GEC fit & finish - is this imperfection ok?

OneStarLeather

OneStarLeather

Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
422
With GEC I'm quite used to flawless fit and finish. There is a bit of space between the spring and the liners on my new 42 missouri trader.

Will this little gap effect the function of the knife at all? I really like the wood grain on the scales on this one and don't really want to return it. But someone more knowledgeable than me, let me know if this is normal or a big problem. Some pocket fuzz is getting caught in that crack already, but that seems to be the worst of it. You can see a tiny bit of that fuzz in the photos at the bottom of the knife.

I can squeeze the knife and get it to be almost flush.

Someone tell me not to worry about this, and I won't.

Thanks!

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WOW!!!!!!!!! I'd send that knife right back to the dealer and demand a refund. If it's coming apart now, just think how much more likely it is to completely come apart as pressure is applied to the liner/spring area already showing signs of separation. Completely unacceptable. Do a search and you'll find many threads about this very issue.
 
I think for the price, it shouldn't have any gaps. But if others want to chime in, maybe this is normal fit for a GEC. I'm no expert on GEC, but I believe that there shouldn't be any gaps like that.
 
That is the norm for GEC Knives that I have got through in the years I have collected them and you just learn to live with it or move onto another maker who could be much worse ~~ I have had gaps bigger than that but that does not mean it is going to fall apart on you or close on your hand.! Nothing to make a big deal out of ~~ you either love them or hate them and I have just learned to live with it and buy more of them.!** In other words it is not a deal breaker for me as I have seen Knives that look much worse than that and cost twice as much or more.! Not the Knifes fault per say as it is the people who make the parts and put them together and I guess they think they will pass so who am i to argue over a minor thing or two.? Gesh.!**
 
Is this going to be a user or safe queen?

I wouldn't worry about and just drop in pocket and use as opportunity presents. It's a knife. All factory operations will have a minor imperfection here and there. If you want total perfection then buy a custom. That's the way I look at it. Since I don't believe in safe queens, then it's only a matter of time before it's a less than perfect knife anyways from use. But then, I don't even mid a little side play. Makes it eaier to flush out dirt when cleaning the knife.:D
 
None of my GEC knives have gaps, and I'd expect better at that price range. To be fair though, the gap may have appeared after it left the factory and got past the QC stage. Imagine the wood scale warping and pulling the liner, which is soft and easily bent brass.

If the knife is a user, the gap won't affect performance. But if you're going to collect the knife or are particular about such things, send it back to Great Eastern for repair/replacement.
 
If this is a problem, it seems like it would be covered by GEC's Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship and Materials. They have very good Warranty Service.
 
GEC would take care of this if you give them a chance but its a cosmetic issue only. Knife will still function fine. I have well over 20 GEC knives & none of them have gaps. Guess I just keep getting lucky. :) I tend to buy from dealers that show a pictures of all sides of the actual knife you'll receive too though.

Jake
 
I agree with the other folks. It is a question of cosmetics, only.
I'm not certain that I have an opinion on whether it is objectionable from a cosmetic standpoint.
 
I was being a bit facetious and went overboard in my first response. If that knife is to be a user, it'll be fine as is. It will not separate or fail in any way. It does show that GEC is not perfect. They do put out occasional knives with flaws just as other manufactres do.
 
I would send it to the factory and have them put a pin thru that lockback and get that nasty gap out of there!

Just kidding. The reason you will see a little space at the lockbar release on lockbacks is that they need a few thousandths clearance for free movement and only have one backspring pin to work with. If you look at your lockback models, it is quite common, although that one may be a little more noticeable than many. Those that are comparing it to their slipjoints are eating apples and talking citrus (or something like that). It will not affect function and will not spread any more. But if you want it looked at, send it GEC.
 
It would not bother me at all . . . use it and forget about the gap, it's a non-functional issue.
 
I think what is making the issue more pronounced is the thong hole construction. That is what is holding things in place at the bottom of the knife. If that was a pin, it would probably hold tighter. I agree that there needs to be some clearance for the lock bar to work smoothly. While it is mainly a cosmetic issue, I would have a little concern that over time that gap could widen, because of the particular construction.
 
Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies! Sounds like its all about where on the anal-retentive scale I find myself. I think I'm going to hold onto this one as I do really like the scales and its not that big a deal to me. I'm going to carry it and use it, and as long as it doesn't fail in that capacity, I'm happy. Thanks!
 
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