GEC Exec whittler review

[Pipeman]

My daughter bought me an executive whittler in the gold and black acrylic for my brithday, my first GEC. I'm Not very happy. FIRST, she was charged $32.50 for shipping and handling, I got a package last week with 50 pocket knives, the shipping was $35.00.
The scale to bolster F and F is good. The sheild side finish is fine, the other side has waves in the acrylic that you can feel, left from the buffer. The main blade is dull as the back of a butter knife, would not cut 10 oz leather with 4 push pull cuts. The pen blade is sharp but the grind is cooked at the tip and needs to be reprofiled. The copeing blade is dull and needs to be pulled open from the 1/2 stop, the main blade is slow on opening too. All three blades sit well below the backsprings and the main blade sits crooked on the two, one twice the distance of the other below the spring.
I'd post pics but my batteries just died in the camera.
Regards

Robin

 

[NeoClassic]

Can't speak to the issues in workmanship, as my GEC Scout is nearly flawless. Wasn't that sharp to begin with, but decent.

There are places that don't charge any shipping on many of their knives. Here a couple I've had good experiences with:

tsaknives.com (bought a Bark River from them)
collectorknives.net (bought my GEC from them)

I wouldn't let this one knife sour your experience on GECs altogether. Maybe contact the vendor about it?

 

[DennisStrickland]

send it back, but 1st if possible see if was an edc. edcs have minor flaws& are sold at a lower price. most gecs are pretty dull although i've gotten some sharpies. if this was a good dealer he should replace it or return money. this is unusal to see one with this many glitches.i have over 50 & none came close to having any problems.if you ca'nt get treated fair i'm sure members would like to know about it.

 

[knifeswapper]

He's in Canada. Where the customs love pocket knives....

I don't ship to Canada except via International Express and I am not interested in losing money to do that for free. Search in the feedback section about all the knives lost in international shipping; most people just won't do it anymore. This is no surprise as I told his daughter that I hated that was the only solution, but she insisted on placing the order and said "It is no problem".

All the acrylics that have swirled components have the tiny lines you refer to; has little to do with buffing. Almost like a shelf in natural pearl. Anybody else that has any of the swirled acrylics can confirm that by looking at them at an angle. It is not something most people notice (although I did almost immediately after getting the first one).

I have seen discussions about the blades sitting below the backsprings on these. Wish they would all sit flush, but can you imagine how obtrusive the run-up would be in a closed position if it was built up to match the backsprings in an opened position??

Blade grinds are definitely a hot topic of conversation on Queen and GEC knives. I believe it is universally agreed that they could do a better job putting on the final edge. The blades all flow pretty smooth on that pattern, be sure you are not trying to open them all at one time and give the joints a little drink of oil.

Thus, I think most conversations on this and other forums end with the conclusion that the edge consistency could be better. But for the rest of it, I think you have a knife just like every other one in that pattern that they made. But if you are not happy with it, you should definitely send it back to the factory and voice your concerns with them. I will check with them and make sure it gets taken care of. Maybe they can fix it just like you want it. It would do little good to send it back to us because every one in stock (here and elsewhere) looks just like it.

Mike Latham
CollectorKnives.Net

 

[The Government]

If the dealer fails you, GEC has great customer service. I had to send a Pioneer in for excessive bladeplay and they fixed it and sent it back very fast.

 

[Pipeman]

"He's in Canada. Where the customs love pocket knives...."

I import pocket knives all the time usually in lots of 50 and I have NEVER had a problem with customs EVER. $32.50 is outrageous for mailing a single knife to Canada IMO.

Whatever

Robin

 

[moonwilson]

I have the exact same knife, purchased from the exact same dealer as the OP. My knife has no flaws of any kind- it is exquisite. Without seeing pics, it's hard to say, but I'm tempted to think that the OP is making mountains out of molehills here. I would like to see GEC's come a bit sharper though. He is right about that, but it's nothing a little TLC can't fix.

FWIW, I've done business with CK.net many, many times, and have always received exemplary service.

