick:D:D:thumbup:

I like those anyway.

Maybe the oil you use has solvents that fade the etches as well? On carbon, etching goes quickly with use, not a big loss in my book. Most GEC etches are OK some less so...Böker do good etches though!
 
IMHO I think GEC uses WAYYY too many etches. Why do they think there should be an etch on almost every knife. :eek:
 
Knife Crazied said:
IMHO I think GEC uses WAYYY too many etches. Why do they think there should be an etch on almost every knife. :eek:
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The one thing about gec is that they are a very unique company. They have certain little quirks that make them gec. Hate or love me, but personally I like that they keep some of these little things. I will admit I'm glad they come off with use :D
 
Like many already said, it is true that even the mild polishing compounds will make the etchings disappear sooner or later. But I treat mine with Tuff Cloth and that seems to help preserving the etchings very well. Be aware, however, that a blade treated this way does not get a patina easily.
 
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