GEC question

S

SteelSnob

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Sep 7, 2009
Messages
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While I love my Sheep's foot EZ open #25 I've notice several of the pins are pretty recessed, the back spring isn't flush in halfstop, I had to sharpen it when it came and the action was very gritty. While I was able to fix the action pretty easily with wd40 and spray air plus sharpen it I'm wondering is this normal? Am I expecting too much?

I compared it to Case Swayback and except for the wobble on the Case it doesn't have any of these other problems. I'm basically wondering if this is normal for GEC or should I contact them? It's still a great solid little knife that I wouldn't mind continuing to use but I can be kind of picky about my knives and I enjoy having a high quality f&f just as much or more than I do having a good user.
 
A) They try to recess the slab pins that do are not in an area to be buffed down for fit (i.e. end pins get buffed when buffing slab down to meet bolster). When they do need to buff a peened pin, many times people complain if you can see where it mushroomed into non-standard shape. But if they can spin it below the surface there are no such issues. Also, they drill the hole at two different sizes to insure tight grip by the pins and much sturdier construction.

B) Although it is always a goal, few production made knife companies get very concerned about flush backsprings in half open position. It is only a transitional position and would make fitting more complex. It would be great, but I have yet to see a non-custom maker get too excited about it.

C) It is well documented fact that few makers can suit the customers on factory edge; but I am not sure that is their goal. They put a general edge on them knowing that if the buyer can do better they will. I have had several buyers tell me they are too sharp, so this is an aspect in which you just can't suite everyone. Convex, Concave, Flat; what would suit everyone?

D) Although I rarely notice any debris in American knives from the factory these days, they probably could stand to have a "flushing" finishing phase. It couldn't hurt to run some oil in the joints while opening / closing blades to insure silky smooth operation. It might add a little cost to each knife, but seems worth it.

If there are improvements that you believe the company could make without impacting cost (or those that you would pay more to see), you should call and talk to them.

Mike Latham
CollectorKnives.Net
 
knifeswapper said:
D) Although I rarely notice any debris in American knives from the factory these days, they probably could stand to have a "flushing" finishing phase. It couldn't hurt to run some oil in the joints while opening / closing blades to insure silky smooth operation. It might add a little cost to each knife, but seems worth it.
Click to expand...

The GECs come from the factory very dirty. They all need to be cleaned and oiled.

To be fair, all of the new Case knives I've seen come from the factory very dirty. They all need to be cleaned and oiled.
 
It's good to know the pins are meant to be like that rather than than it being a messed up. What matters most to me is the rock solid lockup and the centered blade that I asked you for and you delivered. I guess you can't please everyone in terms of sharpness. I like scary sharp knives but I can see why some wouldn't.

And FWIW I prefer the GEC over the Case because the Case has wobble while the GEC is rock solid. Oh and I did have to sharpen the Case to my liking which I forgot to mention.
 
Question for you regarding the EZ Open , as I have been eyeballing one myself.

How does the cutout for the EZ Open feature feel in the hand when open ?
 
The reason why I can see some people (not me) liking this blade not screaming sharp is I was closing it one handed when I first got it and the blade hit my finger. If it would have been sharper I probably would have had a nasty cut. I've since learned how to avoid that happening again though.
 
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