 

[Pipeman]

I have the exact same knife, purchased from the exact same dealer as the OP. My knife has no flaws of any kind- it is exquisite. Without seeing pics, it's hard to say, but I'm tempted to think that the OP is making mountains out of molehills here. I would like to see GEC's come a bit sharper though. He is right about that, but it's nothing a little TLC can't fix.

FWIW, I've done business with CK.net many, many times, and have always received exemplary service.

Why exactly would you make the assumption that I am making mountains out of molehills??? I have described the knife EXACTLY how it is....Why the H### would I make it up??? I was very much looking forward to getting this knife and am an UNHAPPY customer who has been just told that Canada is at fault for the shipping charges and that ALL the executive whittlers are ALL THE SAME, they are NOT all the same apparently.

Robin

 

[Morrow]

I have a melon whittler with a main blade that sits far below the springs when open.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=737072

I called GEC and they offered to fix or replace (likely) the knife no questions asked. I opted to keep the knife as I've been using the heck out of it and have the edges exactly the way I want them.

If you are not satisfied with the fit and finish of the knife, send it back. In your case, I'd be returning it.

Complaining about shipping charges from the distributor should be taken to the GB&U forum.

 

[knifeswapper]

"He's in Canada. Where the customs love pocket knives...."

I import pocket knives all the time usually in lots of 50 and I have NEVER had a problem with customs EVER. $32.50 is outrageous for mailing a single knife to Canada IMO.

Whatever

Robin

I cannot respond to your success and do not doubt it whatsoever. USPS Priority to Canada or Europe had a very high failure rate for me. Empty boxes with customs tape on them or no boxes at all would arrive often enough that it was a money losing situation for most dealers (as I mention, these conversations can be found in the relevant locations of this very forum). But with International Express (which is very expensive) the package carries insurance and is handled in a fashion that it fast-tracks thru customs and is not worth the hassle of an investigation to tamper with. Regardless, the shipping cost was discussed and found not to be a problem by the buyer.

Now I can understand if that leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but it is not something to go straight to a public forum with before giving anyone a chance to discuss your concerns. But if you are not happy with the knife, pack that dude back up and send it back to me for a refund; or the factory to see if they can fix it physically to suit you (if they can't we will still issue a refund). No sense having a knife that bothers you every time you look at it.


Shipping details
Mailing date: Apr 28, 2010
Shipper: U.S. Postal Service
Tracking number: EC7015961XXUS (last 2 numbers X'd out for security - MSL)
Service type: Express Mail International®
Shipping Status: Shipped

moonwilson, look at your knife from the side under good light and see if you do not see where the swirls meet in the acrylic. I caught a glance of one originally and thought it was a crack; but realized what it was and have noticed it on every swirled acrylic variant.

Mike Latham
CollectorKnives.Net

 

[knifeswapper]

I have a melon whittler with a main blade that sits far below the springs when open.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=737072

I called GEC and they offered to fix or replace (likely) the knife no questions asked. I opted to keep the knife as I've been using the heck out of it and have the edges exactly the way I want them.

If you are not satisfied with the fit and finish of the knife, send it back. In your case, I'd be returning it.

Complaining about shipping charges from the distributor should be taken to the GB&U forum.

It would have been interesting to see the fix / replacement. Because it would be trading one cosmetic issue for a much bigger one. If you build up the run-up such that it sits flush with the backspring in an open position; that dude is going to be sticking up a mile in the closed position. I guess you could grind the whole back of the knife down, but those springs wouldn't have much punk left... Do you see what I am saying?

 

[kamagong]

Robin never called you out by name Mike, you identified yourself as the seller and I applaud you for stepping forward when you didn't have to.

This is a difficult situation all around. I understand why your shipping charges are so high, it is expensive to do business in Canada and the buyer agreed to them ahead of time. I also understand that Robin is dissatisfied with his knife. It might be that GEC is having a bit of trouble in the execution of this knife, similar to the way Queen had difficulties with the Mountain Man lockback a few years back. At least Robin has options here, he can return the knife for a refund or he can send it to GEC for repair or replacement. In any case this issue should probably be resolved in private from here on out, disputes are difficult enough to resolve without outside parties chiming in.

