GEC made Schrade Fire & Ice Trapper

M

mdsmith

Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
1,495
Hey guys. I've been eyeing these Schrade trappers for a while now. Particularly the smaller one in black pick bone. I finally got a few extra bucks together, but I'm hesitant to pull the trigger for one reason. I'm worried that it's going to have one of the infamous GEC " this knife is impossible to open" pulls. Does anyone own one,and if so, could you comment one the spring tension. Thanks.
 
The pulls on all of mine are firm for sure. I love them.

If I remember correctly, they were probably what I would consider about a 7 out of 10 when new. They are softer than that now.
 
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I had one but ended up selling it since the pulls were way too stong for me. It was literally a "nail breaker" as it kept breaking my thumbnail.
 
I own multiplies of the #73, #23 and Prototypes and I'd agree on a 7 pull....a firm pull but no where near a nail breaker.........
 
Lol. I thought this might happen. Fine for some, and too firm for others. I guess the term nail breaker is very subjective. Looks like the only way to find out is to order one. What I'm looking for is a good everyday knife, that has enough length and heft to use in the woods for woodworking type chores. This knife looked like it would fit the bill nicely.
 
Just remember that you can always loosen up the action a bit by working the blade open and closed. Sometimes I'll sit down and watch a show while working a beartrap snapper with the occasional drop of mineral oil, the results have always been an improvement.
 
Thanks FG. I had heard that, as well as leaving the knife partially open for a while, as recommendations for a stiff spring. I was just unsure of how much difference it would make.
 
This is the knife now (bottom knife) after 10-months use. It is one of the best knives I have. Sharpens easily and holds an edge beautifully. These knives are a bargain. Grab one while they last. I have two of the smaller ones 3 3/4" and one large one 4 1/2". The smaller ones carry nicely in the pocket. I can't say enough about them so I'll shut up - errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr quit typing and show the picture.



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Thanks for the pics Mod. Of the colors you gave, which do you prefer. I know sometimes the can look a bit different in person.
 
I like the Black Pick Bone the best but they are all nice. Both of my smaller ones are Black Pick Bone while the larger one is Brown.
 
Here are mine I picked up a while back, because of a post on here. I only wish I would have picked them up sooner, as besides the obvious quality, they are a screaming bargain. They do have a stout pull, but they are breaking in nicely.

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I have one...gotta rank it as one of the best knives I own. Craftsmanship is remarkable. Price was right.

As for springs, not bad at all. A little tough to open at first, but after a week or so, just right.
 
Agreed with others. Mine are fantastic.

The small gets carried nearly every day.

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I forgot my razor on vacation. I was too lazy to go to the store and grab a razor and shaving cream. I also had not stropped the edges in about a month or more.

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I liked them enough to order 4. Big and Small for me, and one for each of my boys (the 7 year old can't open one yet, and the 2 year old is a long way off).





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I stumbled upon one of the Fire & Ice trappers this weekend and it blew me away, so I had to grab it! This one has really lived up to all the positive forum commentary. The f&f is very nearly perfect, it sits very comfortably in the hand and is a pleasure to carry and look at. The pull is a little stiff, probably an 8 out of 10, but I don't mind it. To me a tough pull denotes quality if a knife is NIB, or close to it. For the price, I am definitely going to go back for a second one in the future.

Sorry for the bad pics, we've got a hurricane brewing down here in FL so I quickly snapped a few shots in between downpours. ;)

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You're going to love it. I have two of the small ones and one of the large ones. I'll be ordering more soon.

By the way - nothing wrong with those pictures at all. Great looking knife.

Keep dry. I lived in Venice on the Gulf Coast for years.
 
Like others here, i have been raving about these 2 "Fire & Ice" folders for years now. And i agree, i do not own a better GEC knife. Most impressive of all is the construction yielding "flush and square" joints. Gotta go back to the original Remingtons for that (or do the Camillus repros have F&S joints ?). German origin brought to N.A. by a German cutler brought in to work for Remingtom in 1920. (ref. BRL)
I only have 3 of the big and 1 of the smaller ones left. (traded and gifted a few).
I like the smaller 3 3/4" one the best. And they sell for $50. Buy all you can get !
roland
 
Pull the trigger! I had one of the 73 size and loved it. The pull on mine was pretty stiff in the beginning, 8 out of 10. The more I used it it better it got. By the time I drank to much and gave it away, it was perfect. Buy one, you won't regret it. This is the only knife I've given away that I regretted it the next morning.

Ben
 
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