 

[Rick]

Here's how the blades sit relative to the springs on mine. I assume this is typical and I have no problem with it.

 

[knifeswapper]

It is very hard to make it show up; but I tried to show the waves in the swirled acrylic. If you look closely you can see them in this picture; looks like ocean waves...

 

[Pipeman]

My last post regarding this knife. The copeing blade has NO SNAP AT ALL, the main blade finally snaps when it is approx 2/3rds of the way past the 1/2 stop, this alone is enough to be disappointed then you add all the cosmetics. My Main blade is not only low on the springs but lower from side to side on the two. Had I known that shipping was $32.50 I would have told my Daughter to pass, she paid it because she wanted me to have a nice gift. I intentionally DID NOT mention who I bought it from.
The Mods can close this thread if you want to.

R

 

[Morrow]

My last post regarding this knife. The copeing blade has NO SNAP AT ALL, the main blade finally snaps when it is approx 2/3rds of the way past the 1/2 stop, this alone is enough to be disappointed then you add all the cosmetics. My Main blade is not only low on the springs but lower from side to side on the two. Had I known that shipping was $32.50 I would have told my Daughter to pass, she paid it because she wanted me to have a nice gift. I intentionally DID NOT mention who I bought it from.
The Mods can close this thread if you want to.

R

I'd send that one back in a heart beat...sounds like you got a dud.

You can close the thread yourself as you started it. Thread tools.....

 

[Morrow]

It is very hard to make it show up; but I tried to show the waves in the swirled acrylic. If you look closely you can see them in this picture; looks like ocean waves...

I just looked at mine with pumpkin patch acrylic....i have the "waves" as well. I never noticed them until you got me looking for them.

 

[knifeswapper]

We have no problem with our friends knowing who sold this knife. And the factory has no problem looking to see if they can tune the knife to your specifications.

The shipping charges were discussed. The waves on the acrylic have been explained and others can confirm. The blade matching the backspring has been discussed and is common to the pattern. I can got randomly grab 3 other brands split backspring whittlers and show the exact same thing. But not my Case Tony Bose, you can't even see the seam on it...

So we are down to the joint tension for blade resistance that provides desired snap. Split backsprings have a deep history of this, but I have not noticed this on any I have opened. It sounds to me as we have worked our way to an issue that the factory can resolve in a couple minutes of adjusting the joints. Since the main blade round end is radius cut, a 33degree closing snap is probably about right (these are not half stops on the main blade). They could loosen the joint but that would possibly cause play in the blade in open position. But the square ended coping blade not coming open/closed at a little less than 45degrees simply means the joint is too tight.

But it still sounds like the shipping charges stick in your craw. So send it back to the factory and we will eat our international shipping charges as well and issue a full refund once they confirm receipt. Can't beat that!

 

[DennisStrickland]

i've had enough of this guy. everything possible has been offered to correct the situation & he's still crying. shut up & return the knife bawl baby.

 

[midnight flyer]

i've had enough of this guy. everything possible has been offered to correct the situation & he's still crying. shut up & return the knife bawl baby.

Seems like the only one pissed off and snotty is you. The "I say I am tired of your crap" posts just aren't helpful. If you have had enough, quit reading the thread. Personalizing things like this (especially if you have no dog in the fight) is how these threads and this forum goes wrong.

While you have had enough, Mike (who actually does have a dog in the fight) continues to try to work it out with patience and professionalism.

We have no problem with our friends knowing who sold this knife. And the factory has no problem looking to see if they can tune the knife to your specifications.

SNIP of pertinent information

But it still sounds like the shipping charges stick in your craw. So send it back to the factory and we will eat our international shipping charges as well and issue a full refund once they confirm receipt. Can't beat that!

You have a great chance here Pipeman to get your problem resolved. Mike is top flight the whole way, and having bought a few knives from him, he has taken care of any reasonable problem quickly. If you give him a chance, he will go out of his way, as you can see by offering to eat the nasty shipping charges.

Doesn't get any better than that. I think it's your move....

Robert